《The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player》


 Chapter 1: The Midnight Bell (1)

    Chapter 1: The Midnight Bell (1)

    Humans all possess the innate desire to survive, and Ryu Min is no exception.

    If not for that, I wouldnt have made it this far, he thought to himself.

    From level one to level twenty, Ryu Min fought tooth and nail through the perilous survival game, shedding 98 lives along the way. Now, in the 99th life, he stands before the ultimate challenge: the final boss room. And he stands alone.

    Yet, fate was not on his side.

    [To enter the boss room, a minimum of five yers are required.]

    What?!

    Ryu Min could hardly contain his disbelief at the audaciousness of the games demands.

    At least five yers are needed?!

    He had fought his way through 20 levels alone, but now he was expected to find four morerades to join him?

    He had already conquered a quest that was deemed impossible for a solo yer, and now this. The weight of defeat burdened Ryu Mins shoulders as he pondered the daunting task ahead.

    If we needed at least five yers, they should have made it clear from the start!

    There were no hints in the quest message or any indication prior to entering the boss room that such a requirement existed.

    Overwhelmed by the turn of events, Ryu Min almost missed the next message.

    [A yer has been identified in the boss room. The condition was not met, and the yer will disappear.]

    What?!

    Before he could even react, Ryu Min began to disintegrate on a molecr level. With hisst breath, he cursed under his breath.

    [You have died.]

    [Congrattions. You have met the condition for the Rune of Time Reversal.]

    [Rewind time to the first round.]

    [You have used 100/100 lives.]

    [All remaining lives have been used.]

    [The skill Rune of Time Reversal has automatically disappeared.]

    As the shadow of death loomed over him, Ryu Min was reborn once again, this time as a lowly level 1 novice yer.

    Starting the 100th regression.

    ****

    December 31st, 2021.

    In front of Seouls Bosingak Pavilion, citizens and reporters alike had gathered to await the toll of the bell marking the end of the year.

    Many citizens are eagerly waiting for the bell-ringing ceremony to wee the hopeful new year.

    This years ceremony will feature various figures from Seouls mayor, to those from all walks of society.

    As the cameras from the broadcasting station turned towards the crowd, Ryu Min came to his senses.

    Im back. To where I was before being sucked into this damn game.

    Looking around, he saw countless faces filled with excitement, eagerly waiting for the stroke of midnight.

    Unaware that their anticipation would soon be overturned by despair.

    If only I could stop time.

    But time marches on, whether in happiness, tedium, pain, or hardship, it moves relentlessly forward, never ceasing.

    Even though I can return to the past before, thats not an option now.

    Theres no going backward anymore.

    All my extra lives have been used up in death.

    This is my final chance. I will kill the boss on the twentieth round and survive this insane game, no matter what.

    It may be hisst chance, but he still has hope.

    Knowing that the entrance condition to the boss room is five yers, he can n ordingly.

    Ill have to revise my previous nspletely.

    Before, he only cared about his own survival, paying no heed to his fellow yers.

    After all, its a survival game where those who fall behind will perish.

    Despite reaching the twentieth round with unparalleled strength, he was shocked to find that he needs to be in a party of 5 yers for the final round.

    If I didnt have any extra lives, everything would have ended there without a doubt.

    It turned out to be a game that he could not win alone.

    To Ryu Min, it seemed like a trap intentionally set by the gods.

    I have to do it this time.

    Before, he never had time to look around and see who was there, but now he cant afford to ignore anyone.

    He must lead four other yers to the final round, besides himself.

    Of course, I wont give them a free ride. Its already hard enough for me to be stronger again.

    The n is to only use them to get through thest round.

    Who would be the best to join me? Since its a boss battle, its better to fill the team with capable allies, right?

    The memories of some of the named characters who died in round 18 came to mind.

    Various ns were drawn up in his head.

    As it was thest battle, there was a need to n more carefully and thoroughly.

    While mentally reviewing the n and making amitment, the moment arrived.

    Finally, its time. Lets count down together!

    The hosts voice rang out and the countdown to death began.

    20! 19! 18!

    People eagerly joined in, counting down from 20 with hopeful expressions.

    3, 2, 1!

    The Seoul mayor and several other celebrities stood before the bell, ready to ring in the new year with a loud ng.

    Dang! Dang! Dang!

    Happy New Year 2022! May you all have a blessed year ahead!

    Yayyy! Cheers erupted, and the faces of the celebrants were aglow with happiness.

    But their joy was short-lived.

    [Kik, kik, kik. Humans are amusing, arent they? Celebrating the new year without realizing their predicament.]

    A voice suddenly boomed in their minds, causing theughter to fade from their faces.

    What was that? Did you hear something just now?

    What did you say?

    I didnt say anything!

    People looked around in confusion, unsure of what was happening. They turned to each other, trying to figure out who had spoken.

    Only one person remained calm amid the chaos: Ryu Min.

    He had experienced simr situations 99 times before and knew exactly what was happening.

    I cant panic. Everything is proceeding as it should be.

    After a tense silence, unpleasantughter echoed in their minds again.

    [Hehe, Hehe, Hehehe You look like monkeys trapped in a cage when you all act this startled. But dont worry, you will get used to it, humans are adaptable creatures, after all.]

    What? Where is that voiceing from?

    Are they ying a prank at the broadcasting station?

    How can they film a hidden camera at a bell-ringing ceremony?

    The confusion was overwhelming. Just the sound of a voice was enough to send people into a panic. Even celebrities forgot to ring the bell.

    Theyre trying to mess with us. A beautiful angel cosyer will appear at any moment.

 Chapter 1: The Midnight Bell (2)

    Chapter 1: The Midnight Bell (2)

    They called the owner of the voice an angel, but her actions were anything but holy.

    Ryu Min had learned the hard truth through 99 cycles of regression.

    Its not the kind of thing that lowly women like angels would do.

    This damn games organizer undoubtedly existed, and this so-called angel was simply an NPC designed to exin the rules.

    Although it may seem like its just a game, its a serious situation.

    Soon, a bright light descended from the sky, apanied by a woman who elicited gasps from the crowd.

    An angel?

    With a pair of wings, porcin skin, and a beauty that even celebrities would envy, the woman matched the image of a familiar angel in everyones mind.

    Her character may be devilish, but her looks are heavenly.

    Only Ryu Min remained unimpressed by the angels appearance. It wouldnt be long before the others realized how little the angels cared for human beings.

    Trashy humans, falling for my looks like the bunch of lustful animals they truly are. It seems like youre all stupid enough to stare at me nkly.

    ?

    I advise you not to entertain any foolish thoughts. I have no intention of associating with the likes of you vultures.

    Although the angels wicked smile was beautiful, the people couldnt bring themselves to smile back.

    How could anyoneugh when they were being insulted?

    Seeing all of you frown like that makes me feel like Im getting through to you. Tee-hee-hee.

    Thats when a brave young man shouted the question that everyone was curious about.

    Who do you think you are, talking to us? Are you even an angel?

    The angels gaze fell upon the young man, and Ryu Min watched with a sorrowful expression.

    May he rest in peace.

    It always starts with the young man who defies the angels will.

    Tsk.

    It happened right then and there.

    St!

    Suddenly, the young mans head exploded like a watermelon.

    As blood sttered everywhere, the people nearby screamed in terror.

    Kyaaah!

    Ugh!

    How dare you speak impolitely to me, a superior being!

    Even though he was already dead and couldnt hear, the angel continued to curse him.

    And who said you could ask questions? You, humans, dont have the qualifications to ask me anything. Dont try to act as if youre on equal footing with me. Unless you want your head to explode like that humans, of course.

    .

    With a voice as chilling as the grave, tens of thousands of people held their breath in unison. The terror of knowing that even a single misced word could cause ones head to explode dominated the audience.

    That is surely what the angels desire, Ryu Min thought. This way, there was no time for the panicked crowd to make rational judgments.

    Do you not understand the situation you are in right now? You do not even know what I am talking about? Well, how could inferior humans like you understand? I will exin it to you step by step. After all, this is also my role, the angel said with a cold, prating gaze.

    Every month on the first day, you humans will collectively fall into a slumber, and your souls will be forcibly transferred to a new dimension where you will awaken, the angel continued.

    Soul transfer? A new dimension? It sounded unbelievable, but no one could refute it. After all, the situation with the angels appearance was already beyondprehension.

    Your only task there, humans, will be to achieve the given quest. If you seed, you can return to reality and receive substantial rewards, the angel said.

    There was no one who was pleased by the prospect of being able to return only if they seeded. After all, it meant that failure meant death.

    However, some still held onto hope.

    They did not know what the quest was, but if they seeded, they could survive, right? If they strategized and took their time, they could surely survive.

    But the angels next words crushed their expectations mercilessly.

    However, not everyone can survive even if theyplete the quest. We will only spare half of the group that passes the quest the quickest. So, its best not to waste any time. Teehee. the angel said with a sinister chuckle.

    Only half of us can survive?

    It was a survival game with a predetermined set of rules and apetitive format.

    You will go through 20 rounds, one per month. As I mentioned before, only half of the yers can survive each round, and as you proceed the quests will be increasingly difficult.

    Despair was etched on peoples faces as they realized they might have to go through this game twenty times before they could live.

    Hehehe, dont worry too much. I wont take all of you. Only humans aged 15 to 29 are eligible to participate in this survival game.

    There was an age limit, and the impact of that statement was significant.

    Phew thank goodness.

    Well, that doesnt include me.

    While adults who were not in the mentioned age range breathed a sigh of relief, those in their teens and twenties felt despair as if the sky was falling.

    But Im included, right?

    What do I do? My birthday is January 1st, so I just turned 15 this year!

    Those who were of the appropriate age range felt a sense of hopelessness.

    Well, I dont really have the right toin.

    Although Ryu Min looked like an ordinary high school student, he had lived through countless years after going through 99 regressions.

    Memories of his days filled with survival vividly came to mind.

    Why did it have to happen on my birthday? Someone cursed under his breath.

    It felt a little unfair.

    There are some humans here who seem to feel unfairly treated. But dont worry, we will take not only those here but also humans from all over the world!

    The angel couldnt help but grin.

    There was no longer anyone who thought of the angel as beautiful.

    A demon, thats what she truly is.

    Lets seeif we narrow down the humans between 15 and 29, the number of participants would be 1,801,029,290. Well, now that the exnation is over, shall we get started? Te-Hehehe.

    It was the defining moment when around 1.8 billion individuals were coerced into taking part in a deadly survival game.

 Chapter 2: Hwang Yongmin (1)

    Chapter 2: Hwang Yongmin (1)

    In a dark alleyway consumed by shadows.

    Crack!

    A group of teens was tearing open cans of beer and gulping them down.

    We can legally drink beer now!

    Not yet, we still have thirty minutes until the new year!

    Seriously? When do we stop hiding in alleys like rats to drink?

    Youre the rat. Why are you dragging us into it?

    Because its frustrating. Dont you guys feel frustrated too?

    Hwang Yongmin, who had chugged his beer in one go, threw the can away nervously.

    Do you have a lighter?

    Here, Yongmin hwang.

    He exhaled a deep smoke cloud and finally rxed his wrinkled forehead.

    Why do old people have to ruin everything good?

    Because theyre old, duh.

    Hahahahaha.

    Hwang Yongmin and his friendsughed together.

    If anyone passed by their alley, they would stopughing and shoot them a cold re, as if to tell them to pretend like they didnt see anything. And most people would quickly run away without looking back.

    And thats what happened even now.

    Hey, did you see that? She ran away because of my re.

    What re? Do your eyes have night vision or something? It was too dark to see anything except the cigarette.

    But that girl who just passed by, wasnt she pretty? She had a sweet, innocent vibe.

    Sweet and innocent? Really?

    Ah, I want to hug her in my arms and never let go.

    Haha, youre crazy.

    Hahaha!

    Hwang Yongmin made a ridiculous face, and his friends burst outughing.

    Hey, if you like her, go and get her number.

    But Im underage, will she give me her number?

    Why be afraid? Soon enough, well all be legal adults.

    When the clock struck midnight, their status as high school students woulde to an end.

    When summer vacation ends, well finally graduate from the boring life of the school.

    What are you going to do after graduation?

    Ill ask my dad to buy me a motorcycle and maybe look into bing a delivery driver. I heard it pays well these days.

    Really? What about Tae-sik?

    Im going to work in a factory that provides dorms until I have to join the military. My parents keep nagging at me at home, I need to get away from them.

    Hwang Yongmin chuckled as he watched his friend exhale a puff of cigarette smoke with a sigh.

    Yongmin, what about you?

    Me? Didnt I already tell you guys that I was going to be a gangster?

    Whoa, were you serious about that?

    Wasnt it just a joke?

    Hwang Yongmin scoffed at his friends surprised reactions.

    I gave a pretty serious answer, and you thought it was a joke?

    Of course. Who in this day and age would aspire to be a gangster?

    A gangster arent you scared? You might end up getting stabbed in the stomach and dying.

    Despite his friends concerns, Hwang Yongmin only chuckled.

    Damn, you only live once, why not live it up?

    This guy is crazy, seriously.

    Ha ha ha.

    His friendsughed and joked around, but in reality, they all shared the same thought.

    This guy is insane.

    Although they were also considered troublemakers at school, they paled inparison to Hwang Yongmin.

    Right, just do whatever you want

    When I graduate, Im cutting ties with this guy.

    What a lunatic

    Even his friends who had known him since middle school couldnt stand being around Hwang Yongmin.

    By the way, whats going to happen to the shuttle that youve been bullying once Yongmin graduates?

    What shuttle?

    You know, that weird kid in our ss.

    Oh, the motherless kid?

    One side of Hwang Yongmins mouth curled up in satisfaction.

    Even if I graduate, I wont let him go.

    Ha ha ha, youre still going to bully him even after you graduate?

    Of course. Hes my personal shuttle, after all.

    Wow I feel sorry for the poor bastard. He probably thinks the shuttle duty will end after graduation.

    Who said its going to end just because he wants it to? We should make the most of it.

    Seriously, youre evil. Even Satan would bow down to you, ha ha ha.

    As theyughed and joked around, they finished their beer cans.

    Suddenly, someone checked their phone and saw that it was almost midnight.

    Hey, its almost New Years.

    Oh, really?

    Should we go watch the bell-ringing ceremony? Its happening right in front of us.

    Okay, lets go.

    Hwang Yongmin and his friends headed toward the Bosingak Bell Pavilion to listen to the ringing of the bell.

    Wow, there are so many people here.

    Its like a swarm of ants.

    Find me a pretty girl.

    As he looked around, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling crowd, a friend tapped him on the arm.

    Hey, Yongmin. Look over there.

    His friend pointed to a spot off to the side.

    Isnt that the guy you bully on the shuttle?

    Yongmins gaze followed his friends finger to Ryu Min.

    Oh, right. My shuttle buddy.

    Seeing him outside of school gave Yongmin an unexpected feeling of happiness.

    Did youe to watch us bully the geek?

    I came to beg you not to bully Yongmin in the new year, Ryu Mins friend interjected.

    Haha, thats an impossible wish.

    You said it, Yongminughed.

    But as he moved to approach Ryu Min, something caught his attention.

    Hmm, that guy

    Ryu Min just stood there, quietly lost in thought.

    Despite looking like the same old introverted shuttle buddy, there was something different about him today.

    Whats with him? He feelsdifferent from before.

    At that moment, the emcees voice boomed through the crowd.

    Finally, its time. Lets count down together!

    The people around them erupted in cheers as they began counting down.

    Yongmin and his gang joined in, hoping for a bright new year.

    But Ill spare you today, geek, he thought to himself, not wanting to start the new year with bullying.

    Three, two, one! Happy New Year 2022!

 Chapter 2: Hwang Yongmin (2)

    Chapter 2: Hwang Yongmin (2)

    The crowd went wild.

    In the midst of it all, Yongmin and his friends exchanged greetings.

    Happy New Year!

    Happy New Year!

    Finally, were adults now! Lets make our dreamse true this year!

    Ha, ha, ha!

    Yongmin was about to make a joke when an unfamiliar voice interrupted him.

    Kyo-ho-ho-ho. You guys look like trapped monkeys.

    The voice wiped the smiles off their faces, Yongmin included.

    Is this a joke?

    At first, he thought it was a prank from the broadcastingpany, but then he saw the angel appearing in the sky with a sh of light.

    Thisthis is real. Its not a joke.

    Despite the shock, he couldnt deny what he was seeing with his own eyes. The floating angel left him speechless.

    Furthermore.

    Pop-!

    The young man who spoke informally to the angel saw his head explode.

    Kyaaah!

    Cough!

    Hwang Yongmins expression could only stiffen like the other citizens.

    A damn beheading! What kind of bullshit is this on New Years Day!

    He had never witnessed a person dying in his life, especially not in such a violent death like a firework exploding in their head. Thats why Hwang Yongmin couldnt even catch his breath in front of the angel.

    Turning his head, he saw that his friends were in the same boat.

    But

    Hwang Yongmins gaze turned to Ryu Min.

    Why doesnt that shuttle bastard change his expression?

    If it were someone he knew like Ryu Min, they should have been frightened or frozen in ce.

    But Ryu Min had a calm expression, even more so

    Hmm?

    Suddenly, he turned his head and made direct eye contact with him.

    How did that bastard know I was here?

    He even lifted the corner of his mouth, as if mocking him.

    That bastard!

    Although Hwang Yongmins judgment was distorted by the shuttles arrogant expression, he knew that now was not the time to express his anger. He had realized that he was now caught up in a hellish survival game where he had to survive 20 rounds.

    Well, since the exnation is roughly over, shall we go now? Kyo-ho-ho-ho.

    With the devilish angelsughter echoing in the background, Hwang Yongmins vision went ck.

    Of course, Hwang Yongmin was watching.

    When Ryu Min was in high school, he was a quiet kid.

    He was a in student without any noticeable quirks or oddities.

    I thought everything would be fine as long as I didnt cause trouble for anyone else.

    But things didnt go as nned.

    Just because he sat close to Hwang Yongmin, Ryu Min was targeted.

    He didnt do anything particrly bothersome or entric.

    After thatI endured all kinds of harassment.

    During breaks, he was teased, and when he was bored, he was dragged to the back of the school and beaten up.

    Bread Shuttle was tasked with not only buying bread but also buying alcohol and cigarettes.

    When the convenience store owner called the police and his parents were summoned, he had to speak with a bitter face.

    My parents are not here.

    If he was asked why he had to answer reluctantly.

    They passed away in a car ident during middle school.

    By this point, the pitiful police officer only scolded him not to do it again and sent him home.

    Then the cycle of torment repeats once again.

    A vicious cycle.

    Ryu Min couldnt do anything in front of the strong.

    He suffered all sorts of misfortunes to the point where he was afraid to go to school.

    But not anymore.

    After repeating countless regressions and deaths, Ryu Min became apletely different person.

    The timid and weak self was gone.

    99 regressions had turned him from an ordinary person into an extraordinary one.

    So maybe thats why?

    He was able to maintain hisposure even when he saw Hwang Yongmin, who had tormented him.

    In fact, I feel no emotions even when I see that bastard.

    The reason was simple.

    He had already avenged himself to the point of boredom through his regressions.

    Did I start avenging myself against him from the seventh round?

    After gaining confidence and bing stronger through his strategies, Ryu Min took revenge on Hwang Yongmin.

    He repaid what he suffered.

    Even though he begged for mercy, Ryu Min never forgive him.

    He killed him.

    Not just once.

    He killed him over and over again as he repeated the cycles.

    Until all the wrath he had held in his heart had been fulfilled.

    But after doing that for more than twenty times it became meaningless.

    Because he had grown tired of revenge, now in the 100th round, he felt no emotions even when he saw Hwang Yongmin.

    There is no point in seeking revenge anymore. There is no benefit to it. If he has to die he must be used first.

    He had already nned how to use the guy.

    But he had no intention of taking him to the final round.

    First things first

    Ryu Min looked up.

    He found himself standing alone in an empty white space.

    After a moment, the courteous voice of the devil echoed through the void.

    Kyohoho, Im sure youre all wondering where you are. Youre in a private space where you cant see each other. Before the transfer of the soul, you need to create a physical body. Its like creating an avatar in the games that humans enjoy.

    A kind of customization, Ryu Min murmured calmly.

    Most people were probably flustered by the term avatar, but Ryu Min had created dozens of avatars before, so he remainedposed.

    Soon, an avatar identical to himself appeared in the white space.

    The avatar moved like a mirror image of himself.

    Now you can adjust your face and body as you wish. You can also choose a nickname to use in another dimension. Its the same process as creating a character in a game, so there shouldnt be any difficulty.

    There should be no problem with the progress since most teenagers and young adults are already familiar with games.

    This opportunity onlyes once, so you must all make your decision carefully. Shall we start with choosing a nickname?

    Shortly after, a mechanical voice different from the angels voice was heard.

    [Please state your nickname to register in the system within 30 seconds.]

    [If you do not decide within the time limit, your real name will be automatically registered.]

    My nickname is

    Ryu Mins lips moved without hesitation.

 Chapter 3: Character Creation (1)

    Chapter 3: Character Creation (1)

    ck Scythe.

    Without any dys, the system responded to Ryu Mins chosen username.

    [Would you like to register your avatars nickname as ck Scythe?]

    Yes.

    [This username is not already in use. It has been registered.]

    There was a reason why Ryu Min had chosen the username ck Scythe.

    It sounds strong.

    Usually, when people are asked toe up with a username, they tend to pick one without much thought or waste a good thirty seconds pondering only to have their real name selected for them.

    However, Ryu Min hade to realize that choosing a username was surprisingly important through his experiences with regression.

    Your username determines the impression others will have on you.

    The ce he was moving to through soul transference was a new world, one that could be considered another dimension.

    In such a ce, people wouldnt want to use real names, instead referring to each other only by the usernames they had set previously.

    After a few rounds, everyone will try to hide their identities, some will even wear a mask.

    Its foolish to use your real name during the avatar creation process.

    Its the same reason why people dont use their real names in games, especially in survival games where you have topete and trample over others to stay alive.

    Thats why usernames are so important. Its one of the determining factors for making a first impression.

    Though he wasnt sure if the angel was purposely hiding it, its a fact that the angel didnt mention anything about this.

    Above every avatars head was their username, always visible to everyone.

    Just like a game.

    Thats why the username was a crucial element for making a first impression.

    Based on my experience so far, its never good to appear weak. The stronger and more memorable your username, the better.

    At first, Ryu Min had registered his real name or online username as his avatars username without much thought.

    But the easy-to-dismiss usernames ended up attracting a swarm of annoying flies, and he ended up wasting his time dealing with them.

    In this ce, you always have to appear strong. Its good to give off a strong impression.

    Thats why he ended up thinking of ck Scythe as a username.

    Its also the name of my main weapon, which suits the ss that Ill eventually specialize in, the Grim Reaper.

    In this new world, there were about thirty different sses.

    As for the Grim Reaper, it was a unique ss that only one person could possess.

    I must specialize as a Grim Reaper again this time. Theres no other ss thats as strong as this one.

    Still too early to choose a ss, but theres no harm in choosing a path.

    [Please set your physical appearance within 3 minutes.]

    [It will be reflected if you strongly imagine it in your mind.]

    [Please say Imaginingpleted when youre done.]

    [If you do not decide within the time limit, your original appearance will be automatically reflected.]

    Time for customizing appearance.

    Appearance is as important as a nickname in determining the first impression.

    Usually, everyone tries to make themselves look cool and pretty here.

    They will treat it like getting stic surgery, fixing what they hate about their appearance.

    Its obvious without even looking.

    However, you should never do that. Especially for women.

    Having a pretty and beautiful appearance certainly has the effect of attracting attention.

    Its also good for leaving a good first impression.

    However, what youre here for is survival.

    If you have an outstanding appearance, youre bound to be a target.

    Especially for women, its more dangerous.

    Everyone is mistaken. Were definitely not creating a game character here. The otherworld is also strictly reality.

    If you die in the otherworld, you die in real life.

    Those who forget that and make wrong judgments due to a game-like system are fools.

    Appearance needs to stand out, but it shouldnt be too good-looking or too bad-looking.

    Although his real-life appearance was like that, he changed his appearance to hide his true identity as much as possible.

    What is needed is to create an impression that looks different from reality, but not too easygoing.

    Once again, Ryu Min quickly imagined his appearance.

    He created a cool and cold face with sharp cheekbones, jawlines, and a strong gaze.

    He changed his physique to a moderate muscr build, unlike his usual petite build.

    It was an impression that looked strong and fitting for his nickname, ck Scythe.

    [Imaginingpleted.]

    [You havepleted customizing your appearance.]

    [Creating the avatar now.]

    .

    .

    .

    [The avatar creation ispleted.]

    [We will immediately transfer your soul to the first level. Good luck.]

    In an instant, a bright light hit Ryu Mins eyes.

    And when he reflexively opened his eyes, a new world unfolded before him.

    That was fast.

    The ce that served as the field for the first level was a vast meadow.

    It looked like a ce where cows and sheep would leisurely graze on the grass.

    However, there were no cows or sheep here.

    Monsters are present, though.

    Ryu Min looked down at his body.

    He was 180 cm tall now, his body was solid and muscr, and it moved exactly as he intended. It was a body he had customized just a short while ago, yet it felt like his own.

    Ive created it so many times that now it feels like my real body, he thought.

    Since his 12th avatar, he had maintained this appearance, so it was familiar to him. He didnt react like other people who would be shocked or surprised. Nor like others who were even stumbling while walking around. He had already experienced soul transfers multiple times before.

    Where are we? In a meadow? Someone asked.

    I dont know, but it doesnt matterIt feels peaceful here, replied another avatar.

    One by one, the avatars who created their own unique bodies appeared in the meadow.

    Wait, did my body change? one avatar eximed.

    Did wee in with the body we set beforeing here? asked another.

    I made myself muscr like this? What about my face? another avatar wondered.

    As more people arrived, the chatter grew louder. Some people marveled at the nicknames hovering above other peoples heads, while others felt satisfied with the way their bodies turned out. Some were frustrated that they couldnt change their appearance due to the time limit, while others were captivated by the scenery of the vast meadow.

    Ryu Min, however, wore a nd expression. He had experienced all of this before and was already bored with it. Instead, his gaze was fixed on one spot.

    Its about time, he thought.

    A momentter, a person appeared where his gaze was fixed.

    Youre finally here. Hwang Yongmin, he muttered to himself.

    Hwang Yongmin, who had a more erratic body than usual, wandered around nervously.

    As expected, he made his body muscr again, Ryu Min noted.

    Since Hwang Yongmin hadnt changed his face, Ryu Min recognized him easily. His nickname, [Hwang Yongmin], was the same as his real name, suggesting that he had been too flustered to choose a new nickname in the 30-second time limit.

 Chapter 3: Character Creation (2)

    Chapter 3: Character Creation (2)

    Its hard toe up with a nickname in such a short time, Ryu Min thought.

    Looking around, he noticed that many people kept their real names as nicknames.

    At that moment, Hwang Yongmins eyes met Ryu Mins, but he quickly looked away.

    He probably doesnt recognize me. Ipletely changed my appearance, Ryu Min mused.

    While Ryu Min knew who Hwang Yongmin was, the opposite was not true.

    Thats fine, Once he confirmed this, Ryu Min looked away as well.

    Vengeance had already been fulfilled more than enough, so there was no longer any interest.

    I will use him when it is time.

    For now, hes only worth keeping alive.

    [Kyohoho, have you all gathered now?]

    An angel descended from the sky along with the halo.

    Her name was Briel, the same evil angel from before.

    [Do you like the new avatar I created?]

    As the angel appeared, the surroundings fell silent.

    [I guess it left a strong first impression, thats why its so quiet.]

    They knew better than to talk back, lest their heads explode.

    The angel seemed to know this too, as she twisted her lips andughed.

    [Kikikik, I like seeing your frightened faces. Dont worry, as long as you dont act rudely, I wont kill you.]

    No one rxed at her words.

    [Lets see, there are a total of 1,802,910 people, so it seems that all the humans in Seoul have gathered.]

    1.8 million people?

    Everyone here?

    People murmured and looked around.

    There were at most 10,000 people in the meadow.

    The number of people who were supposed to be there.

    But no matter how you looked at it, it didnt seem like there were 1.8 million people.

    The angel responded to their murmurs by grinding her teeth.

    [Do you think theres only this meadow? Of course, not all 1.8 million people are gathered here. If that were the case, there would be no room to move, right?]

    Ah.

    Monkeys, arent you? Everyone is participating in rounds with different angels in different meadows, so dont worry about it.

    Still, 10,000 people were a considerable number.

    The vast meadow seemed quite crowded.

    But this is only the beginning.

    Everyone is forgetting that this is a survival game where only half of them can survive.

    As the rounds progress, the number of people decreases geometrically.

    Especially as the game gets harder in theter rounds, more and more people die without even meeting the clear conditions.

    Finally, in the final round, there may only be one survivor.

    At round 15, a huge number of casualties urred.

    At that time, out of the 2,000 global yers, only 50 remained.

    Not even half, but 97.5% died without making it to the next round.

    In the end, when I reached round 20. Everyone else died.

    Considering that the start was 1.8 billion people, countless people died.

    [Now that everyone is here, let me exin. First, say the words Status Window in your mind.]

    People followed the angels instructions with curiosity, thinking that it wouldnt hurt to try.

    Wow!

    What is this?

    Momentster, there were sighs of amazementing from all around.

    Everyone was gaping at the empty air because the status window wasnt visible to others.

    Ryu Min also recited the activation phrase like the others.

    Status Window.

    -Name: Ryu Min

    -Nickname: ck Scythe

    -Grade: Beginner

    -Title: None

    -Level: 1

    -Job: None

    -Strength: 3, Intelligence: 3

    -Agility: 3, Luck: 3

    -Common Skills: None

    -Exclusive Skills: None

    -Runes: None

    -Owned Gold: 0

    -Remaining Stat Points: 0

    [??? : Unlocked upon reaching Level 10]

    [??? : Unlocked upon reaching Level 20]

    [??? : Unlocked upon reaching Level 40]

    [??? : Unlocked upon reaching Level 60]

    [??? : Unlocked upon reaching Level 99]

    The status window was so pathetic that it wouldnt be surprising to let out a sigh.

    Below it there were slots for additional functions that could be unlocked when reaching a certain level.

    I have to start over from scratch, but its okay. Im confident that Ill be even stronger this time around.

    Even Ryu Min, who made it to the final round, wasnt strong from the beginning.

    I had to die twice just to barely clear the first round.

    It was a natural result since he was just a high school student who spent his life being bullied by his ssmates.

    But as he repeated the regression, Ryu Min grew stronger.

    Gradually, his survival time increased and he was able to withstand more rounds.

    It wasnt until I passed the 99th regression that I finally reached the 20th round.

    It was a miracle that he, an ordinary person, was able to achieve it, even if it meant sacrificing quite a few lives.

    Of course, the seven people who survived up to the 18th round without regression are the real talents.

    In the 18th round, seven people survived, excluding Ryu Min.

    Two of them survived the 19th round, and only Ryu Min made it to the 20th round.

    I have to save at least four people to meet the requirements and enter the boss room.

    Ryu Min had made up his mind to choose the four candidates that will enter with him the bosss room.

    There was no yer stronger than him in the whole world.

    But that didnt mean he wasnt considering other candidates.

    There were many strong yers who were eliminated in the previous round.

    There was no need to match exactly five people to the boss room.

    The minimum requirement was five, but you can have more than that.

    The more survivors, the better.

    The problem was that those who survived to the boss room had to be trustworthy allies.

    Or Ryu Min had to have strong enough power to control them.

    That shouldnt be too difficult.

    Now on his 100th regression, Ryu Min had the confidence to be stronger than anyone else.

    After all, he was the only one who reached level 99 in the previous round.

    Now, have you all checked your status windows? If youve yed games before, you should know that youre currently at a low level.

    So get stronger. If you survive until the 20th round, youll be stronger than anyone else. And if you clear it, youll be granted a wish!

    The angel smirked, its mouth curling upward.

    Well not only free you from this survival game but grant your wishes as well.

    A wish?

    Peoples reactions to the word wish were mixed.

    Do you really grant wishes?

    No way, that cant be true.

    While some were skeptical or denied it, others had expectations or greed.

    Of course, Ryu Min didnt belong to either of those groups.

    He knew that the game was challenging enough to make it difficult to survive until the final round, let alone grant a wish.

    Before the round starts, let me briefly exin. Say inventory in your mind.

    Inventory.

    As they memorized the keyword, a window appeared just like the status window.

    There was a small emerald-colored stone carving inside.

    By default, one item will be given in your inventory. Extend your hand and take it out.

    As people followed the instructions and put their hands in the air, an item appeared in their grasp.

    Then the information about the item automatically popped up.

 Chapter 4: Start Of Round One (1)

    Chapter 4: Start Of Round One (1)

    [Random Rune Fragment]

    ssification: Consumable

    Grade: Unique

    Effect: Acquire a random rune skill

    Usage Limit: Level 1 or below

    Description: This is a special event item created for yers. Dont save it, use it, because you cant use it after leveling up.

    [As you can see, the Random Rune Fragment is a one-time-use item. It can only be used when you are at level 1, and its the only unique item that is given to you at the beginning.]

    People looked at the angel with curious eyes as she exined the item.

    Only Ryu Min, who heard this exnation multiple times, maintained hisposure.

    I dont know what this is all about yet. I dont even know how to use this item or what a rune is. Someone said.

    Rune is a consumable item that can sometimes be obtained when you defeat monsters orplete quests.

    If we think about it in terms of video games, its like a kind of passive skill.

    When you use a rune, it will be inscribed on your body and you gain the corresponding ability.

    Of course, the more runes you have, the better.

    There is no limit to the number of runes you can obtain.

    Thats assuming you can get a lot of them. Ryu Min thought.

    Since the drop rate of runes isparable to that of unique items, its not easy to obtain them.

    In reality, its difficult to even get 10 of them in 20 rounds.

    But thats just for ordinary people.

    When Ist regressed, I had 30 runes.

    As a rare ss, and with many runes, Ryu Min became overwhelmingly strong.

    Although he had to suffer being wiped out before entering the boss room and without even showing his true abilities.

    This time it has to be different. Its thest chance, so I have to grow overwhelmingly more than any other regression.

    Not just 30 runes, but 50, 100, and more.

    He had to acquire them frantically and be unbeatably strong.

    When you hold it in your hand, say use in your mind to activate the item.

    As the angel exined the usage, the runes in peoples hands disappeared one by one.

    Use.

    Ryu Min also used it, and the rune fragment shattered with a crack sound.

    [You have used a random rune piece.]

    [Congrattions! The Rune of Time Reversal has been obtained!]

    [The acquired rune is automatically engraved on the yers body!]

    Despite the rune being engraved, Ryu Mins face showed no sign of excitement or anticipation.

    He knew what message would appear in a moment.

    [The remnant of the runes power is left in the yers soul.]

    [The engraving has failed due to the nature of the rune.]

    Engraving failed.

    It was the expected result.

    If it had been sessful, Ryu Min would have been able to infinitely regress.

    I knew it wouldnt work, but its still disappointing. I think this would truly be myst regression

    When he first regressed and used again the rune piece, Ryu Min thought to himself that he might get a different passive skill.

    But it didnt happen.

    I also tried using it at different times, like with time intervals or just before leveling up, but the result was always the same.

    It was always the Rune of Time Reversal that came out as if it had already been predetermined.

    Thats why I kept failing to engrave it.

    However, his situation was diff others, he didnt think of it as a loss because he still had the experience and knowledge from his 99 regressions.

    But then something unexpected happened.

    [Confirmation of being the 100th Time Reversal user through the remnant of the runes power engraved in the soul.]

    [Acquisition of the title Last Time Reverser.]

    What? A title?

    Although the engraving had failed, he obtained a title.

    This was the first time it had happened, so Ryu Mins face showed a brief moment of confusion.

    Is this a title given only to those who reach 100 regressions?

    It seemed that the system had realized that it was hisst regression from the remnants of the umted runes.

    A new title had been registered under the none section.

    When Ryumin lightly touched the title, an information window appeared.

    [Title  Last Time Reverser]

    Acquisition Condition: Use the Rune of Time Reversal for the 100th time.

    Effect: When you die, you can stay in a ghost state for one minute in the same spot. You can revive with full health at any desired time within that one minute. The title disappears after one-time use.

    Resurrection?

    At first, Ryu Min didnt understand the difference between titles and runes.

    After all, both gave passive effects.

    But now, he knew better.

    Titles were a higher concept than runes.

    Theyre even more effective than runes and harder to obtain.

    It was a clear advantage. After all, he had acquired such a title instead of a rune.

    Moreover, unlike runes, titles could be shown off by simply thinking about them, causing them to appear under your nickname.

    However, its better to keep the title of the Last Time Reverser hidden.

    Of course, his ability would still work even if he didnt reveal his title.

    Resurrection, huh Ive obtained an incredible ability, havent I?

    Even Ryu Min, who had gone back in time a hundred times, had never heard of a title with a resurrection ability.

    While the Priest job can use resurrection skillsIve never seen it used with runes or items.

    In fact, it was a higher-level ability than the resurrection skill that only restores 30% of ones health.

    Although the title disappears once you use it, so what?

    In a situation where theres no way to go back any further, the ability to resurrect was a godsend.

    Have you all engraved your runes?

    The angel asked, and people nodded their heads.

    Some had pleased expressions on their face, possibly because they had obtained good runes, while others were frowning.

 Chapter 4: Start Of Round One (2)

    Chapter 4: Start Of Round One (2)

    Your expressions are quite mixed. Whether you got a good or terrible rune, ept the oue. Its all up to your luck. Hahaha.

    The sound ofughter echoed, but no one voiced hisints to the angel.

    Now that the rune engraving isplete, shall we start ying in earnest?

    As the angel spread her wings, messages appeared in front of everyones eyes.

    ROUND 1

    Defeat 100 Goblins per person

    [Entire Area]

    Participants: 1,801,029,290

    Achievers: 0/900,514,645

    [Designated Area ESKS45-5]

    Participants: 10,286

    Achievers: 0/5,143

    Defeat 100 goblins?

    The ones that appear in the game?

    What is the designated area, is it where we are?

    The onlookers examined the quest and nodded in agreement as the angel spoke up.

    Thats right, its the goblin you all know. And the area ESKS45-5 refers to the group you belong to.

    The angel grinned, mysteriously.

    We made it easy for the first round. You only have to defeat 100 goblins to return to Earth. Pretty simple, right?

    Its not hard or easy until you try it yourself. Ryu Min thought.

    But the others had different ideas.

    Arent goblins supposed to be weak monsters?

    Yeah, theyre justmon mobs in the game.

    Not as tough as we thought, huh?

    Here I was, thinking it was a really difficult quest.

    To the surprise of the worried, the challenge did not seem as difficult as expected, and they began to rx.

    But if we take it too lightly, we might be in for a big surprise

    As someone who knew the strength of goblins, Ryu Min couldnt help but be tongue-tied.

    Are you all overconfident? Well then, shall we skip any further exnation and go straight into battle? Kyohohoho!

    The angel fluttered its wings in excitement.

    Tsueueueuk-

    Tsueueueuk-

    Monsters the size of elementary school students appeared beyond the meadow.

    They were the goblins that people had seen in novels and games.

    Whats that? A goblin?

    Haha, it feels like weve entered a game for real, doesnt it?

    Despite the appearance of the monsters, people did not panic.

    They were far away, and above all, the goblins that only reached up to their waists seemed as harmless as children.

    Was it because they had gained some confidence? No one knows how it started.

    Suddenly, there were even people denying reality.

    It cant be a dream, can it? Or a lucid dream that weve only heard about?

    Has a virtual reality game like the ones we read about in novels already been released? And weve been kidnapped and are being tested without realizing it?

    Wait, that actually makes sense, doesnt it?

    As game-like situations continued to ur, their sense of reality and judgment had be blurred.

    Even those who had been intimidated by the angel felt the need to question.

    Excuse me, angel! Arent we supposed to get weapons or something? Those goblins have weapons.

    Weapons?

    All the goblins visible in front of them were carrying daggers or clubs.

    As the angel watched, he sneered at the humans below.

    Youre on your own. Whether you grab them with your bare hands or take their weapons, its up to you. Oh, one more thing

    Tsueeuk-

    Tsueuk-

    Huh?

    Not all the goblins have been summoned yet.

    Suddenly, a multitude of goblins appeared beyond the meadow, far outnumbering the humans. The green monsters filled the horizon.

    So far, 50,000 goblins have been summoned.

    50, 50,000?

    10,000 humans against 50,000 goblins. Its not going to be easy, is it?

    With over five times their numbers, the people began to feel uneasy.

    Well then, fight each other as if your life depends on, it since it does. Now, Humans and goblins, battle!

    The goblins, who had been merely ring until then, began to act as soon as they heard the angels words.

    Kiyaaak!

    The people in the front line hesitated as the reckless horde of goblins charged toward them. Facing creatures armed with swords and running toward them, the people were understandably scared.

    Even a dog running towards me would scare me, let alone a monster with a sword

    Ryu Min stepped forward, sensing the peoples fear. His sudden move drew everyones attention.

    Look at that guy.

    Whats he doing all by himself?

    Ryu Min ignored the whispers behind him and waited for the goblins to get closer.

    He didnt do this for attention. He wanted to show his presence to the people.

    First impressions are important.

    If he wanted to avoid being bothered by annoying gnats, he needed to show his strength here.

    Especially since I need to catch the angels attention.

    For that, he needed a little performance.

    Hey, over here!

    Hey, if you go closer, its dangerou

    Suddenly, the people fell silent.

    Thunk!

    With a clean kick, Ryu Minnded a direct hit on the goblin charging toward him.

    Kiee

    The hawk-nosed goblin next to him couldnt help but pause for a moment as he watched hisrades broken neck.

    Click-

    That one moment of hesitation was more than enough for Ryu Min to get a hold of the goblins head with both hands, then turned around abruptly.

    Squelch-

    Ryu Min left him dying with his tongue hanging out, making a chilling sound; but the first never seemed to be bothered by it, and quickly stood up with the goblins dagger in his hand.

    The dagger quickly joined the y and was lodged and pulled out of the nearby goblins neck and back.

    And before the fallen goblin hit the ground, Ryu Min had already targeted the next one like a lightning bolt.

    Thunk! Whoooosh!

    The sound of the wind leaving the chests of two goblins rang out.

    In a split second, four goblins had already been killed.

    The smooth, seamless movements were reminiscent of a true killer.

    Eekk!

    As their fellow goblin yelled and charged, Ryu Mins dagger was faster.

    Thunk-Thunk! Thunk-Thunk!

    Green blood spurted everywhere, but Ryu Min swung his dagger without hesitation.

    It was truly a scene of ughter.

    The overwhelming power left those around him stunned and speechless.

 Chapter 5: Getting Her Attention (1)

    Chapter 5: Getting Her Attention (1)

    As the group watched Ryu Min, mouths agape, they soon turned their gaze with tense eyes. Wow, hes amazing in battle Who is he?

    Dude! Hes so strong!

    ck Scythe, his nickname is pretty badass too!

    Everyone was amazed by Ryu Min, but their admiration was cut short as goblins began approaching them too. They couldnt just stand there in awe.

    We can do this. Goblins are just fodder in the game, right?

    This isnt real life, its a well-crafted virtual reality game.

    If he can y hundreds of them alone, they cant be that tough to beat.

    Was it Ryu Mins brutal ughter that gave them this newfound confidence? Suddenly, the fear in their eyes disappeared, reced with hope.

    But it was short-lived.

    Thwack, thwack, thwack!

    Aaah!

    Ouch, that hurts!

    As the goblins swarmed them, piercing them with daggers, fresh screams echoed throughout the battlefield.

    Those who had underestimated them, iming that it was child y, now cried out like little babies, begging for their lives.

    Please stop! It hurts so much!

    You monsters!

    Aaah, my arm! My arm!

    Some were hit with clubs and copsed unconscious. Others were stabbed with daggers and drowned in their blood. Some tried to run away but stumbled and fell underfoot. Others crouched down helplessly, suffering from anxiety attacks.

    But the goblins didnt stop and kepting, thrusting their swords into those they had picked out.

    No one thought it was a game anymore. There was no room for such a delusion.

    The only thought in peoples minds was survival.

    Their survival instincts took over and ruled their minds.

    And so, even though many were trying to escape, some people stood their ground and fought back when the goblins came too close.

    Whack! Whack!

    Die, you monster bastards!

    They swung their fists for dear life and managed to knock out a few goblins.

    But that was all.

    Killing was a different matter altogether.

    Modern-day people who had never even killed a small animal before were in no position to break the neck of a goblin.

    Thud!

    Instead, they were the ones who copsed, powerless, onto the ground after being stabbed with a sword.

    What can they do?

    Thump, thump, thump, thump

    Surrounded by goblins running at them like hyenas, they were trapped and helpless.

    [Kekeke, this is amusing. Goblins are eating the humans alive.]

    The angel watching from above giggled.

    To the angel, this fight was no different from watching a fight between a dog and a cat. It was just simple entertainment.

    [Even if the opponent is a child, theres no chance of survival when dozens of theme charging at you. Especially if theyre pointing at you a dagger.]

    However, for some reason, there was one person who could withstand dozens of attackers.

    It was the human who had been ughtering goblins since the beginning.

    Who is that human? And whats up with his name, ck Scythe? the angel Briel asked, intrigued.

    She didnt know his true human name, and even as an angel, she couldnt see the yers status windows due to system regtions. Naturally, she also couldnt tell what kind of rune the human had.

    Such a dog-like system. They let us see the progress of quests, but block us from seeing yers information, Briel muttered with a frown.

    She didnt like being assigned as a guide. It didnt suit her nature.

    But that has changed now.

    Her lips curled up watching the human bloodbath.

    As a noble being, being in charge of a bunch of inferior humans is a humiliating task, but

    The fierce and brutal scene fit Briels tastes.

    To be honest, she didnt expect much from watching a fight between humans and goblins.

    Kekeke. But its more fun to watch than I thought, isnt it?

    The desperate faces of the humans struggling to fight back, the agonizing screams, and the blood-stained battlefield all amused her.

    Kill them! Kill them all, you worthless vermin! Fight each other like the insects you are! Kekeke.

    As Briel watched the scene, her eyes suddenly moved to a different area.

    What caught her attention was, unlike the rest of the field which is mostly red blood-soaked, this one area she was looking at now was filled with green blood.

    In the middle of it all, was the yer with the nickname ck Scythe.

    That human again? He is still alive?

    When she watched him emerge victorious from his first battle with the goblins, she couldnt help but feel a sense of excitement.

    She thought, perhaps he had stumbled upon a powerful rune that gave him a great advantage.

    But that was all it was  just a fleeting thought. She quickly shifted her gaze away from that human, knowing that his stamina would eventually deplete, and he too would meet the same fate as any other human.

    Yet, to her surprise, that human was still alive and fighting with ferocity. He was tearing through the goblins like a pack of mad dogs, having already in seventy of them. Even Briel, who was keeping track of the quests progress, couldnt help but be impressed by the feat. It is his first time in battle, but he fights like he has done this before, she marveled.

    His movements were swift and precise, and his weapons danced with deadly uracy. Even the goblins were momentarily taken aback by his intensity. She couldnt help but wonder, could a human on Earth have a profession as a killer?

    As she watched Ryu Min, her mood lifted. She didnt know whaty ahead, but the situation was turning out to be more interesting than she had anticipated.

    Briels mouth curved up into a satisfied smile.

    ***

 Chapter 5: Getting Her Attention (2)

    Chapter 5: Getting Her Attention (2)

    Sshh-!

    Kieeeek!

    The goblin, who had lost both eyes, fell to the ground writhing in pain.

    Ryu Min immediately flew through the air and plunged his dagger into the goblins neck.

    Thunk!

    [You have defeated a goblin!]

    [Experience points +4%]

    [Gold +10]

    [Level up!]

    [Quest progress: Goblin 75/100]

    [Remaining goblins until questpletion: 25]

    Ignoring the level-up message, Ryu Min immediately rolled his body to the side.

    Thunk!

    The dagger plunged into the ground where he had just been.

    He quickly jumped up.

    Kiiiiiiieeeeek!

    He pierced the chest of that goblin and turned to find his next target.

    A constant stream of unrelenting movement.

    There was no room for a moment of carelessness.

    Ryu Mins eyes rapidly scanned the situation.

    Kiiiiiiiii.

    The goblins backed away with fearful expressions.

    All the goblins nearby had been killed.

    So he could finally let his guard down for a bit.

    I can take a breather for a moment.

    Ryu Min, who had regained hisposure, opened her status window.

    He had already leveled up to 4.

    Ryu Mins fingers moved quickly as he allocated his stat points.

    For now, Ill go all-in on Agility.

    With each level up, 2 stat points were granted.

    After reaching level 4, Ryu Min decided to invest all of his points into agility. As a result, his agility, which was previously at 3, had now skyrocketed to 9.

    Agility is the most important stat right now.

    Out of strength, intelligence, agility, and luck, agility was the most necessary for the moment. Allocating points to agility not only increased evasion rate but also attack speed and movement speed.

    Ryu Min turned his head towards his allies, who were about 30 meters away from him. And watched as the Goblins and humans were entangled in a chaotic battle.

    Help me, aaah!

    Die, you monster bastards, just die!

    That side of the battlefield was a mixture of red and green blood, creating a gruesome sight. And on this side, Ryu Min was alone with a pile of Goblin corpses; as if it was apletely different world.

    But its inevitable. These people are facing goblins for the first time in their lives.

    Its not easy for anyone, no matter how old or experienced, to kill goblins. They are terrifying and intimidating creatures. When ites to actualbat, people tend to freeze and be immobile out of fear.

    Ryu Min understood that fact. He, too, had run away multiple times during his first encounter.

    But running away wont solve anything.

    It cost him two regressions to realize that running away may buy him some time, but it wouldnt change the situation.

    The angels will release the goblins, and well have to fight them one way or another.

    Moreover, even though they were in a grasnd that seemed to be spacious at first nce, it was actually surrounded by invisible barriers in every direction.

    Its like a rat trapped in a box. Even if we can evade the angels gaze, were still trapped.

    In order to escape this hellish situation, the only way out is toplete the quest. However, only half of the members who seed in the quest can return.

    The system sends back only the first ones whoplete it, so staying put is a disadvantage.

    Its better to take down as many goblins as possible than to run away.

    Although it wouldnt be easy to kill 100 goblins alone, Ryu Min thought it wasnt an impossible task.

    However, its not an insurmountable task. Having more people means the attention is spread out, which is good.

    To put it nicely, it meant the attention was dispersed, and to put it bluntly, it meant that there were many people who could act as meat shields.

    People will start to feel it sooner orter.

    Whoosh!

    Ryu Min threw a dagger to hit one of the goblins foreheads with precision.

    Of course, teamwork is the answer, but it doesnt increase the kill count for all the contributors.

    Only those who contribute greatly can increase their kill count.

    Still, two heads are better than one.

    Humans have another advantage besides that.

    Goblins are not half the size of an adult and are even smaller than the middle school student brought here.

    In terms of reach, humans have the upper hand against the lich.

    Although humans dont have weapons like clubs or daggers like the goblins

    Ryumins gaze falls to the ground.

    If we had weapons, the situation would be different.

    For now, the weapons scattered widely on the ground are what they have.

    It was what the goblins were holding before they died.

    But even then it would be difficult for them to fight like me.

    Ryu Min and the others have one thing inmon.

    Their basic stats are the same, they all started at 3.

    Regardless of whether they are muscr or thin, all humans start with the same stats and conditions, regardless of their true physical ability.

    In other words, it meant that other people could move like Ryu Min, but

    It wont be easy. It takes a lot of experience to be this proficient.

    Unless you are an assassin from a movie, its hard to move like Ryu Min.

    Moreover, now he is even more agile than before because of the agility boost.

    Well, now that weve caught the attention of the angel, shall we finish it up?

    As Ryu Min moved up the field and the nearby goblins start to back away.

    He couldnt help but grin, and then immediately picked up one of the daggers on the ground, and shot it without aiming.

    Khughaaaaa!

    It hit one of the goblins chest, while the others got startled by the sight of their fallenrade writhing in pain.

    Arent youing to me?

    The goblins kept backing away.

    Ryu Min picked up another dagger and threw it, and another goblin fell.

    However, the Goblins kept backing away shivering, Ryu Min watched them for a bit and then sighed.

    If youre noting, then Iming to you.

    Instantly, he closed the distance and unleashed a flurry of sword moves.

    The green blood sttered in all directions

    As soon as he defeated thest goblin before him, Ryu Min was met with a flood of notifications.

    [You have defeated a goblin!]

    [Experience points +4%]

    [Gold +10]

    [Level up!]

    [Quest progress: Goblin 100/100]

    [You havepleted the first round of the quest!]

    With a hundred goblins defeated, Ryu Min was enveloped in a translucent column of light, a protective barrier that isted him from the remaining monsters. The first round was easy, he thought, relieved that he had made it through.

    The barriers appearance meant he had cleared half of the quest, as failure toplete each round within a certain time frame meant immediate disintegration.

    It shouldnt take longer. Everything is going ording to n. I did go a little crazy with the goblin ying, not only to gain the attention of the angels but to im that top spot, Ryu Min admitted to himself.

    And it seemed that his efforts had paid off, as a congrattory message popped up on his screen.

    [Congrattions! You havepleted the quest in first ce for this zone!]

    [Congrattions! You havepleted the quest in first ce for the entire world!]

    [Your nickname will be included in the rankings.]

    Being the first to defeat them definitely helps, he thought, knowing that the faster onepleted each round, the greater his ranking will be.

    Plus, rewards were distributed ording to ranking, with the top three yers in each category receiving the most coveted prizes.

    Rewards are given ording to your ranking for both the zone and the entire game, with iming the top spot in thetter normally grants the highest rewards, he mused. And I, out of 1.8 billion yers, am the first toplete this quest.

    A momentter, another message appeared before Ryu Min, detailing his rewards.

 Chapter 6: Weapon Selection (1)

    Chapter 6: Weapon Selection (1)

    [Reward for ranking first in this area: Lowest-tier rare weapon selection ticket!]

    [Reward for ranking first in the entire region: Special reward selection box!]

    After reading the message, Ryu Min opened his inventory and found two new items  a weapon selection ticket and a reward selection box.

    Without hesitation, he selected the weapon ticket and a translucent window popped up.

    [You can now choose one of the following rare weapons.]

    [Please touch the desired reward.]

    1. Serrated purple longsword

    2. Stiletto

    3. Javelin

    Swords, daggers, and spears. Although there were more types of weapons avable, these were the only options presented in the early stages of the game.

    This alone is worth it. Its a rare item, Ryu Min thought to himself.

    There are six grades of items  normal, rare, epic, unique, legendary, and godlike. Although rare is only second on the list, considering how difficult it is to obtain through conventional means, it is still a pretty good reward.

    Newbies would probably choose a sword or a long spear, but, Ryu Min did not even hesitate and moved his hand.

    [You have selected the Stiletto.]

    The reward appeared in his inventory and the information window popped up automatically.

    [Stiletto]

    -ssification: Weapon

    -Grade: Rare

    -Attack Power: 15

    -Effect: Agility +1

    -Durability: 150/150

    -Usage Restriction: Novice grade or higher

    -Description: This is the best dagger a novice can use.

    After looking at the information, Ryu Min discarded the goblins dagger he had been holding. It was a piece of junk with only 3 attack power and no stats.

    Its pointless to keep it. I cant even sell it, Ryu Min thought as he realized it would just take up space in his inventory.

    Ryu Mins gaze then fell on another reward  the special reward selection box that could only be obtained by achieving first ce in the entire region.

    Naturally, it was a much better reward than the lowest-tier rare weapon selection ticket he had just obtained. However

    For now, Ill hold off on using it, Ryu Min decided and closed the inventory window without touching the reward.

    It seemed like he had no interest in the items at all. Instead, he opened up his status window and allocated the stat point to his agility before turning his attention to something else.

    As Ryu Min gazed around the battlefield, filled with the screams of humans and goblins, he wondered if Yongmin was holding his own.

    As the round passers were unable to move beyond the pirs, there were limitations to his movements.

    There he is.

    Far in the distance, the hulking figure of Yongmin came into view.

    Watching him fight fiercely from behind others put Ryu Mins mind at ease.

    Hell make it through this one too.

    While he knew that Yongmin would survive not only the first round but also the fifth, the possibility of unexpected variables made him uneasy.

    Dont you dare die early. You must be used first, and then I will kill you myself when youre no longer useful.

    Although he no longer harbored any resentment or desire for revenge, he had no desire to keep Yongmin alive.

    It seems like this is going to be a drag. He sighed.

    He wouldnt be allowed to return home early just because hepleted the quest quickly.

    He had to wait until the Round is over.

    Its surprisingly fair game, isnt it? He couldnt help but smile.

    If he returned home after finishing early, the other participants would bepletely exposed to danger.

    They would still be asleep in their beds.

    Theres nothing more dangerous than being targeted while in soul transfer.

    If the body on Earth dies while the soul is in another dimension, the soul will die as well.

    At that point, no matter how strong the yer is, its pointless.

    Theyre just defenseless and helpless.

    Whether they wished for such a risk or not, the system only returned the Round Passers to their world after the round ended.

    Thats why Ryu Min was waiting idly.

    Its just boring to wait like this.

    Thats the only problem with finishing first.

    Save me! Aaaargh!

    Stop it! Please!

    Even amidst the desperate screams of people, Ryu Min felt bored.

    He had seen it many times before.

    The weak ones perish while only the strong survive.

    Theres no choice. To escape this game of death, we have topete and survive.

    It was a reality that Ryu Min, a mere human, could not change.

    Ryu Min shook his head and recited a spell to pass the time.

    Progress window.

    [World]

    Participants: 1,801,029,290

    Achievers: 3/900,514,645

    [Current Area ESKS45-5]

    Participants: 10,286

    Achievers: 1/5,143

    As he checked the quest progress window, he found that there were only three people who had finished the quest, including himself.

    Im first, and there is already a second and third achiever,

    However, in this area, there was only one person who had achieved the quest  himself.

    Well, it looks like the second and third ces were taken by people in other areas, he said, consoling himself.

    Nevertheless, if he couldnt make it into the top three in the world, whether in the previous area or this current area, it would be meaningless to try hard since there was no reward given beyond third ce.

    Even though we all receive gold as a quest reward for achieving the quest, its not that special, he muttered to himself.

    Suddenly, the number of achievers in his area increased from 1 to 2.

    Looking around, he saw a man trapped in a translucent column in the distance, who had just defeated 100 goblins and achieved the quest.

    More and more people will start to appear now, he thought.

    As he expected, quest achievers began to appear here and there.

    Even the third spot in this area has been taken, he observed.

    The slow pace of progress gradually elerated, and as a result, the number of goblins also decreased significantly.

    Well, its not the ranking that matters. Whats important is finding a way to make it into the top half, he thought.

    He turned his head and saw a giant man trapped in a column. It was Hwang Yongmin.

    He looked like he was struggling and gasping for breath, unlike the other achievers who were turning their backs and rxing.

    Meanwhile, intense battles were taking ce all around him.

    Kiyaaak!

    Euaaak!

    Although there were all kinds of screams, there was no chaos like before.

    Perhaps they have already adapted to this environment where they have to kill to survive, he thought.

    As a result, the number of goblins decreased noticeably as time passed, although the number was still higher than that of humans.

    Moreover, humans had better stats than goblins, and they could increase their stats by killing them, so it was only natural that yers had the upper hand.

    The number of goblins is decreasing. Its time for the angels to intervene, he thought.

 Chapter 6: Weapon Selection (2)

    Chapter 6: Weapon Selection (2)

    When the number of quest achievers exceeded 400, and the number of goblins, which was originally 50,000, decreased to 10,000, the angel who had been watching from the sidelines finally intervened with a wicked smile.

    Kehehe, this is fun, theyre hunting them down, should I add more goblins?

    p!

    Fluttering her wings seemed to be the signal, as the corpses that had been scattered across the meadow vanished in an instant.

    It was only natural for the people to be perplexed.

    What, whats going on?

    The goblin corpses disappeared?

    Its not just goblins. Other corpses are gone too!

    Although the people were taken aback, it was only temporary.

    As goblins began to appear here and there, they all wore expressions of disgust.

    Kyo-ho-ho-ho, Ive replenished 50,000 of them. There wont be a shortage of them, so stay assured. Kick-kick-kick!

    !

    Even if she didnt know, the people were probably cursing the angel right now.

    Kill them!

    Aaaaah!

    The people had to swing their weapons again to live or die.

    They were too young to scream for their lives like this in a bloodstained ce like this.

    Achiever: 1,021/5,143

    Achiever: 2,129/5,143

    Achiever: 3,533/5,143

    As the number of quest achievers increased, the goblins decreased exponentially.

    Each time, the angel cleared away the corpses and added more goblins.

    Has it been about five hours like this?

    Ryu Min, who had been sitting on the ground looking at the progress window, suddenly stood up as if it was time.

    It will end up soon.

    Its time to wrap this up and go home.

    But theres something he must do before that.

    Achiever: 5,143/5,143

    Finally, the moment came when the number of quest achievers filled up.

    Huh?

    Whats going on?

    The goblins that had filled the meadow suddenly disappeared without a trace.

    It seemed as if it were a dream.

    [Half of the challengers have passed.]

    The angel spoke as if she were regretful.

    [Unfortunately, the rest must be annihted.]

    What? Annihtion?

    Wait a minute! Please, Angel! I just need to catch one more! Please!

    Thats when it happened.

    Those who failed to finish the quest were scattered like dust.

    It was about 3,000 people 3,000 people disappeared without leaving a trace.

    The remaining 2,000 were killed by the goblins.

    Puff-

    People couldnt even scream at the sudden arrival of death.

    The achievers who had been watching from the pir swallowed their dry saliva.

    If they hadnt achieved the quest early, they might have been annihted like that too.

    If you cant make it to half, youll be gone without a trace.

    The group that once numbered 10,000 has now dwindled down to a mere 5,000.

    Sadly, there was no way for Ryu Min to save them, as it was a rule of this cursed game, just as the angel had pointed out.

    Why the long faces? You survived, so shouldnt you be happy? The angel quirked its head, only to shrug its shoulders a momentter. Anyway, it doesnt matter. You all made it, so congrattions. You can go home now.

    At the mention of going home, the tension in the air dissipated, reced by a collective sigh of relief andughter.

    However, the angel still wore a smirk on her lips; They werent out of the woods yet.

    I should remind you though, that Round 2 will be much harder. So, you better do better next time. Teehee.

    .

    They had just cleared Round 1, and yet they had to face Round 2 in a month, and no one can escape this reality.

    After all, they had suffered, they had only bought themselves a month of time.

    As this realization hit them, their faces turned ashen.

    The angel barely managed to hide her devilish grin.

    Well, before you go home, shall we take a look at the rankings first? The angel spread its wings in a courteous manner, and a message box appeared before Ryu Mins eyes.

    Round 1 Results

    [Overall]

    1st ce: ck Scythe (Lv5, no job) 00:10:21

    2nd ce: Stupid Fools (Lv5, no job) 00:16:15

    3rd ce: Heavenly Demon (Lv5, no job) 00:17:07

    [Area ESKS45-5]

    1st ce: ck Scythe (Lv5, no job) 00:10:21

    2nd ce: Life is a Documentary (Lv5, no job) 00:23:55

    3rd ce: ck me Dragon in the Right Hand (Lv5, no job) 00:24:43

    [ck Scythe is currently ranked 1st in both overall and Area ESKS45-5.]

    [Rank Reward:

    Lowest-tier rare weapon selection ticket (already distributed)

    Special reward selection box (already distributed)]

    [Clear Reward: 1,000 gold (undistributed)]

    [Clear Reward: You have earned 1,000 gold as a clear reward! Congrattions!]

    [You can purchase items from the shop with the gold youve earned.]

    [The shop function will be unlocked when you reach level 10.]

    Everyone, not just Ryu Min, is staring at the empty air.

    They are all looking at the results together.

    The others probably only received 1,000 gold.

    Ryu Min achieved the top score, which came with a reward, but the others only received gold.

    Now theres no one who doesnt know that Im ranked first ce, right?

    Sure enough, people looked at Ryu Min with envy and jealousy.

    However, most of them sent looks of reverence for his achievement.

    The gap between Ryu Mins achievement time and second ce was overwhelming, so it was even more impressive.

    It wasnt just humans who were surprised.

    To think that the first ce in the entire area came from my zone Its amazing.

    The angels attention was focused on Ryu Min.

    ck Scythe? Answer me.

    Yes.

    How can you be so strong? Did you get some special runes?

    The angel stopped talking in the middle of the sentence.

    What a foolish question I almost revealed something unnecessary.

    It was clearly a mistake.

    It was like advertising that she couldnt see the yers status window.

    Of course, Ryu Min knew that fact through repeated lives.

    The angel was secretly flustered.

    Thats why Ryu Min decided to tease her a little.

    If you look at my status window, youll know what rune I have, right?

    It was a natural question, but the angel was not flustered.

    Then you already know. Did you think I, an angel, wouldnt know your information? I just asked even though I knew.

    Shes lying.

    Ryu Min knew that the angel had no right to see the yers status window.

    She only has the authority to guide and proceed with the game, she cant know the yers personal information.

    As he progressed with regression, he surprisingly learned a lot about the angel.

    Was that why?

    Angel.

    What, human?

    Can I make one request?

    A request?

    Ryu Min was able to make a bold statement.

    I feel like the reward for ranking first is too cheap.

    What did you say?

    I wish you had given a better reward.

    Trying to negotiate with an angel, how bold.

    People who were watching were surprised by Ryu Mins daring words.

 Chapter 7: Backstab (1)

    Chapter 7: Backstab (1)

    Wait, what did that person just say?

    I think hes asking for a better reward.

    Did he just try to negotiate with the angel?

    Is he insane?

    He must be out of their mind to act like that.

    The people murmured, but the angel couldnt hear a thing.

    Briel doubted her own ears.

    What did you say just now, human?

    Im not satisfied with the reward. I want something better.

    []

    The angel asked again, thinking she misheard, but the humans demand remained the same.

    As if it were his right.

    How dare this human speak to me like this?

    The beautiful face of the angel Briel contorted in frustration.

    Should I gouge out his eyes?

    Despite the menacing expression on her face, the human continued to stare at them boldly.

    It was almostughable.

    I thought he was actually decent when I watched him take the first round, but now his spewing this nonsense like a lunatic.

    Does he think hes invincible after taking down a few goblins?

    The angel wanted to bash his head out of frustration, but she couldnt.

    She had already used up her authority to kill using that skill.

    That arrogant human. I cant kill them Wait, hold on.

    Suddenly, Briels expression changed, a faint smile appearing on her face.

    Whats stopping me from killing him? If I want him dead, I can just kill him even without that skill, right?

    With a good idea in mind, Briel turned to face Ryu Min.

    You wanted a better reward, right?

    The barrier surrounding Ryu Min vanished in an instant.

    Ill make a deal with you. Follow me, and Ill give you a better reward than you can imagine. The others will wait here until Ie back.

    The people nodded, knowing they couldnt go anywhere, trapped within the pirs.

    Shes going to give him a better reward?

    Does that mean shell do what ck Scythe said?

    Did he just make the angel really negotiate with them?

    Maybe I should ask for a better reward too?

    Only if youre ranked first ce, I bet.

    I envy him now, if I knew that I would have asked her myself.

    The people mumbled as they watched Ryu Min follow the angel with envy in their eyes.

    As Ryu Min watched the envious res from others, he bit his tongue in frustration.

    Whats there to be jealous about? If only they knew what the angel had in store for me.

    The angel wasnt really taking him away to offer some reward orpensation.

    If its just a reward, they could have given it to me here. Why move me to another location?

    There was only one reason why the angel moved him to a quieter ce; to lure him into a trap and kill him.

    Ryu Min was certain of it. But why was he so sure? Because he had experienced it firsthand. He had been killed by an angel before.

    Was it the 12th regression? When the angel backstabbed me, I felt so dizzy.

    At that time, and after 12 regressions, Ryu Min managed to kill the goblins with his experience and skill, achieving the top rank for the first time.

    I was expecting a huge reward for being first. But when I saw the special reward box given to the top ranker, I muttered under my breath, Its not as great as I thought it would be.''

    Of course, he had the right toin. The problem was that the angel had overheard him.

    I didnt know then. I didnt know thatining would anger the angel.

    And the price he paid for that was steep.

    The angel had lured him by promising an even better reward, then struck him from behind.

    He died for no other reason than for annoying Briel.

    That was why Ryu Min could never see angels in a positive light. To them, humans were nothing more than lowly insects, even when dead.

    Im sure shed kill all humans if she could. But theres a reason why she cant.

    The angels are not as powerful as they appear to be.

    They made people believe that they cannotpete with an angel. If they try, their heads will explode.

    But this was all part of the game n.

    She only killed that guy at first to instill fear and make people obey her everymand.

    That skill that makes heads explode is a one-time ability. Its a privilege of an angel that can only be used once.

    The ability to kill instantly was called the head explosion.

    A piece of information he obtained through torturing the angels from the previous regressions.

    If I didnt use up that privilege in the beginning.

    This is why Briel couldnt think straight anymore.

    It was also why Ryu Min didnt flinch in fear.

    Angels without their powers arent really that scary.

    They may have wings and a few tricks up their sleeves, but thats about it.

    Physically, theyre not much different from humans.

    If anything, theyre weaker and more fragile than they appear.

    Angels are just humans with wings.

    Ryu Min wasted no time in seeking revenge on the angel in his next regression.

    In the process, he discovered a few things.

    Angels are weaker than he thought.

    And killing an angel yields hidden rewards.

    You cant miss out on hidden rewards, especially if its an item that can be used to advance to the unique ss, Grim Reaper.

    When an angel is killed, an item necessary for advancing to the Grim Reaper ss is obtained.

    Since then, Ryu Min continued to kill angels.

    In the next regression and the next after that.

    He deliberately made a name for himself from the first round and then tried to piss off the angel to the point that she would decide to kill him.

    I guess this is thest time.

    Every time, the angel tried to stab Ryu Min with a hidden de in her wings.

    But it was always the angel who ended up being defeated.

    Getting hit in the back would only work once.

 Chapter 7: Backstab (2)

    Chapter 7: Backstab (2)

    It was easy, he just had to attack the angel in the back first and obtained the reward before getting hit himself.

    As he was thinking these thoughts, the angel turned around, possibly because she felt a cold chill on the back of her neck.

    Why are you so far behind? Cant you keep up?

    Oh, yes.

    Ryu Min approached with quick steps, but the angels expression was still full of displeasure.

    Humans always have to be shouted at to understand. Tsk.

    And whats worse they are all greedy.

    Humans were a race that could not feel full even if they drink the ocean.

    If you want to be treated like a pig, then youll get what you deserve. Sure, Ill show you the price of your greed. Kyohohoho.

    Brielughed to herself as the thought alone was amusing.

    She never had any intention of exchanging the reward for Ryu Min.

    She didnt even have the ability to do that.

    How can I change the reward thats predetermined by the system?

    She had only enticed him with sweet words.

    In order to kill the human in front of her in a ce without any witnesses.

    Theres no rule that says I cant kill a yer.

    Didnt she already kill one at the beginning; well that was a one-time thing and now its not possible.

    In fact, I can kill humans, but I cant kill them openly. Who knows what kind of trouble Ill get into if I do that?

    Theres no rule that says she cant kill a yer, but theres also no rule that says she can.

    It would be a huge problem if she killed a yer for personal reasons.

    What if the yers rebelledter, iming unevenness?

    She would ruin the game they have worked so hard for.

    At that point, Briel would not be able to avoid responsibility.

    So the cleanest and best way is to kill them without leaving any witnesses.

    Briel couldnt bear to look at the person who hurt her pride.

    She couldnt just let it go, it would be against her dignity.

    Other humans are scared and obey well, but this person whos ranked #1 has stirred things up by haggling for rewards.

    Theyre all the same, after reaching #1, they became greedy.

    What a stupid bastard. He couldve settled for what he got, but he had to run his mouth.

    The more she thought about it, the more she felt disgusted by him.

    After we pass this ce, Ill kill him right away.

    The angel who had be so distant that none of the yers could see her suddenly stopped walking.

    This was a good ce to get the job done.

    Well, you want a better reward, dont you? What kind of reward do you want?

    At that moment, Briel turned around and was surprised to see a fist in front of her.

    Whack!

    Kiyaaa!

    She stumbled and fell, clutching her face in pain.

    She couldnt regain herposure due to the shock, not the pain.

    Whats going on? Did that human hit me?

    Soon, she realized what had happened to her, and her smooth forehead wrinkled uncontrobly.

    [You damn human!]

    She turned her head, but the human was nowhere in sight. However, she could easily tell where he was. She felt his presence behind her.

    Ryu Min was holding his new dagger tightly.

    Hey, wait a minute! What are you trying to do!

    Crack!!!!

    Kiyaaaaaaa!

    The sound was chilling, and the angels mouth opened wide in horror.

    Ahhh!

    Stop overreacting.

    Ryu Min brushed away the drooping wings and grabbed the other one. He was determined to break both wings, so the angel couldnt escape.

    Crack!!

    Screaming in pain?

    Despite the angels scream, Ryu Min shouted back in disbelief.

    It always amazes me to see you scream like this, its really different from how you acted tough before,ughing at the people dying, how was it Kyohohoho?!

    [Are you insane, human? What are you saying!]

    You were going to kill me with that dagger hidden in your wings, werent you?

    []

    Seeing the angels stunned expression, Ryu Min smiled.

    I knew it.

    [Killing you?! I never thought of that]

    You dont have to lie. Because its all over the face. Briel.

    Briels eyes widened.

    [How could a human like you?]

    I dont know about that.

    Ryu Min raised her hand, revealing a dagger he had selected as his first prize, a stiletto.

    [What are you doing with that weapon all of a sudden?]

    Dont you see?

    The piercing look in Ryu Mins eyes silenced Briel.

    He didnt say anything, but she knew she would soon die in this spot.

    Although fear crept into her heart at the moment she was caught, Briels pride remained unbroken.

    [Are you crazy, human? Did your head explode or something?]

    Nope, you cant use that anymore.

    []

    The moment her weakness was exposed, Briel was speechless.

    The voice of the angel was filled with confusion.

    [Do you really think you can survive by doing this? Surely my colleagues wont just stand by and watch!]

    [What colleagues? Dont you know that angels are selfish beings who are not interested in others even their own race? Whether you live or die, none of them would care, replied Ryu Min, gripping his dagger.

    Briels face showed desperation as she realized the danger she was in.

    [Wait! Theres nothing to gain by killing me!] pleaded the angel.

    There is. You just dont know it, replied Ryu Min with a smirk.

    [If you kill me, youll regret it! You wont be able to go home!] said the angel in ast-ditch effort to save herself.

    We can go home. The system will automatically send us home after a period of time, said Ryu Min dismissively.

    [How do you know that? What else do you know?] asked the angel, grasping at straws.

    Why do you care? Youre dead anyway, said Ryu Min, before stabbing the angel in the heart.

    Briels eyes widened as Ryu Mins dagger pierced her chest.

    Gaaah! she screamed as her body shook and he fell to the ground, while her golden blood was flowing from her torn chest.

    Ryu Min didnt even look twice at her, instead, his attention turned to the message that had just appeared in his vision. It was a message about a hidden reward.

 Chapter 8: Angel Slayer (1)

    Chapter 8: Angel yer (1)

    [You have in an angel.]

    [It has been confirmed that you are the first yer to have killed an angel.]

    [You have earned the title The First Angel yer.]

    [You have obtained Angels Blood as the reward for ying the first angel.]

    [You have received the Rune of ughter as the reward for being the first to y an angel.]

    [The acquired rune will automatically be engraved on the yers body!]

    The cascading messages were enough to make an ordinary person lose their mind, but Ryu Min remained calm as this was a situation he had experienced and received rewards from many times before.

    [Angels Blood]

    ssification: Consumable

    Grade: Unique

    Effect: Enables Reaper job advancement

    Usage Restrictions: Level 10 or higher

    Description: An item given to the first yer who ys an angel. Only those who kill an angel are qualified to advance to the Reaper job, which is the angels nemesis.

    yers could have a job starting from level 10. There were over 30 different jobs avable, and the advancement method was simple: obtaining the job advancement item.

    Looks like I just got what I needed, Ryu Min said calmly as he examined the golden liquid item in his inventory  Angels Blood, given only to the first person to y an angel. It was also an item that allowed for unique job advancement.

    As expected, I was the first to y an angel, Ryu Min thought, knowing that no one at this point would dare to challenge an angel.

    Unless they were insane and wanted to die, of course.

    I also got a title, Ryu Min said, touching the title he had earned.

    [Title  The First Angel yer]

    Acquisition condition: Obtained by being the first to kill an anger

    Effect: All stats are doubled when facing holy monsters.

    Upon checking, it was undoubtedly the right title he had obtained in his previous regressions. It was an excellent title when facing angels or Holy attributed monsters.

    Ryu Mins gaze turned to thest reward he obtained.

    [Rune of ughter]

    Effect: All stats increase by 1% (up to 100%) each time a target is killed. Itsts until the end of the round.

    The rune was engraved on Ryu Mins body.

    It was the reward he got for being the first to kill an angel.

    If the other angels find out that Ive already obtained one rune, theyll be shocked, Ryu Min thought to himself.

    Indeed, obtaining runes was not an easy task.

    Even obtaining one per round was a challenge.

    In fact, it wasparable to the difficulty of acquiring a unique item.

    But, thats just the standard for an inexperienced yer in the game, Ryu Min reminded himself.

    He had already figured out how to get past each level with ease.

    I need to obtain more runes this time around, so I can be even stronger, he thought.

    Since it was thest level, Ryu Min had nothing to lose and had to use every possible means to be more powerful.

    Unfortunately, I wont get any rewards for killing an angel now, Ryu Min sighed.

    The rewards for killing an angel were only given to the first yer who achieved this feat.

    That meant nobody else could get anything from killing an angel, which was why there was only one yer in the game who had the Archangel Death ss.

    The angels probably never even knew about these rewards, Ryu Min thought.

    Until the 12th regression, Ryu Min was unaware of this fact as well.

    Like everyone else, he was afraid of the angels abilities and considered them to be unbeatable.

    But from the 13th regression onwards, he began to learn about the hidden rewards that came with killing an angel.

    When you kill an angel, you can get materials necessary for a hidden job, Ryu Min realized.

    From then on, he made sure to kill the angels every time he encountered them, as he saw no reason not to, especially when they offered a hidden reward.

    Thats when I really started to focus on Death ss, Ryu Min said.

    Until that point, he had survived in the game as a Hunter.

    But once he switched to the Death ss, he realized it was a much better job.

    It has bonus stats, transfer runes, and an excellent skill set, Ryu Min pondered.

    It was far from a mediocre ss like a Hunter.

    As far as he was concerned, it was a powerful and desirable ss, one that anyone would envy.

    But even then, I couldnt clear the final round.

    Nevertheless, since there was no job as good as Death, Ryu Min aimed for it once again.

    He deliberately provoked the angel and lured him to a different location.

    Instead of getting stabbed, he struck first with a blow to the back of the head.

    By killing the angel, he obtained a huge reward starting from the first round.

    From then on, I abandoned the hunter job and switched to Death.

    Ryu Min repeated the same method of killing the angel with each regression.

    There had no mercy for someone who was trying to backstab him.

    In the process, Ryu Min learned many things.

    He learned just how weak the angels were, and that his ability to smash their heads wasnt just a one-time fluke.

    I also gained other information.

    Not only did he gain rewards, but he also tortured the angel to extract information.

    He learned about their race, ecology, role, purpose of the game, and system privileges.

    However, even the angels themselves did not know the key information.

    They are just long-term horses that follow orders from above.

    It was suspected that there was someone behind the scenes who was equivalent to a god, but

    Ill have to go all the way to the final boss stage and make a wish to find out the details.

    After confirming his rewards, Ryu Min reached into his inventory.

    It was time to use the special reward selection box he received as the first-ce reward for the entire area.

    Use it.

    [You can choose one of the following special rewards.]

    [Please touch the reward you want.]

    1. Experience points tripled buff (limited to the 2nd round)

    2. 2,000 gold

    3. Information about the 2nd round

    Although there were three options to choose from, Ryu Min did not hesitate.

 Chapter 8: Angel Slayer (2)

    Chapter 8: Angel yer (2)

    Whats important now is to quickly reach level 10 and change jobs.

    Ryu Min immediately chose the first reward.

    [You have chosen the experience points tripled buff.]

    [The buff will automatically apply at the start of the 2nd round.]

    With still a month to go until Round 2, Ryu Min had already made his reward selection. There wasnt anything worth choosing other than the 3x experience points boost.

    Receiving 2,000 gold isnt bad, but its better to change jobs as soon as possible, Ryu Min thought to himself.

    Changing jobs meant gaining a skill, and in this game, skills were worth far more than anyone could imagine. Skills are practically worth three runes put together, Ryu Min reflected.

    Having a skill greatly increased a yers power, and on top of that, receiving a rune reward as amemoration for changing jobs was an added bonus. The sooner Ryu Min changed jobs, the more he stood to gain.

    As for the third reward, theres no point in choosing it, Ryu Min concluded.

    The third reward offered information about Round 2, but it was of no use to Ryu Min since he already had all the information up to Round 20.

    With a cold gaze, Ryu Min looked down at the angels corpse. The golden blood that had sttered across the ground began to evaporate into thin air.

    Soon, the angels body disintegrated into dust, leaving no trace behind. This was the natural process for creatures of spirit like the angels  their bodies vanished along with them after a certain amount of time.

    Im d I dont have to bother with the disposing of the body. This way theres no evidence left behind, Ryu Min thought.

    He scanned the area just in case there were any witnesses, but the sky and surroundings were clear of anyone who might have seen him.

    Since I killed the angel in the same ce at the same time as before, there shouldnt be any problems, Ryu Min reassured himself.

    He had used the same method as always, and since there were no witnesses or evidence left behind, he neednt worry about anything.

    Angels are a selfish and self-centered bunch who only care about themselves, after all, Ryu Min mused.

    He wondered why no one had seen him, but that was the only concern he had.

    From Round 2 onwards, a different angel will take her ce, just like before, Ryu Min thought.

    There was no need to worry about witnesses or evidence. Even without an angel supervising, they could all return safely.

    Although they might not receive detailed guidance on how things will be when they return.

    As the message announcing the end of Round 1 appeared, Ryu Min and the others who had been trapped with him retreated to the shadows.

    Congrattions on surviving, the message read.

    END OF ROUND 1

    [Entire Area]

    Survivors: 900,514,645

    [ESKS45-5 Area]

    Survivors: 5,143

    [Your soul will return to your original dimension shortly.]

    [Round 2 begins at midnight on February 1st, 2022. See you in the next round.]

    With that, Ryu Min and the others who had been trapped with him disappeared from view.

    ***

    Phew.

    Gasping for air as if he hade back to life, Hwang Yongmin sat up, eximing, Oh my god!

    The first thing he saw was a multitude of people surrounding him.

    Where are we? This is the site of the festival, right? he wondered.

    He immediately checked his phone for the time. 5:20? It was January 1st, 2022. Five hours and twenty minutes had passed since the start of the festival. It roughly matched the time he had spent in that dream.

    Ugh my head, he groaned. My arms and legs are all sore.

    Nearby, his friends who had been sleeping on the street started to awaken one by one.

    Hey, Yongmin!

    Are you up?

    I was asleep?

    Not just you, I was also asleep.

    What? Did we all fall asleep together?

    Wait, then that was all just a dream?

    I also had a weird dream

    Me too!

    Yongmin, did you dream too?

    Well, actually

    Looking around, Yongmins expression turned serious.

    I dont think it was just a dream.

    What do you mean?

    Listen to what people are saying.

    His friends perked up their ears at Yongmins words.

    Wevee back? We really came back from that hell!

    What? I swear I was fighting goblins

    Im alive I survived!

    As people muttered and murmured, his friends expressions gradually turned pale.

    It didnt make sense for so many people to have had the exact same dream.

    Does that mean it was all real? The goblins, the first round?

    Then, does that mean we have to be called for the second round on the 1st of next month?

    Ugh Damn it.

    His friends faces fell at the bleak reality, but they couldntpletely fall into despair.

    Hey, why isnt he waking up?

    Taesik, wake up. Taesik!

    One of their friends was still asleep.

    He seemed asleep but he was as still as death.

    Fuckl! Hes not breathing!

    Listen to his heart! Can you hear his heartbeat?

    His friends frantically tried to confirm Taesiks condition.

    But the results were despairing.

    His hearts not beating.

    What?

    Then is he dead?

    Taesik is he dead?

    His friends couldnt believe that he was gone, but they couldnt deny it either.

    Could it be that he couldnt catch 100 of them?

    Or he couldnt make it to the top half?

    ording to the rules of the game, they understood the reality of their friends death.

    And it wasnt just Taesik who couldnt get up.

    Almost half of the people gathered there were still lying on the chilly asphalt.

    Are all the people who cant get up here dead?

    C corpses?

    Ugh

    The thought of corpses made him feel sick. It would have been fine if they were goblin corpses, but the thought of dead humans triggered revulsion.

    Did only half of us survive?

    Fuck, what do we do for the next round?

    Can I survive?

    His friends were already worried, but Hwang Yongmin remained calm.

    No, he pretended to be calm and held back hisughter.

    If heughed now, not only his friends but also others would look at him like a madman.

    If this isnt a dream but reality, then its not just me whos screwed, but everyone in the world, right?

    It was only for those between the ages of 15 and 29, but still, it was a lot of people whose lives were at stake.

    We have to survive this, no matter who we are or where wee from. Its about equality, isnt it?

    He was envious of those who were born to good parents and livedfortably.

    On the other hand, he felt that his life was unfair.

    But theres no point inining about life anymore. Haha.

    His life was already ruined, even without his parents.

    He had thought of bing a gangster as soon as he graduated from school.

    These days, he knew that gangsters made a lot of money from illegal activities.

    Dont worry, you guys. Just survive, whats there to worry about?

    But its unfair We havent even had a chance to enjoy ourselves, and now we have to die

    Were not the only ones in this situation. Whats unfair about it?

    Upon hearing Hwang Yongmins words, his friends fell silent, seething inwardly.

    You bastardwith your pathetic life, you wouldnt even be missed if you died right now, one of them muttered.

    I still have so much I want to do, Hwang Yongmin said, oblivious to his friends thoughts, and then seemed to have remembered something and kept looking left and right.

    As he scanned the area, searching, his friends asked, Whats wrong?

    Just looking for someone, but I cant seem to find him, Hwang Yongmin exined.

    Who? Your personal shuttle? his friend asked.

    Hwang Yongmin nodded, frustrated at not being able to locate Ryu Min.

    Where could that bastard have gone? I thought I saw him over there before I fell asleepdid he die in the first round? he wondered aloud.

    Eventually, Hwang Yongmin gave up searching for Ryu Min.

    Well, maybe that loser died, its not like he would have made it far in thepetition anyway, he thought to himself.

    No weakling like Ryu Min could survive in such a cutthroatpetition.

    As he turned his head, he suddenly noticed a person wearing a strange suit of armor.

    Huh? Whos that guy? Where did he get that outdated armor from? Hwang Yongmin muttered.

    In that moment, a lightning bolt of realization struck his mind.

    No way, he thought.

    He immediately yelled to his friends, Hey! Everyone, turn on your status windows! It works here too!

    Huh? Status window?

    But that cant be possible

    Really? Its working!

    As they muttered about the status window, a transparent window appeared in front of Hwang Yongmin, visible only to him.

    The system that he thought was only applicable in this otherworldly realm worked in the real world too.

    Does this mean all our stats and items will work too? one of his friends asked in disbelief.

    This is amazing! Hwang Yongmin and his friends eximed in unison, their spirits lifted by this glimmer of hope in their otherwise bleak situation.

 Chapter 9: Home (1)

    Chapter 9: Home (1)

    [In the early hours of today, an unbelievable event urred at Bosingak Pavilion in Jongno-gu where a bell-ringing ceremony was taking ce. Over ten thousand people collectively lost consciousness. Lets watch the video first to see what happened.]

    The video contained an astonishing scene. A winged woman appeared in the sky with a bright light.

    [People were stunned by the appearance of a woman who looked like an angel. She moved her lips as if saying something, but nothing could be heard. Shortly after, a young man asked the angel a question, and his head exploded like a firework.]

    A scene of a human being killed was fully broadcasted, even though it was pixted, its brutality was vividly felt.

    [The tens of thousands of people at the scene panicked. The angel murmured something as if exining, and then people began to lose consciousness. Roughly ten thousand people fell asleep.]

    The people shown in the video fell unconscious like cut-off dolls.

    Eventually, the police are seen investigating the remaining people.

    [ording to witnesses, the angel imed to have taken people aged 15 to 29 to another dimension. Although it was a bizarre im, there were many witnesses, and the appearance of the angel was captured in the video, making it hard not to believe.]

    [This phenomenon happened nationwide, especially among those aged 15 to 29. There were reports of angel sightings everywhere, and many people fell into a trance-like state. In total, more than 128 countries have confirmed cases of the trance-like state, including Japan, China, Russia, and the United States.]

    1.8 billion people have been kidnapped to another world.

    Not their physical bodies, but their souls.

    Shocking news articles were published one after another on the news portal sites.

    Netizens had two different reactions to the news:

    Whats going on? Are the journalists drunk?

    Why are only these absurd and unbelievable news articles being posted?

    Today isnt even April Fools Day.

    1.8 billion souls were kidnapped? This is fake news on an enormous scale.

    Haha, the journalists are really conspiring.

    Even the video seems like its manipted.

    Many people couldnt believe the obituaries which seemed a bit ridiculous, but there were also many who believed them without a doubt.

    Are the reporters all children? one person scoffed. Do they have nothing better to do than publish fake news from the New Year?

    You can see this story is being shared on other websites too, you know, another chimed in.

    I will never believe these NEWS guys, even if they above told us to run because a war had broken out, I wouldnt believe them, someone else added,ughing nervously.

    Despite the skepticism, a surprising number of people found the news believable, especially as it was being reported across all types of media, from broadcast TV to radio and the inte. It was hard to deny that this was a real, serious situation unfolding before their eyes.

    I thought it was just a hoax, but its actually real, one personmented.

    What the hell is going on? another asked.

    I read a detailed article about it on another website. Apparently, its a survival game thatsts for 20 rounds, someone else added.

    So does that mean Im going to be captured by an angel too? a frightened voice piped up.

    Dont worry if youre between 15 and 29 years old, another replied.

    But Im still worried. There are 1.8 billion people who arent waking up from sleep a concerned voice trailed off.

    My friends older brother was really captured. Hes still breathing but he wont wake up, someone said.

    Im a 49 years old father, and my only middle school-aged son wont wake up no matter what I do. Please, someone, tell me what to do, another pleaded.

    My little brother is sleeping and wont wake up. What should I do? yet another asked.

    What are we going to do? Is the world ending or something? someone else quipped cynically.

    As Ryu Min read through thements on his phone, he couldnt help but let out a sigh.

    Its finally started, he thought to himself.

    The inte was buzzing with talk of the survival game, and Ryu Min was reminded once again that he was back on Earth.

    But this is just the beginning, he reminded himself, scrolling through another article:

    At around 5:20 AM, approximately half of those who had fallen intoas woke up The other half stopped breathing and died, resulting in an estimated 900,000 deaths in Seoul alone, and 4.5 million across the country A historic disaster in which 11% of the poption died The worldwide death toll from thea shock is estimated to be around 9 billion people, causing chaos across the globe.

    Although the obituaries had been dealt with, there was still a bigger problem at hand.

    [A survivor said that they created a character as if entering a game andpleted quests]

    [They fought against goblin monsters on the ins, armed only with their own bodies]

    [Breaking news! Survivors calling themselves yers are able to summon weapons and armor out of thin air]

    The real problem is that the yers abilities have been brought into reality, Ryu Min thought to himself.

    Even though he killed the angel and the yers in his area didnt hear any exnations; it didnt take them long to figure it out.

    Since the system itself is based on abilities rooted in the soul, they can still be used even if the body changes.

    Of course, this information was learned from torturing the angel in the previous regressions.

    At present, their stats are not high, so it wont have much impact butter, as they level up and be stronger, yers will truly be transcendent beings.

    When that happens, some yers whock self-awareness will begin to exercise their power likewless ouws.

    It would lead to the creation of weaponry that even the military and thetest weapons couldnt control.

    At that point, they wont be able to focus solely on quests like they can now. There will be a variety of problems to deal with even after they return to this world.

    That realm and this reality; both would be filled with chaos in just a few months.

    He couldnt sit idly by in such a world. If he does, Earth would be destroyed before they even reached round 20.

    There is only one solution. We must control the yers with overwhelming force. Beasts will only bow down before superior strength.

    Ryu Min would have to control the yers through sheer force, just as he had done before.

    That way, he could quell the chaos and even make it to the final boss.

    Of course, this time around, he would need a different strategy.

    He had to take four others with him to the final round, not including himself.

    It would be best to bring a priest and buffer. If the boss room requires at least five people, it must be that strong.

    He had some candidates in mind and a n for how to persuade them, but

    Its not time to act yet. There are more important matters to attend to.

    After the end of round one, Ryu Min immediately left the location of the ringing bell ceremony.

    The ce he was heading to was none other than his home.

    It was a multi-family home located in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.

    Ring-ring-ring  beep-beep!

    The first thing Ryu Min noticed as he entered the house was the cup ramen container sitting on the kitchen sink.

    Looks like were having cup ramen for dinner again.

    It was a familiar scene that he had seen before, every time he came home in his previous regressions

 Chapter 9: Home (2)

    Chapter 9: Home (2)

    Ryu Min opened the door that had been closed.

    On the floor, one person was sleeping soundly under a nket.

    It was his younger brother, Ryu Won, who was in his third year of middle school.

    He was Ryu Mins only family.

    Won-ah, wake up.

    As Ryu Min shook him, Ryu Won tossed and turned before finally opening his sleepy eyes.

    Hyung?

    Get up, its morning.

    What time is it?

    Ryu Won looked at the wall clock as he spoke.

    What? Its not even 6 oclock yet.

    You wont have time to sleep more.

    Why? Whats going on?

    Ill exinter. Put your clothes on first. Lets go.

    Where are we going? If you want to watch the sunrise, Id rather sleep more.

    Listen to me, Hyung.

    At Ryu Mins low voice, Ryu Won closed his mouth and looked at his older brother.

    The serious atmosphere of his older brother that was different from usual made Ryu Wons expression serious as well.

    Why are you like this, Hyung? Whats going on?

    This is not the time to sleep peacefully. The world is in chaos.

    Why? Did something happen when you went to see the ceremonial bell ringing?

    First,e out. Ill talk while we walk.

    The brothers passed through the narrow kitchen and went outside.

    The cold air of the yet-to-be-risen dawn made Ryu Won shiver.

    Lets walk a bit.

    Okay.

    The brothers walked in silence through the dimly lit alleyway.

    Ryu Won turned his head and nced at his brother.

    Whats going on thats making him look so serious?

    He had never seen this side of his brother before, but he didnt dare ask him anything.

    He thought that his brother would exin everything on his own, but his atmosphere was strangely different from before.

    No, hespletely different.

    His jaw was clenched, his eyes were full of strength, and his stride was determined.

    He looked so different from his usual small and timid self.

    After they walked for a while, Ryu Min spoke.

    Do you know whats happening in the world right now?

    Of course, I dont. Why? Did something happen while I was sleeping?

    Check the inte news.

    Ryu Won did as he was told and pulled out his phone to look up the news.

    Holy whats this?

    Ryu Wn stopped in his tracks and couldnt take his eyes off his phone for a while.

    Is this for real? People were taken to another world by angels?

    Well, only their souls were taken, Ryu Min nodded.

    I cant believe this. Could it be Hyung too?

    Ryu Min nodded his head.

    We managed to catch 100 goblins in that other world and barely made it back alive.

    Wow.

    Although Ryu Min spoke the truth, his younger brother still seemed skeptical.

    Why wasnt I taken too?

    Because youre not yet 15 years old.

    Although Ryu Won was going to be in his third year of middle school this year, he was still only 14 years old.

    It was fortunate for him, considering the desperate situation.

    However, Ryu Won continued to read the article, unable to fullyprehend the situation.

    Thements section was full ofmentations from people who had lost their siblings and children.

    There were too many witnesses for this to be a lie.

    Why how could this happen Ryu Won sighed and looked back at his brother.

    It was amazing how his brother, despite his small stature, managed to survive.

    Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?

    Dont worry about me.

    How can I not worry? Youre the only family I have left.

    It was since the day when their parents had passed away in a car ident and Ryu Min hadforted Ryu Won as he sobbed with tears and snot.

    To me, Hyung is like a father figure.

    Although he was too shy to say it out loud, Ryu Won looked up to his brother and relied on him like a father.

    But the truth was, Ryu Won was still worried.

    Mental strength and fighting ability are two different things.

    Although he admitted that his brother had strong mental strength, it didnt mean he was good at fighting.

    Moreover, he was physically small and had been beaten up before.

    Every time that happened, he told me not to worry because he could handle it himself.

    But how could he not worry? If something happened to his brother, he would be all alone.

    As Ryu Won was lost in thought, Ryu Min spoke up.

    I know what youre thinking.

    Huh?

    Dont worry. In that other world, theres a system called stats that renders physical conditions meaningless. Even girls can fight goblins on equal footing.

    Really? Ryuwon was surprised.

    Andter, when you see me in action, you wont have to worry about me too. More importantly, do not interfere.

    What are you talking about?

    If you want to know,e with me.

    I dont want to. I wont take a single step until you tell me where were going.

    Despite his younger brothers stubbornness, Ryu Min just chuckled quietly to himself.

    He had already experienced this kind of response in the previous episode.

    Wanna know?

    Hey, stop jokin

    Bae Taegyu.

    The mention of the name made his brothers face freeze.

    Were going to the hideout of your bullies.

    What?!

    You were getting bulliedtely at school by a guy named Bae Taegyu, right?

    Ryu Won was shocked. He had never been bullied before in his life, and he even enjoyed going to school and hanging out with his friends.

    But he didnt want to burden his older brother, who was already working hard to support them both. So he kept it to himself.

    However, somehow, Ryu Min knew.

    Did you know about it all along?

    Did you think I wouldnt?

    Ryu Won bit his lip. He thought he had hidden it well, but it turned out that his brother had known all along.

    II didnt think you knew.

    Ryu Min didnt actually know about this, it all happened in the first regression.

    It wasnt until several hours after returning from the first round that Ryu Min learned the truth about his brothers bullying.

    Ryu Won hade back home with a swollen face, and it turned out that he had been beaten up by Bang Taekyu and his gang.

    Ryu Min was shocked and angry that he hadnt been able to protect his little brother.

    He felt guilty that he had let his own weakness burden Ryu Won.

    But he knew he had to do something. After all, Ryu Won was his only family.

    By the way, what did you say earlier? That were going to his hideout?

    Yeah.

    Why?

    Why do you think?

    Ryu Min smirked.

    I cant just let someone who bullied my little brother get away with it. Ill break his arm if I have to.

    Arm? One arm wont be enough

    He wanted to make sure that Ryu Won would never be bullied again, and that meant putting Bang Taekyu in his ce.

    Ill teach him a lesson he wont forget. He wont dare bully anyone ever again.

 Chapter 10: Taegyu Bae (1)

    Chapter 10: Taegyu Bae (1)

    Die bastard die!

    Loud noises echoed through the factory since early morning.

    Thump! Thump! Thump!

    Bae Taegyu knocked down three students on their knees, one after the other.

    Didnt I tell you to bring me 200,000 won each? Didnt I?

    Ugh

    What? You wont answer? Are you ignoring me?

    Just a moment Please!

    Bae Taegyu kicked the students chin.

    Thump! Thump! Thump!

    The students groaned and cowered like turtles as the beating continued.

    Are you blocking me? Huh? Look at me.

    The sight of Bae Taegyu grabbing the students hair and pping their cheeks made the gang smoking cigarettes behind himugh out loud.

    But in reality, they were tense and fearful of Bae Taegyus merciless attitude.

    Of course, its Bae Taegyu. He doesnt spare even the nerds.

    Even other school seniors are afraid of him.

    Remember, dont mess with Bae Taegyu, no matter what happens.

    Bae Taegyu was 185cm tall, a ratherrge build for a second-year middle school student.

    Undoubtedly, he was overwhelmingly dominant among his peers and famous even among the gangsters for his fighting skills.

    Motherfuckers, I was nning to buy a motorcycle with the money I thought I would receive today, but you useless bastards havent helped me since morning.

    Bae Taegyu turned to his gang.

    Hey, do any of you bastards have any money?

    Us? Really?

    Ill definitely pay you back next month.

    The gang was taken aback and each of them nervously scratched the back of his head.

    Sorry, I rarely get some allowance from home

    I dont have any money either. Haha

    Although they refused as politely as possible, Bae Taegyus expression twisted.

    You useless bastards. Should I just squeeze you dry?

    What? Us?

    Yeah, you bastards. Whats the difference between you and the shuttle kids if you cant even lend me money?

    Bae Taegyu was genuinely furious, causing them to bow their heads and apologize.

    Sorry, we couldnt help

    Ill try to save some money from my allowance to help you buy the motorcycle

    Forget it. The bastards said allowance. How will you ever save enough money?

    Frustrated, Bae Taegyu kicked the students lying on the ground in a fit of anger.

    Thud! Thud!

    Fucking punks!

    Thud! Thud!

    If these brats had brought the money on time, This would never have happened!

    It was only when the students were lying down, exhausted, that Bae Taegyus stomping stopped. They couldnt even groan in pain anymore.

    Ugh, fucking scum! Get lost!

    Bae Taegyu spat on the ground and pointed his finger at the delinquents.

    One of them quickly offered him a cigarette.

    Phew.

    As Bae Taegyu took a puff and exhaled smoke, he turned to the gang again.

    Hey, where can we get some money?

    Money? You mean, like, right now?

    Yeah, we need it no matter what.

    Hmm

    I dont know

    They rubbed their chins and pondered as if it were their own problem. If they couldnte up with a way to get him some money, theyd be in hot water again.

    What about robbing a convenience store?

    You wanna go to jail?

    Or stealing from homeless people who beg near the station?

    Those hobos hardly make any money. Whats the point?

    How about we extort other students on the street?

    Thats probably the most realistic option.

    But where can we find students at this hour? Most of them are stuck at home on vacation.

    You could check out the PC room or the karaoke ce.

    But there are a lot of CCTV cameras these days. Itll be tough.

    Then we need to cover our faces and be careful.

    As they were casually conspiring tomit a crime, one of the gang suddenly spoke up.

    Oh, by the way, Taegyu.

    Yeah?

    Why didnt you call that shuttle guy in our ss?

    You mean, Ryu Won?

    Bae Taegyus lips curled into a wicked grin.

    I was nning on calling him today anyway. He deserves a beating as a New Years gift.

    What if he doesnt show up?

    Dont worry, I know where he lives.

    We could always pick on him.

    Right. Thatll work.

    While the gang looked at each other in agreement, Bae Taegyu shook his head.

    That guys a pauper. I believe he cant even afford cup ramen.

    Huh? Really?

    Do you think Im lying for no reason?

    Ohsorry.

    But how poor could he be if he lives in Seoul?

    The gang looked puzzled, and Bea Taegyu shrugged his shoulders.

    I dont know either. But when I see him getting beaten up and not even earning a single penny, it must mean hes really poor. He even lives in some old, run-down house.

    Oh, really?

    Still, its kind of strange, isnt it? How can he attend school in Seoul if he cant even afford to live properly? Are his parents crazy?

    That bastards parents are dead. They died in a car ident, so he lives with his older brother.

    Although they might have felt a bit sympathetic, the bullies snickered andughed.

    Fuck, haha life is so pitiful. He doesnt even have parents. Hahaha.

    So thats why hes so poor, that fucking bastard. Hahaha.

    Their mocking turned into a conspiracy theory.

    Hey, Taegyu. From what Ive seen, that bastard doesnt seem poor at all.

    I think so too. He must have inherited some money, so why doesnt he use any of it?

    These days, even orphans get a lot of welfare benefits, so they actually live pretty well.

    Thats right. I think hes just trying to act poor so he wont get robbed.

    Hes probably eating a fancy steak somewhere once hes out of school.

    The bullies argument seemed convincing enough to turn Taegyus face a shade of red.

    How dare that bastard to try mess with me? Ill call my gang and kill him right away, that motherfu

    Just as he was about to take out his phone to make a call, Taegyu suddenly stopped.

    Whats wrong, Taegyu?

    Wait. Dont you hear something?

    The bullies all stopped to listen.

    Thump thump

    They heard footsteps in the quiet abandoned factory.

    Not just one, but at least two pairs of footsteps.

    Soon enough, two men appeared in front of the bullies.

    One of them was someone Taegyu knew well.

    Oh? Its you?

    It was Ryu Won, who had been the leading character of the conversation they had just a moment ago.

    Taegyu let out a long sigh.

    He felt his tension dissipatepletely.

    So you said the tiger woulde, and he did no, not the tiger but a dog, perhaps? Is this your newckey, Ryu Won?

    As soon as they saw him, they started throwing insults at him and Ryu Won immediately looked scared.

    While Taegyu felt somewhat satisfied with his reaction, he couldnt help but feel a little dissatisfied.

    The other mans expression remained unchanged.

    Didnt I ask you who this bitch you brought with you?!

    Hes my

    Before Ryu Won could even say anything, Ryu Min stepped forward.

 Chapter 10: Taegyu Bae (2)

    Chapter 10: Taegyu Bae (2)

    Im Wons big brother, he said.

    Big brother? Taegyu muttered with a sneer.

    Didnt I tell you before? If you dont want to get beaten up, watch your mouth. But now youreing with your big brother to the hideout and causing trouble?

    Oh, no! I didnt say anything Ryu Min protested.

    Tsk, youre a fool. You and your big brother are both done for, Taegyu said, his eyes locked onto Ryu Min.

    Although Taegyu was still expressionless, he noticed a flicker of fear in Ryu Mins eyes.

    Haha, what a loser. Youre scared over nothing, he thought.

    He had suspected that Ryu Min might put up a fight, but it seemed he was mistaken.

    Well, its too early to judge just yet, Taegyu thought as he nced over at the other guy.

    He couldnt hear anyone elseing, so it seemed like they had only sent two people to find them.

    Is this guy really worth fighting? Taegyu wondered.

    He had fought many opponents in his life as a gang member, even some who were smaller than Ryu Won.

    But underestimating someone based on their size is a mistake. I need to see what this guy can do, Taegyu thought.

    He signaled to his friends, who nodded and stepped forward with him.

    Well, well, well. Its a good day to be alive. Someone actually has the balls to confront Taegyu? one of the guys said.

    Your big brothers supposed to be a tough fighter, right? If youre so confident, how about you take on all three of us? another guy added, sneering.

    Despite their threatening demeanor, Ryu Min didnt show any sign of fear.

    Looks like hes got some guts. Lets see what hes made of, Taegyu thought.

    They were close enough to strike now, so Taegyu was ready to see what Ryu Min could do.

    I love a good fight, especially when its between scrappy underdogs, Taegyu thought as the tension mounted.

    Suddenly, Ryu Minunched an unexpected attack andnded a blow.

    Argh, you bastard! one of Taegyus friends eximed as he swung a punch at Ryu Min.

    But Ryu Min was too fast, dodging the punch andnding another hit on the first guy, knocking him to the ground.

    The other guys rushed forward to attack, but Ryu Min continued to dodge and strike with lightning speed.

    Damn it, hes good, Taegyu thought as he watched his friends being taken down one by one.

    Although they hade looking for a fight, Taegyu realized that these guys were no match for Ryu Min.

    Ughhh Ahhh

    It didnt take long for all three of them to fall to the ground.

    Bae Taegyus eyebrows furrowed like a bowstring.

    This fucker

    He had wondered how well someone so small andnky could fight, but now he had his answer.

    Its nothing special.

    While his boxing skills seemed somewhat decent, it was nothing special to Bae Taegyu, who had a background in the sport.

    Hey, Wons brother. Where did this guy learn to box?

    As he walked past the fallen members of his clown crew, Bae Taegyu talked.

    Looks like they never taught you how big of a difference there is in boxing weight sses.

    Ryu Min looked up as Bae Taegyu stood in front of him.

    Bong Taegyu was 185cm tall with a sturdy build, while Ryu Min was 165cm tall and looked fragile.

    The difference in weight sses was obvious, and one could easily predict the oue of a fight between the two without even watching them.

    However, to Bae Taegyus surprise, Ryu Min didnt seem discouraged at all.

    Looks like you dont watch the news either, do you?

    What news?

    Tsk.

    Ryu-min clicked his tongue in a pathetic manner, and Bae Taegyus veins bulged on his forehead.

    What news, you little shit?!

    Frustrated, Bae Taegyu threw a sucker punch, which Ryu Min easily dodged with a quick turn of his head.

    Most people would have been hit and staggered by the punch, but Ryu Min managed to avoid it effortlessly.

    Bae Taegyu continued to throw punches and kicks, trying tond a hit on Ryu Min, but to no avail.

    He had hoped to gain an advantage in the fight by taking the first move, but things didnt go as nned.

    If youd watched the news, youd know that you cant juste at a yer like me like that.

    Ryu Min casually dodged Bae Taegyus attacks and then struck with a precise punch.

    Thud!

    Bae Taegyu was hit right in the face, but he had enough resilience to stay on his feet.

    Humph! Did a mosquito just bite me or something? This isnt even ticklish!

    Thud!

    Ryu Min didnt care about Taegyus taunts and connected with another punch.

    Taegyus nose felt numb.

    Ill kill you!

    With deadly force, he swung his fist, but it missed its mark.

    Thud! Thud!

    After a few more blows, Ryu Min no longer felt the need to even listen to him.

    His anger was all-consuming.

    Thud! Thud!

    Regardless of anything else, Ryu Min continued to target Taegyus face.

    Even with weakened strength, punching someone in the face was bound to leave damage.

    As evidence, Taegyus nose bone caved in and his lips burst open, bleeding.

    When ites to one-sided attacks like this, strength and skill dont matter.

    Fuck, just one hit. Just one and!

    Despite getting beaten up, Taegyu didnt give up.

    He couldnt admit to losing against someone like that.

    This isnt the time to be prideful.

    Ryu Mins fist once again struck Taegyus face.

    I got hit again, damn it!

    He couldnt even count how many times hed been hit.

    Now, he couldnt feel the pain on his face anymore.

    Ryu Mins movements were so clean and efficient that it seemed like his previous disy of skill was just a fake.

    Taegyu tried a hook.

    But Ryu Min dodged it and jammed his fist into Taegyus chin.

    Ah

    For a moment, Taegyus vision went blurry as he saw Ryu Mins fisting at him again.

    As much as he didnt want to admit it, attacking alone wouldnt solve anything.

    He instinctively lifted his hand to block, but

    Crack!

    Huh?

    Instead of hitting his guard, Ryu Min grabbed his outstretched fingers.

    Snap!

    Ahhhhhh!

    Taegyu screamed in agony as Ryu Min grotesquely broke his fingers.

    But as he leaned forward, Ryu Mins knee hit him in the face.

    Ugh!

    Hey.

    Before he knew it, Ryu Min had grabbed Taegyus other fingers.

    Snap! Snap!

    Ahhhh! It hurts! It hurts!

    Snap! Snap!

    Stop it! Please! I beg you!

    But Ryu Min mercilessly twisted all ten of Taegyus fingers like they were chicken wings.

    Hey.

    Ryu Min spoke again in a chilling tone.

    If you touch my little brother, youll regret it.

    Ugh Ugh

    Dont you have anything to say?

    Y-yes, I-I got it. I wont wont touch him.

    Now, with tears streaming down his face, Bae Taegyu weakly nodded his head. But then-

    Ryu Min grabbed onto one of Bae Taegyus arms, clearly not intending to let things end like this.

    What are you nning to do? Bae Taegyu protested.

    I need to make sure you wont change your mindter on, Ryu Min replied sternly.

    Please dont do this! Please! Bae Taegyu begged, struggling to free himself from Ryu Mins grip.

    Despite Bae Taegyus resistance, Ryu Min twisted his arm in a grotesque direction with a sharp snap.

    Aaahhh! Bae Taegyu screamed in agony.

    If you try to seek revenge or report me to the police, Ill find you no matter where you hide, Ryu Min threatened, his voice dripping with malice. And it wont just be a broken arm, too.

    At that moment, a deep-seated fear took hold of Bae Taegyus mind for the very first time in his life

 Chapter 11: Convenience Store (1)

    Chapter 11: Convenience Store (1)

    As they walked towards home, Ryu Won couldnt help but stare at his older brother, unable to keep his mouth shut any longer.

    Hyung, what happened? Did you learn martial arts somewhere?

    When would I have had time for that?

    Ryu Min had been working a part-time job to earn a living ever since he became a high school student. He had worked while going to school with the goal of at least earning his diploma, leaving no time to learn anything like martial arts.

    Then how did you do that? Those moves were incredible!

    Did you not read the news? yers can also use their abilities in the real world.

    Ryu Min opened his inventory and pulled out Stiletto.

    Wow, where did thate from?

    He almost forgot that the system cant be seen by others.

    As a yer, I can use my abilities in real life, just like this.

    He put the dagger back in the inventory, and it disappeared like magic. Ryu Won couldnt believe what he was seeing, but what happened at the hideout was even more unbelievable.

    My brother defeated Bae Taegyu I can hardly believe it.

    Even middle school seniors and high school students were scared of Bae Taegyu, but Ryu Min defeated him easily, without even taking a hit.

    Do all yers move like you, Hyung? How can anyone move like that?

    My agility stat is 11.

    Stat? Like in the game?

    Ryu Min patiently exined everything to his brother, who was still learning.

    So did you put all of your points into agility?

    Yeah, thats right.

    Whats the average agility?

    For an average adult, its about 3, and for an athlete, its around 10.

    Ryu Min was like a seasoned boxer in terms of agility.

    Then what happens if your agility reaches 30 or 50 as you level up?

    I dont know. Ive never reached that level.

    Of course, that was a lie. Ryu Min had increased his agility to over 300 in his previous regressions.

    Once you reach 300, you be a monster. At that point, you can even dodge bullets, and modern weapons are useless against you.

    Only another yer at your level can hope to defeat you.

    From now on, there will be yers causing idents everywhere, from murder and rape to arson, kidnapping, and theft.

    Some twisted yers exploit their abilities for all sorts of crimes.

    This is not a far-fetched tale.

    It is a reality that will unfold in just a few months.

    Even inside yers will kill each other, Ryu Min thought to himself.

    In their desperation to survive the rounds, some yers even target each others lives.

    I cant let my brother get caught up in a war between yers.

    In the 10th regression, Ryu Min revealed to his brother that he was a regressor.

    As a result, his brother was kidnapped just because he was a family member.

    My brother didnt even boast about it.

    The reason was simple: the kidnapper, Jang Seok-hyun, had a rune that allowed him to read other peoples thoughts.

    Afterward, Ryu Min got his revenge on Jang Seok-hyun.

    He even managed to take possession of the hidden rune that he had identally discovered: the Rune of Inner Thoughts.

    Jang Seok-hyun. I guess I will be taking your rune again in this round.

    The Rune of Inner Thoughts was extremely useful not only for obtaining information and dealing with situations but also for identifying enemies.

    It was one of the 18 essential runes on Ryu Mins list that he needed to obtain.

    If I have that rune, my brother wont have to worry about being kidnapped by Jang Seok-hyun anymore but

    Ryu Min didnt want to reveal that he was a regressor.

    Its my fault that my brother suffered like that.

    Even if it was just a past incident and prevented future threats, he felt hesitant about telling him the truth.

    He felt sorry for his brother just for experiencing such an ordeal.

    Thats why he didnt want to reveal his identity to his younger brother anymore.

    Hyung, thank you for helping me but

    Dont worry about it.

    Huh?

    Youre worried that Bae Taegyu might report us to the police, right?

    Well, yeah. We dont even have enough money for medical expenses

    He wont report us if he doesnt want to die.

    Ryu Min was confident that Bae Taegyu wont report this incident.

    He had already proven that he wasnt stupid enough to ignore such a warning in the previous regressions.

    Hell probably just make excuses about getting hurt in a street fight. The people around him will take care of him.

    Ryu Won felt relieved, knowing that Bae Taegyu wouldnt dare to talk.

    But Ryu Min didnt care even if he did talk.

    Because hell shut up if we pay him off in the end.

    Although Ryu Mins financial situation was currently dire, he wasnt worried.

    We can always make money.

    However, his brother still seemed troubled, his face full of concern.

    As they walked, Ryu Wons mind kept circling back to the thought that anything could happen.

    After all, I dont know what might happen in this situation, unlike my brother who has been through it multiple times, he thought to himself.

    Although Ryu Minughed it off, saying that they had nothing to worry about because of the money, Ryu Won couldnt help but worry about something else entirely.

    Is this really the brother that I know?

    He had only nced at him for a moment, but he could tell that he looked the same as he had been yesterday.

    He couldnt help but recall the way his brother had ruthlessly broken someones finger without a second thought.

    But Ryu Won wasnt afraid of his brothers cruelty; in fact, he found it thrilling to see Taegyus agony.

    The problem is that the brother I know isnt this cold and heartless, He mused.

    Does bing a yer change a person so drastically? Or does the harsh experience of killing and being killed in the game transform them?

    I dont know much about surviving a game like this

    He nced at her brother, who noticed his staring and looked back quizzically.

    Whats wrong?

    Nothing, its nothing, He replied, relieved to see that his brother was still himself when he wasnt fighting.

    If hes still the same in normal life, then thats enough, Ryu Won thought, trying to ease his worries.

    Just then, they spotted a convenience store.

 Chapter 11: Convenience Store (2)

    Chapter 11: Convenience Store (2)

    Ryu Wons stomach grumbled loudly, prompting Ryu Min to chuckle.

    Are you hungry? Want to grab breakfast at the convenience store?

    Uh, sure, that sounds good, Ryu Won replied, scratching his head self-consciously.

    Despite the fact that eating at a convenience store might seem unappetizing for most people, it was the only option for the siblings, who were barely making ends meet.

    Convenience stores had be so popr in recent years that they offered almost everything that people needed.

    As they entered the store, Ryu Min walked over to the ATM.

    What are you doing, Hyung? Ryu Won asked.

    Just getting some cash, he replied as he inserted his card.

    Ryu Won peeked over his shoulder and saw the bnce disyed on the screen.

    [Avable bnce: 133,202 won]

    With a measly sum of 133,000 won, Ryu Mins entire fortune was hardly impressive, but for those who struggled to make ends meet, it was everything.

    Despite his limited funds, Ryu Min managed to eke out a living by working part-time at a meat restaurant every weekend.

    Although it was a rtively impoverished existencepared to others, he was able to get by.

    However, to his younger brothers surprise, Ryu Min withdrew most of his savings in cash. What are you nning to do with all that money? his brother asked, bewildered.

    I have something in mind, Ryu Min replied with a smile before heading into the convenience store.

    His brother followed him inside, intending to purchase his usual instant noodles, but Ryu Min had other ideas. To his brothers astonishment, he headed straight for the frozen food section.

    Here, pick something out from here, Ryu Min said, gesturing towards the expensive frozen foods.

    But, Hyung, these are too expensive, his brother protested.

    Its alright. Today, we can eat to our hearts content, Ryu Min replied, seemingly intent on spoiling themselves for once.

    Did the boss at the restaurant give you a bonus or something? his brother asked, still suspicious.

    You know he wouldnt do that. Its just that its New Years Day, and we cant celebrate it with just ramen.

    His brothers discerning gaze seemed to probe him further, but Ryu Min simply shrugged it off. With all their expenses piling up, it wasnt easy to make ends meet, but he wanted to give his brother a special treat on this day.

    Are you sure we can afford this? his brother asked, still hesitant.

    We can, Ryu Min reassured him with a smile.

    His brothers eyes lit up as he finally selected something hed been wanting to try for a while, spicy pork belly with chili paste.

    Hyung, are you okay with this? his brother asked.

    Its fine. Well be able to get by, Ryu Min replied, his smile never faltering.

    His young brother knew that he was putting up a brave front.

    The reality was that they were barely making it through each day.

    This is why Ryu Won had never tasted pork belly before because it was too expensive for them.

    Dont worry, Won-ah. Soon, Ill make sure to take you to the best meat restaurant and treat you to some premium Korean beef soon, Ryu Min promised, noticing his brothers expression.

    Its okay, Hyung. We cant afford high-quality beef. This is enough for me.

    He smiled and said this, but Ryu Min knew it wasnt true.

    At a young age, he had never experienced dining out like everyone else. Of course, he wanted to try it too.

    Just wait a few days. Ill treat you to a real meat feast that will satisfy your cravings, said Ryu Min.

    His words were not just empty promises. There was a reason why he was indulging in such extravagance.

    A huge sum of money wasing in a few days.

    Ill pick this one, Ryu Min said, choosing frozen steamed chicken.

    Looks delicious, Hyung. Can you share some of it with me? Ill share mine with you, his younger brother asked.

    Sure, Ryu Min agreed.

    After picking two packets of instant rice, Ryu Min paid with his card at the counter. He returned to his seat, opened the packaging, and ced the food in the microwave.

    Eating at the cramped house was never asfortable as having a convenience store meal.

    All done. Lets eat, Ryu Min said.

    Ill enjoy it, Hyung!

    They sat down and enjoyed a simple dinner together.

    Its delicious!

    Do you like it? Have some more, Ryu Min said as he offered his brother his portion.

    His brother was overjoyed and ate heartily, like a person who had been starving for days.

    Ah, that was good.

    As his brother patted his stomach contentedly, he suddenly looked puzzled and asked, By the way, Hyung.

    Whats up?

    You paid with your card earlier If you didnt need money, why did you withdraw 100,000 won?

    He must have thought that Ryu Min withdrew cash because he needed it urgently.

    I told you, I have a reason for it, Ryu Min replied, taking out a piece of paper and a pen from his pocket.

    It was a lottery ticket.

    Why do you have that, Hyung?

    Cant you guess?

    Only then did his brother realize why Ryu Min had withdrawn 100,000 won.

    Are you going to buy lottery tickets?

    Yup.

    But youre still a high school student. You cant buy lottery tickets, can you?

    Forget already? Today, I turned 19.

    Ah thats right.

    He realized that today was Saturday, the day of the lottery draw.

    But when he looked at the number of tickets that Ryu Min had brought, he was surprised.

    Wait, how many did you buy? Twenty tickets? Are you seriously spending 100,000 won on lottery tickets?

    The maximum purchase limit is 100,000 won per person, Ryu Min exined with vivid sadness.

    His brother still jumped up and eximed, Are you insane, Hyung? How can we afford to spend 100,000 won on lottery tickets in our current situation?

    Even buying just one as a celebratory purchase for turning into an adult was an enormous extravagance.

    It may seem like a waste, but its necessary to spoil yourself once in a while, said Ryu Min.

    But who knows if itll even work! Youre just throwing your money, replied his friend.

    Lets wait and see, Ryu Min said confidently as if he knew he was going to win.

    But that wasnt the only surprising thing.

    Hyung, what are you doing? Why are you picking the same number twice in a row? His little brother was going insane.

    Well, its the winning number, so why not? Ryu Min chuckled.

 Chapter 12: Claiming The Winner Prize (1)

    Chapter 12: iming The Winner Prize (1)

    As Ryu Won arrived home, he started nervously nibbling on his fingernails, a habit that surfaced whenever he felt anxious and restless.

    I told you not to bite your nails, his older brother scolded him.

    But what can I do, Hyung? Im so worried, Ryu Won replied, biting harder on his nails.

    Just dont worry, his brother reassured him.

    How can I not worry? We just blew 100,000 won, Ryu Won eximed, feeling frustrated.

    He watched as his brother marked only one number on their lottery ticket, knowing that it was a futile effort.

    I bet weve already lost, Ryu Won muttered.

    Dont worry its the winning number.

    How can you possibly know!

    Ryu Min simply replied, I dreamt of this number.

    Ryu Won rolled his eyes, feeling incredulous. You dreamed of it? Come on, Hyung.

    Though Ryu Min didnt care whether his brother believed him or not. He had already seen the future through his repeated regressions.

    In a few hours, when the lottery is drawn, Ryu Won will be a different person, Ryu Min thought to himself.

    He knew from experience that his brothers attitude would changepletely after winning.

    Nothing beats the lottery when ites to making a quick buck, he thought.

    For Ryu Min, predicting lottery numbers was easier than catching a goblin.

    He believed that it was better to secure finances with lottery winnings before the yers destroyed the economy.

    Right now, with over 900 million deaths, the economy is already in turmoil. We need to secure our future with lotteries, coins, and stocks, Ryu Min thought.

    He knew that money was the key to everything, from escaping poverty to luring yers with his wealth. In the future, yers would trade items for money, and he wanted to be prepared.

    Although in-game gold is more valuable than real-life money, its still better to have more money than less, Ryu Min thought.

    While Ryu Min had no worries about the future, Ryu Won wasnt so lucky. In his mind, the lottery was already a lost cause.

    I could have bought something delicious with that 100,000 won, Ryu Won sighed.

    Ryu Won couldnt understand the meaning behind his brothers actions.

    He knew that 100,000 won was a lot of money for his older brother, who barely had enough money to save after covering his basic needs and expenses.

    Despite working part-time at a barbecue restaurant on weekends, his brother could only earn 400,000 won per month, barely enough to make ends meet.

    Why would he waste money? Its not like him!

    Ryu Min knew that securing their financial future was vital, and he was determined to make it happen, even if that meant relying on the lottery.

    Sigh.

    Ryu Min said nothing as he watched his younger brother sigh once again.

    He knew that by dinner time, his brothers attitude would have taken aplete turn.

    And sure enough

    Wee everyone! We will now begin todays lottery drawing. If your numbers match, you win regardless of the order in which they are drawn. Shall we start with the first number?

    As the lottery drawing began, the brothers pulled out their phones to tune in.

    With bated breath, Ryu Won sped his hands together.

    Please let us at least win fifth ce

    With their livelihood on the line, the stakes couldnt have been higher.

    Meanwhile, Ryu Min, who already knew the oue, maintained his usual stoic expression.

    The first lucky number is 3!

    Ryu Won peered at the lottery slip on the dining table.

    3? I have it!

    Thankfully, they had won one number already.

    What will the second number be? Its 18!

    18? Got it!

    They had gotten two numbers right.

    One more correct number and they would win fifth ce.

    Ryu Wons eyes lit up with anticipation.

    What if we win fifth ce?

    At 1,000 won per game and 100 games with the same number, a fifth-ce win would them 500,000 won.

    Not only would they make back their investment, but they would also gain a profit of 400,000 won.

    Please, please, please

    Even Ryu Min doesnt know why, but he finds his brothers intense concentration a bit amusing.

    Unintentionally, he chuckled.

    Dont worry, theres no need to be so nervous.

    Huh?

    Just then, the third number was announced.

    Wow, Hyung! We did it! We won fifth ce!

    Ryu Won was overjoyed and at a loss for words.

    It seemed as if he had been holding his breath, afraid that they might not even break even.

    This is amazing! Were getting five times our investment back! Was your dream of winning the lottery really that clear, Hyung?

    Thats right.

    But they werent out of the woods yet.

    The fourth number is 38!

    The fifth number is 21!

    As each number was called out, Ryu Wons eyes widened with excitement.

    His hands and feet trembled with anticipation, and he could hardly tear his gaze away from the lottery slip.

    They hadnt gotten a single number wrong up until now.

    The lottery drawing is nowplete. Todays winning numbers are 3, 18, 9, 38, 21, and 1. The bonus number for second ce is 5. Well see you again next week. Thank you!

    The broadcast ended with the final number, but Ryu Won couldnt take his eyes off his phone.

    Hyung, Hyung

    Yeah?

    Can you pinch my cheek?

    Why dont you pinch it yourself?

    Is this a dream?

    I wish it was.

    Ryu Won shook his head vigorously. No, absolutely not!

    Dont worry, its not a dream, Ryu Min said with a reassuring smile, but Ryu Won couldnt shake off the surreal feeling that he had a winning lottery ticket in his hands.

    First prize First prize! He blinked and examined it again, and there was no mistake.

    Hyung! Hyung! Is this really not a dream?

    I said its not.

    Hahaha! Ryu Won ran around their small house in excitement. Isnt this great?

    What am I even saying!!! Of course, its great! Hyung, arent you happy?

    I am, Ryu Min replied with a smile.

    When Ryu Min won the lottery for the first time, he shouted in excitement, but after repeating it dozens of times, it became a mandatory process like an annual event.

    A hundred tickets and all first prizes hahaha!

    Lower your voice. The neighbors can hear you.

    Oops! Ah, okay.

    Ryu Won was still in disbelief, staring at the lottery ticket. First prize We really won first prize

    Ryu Won looked up at his brother with a quiet voice like a crawling ant. Hyung, we marked all the tickets with the same numbers, right?

    Yeah.

    Then how much is this worth?

    I dont know. It depends on the number of winners.

    But Ryu Min already knew the results  how many winners there were and how much the prize money was.

    Its going to be a world-ss prize, isnt it? Ryu Min thought, even though the world had already turned upside down.

    ****

 Chapter 12: Claiming The Winner Prize (2)

    Chapter 12: iming The Winner Prize (2)

    Hyung, be safe!

    Yeah. And you behave yourself while Im gone.

    What would I do? And who do you think am I, anyway?

    Youre my precious brother. And Im just worried about you, especially after that incident with Bang Tae Gyu. If someonees looking for us, dont open the door.

    If youre so worried, why dont you take me with you?

    I cant. Its a national rule to im the prize alone.

    I want to go too

    Okay, Im going.

    Ryu Min waved his hand as he walked towards his destination, it was none other than the main branch of Nonhyup Bank, where he would collect his lottery prize.

    It was tough holding out until Monday, he thought to himself.

    Ever since they found out about their win on Saturday, he and his brother had a modest party. They grilled pork belly outside and had their first-ever dining out experience.

    We couldnt afford Hanwoo beef, but it was still worth it, Ryu Min reminisced.

    Although it was only a one-time experience, the impact of dining out hit hard. Their living expenses were now down to the wire, with only enough money left for the bus fare.

    Still, we managed to get by with ramen until Monday, Ryu Min thought optimistically.

    He could only receive his winnings on a weekday when the bank was open. So, as long as he had enough money for the bus fare, his finances were not a problem. All he had to do was go to the bank and millions of won would be deposited into his ount.

    The next stop is Nonhyup Central Branch at Seodaemun Station Intersection, the bus announced.

    Ryu Min got off the bus and walked down the street. Soon, he saw a tall building in front of him  it was the main branch of Nonhyup Bank where he would receive his prize.

    Normally, he would be nervous before entering, but

    Maybe its because its the umpteenth time Ive collected a first prize, but I dont feel nervous at all, Ryu Min thought.

    The bank was crowded with customers, but none of them were lottery winners like him.

    Ryu Min approached the lobby desk of the new building and said as he had before, Im here to collect my lottery first prize.

    Ah, I see. Congrattions, lucky customer, the bank employee replied.

    The employee wasnt surprised at all. After all, first-prize winners were quitemon, happening every week.

    However, the employee couldnt help but nce at Ryu Min.

    He looks quite young to have won first prize, the employee thought to himself.

    Although there were lottery winners in their 20s, Ryu Min looked so young that he could have been mistaken for a high school student. The employee needed to confirm that this wasnt a lie or a mistake.

    If its not too much trouble, could you tell me where you bought the ticket? the employee asked.

    I bought it at the GS24 Yeonhui branch, Ryu Min replied.

    What? Ah the employee eximed involuntarily.

    She remembered the conversation she had with her superior before she took her seat at the desk.

    This time, there were 107 first-prize winners.

    What? 107? Thats a lot, isnt it?

    Yes,pared to the usual 10, its a new record. But you know whats even more amazing? 100 of them came from the same location.

    Excuse me? Only one spot? Did one person buy all of them?

    Thats right. Someone yed 100 tickets with the same numbers and won first ce.

    Wow thats amazing. Its envy-inducing to win just one, let alone 100 tickets

    I checked, and the prize money is enormous. Anyway, Im preparing myself in case I have to collect the prize money this week. If someone who bought the ticket at GS24 Yeonhui branch shows up, be sure to call me. Theyre a top-tier VVIP customer.

    The employees mind shed with the words of their boss.

    Um, Im sorry, but could you wait a moment?

    Sure.

    After asking for permission, the employee got up and returned with someone else.

    Oh, thank you for waiting. Im Kwon Joon-ho, the branch manager of Nonhyup Bank.

    Hello, Im Ryu Min.

    Ryu Min shook the bank managers hand lightly with a calm expression.

    You won first ce. Congrattions, lucky customer.

    Thank you.

    We shouldnt be doing this here. Let me escort you personally.

    Ryu Min rode the elevator with the bank manager to the third floor.

    Meanwhile, the bank manager nced at Ryu Min.

    Look at this. This young man doesnt seem nervous at all?

    Not only did he win first ce, but he, the bank manager himself, hade down to meet Ryu Min.

    It would have been natural for Ryu Min to be nervous, but he remained calm.

    In fact, he seemed even more rxed than before, which was quite impressive to the bank manager.

    Come this way, the bank manager led Ryu Min to the lottery department.

    Ryu Min ignored other winners who came to collect their prizes as he walked past them. He couldnt afford to wait around, especially after winning the jackpot in 100 tickets.

    Oh, Mr. Bank Manager, is that you? A staff member greeted Ryu Min with a sidelong nce, bending down slightly to get a better look at him.

    Who is he? Is he the bank managers son? The employee wondered, but the bank manager introduced Ryu Min before she could ask.

    This is our VVIP lucky customer who came to collect his prize. Please assist him with anything he needs, the bank manager said with a smile.

    VVIP? The employee finally realized who Ryu Min was. The winner of 100 games at GS24 Yeonhui branch?

    Surprised, the employee stepped forward and greeted Ryu Min.

    Im d to meet you, lucky customer. Please have a seat here on thisfy couch.

    Are you thirsty? Can I get you something to drink? Coffee, juice, or green tea? the employee asked with a smile.

    No, thank you. I just want to collect my prize and go home as soon as possible, Ryu Min replied.

    I see. Then may I see your winning lotto tickets first? The employee asked.

    Ryu Min took out 20 lotto tickets from his pocket and handed them over to the employee. As she checked the numbers, she couldnt hide her surprise. All 100 games were the same, and they were definitely the winning numbers.

    Can you see the future or something, why would anyone pick the same numbers like this and still be right? The employee couldnt hide her envy.

    Verificationpleted. Congrattions, all 100 games were first-ce winners. the employee announced after verifying the tickets.

    Yey, and how much did I win? Ryu Min was trying to match her energy.

    The Total Prize was 205 Billion won. There are 107 winning tickets this time, and you sir, have 100 of them The employee was having a hard time swallowing her saliva.

    Your winning prize is approximately 192 billion won!

    If you deduct the tax, Ryu Min would still receive about 150 billion won in his bank ount.

 Chapter 13: I Quit (1)

    Chapter 13: I Quit (1)

    While riding the bus back home, Ryu Min peered into his VIP bank ount which he recently opened at Nonhyup Bank.

    The ount bnce read: [15,052,102,983 won]  a whopping 150 billion won!

    Despite the staggering amount, Ryu Min remained unfazed, showing no signs of surprise; truly lottery is his only way to be rich.

    But I cant be satisfied with this. I must keep investing this money, he thought to himself.

    He even rejected the financial products suggested by the bank since he had no intention of leaving his money idly in the bank.

    Ill leave about 10 billion won and invest the rest in Bitcoin.

    The cryptocurrency had been booming since the previous year and next month, Bitcoin was expected to surge fourfold.

    However, Ryu Min knew that the cryptocurrency market could be vtile as the poption started to decrease rapidly.

    Regardless, he believed that Bitcoin was a safe bet for next month since it was set to surge four times.

    Now that Im an adult, I can even open a stock ount.

    He nned to invest in stocks after Bitcoin since he was confident that he could predict which stock would skyrocket in the future.

    Of course, Ill still have to continue ying the lottery.

    Winners are announced every week, and Ryu Min had already memorized the numbers for the next five weeks.

    I dont need to remember anything after that. The lottery market will copse just like cryptocurrency.

    He could umte his fortune four more times by winning the lottery and nned to go all-in on a single number to maximize his winnings.

    Of course, I might raise suspicions if I keep winning the lottery. But who cares? People will just say Im lucky.

    As a lottery winner, the bank has no choice but to pay out the winnings.

    After getting off the bus, Ryu Min walked into his small home consisting of a narrow kitchen and a small room. However, it didnt bother him much, he knew that he wouldnt be living there for long, as he nned to move to a much better ce.

    Hey, Hyung!

    His younger brother greeted him eagerly as he waited for him at home.

    Did youe back with your lottery winnings?

    Instead of answering, Ryu Min pulled out his bank book from his pocket.

    Whoa! How much is all this? 1,2,3?

    Counting the digits, Ryu Won looked up with widened eyes.

    150 billion?

    He expected to win a substantial amount since they won 100 tickets, but he never thought it would be this much.

    Its originally 192 billion, but after taxes, its only about this much.

    How can you be so calm, Hyung? How can you joke in this situation? Its a whopping 150 billion! Not 1.5 million won, but 150 billion!

    Shh, someone might hear us from the next house. Well, it doesnt matter anymore since were moving out anyway.

    Moving out? Are we moving to a better house?

    Ryu Min nodded and smiled, and Ryu Wons face lit up with joy.

    Haha! Were moving out! Moving out!

    Are you this happy about it?

    Of course! This ce has bugs and the house is small. Plus, its expensive.

    Youre right, it is considered expensive with a monthly rent of 500,000 won, even if its Seoul.

    Despite the high rentpared to the house size, they chose to live on their own in Seoul for one reason.

    Its the house where we used to live with Mom and Dad.

    Three years ago, their parents passed away in a car ident.

    Thinking about his younger brother crying in sorrow at that time still made Ryu Mins heart heavy.

    It felt like being suddenly thrown into the forest alone with my brother.

    When parents suddenly pass away, it is the obligation of rtives to take care of their children until they be adults. However

    They all turned their back on us and left.

    At the time, Ryu Min was a freshman in high school and Ryu Won was in sixth grade.

    They had no choice but to live on their own at a young age.

    Thats when I started working part-time jobs.

    Since Ryu Won was still in elementary school, Ryu Min had to earn enough money for their living expenses.

    Fortunately, there was a kind restaurant owner who was willing to hire Ryu Min as a high school student, but

    I cant say he was that kind.

    The boss, who lowered Ryu Mins pay and bullied him as a high school student, was another form of violence to Ryu Min.

    Expensive rent, the bosss abuse, and the bullies at high school. I endured them all and lived on stubbornly, but

    Not anymore.

    Hes now an adult and he has money, so he doesnt have to endure it anymore.

    I tried not to move out of the house where we lived with our parents, but

    Now they can finally let go of their parents.

    After experiencing countless regressions and spending so much time in that house, there is no longer any regret.

    Little brother.

    Yeah?

    We need to look for a new house to move into. Do you want toe with me?

    Yeah! Lets go together, Hyung!

    They had already decided on where to move, but there were still a lot of things to do. They had to let thendlord know that they were leaving, and they also needed to contact the real estate agency.

    They also had to stop by the local government office to get some paperwork done and open a stock ount.

    After we find the house, can we eat something, hyung?

    Of course, what do you want to eat?

    Ryu Won raised the corners of his mouth.

    Meat.

    ****

    7 pm.

    It was peak hour, and the restaurant should have been full of customers. But this one here wasnt.

    Damn it, we have to do something about this business. What kind of restaurant has flies buzzing around?

    The owners face was filled with dissatisfaction because not a single customer had walked in yet.

    Thats why I dont hire part-time employees on weekdays. There are no customers, sigh.

    It was useless toin, but it was the harsh reality. In such a narrow alley, it was tough for a small restaurant like theirs to survive.

    Just because the rent is cheap, it doesnt mean we can ck off. Fuck, I never knew it was going to be this bad.

    It was toote to regret it now. They had to operate the restaurant in some way to make ends meet.

 Chapter 13: I Quit (2)

    Chapter 13: I Quit (2)

    Dammit. When business is over, Ill have to eat meat and drink soju alone.

    Heined a lot, but he managed to make a living on weekends when customers came in. The owner also hired part-time employees at a cheap price.

    Haha, it was a good idea to hire high school students. Theyre naive and easy to take advantage of, right?

    ording to thew, high school students should be paid a minimum wage. However, the owner paid his part-time employees only about 80% of the minimum wage.

    He cut their wages, iming they were high school students.

    Students should be studying, not working part-time.

    If they didnt like it, he told them to go look for another job. But they took the bait.

    Thanks to that, the owner had been able to evade taxes.

    Well, if you think about it, that kid, Ryu Min, agreed to it, too. He should be grateful just for getting a job from me.

    He heard that the kid didnt have any parents. He should be thankful for getting a job.

    Hes not even good for the business.

    I guess its time to cut him loose and find another part-timer.

    Also, he would be an adult this year or the next one.

    If he demands the money he hadnt received or asks for a raise, it would be difficult.

    Before anything else, lets quickly get rid of this scrawny guy and find a prettier female part-timer, he thought. After all, wouldnt that increase sales even more?

    As he grinned at the thought, he heard the sound of the door opening.

    The boss, who had been wiping down the tables, turned reflexively and smiled.

    Wee! he was about to say, but to his surprise, it wasnt a customer who walked in.

    Ryu Min?

    It was the high school part-timer he had been internally criticizing just a moment ago.

    The bosss expression changed instantly.

    Gone was the smile on his face, reced only by an irritated look.

    What are you doing here at this time? And whos that next to you?

    This is my younger brother.

    Oh, hello there.

    Why would a high school part-timer bring their sibling during a weekday when they werent scheduled to work? The boss thought, his expression uneasy.

    What brings you here? You didnte here to work, did you?

    Im actually quitting my part-time job here.

    What?

    The unexpected announcement made the bosss face scrunch up uncontrobly.

    He had nned to let him go anyway, but the fact that he quit first left a sour taste in his mouth.

    What am I supposed to do if you quit suddenly like this?

    Its not sudden. Its Monday, so you still have plenty of time to find a recement until the weekend, dont you think?

    Who do you think you are to just quit like that? Dont you want to make money?

    Shouldnt I have your permission to quit?

    Who do you think you are brat?

    The boss narrowed his eyes at Ryu Min, but only briefly.

    Well, fine, I get it. If you want to quit, then quit! Got it? Now leave!

    But I havent finished my work yet.

    What else do you want?

    Youve been paying me only 80% of the minimum wage since Im a high schooler, right? But youre supposed to pay me based on the standard minimum wage.

    You agreed to that so

    Do you have any evidence of me agreeing to that? I was a clueless teenager, I didnt even know until recently.

    Ryu Min smirked, and the boss hesitated to reply.

    Ryu Min continued, Not only that, but you made me work past 2 am. Did you know thats illegal? I found out that teenagers cant work past 10 pm.

    The boss was taken aback, his face showing signs of the trouble that was about to unfold.

    You didnt even provide meals, cursed at me for no reason, and abused your power I didnt realize until now, but you are really a trash human being.

    What did you just say, you little brat? How dare you say that to an adult!

    Im already 19 years old, Im also an adult. If you keep using thatnguage like before, I wont be able to stand it anymore, Ryu Min said firmly.

    Surprisingly, the boss was at a loss for what to do when Ryu Min came out so strong.

    So, what do you want? Do you want me to apologize for my mistake? the boss asked.

    Yes, I want to hear a sincere apology, Ryu Min replied.

    This bastard Do you really think Ill apologize to this little punk? the boss muttered.

    If you dont, then Ill have no choice but to report you to thebor department. Well also proceed with criminal charges for the illegal things youve done to me, Ryu Min threatened.

    The boss knew that what he did was illegal and that the threat of reporting him was terrifying. He might even have to close his business due to hefty fines.

    Alright, I got it. Just an apology, right? the boss said.

    Not just any apology, but a sincere one, Ryu Min insisted.

    Damn it, this little punk The bosss pride was hurt, but he had no other choice.

    If he could stop the report to thebor department with just one apology, it would be a cheap price to pay.

    The bosss head hung low. Im sorry, Ryu Min. Ive been saving a few pennies and deducted them from your pay. Im really sorry and Im sincerely reflecting on my actions. Please dont report me to thebor department.

    That doesnt sound like an apology, it sounds more like an excuse. And it doesnt even sound sincere, Ryu Min said.

    Damn it, then what do you want me to do? the boss grumbled.

    For a moment, he couldnt control his temper and was about to explode, but he managed to calm down and keep his mouth shut.

    See? You keep getting angry, it seems like you dont really want to apologize, Ryu Min pointed out.

    FineIm sorry, okay? Isnt that enough? What else do you want? Do you want me to pay you the wages I deducted from you? the boss asked.

    No, I wont ask for the wages. Instead Ryu Mins face lit up with a smile as he sat at one of the tables, Bring me something to eat. After I fill my stomach, I might not feel like reporting you anymore.

 Chapter 14: Moving Out (1)

    Chapter 14: Moving Out (1)

    Tap-tap.

    The boss set the side dishes on the table, his face twisted in disgust.

    Boss, please smile. If you serve with that expression, the customers will all run away.

    What?

    The boss red sharply, biting his lip to quell his mounting anger.

    Just stay calm. Cater to this brats whims today, and I can avoid the fine.

    After all, they wouldnt see each other after today.

    Determined to endure just for one day, the boss forced a smile onto his face.

    Is that okay?

    Who speaks informally to customers? Just because theyre young, does it mean they will speak informally?

    Is it okay?

    Yes. It looks good because youre smiling.

    As the boss smiled back at Ryu Min, he inwardly cursed him.

    Insane psycho.

    The boss turned and retreated to the kitchen, his face still flushed with anger.

    Seeing that, Ryu Won, who was beside him, asked cautiously, Hyung, is this really okay?

    Its fine. You dont know how badly the boss treated me, do you?

    But what if he seeks revengeter?

    Unnecessary worries.

    Revenge?

    Could a yer like him even physically retaliate?

    No such case has urred as weve progressed through the chapters, but if there is, then

    Just retaliate the same way.

    No, retaliate even more, so he wont harbor any more frivolous thoughts.

    Soon, the meat the boss ordered was brought out.

    The meat is served.

    It was the most expensive sirloin in the restaurant.

    Sizzle.

    As Ryu Won listened to the sound of the meat cooking, he swallowed his saliva.

    Not pork belly, but Hanwoo (Korean beef).

    Ryu Won eagerly anticipated his first taste of an expensive dish.

    Eat a lot.

    Oh, hyung, you eat a lot too!

    The brothers meal began as the boss left.

    Wow, its so delicious, hyung. This is Hanwoo?

    Yes. Its a delicious cut of beef from Hanwoo.

    I heard it was tasty, but I didnt know it would be this good. Its like its melting in my mouth!

    Im d you like it.

    Ryu Min smiled contentedly and surveyed the restaurant.

    It was peak time, but there were still no other customers.

    Throughout their meal, Ryu Min asionally called the owner over.

    Owner! Can you give us more garlic here?

    Owner! Can you give us more dipping sauce here?

    Owner! Can you add another serving of rice?

    Owner! Can you add more beef tenderloin

    The owner finally exploded.

    If you were going to order, why didnt you do it all at once? You should eat in moderation!

    Despite the owners outburst, Ryu Min continued to voice his grievances about the mistreatment he had experienced. Though the owner might not have known it, he would soon learn that the customer is always right.

    Are you frustrated with your own work, sir?

    With a singlement from Ryu Min, the owner was left speechless.

    Please bring us four more servings of beef tenderloin quickly.

    How much more do you n to eat

    Well, you didnt pay me what you owed me anyway, so whats the harm inining?

    Oh, no. Ill bring it right away.

    Ryu Min vented all the abuse he had experienced from the owner.

    Unbeknownst to the owner, he wasing to understand the reality that the customer is always right.

    Ugh! If I can just make it through today if I can just make it through today

    Ignoring the suffering owner, Ryu Min and his brother finally finished their meal after 9 pm.

    They left the restaurant with satisfied faces.

    That was delicious.

    That was really good, hyung.

    Ryu Min turned around to nce at the owner.

    It was a bit pricey, but it was worth it. Thank you for the meal, sir.

    Uh, yeah. Im d you enjoyed it.

    The owners face had be even more haggard during the long meal.

    Are we leaving now?

    Yes.

    What about the bill?

    Ryu Min looked at the owner silently, his hands sped together, and a pleading expression in his eyes, as if he genuinely didnt want to report him.

    I wont report you.

    The owners face lit up with a smile.

    Haha! Are you serious? Thank you

    Well, Ive already left your employment. Im on my way to file a report.

    What, what?

    Ryu Min smirked wickedly at the bewildered owner.

    Ive reported your behavior to thebor department already. I even filed a criminalint, so brace yourself for a visit soon.

    What, what are you talking about?

    Once my unpaid wages are recovered ording to thebor departments order, Ill consider the cost of this meal as interest on the money you owe me.

    Good luck with your future business, although Im not sure if youll be able to continue. Have a nice day, Won-ah.

    Uh, yes, hyung.

    The brothers left the restaurant, leaving the owner with a sullen expression.

    Ryu Won looked up from his phone while reading an article.

    Hyung, theres an article here?

    Yeah, I saw it.

    Thements say, How could he have yed 100 games with the same number? Did hee from the future?''

    Well, thats how it is.

    Hyung, did you reallye from the future? How did you urately predict the numbers?

    I dreamed it. It was a very vivid dream.

    It was hard to believe, but Ryu Won didnt press for more answers.

    The fact that his brother had be a yer was already incredible.

    Is it true that 18 billion people have been caught and only 9 billion survived?

    Thats what they say. There are so many articles on the inte.

    After 5:20 a.m. on January 1st.

    Everyone who fell asleep with sleep paralysis died of cardiac arrest.

    Numerous articles and news stories covered the event.

    Although some YouTubers imed it was a conspiracy, they were in the minority.

    It was a reality that was hard to believe but had to be epted.

    Cant believe the whole world is in chaos, and yet you still dont believe it?

    You have to believe it

    Ryu Min smirked at his younger brothers words.

    Its hard to believe unless you experience it firsthand.

    Things will only get more chaotic from now on. Weve only survived the first round.

    With each decrease in the poption, the world would plunge further into chaos.

    The economy would copse, and the social system would be paralyzed.

    Some say its the era of dystopia.

    If yers exercise their power here, the chaos will escte even more.

    Thats why Ryu Min had to amass as much money as possible immediately.

 Chapter 14: Moving Out (2)

    Chapter 14: Moving Out (2)

    Money was useful and had its advantages.

    Won Ah, how did you like the house we saw at the real estate agency yesterday? Do you like it?

    Of course! It was incredible! Ive never seen such a spacious and luxurious house in my life! Ive only seen pictures, though

    Apparently, its the best ce to move into right now. The security is excellent too.

    Ryu Min nned to move to Galeria Forest in Sungsoo-dong.

    The property was valued at 7 billion won, but he didnt spend that much.

    He signed a lease instead of purchasing the property.

    But why did you sign a lease instead of buying it when you have so much money?

    Im broke.

    Huh?

    Ryu Won looked at his brother with wide eyes, but Ryu Min didnt seem bothered.

    I invested everything in coins except for 1 billion won.

    What? Coins?

    What is he talking about? Coins?

    His younger brother was baffled.

    You mean, bitcoin?

    Yeah.

    You invested 14 billion won into it?

    Yep.

    Hyung! What were you thinking?

    Ryu Min raised his hand as if to say I know what youre going to say.

    Its foolish, I know. It may seem like I have no n and it may appear reckless, but thats not the case.

    Do you have some sort of faith in it?

    Thats why I invested everything except for 1 billion won.

    He earned 15 billion won overnight, only to see it vanish.

    Of course, it wasnt lost, but invested; however, in Ryu Wons eyes, it was gone.

    Even Ryu Won, a middle schooler, knew the risks of coins.

    Is it really okay? I dont want to meddle since its your money, but

    Dont worry. You dont have to be concerned about losing it.

    Well, Im d

    He couldnt feel relieved.

    It wasnt even regr stocks, but coins.

    As if understanding his brothers thoughts, Ryu Min reassured him.

    Dont worry about money. If I win the lottery and earn more, its all good.

    Huh? Lottery?

    I dreamt of the winning numbers for five rounds.

    Really? Just in your dreams?

    Im certain. I only remembered the numbers from five rounds.

    Of course, you dont know if theyre the first-ce numbers.

    Wow

    If he could win the lottery four more times in the future

    If 150 billion wones in four more times

    Ryu Won covered his mouth with his hand.

    If you remember the numbers, dont forget them!

    I wont forget.

    Besides that

    Ryu Min checked the time on his phone and stood up.

    Lets have lunch outside and get ready to move.

    What? Where to?

    Oh, did I not mention? Were moving today.

    ***

    Crack-

    With a punch, Hwang Yong-min shattered the brick wall.

    Wow, this is lethal!

    He punched the wall again, and it crumbled even more.

    Each time he did this, Hwang Yong-min couldnt help but be amazed.

    How could anyone not enjoy having power beyond that of a mere mortal?

    I can even use my status and inventory in real life This is incredible.

    Even the runes were applied in the real world.

    Its a rune that doubles my strength. I was lucky to get it.

    Although the runes werent ranked, it was evident just by looking at them.

    The [Rune of Strength] he had chosen was particrly remarkable.

    I already wanted to increase my strength, but acquiring this rune is incredible.

    With runes like this, he poured all his stats into strength.

    As a result, he could easily break bricks with his bare fists.

    Although it hurt after a while.

    With this, my fist is like a nuclear weapon; even Tyson would be jealous.

    Hwang Yong-minughed and brushed the dust off his fists.

    Thats enough for the test. Should we move on to a real fight now? Hehe.

    He stretched his fists and walked toward a shabby multi-unit house.

    It was none other than Ryu Mins residence.

    That arrogant shuttle brat how dare he re at me like that?

    It had been a few days, but the sneer and re he disyed at the construction site were still fresh in Hwang Yong-mins mind.

    You thought I would just let it go? Youre dead, Ryu Min, you little brat.

    He hadnt seen him since returning to reality.

    He tried to call him as usual, but there was no answer.

    Did he think he could avoid me by hiding?

    Although he couldnt reach him, he knew where Ryu Mins house was.

    Ill have to fix this bad habit myself.

    He didnt know if the guy was alive or dead, but he would find out by going to his house.

    Even if they were both in the same round and both survived, he was confident he could beat him.

    Even if a nerd awakened his strength, he was still a nerd.

    Here it is.

    Hwang Yong-min pressed the doorbell at Ryu Mins house.

    Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong.

    But no matter how many times he pressed it, there was no response.

    He put his ear against the front door, but he didnt hear any movement.

    Is this guy deliberately noting out while hes at home?

    He thought Ryu Min was hiding like a coward, expecting Hwang Yong-min toe looking for him.

    Hey, arent you the student? What are you doing there?

    Hwang Yong-min turned his head at the voice from behind.

    An old man was approaching him.

    Whats it to you, old man? Youre not even thendlord.

    I am thendlord.

    Really?

    Then can I enter if youre thendlord? My friend lives here, but I cant get in touch with him. Can you please open the door?

    Tsk, tsk, tsk.

    The old man didnt answer and clicked his tongue.

    Your friend left the house.

    What?

    Yes, the house is empty. I came to check it out because he said he moved somewhere else.

    Moved? When?

    Today.

    Do you know where he moved?

    I have no idea.

    Hwang Yong-min frowned and gnashed his teeth.

    This brat moved without saying a word?

    He never expected his bread shuttle to retaliate against him this way.

 Chapter 15: Who Is She (1)

    Chapter 15: Who Is She (1)

    [Galleria Forest in Seoul Forest]

    Wow

    Ryu Won was in awe as he gazed up at the 45-story high-rise luxury apartmentplex.

    This ce looks amazing.

    Its so much better than our old house.

    I had no idea it was this impressive, even after seeing pictures of it.

    Ignoring his younger brother, who was unable to stop talking, Ryu Min informed the security guard of their move-in status.

    What about our luggage? Did you bring it with you?

    No, we left everything behind and came here.

    After verifying their identification, they were granted ess.

    A security officer, who worked inside, checked their identity again in front of the elevator.

    Ryu Won was impressed by the high-level security, which was reminiscent of a spy movie.

    Wow theres even a separate security team?

    The security here is better than anywhere else.

    They finally arrived at their new home on the 43rd floor and went inside.

    Wow

    As soon as Ryu Won stepped into the house, he was in awe.

    Hyung, how many square meters is this ce?

    100 square meters.

    Oh, my god

    It was a significant upgrade from their 10-square-meter multi-family house to a luxurious 100-square-meter apartment.

    (T/N: Wow 10-square-meter?)

    Ryu Won couldnt believe this wasnt just a dream.

    But, hyung, is it okay for just the two of us to live in such a big ce?

    Its fine. We need to live in a ce like this since we have the money.

    Although they were moving, the two brothers had almost no luggage.

    Although it may seem a bit empty, all the necessary appliances are built-in. For everyday items, you can go downstairs and buy them. We have already ordered the furniture, and it will arrive today. In the meantime, feel free to explore the house.

    Okay!

    Ryu Won wandered around the house, admiring every room.

    Wow how many rooms are there?

    There are four bedrooms, and each one has its own bathroom.

    Wow! Each room has its own bathroom!

    Amazed, Ryu Won looked out the window.

    He could see the nearby Seoul Forest and even the Han River in his sight.

    The view was undoubtedly fantastic since they were on the 43rd floor, close to the top.

    Hyung isnt this ce too big for just the two of us to live in?

    Its necessary to spend this much. The security here is top-notch.

    On the first day of each month, yers experienced jetg.

    yers were most vulnerable when they fell asleep.

    No matter how much we flew and crawled in the other world, its all over if we die in reality.

    There was no guarantee that idents such as fires, earthquakes, or natural disasters would not ur while sleeping.

    Therefore, yers had to prepare to cross over to the other world from the safest ce.

    That was the reason why Ryu Min had moved into an expensive apartment.

    Later on, yers will start targeting each other.

    Of course, yers could not target each other directly since they slept and woke up at the same time, but

    Its possible for them to hire non-yers tomit murder.

    There had been a yer who hired an assassin to eliminate theirpetition in the previous regressions.

    That was why Ryu Min decided to hide his name.

    How is it? Do you like the new house?

    Are you kidding? Its amazing!

    Ryu Won eximed excitedly, and Ryu Mins mouth naturally curved upward.

    Im d you like it.

    Ryu Min had luckily hit the jackpot in his dream and bought an expensive house. However, his younger brother had no idea that he had obtained this wealth by paying a very expensive price of 99 deaths and that he was preparing to pay thest.

    Ryu Min couldnt help but think of what he has suffered so far, and Ryu Won read that bitter gaze behind his brothers smile.

    Ryu Won wiped his smile off his face and said apologetically, I shouldnt be happy like this Im sorry, hyung.

    What for?

    In a month, youll have toe back to that world and fight again. But Ive been acting so happy about everything Sorry, Im being thoughtless.

    Its okay.

    Ryu Min understood his innocent nature. Ryu Won was still just a middle school student, and Ryu Min himself had matured too early for his age.

    No, maybe its not that he matured early, but rather he just lived as much as his age allowed?

    Ryu Minughed and lightly tapped his brothers back to cheer him up.

    Why are you thinking like its the end of the world? Worried that I wonte back from the next round?

    Im just being cautious.

    Ryu Min snickered.

    It was impossible for him to be eliminated in the second round. He was the only one who had made it to the 20th round, after all.

    Lets not worry about unnecessary things and go eat while touring the shopping center. Theres a Korean restaurant on the second floor that has great food.

    Okay.

    Ryu Min took his brother around the store to lighten his mood.

    ***

    Ring- ring- ring

    Hwang Yongmin called, but Ryu Min blocked the call without a second thought.

    He probably knows by now that Ive moved.

    Ryu Min had known that Hwang woulde after him to retaliate, based on past experiences. However, he would not encounter him in real life.

    Well, unless its in the other world.

    Ryu Minughed and put his phone in his pocket.

    Ryu Won was wandering around the shopping center, but he couldnt shake off his uneasiness.

    I forgot all about the fact that we sold our souls to the lottery. And Hyung is going to be pulled back into this world next month

    It wasnt as if he found it fascinating that his brother had be a yer or that he had moved into a nice house.

    yers will be pulled into the other world every month to finish a mission.

    Next month, and the month after that.

    It was like having a life with an unknown expiration date.

    Ryu Min was acting calm, but it was like the calm before a storm.

    Hes not showing it, but he should be really worried and struggling. He must feel like hes standing at the edge of a cliff, even though he doesnt say anything.

    Ryu Min didnt worry at all, but Ryu Won scolded himself again.

    You idiot! Your brother is in danger, and youreughing and being happy about the move!

    What could he do to help his brother?

    Ryu Won pondered while reflecting on his actions.

    I should at least help with housework. Thats the only thing I can do right now.

    Ryu Won decided to take charge of the household chores so that his brother could restfortably with the remaining time he had left.

    Hyung, if theres anyundry, give it all to me. Ill do it all!

    Hyung, Ill be cleaning, so you can rest in your room where its quiet!

    Hyung, Im thinking of going grocery shopping. Can I you give me some money?

    Won-ah.

    Ryu Min smiled at his younger brother.

 Chapter 15: Who Is She (2)

    Chapter 15: Who Is She (2)

    Im grateful that youre helping with the housework, but theres no need to work so hard. We can solve the problem of meals by eating out, and we only need to doundry and cleaning once a week.

    But I still want to help in some way

    Theres no need to force yourself. We can live just fine as we normally do. But since youll need some money, Ill give you my card.

    Ryu Min pulled out a card from his wallet.

    Theres 50 million won in it. Itll be enough for living expenses, but dont spend it recklessly.

    Wow. Th-thank you, hyung.

    Although he gave the card to his brother, Ryu Min knew that his brother wasnt someone who would spend money unnecessarily. Ryu Won was the type to save up, so there was no need to worry.

    Even if I dont do anything, he will still end up being the one in charge of the household chores until the 99th round. Itll be the same this time too.

    Thanks to that, I didnt have to worry about the household chores.

    Ryu Min checked his coin ount.

    The coins he had invested 14 billion won in a few days ago had risen to 16 billion won.

    He had made a profit of 2 billion won just by sitting there.

    I should buy a lottery ticket this weekend, just likest time. Ill buy 100 tickets with the same numbers.

    And without a doubt, he would win first ce and make nearly 15 billion won.

    The world would be surprised, but he had to cash the money right away, so he didnt care about his reputation.

    Ill focus on saving money for the next month.

    A deep smile appeared on Ryu Mins face.

    ***

    The day after they moved.

    Ryu Min looked at his younger brother with a puzzled expression as he saw him dressed in outdoor clothes early in the morning.

    Where are you going?

    I ordered some rice cakes, so Im going to pick them up.

    Rice cakes?

    It was a different pattern from before, and Ryu Min frowned.

    Since we have moved in, it means we have to give rice cakes to our neighbors, right? That way, people around us will have a better impression of us

    Ah.

    Ryu Min quickly understood his brothers intentions.

    He wants to make a good impression on the neighbors around us.

    If they offer them rice cakes, at least they wouldnt think of them as cheap or rude.

    Ryu Won may havee to this conclusion after pondering what he could do. Raising our reputation wont hurt, he thought.

    Unlike his brother, Ryu Min didnt care about other peoples opinions or judgments.

    Offering rice cakes to our neighbors its a great idea.

    Really? I thought since theyre our neighbors, well probably run into them often in the elevator. We can bring up the fact that we ate rice cakes together, and it will eliminate any awkwardness and also

    Ryu Won continued talking excitedly, pleased that his older brother approved of his idea.

    Ryu Min watched him with a contented smile.

    Ill take the rice cakes and give them out, so you can stay home, hyung.

    No, its better if we both go to greet the neighbors.

    I cant just leave it all to my younger brother.

    Since Ryu Min didnt have much to do anyway, he thought it was a good idea.

    Lets go get the rice cakes.

    The brothers went to each house to deliver rice cakes. They nned to visit every apartment in the building, but to their surprise, their neighbors were all kinds of generations.

    Ding-dong-

    When they pressed the doorbell, they heard a sound from the inte.

    Who is it?

    Hello, were new neighbors who moved in yesterday.

    After a moment, a well-dressed middle-aged woman opened the door.

    Ryu Won politely bowed his head.

    Hello, were the ones who moved into apartment 4302. We hope to get along well with our neighbors.

    Oh, nice to meet you. From the looks of you, you must be brothers.

    Yes, this is my older brother.

    Ryu Min bowed his head and the woman did the same.

    Nice to meet you.

    Perhaps because she was wealthy, she exuded grace.

    Ryu Won quickly offered her a te of freshly made rice cakes.

    Please try some rice cakes. We received them this morning, so theyre still warm and delicious.

    Ow, thank you. Ill enjoy them.

    A smile appeared on the womans face.

    The brothers felt proud of themselves for making a good impression on their neighbors.

    Lets go to the next house, younger brother.

    Okay.

    They went next door and rang the doorbell.

    Although there were a few houses that didnt respond, most of the residents were at home during the morning.

    Were neighbors. Please try some rice cakes.

    The neighbors all thanked them and took the rice cakes.

    Seeing the recipients joy made the givers feel proud.

    Finally, they headed to the top floor.

    This is the penthouse. We share the 44th and 45th floors.

    Wow then only rich people must live here.

    Well, I dont know the details, but I heard that corporate conglomerates and celebrities live here.

    Ryu Won pressed the doorbell as he listened to his brother.

    However, there was no response, and it seemed like an empty house.

    Are they out?

    Ryu Won pressed the doorbell again, but still no answer.

    I guess theyre not here. Lets go, older brother.

    Just as they were about to give up and leave.

    Huh?

    Ryu Won was taken aback and couldnt believe his eyes.

    A woman with an angelic appearance, who looked like she could pass as an actual angel, stared at them with rabbit-like eyes. Next to her, a tall man in a suit furrowed his eyebrows.

    Who are you? Are you fans?

    Yes? Uh, were the new residents who moved in downstairs?

    Downstairs?

    The man, who saw the rice cakes they were holding, inferred the situation and scowled.

    Whatever.

    Please try some rice cakes

    Its okay. They dont eat that kind of thing. Come inside.

    As the man opened the door, the woman nced at them before entering.

    Once the front door closed, Ryu Min was speechless.

    What kind of person was that? So rude.

    Ryu Min muttered as he looked to his side.

    His younger brother had a shocked expression on his face.

    That kind of person lives in the penthouse. Dont pay attention to him, Won-ah.

    Huh? Im fine. Did you see it just now? Its amazing

    What?

    What are you talking about? You saw it too, right? Seo Arin.

    Seo Arin?

    Ryu Min replied with an indifferent expression.

    Who is she?

 Chapter 16: Seo Arin (1)

    Chapter 16: Seo Arin (1)

    [Actor Gong Ji-seok suffered cardiac arrest. Fans devastated by the shocking news]

    [Hallyu star Cha Il-woo remainsatose. The star of Asia faded away]

    [The deaths of major actors including Sim Hwa-yeon, Soi Hyun, and Gung Seo-jin continue]

    [Investigation revealed that only 58% of celebrities pulled into another world survived.]

    [Even celebrities cannot escape. Surviving celebrities were reported to have panic disorder and emotional anxiety]

    As she skimmed through the article, her finger stopped.

    It was because of the message that came up.

    [Hong Seon-ah: Arin-ah, did you hear the news? Senior Gung passed away?]

    [Seo Arin: Yeah]

    [Hong Seon-ah: Are you going to the funeral tomorrow?]

    [Seo Arin: Yeah, Ill go He was a senior who took care of me a lot during our drama filming]

    [Hong Seon-ah: Alright, Ill let our manager know, so we can go together tomorrow.]

    [Seo Arin: Okay, got it.]

    After exchanging messages with her close friend, Seo Arin let out a long sigh.

    Whats going on in the world

    At 22 years old, she found herself sighing more often these days, despite her young age. This was because the world seemed to have gone insane.

    So many fellow celebrities dying one after another

    One of them was Gung Seo-jin, a senior actor who was filming a drama series with her. She promised to attend his funeral with her fellow actors, but that wasnt all.

    Gong, Shim, and many others

    There were more people to pay their respects to. The TV series were forced to stop one after another.

    Seniors who are much more sessful than me couldnt make it past the first round and died

    Compared to those seniors, she was a rookie who had just begun to rise. She had managed to pass the first round, but the others didnt.

    The reason was simple. They were unlucky.

    If I didnt get good runes, I might have been one of them too

    At that moment, a bitter smile escaped Seo Arins lips.

    Ive grown up a lot too. Its amazing to think that I used to believe that I would be mentioned in articles as a no-named actor

    Some might think she was doing well living in the Penthouse, but it wasnt true. She wondered if she could have be this sessful without thepanys sponsorship.

    What are you thinking, Miss Arin?

    A man in a suit who had just finished checking the house came up to her.

    It was Ahn Sang-chul, the bodyguard who had been appointed by her manager six months ago.

    Oh, no, its nothing. Bodyguard-nim.

    You can speak to me candidly. Havent I told you that before, Miss Arin?

    Ah I was just thinking about why the world has be like this, and how I can survive in the next round

    Dont worry about the next round. You have me, so whats there to worry about?

    Haha Is that so?

    The bodyguardughed confidently and hung his suit on the dining table.

    Then he took out wine from the wine cer and poured a ss.

    Would you like a drink?

    Oh, no, thank you. Im fine.

    Despite feeling ufortable with the way her bodyguard acted like he owned the ce, Seo Arin couldnt help but ept the situation. I guess its not really my house, she thought to herself.

    The penthouse was just a residence provided to her by her sponsorpany and the bodyguard was also necessary personnel provided to her by the samepany.

    Strictly speaking, hes probably here to watch over me rather than protect me. Arin was not oblivious to the fact that she was being monitored to some extent.

    Arin, you worry too much. Please trust me and try to rx. Ive been your manager and bodyguard for over half a year now. Dont you think you can trust me by now?

    Of course. Who else would I trust if not you, my bodyguard? Despite being in the Otherworld, Arin was notpletely alone. She had her bodyguard, who was 29 years old, with her when shepleted the quest to defeat 100 goblins in the first round.

    It was not an easy mission, but with the help of her bodyguard, she managed to clear it. The effect of the random rune pieces she received was also significant, but she felt that she could trust her bodyguard to help her through any situation.

    At least I can trust my bodyguard, she thought to herself.

    At first, when the sponsorpany assigned her a manager and bodyguard, Arin was more cautious than anyone else. She didnt like the idea of a stranger, especially a man, wandering around the penthouse. However, after half a year of seeing the bodyguards dedication to his job, Arin felt somewhat relieved.

    Through the quest, Arin had seen firsthand the bodyguards sincerity in protecting her from the goblins.

    That was why Arin trusted him more than anyone else.

    I dont know what kind of quest the second round will give us but dont worry too much. We can work together and get through it. Dont give up because I will always protect you no matter what.

    Thank you so much.

    Arin let out a sigh, recalling the earlier incident. By the way, I saw someone moving in downstairs earlier.

    I saw it too.

    They had these rice cakes that looked really good

    Eating those would make you gain weight.

    But still, wouldnt it have been better to ept them rather than rejecting them and upsetting the neighbors who came over to say hello?

    Forget about the greeting. People only do that so they can expect something in return. If you ept, theyll keeping back for more.

    Hmm

    Arin remembered the two young men who she met in the hallway. They both looked friendly, and one of them even seemed familiar with her but still kept hisposure and did not act surprised to see her there. He must be one of her fans, who knew she was a popr actress sponsored by thepany.

    I think one of the neighbors I saw earlier looked like he was over 15 years old. Do you think he also cleared the mission and defeated 100 goblins?

    Well, thats true.

    Its amazing that someone who has experienced such harsh conditions is just calmly walking around like its nothing

    Well, Arin managed it too. So is catching 100 goblins really that difficult? Failing at that would make you a loser.

    Hahaha

 Chapter 16: Seo Arin (2)

    Chapter 16: Seo Arin (2)

    The bodyguards skill was outstanding, to the extent that he caught the goblins really fast

    ording to rumors, he ranked 153rd in that area.

    But hes not as good as that guy.

    Seo Arin remembered the scene where a yer with the nickname ck Scythe massacred the goblins.

    In front of him, the goblins looked pitiful.

    While the bodyguard was good at fighting,pared to ck Scythe, he was nothing more than a child.

    However, even Seo Arin, who knew little about these things, could tell that ck Scythe was an overwhelming yer, as evidenced by his ranking of first ce.

    What kind of person could he be, is he living a normal life in realitycould he be working for a special forces unit?

    If she could team up with such a skilled person, her chances of surviving the second round would improve.

    He would be her top choice for a partner, even if she had to pay for it

    God I was so thirsty, now that Ive finished, Ill be on my way.

    Thank you for your hard work, Bodyguard.

    Given the current situation, there may not be any scheduled work other than attending funerals for a while. Until then, rest well, and dont worry about the next round.

    Okay, I understand.

    The bodyguard put down his wine ss and left the house.

    Only Seo Arin remained in the spacious 110-square-meter penthouse.

    She felt a chill and couldnt help but hug herself.

    This time, I was lucky to survive, but can I survive the next round?

    Feeling uneasy, Seo Arins hands trembled.

    ***

    Time passed and it was now Monday, January 31st.

    Ryu Min visited the Nonhyup Bank to collect his fifth consecutive first-ce prize.

    Oh, have youe again, lucky customer? The bank managers expression showed surprise, but that was all. With his winnings umting from five consecutive lotto wins, Ryu Min had be ustomed to the attention.

    Is it another 100 tickets streak this time? asked the bank manager.

    Yes, Ryu Min replied.

    What is your secret? the bank manager asked.

    I told youst week, I dreamt the numbers, Ryu Min said.

    The bank manager was astonished. What kind of dream tells you the winning lotto numbers for five consecutive weeks? he thought.

    Wow, thats really impressive, the bank manager said. I wish I had a dream like that A-ah! I shouldnt say that, Im sorry mister Ryu Min, please follow me from this way.

    The bank manager was embarrassed by his honest admission and quickly led Ryu Min to the lottery teams office.

    Wee back, lucky customer, said the lottery team member, no longer surprised by Ryu Mins frequent visits.

    The total winnings this time will be less thanst time, as the total prize money has decreased by 15% on average.

    With the second round of the game approaching, people were bing increasingly anxious.

    Ryu Mins VIP ount, however, had over 12 billion won.

    ***

    Did you collect the prize money? Ryu Won asked when Ryu Min returned home.

    Yes, it was around 12 billion won this time, not muchpared tost time, Ryu Min replied.

    Ryu Won made a disgusted expression.

    Are you going to invest this money in Bitcoin again? Ryu Won asked.

    Yes, thats the n, Ryu Min said. He had been investing his lotto winnings into Bitcoin, which had resulted in his funds growing to over 150 billion won.

    Ryu Won did not try to stop his brother. However, he was worried that he was bing toocent and was afraid that something bad might happen if he continued to take risks.

    Lets go eat lunch, Ryu Min suggested, trying to change the subject.

    The brothers ate lunch and dinner outside before returning home and waiting for midnight.

    The second round is about to begin, Ryu Min said, lying in bed in his secure bedroom.

    Pleasee back safely, Ryu Won said.

    Who do you think I am? I even beat Bang Tae-gyu, Ryu Min said confidently.

    Still, please be careful, Ryu Won said.

    Dont worry, just get some sleep. When you wake up, Ill be up too, Ryu Min said, reassuring his brother.

    The time hade.

    Lets go.

    February 1st, just as it struck midnight.

    Swoosh-

    Ryu Mins body copsed onto the bed.

    ***

    sh-

    When he opened his eyes, Ryu Min found himself in a different location.

    He was standing in a clearing surrounded by a forest, a different environment from the meadow of the first round.

    Did I arrive already?

    It was instantaneous, wasnt it?

    Survivors from the first round, each with their own nickname floating above their heads, appeared out of nowhere.

    Oh? Isnt that the guy who ranked first in the previous round?

    Yeah, ck Scythe, right? He certainly left an impression.

    As rounds progress, a yers nickname bes increasingly valuable, whether he liked it or not.

    Ryu Min held a steel stiletto in his hand and waited for the others to appear cautiously.

    This was Ryu Mins intention, as he wanted to keep his distance from the others.

    Observing his surroundings, Ryu Min recognized several familiar faces.

    This was inevitable since the current gathering consisted of the survivors from the previous round who were present in the Ta Jong area.

    As expected, Hwang Yongmin and his friends were also present, and theirrger builds made them easy to spot.

    It wasnt until approximately five thousand people had gathered in the forest that the angel appeared in the sky, apanied by a strange voice in everyones head.

    [Is everyone finally here?]

    It wasnt the angel from the previous round.

    Hey, isnt that a different angel?

    Really?

    Of course, it wasnt the same angel from the first round because Ryu Min had killed her.

    Seemingly sensing the unease, the angel spoke.

    [The angel who was in charge during the first round had an ident and couldnt make it. Dont worry though, humans. I will be the one leading you well from now on. Kikihihi.]

    The newly appointed angelsughter sounded strange, unlike her beautiful appearance.

    [Now that everyone is here, shall we reveal the quest for the second round?]

    The angel pped her wings as everyone stared at her in anticipation.

 Chapter 17: Start Of Round 2 (1)

    Chapter 17: Start Of Round 2 (1)

    [ ROUND 2 ]

    You Must Select a District Representative in 3 hours

    [All Districts]

    Participants: 900,514,645

    Achievers: 0/900,514,645

    [District ESKS45-5]

    Participants: 5,143

    Achievers: 0/5,143

    ***

    All the participants who checked the mission for Round 2 were surprised.

    Whats this? Selecting a district representative?

    I thought we were going to hunt some monsters again

    So, were not fighting?

    There were other things that were a bit odd.

    Wait, why is the number of achievers like this?

    This time, the achievers status was at 100% when it should have been at half.

    Does that mean everyone can survive this time?

    Many parts of the quest message left them confused.

    Someone needed to exin.

    [Hehehe, it seems like my exnation is needed seeing everyones confusion.]

    As if to volunteer, the angel spoke with a proud tone.

    [As you can see, this round is not about fighting. You just need to select a district representative.]

    District representative?

    [As the name suggests, it means the representative of that district. They have basic authority tomand others and have significant power to force other humans to do their bidding.]

    He has authority tomand others??

    Wow, thats powerful.

    They could tell from the angels exnation how significant the district representatives power was.

    In three hours, a voting right will be generated for all of you. You just need to select one person as the district representative. Thats all.

    Suddenly a brave young man raised his hand and asked, Is that really it? Is there nothing else?

    [Yes. If you vote, you will be counted as an achiever and can return home. This is like a rest round. Thats why the achievers are at 100%.]

    In short, the goal of this round was to choose the king of each district.

    Just voting is enough to pass?

    Its a piece of cake!

    Most yers were relieved that the quest was easier than they thought.

    However, some were suspicious and unable to shake their anxiety.

    Hwang Yongmin and his friends were among them.

    Somethings not right. They said they said that only half of us can pass each round, but now theyre giving everyone such an easy pass?

    The angel said its a rest round.

    Even if thats true, its still weird. We came prepared for a tough battle, but all we have to do is vote. Tsk.

    Yongmin, just go along with it. They said well survive if we vote. Whats the problem?

    Im frustrated because Ive been putting in all my effort, but I havent been able to use it properly. Tsk.

    Ryu Min overheard their conversation nearby and lifted the corner of his mouth.

    You want to use it properly, huh?! It seems he was rewarded with the Rune of Strength again

    Ryu Min, who knows all the information about most rounds through repeated regression, would definitely know Hwang Yongmins Rune.

    The current situation was the same as the previous regressions.

    Now for the next three hours, theyll discuss who to vote for.

    The angel had already exined that the district representative would be given the authority tomand others.

    This is the powerful ability that can make humans in his area do anything.

    If hemands them to kneel, they will kneel. If he orders them to die, they will die.

    If he asks for an item, they will give it to him without hesitation. If he needs someone to be a bait for monsters, they will volunteer themselves.

    And they cannot refuse because the system forces them toply.

    Its a position that wields immense power, akin to that of a king.

    Everyone would want to be in that position.

    Of course, they discuss who should be chosen to represent us.

    And at the center of that discussion, ck Scythes name will rise and fall.

    It was no surprise that people looked at him differently.

    The atmosphere seems to suggest that they want to nominate me as their representative.

    If they have to choose a representative, its only fitting that they would choose the strongest.

    It was only natural that he, who had been ranked first in the previous round, would be noticed.

    However, Ryu Min had no interest in bing a representative.

    The position of area representative was like a poisoned chalice.

    I wouldnt want to be a representative just because of the authority it entails. It would only lead to various losses.

    There was something that the angel did not tell him about the power of authority.

    The power of authority does not apply to those who have a job.

    Once he reaches level 10 and changes his profession, he can escape the power of authority.

    In the end, its only half-baked power.

    Furthermore, starting from the third round, the representative will bear all the responsibility because of their position.

    Knowing this, Ryu Min had no intention of bing a representative.

    It was a burdensome and dangerous position, after all.

    Of course, others can still nominate and vote for me as a candidate without my consent

    Ryu Min wasnt worried, though.

    After regressing dozens of times, he knew he wouldnt be the representative.

    For now, selecting a representative is not the most important thing. The sub-quests are more important.

    If one were perceptive, he would notice something odd in the quest message.

    The word main was added in front of the quest.

    The fact that there is a main quest means there are also sub-quests this round.

    In other words, there is another quest in this round besides voting.

    Getting a job is the sub-quest and the hidden quest of this round.

    Anyone can have a job once they reach level 10, as long as they have the appropriate item.

    Fortunately, I already obtained the death angels job item in the previous round.

    Therefore, Ryu Min had nothing to worry about.

    He just had to reach level 10.

    I dont have time to discuss with them for three hours. Ill hunt and level up to 10, then change my job.

    That way, he could escape the power of the area representative.

    Ryu Mins gaze turned to a message that appeared in a corner.

    [2nd Round Limited Experience 3x Buff is now in effect.]

    [It will be automatically removed at the end of the 2nd round.]

    Luckily, he had that bonus from the first round, the 3x experience buff, so it wouldnt take long.

    Ryu Min nced around and left the area.

    Crackle, crackle.

    As people continued to debate, Ryu Min walked through the field and towards the nearby forest.

    He had no interest in the area representative or participating in the discussion.

    I dont care who bes the representative.

 Chapter 17: Start Of Round 2 (2)

    Chapter 17: Start Of Round 2 (2)

    Ryu Mins current goal was to reach level 10 as soon as possible to advance to the next job.

    That was why he hade into the forest.

    If you go deep into the forest, Hobgoblins appear. They sometimes drop items and other useful things.

    Both hobgoblins and theirrger cousins, hopgoblins, were better for experience and stronger than goblins. However, they were still not much of a challenge for Ryu Min.

    I wasnt thrown into this bloody game to chit-chat for hours with people.

    The forest itself was a good hunting ground, and if he wasted his time discussing the election, he would gain nothing.

    Only those who step up to gain something will discover the existence of sub-quests.

    As he wandered through the forest, he would encounter monsters, and as he hunted, he would gain experience points and eventually reach level 10.

    The sub-quest window will only appear if they enter the forest, and then they would realize that discussion was not the answer to this round.

    Of course, the position of district representative looks good, but its a position that only 1 out of 5000 people can get. Its better to give up early.

    Furthermore, since it was a poisoned chalice from the beginning, it was better not to even consider it. Ryu Min believed that the key to this round was to hunt and be stronger as soon as possible.

    Keet, keet, kweeet.

    Suddenly Ryu Min saw a hopgoblin emerge from behind a tree, holding a hunting knife in its hand. The hopgoblin was slightlyrger than a hobgoblin and looked somewhat intimidating, but it was nothing more than a toy in Ryu Mins eyes.

    Come to me.

    Keet!

    Tap-

    When Ryu Min snapped his fingers, the hopgoblin rushed towards him, apparently insulted. But Ryu Min didnt stand there.

    Taat-!

    As Ryu Min moved, the distance between him and the hopgoblin rapidly decreased. Before the startled hopgoblin could react, Ryu Mins stiletto plunged into its throat.

    You have defeated the hopgoblin!

    Experience point buff x3 is currently in effect.

    Experience point +9%.

    Gold +15.

    Current kill count: 1/100.

    The Rune of ughter increases all stats by 1%.

    With the experience point buff x3 and the effect of the Rune of ughter, Ryu Mins stats were boosted. However, he didnt have time to check the messages.

    Where there is a hobgoblin, there is another hobgoblin nearby.

    Ryu Min quickly surveyed the area, as expected, there was another hobgoblin nearby.

    Heeit!?

    Hobgoblins never roam alone.

    Ryu Min grinned and ran towards the hobgoblin.

    ***

    You have defeated the hobgoblin!

    Experience point buff x3 is currently in effect.

    Experience point +7.2%.

    Gold +15.

    Current kill count: 50/100.

    The Rune of ughter increases all stats by 50%.

    Your level has increased!

    As Ryu Min killed more hobgoblins, the experience he gained from each one decreased. This was a natural progression, as it required more experience to level up the higher he got.

    The Rune of ughter disyed Ryu Mins current kill count.

    There are 3 hours and 30 minutes left until the vote.

    Ryu Min had raised his level from 5 to 9 in just 30 minutes of hunting.

    Before he knew it, Ryu Min had reached the level where he could change his job if he gained just 10,000 more experience points.

    As he scanned his surroundings, Ryu Min cautiously allocated his stat points.

    Agility is still the way to go for stats.

    In the beginning stages, agility is the only stat that matteres.

    In order to survive, one must dodge enemy attacks and wait for a chance to counterattack.

    Unless one was a fool, most people would understand the importance of agility.

    Although it would be efficient to invest in strength runes as Hwang Yongmin did, its a rookie mistake to stubbornly focus on increasing physical strength.

    Even if ones strength was powerful, it was useless if he got stabbed by a sword.

    Eventually, the situation would arise where agility was necessary.

    Its not just agility; all stats are important.

    A yers stats consist of four categories: strength, intelligence, agility, and luck.

    Strength increases physical damage, health, and defense, while intelligence increases magical damage, mental power, and thinking speed. Agility increases attack speed, movement speed, and dodge rate. Luck increases critical hit rate, item drop rate, and additional gold.

    There is no stat that is unnecessary.

    Its important to evenly distribute stat points across all four categories.

    This is especially true for Reapers since theyre hybrid jobs.

    While most jobs are divided into physical or magical damage dealers, reapers use both. Increasing intelligence is just as important as increasing strength for damage output.

    Its ideal to just increase all stats evenly.

    After dozens of tests, Ryu Min reached this conclusion without a doubt.

    If he could also obtain the [Bnce Rune], which gives bonus effects for evenly distributing stat points, then hed be on fire.

    Like the Rune of Inner Thoughts, the Bnce Rune is a must-have.

    For now, clearing the sub-quest quickly is the top priority, especially since there are additional rewards for being the first to achieve it.

    Since he moved first and has the experience point buff, it wont be difficult to clear.

    As Ryu Min prepared to resume hunting, he heard a rustling sound.

    Hmm?

    Ryu Min stopped moving, and the rustling sound stopped too.

    Is someone following me?

    It could be someone who followed him from the open field or someone who followed the corpses of scattered monsters.

    I didnt pay attention to my surroundings because of hunting. Did I pick up a stalker?

    Ryu Mins expression wasnt good since there hadnt been any stalkers in previous regressions.

    As a regressionist, this was the scariest oue, he couldnt be sure if such a thing would change the future.

    Whoever you are,e out and state your purpose. Otherwise

    Ryu Min pointed his bloodstained dagger towards the direction of the sound.

    Be prepared to die.

    Was the threatening tone effective?

    Crack-

    The stalker revealed himself from behind a tree.

 Chapter 18: Changing Job (1)

    Chapter 18: Changing Job (1)

    As Ryu Mins eyes scanned the surroundings, they caught a glimpse of a familiar face. That person Seo Arin? She was a rising young actress, popr among the younger generation, known for her exceptional beauty, kind and diligent personality. Her nickname was even Seo Arin.

    Why would a girl like that follow me? Ryu Min wondered to himself. He was sure that the person who had been following him was Seo Arin because of her recognizable face, nickname, and the fact that she lived in the penthouse upstairs.

    Just as Ryu Min was about to ask why she was being followed, a man emerged from behind a tree, and it appeared that Seo Arin was not the only one following Ryu Min.

    Were sorry for the trouble. We didnt follow you with bad intentions. Please forgive us, said the man named An Sang-cheol, smiling as if he wanted to reconcile.

    However, Ryu Mins lips didnt move. He recognized the familiar nickname and face. An Sang-cheol? Isnt he Ma Kyung-roks right-hand man?

    Ma Kyung-rok was the eldest son of a top domestic conglomerate.

    He was one of the people Ryu Min was targeting, going with the nickname Cheonma.

    There was also a top-ss priest connected to Ma Kyung-rok among those Ryu Min wanted to recruit.

    To beat the 20th round, he needed to catch Ma Kyung-roks attention. I didnt expect to meet Ma Kyung-roks right-hand man so soon.

    Although Ma Kyung-rok was someone Ryu Min needed to get close to, that didnt mean he was a saint. In fact, he could be considered a viin. He acted gentlemanly on the outside, but he had a psychopathic hobby in secret.

    There was no reason for Ryu Min to view this sick man as a favorable candidate.

    But why is An Sang-cheol with Seo Arin? Ryu Min recalled the man he saw when he visited the upper floor. He was the one who made Ryu Won nervous while he was standing next to Seo Arin when he tried to give her that rice cake.

    Is it possible that the man who was with Seo Arin is actually An Sang-cheol? Although he couldnt be sure they were the same person since he had customized his appearance, Ryu Min had a hunch that it was him.

    There was a rumor that Ma Kyung-rok sponsored celebrities as part of his business.

    It seemed likely that the man he saw yesterday was An Sang-cheol.

    Where did you start following me? Ryu Min asked the group.

    From the starting point. We saw you going into the forest and followed you Were sorry if we made you feel ufortable, they apologized, but Ryu Mins expression didnt soften.

    In the previous rounds, no one had followed him. It was natural that Seo Arin had no reason to follow him. The future has changed. Its because I did something different from before Could it be because of that rice cake?

    He had only given her rice cake and met her, but it seemed to have had an impact on her feelings, leading to her following him. Why did you follow me? Ryu Min asked Seo Arin, his tone cold.

    I didnt follow you with bad intentions I wanted to propose something, Seo Arin replied nervously.

    Propose?

    Yes You won first ce in round one, right? So, I thought it would be good if we could work together

    Work together? Ryu Mins lips curled into a sneer. Isnt that a term used when someone needs help from another person?

    Yes, thats right.

    Ryu Min said with a mocking smile. I dont need you guys. I can fight well on my own. Didnt you see everything during the chase?

    Seo Arin nodded in agreement, realizing that Ryu Min was right.

    After chasing after him for 30 minutes, they saw how many corpses Ryu Min has left behind him.

    It was a scene so overwhelmingly powerful that they knew he wouldnt need such an alliance to survive.

    Dont waste my time with pointless proposals, and just go back. I have no desire to team up with anyone, Ryu Min said, turning his back as if there was nothing left to see.

    As he disappeared into the forest, An Sang-cheol expressed his dissatisfaction.

    Whats up with that guy? Hes as arrogant as theye.

    On the other hand, Seo Arin, visibly relieved, slumped to the ground.

    Ha I guess it wasnt for nothing that he was the top ranked in the first round. His intimidation is no joke.

    Intimidation, huh? Well, anyone would be tense if they were threatened with a sword, wouldnt they?

    Still, because he was ranked first, there was a sense of atmosphere that was hard toprehend. His gaze was also frightening

    Maybe its because he customized himself well. It would be difficult if we think of him as the face of reality.

    I guess. Mr.bodyguard has also changed his face

    Seo Arin sighed deeply as she looked in the direction where ck Scythe had disappeared.

    I hoped to team up with the top ranked yer, but it didnt go as nned.

    See, what did I say? I told you, someone like him, with such a strong sense of pride, wouldnt make a good ally.

    Thats true but I thought it would be better to team up because it increases our survival rate.

    If we had managed to get the ck Scythe on board, it would have been better

    Forget it. Let such a sick human being life and die on his own. He would only be a hindrance if we tried to put him in a team.

    But its still a shame.

    Its a shame indeed. We wasted our time following him for nothing.

    Joining forces to survive in this harsh world was not an easy task.

    But I didnt know there would be monsters in the forest.

    Exactly.

    Doesnt the ck Scythe have any interest in the vote? Theyre probably discussing who to choose as the representative at the starting point

    He probably thinks its difficult to be chosen as the representative, so he gave up on it from the beginning.

    Seo Arin nodded in agreement with An Sang-cheols words.

    Since only one person out of five thousand would be chosen, thepetition would be fierce.

    Well, lets go back too. Maybe well get a lot of votes just because youre a celebrity?

    An Sang-cheol turned his head and said so, but Seo Arin didnt n on moving.

    Um how about hunting during the remaining time we have instea?

    What? Hunting?

    Yes. ck Scythe has already given up on the vote, and theres no way it would be us, right?

    An Sang-cheol nodded at her reasonable words.

    Well, thats not a bad idea either.

    Then lets go, Mr. Bodyguard.

    The two of them entered the forest, weapons in hand.

    They had given up on the chasing ck Scythe.

    They didnt have the confidence to persuade him, and they were afraid that they might get killed by his sword if they followed him again.

    But what they didnt know

    Crack-

    That someone was chasing after them too.

 Chapter 18: Changing Job (2)

    Chapter 18: Changing Job (2)

    Phew-!

    Ryu Min dismissed Seo Arins proposal without a second thought and continued his hunt for hobgoblins.

    Coboration? Im already busy enough. Theres no need to consider it.

    He could easily catch monsters alone.

    There was no reason to join forces.

    Still, its not bad that Ma Kyung-roks right-hand man lives on my floor.

    Although the future had changed, it was not at a level where he had to worry.

    The future connected to branch lines could change at any time.

    As long as the main line doesnt change, it was fine.

    When I return to reality, I need to confirm if the man who was with Seo Arin is indeed Ma Kyung-roks right-hand man.

    The confirmation method was not difficult.

    He just needed to find out if the name of the man, who may or may not be Seo Arins bodyguard, is An Sang-cheol.

    If he is An Sang-cheol, I can approach Ma Kyung-rok more easily.

    However, he would not do anything immediately.

    It was not yet time to contact Ma Kyung-rok.

    That was why he rejected the proposal.

    Whats important now is to level up through hunting.

    Ryu Min returned to the forest.

    Kyaak-!

    Kiiit-!

    The hobgoblins ran towards him, but they couldnt even touch him.

    They were easy to handle due to his agile movements.

    Their death was inevitable.

    [Current Kill Count: 60/100]

    [All stats are increased by 60% due to the Rune of ughter effect.]

    Since the beginning of the hunt, his stats had increased by 1.6 times.

    The Rune of ughter is definitely useful if I just stack the stacks.

    At that moment, five more monsters appeared.

    Kyao-!

    Kreung!

    Although they were just good experience points for Ryu Min, he couldnt help but smile as he saw the noticeable increase in his stats.

    [You have defeated the Nols!]

    [Experience point 3x buff is applied.]

    [Experience point +7.2%]

    [Gold +20]

    [Current Kill Count: 65/100]

    [All stats are increased by 65% due to the Rune of ughter effect.]

    [You have leveled up!]

    [You have reached level 10.]

    [You can now use the store.]

    [The job change condition has been met.]

    [You have received a hidden sub-quest!]

    Ryu Min immediately checked the sub-quest.

    Change job before voting time.

    Find and acquire a job item!

    If sessful, you will receive a 50% discount coupon for todays item!

    Most yers would be wondering about the job item and how to acquire it.

    They would probably think: Find and acquire a job item? How do I get it? Whats the benefit of getting a job?

    Since there was a job category in the status window, most yers should be aware of its existence.

    However, some yers might not know about jobs yet.

    Nevertheless, getting a job was always beneficial unless someone was foolish.

    The age between 15 and 29 is the prime time to be familiar with games.

    The problem was that most yers knew about jobs, but did not know how to acquire a job item.

    At first, I was lost too. I thought it was random when catching monsters.

    Of course, getting a job item as a drop from monsters was really rare.

    However, job items were generally easier to obtain when certain conditions were met.

    For example, to be a warrior, you need to catch 30 monsters within an hour after raising your strength stat to 10 or higher.

    To obtain a job-change item, one must perform actions rted to their job. For example, a berserk must hunt for a certain period of time with bloodshed, and an assassin must sessfully ambush monsters from behind multiple times.

    This means that a persons job reflects their personality to some extent.

    Ryu Min obtained the job of a hunter in his first regressions. He had obtained it by repeatedly tracking and running away from monsters in the forest.

    But I no longer need to be a hunter.

    He didnt need to obtain a hunters job-change item either, as he had already obtained another one in the previous round.

    Ryu Min took out the Angels Blood from his inventory and recited the activation word.

    Use.

    Light burst forth from the Angels Blood, and a message appeared before his eyes.

    [You have used a job-change item. Please choose carefully as you cannot change your job.]

    [Do you want to change your ss to Grim Reaper? Y/N]

    Ryu Min didnt hesitate to answer the question that required no consideration.

    Yes.

    At that moment, Ryu Mins body shone in a golden light. The intense light was enough to blind him, but itsted only for a moment.

    The message appeared in his mind as if nothing had happened.

    [Congrattions! You have changed your ss to Grim Reaper.]

    [As a job-change reward, you have obtained the Scythe of the Grim Reaper and the Rune of the Grim Reaper.]

    [The obtained rune is automatically inscribed into the yers body!]

    [You have learned the Grim Reaper-exclusive skill, Seal of Death!]

    [The next skill can be learned automatically when you reach level 20.]

    He received a weapon, a rune, and a skill as job-change rewards.

    However, that wasnt the only good news.

    [Your rank has increased from Beginner to Trainee.]

    [You havepleted a sub-quest!]

    [You have received a 50% discount coupon for todays item!]

    There are several ranks in the game: Beginner (Lv1), Trainee (Lv10), Regr (Lv20), Expert (Lv40), Master (Lv60), and Grand Master (Lv99).

    Ryu Mins rank increased from Beginner to Trainee as a result of his job change.

    Ranking up had various benefits. New job skills were acquired and existing skills were strengthened. Lock features could be released, and yers could wear better items than they could before.

    However, if you dont change your job, youll be stuck at the Beginner level forever.

    Thats why changing jobs was an essential element for growth.

    Many rewards were received, but the message was not yet over.

    The first job-changer reward was yet to be obtained.

 Chapter 19: Checking The Shop (1)

    Chapter 19: Checking The Shop (1)

    [It has been confirmed that the yer is the first job changer.]

    [As a reward for obtaining the title first job changer, you have received a random gold pouch.]

    [As a reward for the first job change, you have learned themon skill Track!]

    Ryu Min grinned as he received his rewards for his first job change  a gold pouch and a new skill. Themon skill Track was particrly exciting for him.

    This skill is impossible to obtain in the early stages, he thought to himself.

    There were two types of skills in the game: job-specific skills andmon skills. Job-specific skills were exclusive to certain professions, like the Deaths seal skill he had learned before. On the other hand,mon skills were avable to anyone and could be purchased from the store at level 10.

    Although they can be quite costly, Ryu Min murmured, thinking of the gold needed to just buy one skill.

    Thinking about this made him want to check out the new store feature he had just unlocked by selecting Shop Window on his menu.

    The window that opened up disyed various items, including weapons, helmets, armor, gloves, shoes, nes, rings, and skills, all neatly categorized.

    Unfortunately, theyre all normal-grade items, Ryu Min muttered to himself.

    Nevertheless, with enough gold, he could buy any item he desires. However, the problem was that the store only sold normal-grade items.

    Of course, they sometimes sell rare or epic items too, he mused. But its quite rare.

    In the Todays Item corner, they sold random items every day. Ryu Mins eyes flickered to the upper right corner of the shop window.

    Todays Item

    [Experienced Hunters Leather Armor]

    Category: Armor

    Grade: Rare

    Defense: 22

    Effect: Agility +2

    Durability: 225/225

    Usage Restriction: Trainee rank or higher

    Description: Armor that experienced hunters enjoy wearing.

    The sales time was based on a 24-hour cycle starting at midnight, which meant he could tell the current time by counting back from the end of the sale.

    Tomorrow, there will be a different item for sale, Ryu Min thought to himself.

    Since the items on sale were random, it was challenging to obtain a particr item. However, Ryu Min was pleased to see that a rare item was disyed on the first day.

    At least its possible to buy something better than normal-grade items from the store, he muttered.

    Currently, the purchase price of normal armor Ryu Min could wear was 1,000 gold. He could buy a rare armor for 2,000 gold that was 50% better, which seemed like a reasonable price.

    That epic item is what I need, he murmured.

    While rare items were usually sold, they asionally sold epic items as well. They were sold once a week, so it might be difficult to get the item he wanted. However, Ryu Min had figured out when the epic item he needed would appear based on his previous experience.

    After this round ends, the epic item I need will appear in two weeks. I just need to use the 50% discount coupon at that time.

    As the rounds progressed, more expensive items appeared in the Todays Item corner.

    So it would be better to wait as long as possible and use the discount coupon on more expensive items, but Ryu Min trailed off.

    Unfortunately, the 50% discount coupon expired when the next round began, which meant it could only be used within a month.

    Random gold pouches are the same. They have an expiration date, so you have to use them before the next round.

    The gold pouches received as a reward are consumable items that randomly give gold when used.

    Since luck is necessary, Ryu Min decided to increase his luck stat before using it, just like in the previous round.

    Ryu Mins gaze turned to the skill list at the top.

    Erase traces, explore surroundings, sense danger, emergency treatment, and more.

    Variousmon skills were being sold in the shop window.

    Ryu Min examined the skill he received as a reward among them.

    [Common Skill  Tracking]

    -Effect: You can track the location of the desired target.

    The price was a whopping 20,000 gold skill.

    An outrageous price that most yers couldnt afford.

    The prices of othermon skills were simr.

    It wasnt just something that was impossible to get early on.

    Most yers will probably learn it by mid-game.

    They were calledmon skills because anyone could buy them in the shop.

    Ryu Min looked around the shop window and then closed it.

    There arent any items worth buying.

    He had 3,000 gold, but there was nothing to buy right now.

    He needed to save money if he wanted to buy an epic item in two weeks.

    Ryu Min opened his inventory and checked out the weapon he received as amemoration of his job change.

    [Reapers Scythe]

    -Category: Weapon

    -Grade: Rare

    -Attack power: 25

    -Effect: Additional attack power +1 every time you swing it at an enemy (up to 5 stacks)

    -Durability: 225/225

    -Usage restriction: Trainee or higher

    -Description: A giant scythe that the Grim Reaper uses. Its hard for beginners to handle.

    Ryu Min took out the scythe from his inventory.

    A giant scythe that exceeded his height was in his hand.

    Swish, swish!

    Ryu Min smiled as he swung it a few times, recalling the sensation.

    The grade is rare, and the effect is great enough not to change weapons until level 20.

    Lastly, he checked the rune he received from the job change celebration.

    [Rune of the Reaper]

    Effect: When using the scythe, the weapons attack power doubles, and when night falls, attack speed increases by 50%.

    If you stay still at night, the chance of enemies detecting you decreases significantly.

    Basically, the attack power doubles, and the attack speed increases by 1.5 times at night, with decreased detection chances.

    It was the perfect rune for using the scythe.

    Thats why the Reaper is strong at night.

    Even though it was daytime now, the attack power was strong enough at 2x.

    Finally, when he opened the skill list, he found another skill besides Track.

    [Exclusive Skill  Death Seal]

    Effect: ce an invisible seal on the target that only the caster can see.

    You will be able to see the remaining health of the target under the seal, and when the caster attacks, 100% additional damage is dealt.

    Can only be cast on one target at a time.

    It can be considered as a debuff that doubles the damage dealt.

    Since it didnt consume mana like in a game, it was better to cast the seal and fight.

    However, the fact that it could only be used on a single target was its only drawback.

    Everything I expected from the rewards came through.

    There were 2 hours and 20 minutes left until the vote.

 Chapter 19: Checking The Shop (2)

    Chapter 19: Checking The Shop (2)

    The only thing left for Ryu Min to do was to level up by hunting.

    Before that, should I check Hwang Yongmins location first and test out the 20,000-gold skill while Im at it?

    Whenever Ryu Min acquired the Track skill, he would always check Hwang Yongmins location.

    Track.

    Please imagine the face of the target and state their nickname.

    Ryu Min thought of the target based on the message.

    Hwang Yongmin.

    Face and nickname match. Tracking targets location.

    You are currently 190 meters away from the target.

    Follow the arrow in front of you to track the target.

    Did hee into the forest too? Hes closer than I thought.

    Hwang Yongmin, who was 2,000 meters away in the previous regressions, was now quite close.

    Should I take a look?

    Ryu Min quickly made his way through the forest with his scythe.

    ***

    Haak, haak, haak.

    Pant, pant.

    The sound of rough breathing between a man and a woman echoed in the deep forest.

    But it didntst long.

    Pant, pant, I cant run anymore. My leg hurt too much.

    Seo Arin, who had breathed in all the way to her chin, copsed onto the ground.

    An Sang-cheol, who was next to her, was also panting, but he knew there was no time to rest.

    Arin, we have to keep moving. Otherwise

    An Sang-cheol couldnt bring himself to finish his sentence and looked around.

    If they rest like this, no one knows what would happen if they were caught off guard by the people chasing them.

    It hurts, but you have to get up.

    My leg hurt too much

    An arrow had hit Seo Arins calf, and An Sang-cheols thigh had been cut by a sword.

    But now was the time to move.

    It was better than being caught by the pursuers and dying!

    Even if we get hurt in this world, our real bodies will be fine. We can go back home as long as we survive.

    Is that right? Okay. Ill try to endure the pain.

    Seo Arin gritted her teeth and got up from her spot.

    And then it happened.

    Where do you think youre going with that body?

    The pursuers who had been chasing them finally caught up.

    Less than 30 seconds of rest had closed the distance between them.

    Dammit. That damn woman!

    An Sang-cheol cursed inwardly as he immediately raised his sword.

    There was no other choice but to fight now.

    Even though they were both injured, they had to fight.

    Oh, An Sang-cheol. Are you going to fight us?

    One of the pursuers, arge man, approached them with a smirk.

    His name, whether it was his real name or not, was Hwang Yongmin.

    Youre fighting us?! Hwang Yongminughed, Dont you have eyes, look at us.

    Hwang Yongmin and three others held weapons and red at them.

    One of them even had a bow, giving them the upper hand.

    Can we win if we fight?

    They were already tired from running away and being wounded.

    It seemed best to avoid a direct confrontation.

    What did we do wrong? Why are you attacking us out of nowhere?

    Huh? You didnt do anything wrong.

    Then why did you attack us.

    Hand her over.

    What? Who.

    Hwang Yongmin chuckled.

    The girl next to you.

    .

    We dont have any business with a guy like you. Its Seo Arin next to you that we want.

    Oh.

    Seo Arin gasped realizing that this whole ordeal was because of her.

    But are you really Seo Arin? The actress Seo Arin?

    Cant you tell just by looking? Her nickname Seo Arin and she looks exactly like her.

    Someone else might be imitating Seo Arins face and nickname.

    So what? As long as its enjoyable.

    Oh, is that so? Kekekeke.

    Hey, An Sang-cheol. If you leave Seo Arin behind, well let you go. How about that?

    An Sang-cheol gritted his teeth at Hwang Yongmins proposal.

    He could clearly see their intentions.

    Was Seo Arin their target all along? If that was the case, they shouldve said so from the beginning.

    He regretted being here with Seo Arin, knowing that if he didnt protect her, he would fail to meet the expectations of Ma Kyung-rok, thepany representative.

    As her manager and bodyguard, he was assigned by thepany to watch over her, but in reality, he was just assigned to surveince duty.

    He had no intention of dying for Seo Arin.

    However, there was one thing that bothered him.

    If I cant protect Seo Arin, Ill disappoint Ma Kyung-roks expectations.

    An Sang-cheol tightened his grip on his sword.

    He had to survive with Seo Arin no matter what.

    Oh. Hwang Yongmin smirked, Look at those eyes now.

    Are you nning to fight?

    You guys. Do you know that this is a crime?

    A crime? Kekeke, youre funny, old man.

    Hwang Yongmin shrugged andughed.

    This is a whole other dimension. Whatws exactly are we breaking? There are nows here!

    Even so, this is not just a game. This is real life. Youllmit a crime if you kill us! In fact, you alreadymitted a crime by injuring us!

    Oh, is that so? Then what are you going to do about it? Are you going to report to the police that Hwang Yongmin attacked Seo Arin and An Sang-cheol?

    Yeah.

    Kekekeke.

    Hwang Yongmin and his friendsughed at his response.

    Do you have any evidence? Theres no CCTV here, is there?

    .

    How do you even know if its my real face? And how can you prove if I used my real name as my nickname?

    .

    Everything he said was true.

    There was no evidence, no proof.

    They couldnt take a picture or make a testimony.

    Their appearances in this ce were avatars different from reality in the first ce.

    An Sang-cheol knew that.

    He was just hoping for a slim chance.

    Darn it, persuasion isnt working at all.

    Judging from their bloodshot eyes, it seemed unlikely that they would listen to words.

    Come to think of it, if his words had been effective, they wouldnt have shot arrows at him.

    Zing-

    Although he felt pain in his injured thigh, there was nothing he could do.

    He had to fight, even if it meant risking further injury.

    For the sake of Ma Representative!

    An Sang-cheol was about to move his body.

    Crack-

    When someone appeared from behind a tree.

    It was a yer holding a long scythe.

 Chapter 20: Black Scythe (2)

    Chapter 20: ck Scythe (2)

    As soon as Ryu Minnded on his feet, Hwang Yongmin threw a punch, but it missed and only cut through thin air.

    Despite throwing a series of punches, Ryu Min dodged them all with his agile body movement.

    In the meantime, he asionallynded a few punches to the jaw and the body.

    Why, why, why do I keep missing?! Why?! The feeling of getting hit without being able to retaliate made Hwang Yongmins blood boil.

    This bastard

    Stop swearing, its getting annoying. Im sick of it.

    Suddenly, Ryu Mins close-range hook hit Sang-cheols ear.

    Ouch

    Yongmins head was spinning as he copsed to the ground.

    He could not get up anymore.

    Yong Min!

    His friends realized toote that something was wrong and drew their weapons. In particr, the one with a bow protested.

    Ting!

    But Ryu Min was not the one to be hit by a blind arrow.

    He dodged it lightly and ran towards him.

    Die!

    Ting!

    Once again, the arrow missed him and only hit thin air.

    Looks like you were lucky enough to find a bow while hunting.

    Suddenly, Ryu Min was standing in front of the enemy with a sickle raised above his head.

    But meeting me was not unlucky.

    As he swung it down, the arm holding the bow was severed.

    Aaah!

    That bastard!

    Kill him, you son of a b****!

    Yongmins friends rushed in to attack, but Ryu Min remained calm and simply scanned the area.

    Now is the time.

    As soon as they got closer, Ryu Min swung the sickle downward.

    Swish!

    The person standing in front of him was hit and fell down screaming.

    Aaaah!

    Sh*t! My leg!

    The person following behind him was startled and stopped.

    At that moment, Ryu Min flew through the gap between them.

    Do you really have the determination to wield a weapon and fight?

    Without waiting for an answer, Ryu Mins sickle immediately traced a curve.

    Thwack! Thwack!

    The arms of the four opponents who were gathered together slipped off like butter.

    Aaaah!

    Aaahh!

    It didnt take long for Ryu Min to subdue them.

    As expected of the deaths seal. Even with armor on, you can cut off arms in one blow.

    Ryu Min used the deaths seal before he started wielding the sickle.

    The damage had doubled, and even the arms of the armored enemies were sliced off with a single stroke.

    Heukheuk

    Heukheuk

    Looking around, the battle had already ended.

    Their arms and legs had been cut, and their pride had been shattered.

    Too easy.

    However, Ryu Min did not put his sickle away.

    The fight was not over until he was satisfied.

    Puk! Puk!

    Aaaah!

    Haaauuugh! Im gonna die

    Ryu Min struck their arms and legs with his sickle as they writhed in agony.

    Despite their agony, he did not stop his assault.

    Stop whining. You wont die that easily.

    He had no intention of killing them.

    Theyre just trash that will fall off by themselves when its time.

    However, he intended to instill fear in them so that they could never climb up again.

    Ryu Min struck their arms and legs again and again with his sickle.

    Aaah!

    Huuuugh!

    Even though they writhed in pain like they were about to die, they wouldnt die.

    He had adjusted his damage so they wouldnt die since he can also see their health bar.

    Finally, Ryu Min passed the howling thugs and stood in front of Hwang Yongmin.

    .

    Hwang Yongmin, who had closed his eyes and was lying down, trembled weakly.

    Pretending to sleep wont work. There are no exceptions.

    Ryu Mins sickle moved.

    Swoosh!

    At that moment, one of Hwang Yongmins arms was cleanly cut off.

    Ugh, aaaaaaaah!

    Dont be so dramatic. Thats not even painful.

    Its not a bluff.

    Ryu Min had lived through worse pain than having his arm cut off.

    All because of the Hwang Yongmin gang.

    The daily torment from the thugs was an unbearable pain for the victim.

    Ryu Mins sickle moved again.

    Hwang Yongmin, whose other arm was also cut off, let out a pitiful scream.

    Watching that gruesome sight, An Sang-cheol gulped down his saliva.

    To cut off the arm of a defenseless opponent

    It might seem cruel to others, but An Sang-cheol was not one of them.

    Instead, he admired the ruthless efficiency.

    The ck Scythe a man worthy of being on par with the Boss.

    He had previously thought the ck Scythe was all talk, but now he knew better.

    The ck Scythe was more than qualified.

    And his skills were undeniable.

    With that kind of ability, hes hardly likely to refuse our proposal.

    An Sang-cheol was inwardly impressed with the top-ranked yer.

    After slicing Hwang Yongmins thigh a few more times, Ryu Min nced over at Sang-cheol, and then approached them with an indifferent expression.

    Though he was an ally, An Sang-cheol couldnt help but feel tense.

    Are you okay?

    Yes thanks to you.

    Now you dont have to worry about being jumped by these bastards again. As you can see, they wont be able to move. Theyll probably just have to resort to voting or something.

    Um thank you, ck Scythe-nim.

    An Sang-cheol bowed his head, and Seo Arin followed suit.

    Thank you so much for your help. But, arent they going to die like this?

    Why does it matter? Theyre not even worth saving.

    Oh

    Seo Arin fell silent at the cold words.

    On the other hand, Ryu Min bit his tongue inwardly.

    Shes too soft. Shes not even a saint, so why worry about these guys lives?

    Shes worried about the lives of those who had tried to harm her.

    The reason cant be just to maintain an image as a public figure.

    But from Seo Arins perspective, it wouldnt be easy to condone murder.

    No matter what, I achieved my goal.

    He had made An Sang-cheol owe him a favor.

    There was no need to worry about them anymore.

    Ughhhh

    Uhhhh

    The guys who had their limbs cut off were groaning like they were about to die, but there was no need to pay attention to them anymore.

    They wont die. They have enough stamina tost until the end of the round.

    When time passes and the round is over, they woulde back to life.

    Its not like losing limbs in this world means losing limbs in reality.

    As long as they had their lives, they could return to reality unscathed.

    In my heart, I want to kill them here and now, but I cant do it yet.

    Killing them would be meaningless.

    There was no great animosity, nor any benefit to be gained from their deaths.

    Its not like theyre monsters dropping experience points.

    If he were going to kill them, he had to make use of them first.

    They still have some use. Hwang Yongmin and the other thugs too.

    At that moment An Sang-cheol politely asked a question.

    ck Scythe-nim, if its not too much trouble, may I ask you something?

    What is it?

    Why did you choose to spare them? In this world, killing someone like them wouldnt be a problem.

    The ominous words made the thugs listening flinch.

    Unlike Seo Arin, An Sang-cheol seemed to hope that these guys would be killed.

    As expected of Ma Kyung-roks right-hand man.

    Ryu Min answered without hesitation

 Chapter 20: Black Scythe (1)

    Chapter 20: ck Scythe (1)

    Hwang Yong-min was totally taken aback when the ck Scythe appeared.

    What the heck?! Why is this guy here? he wondered to himself.

    To make things worse, he had just run into the first-ce winner from thest round.

    But what really caught his attention was the massive scythe the ck Scythe had slung over his back. That thing looked absolutely menacing.

    What are you doing here? Ryu Min asked.

    Why dont you just mind your own business and leave us alone? Hwang Yong-min replied.

    Hey quiet, I didnt ask you, the ck Scythe said, turning his gaze towards An Sang-cheol. Im asking you. Whats going on?

    An Sang-cheol felt like he was at the end of his rope. Th-these guys chased and attacked us, theyre targeted Arin! If you help us out, ck Scythe, well make it worth your while!

    Things werent looking good at all. This is why he had to swallow his pride and ask for help.

    Ryu Min scanned the crowd, taking in the fear on Seo Arins face and the excitement on Hwang Yong-mins.

    I get it, Ryu Min said, piecing together the situation. In this world where there are no taboos, Seo Arins good looks were enough to make any sick guy excited.

    This was a world where criminals could get away with murder, even between yers.

    Ryu Min turned his attention to Hwang Yong-min. Is what he said true?

    Its none of your business whether its true or not. Just leave us alone, Hwang Yong-min said.

    It does concern me. Someone I know is involved, Ryu Min said, stepping between An Sang-cheol and Hwang Yong-mins group.

    He had taken a clear stance. Seo Arin and An Sang-cheol were secretly impressed by Ryu Mins boldness. Little did they know, Ryu Min had his own motives.

    This is my chance to make a good impression on Ma Kyung-rok, Ryu Min thought to himself. If he could save Ma Kyung-roks right-hand man, then surely Ma Kyung-rok would be pleased. Plus, he could also use this opportunity to have An Sang-cheol owe him a favor without requiring anything in return.

    Making someone like Ma Kyung-rok indebted to me will lead to a great reward, Ryu Min thought to himself.

    Most importantly, he couldnt let Hwang Yong-mins group, one of the types of people Ryu Min despised the most, get away with this kind of thing.

    They were the kind of people who deserved punishment.

    When Ryu Min approached with his scythe, Hwang Yong-min raised his hand, looking surprised.

    W-what are you doing? If youe any closer, I wont let you get away with it! Hwang Yong-min threatened.

    Are you that scared of me? Ryu Min smirked.

    Damn, of course, I am! Hwang Yong-min thought to himself.

    Hwang Yong-min was at a loss for words.

    The ck Scythe, who was known for being that guy who ughtered goblins like a madman in the first round.

    Who would want to fight against a monster like him?

    Despite having the rune of strength, Hwang Yong-min didnt want to face the ck Scythe

    Above all, hes even holding a creepy weapon now?

    If you dont want to fight, just say it.

    All you need to do is kneel down and beg earnestly, and I will let you go.

    .

    Hwang Yong-mins eyebrows twitched at the insulting remark to his pride.

    Are you telling me to kneel down like a loser?

    His friends and Seo Arin were looking at him, too.

    In that situation, Yong-mins pride couldnt allow him to bow down to someone else.

    I didnt want to fight if possible, but this guy is getting on my nerves.

    He also had the strength to break a wall.

    Maybe he could smash the ck Scythe with one blow.

    Now orter, he had to be dealt with anyway.

    Yeah, maybe hes just a piece of crap.

    Determined to fight back, Yong-min focused his eyes.

    He loosened his fist joints and approached, step by step.

    Dont you forget! You asked for this, you bastard!

    He narrowed the gap, sneakily.

    If Ind the first hit, Ill have the advantage. Then what can this guy do?

    Theres no way a human can withstand an attack with the strength to break a wall.

    Surely, the guy would scream and crumble if he hits him anywhere with his fist!

    Donte with me! Ill deal with this guy alone!

    Shouting at the rear to his friends, Yong-min took a step forward but suddenly stopped.

    That guy had suddenly put his scythe away in his inventory.

    What are you doing?

    Itll be troublesome if I win too easily, wont it?

    Ha, this bastard.

    As he stopped in disbelief,

    Thwack!

    Ryu Min suddenly rushed in.

    Yong-min was startled, but only for a moment.

    You stupid idiot, youre dead!

    He swung his fist, but it only grazed Ryu Mins cheek.

    Thwack!

    Instead, Yong-min got hit on the head with a front kick and staggered.

    Ugh, you bastard!

    There was no time to curse because Ryu Mins sidekicknded on his chin.

    Ugh.

    His head was spinning.

    And he suddenly felt like someone was climbing on top of him.

    Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

    Pounding punches rained down on Yong-mins head.

    It felt like getting hit by a hammer each time.

    This guys strength is simr to mine?

    He couldnt even believe a ridiculous thought like that.

    He couldnt think because he was hit six times without being able tond a single punch.

    It was embarrassing.

    This bastard!

    He screamed in anger and struggled.

    Finally, Ryu Min jumped off.

    You lost!

 Chapter 21: The Debate (1)

    Chapter 21: The Debate (1)

    Why not just kill them? Its simple, theres nothing to gain from killing them, Ryu Min exined.

    Nothing to gain? Sang-cheol asked, feeling disappointed by the response.

    Yeah, killing them wont benefit us, Ryu Min replied, ncing over at Hwang Yong-mins group, who were all avoiding eye contact. Also if we kill them it will bacsh.

    Bacsh? An Sang-cheol asked, confused.

    Hwang Yongmin and his friends breathed a sigh of relief when Ryu Min confirmed that they didnt have to kill anyone.

    In this game, only half of the survivors can live through each round. The achievers take their ce, but if the poption decreases, the achievers chances decrease as well. It was important to keep as many survivors alive as possible.

    As Ryu Min turned to leave, Sang-cheol called out to him. ck Scythe, can we at least get your bank ount number so we can repay you in real life?

    Not necessary, Ryu Min replied coolly, disappearing into the forest.

    Sang-cheol was impressed by Ryu Mins generosity. He helped us without asking for anything in return.

    Sang-cheol felt a great deal of admiration for Ryu Minsck of greed.

    We wont bother with those trash anymore, Sang-cheol said, feeling grateful.

    Now he needed to report back this incident to the representative as soon as possible.

    As he turned to leave, he noticed the men who had attacked him earlier whimpering in pain. He wanted to kill them, but as Ryu Min had said, there was nothing to gain from it.

    An Sang-cheol also noticed Seo Arins gaze. Lets go, Arin.

    Yes, Seo Arin replied, and they both left the area together.

    ***

    In the forest, some yers hunted and leveled up while in the open field, a heated debate was taking ce.

    The discussion quickly turned into a market-like atmosphere, with people vying for attention.

    Vote for me, I have what it takes to be the district representative! one person shouted.

    No, Im more qualified than any of these small fries! Vote for me! another argued.

    What? Small fry? Do you want me to tear your head off, you son of a bitch?

    Hey, you two! Dont fight! Wouldnt it be better to work together instead of fighting?

    Right. Someone who gets so easily agitated like that isnt fit to be a representative. Id rather be the representative. Please support me!

    You dont need any of them. My father is a member of the National Assembly! Wouldnt it be better for someone like me to be the representative?

    What bullshit. Prove it, you bastard!

    Insults and curses were flying back and forth from every direction.

    Many people spoke as they pleased, perhaps because they had customized their appearance.

    Suddenly, a young man with a firm face pped his hands and calmed the crowd. He went by the nickname of Minchul Youth.

    Hey, everyone! We dont have time to waste like this. We need to choose a representative quickly! We only have two hours left!

    His loud andmanding voice caught everyones attention.

    So how are we going to choose our representative?

    Does anyone have a good idea?

    As people listened closely, the young man smiled inwardly.

    As expected, [Rune of Persuasion] is working!

    He was disappointed when he first pulled the random rune piece and got the Rune of Persuasion. After all, it was a useless rune that didnt work on monsters. However, it wasnt the case with people. No matter what he said, people listened and acknowledged him. Thats what the Rune of Persuasion was all about.

    Its not a scammy rune either. It just says that the chances of persuasion increase with proper exnation.

    His words didnt always get through, but he could persuade people most of the time. With the Rune of Persuasion, he easily passed the first round by using people as shields to defeat 100 goblins.

    If I use it wisely, I could be the district representative. Hehe.

    While he wasughing to himself, people started to argue again.

    Mincho Young! Tell us quickly! Dont you have any good ideas?

    I do.

    What is it?

    Why dont we choose candidates not just one candidate first? After we pick five candidates, we can choose one of them them.

    Well, thats not a bad idea, is it?

    Well, its not gonna work if we just ask each other to vote for ourselves like a bunch of sheep.

    People nodded in agreement with the young mans opinion. However, there were opposing opinions.

    I mean, whos going to be the candidates, and what criteria will be used to choose them?

    Exactly. If were not on the candidate list, we wont even have a chance.

    How about we just draw lots so it can be fair?

    Despite some objections, the young man never lost his smile.

    If persuasion doesnt work at first, then Ill just have to keep persuading.

    As long as their levels were the same, the Rune of Persuasion worked. Eventually, things would go his way.

    And it did.

    Without paper or pen, how are we going to draw lots and control 5,000 people?

    Uh.

    Well, I guess you have a point.

    The young man persuaded the objectors again, and they nodded in agreement.

    Its easy to incite these pigs. Hahaha.

    The young manughed and spoke again.

    Then, shall we nominate five candidates? If you have any rmendations, raise your hand and speak up one by one. However, you cannot nominate yourself. Otherwise, everyone will try to be a candidate.

    Ah

    That makes sense.

    Ugh, I was going to rmend myself

    No one nominated any candidates.

    After they agreed on nominating someone else, there was no one that came to mind.

 Chapter 21: The Debate (2)

    Chapter 21: The Debate (2)

    I cant just give up my seat to anyone.

    Then who should I rmend?

    I dont want anyone else but me to be the representative

    If not me, then who else?

    Silence fell upon the crowd of 5,000 people.

    There was no obvious candidate in sight.

    No one wanted to rmend someone else.

    As expected, everyones quiet. But I guess I wouldnt want to rmend someone else either. Hehe.

    Minchul Youth was pleased with the situation unfolding as expected.

    If it continues like this, the list of candidates can only narrow down to those who stand out.

    Without any suitable candidates, the chances of him, who currently received the most attention, being mentioned as a candidate were high.

    Ill just need to wait a little longer,

    And as expected

    I rmend Minchul Youth as a candidate!

    Thankfully, someone raised their hand and rmended him.

    Bingo! Haha.

    Minchul barely held back hisughter.

    Thank you for rmending me I never expected it. Can you tell me why you rmended me?

    Well, I think the representative should be someone with leadership and integrity.

    Is that so? Do you think I have those qualities?

    Yes, in my opinion. You are currently handling the situation well, arent you?

    Hehe, one more naive person added.

    Minchulughed, but it was only augh in response to praise.

    No one knew that inside, he was sneering.

    Thank you for evaluating me so highly Its a little burdensome, but since you rmended me, I will run as a candidate. Does anyone else have any other candidates to rmend?

    I rmend ck Scythe.

    Another candidate appeared, but Minchul still had a smile on his face.

    This was also expected.

    The previous rounds top ranker cant be left out as a candidate.

    Since he had caught so much attention early on and had overwhelming results in the ranking, it was expected that ck Scythe would be mentioned as a candidate.

    Moreover, wasnt he the one who caught the attention of that angel?

    At least there should be votes for the top three ranked yers in the area where their nicknames are known.

    As expected, someone raised their hand and rmended the 2nd and 3rd ce rankers as well.

    [Life is a Documentary] in 2nd ce and [ck me Dragon] in 3rd ce.

    They may have lower recognition than ck Scythe, but they were still the top yers.

    It would be even weirder if they werent mentioned.

    Now we have four candidates. Whos thest one? Is there anyone left?

    The youth smiled and quickly proceeded, knowing that fewer candidates were better.

    Alright. Lets narrow down to these four candidates Before we vote, should we have each of theme up and speak? They can make promises or resolutions. Okay, let me start.

    Clearing his throat, Minchul Youth scanned the audience.

    Thousands of eyes were fixed on him.

    Its a piece of cake to convince these suckers here.

    If he could speak in front of the people, he was confident that he could win even against ck Scythe.

    Ahem, speaking in front of so many people is making me extremely nervous. But, I will say a few words, thinking of the effort put in by the person who nominated me. If I be the representative of this district, I wont disappoint.

    Man, youre full of bullshit!.

    Minchul turned his gaze to look in the direction of the voice.

    Whos that?

    A man with a rough appearance walked out from the crowd.

    His nickname was Life is a Documentary.

    That guy is ranked second in this districts ranking.

    Hisnky and wobbly gait, coupled with his spitting like a thug, made Minchul furrow his brow involuntarily.

    Hey, everyone Minchul was about to say but he got interrupted again.

    Cant you just shut up! Its annoying to even look at you.

    What?

    Hey, Minchul, you think the world is that easy, huh?

    What are you talking about?

    Just a few words can make people stumble like chewing gum. Its funny, isnt it? Right?

    The Minchul didnt show it, but he was surprised inwardly.

    It was a vibe that the man knew his own abilities from the way he spoke.

    What, how? Howe he figured it out so easily? Wait, is it just a coincidence?

    In the moment of confusion, the man shook his head disapprovingly, disying his difort.

    Who do you think you are, trying to tell us how to choose a district representative? Youre just a propagandist. Do you everyone will fall for your bullshit, you son of a bitch?

    Huh! Thats too much for a first impression! Words are a persons face and personality. Why do you think you can use such harsh words?

    Minchul said seriously, but he was secretly amused.

    Hell probably apologize and say hes sorry.

    The power of persuasion is strong.

    But it didnt seem to work as well on the other person.

    Youre trying to teach me how to talk, you asshole? Do you want to get killed?

    Uh, uh

    Uh, Uh Stuttering like a bitch! Youre such a disgusting little piece of shit.

    Hey! Isnt this too much?!

    Whats so much? This is what a gentleman like me says to a piece of shit like you.

    Minchul was at a loss.

    Why isnt my persuasion working?

    He tried again, but Life is a Documentary still kept spewing curses.

    He didnt seem to have any intention of apologizing, he even threatened him that he will cut his throat if he talked again.

    What happened? Is this really happening?

    In the moment of confusion, Life is a Documentary spoke to the people.

    Hey, you sons of bitches! If you dont vote for me, Ill make sure you end up like what Im going to do to this bastard. Got it?

    At that absurd remark, Minchul snickered.

    Wow, this guy ispletely clueless. Does he think can win people like that? I cant believe it.

    Without a persuasion rune or something like that, there was no way an authoritarian method would work.

    But that thoughtsted only for a moment.

    Laughing, are you?

    Out of nowhere, Life is a Documentary was next to him, he drew a short sword and stabbed Minchul in the stomach.

    sh!

    I told you, if you fuss, youll die.

    Thud! Thud!

    Life is a Documentary repeatedly sliced Minchuls body with his short sword, standing up with a face covered in blood.

    For a moment, people froze at the gruesome murder scene.

    If you dont vote for me, everyone will end up like this son of a bitch.

 Chapter 22: Jo Joong Sik (1)

    Chapter 22: Jo Joong Sik (1)

    Jo Joong-sik was a big shot in Seouls underworld, known far and wide. At just 31 years old, he had already climbed his way up to the top of the gangster hierarchy, which was a pretty big deal in a city aspetitive as Seoul.

    I guess I was just born to be a gangster, Joong-sik thought to himself. He had all the qualities necessary to thrive in this world  the right upbringing, the physical ability, the street smarts, the fighting skills, and the courage to do what it took. Without those qualities, he wouldnt have been able to make a name for himself in the city.

    But now, he found himself in a strange new world, dragged here without warning. Why the hell did I end up in this dump? he muttered under his breath. Hed been attending a rival gangs funeral when he was kidnapped and brought to this ce.

    I even made the stupid nickname Documentary Life, but what good did that do?

    He cursed and swore, but it was all in vain. All he could do was survive by defeating the green monsters that inhabited this strange world.

    Although it was a struggle for survival, Joong-sik found himself adapting surprisingly well. He even managed to clear the first round with ease, earning the second ce in his district.

    Ive still got it, he thought to himself, as he took down goblins left and right. He had the [Insight Rune] to thank for that  a powerful tool that allowed him to anticipate his opponents moves.

    But second ce just wasnt good enough for Joong-sik. He wanted to know who was in first ce, and why they had managed to ughter a hundred goblins in just ten minutes. It was a humbling experience for Joong-sik, who had struggled for over twenty-three minutes to survive.

    Whos in first ce? ck Scythe? he muttered, recalling the nickname of the man who had ughtered the goblins without breaking a sweat.

    He must be a special forces soldier or something, he grumbled to himself, frustrated at being beaten by someone he didnt even know.

    Joong-sik couldnt help but focus his attention on ck Scythe, hoping to defeat him in the next round and be the top-ranked yer.

    When the quest for the second round was announced, Joong-sik was disappointed to learn that it involved selecting a district representative and engaging in a three-hour discussion with a bunch of less capable yers. It was a waste of time, in his opinion.

    But Joong-sik knew that bing the district representative would give him the power to control all the other humans like ves. It was an opportunity too good to pass up, even if it meant enduring a boring discussion.

    As he waited for his chance to strike, something unexpected happened that threw everything off bnce.

    Jo Joong-sik furrowed his eyebrows as he noticed, a guy nicknamed Minchul Youth is trying to persuade people to join his side.

    Whats up with that pank?

    He couldnt help but notice the system message that appeared every time the Minchul spoke.

    [Youth Minchul is using a Persuasion Rune to influence the yer.]

    [yers with higher levels are immune to persuasion.]

    His own rune allowed him to see through the power of the Persuasion Rune.

    So hes trying to manipte people with the Persuasion Rune?

    After reading the message, Jo Joong-sik understood the situation.

    yers with higher levels are immune to persuasion, right?

    While others were level 5, Jo Joong-sik had already reached level 6, thanks to the [Level Up] reward as the 2nd ce winner in the area ranking, which was his trump card.

    What a maniptive little brat. I should kill that guy first.

    Without hesitation, Jo Joong-sik stabbed the young man to death, shocking everyone. But to him, as a gangster, it was nothing.

    Didhe just killed someone!

    That man just killed someone!

    Jo Joong-sik smirked at the onlookers horrified reactions.

    So what? Were all gonna die anyway. Might as well speed up the process.

    Youre a murderer!

    Come in if you have a problem.

    Brandishing his dagger, Jo Joong-sikughed off the insults.

    If you dont want toe in, Ille out.

    Jumping into the crowd, he swung his dagger and blood sttered as two people copsed, their throats slit.

    Aaaah!

    That crazy bastard!

    What if he hits someone?

    Hahahaha!

    Jo Joong-sik went on a rampage, stabbing anyone in his way.

    If this was reality, headlines would scream about the carnage, but this was another world.

    No journalists to take pictures, no police to save the day, and no CCTV cameras to provide evidence.

    Die, you bastards! Hahahaha!

    With each swing of his dagger, blood sprayed and yers fell to the ground.

    yers, who had no means to fight back, breathed theirst breaths.

    Stop him!

    Lets kill that crazy guy together!

    yers armed with weapons shed, their only goal to kill the enemy of theirmon foe, the enemy called Life is a Documentary.

 Chapter 22: Jo Joong Sik (2)

    Chapter 22: Jo Joong Sik (2)

    Despite being ranked second, Jo Joong-sik knew that he could easily be overwhelmed if enough people attacked him. However, things did not go as nned.

    Hey, watch it, you idiot! You almost hit me with that sword!

    What? Who do you think you are, talking to me like that, you little punk?

    Seriously, how do you even know my age? Youre such an old fart, dude.

    You punk!

    The yers who were supposed to face Jo Joong-sik suddenly started bickering with each other.

    And then one of them crossed the line.

    Thunk!

    Ugh!

    Oh no, are you okay, bro? You son of a bitch! Who do you think you are, stabbing him like that? Help! Theres another killer here, please help!

    With weapons in hand, even a minor argument could easily turn into a massacre.

    Die!

    Kill these murders! Or we will be next!

    You sons of bitches!

    The debate turned into a battlefield in an instant, and Jo Joong-siks dagger reached even the timidest of yers.

    Ahh!

    Ow!

    Ughhh!

    Jo Joong-siks violent attack didnt stop until there were no more people left to attack.

    When he turned around and saw how the others were fighting each other, he he couldnt help but wonder, Huh? Why are these guys fighting among themselves?

    Jo Joong-sik was confused, but still stabbed the person next to him.

    Hey, stop fighting!

    But it was toote. The excited crowd was deaf to Jo Joong-siks voice.

    I said stop it! You sons of bitches!

    Although Jo Joong-sik was the one who started this massacre, he still had something to say.

    Why are you fighting to the death with each other? Are you enemies?

    His words made everyone hesitate and step back from each other.

    Jo Joong-siksment brought the situation under control.

    Dont kill each other for no reason, just vote for me.

    Who the hell are you to tell us to vote for you?

    Is that how you really want it to be?

    When Jo Joong-sik pulled out his dagger again, the person who spoke earlier flinched and backed away.

    Blood was sttered all over the ce, proving to everyone how crazy Jo Joong-sik was.

    Now, listen to me carefully. You will vote for me. If you dont, Ill remember your name and face, and Ill definitely kill you in the next round. Got it?

    .

    No one answered, but Jo Joong-sik knew that he had intimidated them.

    I guess theyre all scared of me.

    Jo Joong-sik was familiar with the look of fear on peoples faces.

    Threatening and intimidating people was his specialty.

    After all, people only listen when you draw your knife.

    It was clear to Jo Joong-sik that he would be the representative of the district.

    If I be the district representative, Ill wield the powerful authority of leadership. Hehe.

    He had already thought about what he would do once he became the representative.

    ck Scythe. I have to kill that unlucky bastard first.

    Jo Joong-sik decided to order the people to kill ck Scythe, his rival, and the only obstacle in front of him to bing the first-ranked yer.

    That was the ending Jo Joong-sik desired.

    ***

    As Ryu Mins scythe sliced through the waist of the Gnol, a message shed on his screen.

    [Gnol has been defeated!]

    [3x experience point buff applied.]

    [Experience gained: +3.15%]

    [Gold gained: +20]

    [Current kill count: 265/100]

    [All stats increased by 100% due to the Rune of ughter.]

    [Level up!]

    The Gnol didnt stand a chance against Ryu Mins doubled weapon damage from the passive skill of the Grim Reaper and doubled stats from the Rune of ughter.

    I even marked him with the Seal of Death which doubles the damage. It really didnt stand a chance.

    Before his job change, hunting monsters had been easy. But now, it was even easier. However, as he leveled up, it became harder to gain experience points. He had caught 200 monsters in two hours but only increased six levels.

    Even with a 3x experience point buff, Im only gaining 2-4%. No wonder its taking so long.

    Despite the slow progress, at level 16, Ryu Min was still ahead of other yers. He had yet to reach level 20, but he was still ahead of many yers who were oblivious to the existence of sub-quests.

    Alright, its time to wrap things up.

    After putting the scythe in the inventory, Ryu Min opened the status window.

    Instead of investing in agility like before, Ryu Min invested in Luck.

    I have a random gold pouch, so investing in Luck is a good idea.

    Higher Luck was useful in many ways. It increased the chance of getting extra gold from monsters and also increased the drop rate of items. Critical rate also increases, and for a strong damage dealer like Ryu Min, it was even more effective.

    Critical damage is good because it ignores the opponents defense, and the damage is doubledpared to normal attacks.

    Even though the probability of a critical hit was low, Ryu Min knew the potential benefits of raising his luck stat to increase his chances of critical hits.

    My current luck is only 30, so the chances of a critical hit are only 3%.

    But if he could gradually increase it to 300, the chances of critical hits would rise to 30%.

    That would be a huge help.

    Suddenly, a message appeared in front of him, notifying him that it was time to vote.

    [Time remaining until vote: 00:00:00]

    [It is time to vote.]

    [All yers in the designated area are being summoned to the starting point.]

    In the blink of an eye, the environment around Ryu Min changed as he was teleported from the forest to a wide-open field.

    What are those people? They just appeared out of nowhere.

    I think theyre yers who were summoned from the forest,

    The yers who were at the starting point were surprised to see how many yers had been summoned from the forest. But they were also surprised to see the bloodbath at the starting point.

    What the heck is going on? People are dead!

    What the hell happened here?

    The bloodstains and corpses scattered throughout the area were enough to shock the yers who had gone into the forest. Ryu Min, however, was not surprised.

    He had expected a big fight to break out. It had happened in the previous round, too.

    Of course, he also knew the cause of the fight.

    Ryu Min turned his head to follow the gaze of the others. There stood a yer named Life Is a Documentary with her arms folded.

    As expected, Joong-sik has taken control.

    Joong-sik.

    As the head of the Jungshi Gang, he was a talented fighter who had achieved second rank in the first round.

    Ryu Min acknowledged his talent, but because of his reckless personality, there was a risk of taking him to thest round.

    We should take care of the ticking bomb that could go off anytime, but its not the right time yet.

    He needed to make use of Joong-sik in the third round first.

    At that moment, Joong-sik noticed Ryu Min looking at him and approached him.

    Hey, ck Scythe.

    He came over with a swaggering gait and suddenly smiled.

    Where were you? Ive been waiting for you.

    Whats up?

    Its nothing special. I just have a proposition for you.

    Joong-sik sniffed and spoke indifferently.

    Ill say it straight. Come under my wing.

 Chapter 23: The Voting Results (1)

    Chapter 23: The Voting Results (1)

    Come under my wing?

    Jo Joong-sik nodded at Ryu Mins question.

    Yeah, submit to me, and I will show you mercy.

    Jo Joong-sik twirled his dagger in his hand, making it clear that he meant business.

    Ryu Min couldnt help but let out a chuckle, finding the situation somewhat amusing.

    Ha, whats so funny? Jo Joong-sik demanded, clearly annoyed.

    Ignoring Jo Joong-siks stern expression, Ryu Min instantly opened his inventory.

    With a swift movement, a massive sickle appeared in his hand, making Jo Joong-siks dagger look like a toothpick.

    Jo Joong-sik swallowed hard, feeling a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead.

    Where did you get that weapon? he asked, trying to mask his fear with a snarl.

    Kneel, Ryu Minmanded, his voice ice-cold.

    If you admit your mistake and kneel down now, Ill let you go, Ryu Min added, his voice as sharp as the edge of his weapon.

    You little bastard, dont you understand the situation? Im gonna be the next representative of this area! Jo Joong-sik spat, his bravado returning, albeit a bit shaky.

    Is it hard for you to understand what Im saying? Or do you need some blood spilled to calm your anger? Ryu Min retorted, his sickle glinting in the dim light.

    Jo Joong-sik found himself at a crossroads he didnt expect to be in and swallowed his curse.

    Damn it! I didnt think hed have that kind of weapon! he thought, realizing he had put himself in a dangerous position by provoking ck Scythe.

    It wasnt even a sickle, but a massive, towering weapon that looked like it could take down a bear.

    I was prepared to fight, but with this measly dagger Jo Joong-siks thoughts trailed off as he bit his lower lip, his confidence waning.

    Why dont you answer me? Since were having a conversation, you must know Korean, right? Ryu Min asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

    Damn right I do! Im Jo Joong-sik, the boss of the Jo Joong-sik faction! Theres no thug in Seoul who doesnt know my name! Jo Joong-sik boasted, brandishing his dagger.

    Ha, you think Ill kneel to someone like you? he taunted, his eyes shing with defiance.

    Come on, fucker. Try to attack me with that fancy weapon. But you better be ready to die. he warned, taking a fighting stance.

    Ryu Minughed inwardly at Jo Joong-siks bravado.

    Whether it was before or now, hes always full of himself, Ryu Min thought to himself.

    Should I stop ying around here? he mused, his eyes flickering with amusement.

    He had no intention of killing Jo Joong-sik, let alone hurting him.

    He needed someone to be the representative of the area and use him in the next round.

    If I show off my strength for no reason, more votes will go to me than to Jo Joong-sik, Ryu Min concluded, his mind made up.

    He only needed to show enough strength to not fall behind.

    Moreover, just like it has happened in previous regressions, it was time for the angel to appear.

    And sure enough, the angels appeared right on cue.

    [Have you all gathered? humans?]

    Lucky you, Ryu Min said as he quickly stowed away his scythe in the inventory. There was no need to draw attention to himself.

    Next time, find me earlier if you want to die.

    Jo Joong-sik let out a sigh of relief as Ryu Min turned away.

    HaahI thought I was a goner.

    It was a sigh of relief.

    Honestly, my pride is hurt, but at least I didnt die. Bluffing seemed to have worked a bit though.

    In reality, Jo Joong-sik didnt want to fight the ck Scythe.

    Phew I am safe for now. But if the others vote for me to be the district representative, I wont have any reason to be afraid of him anymore.

    He would have the power to control others like ves

    While Jo Joong-sik was plotting revenge, the angelughed.

    [Kikikik, so humans. Have you discussed who youre going to elect as your representative?]

    The yers remained silent.

    It was hard to tell if this was a discussion or a threat.

    The angel had already been watching everything that happened up until now, and she has also seen the corpses scattered throughout the field.

    [Kikikiki. It seems that you havent just been talking for the past three hours. The number of participants has dropped from 5,143 to 4,988!]

    More people had died than they had thought, but not all of them had died in the quarrel.

    Some had died by monsters after entering the forest.

    [Whether humans live or die is not my concern. Shall we proceed with the vote as nned?]

    The angels wings fluttered and the same message appeared before the humans.

    [Now, we will begin the vote to elect the district representative.]

    [You may cast one vote per person, and the yer with the most votes will be the district representative.]

    [If there is a tie, the tied yer will be put forward as a candidate, and a revote will be held.]

    [To vote, you have to look at the person you want to vote for and think of the word vote in your mind.]

    [yers who do notplete the vote within the time limit of 5 minutes will be eliminated from the round.]

    [Voting time limit: 00:04:59]

    As time was given, the yers murmured and nced at each other.

    [Look at the person you want to vote for?]

    The yers gaze naturally shifted to Jo Joong-sik.

    Of course, theyre all looking at me. Heh heh.

 Chapter 23: The Voting Results (2)

    Chapter 23: The Voting Results (2)

    As expected, a lot of people were looking at him, mainly because he threatened to kill anyone who didnt vote for him. But, there were still some people avoiding his gaze.

    Hey, you over there with the round face!

    Me? Uh, me?

    Why arent you looking at me? You didnt vote for me, did you?

    No, no, I did.

    Dont lie to me. Ive been watching you, and youve been looking elsewhere!

    Jo Joong-sik spent most of his five minutes pressuring people to vote for him, even threatening them, all in the hopes of gaining just one more vote.

    After five minutes, the angel spoke.

    Times up. We had a total of 4,988 votes, and fortunately, there were no stupid humans who forgot to vote. Shall we count the votes?

    A transparent window popped up in front of everyone, disying nicknames and numbers like a real-time voting chart. The numbers kept climbing until the results were announced:

    1st ce: Life is a Documentary (2,412 votes)

    2nd ce: ck Scythe (2,077 votes)

    3rd ce: ck me Dragon on the Right Hand (249 votes)

    4th ce: Puffed Up Bread (6 votes)

    5th ce: Cute Baby Bird (5 votes)

    Jo Joong-sik frowned. He had expected overwhelming results.

    I only got 2,412 votes? And ck Scythe came in second?

    The difference in votes between him and ck Scythe was only 335, a rather close gap that left Jo Joong-sik dissatisfied.

    I told these guys to vote for me, but they secretly voted for ck Scythe instead?

    Jo Joong-sik red at those around him, but there was no way to tell who voted for whom.

    Well, I cant do anything now that the results are out.

    Jo Joong-sik smiled. As long as he won the election, he didnt care about how close the results were.

    Ive be the district representative, just as expected. I now have the powerful authority to control these weaklings like ves!

    Jo Joong-siks gaze turned to ck Scythe.

    You beat 5,000 humans no matter how strong you are.

    If he ordered people to kill ck Scythe, even if he fights back, he would eventually die.

    You bastard. Youll regret not killing me. Hehehe.

    While Jo Joong-sik was inted with anticipation, the angel announced the results.

    Alright, its been decided. The winner, Life is a Documentary, is the district representative!

    No one was happy with the results, as most people only voted for Jo Joong-sik out of fear.

    The only one smiling was Jo Joong-sik himself.

    Hehehe, now everyone has to treat me with absolute respect, or else Ill use my authority to kill you all, you son of bitches.

    His announcement was like that of a dictator, and the faces of the people darkened with shadows.

    Then, as the zone representative, I will grant Life is a Documentary the authority to control people.

    Soon, a message appeared in front of Jo Joong-sik.

    [Congrattions, you have be the district representative.]

    [You have obtained the unique power of the representative, the Power of Command.]

    [You can check the details in the skill section of your status window.]

    Hehe, finally.

    Jo Joong-sik opened the status window with a sly grin.

    There was a new skill added to the list called Control Authority.

    He chuckled as he read the information.

    [Temporary Skill  Control Authority]

    -Effect: You can force yers to obey yourmands.

    The affected yer cannot refuse themand under any circumstances.

    Usage limitation is 10 times, and then the skill will disappear after all uses are consumed.

    You can only give onemand to each yer.

    Note: yers with jobs are immune to this skill.

    .

    Joong-siks smile faded as he read the details.

    Whats this? I can only use it ten times?

    He had thought that he would be able tomand others as much as he wanted.

    Well, its still a powerful skill, but

    He was disappointed to find out that there was a limit to its use.

    Whats thest line? It doesnt work on yers with jobs?

    In other words, those with jobs were immune tomands.

    Of course, Joong-sik had no idea how to obtain a job, so he didnt feel like he should worry about it.

    Well, everyone else is in the same boat.

    If used properly, he could control the situation with his newfound power, as long as he kept the penalty a secret.

    Best of all, he could eliminate his unwantedpetitor, the ck Scythe.

    That damned bastard. Illmand him to give up all of his items andmit suicide. Ah! Wait, it says only onemand can be given to a single yer?

    Joong-siks mouth twisted into a grin.

    Then Ill threaten him to give up all of his items first and thenmand him tomit suicide, that should work. Of course, even if he gives me his items, Ill kill him anyway. Hehehe.

    The thought of being able to eliminate his hated rival made Joong-sikugh involuntarily.

    But hisughter was short-lived because the angel revealed unexpected news.

    Okay, everyone. Youve voted, so its over, right? Well, no. There was a hidden quest this round.

    What are you talking about?

    A hidden quest?

    Ignoring the bewildered onlookers, the angel fluttered its wings.

    Change Jobs Before Voting Time Ends

    Get the Job Change item and acquire your Job!

    Reward: Receive a 50% discount coupon for todays items!

    Whats this?

    A sub-quest?

    People were surprised by the sudden appearance of the quest.

    They couldnt believe there was another quest.

    There was a sub-quest hidden in this round. When you reach level 10, the job changing window will appear Did you not know? Kehehehehe.

    Well, how can we level up when there are no monsters around?

    Someoneined and the angel looked annoyed.

    No monsters? The forest is full of monsters. Hunt in the forest to reach level 10. You can obtain the items you need for the job change by defeating the monsters.

    Ahh

    People sighed, realizing how much time they have wasted.

    Darn it, we werent supposed to argue and waste our time here!

    We should have just gone to the forest to hunt

    If we had done that, we could havepleted the sub-quest and received the reward!

    They all sighed with regret, but it was toote.

    Dont be too disappointed. Anyone can change their job when they reach level 10, so just aim for it in the next round!

    The angel tried tofort the people.

    Moreover, there are only 80,000 people who managed to sessfully change their jobs in the entire world, which is less than 0.01% of the total 9 billion survivors!

    80,000 people?

    So many people have changed their jobs?

    Although it was a small numberpared to the 9 billion survivors in the world, it did not sound small to the yers.

    They felt inferior knowing that there were 80,000 people who had higher levels than them.

    Oh, by the way, theres one job changer in our area too.

    People were surprised by the angels words.

    Theres a job changer?

    Who is it?

    [Shall we find out who it is by looking at the sub-quest results?]

    After a moment, the result of the sub-quest appeared and peoples eyes widened.

 Chapter 24: Round 2 Ends (1)

    Chapter 24: Round 2 Ends (1)

    Round 2 Subquest Results

    [Overall Ranking]

    1st ce: ck Scythe (Level 16 Reaper)  Time: 00:39:42

    2nd ce: Celestial Demon (Level 10 Dark Knight)  Time: 02:36:15

    3rd ce: Dumb Idiots (Level 10 Shaman)  Time: 02:37:17

    [ESKS45-5 Specific Area]

    1st ce: ck Scythe (Level 16 Reaper)  Time: 00:39:42

    2nd ce: None

    3rd ce: None

    Everyone who saw the final results was blown away.

    Wait ck Scythe got 1st ce?

    And ck Scythe is the only one who advanced in our area?

    And his advanced job was no ordinary one.

    A Reaper? What kind of job is that?

    It sounds insanely powerful!

    Thats why he was wielding that huge scythe, huh?

    Jo Joong-sik, like everyone else, couldnt help but let out a curse.

    Damn, of all people, it had to be ck Scythe.

    The power of authority doesnt apply to those who have advanced.

    Looks like the n to eliminate ck Scythe is a lost cause.

    [Round 2 rankings were based on whopleted the subquest the fastest. Turns out, the top advancer in our area is the yer named ck Scythe.]

    The angel, who had beenposed, couldnt hide their surprise.

    [Whoa! Not only did he secure the 1st spot in this area, but in the entirepetition? And all in less than 40 minutes?]

    While Ryu Min advanced in just 39 minutes, the 2nd ce took a staggering 2 hours and 36 minutes.

    What a massive gap.

    The angel was taken aback by such a speedy record.

    Wow! ck Scythe, youre amazing! Being a Reaper, the only ss of its kind, and even having a nickname that matches it!

    The angel genuinely admired Ryu Min.

    [Tell me, ck Scythe! How did youe up with such a cool nickname? Did you already know youd be a Reaper?]

    Even with the angels piercing question, Ryu Min remained unfazed.

    The angel has no idea how one bes a Reaper. They only know its the only ss of its kind.

    If Ryu Min were to mention that he obtained the advanced item by killing the angel, it would be a major shock.

    To be honest, I had no idea that my ss would match my nickname so well.

    Then, is it just a coincidence that you became a Reaper?

    Yep.

    Ryu Min gave the same response as before.

    The angels reaction mirrored thest regression.

    Ohh! I see. So, this is what they call destiny? Hehehe! Thats interesting.

    The angels smile revealed her genuine amusement.

    She probably wont ask any more questions and will just move on.

    And shell start talking about the power of authority.

    As expected.

    Guess what, everyone? Only one human in this specific area has a ss. And that means hes the only one immune to the power of authority. Hehehe.

    Huh? Immune to the power of authority?

    What do you mean, Angel?

    People asked the angel with surprise.

    Hehe, since Im already talking, should I spill everything? Humans with a ss are not affected by the power of authority. In other words, the area representative cant control ck Scythe as they please.

    The people were astonished, but the angel wasnt done speaking yet.

    [Moreover, the power of authority can only be used ten times. Area representatives cant wield unlimited power. Hehe.]

    Only ten times?

    Thats how it works?

    Peoples gaze naturally shifted toward the area representative.

    Jo Joong-siks expression was one of utter perplexity.

    Damn it! That crazy angel! Why did she tell them?!

    Jo Joong-sik red at the angel as if he wanted to kill her.

    It was clear that the angel had deliberately revealed his secret by speaking with such a mischievous smile.

    Well, then, shall we reward ck Scythe, who advanced the fastest?

    ording to the angels signal, a message unfolded before Ryu Mins eyes.

    [Congrattions! You have achieved 1st ce in this specific areas quest!]

    [Congrattions! You have achieved 1st ce in the overall ranking!]

    [Currently, ck Scythe is ranked 1st in the overall ranking and in this specific area.]

    [As the 1st ce reward in this specific area, you will receive the Choice of Lesser Rare Armor!]

    [As the 1st ce reward in the overall ranking, you will receive the Special Reward Selection Box!]

    The rewards were granted through the inventory.

    Ryu Min immediately used the items.

    [You can choose one of the following Lesser Rare Armors.]

    Please touch the desired reward.

    1. Medieval Knights te Armor

    2. Skilled Hunters Leather Armor

    3. Well-ventted Wizards Robe

    No need to hesitate. The choice is obvious.

    Ryu Min instantly picked option 2.

    Option 1 would slow down his movements due to its weight, and Option 3 had almost no defense.

    Option 2 was the mostfortable to move in and also increased agility, which suited Ryu Min the best.

    Next, Ryu Min used the Special Reward Selection Box.

    [You can choose one of the following special rewards.]

    Please touch the desired reward.

    1. Triple Experience Buff (Limited to Round 3)

    2. 3,000 Gold

    3. Information on Round 3

    This is the same situation as Round 1.

    Without any hesitation, Ryu Min chose the experience buff.

    There was no reason not to choose the experience buff in Round 3, where many monsters would appear.

    Round 2 Ended

    [Overall Ranking]

    Survivors: 873,500,205

    [Specific Area ESKS45-5]

    Survivors: 4,988

    [After a while, your soul will transition into your original dimensions body.]

    [Round 3 will begin on March 1, 2022, at midnight. Congrattions on surviving. Well meet in the next round.]

 Chapter 24: Round 2 Ends (2)

    Chapter 24: Round 2 Ends (2)

    It was a little past 3 a.m.

    Ugh!

    Hwang Yong-min, who got out of bed quickly checked his arms.

    Theyre still here. Both of my arms are fully intact!

    When Hwang Yong-mins arms were severed by ck Scythe, he felt a deep sense of despair.

    He worried about how he would live without arms.

    As I expected, as long as I dont die, I can return with a perfectly healthy body!

    Overjoyed, he jumped around on the bed, waving his arms. But that joy was short-lived.

    When he thought about the yer known as ck Scythe, who had inflicted extreme pain on him, cold sweat trickled down his spine.

    Never again I aint messin with ck Scythe, no more.

    There was no room for pride.

    No pointless thoughts of revenge.

    Hwang Yong-min, facing a stronger enemy didnt even entertain those ideas.

    Damn it, I aint gettin caught up with that cold-blooded dude ever again.

    Just the thought of it gave Hwang Yong-min the chills as he picked up his phone.

    He was worried about his friends.

    Hey, how you holdin up? You alright? My arms grew back, man. Lets get the gang together and meet up.

    After contacting his crew, Hwang Yong-min stepped out onto the streets.

    In the dimly lit alley, a group of folks were puffin on cigarettes.

    Yong-min, you made it?

    His crew, the survivors from Round 2, were there.

    Look at this dude, arms and legs all intact!

    And you look unscathed too. Not a single bruise on your face.

    Damn it, still get the creeps just thinkin bout gettin whacked by ck Scythe.

    Ah

    As soon as ck Scythe was mentioned, his friends shivered.

    Lets make a pact. We dont ever bring up the name ck Scythe again.

    Yeah, have you seen the final rankings? That guy was all alone at the top, he reached level 16.

    While were stuck at level 5, damn it

    And hes a freakin Reaper.

    A real damn Reaper

    Seems like this whole incident gave them some serious trauma.

    Damn it, we all nearly died and barely made it out alive after losin our limbs.

    And they could say with confidence that they never experienced something worse than that.

    That was a very close call from death.

    Yeah, I said it, right? Messin with Seo Arin was a reckless n. Look at us now, we barely survived!

    Its because of this guy, all hyped up bout Seo Arin before.

    You were hyped too, dont lie!

    To be honest, it wasnt a totally reckless n. But we were this close to pullin it off.

    Yeah, right. If we had just offed that bodyguard next to him.

    Sigh Who the hell wouldve thought ck Scythe would show up?

    The group hung their heads low, smoking their cigarettes.

    Regretting the past aint gonna do them no good; its already toote.

    But you know what, thank goodness our real bodies are unharmed.

    We aint gettin into that mess no more. Gotta live peacefully, like extras. Damn it!

    Forget about chasin after Seo Arin. We shouldve just gone huntin in the woods or somethin. We could have at least scored some rewards.

    Yeah, youre right. Once we hit level 10 and advanced, we couldve shrugged off the area reps orders.

    But you know what? The new area rep they picked is a real scumbag.

    Heard hes some gangster from a faction?

    Dude had some serious balls goin up against ck Scythe.

    As the conversation shifted to the area rep, Hwang Yong-min pondered.

    Dont you guys know Jo Joong-sik?

    Whos that?

    Hes the boss of the Zhongshi Gang! Hes like my idol! Ah, guess you guys aint into gangs.

    Hehe, our Yong-min, dreamin bout bin a gangster? Already got yourself a role model?

    Hehehehe.

    Hwang Yong-min snapped at his friendsughter.

    Hey, dontugh at me! Im dead serious!

    So, when we had to vote, did you choose Life is a Documentary, because you want to join him?

    Um, the gang I always wanted to join is the Zhongshi Gang. The problem is, I dont know how to make contact.

    Since he became the area rep you can talk to him in the next round.

    Thats the n, man.

    Hwang Yong-min thought to himself.

    As soon as they enters the other realm next month, he nned to go find Jo Joong-sik.

    Ill go and talk to him. Ill ask him to let me join the Zhongshi Gang.

    A mischievous smile yed on Hwang Yong-mins lips.

    He wasnt sure if Jo Joong-sik would ept him, but it was still worth a shot.

    ***

    Well done, Arin.

    What did I do? It was the bodyguard-nim who went through a tough time

    Seo Arin, returning from the other realm, looked at An Sang-cheol with eyes full of gratitude.

    An Sang-cheol, the one who had drawn his sword to protect her from the pursuers.

    Even though their rtionship was mostly business, gratitude was still gratitude.

    Seo Arins gaze shifted to An Sang-cheols thigh.

    Are you okay where you got hurt?

    Yeah, Im fine. And what about you, Arin? Not a scratch on you.

    Just as like I told you. Even if we get injured in the other realm, our physical bodies in reality remain unharmed.

    Thank you for looking out for me

    An Sang-cheol chuckled, seemingly amused by Seo Arins sudden gratitude.

    Haha, no problem. Its just part of my duties as your manager and bodyguard.

    Having considered abandoning her before, An Sang-cheol couldnt help feeling a twinge of guilt.

    I also want to express my gratitude to ck Scythe I wonder if theres any way.

    At Seo Arins words, An Sang-cheol raised his head.

    We dont know how to find him in reality because we dont know his true name or appearance. Besides, it seems like ck Scythe doesnt want to reveal himself either.

    He doesnt?

    I didnt ask for his bank ount number for no reason. But he tly refused. That indicates that ck Scythe was aware. He might be afraid that sharing the bank ount number would lead to his real identity being exposed.

    Ah

    If you truly want to show your gratitude, maybe we can meet them in the next round and give him an item or something. Or we could find something useful to him. Even though he seems like he can survive just fine even without our help

    Hmm Thats a good idea. Ill have to think about how to express my gratitude.

    Well then, rest well today, and lets meet tomorrow morning.

    Okay.

    As Seo Arin turned around, saying her goodbye lost in thought, and An Sang-cheol stepped out of the penthouse, raising his phone.

    Though it was dawn, he had something urgent to report.

    Mr. Ma?

    -Ah, Director An Sang-cheol.

    Youre still awake?

    -I poured a ss of whiskey as soon as I got back.

    I saw the final rankings. Congrattions on advancing to Dark Knight.

    -Why make a fuss about that? How did things go on your end?

    Seo Arin and I could only reach level 8. Leveling up turned out to be harder than expected. We got injured along the way, which hindered our hunting

    -You got injured?

    I was actually nning to report that Do you have some time? Its rted to ck Scythe.

    -ck Scythe?

    The voice on the other end of the phone turned chillingly calm.

    -Come to the hotel. Ill hear the details in person.

    Sure, Ill be there within 20 minutes.

    After An Sang-cheol hung up, he quickly got into his car.

    Little did he know.

    There was someone tailing him from behind.

 Chapter 25: The Pursuit (1)

    Chapter 25: The Pursuit (1)

    The very first thing Ryu Min did upon returning to reality was to utilize his skills.

    [Envision the face of your target and state their name.]

    Ryu Min visualized the image of the man he had encountered whileboriously gifting the rice cake.

    An Sang-cheol.

    In the alternate realm, thinking of the customized face and nickname was the requirement.

    However, in reality, its the actual face and name that matter.

    Meaning, even without personal acquaintance, if one knew the face and name, locating the person became possible.

    This is precisely why the tracking skill proved invaluable.

    It facilitated the easy detection of individuals in need within the real world.

    And not only that, but it also proves handy in determining their true identity by matching their given name. Just like now.

    [Face and name confirmed. Tracking targets whereabouts.]

    A contented smile graced Ryu Mins face as he received the confirmation message.

    Just as I thought, the guy who stood beside Seo Arin and rejected our gift was indeed An Sang-cheol.

    Before, Ryu Min remained oblivious to An Sang-cheols appearance in reality.

    Thus far, he had only witnessed him in the other realm, ying the role of Ma Kyung-roks right-hand man.

    But things had changed now.

    Ivee to know his real-life appearance as well.

    Of course, sharing the same name in the game and in the real world did not guarantee that this An Sang-cheol was the same person from the other realm.

    Nevertheless, Ryu Min held a strong intuition.

    Given how close he sticks to Seo Arin, chances were high.

    Suddenly, a message materialized before Ryu Mins eyes.

    [Target An Sang-cheol located.]

    [Currently 85 meters away.]

    [To track the target, follow the arrow ahead.]

    Hes rather nearby, isnt he?

    It seemed likely that he was with Seo Arin in the penthouse on the upper floor.

    If Ryu Min had resolved to closely monitor Seo Arin, it would be no surprise for them to be together.

    Huh? The distance is changing?

    The real-time disy of Ryu Mins proximity to An Sang-cheol was changing, drawing closer and then retreating.

    Given the swift alterations, it appeared as if An Sang-cheol was riding the elevator, descending to the parking lot.

    Where could he be heading in the dead of night? Could it be?

    Predicting Ma Kyung-roks course of action was a rather obvious task.

    Shall I give chase? It would help confirm his true identity too.

    Once confirmation of his contact with Ma Kyung-rok is obtained, suspicion would solidify into evidence.

    Determined, Ryu Min swiftly donned his outdoor attire.

    In the midst of preparations, he turned his gaze and noticed his younger brother slumbering on the floor.

    Seeing him asleep here, it seems he eagerly awaited my awakening.

    Ryu Min smiled and gently shook his brothers shoulder.

    Wake up.

    Mmm Hyung?

    Ryu Won blinked, instantly springing to attention.

    Hyung! Youre back!

    You should be sleeping in your room. Why are you here?

    I couldnt help it, hyung! I was worried something might happen!

    I told you, theres no need to worry.

    Are you okay? Did you get hurt?

    Even if I suffer injuries in the other realm, my real-life body remains unscathed. Besides, the second round was a voting session, so there was no need to engage inbat. It was more like a bonus round.

    Ryu Won breathed a sigh of relief, cing a hand over his heart upon hearing those words.

    Thank goodness. But why did you change your clothes?

    I have somewhere to go.

    What time is it now? Huh? Its 3 a.m. And youre going out at this hour?

    Well, I have some important matters to attend to. Dont worry, get some more sleep.

    Leaving behind his concerned younger brother, Ryu Min stepped out of the house.

    Despite the growing distance between him and An Sang-cheol, Ryu Min remained unfazed.

    With the tracking ability at his disposal, he could locate him whenever he pleased.

    ***

    nk!

    Ma Kyung-rok, who was gently swirling his whiskey, gazed out of the window.

    The moonlight casting its glow upon the Han River appeared unusually dim tonight.

    What a perfect night for work.

    However, he had to suppress the urge for now.

    He had a report to receive from his loyal subordinate, An Sang-cheol.

    The ck Scythe

    Ma Kyung-rok was eager to reveal the identity behind the enigmatic figure known as the ck Scythe.

    Where could the yer who was ranked first in rounds 1 and 2 be hiding?

    Moreover, it seems he shares the same zone as his subordinate, An Sang-cheol.

    Although we arent in the same zone and havent crossed paths

    ck Scythe was ranked first and Ma Kyung-ok was second in both rounds; unbeknownst to them, an undercurrent of rivalry surged beneath the surface.

    One could even deem them rivals.

    As someone who upied the second and third ranks across all zones, Ma Kyung-rok had every right to make such a im, didnt he?

    To think this involves the ck Scythe

    A sense of unease gnawed at him.

    He didnt even hold the ck Scythe in high regard.

    Could it be that he picked a fight with my subordinate?

    If that were the case, he couldnt simply let it slide.

    Provoking his loyal subordinate was, in essence, a challenge to himself.

    The ck Scythe. If he bes an enemy, it will prove to be quite bothersome.

    Ma Kyung-rok tilted his head back and poured whiskey into his ss.

    Thud!

    As he set the ss down, a glimmer danced in his eyes.

    Anyone who dares to obstruct my path shall not go unchallenged, even if they hold the top rank.

    While his gaze burned with determination, a knock echoed from outside.

    Is the Representative present? Its An Sang-cheol.

    Yes,e in.

    Ma Kyung-rok, adjusting his appearance, turned around with a smile.

    His previous intense aura had dissipated entirely.

    Director An? Its good to see you again.

    Ahaha, its a pleasure to see you, Representative. I owe it all to you.

    What have I done, even though were not in the same zone?

    Just having the Representative by our side gives me strength. Thank you.

    Director An, you certainly know how to tter.

    Its not ttery, its genuine admiration. I cant express enough how fortunate I feel to have you as our representative. Congrattions on your survival, albeit bted.

    Survival whats there to celebrate? The second round was a mere cakewalk.

    And indeed it was.

    It was a simple quest where all they had to do was vote, to the point where even receiving congrattions seemedckluster.

    Thats precisely why I grew more suspicious. Unlike the first round, it was ridiculously easy.

    Moreover, the inclusion of a main quest in the task window seemed suspicious, and the generous three-hour time frame for voting raised doubts.

 Chapter 25: The Pursuit (2)

    Chapter 25: The Pursuit (2)

    Ma Kyung-rok ventured into the forest, driven by curiosity.

    He wondered if there was something new to discover.

    Perhaps theres a hidden sub-quest.

    However, he couldnt find anything, so he tried to kill a few monsters here and there, and before he noticed he reached LV10.

    To his surprise, a quest emerged once he reached level 10.

    He discovered this fact unintentionally, engrossed in his hunting.

    Congrattions on obtaining a ss, Representative.

    Oh, no. It was just luck.

    It wasnt an empty statement.

    While luck yed a part, An Sang-cheol perceived it differently.

    Ive always felt that the Representative is truly humble.

    Humble? I was merely stating a fact.

    Dont you believe that luck is also a form of skill? Besides, is it easy to secure the second and third ranks across all zones? Having someone like the Representative as our leader is an extraordinary honor to me.

    Hahaha. Director An, your praise makes me wonder if theres something you want.

    An Sang-cheol appeared slightly embarrassed, but he didnt show it.

    The Representative truly knew him well.

    Tell me. Is there something you want to ask?

    Um In that case, may I ask one thing?

    Yes, go ahead.

    You recently advanced to the Dark Knight job, right? If its not too intrusive, could you tell me where to obtain the ss-specific items for the advancement?

    While cautiously gauging Ma Kyung-roks reaction, An Sang-cheol inquired, and Ma Kyung-rok readily answered.

    Its nothing special. I just happened toe across the advancement items while hunting monsters.

    Half of it was true, while the other half was a lie.

    Indeed, advancement items dropped when hunting monsters, but they werent specifically for the Dark Knight advancement.

    The Dark Knight was an exclusive job attainable only by those who possessed the Rune of the Dark Knight.

    The Rune of the Dark Knight.

    A deceptive rune that enhanced overall stats and bestowed the ability to imbue weapons with Dark Auraan enchantment of sinister power.

    Upon reaching level 10, one automatically transitioned into the unique Dark Knight job.

    I was fortunate. To think such a remarkable rune emerged from a random rune fragment.

    Ma Kyung-roks lie stemmed from his desire to keep the rune, a significant piece of information, to himself.

    After all, even if An Sang-cheol was like family, he couldnt reveal everything to him.

    Even real family members might choose to remain silent.

    Human nature was capable of such sudden shifts.

    Especially in rtionships founded on business.

    However, it doesnt mean I dont value Director An.

    An Sang-cheol was an exceptional talent and his indispensable right hand.

    If anyone dared to harm his subordinate, Ma Kyung-rok would ruthlessly tear them apart without hesitation.

    Director An, lets get down to business. Who is responsible for injuring you?

    No trace of a smile lingered on Ma Kyung-roks face.

    His expression was so cold that one would never imagine he had beenughing moments ago.

    Could it be the ck Scythe?

    The ck Scythe? What about him?

    You mentioned something over the phone about an incident involving the ck Scythe. If that bastard had a hand in it, Ill definitely find him and seek revenge

    Ma Kyung-roks eyes brimmed with intensity, prompting An Sang-cheol to hastily wave his hands.

    Ah! No, thats not it. ck Scythe was the one who attacked me.

    Oh, really?

    Yes. ck Scythe is actually my savior, the one who saved my life.

    Your savior?

    As Ma Kyung-roks eyebrows twitched, the intensity dissipated from his gaze, and he spoke.

    Tell me more.

    An Sang-cheol recounted every detail of the events that unfolded in the forest.

    So, you nearly lost your life because of those thugs targeting Seo Arin?

    Yes. If ck Scythe hadnt appeared, we could have both perished. Well, Seo Arin might have survived but even if she did, the psychological shock would have rendered her entertainment career impossible.

    He narrowly escaped losing his cherished subordinate and the potential ruin of his business?

    Ma Kyung-rok gritted his teeth, a resolve taking hold.

    What happened to those thugs? You surely killed them, right?

    While ck Scythe inflicted enough pain to be lethal, I didnt kill them.

    Ma Kyung-rok tilted his head, perplexed.

    Why not?

    I asked the same question out of curiosity, and it turns out killing them wouldnt yield any benefits. It would only reduce the survival points without significant gain

    That makes sense, but who knows what those guys might do in the future tsk, tsk.

    Ma Kyung-rok clicked his tongue, shaking his head.

    Hes speaking so carelessly because its not directly rted to him.

    Leaving behind any traces would be foolish, even he should know this.

    Nevertheless, thanks to ck Scythe, I was able to protect my subordinates and my possessions.

    He acknowledged the debt he owed to ck Scythe.

    Did you express your gratitude?

    Yes, but he said it wasnt necessary and left immediately.

    Perhaps hes cautious to avoid exposing his identity? It seems hes quite cautious.

    If Ma Kyung-rok had known the Dark Scythes ount number, there might have been something he could do. However, in reality, there was no way to ascertain ck Scythes true identity.

    There was no means of contact.

    Director An, if you encounter ck Scythe in the next round, please express my gratitude. Im truly thankful for his assistance.

    That was the only method ofmunication through which he could ry his message to ck Scythe.

    Understood, Representative. I will deliver your message as instructed.

    Also, keep an eye on ck Scythe, and see if theres anything we can do to help. You know I cant ignore a debt, right?

    Of course. Ill do just that.

    Oh, by the way, I forgot to ask something important.

    Ma Kyung-roks gaze flickered with renewed vigor.

    What are the nicknames of those thugs?

    ***

    Ryu Min nodded, utilizing his tracking skill to pursue An Sang-cheol.

    As expected, hes Ma Kyung-roks right-hand man.

    An Sang-cheol was currently in a hotel room registered under Ma Kyung-roks name.

    Could his entrance into Ma Kyung-roks building be dismissed as a mere coincidence?

    That guy is surely the An Sang-cheol I know.

    Though he raised suspicions before, it was now confirmed.

    He turned away, knowing there was nothing left to investigate.

    Lingering nearby would only raise suspicions without any actual gains.

    Who would have thought that a celebrity sponsored by Ma Kyung-rok lives next to us? I should be grateful to my brother for this unexpected gift.

    If his brother hadnte up with this idea, Seo Arin would have never crossed paths with him.

    He never had a chance to uncover An Sang-cheols true identity before either.

    The future has changed, but it seems to have changed in my favor.

    Taking advantage of their neighborly connection might help earn Ma Kyung-roks trust to some extent.

    Ill proceed step by step. Whether Ill bring Ma Kyung-rok to the 20th round remains to be seen.

    Ma Kyung-rok possesses the Dark Knights Rune.

    Considering his previous transformation into a Dark Knight, it appears that hasnt changed in this regression either.

    Its a powerful rune. However, the drawback is the absence of a rune reward for the transformation.

    While most transformations offer rune rewards, the Dark Knights Runecks such benefits.

    Upon reaching level 10, one only receives a single weapon and skill.

    Forcing the transformation into a Dark Knight is inevitable.

    Above all, the Dark Knight has a significant w.

    That w is the requirement to charge a specialized mana known as Dark Mana in order to use Dark Aura.

    And Dark Mana cannot be gathered through conventional means.

    In a way, it aligns well with Ma Kyung-roks psychopathic hobby, but it can be considered a drawback, right?

    Setting that aside, the Dark Knights Rune is undeniably powerful.

    The fact that Ma Kyung-rok hasnt fallen behind in the rankings is proof of its effectiveness.

    However, including a psychopath like Ma Kyung-rok as arade would be risky.

    Although there will be a way to control him once they reach the maximum level, its still a concern.

    Besides, there are plenty of other talented individuals apart from Ma Kyung-rok.

    As long as there are alternatives, theres no need to rely on him.

    For now, Ill keep him as a candidate and exploit his potential. I need other talents at the moment.

    Especially for the 20th round, having a Supporter is crucial.

    As soon as the day breaks, Ill get to work.

    This is the perfect opportunity to nurture and prepare a supporter.

 Chapter 26: GS24 Yeonhui Branch (1)

    Chapter 26: GS24 Yeonhui Branch (1)

    Somewhere in a convenience store.

    The owner Min Dohoon anxiously scrolled through inte articles, his trembling eyes scanning the screen.

    [Four consecutive winsst month, and another first prize this time!]

    [The winner only bought tickets with the same numbers worth 100,000 won. The jackpot alone is 12 billion won.]

    [Five consecutive wins, totaling a staggering 68.5 billion won. Instant billionaires overnight.]

    [The secret to his five wins? When asked, the winner imed it was a dream he had that revealed the winning numbers]

    Dreams revealing winning numbers?

    Min Dohoons heart skipped a beat as he delved into thements, only to find a string of absurdity.

    Wow, Im so envious. I wish I dreamt of the numbers just once

    As if the Lotto god would bother giving numbers maybe to a woman

    Damn it.

    Hey winner-nim, seems like youre unbelievably lucky. In that case, how about giving me a mere 100 million won?

    Are you seriously asking for money without providing any information? Forget about the loser, my ount number is Nonhyup Bank 291-2894-9311-110.

    To the winner, if youre reading this, please spare me even a penny. Kihyup Bank 281-293099-39-001.

    You bastards. Shamelessly begging like that. Nonhyup 291-2919-3999-912, Park Bongcheol.

    I cant let myself miss out. Wuhup Bank

    Are we surrounded by losers here?

    No ones thinking straight. Why would the winnere here just to readments, doesnt he have nothing else to do? Hell probably waste the money onvish cruises and such.

    In times like these?

    Whats the point of having money? When lives are hanging by a thread from age 15 to 29.

    Does it not matter if youre over 30?

    Perhaps he used his yer abilities? Like foreseeing the future

    If he possesses such abilities. Hell probably hit the jackpot dozens of times more in the future.

    Dont worry about that. Havent you seen the breaking news? Theyre discontinuing lottery sales after this round due to fairness concerns.

    No way really?

    Sigh.

    Although thements echoed with astonishment, for Min Dohoon, it was simply a reminder.

    A while ago, he had received a call from the franchisee.

    With lottery sales now halted, they were required to refund customers who had purchased tickets yesterday or today following the proper procedures.

    Thats why he nervously skimmed through the article, yearning to see it with his own eyes.

    And there it was.

    [Breaking News! Complete Suspension of Lottery Sales Starting February 1st.]

    -The government has decided to halt the sales of various lotteries, including Lotto, effective immediately.

    Given the global economic turmoil caused by the death of 900 million people and the prevailing atmosphere of mourning, it is deemed inappropriate to continue selling lottery tickets.

    However, this is merely a superficial reason; the underlying cause lies in the public outcry over fairness due to the emergence of yers.

    yers possess unique abilities through a power known as Rune, and the predicament arises from the significant disruption these powers bring to society.

    For instance, it is rumored that the winner who imed nearly 70 billion won in winnings over the past month is a yer in their twenties.

    The controversy over fairness had arisen since the consecutive wins of that particr lottery winner.

    By the way, all citizens between the ages of 15 and 29 are now considered yers.

    There are approximately 870 million yers worldwide, with around 4 million in our country.

    Anyone who purchased tickets on Sunday or Monday can receive an immediate refund by presenting the lottery ticket at the point of purchase.

    The news of theplete suspension of lottery sales was sshed across the main page of the portal site.

    Naturally, Min Dohoons face contorted with concern.

    Ugh What are we going to do? Sales have been shattered to pieces.

    GS24 Yeonhui Branch was a convenience store that also dabbled in lottery ticket sales.

    Due to the absence of other lottery retailers in the area, their business flourished.

    Furthermore, recently weve even enjoyed the promotional effect of having had the 100-ticket winner visit.

    But now, thanks to that very winner, they found themselves in this ironic situation where they couldnt sell lottery tickets anymore.

    Sigh As if it wasnt challenging enough dealing with all the expenses

    For Min Dohoon his concerns were about his daughter graduating from high school.

    She had been his sole source of strength when he faced the downfall of his business, the divorce from his wife, and the struggle with debt.

    To send our Juri to a decent university, I need to earn several times more than I currently do

    And of all times, they were now unable to sell lottery tickets, just when money was tight.

    Sigh

    Just as he let out a deep sigh, the door swung open, and his daughter, with eyes that were gentle and unwavering, entered.

    Oh, Juri, youre here?

    Dad, why are you sighing so heavily?

    Sigh Its nothing. Dont worry about it.

    Doesnt look like nothing. Your face clearly shows the stress. Dont hold back, tell me.

    Min Dohoon couldnt help but share his concerns, as if he had no other choice, with his daughters persistent prodding.

    He felt guilty for burdening his daughter, but if he didnt vent, the pent-up frustration would drive him insane.

    Theyve discontinued lottery sales?

    Yeah Were already struggling to cover all our expenses, and now were left wondering how well make ends meet Sigh

    Worry crept onto Juris face as she listened to her fathers sigh.

    Having assisted at the convenience store during school breaks, she was well aware of how significant lottery sales were for their overall revenue.

    Juri forced a reassuring smile.

    Dont worry, Dad. Now that Im graduating, I can assist not only during breaks but every day. That way, we can save onbor costs

    Dont say that. I already feel bad for putting you to work.

    Did you force me? I help because I want to.

    Even so, its not right. Didnt we make a promise? Once you graduate, youll quit working at the convenience store.

    Then Ill find another part-time job to contribute to the family

    No, that wont do. Students should focus on their studies, not juggling part-time jobs. Ill find a way to send you to college, no matter what. You dont need to worry about this side of things.

    But dad were struggling already

    Oh my dear, Dad will handle it. Just focus on your studies, okay? Youre a high achiever, and bing a doctor is your dream, right?

    Dad Ive given up on that dream already.

    What?

    With the current situation, whats the point of going to college? We dont even know if well survive the next round

    Ah.

    Min Dohoon felt a sudden jolt as if he had been struck from behind.

    Being overly preupied with earning money, he had forgotten about the harsh reality his daughter was facing.

    Oh Right. Money isnt the most important thing now Lately, Ive been so absent-minded. Im sorry, Juri. I havent been able to be of help

    Dad, you have nothing to apologize for. Its an uncontroble situation, like a natural disaster.

    But still

    Im really okay. I survived the first and second rounds. Ill be able to endure the next one too. And guess what? I obtained a Job this time.

    A Job?

    Instead of answering, Juri raised her hand.

    A radiant aura enveloped her, seeping into Min Dohoons mind.

    W-What is this?

 Chapter 26: GS24 Yeonhui Branch (2)

    Chapter 26: GS24 Yeonhui Branch (2)

    This is the Bless skill I gained by acquiring the Buffer job. It enhances overall stats and has a stimting effect on regr people.

    Heh, what an incredible ability. I truly feel stimted throughout my whole body.

    Min Dohoon turned his shoulders, no longer burdened by the usual stiffness.

    To think my daughter has be such a talented individual. Its truly astounding.

    Ill asionally use the skill on you. So cheer up, Dad.

    Yes, thank you. Ill find strength too.

    Thats what they said, but Min Dohoon couldnt hide his disbelief.

    Argh, damn the lottery! My daughter is in a life-or-death situation, and here we are talking about this trivial issue!

    Min Dohoon reproached himself, shaking his head in frustration.

    Now, he worried more about his daughters life than the convenience stores sales.

    Dad, whats wrong?

    Ah, its nothing.

    Lets switch ces now. Ill take over.

    No, its okay.

    Its fine. Youve been guarding the convenience store all night.

    You can stay a little longer. Thanks to the buff you gave me, I think I can handle another three hours easily.

    Still, go home and rest. Ah, quickly.

    As Juri gently nudged her father aside.

    Suddenly, the convenience store door swung open, and a customer walked in.

    Wee

    In an instant, Juris reflexive greeting transformed into wide-eyed astonishment.

    Min Dohoon shared the same surprise.

    Huh? That customer

    What? Dad? Do you know that person?

    Thats him. The winner of the first prize, the one who bought 100 tickets with the same numbers at our convenience store.

    It was rare for someone to manually purchase 100,000 won worth of tickets.

    Min Dohoon remembered it clearly. The person looked young, and they even went through an ID check.

    The customer, Ryu Min, nced toward thedies section before approaching.

    Amidst it all, Juri stared intently at Ryu Min, but he pretended not to notice her piercing gaze.

    Good day, sir. Do you remember me? I came here a month ago and bought 100,000 won worth of lottery tickets.

    .

    Rather than responding, Min Dohoon stared at the person before him.

    Up close, he could clearly recognize the customer from that time.

    Why has hee? Is he here to express gratitude? Min Dohoon wondered.

    Sometimes, customers who won second or third ce woulde and express their gratitude, calling it fate.

    But this customer seemed different.

    He bought the tickets manually, so theres no need for him to feel grateful to me.

    As if trying to discern Min Dohoons thoughts, Ryu Min replied with a troubled expression.

    D-dear Customer, what brought you here today?

    I want to apologize first.

    As Ryu Min suddenly bowed his head, Min Dohoon looked at him with surprise.

    W-Whats this all of a sudden?

    I saw the news. Due to my consecutive first-ce wins, lottery sales have been suspended. I unintentionally caused damage to your store, so I wanted to apologize.

    Ah

    For a moment, Min Dohoon was taken aback by the unexpected apology.

    Its alright, really. Its not the customers fault. Its not like were going to starve because we cant sell lottery tickets.

    Min Dohoon casually brushed it off.

    With this unexpected apology, the lingering resentment in his heart seemed to dissipate.

    Besides, if you think about it, its not entirely the customers fault either. You said you marked the numbers in a dream, so what could you have done? If it were me I will go all-in on the lottery too.

    Still, I feel like youve suffered because of me, and it doesnt sit well with me. In that sense

    Ryu Min extended a white envelope he had prepared.

    Whats this?

    I want to offer you a smallpensation. Its ten million won.

    Excuse me?

    Surprised, Min Dohoon quickly waved his hands.

    T-Theres no need for this. Take it back

    Nevertheless, I would appreciate it if you epted it. After all, I did cause you some harm, sir. Well then, Ill take my leave.

    With those final words, Ryu Min walked out of the store.

    Hey, hey! Sir!

    Caught off guard, Min Dohoon was flustered as the customer quickly departed.

    I cant believe hes giving me such arge sum of money without any hesitation

    Dad, shall I run after him and return it?

    Huh? Y-Yes, do that!

    Juri grabbed the envelope and hurriedly went outside the store.

    Fortunately, the customer hadnt gone far.

    Excuse me, wait!

    Upon hearing the voice from behind, Ryu Min turned around.

    Juri, panting heavily, approached him.

    Ryu Min! Its you, right?

    Who are you?

    Dont you recognize me? Im Juri! Weve been in the same ss.

    Huh Really?

    Responding as if it were his first time seeing her, Ryu Min disappointed Juri.

    Didnt you notice me? We were in the same ss?

    Sorry. Im not good at remembering peoples faces.

    It was a lie.

    Ryu Min already knew that they were in the same ss and that she was the convenience store owners daughter.

    And the fact that she was the only yer with a buffer ss.

    He didnt know at first.

    That the convenience store where he bought the lottery tickets was run by Juris father.

    I only found out after the 20th regression.

    And it wasnt even in the real world, but in the other realm, where he became acquainted with Juri and identally learned the information.

    Onlyter did Ryu Min realize they were in the same ss, and it surprised him quite a bit.

    To think we get to know each other even though we were in the same ss, but did in another realm

    Such coincidences exist, he thought.

    I know this is a bit straightforward, if you have some time how about we go somewhere to have a chat.

    Ryu Min smiled subtly at Juris proposal.

    I actually dont have any ns, I just came to apologize, lets go and catch up!

    Just like he thought, his nned approach disguised as a mere coincidence had worked like a charm.

 Chapter 27: Juri (1)

    Chapter 27: Juri (1)

    Juri and Ryu Min headed towards a nearby park, their destination of choice.

    Lets take a seat here, Juri said, gesturing towards the bench as soon as they arrived.

    Without wasting a moment, she handed Ryu Min an envelope, catching him off guard.

    I cant ept it, she urged.

    But this is the money I gave to the boss, Ryu Min protested.

    We cant ept such arge sum, so just take it, Juri insisted.

    To Juri, ten million won was an immense amount of money, but to Ryu Min, who possessed billions, it was a mere pittance.

    Its certainly a significant amount to them. Well, I anticipated her refusal anyway, Ryu Min thought to himself.

    She has this personality which doesnt allow her to be indebted to anyone, no matter how poor she may be.

    From personality traits to preferences, favorite foods to household circumstances, Ryu Min prided himself on having a decent understanding of Juri.

    He had spent a lot of time collecting information to warrant such confidence.

    Therefore, Ryu Min believed he could win Juri over to his side.

    Take it quickly. My arm hurts, Juri insisted, shaking the envelope she held.

    However, Ryu Min had no intention of epting it.

    If I take this envelope, my rtionship with Juri wille to an end. I must find a way to keep our connection alive by using the lottery as an excuse.

    With a determined expression, he shook his head.

    I wont take it.

    What? Juri seemed taken aback by his response.

    I already told the boss, but this money is given out of a sense of guilt. Its the bare minimum of my conscience, Ryu Min exined.

    But the amount is too substantial

    No matter the amount, I hope the boss will ept it. Otherwise, Ill keep feeling remorseful, Ryu Min dered.

    Though he uttered these words, Ryu Min harbored no actual remorse toward the boss.

    After all, when the next roundmenced, there would be a multitude of losers, shaking the economy to its core.

    In the end, the lottery market will crumble naturally within a few months.

    He had merely expedited the process by monopolizing the prize money.

    One could argue that using future information wasnt entirely ethical, so he didntpletelyck a sense of guilt.

    In any case, the damage caused by my actions warrantspensation.

    Thats why he insisted on offering ten million won, even if Juri continued to refuse.

    Consider it like repaying my debt to you. Please, take it.

    But its too much! Its burdensome, Juri persisted.

    This money was meant for this purpose, regardless of the amount, Ryu Min chuckled inwardly, but his expression remained stoic.

    To receive Juris assistance, he had no choice but to put her in debt in some way.

    Please ry the message to the boss. Let him know not to feel burdened since its not a significant sum for me.

    Juri sighed in defeat as Ryu Min firmly declined her offer.

    Is this really who you are? Why are you so stubborn Juri trailed off, sighing.

    If were done talking, may I leave? Ryu Min stood up, surprising Juri.

    Just a moment! In that case, since ten million won is too much to bear, Ill only ept one million. How about that?

    Why do you get to decide? You should ask the boss, Ryu Min questioned.

    Even my dad wouldnt want to receive such arge amount.

    Dad? Ryu Min wore a startled expression,pletely caught off guard.

    So, the convenience store owner is your dad?

    Yes.

    Wow I visit this ce often, so its quite remarkable.

    Its amazing for me too. To think the first-ce winner of the lottery is my ssmate

    A ssmate

    They hadnt spoken to each other, but they were ssmates.

    Considering them true friends was a challenge.

    But I had no idea we were in the same ss for real! I figured it out the moment you stepped into the convenience store, Juri eximed.

    Im sorry. Im truly terrible at remembering faces. Plus, this is our first proper conversation, Ryu Min apologized sincerely.

    I see

    Although they had been ssmates for a whole year, they never had the opportunity to converse.

    Bing close between genders and with their timid nature made it no easy task.

    Of course, the Ryu Min of then and the Ryu Min now were worlds apart.

    He seemed like apletely different person.

    To Juri, who was engaging in their first genuine conversation, it was hard to perceive the change.

    Then it means you just learned my name today too? Juri questioned.

    Im sorry, but yes, Ryu Min admitted.

    Juris lips parted, astounded by the revtion.

    She hadnt anticipated Ryu Min being entirely unaware of her name.

    I cant believe you dont even know my name. Its disappointing, but Im not giving up, Juri stated, her eyes aze with newfound determination.

    It seemed to fuel her self-esteem rather than a gaze of resignation and disappointment.

    As I mentioned earlier, my name is Juri. Were ssmates, and as you can see, this is what I look like Can you remember that?

    Uh

    Dont answer me like this. Look closely. Make sure to remember it, Juri insisted, extending her head as if urging him to imprint her features in his mind.

    Juris resolute gaze unsettled Ryu Min, sparking a flicker of confusion.

    Phew It suddenly hit me. What am I doing? Graduation is just around the corner, yet here I am discussing exchanging names with a ssmate It feels somewhat bittersweet, Juri sighed.

    Well, at least now I know. Its not like we wont be able to keep in touch after graduation, Ryu Min pointed out.

    Juris eyes subtly shifted at his words, but Ryu Min acted like he failed to perceive the change.

    In that sense, could you give me your number? Ryu Min requested.

    M-My number?

    Juri seemed taken aback, and question marks hovered above Ryu Mins face.

    Why? Is it not usual for ssmates to exchange numbers, Ryu Min rified.

    R-Right. Ill input it. Give me your phone.

    As Ryu Min handed Juri his phone, she deftly entered her number.

    In an instant, Juris phone vibrated with an iing call.

    Its my number. Save it, He instructed.

    Uh, okay.

    Since weve met like this, lets stay in touch often.

    S-Sure.

    Well then, Ill leave first. I have some things to attend to.

    Wait, the envelope

    Ryu Min waved dismissively and departed without a second thought.

    Juri stood there, gazing at his retreating figure, feeling a sense of confusion.

    In the end, I couldnt return the envelope.

    Juri ced a hand on her chest, her gaze fixed on Ryu Mins gradually disappearing form in the distance.

    Thump, thump, thump

    Her heart pounded as if on the verge of malfunctioning.

    To suddenly ask for my number

    Her heart raced, leaving her in a state of flustered confusion.

 Chapter 27: Juri (2)

    Chapter 27: Juri (2)

    Asking for such a request as friends was, of course, most people would ept.

    But its because he doesnt see me as a friend

    Juri hadnt confessed to anyone, but she always had feelings for Ryu Min.

    Initially, when she firstid eyes on him, he didnt pique her interest.

    He seemed unassuming, quietly blending into the background without drawing attention.

    But then fate intervened, and she stumbled upon a scene she never expected.

    Ryu Min being harassed by Hwang Yongmins gang in the narrow alley.

    At that moment, I couldnt muster the courage to step in. I could only report it to the police He probably still doesnt know it was me, she thought.

    And he likely never would.

    She had stood by, merely observing as the police arrived and took control, not daring to intervene.

    Since then, Juri had secretly trailed Ryu Min.

    I wonder what I was thinking back then

    Was it out of empathy?

    Or perhaps a sense of duty as the informant?

    Now that I reflect on it, it was for both reasons.

    Juris intent was twofold: to ensure Ryu Min safely reached home and to report any reurrence of the gang if they were to appear again.

    But then something unexpected happened.

    Ryu Min nonchntly entered a small butcher shop tucked away in the back alley, brushing off his pants.

    Observing him work there, seemingly at ease, Juri came to a realization.

    Hes strong. Theres more to him than meets the eye.

    Despite his unassuming and fragile exterior, his inner strength surpassed anyones expectations.

    That was Ryu Min, her friend, and that was how he carried on with life.

    Thats when my interest in Ryu Min began.

    During breaks, she discreetly observed what Ryu Min did, and sometimes, on the way home, she secretly followed his path.

    In the process, she unintentionally discovered he had a younger brother and witnessed a side of him she hadnt seen before.

    They seem to have a great rtionship.

    Seeing Ryu Mins care for his younger brother sparked an even greater interest in him.

    Fondness developed.

    Yet, despite trailing him, encountering the gang multiple times, and even reporting them again, Juri couldnt summon the courage to step forward.

    Icked courage.

    She could only silently watch from a distance and offer support when needed.

    If only she had possessed the bravery to speak up sooner.

    But its toote now. My feelings for him have grown too strong to ignore

    Coincidental interest had transformed into genuine affection.

    Observing Ryu Mins unwavering strength, like a steadfast tree, evoked both admiration and a racing heart.

    But herck of courage prevented her from initiating a conversation.

    Still, I wanted to talk to him before graduation

    Perhaps it was being in the presence of someone she liked, but things never went as nned.

    Being busy helping her father and working at the convenience store left no opportunity for them to connect.

    Little did I expect to meet him here.

    She could never have imagined encountering her secret crush at the convenience store.

    And she certainly never anticipated him taking the initiative to ask for her number.

    It was surprising. I never expected him to be so assertive in iming our friendship

    Her own impulse hadnt deceived her.

    Despite his unassuming and fragile appearance, he possessed a personality that defied timidity.

    And there were even more surprises toe.

    I cant believe he really didnt know my name?

    Even though we hadnt had many chances to talk as friends, isnt it too much to not know a ssmates name?

    Is it possible to be so disinterested in someone?

    It subtly hurt her pride.

    He cant remember my face, huh? Well, Ill make sure to leave asting impression.

    Under the pretext of being friends, she would imprint her face in his memory.

    To ensure he wouldnt forget her.

    She will stay in touch, making sure her presence was etched into his mind.

    To ensure he wouldnt forget her name, nor her face.

    Now is the time to gather my courage and put in more effort. This is an opportunity gifted to me by destiny.

    In the past, she missed her chance due tock of bravery, but not this time.

    She couldnt let go of the chance to grow closer to Ryu Min, the person she admired.

    Im so curious. How did he spend his vacation? Is he still being bullied by the gang? How did he win the lottery? Is it easy to catch goblins? How much did his level increase?

    It was regrettable that they hadnt had many conversations, but all of this will change now.

    Ryu Mins number was conveniently saved on her phone.

    He cant pretend like he doesnt know me now, especially after this incident.

    Though she wanted to return the money, since he wouldnt ept it, she decided to consider it a debt.

    That way, I can use the ten million won as an excuse to continue contacting him.

    A delightful smile graced Juris lips.

    ***

    [Juri: Have you eaten yet? I have something to tell you. Can we meet around 1 oclock? Ill treat you to lunch!]

    [Ryu Min: Sure, lets meet. Ill treat you.]

    [Juri: No, no, I insist on treating. Hehe.]

    [Ryu Min: I have money, haha.]

    [Juri: That doesnt mean you should take advantage. What do you like?]

    [Ryu Min: Me? What about you?]

    [Juri: Im fine with anything, so choose something you like.]

    Ryu Min, exchanging messages with Juri, smirked.

    As expected, she wants to treat me first, thinking of it as a debt.

    It was a positive sign.

    By continuing to engage with Juri like this and naturally building a bond, she could be an ally.

    In the past, I didnt pay enough attention to her, but not this time. Ill find a way to save Juri, no matter what.

    Up to the Round 20.

    Its about time.

    Checking the clock, Ryu Min changed into his casual clothing.

    His younger brother asked, Where are you going, hyung?

    To meet a friend.

    Is it a girl, by any chance?

    Guess.

    Ryu Min smirked at his brothers baffled expression.

    Ill have lunch outside, so you can eat by yourself. You have the card I gave you, right?

    Yeah, uh-huh.

    Alright, then Im off.

    As Ryu Min left, Ryu Won murmured softly by the entrance.

    Could it be a potential romantic interest?

 Chapter 28: Bless (1)

    Chapter 28: Bless (1)

    Chiik-

    Juri couldnt believe her current situation as she sat in a steak restaurant, having lunch with Ryu Min. It felt like a dreame true.

    To have a meal and converse with someone I like Its a moment Ive only fantasized about. Can this really be happening to me?

    The reality of it all hadnt quite sunk in, much like when she was first dragged into this otherworldly realm.

    Are you enjoying your steak? Juri asked Ryu Min.

    Yeah, Im. I really like it, Ryu Min replied.

    Then lets dig in, Juri said, her voice tinged with shyness.

    For a while, the only sounds between them were the satisfying cuts into their juicy steaks.

    I should say something, Juri thought to herself, feeling the weight of the asion. Although it was just a simple meal, it felt like a date, and she found it difficult to find the right words.

    This wont do. How can the person who invited the other remain silent? It will only make the atmosphere awkward. I need to summon my courage.

    Breaking the silence, Juri took the initiative to start the conversation.

    How did you manage to win the lottery jackpot? They said you won it five times in a row.

    Oh, that? It was revealed to me in a dream. I was lucky, Ryu Min exined.

    Wow So, you must have made a fortune, Juri marveled.

    Do I even need to worry about money for the rest of my life? No. But I still need to worry about my life, though, Ryu Min chuckled.

    Oh! Right. Ive been curious about something. How was your first round? Was it tough dealing with those goblins? I had quite a hard time, Juri shared, recalling her own struggles.

    Though initially difficult, Juri managed to find her voice, and the conversation flowed smoothly. Their shared experience as yers created an unspoken bond, making time fly by unnoticed.

    What zone are you in? Juri asked.

    ESKS45-5, Ryu Min replied.

    Oh, Im in ESKS122-7 What a shame. Looks like we wont be able to meet in the other realm, Juri said with a tinge of disappointment.

    Ryu Min couldnt help but smile inwardly, assuring himself, Dont be disappointed. We might meet in the future, who knows?

    As the number of survivors dwindled, the zones will naturally merge, allowing them to meet even if they were in different areas.

    What level are you? Juri inquired.

    Ryu Min pondered briefly before answering, Ten.

    Really? Im also level ten. Have you chosen a ss yet? Juri asked.

    Not yet. How about you? Ryu Min replied.

    Fortunately, I was able to obtain a job change item. It granted me the Buffer ss Juri revealed.

    Ryu Min felt relieved when he heard the term Buffer. Things were progressing as he had foreseen.

    A Buffer? Sounds like a ss that generously gives buffs to others. Like granting buffs in a game? Ryu Min inquired, deliberately feigning ignorance.

    He chose not to mention that he was well aware of the Buffers skills. After all, this way he could receive buffs from Juri.

    Oh, would you like to experience it firsthand? I have a buff called Bless that enhances your stats, Juri offered.

    Really? Id love to try, Ryu Min eagerly epted.

    As anticipated, Juri began to cast the buff, and Ryu Mins eyes sparkled with anticipation.

    Pa-aat

    A radiant cluster of light emanated from Juris hand and permeated Ryu Mins mind.

    In that moment, a message materialized before him.

    [Skill Bless Effect: All stats increase by 50%.]

    [Duration: 02:59:59]

    Bless, the main skill of the Buffer ss.

    A miraculous buff that elevates all stats by a whopping 50% for three hours.

    As expected, the skill effect is absolutely amazing, fitting for a unique ss, Ryu Min marveled while gazing at his status window.

    His stats had received a remarkable boost, rising across the board.

    Its already impressive, but it will be even more powerful in the future.

    When a yers rank increased, the effectiveness of acquired skills also advanced by a level.

    His own skill, Seal of Death, followed the same principle.

    When she reaches the maximum level, the skills effectiveness will double.

    In other words, the 50% stat increase would surge to 100%.

    To put it simply, Juris growth would also benefit Ryu Min.

    Because he could receive her buffs.

    Of course, thats assuming Juri reaches the maximum level.

    It wouldnt be a difficult task.

    By saving Juri and growing together while receiving buffs, they would naturally reach the maximum level.

    For now, it will be challenging to receive buffs since we are in different zones.

    Even if he received buffs right before entering this otherworldly realm, the buffs wouldnt persist.

    Injuries suffered in this realm didnt affect their physical bodies in reality.

    In essence, the pre-receiving buffs trick wouldnt work either.

    Still, Im grateful that I will be able to receive buffs as desired.

    From the beginning, Ryu Mins intention in approaching Juri was to receive the Bless buff in the real world.

    That way, I can increase my chances of obtaining the Random Gold Pouch.

    The Random Gold Pouch, received as the initial ss change reward, was an item that gave a random amount of gold.

    Since it was distributed randomly, luck yed a significant role.

    The higher the luck stat, the more gold it would yield.

    What will happen if I maximize my luck with the Rune of ughter and then use the pouch?

    He might acquire a more substantial amount of gold than he initially anticipated.

    Wow, this is fantastic! Thanks for the buff, Juri.

    Hehe, if you ever want a buff, just let me know. Its no trouble at all.

    Got it. But I have one question though

    Yeah? What is it?

    Why did you invite me here? You mentioned having something to tell me.

    Ah

    Lost in the conversation, Ryu Min forgot to address the important matter.

    Juris face flushed with embarrassment.

    ***

 Chapter 28: Bless (2)

    Chapter 28: Bless (2)

    Thank you for the delightful lunch. Lets meet again next time.

    Yeah, lets fight together in the next round!

    Hehe, indeed. Lets survive and meet again.

    Ryu Min smiled as he shook hands with Juri, then turned and walked away.

    To think that he, as thest survivor, would be eliminated in only the third round.

    It was an oue beyond imagination.

    However, the one who should be concerned wasnt him, but Juri.

    Well, if everything goes as I foresaw, shell hold on until the fourth round.

    Meeting Juri in the other realm would only be possible from the fifth round onward.

    Until then, he cant help her due to being in different zones.

    Well, shell likely survive. After all, Juris rune is that good.

    Since it was a rune associated with survival, there was no need to worry.

    By the way, I never expected Juri to possess that item.

    Ryu Min recalled his conversation with Juri during their meal.

    I wanted to thank you for the 10 million won you gave me. My dad

    says thanks too.

    Is that what you wanted to talk about?

    I told you Ill find a way to repay you, even if you say I dont have to.

    It doesnt sit right with me to ept the money like this. If you dont want to take the money back, then I thought maybe I can repay you with something else

    So, please ept this.

    What is it?

    I obtained it while hunting in the otherworld. If you dont want money, Ill give you this instead. Im not sure what it does, but its an item, so it should be useful.

    I cant

    Oh, please dont refuse my sincere gesture. Just take it!

    It was as he had predicted.

    Juri, who disliked being indebted, would find a way to repay him.

    But I never expected her to offer me this.

    Ryu Min retrieved the item he received from Juri from his inventory.

    [Lowest-grade Violet Magic Stone]

    Category: Possession

    Description: A beautiful violet stone. Faint traces of magic can be sensed.

    When monsters are defeated, there is a low chance for Magic Stones to drop.

    Theye in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, each corresponding to a different rarity, and among them, violet is the most challenging to acquire.

    Due to theck of information, I still cant determine the exact effect, but Ill find out when I reach level 20. Magic Stones are incredibly valuable items.

    At level 20, the [Combination] feature would be unlocked.

    By then, people would try variousbinations of items to discover the right recipes.

    Eventually, they will learn that bybining Magic Stones with equipment, they can add additional effects to the item.

    Red enhances damage, orange boosts strength, and yellow increases luck.

    Green improves agility, blue enhances intelligence.

    Ryu Min also had a Magic Stone he obtained while hunting.

    It was a lowest-grade dark blue Magic Stone that reduced iing damage.

    They are all good, but among them, the violet Magic Stone is the most precious. It has a low drop rate and it boosts all stats.

    It was also the most essential Magic Stone for Ryu Min, who wanted to evenly increase his stats.

    To receive something like this without any cost Im lucky.

    Indeed, his luck stat was high. Thanks to the Bless buff that had raised his stats by 50%.

    Ill save the Magic Stone for level 20 Now, should I check the Gold Pouch as nned?

    Of course, before that, he had to boost his stats using the Rune of ughter.

    But how can he increase his stats in reality where there are no monsters?

    There are always methods.

    Ryu Min took out a sealed stic bag from his pocket.

    Inside the bag were a hundred small millipedes, each measuring 1 cm.

    The Rune of ughter increases stats by 1% every time the target is killed. The same goes for insects.

    Its not necessary to only kill monsters to raise the stats. As long as the target was alive, anything would suffice.

    This fact had already been verified in previous regressions.

    In this otherworldly realm, there are no insects, so killing monsters is the only way. But in reality, its different.

    In fact, it was easier to stack the stats in a reality teeming with insects.

    With money, he could order thousands of millipedes.

    Ryu Min ced the bag on the ground.

    He stomped on it, crushing the millipedes to death.

    Squish! Squish!

    [Current Kill Count: 67/100]

    [With the effect of the Rune of ughter, all stats increase by 67%.]

    [Current Kill Count: 100/100]

    [With the effect of the Rune of ughter, all stats increase by 100%.]

    With just two stomps, he quickly reached 100%.

    Status Window.

    Name: Ryu Min

    Nickname: ck Scythe

    Rank: Trainee

    Titles: Time Reverser (Hidden), First Angel yer (Hidden)

    Level: 16

    ss: Grim Reaper

    Strength: 9, Intelligence: 9

    Agility: 69, Luck: 45

    Common Skill: Tracking

    Exclusive Skill: Seal of Death

    Runes: Rune of ughter, Rune of the Reaper

    Gold Possessed: 6,250

    Remaining Stat Points: 0

    Shop: Allows purchasing items.

    ??? : Unlocked at Level 20

    ??? : Unlocked at Level 40

    ??? : Unlocked at Level 60

    ??? : Unlocked at Level 99

    His luck had increased from 15 to 45. Thanks to thebination of the Rune of ughter and the Bless buff, it had tripled.

    With this, I can expect good results.

    It couldnt be considered extremely high, but it was the best he could achieve at this point, after the end of the second round.

    [Random Gold Pouch]

    Category: Consumable

    Rarity: Rare

    Effect: Obtains a random amount of gold between 1 and 9,999.

    Usage Restriction: Until the next round, Novice Rank or higher.

    Description: A limited-time item given to first-time job changers. The item automatically expires when progressing to the next round. It is influenced by the Luck stat.

    Ryu Min gazed at the gold pouch he took out from his inventory.

    Now is the time to use it when my luck is at its highest.

    Since it was a time-limited item, he couldnt wait until the next round.

    He made up his mind and recited the activationmand.

    Use.

    As light burst forth from the pouch, Ryu Min pondered.

    I wonder how much Ill get this time? Even with the same stats, the amount of gold has always varied.

    From around the 20th regression, Ryu Min had never missed the chance to receive the gold pouch before proceeding to the third round.

    It ranged from 3,000 to 6,000 gold. But back then, my Luck stat was 30. Unlike now, I didnt have Juris buff.

    Thats why he had high expectations. Now, with his luck stat at its peak, he should be receiving more gold.

    Pop-

    A message indicating the result appeared.

    Simultaneously

    Huh?

    Ryu Mins face was filled with confusion.

 Chapter 29: Driver’s License (1)

    Chapter 29: Driver��s License (1)

    [Ryu Min has used the Random Gold Pouch.]

    [Congrattions! You have obtained 9,999 gold!]

    Ryu Min was taken aback for a reason.

    It was because he had never seen such a number before.

    9,999 gold Thats the maximum, isnt it?

    The momentary confusion soon gave way to a smile on Ryu Mins face.

    Isnt this even more exciting than winning the lottery five times in a row?

    His lips curled up in delight at the unexpected oue.

    I knew it was worth receiving the Blessing.

    He checked his remaining gold, convinced that luck had truly favored him.

    I have 16,249 gold With this, I can buy an epic item in two weeks and still have some left.

    With a 50% discount coupon, he would have gold left over.

    And with the remaining gold, he could afford other items as well.

    Ryu Min smiled happily as he headed home.

    As soon as he opened the front door, his younger brother came out to greet him.

    Hyung, did you have a good date?

    Seeing his brothers cheerful smile, Ryu Min was puzzled.

    A date? What are you talking about?

    Didnt you go on a date with your crush?

    Dont talk nonsense. What did you have for lunch?

    I ordered Jajangmyeon.

    Lets treat ourselves to something better.

    Whats wrong with Jajangmyeon? Ive been wanting to eat it for so long.

    Okay, fine lets eat it.

    A mischievous smile escaped Ryu Mins lips.

    It was only a month ago that he was begging for money.

    I used to keep track of every penny in my bank ount But now, I dont even know the exact amount.

    He no longer had to worry when buying things or ordering food.

    He could simply order whatever he desired.

    Thats how much money he had.

    Moreover, he had 150 billion in Bitcoin, so he no longer had to worry about money.

    It will continue to grow. At least for the next two weeks.

    Ryu Min was confident because he hadnt taken actions that would affect the future.

    He was certain that it would double in value in two weeks.

    During that time, I should take some time off and get a drivers license. Im already an adult.

    Having a car was convenient in many ways, so he needed to prepare for it.

    Ryu Min decided to apply for a drivers license while he was at it.

    He didnt need to study. He had more driving experience than anyone else.

    ***

    [Ryu Min scored 95 on the departmental exam. Congrattions on passing.]

    The monitor showed this message in front of Ryu Min.

    Quickly checking his answers on theputer, he stood up from his seat.

    Is Is it already over?

    The supervisor was surprised, first by how quickly he finished and then by the results.

    Not only was he the fastest, but he was also qualified with a high score.

    I solved it roughly, but I passed without any problems.

    He didnt study separately.

    He didnt need to study materials for the written test or enroll in a driving school.

    He had enough basic knowledge to pass.

    Ryu Min received his pass stamp on the application form and went to the counter.

    After receiving his learners permit, he left the test center.

    Now he only needed to take the skills test and the road test to get his license.

    The practical test is a sure thing.

    Ryu Min confidently signed up for the skills test.

    ***

    A day passed.

    Ryu Min looked at something in his hand with a smile on his face.

    It was his drivers license with his picture on it.

    It was easy, so easy.

    He had obtained his license in just three days.

    There was no difficulty in the practical test.

    He got a perfect score of 100 on the skills test and the road test.

    I passed the practical test smoothly as well.

    He passed the test without any practice.

    He had already surpassed the skills of a veteran driver, even without any practice.

    If I did well on the written test, I would have had a perfect score.

    The faces of the examiners who stared at him with surprise when he scored perfectly were still fresh in his memory.

    Now that I have my license, should I go buy a car right away?

    Without hesitation, Ryu Min headed to a luxury car dealership.

    Supercars, especially imported ones, were easier to drive than domestic cars.

    People automatically maintained a safe distance and gave way when driving them.

    Buying from a showroom would take too long.

    Buying directly from the source was cheaper and faster.

    Zzzing

    As soon as the automatic doors of the showroom opened, the dealer looked at Ryu Min.

    Huh? A young customer?

    Dealer Choi Tae-guk quickly scanned Ryu Min.

    Judging from the way he dressed, he must have just be an adult ande to buy his first car

    Customers who came to the dealership to buy their first car were usually one of two types.

    They either want to show off or they are the sons of conglomerate families.

    Choi Tae-guk smiled widely.

    He preferred thetter, the sons of conglomerates.

    Wee. Have youe to see the cars?

    Yes. Id like to see the most expensive Lamborghini model, please.

    The most expensive one?

    Capuaer, a term used to describe a poor person riding in a luxury car.

    If he was looking for an expensive car, he wasnt a Capuaer.

    Is he the son of a conglomerate? Maybe even the second generation?

    Choi Tae-guks smile grew wider.

    Ah, youvee to the right ce, sir. As luck would have it, we just received the same model in stock. Shall we take a look? Please follow me.

    Choi Tae-guk, slyly changing his address to sir, led Ryu Min to the parking lot where the supercars were disyed.

    The ce was filled with cars making roaring sounds.

    This is the Lamborghini Aventador, which is currently waiting for delivery. Its a lower trim level that another customer ordered, but the design is the same, so you wont have any problem looking at it.

    Is it possible to receive it as a direct import?

    If you sign the contract today and ce an order, you can receive it within a month. Oh, the price is over 900 million won for the highest trim level, but if thats too much of a burden

    I like it. Lets proceed with the contract without further ado.

    Money was no longer a concern.

    Indeed, sir! Your vision is exceptional! Hahaha!

    Dealer Choi Tae-guks face bloomed withughter.

 Chapter 29: Driver’s License (2)

    Chapter 29: Driver��s License (2)

    After signing the car contract, two weeks passed.

    Ryu Min was looking at his Bitcoin ount on his cellphone.

    It has reached 300 billion.

    Finally, the time hade.

    It was time to cash out on Bitcoin.

    Ryu Min sold his Bitcoin holdings.

    He had amassed a cash amount of 300 billion won.

    As soon as he had the money, his brother entered the room.

    Hyung, lets have lunch together.

    Sure.

    But why are you smiling like that? Did something good happen?

    Oh, I just sold all my Bitcoin a while ago.

    Really? How much did it rise?

    300 billion won.

    Ryu Mins words caused his brothers eyes to widen.

    It was a word that he couldntprehend.

    What 300 300 billion?!

    It took Ryu Won a moment to react, thinking back to the jackpot Ryu Min had won.

    Hyung, even if you sum up all the money from winning the lotteries, it would only be around 70 billion.

    Thats right.

    And youre saying it became 300 billion? Are you sure its 300 billion?

    Yes, I am.

    Ryu Won marveled at his brother with a doubtful expression.

    Wow Hyung, Ive always wanted to stop you from investing in Bitcoin, but now youve struck it big

    Dont worry. This time, Ive invested in stocks.

    Haha, okay. Stocks would be safer and better What? Stocks?

    Seeing Ryu Min taking out his phone to open a stock trading ount, Ryu Won jumped up.

    What are you doing, Hyung? Isnt this enough? Do you really have to touch stocks?

    If I dont strike while the iron is hot, whats the point?

    You dont know anything about stocks, how will you invest in something you dont understand?

    True, but I had a dream that is guiding me.

    A dream?

    Ryu Won closed his mouth, unable to say anything.

    It was a dream that led his brother to win the lottery five times in a row.

    If it had been someone else saying such things, he would have snickered and stopped them.

    But he couldnt doubt his brother anymore.

    So, did the dream tell you to buy specific stocks?

    Yes. It said that if I buy them now, it will be a huge sess.

    With that assurance, Ryu Won couldnt stop him anymore.

    Go ahead and do as you wish. Its your money, and I wont interfere

    Dont worry. It will work out this time too.

    With those words, Ryu Min checked the stock market.

    He saw apany ranked 85th on the KOSDAQ with a market capitalization of 900 billion won.

    Cheonma Consulting, apany owned by Ma Kyung-rok.

    Its currently a decentpany involved in various consulting fields, but

    After the fourth round, they would start a rapid growth phase by implementing a special system.

    This was a future he hade to know through his countless regressions.

    I know it will strike big, so theres no reason not to invest.

    Of course, it wasnt just because of the money.

    If he could acquire Ma Kyung-roks stake in thepany and gain control

    As a major shareholder, I can exert a significant influence and profit.

    This was the reason Ryu Min had secured funds through the lottery and Bitcoin.

    To seize control over Ma Kyung-rokspany.

    First, Ill invest 280 billion to acquire a 31% stake.

    Ryu Min decisively pressed the buy button.

    His 280 billion was poured into Cheonma Consulting.

    He left 20 billion for his living expenses.

    Im done. Lets go have lunch.

    Ryu Min smiled with a rxed expression, but Ryu Won couldnt shake off his worries.

    Once again, the dream that Hyung mentioned has toe true

    He had no reason to worry about losing the money because it wasnt his in the first ce.

    He was worried that his brother would be devastated if the oue didnt meet his expectations.

    I should pray every night for Hyungs sess.

    Ryu Won had made up his mind, but there was no need.

    The fact that Cheonma Consulting would hit the daily limit was already a predetermined oue.

    ***

    Tick-tock, tick-tock.

    The sound of the wall clocks second hand seemed unusually loud.

    Five minutes left.

    Ryu Min sat in his room, waiting for midnight.

    It was because tomorrow was the day when the epic item he wanted would appear.

    Ive been saving gold for this day.

    He had enough gold after hitting the jackpot with the random gold pouch.

    But that was not it.

    Ryu Min reached out to his inventory.

    A piece of paper fluttered into his hand.

    [Todays Item 50% Discount Coupon]

    Category: Consumable

    Grade: Rare

    Effect: Purchase todays item at 50% off the price.

    Usage Restriction: Until the next round, Beginner rank or higher

    Description: A limited-time item given to those who finished the sub-quest in the second round. The item will be automatically consumed when the next round begins.

    Since I have a discount coupon, I can save a considerable amount of gold.

    Ryu Min smiled as he waited for midnight.

    A few momentster.

    Tick-tock, tick-tock Tock!

    As soon as midnight struck, Ryu Min opened the shop window.

    As nned, there was an epic item disyed in the Todays Item section.

    However

    Oh What should I do?

    There was an unexpected problem.

 Chapter 30: Start Of Round 3 (1)

    Chapter 30: Start Of Round 3 (1)

    [Todays Item]

    [Skeleton Bone Ne]

    Category: Ne

    Grade: Epic

    Effect: Intelligence +3, Attack Speed +1% per enemy killed (up to +25%,sts until the end of the round)

    Durability: 500/500

    Usage Restriction: Apprentice grade and above

    Description: A mysterious ne made by stringing together bones of an unknown skull.

    The Skeletal Bone Ne, a remarkable piece of jewelry. Not only does it enhance intelligence, but it also grants a significant boost to attack speed.

    And at the price of only 4,600 gold, it offers incredible value.

    For yers who have diligently collected gold, its an item that screams cost-effectiveness. However

    Due to the presence of the intelligence stat, not many people will choose to purchase it.

    Examining the status window reveals detailed exnations for each stat. Intelligence is a valuable attribute that enhances magical damage, mental prowess, and mental speed.

    But it appears to be of little use to physical-based jobs. After all, it primarily boosts magical damage.

    Thats why those pursuing physical-oriented jobs hesitate to invest in items with intelligence.

    While the increase in attack speed is enticing, its not enough to sway their decision.

    On the flip side, the same applies to magic-based professions. This item fails to capture their interest.

    After all, it features an attack speed effect, which holds little relevance for skill-centric hunting.

    Consequently, this Skeletal Bone Ne remains neglected by both sides.

    However for me, its an exceptionally beneficial item.

    As a hybrid ss like the Reaper, Ryu Min greatly values both intelligence and attack speed.

    Thus, the item proves to be a perfect fit for him.

    Not only did he anticipate its release today, but he also encountered an unforeseen predicament.

    What should I do? I have more gold left than expected.

    Initially, his n was to purchase the epic ne and then allocate the remaining gold to acquire other equipmenthelmet, gloves, boots, and a ringall in normal grades, totaling 5,000 gold.

    Though they are normal items, its better than nothing, so that was the n.

    Yet, upon calcting, he found himself with plenty of gold.

    Even after acquiring all the remaining equipment in normal grades, Ill still have 9,000 gold. In the previous round, I only had 2,000 to 5,000 gold left

    Due to an unexpected stroke of luck in his opening of the random gold pouch, his calctions went awry, catching Ryu Min off guard.

    Wait, what if I dont buy the normal equipment and solely purchase the epic ne?

    By utilizing the 50% discount coupon, he could acquire it for a mere 2,300 gold.

    That means Ill be left with 14,000 gold?

    He found himself left with a lot of gold, more than he had anticipated.

    If I gather an additional 6,000 gold, Ill have a total of 20,000 gold. That would allow me to purchase another skill.

    Rather than investing in normal equipment, he decided to gather more gold, enabling him to acquire another skill earlier than expected.

    This will expedite my future ns.

    With this newfound realization, Ryu Min proceeded to utilize the discount coupon and purchased the Skeletal Bone Ne.

    [Todays Item 50% discount coupon has been redeemed.]

    [You have purchased the Skeletal Bone Ne for 2,300 gold.]

    A surplus of 13,949 gold remained.

    For now, he put the purchase of normal equipment on hold.

    His n was to gather an additional 6,000 gold by the third round to acquire a new skill.

    Gathering approximately 6,000 gold shouldnt pose a challenge.

    Luckily, the third round would bring forth a lot of monsters, presenting great opportunities to earn gold.

    Furthermore, I can quickly umte attack speed stacks now with the Skeletal Bone Ne which will help me hunt.

    Thats precisely why he acquired an epic item.

    A satisfied smirk crept upon Ryu Mins face.

    He eagerly awaited the arrival of the third round.

    And time passed

    ***

    As expected, that day arrived.

    March 1st.

    The passage of time remained unwavering.

    The third round has started.

    Jo Joong-sik surveyed his surroundings.

    The scenery that unfolded before him resembled a vige on the brink of copsealmost like a post-apocalyptic wastnd.

    What kind of mission awaits us this round to begin in such a deste ce?

    Curiosity gleamed in his eyes as he observed the viges bleak interior, while yers emerged apanied by a dazzling light one after another.

    Once again, they found themselves being drawn back into this otherworldly realm, a fact that failed to uplift their spirits.

    However, Jo Joong-sik stood apart from the rest.

    In fact, his lips curved into a subtle smile.

    After all, he had be the representative of this region.

    He wielded immense power, allowing him to exert control over these individuals as if they were mere pawns.

    If I so desire, I can manipte these people like obedient ves.

    But the smile on Jo Joong-siks face quickly faded.

    A memory from the previous round resurfacedan action performed by an angnd his expression contorted in displeasure.

    That damn angel. Trying to toy with me!

    The restrictions imposed on the Authority Title had only brought trouble upon himself.

    If only they hadnt mentioned the limit of ten rounds. Then I could have treated these people like puppets at my beck and call!

    Concern etched Jo Joong-siks face.

    He worried that the revtion of the Power of the Authoritys limitations would cause the yers to view him with disdain or worse, rebel against him.

    And as if on cue

    Is that person our regions representative? Life is a Documentary.

    What was his real name again? Wasnt he some kind of gang boss?

    Remember when he threatened us while brandishing a knife, demanding our votes?

    He was swinging it around and killed people without a second thought.

    And now he shamelessly appears, boasting that he will survive.

    Instead of that murderer, the representative should have been ck Scythe.

    Shh, he might hear you! He still has the Power of the Authority, you know.

    What difference does it make? Since it has limitations, theres no need to be afraid.

    Youre right. With the limitation, he cant use it recklessly, can he?

    Whispers filled the air as people conversed among themselves.

    Jo Joong-sik red at them, his eyes brimming with suspicion, before bellowing.

    I can hear every word, you bastards!

    Why is this idiot swearing and acting like that?

    What? Who said that? Who spoke just now?

    Muffled murmurs echoed, but amidst the crowd, it was impossible to pinpoint the exact source.

    Jo Joong-siks face twisted with anger.

    The authority of a regional representative was weakened by the revtion of the restrictions.

    Damn it, I knew it would turn out like this. These damn idiots, and those damn angels!

    Having forcefully taken the position of regional representative, Jo Joong-sik didnt enjoy a favorable reputation.

    Except for one individual.

 Chapter 30: Start Of Round 3 (2)

    Chapter 30: Start Of Round 3 (2)

    Um, um, excuse me!

    Suddenly, a towering man approached, bowing at a 90-degree angle, capturing Jo Joong-siks attention.

    Hwang Yongmin? Whats your story this time?

    Life feels like a documentary, sir! No, senior Jo Joong-sik of the Joong-sik Faction! I deeply respect you, sir!

    A brief pause followed as Jo Joong-sik observed Hwang Yongmin, trying to discern the meaning behind his respectful address.

    And who are you? Judging by your manners, you must belong to my faction Where did youe from?

    Ah, Im not part of the faction yet, but Im a young man in his twenties who aspires to be a gangster.

    What?

    Aspired to be a gangster?

    These kinds of damn fools exist too?

    Jo Joong-sik had encountered countless fools in his lifetime, but someone bowing down and worshipping him was a new experience.

    Senior Jo Joong-sik is my role model. The Joong-sik Faction is the organization I aspire to join and admire.

    So? What do you want?

    I want to serve you for a lifetime! Please allow me!

    With his imposing stature, Hwang Yongmin prostrated himself before Jo Joong-sik.

    His face flushed with longing.

    Jo Joong-sik couldnt help but burst intoughter.

    The idea of someone worshipping him wasnt entirely unappealing.

    Get up.

    Yes!

    Are you oblivious to the peoples gaze around you?

    I am!

    Do you not understand that my image has been tarnished?

    I do, sir.

    And despite that, youre willing to cling to me?

    Hwang Yongmin surveyed his surroundings.

    People cast disdainful nces his way.

    Its alright because I hold deep respect for you, sir. As long as Im with you, I couldnt care less about these people!

    Is that so?

    A wide smile spread across Jo Joong-siks face.

    That was an answer I found pleasing. Very well. I will take you under my wing and nurture you.

    Th-thank you! I consider it an honor!

    Hwang Yongmin bowed again, his face glowing.

    Jo Joong-siks smile widened.

    [Has everyone gathered? Humans? Khehehe!]

    At that moment, the angel materialized, capturing everyones attention.

    [It seems we have about 90 fewer participants than before. Have you been quarreling with each other?]

    The number of participants decreased?

    The angels words sought to dispel any lingering doubts, as its wings gently fluttered.

    ROUND 3

    Protect the Relics for 3 hours.

    [Entire Region]

    Participants: 856,030,200

    Achievers: 0/214,007,550

    [ESKS45-5 Area]

    Participants: 4,900

    Achievers: 0/1,225

    Huh? Did it really decrease?

    The number of participants in the ESKS45-5 area dropped from 4,988 to 4,900.

    [Surely, young adults like them wouldnt die naturally Could it be because they were fighting, both in the game and in reality? Humans, are always hungry for conflict, arent they? Kehehehe.]

    Did yers really fight in reality?

    I havent seen any news about it.

    While the angels words left people bewildered, Ryu Mins reaction differed.

    News of their fights probably hasnt surfaced yet. They were dismissed as simple murder cases,cking attention.

    However, the yers were secretly engaged in a power struggle, even though it hadnt garnered much public awareness.

    The decrease in the number of participants was a testament to that.

    It wont be long before people find out. Theyll realize that yers are a dangerous existence.

    shes between yers were to be expected.

    Throughout the 99th regressions, Ryu Min never witnessed yers forming alliances and bonding.

    They treated other yers as rivals, pushing each other away.

    Though they briefly joined hands for cooperative missions, it was short-lived.

    Once the mission ended, they pondered how to distance themselves from one another.

    Even in coboration, it was never enough.

    And its not just our region. The decrease in participants is happening worldwide.

    A reduction of approximately 90 people was an understatement.

    The number of participants would continue to decrease.

    And it will ur asionally.

    If they werent satisfied with the situation, they would resort to violence in the real world without hesitation.

    Various crimes would erupt, and even ordinary citizens would eventually be victims.

    The world where yers reigned was fast approaching.

    I dont have much time left. I must strengthen myself as much as possibleto possess a power that can protect my brother and surpass anyone.

    While Ryu Min made his determination, someone cried out.

    Wait! Look at the number of achievers for this round!

    Angel! Isnt something strange about this? Is it an error?

    The number of participants was 4,900, yet there were only 1,225 achievers.

    The achievement count, which should have been half of the participants, had been halved again.

    As people grew perplexed, the angel covered its mouth with its wings and burst intoughter.

    [Kehehehe! Look at how humans panic. Are you surprised that the number of achievers decreased? Is it an error, you ask? No, its perfectly normal.]

    I-Its normal?

    Whats happening, Angel?

    The angel grinned with a mischievous smile in response to the peoples objections.

    [Have you all forgotten? How typical of Humans. Its the rule that only half of the participants survive each round. But in the previous round, everyone survived due to the vote, remember? So, isnt it natural that only a quarter will survive this round?]

    Well, thats

    It wasnt an incorrect statement.

    If they considered the number of survivors that should have remained, a quarter was urate.

    People were aware of this fact.

    However, they were simply caught off guard by theck of prior exnation.

    Only a quarter of the participants can survive?

    No wonder the previous round was said to be easy.

    Darn it! Who would have expected such a trap in the third round?

    It felt as if they had been told that their credit card bills for the current month were exempt, only to have thembined and charged the following month.

    [Theres no need to feel unjust. We simply reduced the number of survivors who couldnt be reducedst time. Just work hard to be in the top 25%.]

    .

    It was absurd, but no one dared to argue.

    Challenging the angels whims might make their heads explode.

    After all, they were forcibly thrown into a survival game.

    Given their predicament, they had no choice but to follow the rules.

    [Now, let me exin the details of the third round.]

 Chapter 31: The Proposal (1)

    Chapter 31: The Proposal (1)

    The angel spoke, its voice resonating through the air.

    [As you can see, the quest is all about safeguarding the relic.]

    Safeguarding the relic? yers questioned, their eyes narrowing in curiosity.

    [Everyone, cast your gaze upon the vige center,] the angel urged.

    All eyes turned toward the heart of the vige.

    There, standing tall at a height of 5 meters, was a colossal diamond-shaped crystal. Its presence seemed alien amidst the ruins, a stark contrast to the deste atmosphere.

    [Every 30 minutes, a wave of monsters will emerge, setting their sights on that artifact. Your task is to work together and protect it during the course of five waves,] the angel exined.

    So, its a cooperative mission this time?

    One of the yers chimed in,paring it to a defense game. It feels like one of those defense games, doesnt it?

    While the murmurs filled the air, the angels voice resonated once more.

    Due to the nature of the rounds, expect a high number of monsters. However, theres no need to fret. The monsters will be weakened by a third of their usual strength. Of course, this means that the experience points and gold rewards will decrease ordingly.]

    Theyll be weakened by a third? Hwang Yongmin questioned, raising an eyebrow. Doesnt that make it too easy?

    The angel nodded in response. [Indeed, it may seem easier, but dont underestimate the challenge. Your goal is to protect the artifact unscathed for three hours. Additional rewards will be granted upon sess, and the round will conclude. Furthermore, the ranking of the yers will be determined by the number of monsters each has in.]

    So, we must protect the artifact and y as many monsters as possible.

    If we fail to protect the artifact? Someone inquired.

    [In that case, a severe penalty will be imposed,] the angel replied. [The round will end, and simrly, survivals will be ranked based on the number of monsters in.]

    If we protect the artifact, we receive additional rewards, and if it breaks, we face a penalty A few people murmured, contemting the consequences.

    To secure a high rank, we must protect the artifact and defeat numerous monsters.

    Understanding dawned on the people, and they nodded in agreement.

    It was a cooperative mission, yet at the same time, an individual mission that hinged on each persons performance.

    So, all we need to do is kill as many monsters as possible, One of the yers summarized, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

    The same fervor ignited in the eyes of others.

    Particrly in this round, only 1,225 achievers can survive out of the 4,900 participants. Fiercepetition was inevitable.

    The angels gaze shifted to Jo Joong-sik, a mischievous smile crossing her lips.

    [And do you remember how we selected district representatives in the previous round? Life is a Documentary was voted as this regions representative, didnt he?]

    Jo Joong-sik, the center of attention, met the angels gaze with a stern expression.

    [Starting from this round, you hold the authority of a district representativethe power to lead,] the angel dered, relishing in the situation. [Kehehe.]

    Jo Joong-sik clenched his lower lip, a mixture of frustration and defiance evident on his face.

    That damned angel isughing at me, he grumbled internally. Id love to sew that angels mouth shut.

    Although spoken in jest, Jo Joong-sik found himself in a situation where he truly desired to silence the angels voice.

    [Im sure youre all curious about what happens if the district representative dies,] the angel continued its words carrying a weight of intrigue.

    Once again, the angels statement dropped like a bomb, igniting a surge of emotions.

    [If the representative dies due to a monsters attack or natural causes, the position bes vacant. However, if another yer is responsible for the deathkilling the representativethe killer immediately bes the new district representative, wielding the authority, and they gain ten usages of the authority power.

    The revtion hung in the air, leaving the crowd astounded.

    If you kill the district representative One of the yers voice trailed off, anticipation brimming in his eyes.

    You can be the new district representative? anotherpleted her sentence.

    The gazes of the onlookers instinctively converged on Jo Joong-sik, a mixture of hostility and curiosity.

    Amidst the boos and jeers, Jo Joong-sik stared back at the angel, his eyes filled with resentment.

    That damned angel, he cursed internally. How unfortunate that its still grinning.

    Having experienced the angels mischief before, it was only natural for Jo Joong-sik to feel a surge of hatred.

    Maybe I should shut that angels mouth for good, he contemted, momentarily entertained by the idea.

    However, the reality quickly set in. He found himself in a situation where silencing the angel was beyond his reach.

    [Okay then, the monsters wille in 10 minutes. Cooperate for 3 hours and survive well! I dont know if it will be cooperative. Kiheh!]

    The angel disappeared along with the light, leaving behind only augh.

    After confirming that the angel hadpletely disappeared, Cho Joong-shik shouted.

    Fuck you, you damned angel! His frustration was evident.

    However, this violent attitude has only drawn more eyes toward him.

    Yet, despite the crowds piercing gazes, he maintained a calm andposed demeanor.

    The challengey not only in his position as the district representative but also in the limited ten usages of his authority.

    The crowd couldnt help but ridicule him, convinced that with such a restricted number of usages, he wouldnt dare to use the authority recklessly.

    However, even a cornered rat knows how to bite a cat.

    You think ten usages is not enough? Thats right, Jo Joong-sik admitted with a glimmer of acknowledgment in his eyes. Its a damn weak ability. Ill admit that. But let me make one thing clear.

    A cold smile yed on his lips, sending chills down the spines of those who witnessed it.

    I will make sure to kill the first few who dares to charge at me. Whether I use the authority or any means necessary, these people will meet their demise.

    Jo Joong-siks venomous deration caused the crowd to hesitate, uncertainty flickering in their eyes.

 Chapter 31: The Proposal (2)

    Chapter 31: The Proposal (2)

    Have no fear, everyone! That guy may seem intimidating, but his level is simr to ours! Someone spoke up, attempting to quell their concerns.

    Thats right! He hasnt even changed jobs yet! Another chimed in, rallying their spirits.

    Lets swiftly eliminate him and overthrow the district representative!

    We can overpower him with our numbers!

    Though some were roused by their loud voices, no one stepped forward willingly. The fear of being the first to face death halted their progress.

    Damn them all, Jo Joong-sik scoffed, gripping his dagger tightly. They underestimate mepletely.

    With his weapon drawn, Jo Joong-sik eyed the approaching individuals, his resolve unwavering.

    Come on! Come on, you bastards! Jo Joong-sik taunted, his voice filled with defiance.

    His provocation seemed to waver the crowds resolve.

    Heh, it seems they wonte so easily. No one wants to be the first to die.

    Even if his opponent was stronger, Jo Joong-sik knew that with just one usage of authority, he could easily overpower them.

    Except for those unaffected by the power of authority, like the ck Scythe.

    Damn it, I wish I ran into the forest like the ck Scythe and hunt down some monsters.

    If only he had leveled up and changed jobs, he would have received sub-quest rewards and been free from the limitations of the authority.

    Damn it, bing the district representative has made me a target. What a pain!

    Had he known about the consequences, he wouldnt have forced people to vote for him.

    Jo Joong-siks gaze shifted to ck Scythe, standing alone in the distance.

    Lucky bastard.

    He envied the ck Scythe, the sole person in the district who had already changed jobs.

    Lost in his thoughts, Ryu Min ignored his gazes, he couldnt help but think about the third round.

    The third round quest is nothing special. Its just about stopping the five waves of monsters.

    Protecting the relic while stopping the monsters.

    It seemed like a straightforward quest, but there was one crucial aspect to consider.

    The monsters would grow stronger with each wave.

    But thats not a problem. We can earn more experience points and gold this way, Ryu Min mused.

    For Ryu Min, who needed to amass a substantial amount of gold in this round, stronger monsters would actually be beneficial.

    The true challengey in the activation of the hidden sub-quest.

    To unveil the sub-quest, I need to use Jo Joong-sik.

    To be precise, Ryu Min required Jo Joong-siks authority.

    While it would be easy to obtain that authority by killing Jo Joong-sik and bing the district representative

    But I must not be the district representative this round. There are severe penalties lurking behind that position.

    He needed to use the authority without bing the district representative.

    For that, he needed Jo Joong-siks cooperation.

    Ryu Min surveyed his surroundings.

    The majority of gazes were fixed on Jo Joong-sik, filled with caution, but a few exhibited determination.

    They seem to be in a tough spot, just as I expected.

    Ryu Min smirked.

    As nned, the time hade for Ryu Min to step forward.

    Step by step

    Jo Joong-sik was taken aback as Ryu Min approached, wielding a massive scythe.

    What? Why are you here? Donte any closer!

    But Ryu Min had a reason. He was the only former upant in the area.

    Unaffected by the Authority.

    Moreover, his level was a formidable 16, far surpassing Jo Joong-siks level 6.

    Naturally, tension seeped in, leaving Jo Joong-sik on edge.

    Dont be scared. Im just here to talk.

    Scared? Who said I was scared?

    Though he denied it, beads of sweat formed on Jo Joong-siks forehead.

    Being the main target of everyone around, he had to be cautious when someone approached his territory, especially when it was someone like the ck Scythe.

    Is he nning to lull me into a false sense of security and then attack suddenly?

    It was only natural for Jo Joong-sik to harbor suspicions.

    A quick nce here and there revealed the watchful eyes around him, ready to pounce on his vulnerability.

    But contrary to his concerns, Ryu Min lowered his scythe, showing no intention to strike.

    Maintaining a safe distance, he eased Jo Joong-siks guard.

    I just came to talk. No need to worry.

    W-What do you want to talk about?

    Jo Joong-sik looked at Ryu Min, his eyes filled with suspicion.

    I believe youre in a difficult situation right now, arent you?

    Whos in a difficult situation?

    Ill protect you.

    What?

    Jo Joong-siks eyes widened in astonishment at the unexpected offer.

    Ill guard you from other yers. Ill take personal responsibility and be your one-on-one protector.

    .

    Jo Joong-sik was left speechless, lost in thought.

    The ck Scythe will protect me?

    With his high level and special job, having the ck Scythe as his guardian

    I can then hunt monsters without worrying about the othersing after my neck.

    He could freely engage in monster hunting, achieving remarkable records without being on constant alert.

    And who better to be his protector than the top-ranked yer of all districts?

    It was only natural.

    ncing around, Ryu Min noticed the hesitant expressions on peoples faces.

    The ck Scythe protecting his life?

    Does that mean we have to confront the ck Scythe too?

    Well, thats obvious

    Although Jo Joong-sik, a non-job yer, might be underestimated, the ck Scythe was by no means an easy opponent.

    Even if a horde charged at him, a single swing of his massive scythe could send their lives into oblivion.

    Some, intimidated by the infamous name alone, took a step back.

    To Jo Joong-sik, it was a sight both remarkable and surprising.

    So, the reputation of the ck Scythe precedes me this much

    Indeed, he had silently secured second ce in the rankings.

    Despite the blow to my pride when I think back to that time

    Observing the disgruntled crowd, Jo Joong-sik felt a sense of satisfaction.

    But proposals always came at a cost.

    What do you want in exchange for protecting me?

    Jo Joong-sik asked, maintainingposure.

    Its nothing significant. Just obey my instructions without question. Thats the only condition.

    What?

    Confusion clouded Jo Joong-siks face.

    Just blindly follow my orders.

    But isnt that the same as bing your subordinate?

    Jo Joong-siks expression shifted, and he asked earnestly, Why are you making this proposal to me?

    I cant reveal the reason.

    If all that youre going to do is order me around, why dont you tell me now what you need?

    I cant reveal that either. When the timees, just obey mymands without question; thats all you have to do.

    .

    Being told to follow orders without knowing their nature, Jo Joong-sik couldnt help but feel dissatisfied.

    After all, he had his pride as a leader, guiding his subordinates.

    Jo-

    Jo Joong-sik was about to raise his middle finger as usual and curse, but he quickly reconsidered.

    Wait, what will happen if I refuse this proposal? I have no idea how this guy will react.

    Would he immediately swing his scythe and sever his neck?

    Fearing such consequences, Jo Joong-sik retracted his almost raised finger.

    Make your decision. Everyone around you is waiting for your answer.

    .

    After much contemtion, Jo Joong-sik finally spoke in a low voice.

    I

 Chapter 32: First Wave (1)

    Chapter 32: First Wave (1)

    I will refuse the offer.

    Ryu Min didnt faze Jo Joong-siks response. It was exactly as expected.

    He wont easily let go of his pride, Ryu Min thought to himself.

    Surprisingly, it was the onlooking yers who were taken aback.

    Hes rejecting it?

    If he had followed the ck Scythe, he could have safely hunted with ck Scythe by his side.

    Perhaps his pride was hit by knowing that he will obey ck Scythes orders.

    Is his pride more important to him than his own life?

    No wonder why ck Scythe is better than him.

    Ha How shallow.

    Some yers mocked Jo Joong-sik and responded ordingly.

    Their dismissive attitude seemed to amuse Ryu Min.

    It was the same as in the previous regression.

    I knew it, If I firmly draw the line at this timing

    The yers would aim for Jo Joong-sik without considering their own circumstances.

    Ryu Min raised his gaze and looked at Jo Joong-sik.

    Judging from Jo Joong-siks tense demeanor, he seemed to realize that his life was on the line.

    Maybe in the next round but I cant be the zone representative this round, Ryu Min thought to himself,cking any desire to kill Jo Joong-sik.

    Alright. If you refuse, theres nothing I can do about it.

    As Ryu Min turned his back and walked away, Jo Joong-sik wore an astonished expression.

    What, whats this? Are you just leaving like this?

    Well? Were you hoping Id spill your blood?

    .

    Ryu Min nced at Jo Joong-sik, who remained speechless, and dered in a manner for others to hear.

    I wont pay any attention to you anymore since you rejected your offer. Whether you live or die, its none of my concern.

    Leaving only those words behind, Ryu Min calmly turned away, leaving the other yers murmuring.

    Did you hear that? He said he wont pay any attention to him.

    Then it means were free to target that thug?

    A sinister glint returned to the yers eyes.

    Without the involvement of the ck Scythe, they could take aim at Jo Joong-sik more freely.

    It was the situation Ryu Min had anticipated.

    Sensing the unsettling atmosphere, Jo Joong-sik secretly regretted his decision.

    Darn it, should I have just epted the offer?

    However, following the ck Scythes orders was even worse than death to him.

    Jo Joong-sik, the boss of the Jo family who held Seoul in his grasp, couldnt allow his pride to bepromised.

    At that moment, a message appeared before everyones eyes.

    The 1st wave willmence shortly.

    Prepare for the first wave and protect the relic.

    After 30 minutes, regardless of how many monsters remaining, the 2nd wave will proceed!

    Time remaining until round end: 02:59:59.

    It, its begun!

    Everyone, protect the relic!

    Upon hearing the news of monster appearances, people swiftly and confidently moved into action.

    They gathered in the center of the vige, intent on safeguarding the relic.

    However, Jo Joong-sik couldnt join them.

    Instead, he retreated towards the vige entrance, evading the others.

    I cant afford to fight alongside those who have their sights set on me. I might even get stabbed in the back.

    Jo Joong-sik bit his lip,pletely alone.

    Fine, Ive always liked to work alone anyway.

    Survival depended on individual achievements, he didnt care about cooperation.

    But

    Jo Joong-sik turned his head to the side.

    Whats that guy doing over there?

    ck Scythe stood guard at a different vige entrance.

    It seems like hes going to protect the other entrance too.

    And then, it happened.

    Whoooooosh!

    The sound of a long horn whistle seemed to echo, and monsters emerged from the other side of the vige.

    Tsuut- Tsuut- Tsuut-

    Naturally, Jo Joong-siks eyes widened at the sight.

    There were more monsters than he had anticipated.

    Damn it, how many are there?

    He could roughly estimate the substantial number of monsters.

    Seeing that multitude, Jo Joong-sik felt a sense of despair.

    I cant handle such a massive number alone.

    Fortunately, there were 4,900 forces present, so it wouldnt be a problem if each person only dealt with two monsters.

    Moreover, unlike the open meadow in the first round, this ce was a confined space a vige.

    There was a limit to the number of monsters that could enter.

    Above all else

    All the monsters are goblins. And theyre weaker than usual.

    The opponents they faced in the first round are now weaker.

    Even so, I cant handle such a vast number by myself.

    Jo Joong-sik retreated to a safer spot, away from the surging green tide.

    He nned to hide within the vige for a while, observing the situation before engaging in battle.

    But why isnt he moving?

    Jo Joong-sik still couldntprehend why the ck Scythe was merely standing there.

    Is he really nning to face the goblins alone at the entrance?

    There were four vige entrances in total.

    The ck Scythe was guarding one of them.

    Even if the entrance is narrow, its still wide enough for at least ten goblins to pass through

    Could he truly handle ten goblins at the same time?

    You damn brat, boasting just because you have a higher level!

    Jo Joong-sik scoffed at the ck Scythe and concealed himself behind a window on the second floor of one of the houses.

    He believed it was a safe spot to observe the situation.

    In such a confined space, it would be easy to dispatch the goblins if they entered.

    Jo Joong-sik swallowed nervously and peered out the window.

    He could see ck Scythe confronting the goblins.

    Huh? Hes more skilled than I thought!

    With each swing of the massive scythe, gleaming in the sunlight, goblin heads were severed.

    Not just one.

    Every swing imed the lives of four goblins simultaneously.

    It was a one-shot kill with every swing!

 Chapter 32: First Wave (2)

    Chapter 32: First Wave (2)

    The sight before him was unexpected, but Jo Joong-sik remained unfazed in his thoughts.

    Hes going wild for now, but eventually, hell exhaust himself and copse.

    However, there was no sign of weariness in ck Scythes relentless onught.

    On the contrary, his speed increased with each passing moment, tearing the goblins apart with ease.

    Startled by this sight, Jo Joong-siks eyes widened.

    Its not just going hard mode. Hes growing stronger as time goes by.

    In a matter of minutes, the area around ck Scythe was already littered with goblin corpses.

    In stark contrast, goblins surged into the other entrance like a bursting dam.

    With numerous entrances, there was no choice but to let some of them through.

    Jo Joong-sik made his way to the window on the opposite side to assess the situation within the vige.

    Thousands of goblins shed with an equal number of yers, creating a chaotic scene of entangledbat.

    This is pure chaos.

    The number of goblins exceeded expectations, prompting the yers to fight desperately for their lives.

    Having gained some experience, they skillfully wielded their weapons, ying goblins with ease.

    Amidst the bluster of screams and the stench of blood, Jo Joong-sik tightened his grip on his dagger.

    Theres no time to waste. I need to get out there quickly and make numbers.

    Survival hinged on the number of monsters killed, making it advantageous to eliminate as many as possible.

    After choosing the right moment, Jo Joong-sik ventured outside, swiftly dispatching a passing goblin with a precise stab.

    Keek! Keiik!

    Several goblins witnessed the scene and charged at Jo Joong-sik.

    Come on, you experience-granting fuckers.

    For Jo Joong-sik, dealing with a few goblins posed no difficulty.

    Thanks to the Insight Rune, he could predict their movements and dispatch them skillfully.

    Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

    With each goblin in, a peculiar sense of exhration coursed through him, knowing that he was robbing them of their lives.

    Goblins are nothing more than cannon fodder.

    Smirking, Jo Joong-sik suddenly nced towards ck Scythes location.

    Swoosh! Swish!

    In a single swing, the scythe cleaved through the goblins bodies.

    Jo Joong-sik couldnt help but be surprised by the scene.

    Can anyone be that powerful at just level 16?

    Witnessing ck Scythes battle, a subtle desire forbat stirred within him.

    He also felt apetitive spirit, aspiring to surpass ck Scythe.

    Perhaps it was the notion that he needed to y more monsters.

    Fearlessly, Jo Joong-sik shifted to a safer spot within the vige, where the goblins were preupied with other yers.

    Now, while the goblins are focused on others

    This was an opportunity to kill more without taking unnecessary risks.

    Die! Die!

    Keiiek!

    Aaah!

    Come at me, you fucking goblin!

    As Jo Joong-sik advanced further into the heart of the vige, the resounding cries of humans and monsters grew more distinct.

    Amidst the chaos, Jo Joong-sik hunted the goblins.

    Thwack! Thwack!

    He methodically dispatched goblins that passed by or were distracted, maintaining a rxed pace.

    This is too easy

    Suddenly, a chilling sensation enveloped Jo Joong-sik, prompting him to turn his head.

    Stter!

    An arrow grazed his cheek.

    An arrow?

    Jo Joong-siks expression hardened.

    Since there were no goblins shooting arrows, it had to be a yer.

    Damn bastards!

    Ignoring the pain, Jo Joong-sik dashed towards the source of the attack.

    Hey!

    ?

    In an instant, Jo Joong-sik closed the distance, catching the yer off guard.

    Thwack!

    His dagger found its mark in the yers chest.

    Die! Die, you bastard!

    Inflicting a flurry of stab wounds, Jo Joong-sik pushed the defeated yer away and lifted his head.

    At that moment

    Swoosh!

    Another arrow flew past his thigh, grazing it.

    There was a yer holding a bow, readying another arrow.

    These fuckers!

    Jo Joong-sik retrieved his dagger and charged towards the yer, seething with rage.

    Ugh!

    The gap between them quickly closed, and as the yer attempted to swing the bow in panic

    Thwack!

    Jo Joong-siks dagger plunged into the yers chest.

    Die! Die, you son of a bitch!

    After mercilessly shing his throat with his dagger, Jo Joong-sik pushed the lifeless yer aside, raising his head.

    Just then

    Fwissh!

    A spear passed right beside him, narrowly missing him.

    Jo Joong-sik looked in the direction where the spear came from and rushed toward it, just before he could reach him the yer hit him with an arrow.

    Whoosh!

    Fortunately, this time he could predict the path of the arrow and dodged to the side.

    That bastard!

    Ignoring the pain in his side, Jo Joong-sik charged again.

    Thwack!

    Jo Joong-siks thrown dagger hit the yer square in the forehead.

    You damn bastard! How dare you aim at me?

    After retrieving his dagger, Jo Joong-sik took a deep breath, blood trickling from his side and covering his body in wounds.

    Vigntly, Jo Joong-sik scanned his surroundings.

    Damn it, I have to be more cautious of yers than monsters.

    Clearly, yers were more troublesome than the goblins.

    Who knows where the next surprise attack wille from.

    Jo Joong-sik regretted his position as the zone representative.

    This damn zone representative title I wish I could pass it on to someone else!

    But the only way to do so was through death, leaving him with no other choice but to remain on high alert.

    Thwack!

    Jo Joong-sik resumed his hunting, but he had to be cautious of his surroundings.

    Naturally, his hunting speed slowed down.

    The pain in his thigh grew more intense with each passing moment.

    Should I have just epted ck Scythes offer?

    The thought crossed his mind, but Jo Joong-sik shook his head.

    A man has his pride. I wont bow down to him.

    He needed an alternative.

    A way to hunt safely without worrying about yer threats.

    Hmm? What about him?

    At that moment, Jo Joong-sik noticed the name [ck me Dragon].

    He was ranked third in the area.

    A brilliant idea sparked in Jo Joong-siks mind as he approached ck me Dragon.

    Hey.

    ?

    ck me Dragon, who was fully engaged in hunting, turned his head.

    In an instant, Jo Joong-siks eyes glowed with purple light.

    It was the transformation that urred when he used the Command Authority.

    From now on, protect me. ck me Dragon.

 Chapter 33: Rank Up (1)

    Chapter 33: Rank Up (1)

    Quak-

    [Goblin Annihtion!]

    [Experience Point Triple Buff is in effect.]

    [Experience Points +0.4%]

    [Gold +3.33]

    [Additional Gold +1.66]

    [Current Kill Count: 502/100]

    [Rune of ughter grants a 100% boost to all stats.]

    [Skeletal Bone Ne increases attack speed by 25%.]

    Amidst his relentless massacre of goblins, Ryu Min took a moment to assess his collected gold.

    Already close to 2,000 gold, he noted with satisfaction.

    Despite the first wave not yet reaching its conclusion, he had managed to umte a substantial amount.

    His high luck stat also contributed to the asional influx of additional gold.

    At this rate, I could easily gather 20,000 gold during the second wave.

    A mere 4,000 more gold and he would have the desired sum.

    Then, he could finally acquire that skill.

    After that, Ill earn an additional 20,000 gold to buy another skill.

    Ryu Mins goal for this round was to purchase two skills.

    Once I achieve that

    His thoughts drifted to an uing n.

    The n to obtain the Rune of Secret Desires, he chuckled to himself.

    Curiosity piqued, Ryu Min checked his level.

    He had already reached level 18, ensuring a smooth ascent to level 20 in the next wave.

    Ill reach level 30 in this round and purchase two skills.

    With his target set, he swung his scythe.

    Swift and deadly strikes echoed through the air.

    The sycthe truly excels at mass ughter, he mused.

    Each swing of the sycthe could im the lives of up to four goblins.

    Its elongated reach, akin to a spear, allowed him to eliminate foes without being touched.

    Kei

    Kieuk

    The goblins, sensing his prowess, timidly retreated from Ryu Mins path.

    Had his solo feat of eliminating over 500 goblins influenced their fear?

    If they wonte to me, then Ill go to them, he dered confidently.

    With all the necessary buffs already stacked, fear held no power over him.

    After five more minute.

    Pop-!

    As the sound of the horn signaled the end, a message materialized before him.

    [First wavesessfully defended!]

    [Surviving yers: 3,933]

    [Deceased yers: 967]

    [Each surviving yer will be rewarded with 500 gold.]

    Approximately 80% of the initial 4,900 yers had persevered.

    Even though the goblins were weakened, underestimating them would be unwise.

    Ryu Mins gaze shifted toward the Vige.

    There, he spotted Jo Joong-sik, gasping for breath.

    Looks like he made it through, Ryu Min observed.

    With Jo Joong-siks skills, surviving until the fourth wave should be a breeze.

    Amidst it all, he managed to gain a ss.

    However, Ryu Min was aware of the challenges thaty ahead for Jo Joong-sik.

    Escaping this round wouldnt be an easy feat.

    Haah, haah, damn it all, Jo Joong-sik panted heavily, yet his eyes burned with determination.

    Opening his guard against surprise attacks could lead to unforeseen threats.

    Why do those bastards only target me instead of the goblins?

    He had no idea how many close calls he had experienced throughout the first wave.

    The relentless stabs from hisrades had been unforgiving.

    But Im grateful youre here, he admitted.

    Jo Joong-siks gaze fell upon a man near the entrancea gentlemanly figure with the nickname [ck me Dragon] over his head.

    Thanks to the power of the authority I can even make the 3rd-ranked yer in this area my subordinate.

    Next to him was also Hwang Yong-min, a muscr guy, but Jo Joong-sik didnt need to use his authority power on him.

    Hes a guy who willingly follows me like a senior.

    He had also incorporated several skilled yers under hismand.

    With them protecting me like a meat shield, I dont need to worry about any more surprises

    Jo Joong-sik looked at his side.

    The bleeding from the initial surprise attack had been severe.

    Can I endure the remaining waves?

    He had to survive.

    He had the determination to do anything to survive and rank higher.

    And if I survive, all the wounds will heal.

    Whoosh-!

    Apanying the sound of the horn, a message materialized before him.

    Thirty minutes had passed since the first wavemenced.

    [Second Wave]

    [3,933 yers vs weakened goblins and hobgoblins  7,866 in total]

    [Goblins are weakened to one-third of their usual strength due to the rounds characteristics.]

    [Wishing you the best of luck!]

    Though the monsters had grown stronger, their numbers had reduced.

    It seems theyre appearing at roughly twice the number of remaining yers, Jo Joong-sik observed, his face etched with tension.

    His eyes narrowed as he awaited the impending monster onught.

    Suddenly, his gaze fixated on a ck Scythe near the entrance.

    He intends to face the horde alone, doesnt he?

    Displeasure creased Jo Joong-siks brow.

    For now, his sole focus was on survivgainst both the monsters assaults and the yers surprise attacks.

    I will survive, no matter the cost, he dered with unyielding determination shining in his eyes.

    In the second wave, Ryu Min once again single-handedly guarded the entrance.

    The scythe sliced through the air, a blur of lethal precision.

    Swish Swosh!

    Gaaah!

    Keeeek!

    During the merciless goblin ughter, a wee transformation urred.

    Ryu Min had reached his desired levellevel 20.

    [Rank upgraded from Trainee to Regr.]

    [You can now utilize the Combination function.]

    The newly unlocked Combination function is as valuable as the store itself.

    Withbinations, I can craft items above the Unique rarity, unattainable through ordinary means.

    Of course, forging Unique items was no easy task.

    Specific materials only obtainable during certain rounds were required.

    Mastery ofbination techniques did not guarantee instant results.

    Thats why I need to acquire the Alchemy Book. It will make item creation easier,

    If things does as nned with Ma Kyung-rok, acquiring the materials needed for crafting would no longer be an issue.

    However, thats a matter for after surviving this round, Ryu Min acknowledged.

    Once again, his attention was drawn to the message window.

    [With the rank upgrade, the skill Seal of Death has been enhanced!]

    [Additional damage from the Seal of Death skill increased from 100% to 120%.]

    [Additionally, you have acquired the exclusive skill Night of Death for Reapers!]

    [The next skill will automatically be acquired at level 40.]

 Chapter 33: Rank Up (2)

    Chapter 33: Rank Up (2)

    Upon bing a Regr, his existing skills were enhanced.

    Now I can deal an additional 120% damage with the Seal of Death.

    Not only that, but he also learned a new skill.

    [Exclusive Skill  Night of Death]

    Effect: Disperses an aura of darkness within a 500m radius, creating an artificial night.

    The caster can deactivate it at will.

    The exnation was brief, but the effect couldnt be ignored.

    Its a skill thatplements the Rune of the Night, which grows stronger during nighttime.

    Due to the runes characteristics, attack speed increased by 50% during the night, and perception probability drastically decreased.

    Truly a skill tailored for a Reaper.

    Now, even during the day, Ill receive an attack speed buff without any issues. Thanks to the Night of Death.

    Above all, to obtain another important rune called the Rune of Hidden Desires, the Night of Death skill was absolutely necessary.

    And of course, I need themon skills I n to purchase as well.

    Ryu Min allocated his stat points to luck as he leveled up.

    The attributes of Agility and Luck have now reached the standards.

    Improving luck ends here. Until level 30, Ill focus on strength.

    Since his strength stat was the lowest, it was necessary to bnce it out.

    Kei!

    As he closed his status window, the goblins rushed towards him.

    Ryu Min greeted them with a smile.

    I learned a new skill just in time.

    He immediately cast the Night of Death.

    Woong-

    The space within a 500m radius was engulfed in darkness.

    Whats happening all of a sudden?

    Why did it turn dark?

    We cant see anything!

    The surrounding yers were taken aback, but Ryu Min paid no attention.

    Swoosh! Swoosh!

    With a 50% increased attack speed, he busily ughtered the goblins.

    ***

    [Sessfully defended the second wave!]

    [Surviving yers: 3,343]

    [Deceased yers: 590]

    [Each surviving yer will be rewarded with 500 gold.]

    Upon reaching level 21, the second wave came to an end.

    Fortunately, Ryu Min was able to reach his target of umting 20,000 gold.

    Now I can buy themon skill.

    Without dy, Ryu Min opened the shop window and searched for the desired skill.

    [Common Skill  Sensory Detection]

    Effect: Able to detect the presence of enemies within a 30m radius.

    Sensory Detection was a useful skill that allowed the detection of all targets within a 30m radius.

    Its an essential skill in such chaotic situations since it enables detecting enemies even from behind.

    Ryu Min purchased the skill without hesitation and since it was a passive skill, he immediately gained awareness of the surrounding targets.

    There are only goblin corpses within 30m.

    If there happened to be any yers lurking, caution was necessary.

    As their intentions couldnt be considered good.

    Now I just need to gather 20,000 gold to buy another shared skill.

    With three remaining waves and sub-quests toplete, earning 20,000 gold would be easily achievable.

    ***

    [Third Wave]

    [3,343 yers vs weakened hobgoblins  6,686 in total]

    [Sessfully defended the third wave!]

    [Surviving yers: 3,001]

    [Deceased yers: 342]

    ***

    [Fourth Wave]

    [3,001 yers vs weakened hobgoblins and trolls  6,002 in total]

    [Sessfully defended the fourth wave!]

    [Surviving yers: 2,700]

    [Deceased yers: 301]

    ***

    Hoo, hoo

    Jo Joong-sik survived until the fourth wave.

    He nced at the progress window, and only the fifth wave remaining.

    [Time remaining until the third round ends: 01:04:21]

    Just one more hour. If I can hold out for that long, Ill survive.

    Despite the intense pain in his side, thigh, and other minor injuries, he believed he could endure for an hour.

    As for the ambushes from other yers? He no longer cared.

    As long as they protect me, my life wont be in danger.

    Joong-sik cast a trustworthy gaze at the guards surrounding him.

    Ten guards stood tall under hismand.

    Its good a thing that I have this power of authority.

    Thanks to that, he could hunt safely without worrying about ambushes.

    Even though he had used up all ten usages of the skill.

    What cares if Ive used them all? Survival is the priority now.

    Moreover, due to shedding blood and engaging in fierce battles, Joong-sik obtained the diators job item while hunting monsters.

    And the moment he reached level 10, he immediately advanced to be a diator.

    I cant die just like this after advancing.

    If he could endure only the final fifth wave, he could survive the next round too thanks to his job.

    Ill be stronger. Strong enough to take the heads of those bastards who targeted me.

    The yers who mocked him and looked down on himonce he survived, he would ughter every single one of them.

    Suddenly, the sound of a horn announcing the final wave reached his ears.

    [Fifth Wave]

    [2,700 yers vs weakened trolls10,800 in total]

    [Due to the rounds characteristics, trolls are weakened to one-third of their usual strength.]

    [Wishing you the best of luck!]

    Joong-sik widened his eyes in surprise as he gazed at the number of trolls.

    10,800? Why are there so many?

    It was four times the number of yers, as it was the final wave.

    No need to worry. I have guards protecting me.

    Joong-sik considered this an opportunity to set the record.

    He still believed he fell short of being in the top 25%.

    Crkrk!

    Crkrkrkr!

    More than ten thousand Gnols revealed themselves and charged.

    2,700 yers shed with the trolls.

    Die!

    Die, you bastards!

    The yers fought frantically.

    The ck Scythe continued to mark the entrance, standing alone.

    Inspired by the sight, Joong-siks fighting spirit red up.

    Ill be stronger. Ill survive!

    With the guards hemanded and his sincere hunting, heunched into the real battle.

    There was no need to be wary of friendly fire, allowing him to fully immerse himself inbat.

    Thats what he thought, but all of that changed in a moment.

    Ugh!

    Uaaah! Aaah!

    Whats happening?

    Two guards, who served as meat shields, were struck down by sword blows.

    A group that had conspired to target Joong-sik managed to prate through the guards.

    I got him! You gangster!

    The power of the authority belongs to me!

    Was it because they thought this was theirst chance?

    They were resolute, and the number of conspiring yers exceeded thirty.

    Stop them! Guard bastards, stop them!

    The guards, even without words, were already holding off the attackers.

    An order to protect Joong-sik had already been imprinted in their minds.

    However, handling over thirty yers was no easy task.

    Thud! Thud!

    Ugh!

    Kuk! Aaah!

    The yers aiming for the Joong-sik and those under authority engaged in a fierce battle.

    If I mess up, Ill be in trouble.

    Joong-sik, who observed the guards fighting, quickly left the scene.

    Now wasnt the time to hunt.

    Since he appeared as an easy target for yers to kill.

    Hes going that way!

    Chase him!

    The yers who witnessed Joong-siks escape chased after him with fierce determination.

    Damn it! Just need to hold out for this wave, just this wave!

    Joong-siks eyes widened as he muttered curses under his breath.

    In an instant, one person caught his eye.

    Nickname: [ck Scythe]

    He was the only savior who could turn the tide in the current situation.

    Hey, ck Scythe! I ept your offer! Ill do whatever you say, just protect me!

    Joong-sik stuck close to ck Scythe, causing the pursuing yers to hesitate.

    Even for them, the number one yer in the entire area was a formidable opponent.

    Huh? ck Scythe! Youre going to ept the offer, right? Come on, Protect me

    I refuse.

    Joong-siks face froze at ck Scythes cold response.

    I told you before, I wont pay attention to you.

    ck Scythe, Ryu Min, looked at Joong-sik with cold eyes.

    Whether you die or not is up to you now.

 Chapter 34: The New Zone Representative (1)

    Chapter 34: The New Zone Representative (1)

    Ryu Mins rejection momentarily stunned Jo Joong-sik.

    He never expected the ck Scythe to turn down his offer.

    Wait, hold on! Did I hear you right? Youre epting my proposal, right?

    Nope.

    But it was your own idea! You said youd protect me if I followed your orders!

    That opportunity has passed.

    Once a bus has passed, it doesnte back.

    As if to emphasize that point, the ck Scythe coldly turned its back.

    Jo Joong-sik couldnt help but feel a pang of disappointment.

    Why on earth? Im willing to be under your control, so why are you rejecting me?

    Ryu Mins steps halted at his voice.

    Then, with nonchnce, he retorted, Without the authority power youre not even worth being under control.

    Leaving those words hanging, Ryu Min walked away.

    Leaving Jo Joong-sik dumbfounded.

    The yers who witnessed this scene had different expressions in their eyes.

    Did you all see that? The rejection of the offer?

    It seems like the ck Scythe haspletely abandoned him.

    Thank goodness. I was worried about what would happen if the ck Scythe actually helped.

    Life can be quite unpredictable.

    Now we can breathe easy and kill him without hesitation.

    The yers approached with grim expressions on their faces.

    Jo Joong-siks expression twisted, resembling a lion surrounded by hyenas.

    Damn it! So now Im worthless because Ive used up my authority?

    If only he had known this would happen, he would have epted ck Scythes proposal earlier.

    Then he wouldnt have needed to rely on his authority, and he wouldnt be facing this crisis.

    Thump-

    The pain in his side intensified.

    Running away was no longer a viable option.

    Damn it, is fighting my only choice?

    Jo Joong-sik turned around and tightly gripped his sword.

    It was a shortsword he had received when he became a diator.

    Even if Im going down, Ill take at least one more person with me.

    Looking at the group of over thirty yers, Jo Joong-sik steeled himself.

    He didnt have confidence in winning, but if he fought with the resolve to die, he might have a chance.

    Damn it, I shouldnt have run away from my guards.

    He wished he had an ally at this critical moment.

    Even if they were under the control of the authority.

    Cant be helped. I have to find a way to get out of this situation alone

    And then, someone he had forgotten appeared before Jo Joong-sik.

    Senior!

    Hwang Yongmin?

    Jo Joong-sik was taken aback by the sudden appearance of the burly figure.

    Where were you, junior?

    I came to help you because it seemed like you needed it!

    Yeah, thanks! Once I recover, Ill make sure to repay you

    Jo Joong-sik couldnt finish his sentence.

    Suddenly, his vision shed, and he caught a glimpse of the sky.

    Senior.

    In Jo Joong-siks field of vision, Hwang Yongmin stood with a raised fist.

    Ill make it easier for you to die.

    You you betray

    Thump! Thump! Thud!

    Hwang Yong-mins powerful blows rained down on Jo Joong-siks face.

    Before losing consciousness, Jo Joong-sik saw Hwang Yongmin, grinning like a demon.

    Damn it Im betrayed by someone like Hwang Yongmin

    Thud!

    Jo Joong-siks breath ceased as he lost consciousness.

    [Zone representative Life is a Documentary has died.]

    [Authority is transferred to the killer.]

    [yer Hwang Yong-min has be the new zone representative of ESKS45-5.]

    After the message appeared, Hwang Yongmin finally ceased his punching.

    He raised his bloodied fist and burst intoughter.

    Hahaha! Now Im the zone representative! Im the king!

    He also checked his newly acquired skill, the power of the Authority.

    Though he could only use it ten times, it granted him immense power over non-specialized yers.

    That should be enough! As long as I set my mind to it, I can make Seo Arin do whatever I want. Hehehe!

    In truth, this was his goal of bing a representative.

    To make his ideal, Seo Arin, his obedient ve.

    Ive reached Level 9, and Seo Arin probably hasnt advanced yet. Hoho.

    Hwang Yong-minughed gleefully, thinking about using the Authority on Seo Arin.

    His innocentughter left the other yers dumbfounded.

    What happened? Wasnt he just ackey for the gangsters?

    Did he approach him from the start to betray him?

    Hes a terrifying guy

    No, hes not terrifying, just ruthless.

    I cant believe such a guy became a zone representative

    Voices of condemnation could be heard, but Hwang Yongmin paid no attention to the surrounding gazes.

    He simply boasted about his achievements to his gang friends.

    Hey, guys! Did you see that? Inded the final blow!

    Uh um

    I told you I had a good chance of winning, didnt I?

    Yeah, you did.

    Well, it turned out just fine.

    Although his friendsughed along, deep down, they couldnt help but feel uneasy.

    That guy he killed someone with his bare fists.

    He said he could kill the zone representative just by hitting him from behind, and he actually did

    What a crazy psycho.

    His friends shook their heads, astonished by Hwang Yongmins repeated actions.

    His calcted behavior sent shivers down their spines.

    However, Hwang Yongmin had never intended to betray him from the start.

    Not until Jo Joong-sik showed his pitiful and desperate side, running away from the yers.

    It was disappointing to see the so-called boss Jo Joong-sik fleeing.

    Hwang Yongmin remembered.

    He remembered Jo Joong-siks feeble attempts to escape from the yers.

    Thats why I got rid of him. Instead of struggling in vain, wouldnt it be better for him to die by my hand?

    A zone representative without the power of Authority is worthless.

    And Jo Joong-sik, who had lost his charisma, was also worthless.

    Thats why Hwang Yongmin stepped forward.

    To strike Jo Joong-sik in the back and be the zone representative himself.

    I will make good use of this power. Hehe.

    After briefly contemting Jo Joong-siks lifeless body, Hwang Yongmin lifted his head.

    The eager gazes of those around him were focused solely on him.

    The target had changed.

    Now theyreing after me? Heh heh.

    Yet Hwang Yong-min didnt show fear or hesitation.

    Because he had a glimmer of trust.

    ck Scythe!

    Hwang Yong-min rushed straight towards Ryu Min.

 Chapter 34: The New Zone Representative (2)

    Chapter 34: The New Zone Representative (2)

    Ryu Min, who sensed something was amiss, turned his head with a puzzled expression.

    Whats going on?

    Did you see the message? Im the zone representative now. I have the power of the Authority.

    So what?

    Hwang Yongmin thumped his chest.

    I ept the offer you made to Life is a Documentary. Ill do whatever you ask. Just protect me!

    Hwang Yongmin believed ck Scythe would agree to his offer.

    He had overheard the conversation with Jo Joong-sik, after all.

    Jo Joong-sik was rejected because hecked the power of the Authority. So hell ept my proposal.

    Although he didnt want to get involved with the ck Scythe after that incident, he had no choice.

    In a life-threatening situation, there was no room for such considerations.

    But to his surprise, the ck Scythes response was cold.

    I dont like your attitude.

    Pardon?

    If you want me to consider it, why dont you try begging on your knees?

    .

    Hwang Yongmin snapped out of his daze.

    Wait, didnt you hear me correctly? I have the power of the Authority!

    So what?

    Ryu Mins cold reaction startled Hwang Yongmin.

    Seems like youre delusional. Youre the one in need of help, not me.

    .

    Do you want my protection? Then get on your knees and beg.

    .

    Hwang Yongmin looked around, feeling the intense gazes of the yers.

    It was a humiliating situation, but Hwang Yongmin didnt let his pride get in the way.

    Thump-

    He immediately set aside his pride and knelt down.

    ck Scythe! Ill do anything you ask. Please, make me your subordinate. I beg you!

    He shouted, bowing his head until his forehead touched the ground.

    Seeing him like that, Ryu Min couldnt help but sneer inwardly.

    It was a scene he had witnessed too many times.

    As expected, Hwang Yongmin became the zone representative.

    That was why Ryu Min spared Hwang Yongmins life.

    Because Hwang Yong-min was the variable that would eliminate Jo Joong-sik.

    Jo Joong-sik doesnt matter to me. What I need is a loyal pawn who follows orders.

    Jo Joong-sik hadnt surrendered his pride, and he didnt have the power of the Authority, to begin with.

    There was no reason to protect him, not in the slightest.

    On the other hand, Hwang Yong-min has some value. For now.

    Watching Hwang Yongmin fervently prostrate himself, Ryu Min pretended to be unable to reject him.

    Fine. I ept your proposal.

    T-Thank you! Thank you, ck Scythe!

    Hwang Yongmin repeatedly bowed his head, a smile of joy on his face.

    Enough. I dont want to see your pathetic face.

    Yes? Oh, yes

    As Hwang Yongmin scratched his head in confusion, Ryu Min stepped forward, wielding therge scythe, as if protecting Hwang Yong-min.

    The other yers hesitated to approach, sensing Ryu Mins overwhelming presence.

    It ended up like this, huh?

    ck Scythe is protecting Hwang Yongmin?

    Damn it

    Killing Hwang Yongmin was one thing, but ck Scythe was different.

    Just his presence alone was intimidating.

    And rightly so.

    Until now, ck Scythe had demonstrated a level of skill that was beyond human.

    What should we do? The wave will be over soon

    Why not rush in all at once?

    Have you not seen ck Scythe fight? He guarded the entrance alone, facing hundreds of monsters.

    Yeah, that monster is not someone we can defeat.

    But now is the chance to be a zone representative.

    The yers found themselves in a dilemma, with Ryu Min standing before them.

    They debated whether to retreat or persist in the attack, despite the risks.

    Feeling frustrated by their indecision, Ryu Min presented them with options.

    Ill help you make a decision. You have two choices. Give up on bing a zone representative, go back and kill monsters to set records, or die by my hand.

    .

    I rmend the former, but thetter is also eptable. Once you challenge me, I wont see you as human anymore.

    Ryu Mins words were the final blow.

    I-Im out.

    Me too.

    The yers began to turn away one by one.

    Hwang Yongmin grinned, suppressing hisughter.

    Isnt this amazing? Everyone is retreating at the word of ck Scythe!

    Hwang Yongmin once again felt the majesty of ck Scythe.

    When he was his enemy, he was scared, but as an ally, he felt secure.

    It was a kind of vicarious satisfaction.

    Hwang Yongmin straightened his shoulders and reveled in his victory.

    However, Ryu Min observed the situation and counted the remaining monsters.

    Its almost over.

    The Gnolls were being pushed back and killed.

    At this rate, they would clear the 5th wave unscathed.

    And then yers will receive rewards, and the round will end.

    But that wasnt Ryu Mins desired oue.

    Ending it like this would be disappointing.

    He was waiting for the right time.

    The right timing for the sub-quest to be revealed.

    That was why he had epted Hwang Yongmin as his subordinate.

    Hwang Yong-min.

    Yes, ck Scythe!

    Carry out the tasks I assign to you, as promised.

    What tasks are they? Just give me the orders!

    Hwang Yongmin energetically responded, but momentster, his face turned pale as he heard themand.

 Chapter 35: The Orders (1)

    Chapter 35: The Orders (1)

    Excuse me? What did you say? I couldnt hear you properly.

    Use the Power of The Authority 10 times to destroy the artifact.

    Destroy the artifact.

    Upon hearing the order, Hwang Yongmin couldnt help but doubt his own ears.

    Why would he want to destroy the very artifact they were supposed to protect?

    Is he trying to forcibly end the round?

    Failing to protect the artifact would result in the round ending prematurely.

    It would make sense if they were doing it to secure their rank.

    But

    The round is almost over anyway. Theres no reason to do this

    After a short while, the remaining monsters would be cleared, and the 5th wave would bepleted.

    Even if they just waited, the round would naturallye to an end.

    By protecting the artifact, they could even receive additional rewards.

    Then why?

    The angel had mentioned receiving a penalty if the artifact was broken.

    There was no reason to forfeit the extra rewards and face penalties willingly.

    Moreover, ck Scythe is practically guaranteed to be the top-ranked yer.

    Considering the countless monsters he had defeated, this round would undoubtedly secure his top rank.

    It has nothing to do with the ranks, then why?

    Doubts arose, followed by a natural sense of discontent.

    Above all, being instructed to use all 10mands of the Power of the Authority was the source of his dissatisfaction.

    If I use all mymands, I wont be able to enve Seo Arin!

    Losing the opportunity to make Seo Arin his servant would eliminate his main reason for bing a district representative.

    May I ask why?

    Hwang Yongmin gathered his courage and inquired, but Ryu Min shot him a piercing gaze.

    Just do as youre told.

    What if I use it only 9 times?

    I wont repeat myself. Do as youre told are die alone.

    Refusing to obey meant facing death.

    There was no room for choice, yet Hwang Yongmin still had something to say.

    But, ck Scythe If I use all themands of the Authority, it means risking my life. If you could spare at least one

    Why do you think it matters to have onemand left? I will protect you, wont I?

    Ah

    Even if you use all themands, the contract will still be valid. Did I ever say I will only protect as long as you have the skill?

    That Thats true.

    Even as he answered, he couldnt hide his underlying uneasiness.

    Is this all? Then why did I be a representative?

    If he cant use the Power of the Authority as he wishes, there would be no reason to strike Jo Joong-sik from behind.

    Is our conversation over?

    Yes.

    Then follow the orders.

    Ah, I understand. Ill do as instructed

    To preserve his life, he had no choice but toply.

    I will tell you now which yers youre going to target with yourmands.

    Yes

    Ryu Min nced at the yers nearby and spoke.

    [Sim Sung-gyu], [Small Pepper], [Dont Meddle], [Spring Summer Fall]. Order them to destroy the artifacts.

    Hwang Yong-min was surprised to hear thest few nicknames.

    After all, they were all members of his clique.

    Whats going on? Is he doing this on purpose?

    Hwang Yongmins gaze shifted towards his friends.

    His friends also seemed bewildered, their mouths half open.

    Guys, Im sorry. Its an order from ck Scythe, so you have to understand.

    What? Are you serious?

    Reluctantly, Hwang Yongmin activated the Power of the Authority.

    Using the skill on his friends wasnt something he desired, but he had no other choice.

    [Dont Meddle], destroy the artifact. [Spring Summer Fall,] destroy the artifact

    He gave each of the ten yers the order one by one.

    Without questioning, they immediately rushed to the central area of the vige.

    Though it felt like a waste to use themands on such a thing, what else could he do?

    To stay alive, I must obey.

    As he used thestmand, he clenched his lips in frustration.

    I Ive used them all.

    Yes, I can see that. Youve definitely used them.

    Ryu Min could tell even without being told.

    Hwang Yongmins eyes turned purple each time he gave an order.

    Most importantly, the yers obediently headed to destroy the artifact as soon as they heard the order.

    Once an order is given through the Power of the Authority, the yers cant refute.

    Under the Power of the Authoritys control, those ten individuals would do everything in their power to destroy the artifact, even if it meant risking their lives.

    With ten people, we should be able to destroy it easily.

    A smile appeared on Ryu Mins face.

    Undoubtedly, Hwang Yongmin was easier to handle than Jo Joong-sik.

    [Warning! The artifact is under attack!]

    [Warning! The artifact is under attack!]

    [Warning! The artifact is under attack!]

    Even without the warning messages, people could see what was happening.

    The ten individuals, under the influence of the Power of the Authority, were openly attacking the artifact at the viges center.

    Hey! What do you think youre doing? Stop right now!

    Whats wrong with you? Are you intentionally trying to get penalized?

    Other yers tried to intervene, but it was in vain.

    The orders given through the Power of the Authority were absolute.

    ng! Crash! ng!

    Though the artifact was diamond-shaped, it wasnt as sturdy as it appeared.

    With all ten yers joining forces, the surface of the artifact quickly turned to gold.

    Uh, uh! It might break if this continues!

    Can someone stop them?

    Just kill those bastards!

    Despite the surrounding pleads, the ten yers werepletely focused on shattering the artifact.

    Even if some of them were injured, they didnt halt their assault.

    Swoosh! Swish!

    Its over.

    Ryu Min, witnessing the artifacts splitting apart, silently chuckled.

    He knew exactly what would happen next.

    Crash!

    [The artifacts have been destroyed.]

    [Main quest failed.]

    [A Harbinger of Divine Punishment will be summoned as a penalty shortly.]

    [Survive against the Harbinger of Divine Punishment for the next 30 minutes.]

    [The round will not end until the time limit expires.]

    What? Harbinger of Divine Punishment?

    What does that mean?

    Is it like a boss or something?

    The yers were all wide-eyed with surprise.

    No one had anticipated that a boss would appear as a penalty.

    [Hidden Sub-Quest Discovered!]

    Survive against the Harbinger of Divine Punishment for the next 30 minutes.

    Sess: Receive 3,000 gold

    [Remaining Time: 00:29:59]

 Chapter 35: The Orders (2)

    Chapter 35: The Orders (2)

    There was a hidden sub-quest?

    The yers were surprised once again by the sudden appearance of a sub-quest.

    Especially considering the generous rewards it offered.

    For yers who hadnt even collected 3,000 gold throughout the 5 waves, it was enticing.

    So, if we survive, we get 3,000 gold?

    It shouldnt be too difficult, right?

    Its like a game of hide-and-seek.

    With 2,700 yers remaining, the situation seemed manageable as long as there was only one seeker.

    Ryu Min, however, had apletely different perspective.

    Escaping from the Harbinger of Divine Punishment wont be easy.

    There was a reason behind the substantial reward.

    yers who realized this wore serious expressions, while others disyed confident smiles.

    And Ryu Min?

    Naturally, he belonged to thetter group.

    If he had any doubts, he wouldnt have intentionally activated the sub-quest by breaking the artifact.

    If we had simply cleared the 5th wave and ended the round, we would have received an additional 2,000 gold at best.

    The reward for revealing the sub-quest by breaking the artifact surpassed the gold received for protecting them.

    That was Ryu Mins reason for activating the sub-quest.

    But why didnt he break the artifact himself?

    The reason became apparent through a message that appeared shortly after.

    [Confirmation: The artifact has been attacked by yers.]

    [Penalties will be imposed on the ten yers who attacked the artifact.]

    [All stats will permanently decrease by 50%.]

    What? Stats decrease?

    Damn it!

    The ten yers, including the ones from Hwang Yongmins clique, cried out in anger.

    It felt unfair, especially since they didnt do it willingly.

    The members of his clique red at Hwang Yongmin with resentment.

    Im Im sorry. I didnt expect such penalties

    Hwang Yongmin apologized, but it wasnt the time to worry about others.

    [Responsibility for failing to protect the artifact will also result in penalties for the district representative.]

    [All stats will permanently decrease by 50%.]

    Ah

    Hwang Yongmin was left speechless, his expression filled with loss.

    Oh, for fucks sake!

    He never even dreamt that he would receive penalties himself as the district representative.

    Except for Ryu Min, of course.

    Thats why I hesitated to be the district representative.

    A permanent decrease in stats was fatal, directly impacting survival.

    It even affects the potential of the yers growth.

    He hadnt warned against bing a district representative without reason.

    Not breaking the artifact by himself was also to avoid penalties.

    In the meanwhile.

    Swish!

    Crunch!

    Thest Gnol was killed by one of the yers

    Yet, the message signaling the end of the round didnt appear.

    Weve killed all the monsters. Why isnt it ending?

    Didnt you read the message? It wont end until the penalty round is over.

    So, we have to endure another 30 minutes?

    Think of it as a game of hide-and-seek. It wont be too difficult.

    Ryu Min inwardly clicked his tongue at the yers nonchnt thinking.

    After repeating this scenario dozens of times, he noticed that people will always react the same way.

    Every time the artifact was shattered, people would think so casually.

    They didnt understand the difficulty of the penalty.

    I died twice from the penalty alone in the third round.

    Ryu Min didnt initially know that revealing the sub-quest was triggered by breaking the artifact.

    He simply protected the artifacts and proceeded to the next round as usual.

    But then I identally discovered what happens when the artifact break.

    Thats when Ryu Min learned that surviving against the Harbinger of Divine Punishment was incredibly challenging.

    I died twice, even with enough skill to endure until the 5th wave.

    he still felt confident, he also thought, if it was just a matter of evading for 30 minutes then it will be easy with enough people

    But it turned out to be more difficult than I thought.

    Out of 2,700 yers, only around 500 survived.

    A survival rate of less than 20%.

    At one time only 1,225 yers survived worldwide!

    Truly an extreme difficulty.

    The moment you lose your focus its the end.

    Of course, Ryu Min was confident now.

    He had enough experience and had broken the artifact dozens of times and came up with a great strategy.

    Its a penalty for others, but

    For Ryu Min, it wasnt a penalty.

    Instead, it was an opportunity for significant growth.

    If he defeated the Harbinger of Divine Punishment, that is.

    I currently have around 13,000 gold. If Iplete the sub-quest and defeat the Harbinger of Divine Punishment, Ill easily exceed 20,000 gold.

    Ryu Min had no intention of running away. On the contrary, he nned to eliminate it and reap the significant rewards.

    After deducting about 4,000 gold, Ill still have enough to buy two decent items.

    After calcting his avable funds, Ryu Min immediately opened the shop window and purchased two 2,000 gold items.

    First, he acquired: [Assassins Hood.]

    Category: Helmet

    Grade: Normal

    Defense: 20

    Effect: Agility +3

    Durability: 250/250

    Usage Restriction: Regr grade or higher

    Description: A hood favored by assassins, emitting a faint scent of unwashed blood.

    Next, he obtained: [Agile Long Boots.]

    Category: Footwear

    Grade: Normal

    Defense: 15

    Effect: Agility +2, Movement Speed +5%

    Durability: 250/250

    Usage Restriction: Regr grade or higher

    Description: Snug-fitting, ck long boots that may seem stuffy but are surprisinglyfortable to wear.

    Although these were normal-grade items, Ryu Min wasnt particrly concerned about their effect. Instead, he believed that even slight stat increases would make capturing the enemy easier. Besides, he could always resell the items at the shop, even though he would only receive half of the original price.

    Whooosh-

    Is is it starting?

    I feel nervous for some reason.

    As the sound signaling the start echoed, the yers became tense, but Ryu Min remainedposed.

    Ill defeat it and reach level 30.

    Ryu Min was currently at level 27, and he was confident that defeating the Harbinger of Divine Punishment would easily propel him to level 30. Furthermore, he would umte 20,000 gold as nned and buy anothermon skill.

    But that wasnt all.

    I can also obtain runes, titles, and even that items

    A hopeful smile appeared on Ryu Mins face.

    He was confident in his ability to kill the Harbinger of Divine Punishment.

    After all, it was only a divine-type enemy.

 Chapter 36: The Harbinger of Divine Punishment (1)

    Chapter 36: The Harbinger of Divine Punishment (1)

    The First Angel yer.

    Ryu Min had earned the title by ying Briel, the angel that was assigned to his area.

    It was a prestigious title that granted him a double increase in stats when facing opponents of the divine type.

    The Harbinger of The Divine Punishment was none other than a being of the divine type.

    This is the reason why Ryu Min went beyond mere evasion and aimed to capture them.

    If it werent for this title, I wouldnt have dared to challenge it.

    The Harbinger of The Divine Punishment was a monstrous creature that required a team of at least five level 40 yers to barely defeat it.

    Being only at level 27, Ryu Min faced the daunting task to confront it alone.

    But with a solid strategy and the right stats, theres nothing I cant ovee.

    Ryu Min possessed the Rune of ughter that enhanced his stats twofold.

    In addition, his Angel yer title provided an extra double boost.

    Altogether, it was a four-fold increase in power.

    In terms of sheer stat quantity, it wasparable to a level 99 character, at the maximum level.

    Of course, thisparison is based on the assumption of a level 99 character equipped with standard gear.

    Still, its better to improve my stats even a little.

    Ryu Min opened thebination window, revealing arge slot and five smaller slots surrounding it.

    Therge slot was for the main ingredient, while the smaller slots were for the sub-ingredients.

    Ill enhance my stats bybining magic stones.

    Ryu Min dragged the item from his inventory and ced it into the slot.

    [Main Ingredient]

    -Skull Bone Ne

    [Sub Ingredients]

    -Low-grade Purple Magic Stone

    -(None)

    -(None)

    -(None)

    -(None)

    Filling all the sub-ingredient slots wasnt necessary.

    Once he was ready, he pressed thebination button.

    [Combination Sessful!]

    [The Skull Bone Ne now has the option All Stats +1.]

    The sub-ingredients vanished, leaving only the Skull Bone Ne.

    Without hesitation, Ryu Min proceeded tobine magic stones with other equipment.

    He had two magic stones in his inventory: one blue and one orange, obtained from hunting in this round.

    Since I can attach one magic stone to each piece of equipment, then

    [Combination Sessful!]

    [The Leather Armor of the Seasoned Hunter gains the option Damage Received -1%.]

    Using the low-grade blue magic stone, he obtained damage reduction.

    [Combination Sessful!]

    [The Scythe of the Reaper gains the option Strength +2.]

    With the low-grade orange magic stone, his strength stat increased.

    Although theyre low-grade magic stones, theyll help boost my strength a little.

    Ryu Minbined them without any hesitation, striving to increase his power.

    After all, thebined magic stones could be separated at will.

    Theyre not consumables, so I can attach or detach them whenever I need.

    Once all the preparations wereplete with the magic stonebinations

    Boom-!

    The sky tore open, and a pir of light descended to the ground.

    Whoosh!

    Emerging under the spotlight was none other than an ang celestial being.

    Cloaked in a judge-like attire and a robe that concealed the face, their gender remained indistinguishable.

    Flutter-!

    Massive wings, measuring up to 6 meters in length, confirmed their angelic nature.

    The number and the size of wings determines an angels power.

    The more wings it has and therger it is the stronger the angel.

    Ordinary angels have wings that are much smaller.

    Compared to a regr angel with abined length of only 2 meters, the size of this angels wings was astounding.

    However, yers, unaware of these facts, could only stare in awe.

    Is that The Harbinger of The Divine Punishment?

    Do we just have to avoid it to survive?

    Doesnt it seem too easy?

    Laughter echoed from various corners.

    As majestic as their wings were, The Harbinger of The Divine Punishments appearance was simr to an ordinary human.

    In response to such reactions, Ryu Min smirked.

    Did they expect a giant beast to appear or something?

    Until they experienced it firsthand, no one would grasp the true strength of The Harbinger of The Divine Punishment.

    Swish-!

    The Harbinger of The Divine Punishment shook its staff, and bells attached to its end emitted a sound.

    Swish- swish!

    The angel, leisurely leaning on the staff, suddenly stomped on the ground.

    Thud-!

    Simultaneously, a purple aura emanated from the staffs tip.

    [The Harbinger of The Divine Punishment has cast a Restriction Field.]

    [yers cannot leave the field until the caster releases the skill.]

    [Stats of yers within the field are reduced by 50%.]

    A translucent purple barrier manifested within a 100-meter radius.

    Trapped inside, yers collectively grew bewildered.

    What is this? Our stats are decreasing?

    We cant escape?

    Are we really trapped?

    As they touched the purple barrier, they discovered its rigid and wall-like nature.

    Enclosed within the colossal dome, the trapped yers fell into contemtion.

    Their n to evade and roam around had crumbled from the start.

    Observing the trapped yers from outside the barrier, Ryu Min assessed their numbers.

    About 300 of them are caught, roughly.

    Naturally, Ryu Min himself remained outside the barrier.

    Aware of its 100-meter range, he positioned himself beyond its reach from the beginning.

    Its unfortunate, but I wont be able to rescue all 300.

    Once trapped within the Restriction Field, there was no escape.

    It was akin to being a mouse trapped in poison.

    Furthermore, with the stat reduction debuff, the odds are against us.

    Ryu Min knew this well from his initial encounter with the entity.

    Getting trapped within the field meant certain death.

    Flutter-!

    The Harbinger of The Divine Punishment unfurled its wings.

    Simultaneously, countless arrows of light materialized around their wings.

    Their number easily exceeded 200.

    It has begun.

    Ryu Min averted his gaze as if there was nothing to see.

    The subsequent event was already anticipated.

    Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-

    The arrows flew like beams of light, piercing through the yers bodies.

    Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop!

    Ah!

    Ugh!

    In an instant, 30 yers in the front line became hitting targets for the arrows, meeting their demise.

    Ahhh!

    Are we supposed to dodge those?

    Its nearly impossible to track them with our eyes!

    Startled, the yers retreated, but unfortunately, there was no escape route.

    Dodging the arrows of light is next to impossible.

    Ryu Min had a reason for avoiding being trapped within the barrier.

    Thebination of the field and the arrows of light created a lethalbo.

    As long as I stay out of it, I wont die.

    In fact, he could even target the entitys blind spot.

    The entity is solely focused on hunting humans, neglecting its surroundings.

    Unnoticed by the entity, Ryu Min circled around the barrier, positioning himself behind it.

    In the meantime, a party of death was taking ce in the circr dome.

    Quaaaaagh!

    Sa-save me!

    Mom!

    yers were helplessly killed by countless arrows of light.

    Focused on finishing the job The Harbinger of The Divine Punishment moved to the center of the barrier as the yers kept moving around like rats inside the trap.

    Not even noticing that Ryu Min was watching from behind.

    As expected, hes focused on hunting the others and doesnt even pay attention to the back. I can see his back I can do it.

    Though he couldnt approach due to the barrier

    As soon as the barrier is lifted, Illunch a surprise attack.

    That was the only way to ambush the entity while evading its line of sight.

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 Chapter 36: The Harbinger of Divine Punishment (2)

    Chapter 36: The Harbinger of Divine Punishment (2)

    [The opponent youre facing is a divine type.]

    [With the title of the First Angel yer taking effect, all stats are doubled.]

    A sudden message caught Ryu Mins attention, prompting him to open his status window.

    -Strength: 80, Intelligence: 28

    -Agility: 116, Luck: 96

    With the added title effect from the Rune of ughter, his stats skyrocketed fourfold.

    This should be enough to deliver significant damage.

    It was crucial tond a critical hit with his first strike.

    That way, the following move would be much easier to execute.

    As they say, A preemptive strike leads to victory, right?

    While waiting for the barrier to be lifted, Ryu Min nced at the surrounding yers outside.

    They seem utterly shocked.

    Everyone stood speechless, unable toprehend the brutal ughter happening within the barrier.

    Some yers were trembling like leaves caught in a storm.

    Survive against this monstrous creature for thirty minutes?

    Are you out of your mind?

    I cant even look at it, let alone survive. I need to run away.

    The hesitant yers quickly made their way to the exit, desperate for safety.

    But running away wouldnt solve their problem.

    The angel has wings. Its only a matter of time before it catches up.

    No matter how far they fled, it would be effortless for the angel to catch up with a few ps of its wings.

    And then, it would unleash havoc within the field, effortlessly ughtering the trapped humans.

    Running in different directions is a much better strategy for survival than running around in a group.

    The best option was to flee behind the Harbinger of Divine Punishment.

    It rarely looks back.

    The reason was simple.

    He underestimated humans.

    That as long as we dont initiate an attack.

    Finally, as the barrier fell like a descending curtain, the lives of the 300 yers trapped inside were extinguished.

    In that moment, the Harbinger of Divine Punishment took a step forward, searching for new prey.

    Now is the perfect opportunity.

    Ryu Min dashed forward with all his might.

    The once significant distance of over 100 meters, caused by the barrier, rapidly closed in.

    70m

    50m

    30m

    He could sense the presence of his opponent, but the Harbinger of Divine Punishment kept his sight focused forward.

    Theres no need to worry about being noticed.

    After all, that creature had no ears.

    That was his first weakness.

    The distance to the angel is now 5m!

    As Ryu Min closed in on the rtively short distance, he leaped high into the air.

    Swish!

    The Seal of Death was already engraved.

    I must go all-in with the first strike.

    He exerted all his strength, channeling it into the hand gripping his scythe.

    At that moment, as if it felt a shadow descending from above, the angel finally looked up.

    But its already toote.

    Ryu Mins scythe struck the angels eyeball faster than expected.

    Thunk!

    Did I hit it?

    When Ryu Minnded from his aerial somersault, the Harbinger of Divine Punishment clutched his eye.

    [AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!]

    I got him!

    Ryu Min found himself holding his breath as golden blood streamed through the angels writhing fingers.

    Though Ryu Min couldnt understand its words, the agony was apparent.

    I hit it precisely, right in the eyeball.

    Hitting the face, especially an eye, with arge scythe was no easy feat.

    It required a deep understanding of the weapon and considerable expertise.

    But Ryu Min aplished it.

    But its not over yet.

    Despite the scythe hitting its eye, the Harbinger of Divine Punishment remained alive.

    Hes a tough one with high endurance.

    Furthermore, his other eye remained intact.

    While it suffered a critical blow, a single attack wouldnt be enough to kill it.

    Thanks to the Seal of Death, Ryu Min could clearly see the remaining health, indicating there was still 60% left.

    Considering that I managed to get rid of 40% with just one attack, its not bad.

    Ryu Min retreated, putting some distance between himself and the creature.

    The Harbinger of Divine Punishment blinked its remaining eye, searching for Ryu Min.

    However, Ryu Min had long vanished from his line of sight.

    While he was out of sight, the Harbinger of Divine Punishment conjured a purple barrier once again.

    [The Harbinger of Divine Punishment has cast the Restriction Field.]

    Even though it was an attempt to trap him, Ryu Min anticipated it and swiftly evaded.

    Ryu Min had long since moved beyond the 100-meter radius.

    The enraged Harbinger of Divine Punishment searched for prey within the barrier.

    But realizing that there were no captured victims, he promptly lifted the field.

    As if waiting for this moment, Ryu Min stomped on the ground.

    Thunk!

    He closed the distance, rushing through the entitys blind spot, before leaping again.

    Ive taken one down.

    Swish!

    [Rumbling sound!]

    Now I must im the other.

    The crescent moon-shaped scythe found its mark in the Harbinger of Divine Punishments remaining eye.

    [AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!]

    The angel screamed in agony and anger, immediately casting the field once more.

    [The stats of the yers inside the field are reduced by 50%.]

    Though Ryu Mins movements slowed due to the stat reduction, it didnt faze him.

    A blind creature with no eyes is nothing more than a splendid punching bag.

    There was no reason to fear a sightless opponent.

    Whip!

    The Harbinger of Divine Punishment spread his massive wings.

    Unable to see his opponent, heunched beams of light in all directions, intending to kill.

    Thats when

    Now is the time.

    Ryu Min unleashed the Night of Death.

    Thunk!

    Countless beams of light vanished like extinguished candles.

    The light was swallowed by the darkness.

    Thats his second weakness.

    Ryu Min raised his scythe.

    Its his vulnerability to a Reaper-ss entity.

    Light cannot triumph over darkness.

    Thats how the system of the Otherworld was designed.

    Confused, the Harbinger of Divine Punishment swung his staff.

    But Ryu Min had already evaded, moving behind him, making it impossible tond a hit.

    Now lets finish this.

    To prevent the creature from fleeing, Ryu Min decided to start by severing its wings.

    Whoosh! Whoosh!!

    After a few strikes, the angels wings fell to the ground.

    [AAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH!!!!!]

    The creature screamed in agony, but two wings remained.

    Without hesitation, Ryu Min swung his scythe again.

    Slice! Strike! Thump!

    Both wings were torn asunder.

    Now, the creature had lost its means of escape.

    Its health is now at 10%.

    Only the final blow remained.

    However, instead of ending its life, Ryu Min distanced himself.

    The body of the Harbinger of Divine Punishment emitted a golden light.

    [Condition met. The passive skill Radiant Final Radiance of the Harbinger of Divine Punishment has been activated.]

    [The Harbinger of Divine Punishment bes invincible.]

    When its health dropped below 10%, the final phase began.

    [????]

    Ryu Min smirked.

    If I had aimed for its neck or other parts, it would have escaped without me being able to kill it after the beginning of the final phase.

    Thats why Ryu Min removed its wings first, even if the phase begins he has no means to ascend to the sky.

    Now its time to end this.

    Ryu Mins scythe gracefully danced through the air.

    The Harbinger of Divine Punishments head fell, severed in an instant.

    [You have in The Harbinger of Divine Punishment.] Read Next Chapter On Patreon!

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 Chapter 37: The Rewards (2)

    Chapter 37: The Rewards (2)

    [You have in The Harbinger of Divine Punishment.]

    [Experience gained x3.]

    [Experience +304.3%.]

    [Gold +8,200.]

    [Additional gold +4,100.]

    [Level up!]

    [Level up!]

    [Level up!]

    Ryu Min, with a single kill, skyrocketed from level 27 to level 30. And Lady Luck smiled upon him with additional gold rewards.

    Talk about being lucky.

    Now he possessed around 21,000 gold.

    I can finally afford anothermon skill as nned.

    Even after deducting the 3,000 gold reward from the sub-quest, he still had plenty of money left over.

    But that wasnt the only stroke of fortune he encountered.

    [You are officially recognized as the first yer to y The Harbinger of Divine Punishment.]

    [You have earned the title The One Who Opposes Punishment.]

    [As a reward for being the first to y The Harbinger of Divine Punishment, you have obtained Condensed Ether.]

    [As a reward for being the first to y The Harbinger of Divine Punishment, you have obtained the Radiant Rune.]

    [The acquired rune is automatically engraved on the yers body!]

    Among the flood of messages, Ryu Mins attention was drawn to an item.

    As expected, its here. Condensed Ether.

    [Condensed Ether]

    -Category: Inventory Item

    -Description: A highly valuable form of Ether, emitting a radiant glow from the very essence of the angels.

    Checking his information window, Ryu Min recognized this Ether. A mischievous grin crept onto his face.

    Killing The Harbinger of Divine Punishment was all about this.

    After all, Condensed Ether was the key ingredient for crafting Grade [God] items.

    Regr Ether wont cut it. Only Condensed Ether can create Grade [God] items.

    Although he still needed four more ingredients, obtaining them shouldnt be a problem if everything went ording to n.

    As long as I secure the crucial ingredient, which is the Condensed Ether, the rest should be a piece of cake.

    Ryu Min couldnt resist touching the new title he had earned.

    [Title  The One Who Opposes Punishment]

    -Acquisition Condition: Be the first to y The Harbinger of Divine Punishment.

    -Effect: Reduces damage received from Divine-type enemies by 80%.

    An impressive 80% damage reduction skill.

    Even though it only applied to Divine attributes

    I wont easily fall, even if I identally get attacked.

    Even if faced with area-of-effect skill or unavoidable strikes, he could mitigate the damage.

    Ryu Mins attention then shifted to the radiant rune that appeared.

    [Radiant Rune]

    -Effect: Increases Intelligence by 1 and boosts the effects of Divine-type skills by 1% per level.

    This rune enhanced Intelligence and skill effects by 1% per level.

    At my current level of 30, my Intelligence and my skill effects will increase by 30%.

    Although its benefits were limited to Divine-type skills, it seemed promising for Ryu Mins future endeavors.

    Moreover, the boost in Intelligence alone was a significant advantage.

    No need to invest in Intelligence for the time being.

    As the remaining time dwindled, a message popped up.

    [You havepleted the sub-quest!]

    [You will receive a reward of 3,000 gold!]

    Not only Ryu Min but also the other yers received this reward; their faces lighting up with delight.

    However, some gazed at Ryu Min with a mix of awe and fear.

    After all, no one expected someone to single-handedly y the Harbinger of Divine Punishment.

    Even the angels were taken aback.

    [Kehehehe, thats really impressive.]

    Suddenly appearing, the angel Olive cast her eyes upon Ryu Min.

    [To take down the Harbinger of Divine Punishment alone Youre the first human I genuinely admire.]

    The death of the Harbinger of Divine Punishment was an astonishing feat, even for an angel.

    [Shall we conduct an interview? yer ck Scythe, how did youe up with the idea to kill the Harbinger of Divine Punishment?]

    This slut is asking some unnecessary questions.

    Ryu Min, who didnt want to engage in a lengthy conversation, offered a simple response.

    I killed it because I wanted to.

    [Though you only have to survive, why did you want to kill it?]

    After witnessing people being massacred by that thing, I couldnt just stay standing.

    Though his reply was only to evade the question, it made the other yers admire him even more.

    He stepped forward to save us

    I thought he was arrogant because of how strong he is, but surprisingly, he has a sweet side.

    He got character.

    Ryu Mins previous negative image, entangled with Hwang Yongmin, suddenly took a positive turn.

    Upon hearing theirments, Ryu Min shed an awkward smile.

    It wasnt my intention, but I did end up saving people in the end.

    Considering the potential greater losses, the death toll of 300 was rtively small.

    Had he not intervened, only 500 out of 2,700 would have survived.

    To protect others Humans are indeed strange creatures. They tear each other apart as if they want to destroy their race, yet they live harmoniouslyter as if nothing happened. Its difficult for me toprehend.

    Exactly. How would self-centered angels understand?

    [Anyway, congrattions on surviving. But dont rx just yet. Whether youll be eliminated or not will be determined based on the final results. Keheheheh.]

    Olives words startled the crowd.

    [Shall we take a look at the final results?]

    After a while, the results of the third round were revealed.

    Undoubtedly, ck Scythe imed first ce.

    Wait, what?

    The results left everyone

    <strong>Hello New Trantor Here, Otaku_Hyung!Hope youre enjoying my new novels!Please consider rating this novel on Novelupdates to help it reach more people!Yourments makes the hard work on this novel worth it, Im eager to read them.</strong>

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 Chapter 38: End Of Round 3 (1)

    Chapter 38: End Of Round 3 (1)

    Round 3 Results

    [Overall]

    1st ce: ck Scythe (Lv30 Reaper)  3,631 kills

    2nd ce: Stupid Fools (Lv13 Shaman)  982 kills

    3rd ce: Heavenly Demon (Lv13 Dark Knight)  963 kills

    [Specific Area ESKS45-5]

    1st ce: ck Scythe (Lv30 Reaper)  3,631 kills

    2nd ce: Ahn Sang-chul (Lv11 Knight)  687 kills

    3rd ce: Seo Arin (Lv11 Summoner)  576 kills

    The results of the tally left everyone astounded.

    Did ck Scythe really take down 3,600 creatures all by himself?

    The 2nd ce couldnt even reach a thousand kills?

    It was no surprise that ck Scythe imed the top spot.

    But no one could have imagined he would achieve such an impressive feat.

    And there was something else that caught their attention.

    Look at his level. Its 30?

    Wow Thats incredible.

    Did he receive an experience bonus or something?

    The vast difference in levels left everyone speechless.

    Except for Ryu Min, the person in question.

    I did receive an experience buff. They probably didnt know about it unless they secured the 1st ce in the overall region.

    The 1st ce in the overall region was awarded a special reward selection box.

    The 3x experience bonus could only be obtained by opening that box.

    Meanwhile, the rewards for 2nd and 3rd ce in the overall region are significantly lower. Not to mention the rewards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ce in the specific area.

    However, it was still better to be in the top 3 and receive additional rewards.

    Considering the significant difference in growth speed.

    Moreover, with such rapid growth, theres a higher chance of securing a spot within the top 3 in the next round.

    As rewards umte, ones growth bes as unstoppable as a snowball, eventually making them a formidable presence among other yers.

    Thats why aiming for a high rank is crucial.

    As expected, [Heavenly Demon,] Ma Kyung-rok, secured a ce within the top 3 once again.

    [Stupid Fools] achieved a simr feat.

    [Stupid Fools] is quite talented.

    Does having a psychopathic personality make it easier to reach the top ranks?

    While pondering such thoughts, a message appeared.

    [Congrattions! You have achieved 1st ce in the specific area quest!]

    [Congrattions! You have achieved 1st ce in the overall region quest!]

    [The current rank of ck Scythe is 1st ce in the overall region and 1st ce in the specific area.]

    [As the 1st ce in the specific area ranking, you will receive the Intermediate Rare Ring Selection Voucher as a reward!]

    [As the 1st ce in the overall region ranking, you will receive the Special Reward Selection Box as a reward!]

    [An Intermediate Rare Ring Selection Voucher has arrived.]

    The rewards vary based on the yers level.

    If someone else had secured the 1st ce, they would have received a lower-grade voucher.

    Without hesitation, Ryu Min immediately used the received reward.

    [You can now select one of the following rare rings.]

    Please touch your desired reward.

    1. Ring of Swift Wind

    2. Ring of Blue Magic

    3. Ring of Resistance

    Ryu Mins finger moved swiftly without hesitation.

    I choose the Ring of Resistance, option 3.

    [Ring of Resistance]

    Category: Ring

    Grade: Rare

    Effect: Luck +4, Resistance +35%

    Durability: 450/450

    Usage Restriction: Regr grade or higher

    Description: A ring that provides resistance against debuff status.

    The items provided through selection cannot be previewed.

    Ill have to deduce what kind of item it is solely based on its name.

    Although Ryu Min is uncertain, he feels that very few people would choose the Ring of Resistance.

    Given its name, it appears to be weak.

    However, resistance is crucial for survival.

    After all, being afflicted with a debuff status is a dire situation.

    The system epasses numerous debuff statuses.

    Stun, bind, sleep, fear, silence, freeze, bleed, burn, blindness, slow, weakness, and many more.

    Some monsters can inflict debuff statuses, and certain yer skills can also have such effects.

    Ryu Min anticipates that yers will encounter more situations like this as the rounds progress.

    And eventually, they will realize the significance of resistance in terms of survival.

    No matter how high your stats are, falling victim to a debuff status means certain death.

    Moreover, resistance cannot be increased through stats alone.

    There are not many items with additional options either.

    In other words, they are rare and difficult to acquire.

    Even if I dont currently need it, its better to possess it.

    And since it also boosts Luck, Ryu Min decides to equip the ring.

    Next, Ryu Min opens the Special Reward Selection Box.

    There wont be a 3x experience buff this time.

    And as he thought.

    [You can now select one of the following special rewards.]

    Please touch your desired reward.

    1. 50% Stat Increase Buff (Valid for Round 4)

    2. 4,000 Gold

    3. Information about Round 4

    The 3x experience buff, which was always present as the first option, is absent this time.

    This implies that killing monsters is not the objective for Round 4.

    And indeed, thats the case.

    Round 4 doesnt revolve around ying monsters.

    However, there is no pressing need for a substitute like a stat increase buff either.

    Without a moments hesitation, Ryu Min chooses option 2, the gold.

    Instantly, 4,000 gold appears in Ryu Mins possession.

    There were no other alternatives avable.

    [Hey, everyone! Have you checked your ranks through messages? As you already know the cut-off line is at 1,225. Kehehehe.]

    U-Um, Angel! Something seems to be wrong here! Please double-check!

    It seems like there might be a miscalction by the system! Please verify!

    Yes, I caught so many creatures. How could my rank be this low

    While yers who didnt make it into the top ranks voiced their concerns, The angel ignored them.

    [Then I shall eliminate the bugs who couldnt make it within the top 1,225.]

    Olive proceeds to mercilessly annihte them.

    Sporting an evil smile that contradicts her appearance.

    Fshhh-

    Among the 2,400 survivors from the wave, half of them vanish.

    ROUND 3 Concluded

    [Overall]

    Survivors: 214,007,550

    [Specific Area ESKS45-5]

    Survivors: 1,225

    [After a while, your soul will return to your original dimension.]

    [Round 4 willmence on April 1st, 2022, at midnight. Until then, congrattions on surviving.]

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 Chapter 38: End Of Round 3 (2)

    Chapter 38: End Of Round 3 (2)

    Hah!

    Seo Arin opened her eyes and surveyed her surroundings.

    Im back. I survived Round 3.

    But it wasnt just surviving this time.

    She had even acquired the job of a Summoner.

    Seizing the opportunity, she decided to use her skills once again.

    Fairy summon.

    A small fairy materialized in a dazzling disy of light and fluttered around, exploring its surroundings.

    It was a summon that provided a protective shield.

    Although itckedbat abilities, it enabled her to safely ovee the 5th wave.

    I owe a debt of gratitude to bodyguard-nim too for attracting the monsters attention from me.

    She made a mental note to express her thankster.

    However, there were other fortunate developments.

    She achieved an impressive rank of 3rd ce in the area rankings.

    Can you believe I made it to 3rd ce in the rankings

    Even though it was the area rankings, it marked the first appearance of her nickname on the list.

    She also received a reward known as the Purple Mastery Stone.

    Curiosity piqued, Seo Arin took out the Purple Mastery Stone and examined it from various angles.

    I wonder if ck Scythe would appreciate this gift?

    Though uncertain of its purpose, it held value as a reward.

    She carefully stowed the Purple Mastery Stone back in her inventory.

    Once she entered Round 4, she nned to seek out ck Scythe and offer it as a token of gratitude.

    He should appreciate it

    But what if he doesnt?

    What could she give him then?

    I should give him something nheless. It would ease my conscience.

    Seo Arin was someone who couldnt stay in debt, especially if the debt is saving her life.

    ***

    Upon returning to reality, Hwang Yongmins first action was to open his status window.

    [A penalty is being applied.]

    [All stats permanently decrease by 50%.]

    His stats had been mercilessly halved, just as he had anticipated.

    Ah Damn it.

    Regret washed over Hwang Yongmins face.

    If only he hadntmanded the relic to be destroyed.

    At that moment, his phone vibrated.

    ncing at the caller ID, it was his close friend.

    Hey, Seunghan.

    Are you out of your mind?

    What do you mean?]

    [Everything went to hell because of you! Were damned! you know?

    His friends voice trembled with anger.

    How could you manipte your friends like that? Are you even human?

    Hey! It was an unavoidable situation. If I hadnt done that, ck Scythe could have killed me.

    Dying would have been better!

    What?

    Instead of causing harm to our friends.

    Come on! Im frustrated too, damn it! I received a penalty because Im the area representative!

    Do you think you were the only one to receive the penalty alone? We have also received one because of you!!

    .

    Would you have preferred it if I had died then, Im your friend you know?

    Hey,e on

    Stop, dont you dare to contact me again. Dont act like you know me whether its in reality or the other world. If I see your face, I might get so pissed off that Ill kill you.

    With that, the call ended abruptly.

    His friend seemed infuriated.

    Did I really do something wrong? Damn it, Im a victim too.

    Although he felt wronged, he had to let go of his anger.

    With that in mind, he attempted to contact another friend but received no response.

    Checking KakaoTalk, he discovered that he had been expelled from the group chat as well.

    Damn Theyre cutting me off without even listening.

    Despite being abandoned by his friends, he didnt feel lonely.

    On the contrary, his eyes zed with anger.

    What? They say they might kill me if they see my face?

    Hwang Yongmin made a silent vow.

    Next time we meet. Ill kill them all.

    He, too, was capable of revenge.

    ***

    Wee, Director An. Youve survived once again.

    Ma Kyung-rok, the owner, greeted with a smile, causing An Sang-cheol to feel a bit flustered and scratch the back of his head.

    I got lucky, haha.

    Round 3 must have been challenging. How did it go?

    It was fine. The weakened monsters didnt pose significant challenges.

    Do you have a job? Whats your current level?

    Im at level 11. I became a Knight.

    A Knight Thats an impressive job.

    By the way, Seo Arin is at the same level as me. Although she chose to be a Summoner.

    A Summoner?

    Ma Kyung-rok showed an unexpectedly enthusiastic reaction.

    Thats remarkable. It doesnt seem like an ordinary job.

    I was surprised too. After changing jobs, she summoned a fairy. It provided a protective shield, allowing us to hunt safely.

    Thats great. Keep maintaining a close rtionship with Seo Arin. If you like her, you can even consider dating.

    Date? What are you?

    I mean, its easier to find weaknesses if you get close. I dont mean it in a serious way.

    Ah

    An Sang-cheol didnt pay much attention to the suggestion of finding weaknesses.

    He had already carried out more severe orders.

    Should I really date her?

    Hahaha! Its been a while since Ive seen Director An flustered. You dont have to do it if its ufortable.

    Ah Okay.

    An Sang-cheol breathed a sigh of relief.

    And besides, Seo Arin probably doesnt have any feelings for me.

    Why? Director An is reliable and has a strong presence.

    She still addresses me respectfully as Mr. An.''

    Is that so?

    Ma Kyung-rok chuckled and swirled his ss of whiskey.

    Teasing Ahn Sang-cheol was one of his little hobbies.

    Anyway, whats this urgent matter you wanted to report?

    Ah!

    Ahn Sang-cheol suddenly remembered and immediately lowered his head.

    First of all, I apologize.

    Why?

    I failed to fulfill the order to assist ck Scythe. I also didnt deliver the message from the representative.

    I see. Im sure there must be a reason.

    Ahn Sang-cheol nodded and gave a detailed report on ck Scythes impressive achievements, and how he didnt require any assistance due to the overwhelming strength he had shown in blocking one of the entrances alone.

    The tally showed 3,631 kills, so Ma Kyung-rok wasnt surprised. He had already anticipated it.

    However, when An Sang-cheol mentioned that the relic had shattered and a sub-quest had appeared, even Ma Kyung-rok couldnt hide his astonishment.

    So, sub-quests appear when the relic shatters? In our area, we protected the relic and received 2,000 gold as a reward.

    Yes. We had to endure a quest for 30 minutes against a being called the Harbinger of Divine Punishment

    When An Sang-cheol mentioned that ck Scythe had ended up killing the being, Ma Kyung-roks eyes widened.

    Youre saying he managed to kill such a powerful entity?

    Yes. He defeated it with overwhelming skill as if he knew its strategies.

    Just by looking at the level tally of 30, it was evident how formidable ck Scythe was.

    I used to think that obtaining the ck Knights rune was an advantage. How foolish of me.

    There were individuals whose very existence was an advantage.

    ck Scythe didnt need any assistance from the beginning. Even though I examined the situation closely, there hasnt been any need to help him.

    I understand.

    Ma Kyung-rok nodded.

    If ck Scythe was that strong, there was no opening for An Sang-cheol to intervene.

    ck Scythe Id like to meet him if the opportunity arises.

    It would be great to know his true identity, but there was no way to find out.

    He couldnt even meet in the other realm.

    It was a pity that they belonged to different areas.

    As long as theres a reason, I wont hold you responsible.

    I apologize.

    By the way

    As Ma Kyung-rok mentioned the truth of their identities, certain individuals came to mind.

    What happened with tracking those troublemakers?

    It was none other than Hwang Yong-mins group. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

    <strong>Hello New Trantor Here, Otaku_Hyung!Hope youre enjoying my new novels!Please consider rating this novel on Novelupdates to help it reach more people!Yourments makes the hard work on this novel worth it, Im eager to read them.</strong>

 Chapter 39: March 4th (1)

    Chapter 39: March 4th (1)

    Nickname: Hwang Yongmin. Assuming thats his real name, there are dozens of people across the country with the same name. However

    An Sang-cheol spoke with a gleam in his eyes.

    Lets say hes a man in his twenties living in Seoul. In that case, the number narrows down to five.

    Are you certain hes in his twenties?

    Ma Kyung-rok inquired, and An Sang-cheol nodded.

    He imed to be a young man in his twenties aspiring to be a gangster. So the likelihood is quite high.

    And what about his whereabouts?

    To urately trace the addresses of those five individuals, it would take over a month.

    Over a month So we wont know the results until after the fourth round.

    Exactly. Since theres no immediate urgency, you can patiently await the oue.

    Are there any other names?

    One of hispanions goes by the nickname Kim Seunghan, which could potentially be his real name. Were also tracking him, but it will take longer due to themonness of the name.

    I see.

    Ma Kyung-rok sighed with a tinge of disappointment and poured himself a ss of whiskey.

    How much gold have you amassed?

    Approximately 10,000 gold.

    Ah, so youve reached 50%.

    Ma Kyung-rok took a sip of whiskey.

    Theres a usefulmon skill called Tracking at the shop. As I mentioned before, once you reach 20,000 gold, I strongly rmend learning it. It maye in handy in the future.

    Understood.

    An Sang-cheol didnt disy any signs of dissatisfaction, despite being asked to learn a skill on his behalf.

    His sole focus was gathering 20,000 gold as quickly as possible to be of assistance to the boss.

    Oh, Boss.

    Suddenly, An Sang-cheol spoke up, recalling something.

    I was so preupied that I forgot to mention there was a significant shareholder who purchased arge number of shares in yourpanyst month.

    Ma Kyung-rok raised an intrigued eyebrow.

    Considering the multitude of businesses he was involved in

    Whichpany are you referring to?

    Im talking about Cheonma Consulting, the very one were currently focusing on.

    Ah.

    Cheonma Consulting was Ma Kyung-roks most substantial and dedicated venture.

    Its thepany I established to gain my fathers approval.

    His father had stated that the proportion of the inheritance would be determined based on the sess of Cheonma Consulting.

    Even if its ranked 85th on the KOSDAQ, its still a respectable position

    To his fathers eyes, apany that hadnt even been listed on the KOSDAQ would appear as a mediocre, run-of-the-mill business.

    Youre saying someone has bought shares of Cheonma Consulting? What percentage of ownership are we talking about?

    Prepare to be surprised. Theyve acquired a staggering 31%.

    Pardon me?

    Ma Kyung-rok questioned his own ears.

    With 31%, they would be the majority shareholders.

    Are you telling me that a single individual has acquired shares to the extent of 31%?

    Yes. I too doubted my eyes when I saw it on the monitor.

    Cheonma Consultings market capitalization stood at 900 billion won.

    With a 31% stake, it meant an investment of 280 billion won.

    Who would possess such a significant sum of money?

    Is it a conglomerate? Or perhaps one of his siblings ying a game?

    They must have invested 31% to actively participate in thepanys management.

    Ma Kyung-rok weighed the situation.

    Regardless of the circumstances, he had to meet them.

    May I have the contact information of this major shareholder?

    ***

    Ryu Min, who had returned to reality, nced at the date.

    Its about time I received a call.

    He was eagerly awaiting Ma Kyung-roks phone call.

    After all, investing 280 billion won couldnt go unnoticed.

    Of course, he could have contacted them first.

    But the major shareholder has his pride.

    Anticipating their call, there was no need for him to take the initiative.

    And then

    Hey, hyung! Whats your level?

    The door swung open as Ryu Won barged in.

    Why are you suddenly asking that?

    Theres this guy in our ss who pretends to be all that, boasting in our group chat about how his older brother has a high level.

    Really? What level did he im?

    He said its level 11, and he even has a job.

    Level 11?

    Ryu Min almost burst outughing butposed himself.

    Well, my level is higher, so dont worry.

    What level are you then?

    What level? Well

    He had to strike a bnceneither too high nor too low.

    Level 12.

    Really? And you already have a job?

    Yeah.

    What kind of job is it?

    Ryu Min yfully cut off his younger brothers curiosity.

    Its a secret.

    Aw,e on! Wheres the fun in keeping secrets between brothers?

    Oh, there are secrets. So now, go away. You should get some more sleep.

    As if acknowledging his weariness, Ryu Won took a step back and settled into bed.

    Fine, fine. Rest well.

    Once the door closed, Ryu Min didnt immediately shut his eyes.

    A phone call mighte soon, and sleep seemed elusive.

    Should I purchase amon skill?

    He opened the shop window and bought themon skill he had intended to acquire.

    With 20,000 gold gone, he was left with 8,000 gold.

    With the remaining funds, I should buy an epic item that will be avable in a few days.

    In about a week, the shop would feature a desired epic item.

    But before that, I must meet Ma Kyung-rok.

    Meeting with Ma Kyung-rok was of utmost importance.

    In terms of thepany, it was akin to meeting with crucial clients.

    Of course, I wont get too close. I must maintain a distance and utilize them strictly as a card to be discarded when necessary.

    To achieve that, he needed to keep a watchful eye on the situation as if he were holding hands with the other party.

    This was precisely why he required the Rune of Inner Thoughts.

    I can obtain it in three daysthe Rune of Inner Thoughts.

    Just then, his cellphone buzzed.

    Theyve arrived.

    It was an iing call from an unfamiliar number.

    Yet Ryu Min immediately recognized it as Ma Kyung-roks number.

    Yes,

    Is this Ryu Min by any chance?

    Yes, but whos speaking?

    Hello. This is Ma Kyung-rok, the representative of Cheonma Consulting.

    Ah, hello.

    Ryu Min deliberately affected a gruff voice.

    From now on, he had to work on his image.

    The more underestimated he appeared, the easier it would be to catch the other person off guard.

    I heard that you invested in ourpanyst month.

    Yes, but whats this about?

    Well, its important, because youve be thergest shareholder of ourpany. I wanted to meet you in person, even if its just to put a face to the name. Shall I treat you to a meal?

    Ah That sounds good.

    Excellent. How about we meet this Friday?

    Friday?

    <strong>Hello New Trantor Here, Otaku_Hyung!Hope youre enjoying my new novels!Please consider rating this novel on Novelupdates to help it reach more people!Yourments makes the hard work on this novel worth it, Im eager to read them.</strong>

 Chapter 39: March 4th (2)

    Chapter 39: March 4th (2)

    Friday held great significance as it was a crucial day for obtaining the Rune of Inner Thoughts.

    Meeting after acquiring the rune would be more favorable.

    Ah, I have priormitments at that time How about Saturday, the next day?

    -Yes, that works. Ill see you then.

    As the call ended, a faint smile yed on Ryu Mins lips.

    As expected, Ma Kyung-rok would call.

    Cheonma Consulting was apany he managed meticulously.

    He wouldnt neglect the major shareholder who had invested 31% in thepany.

    There will probably be discussions about control rights.

    At that moment, Ryu Min intended to showcase his own value to Ma Kyung-rok.

    Thinking about this Ryu Min couldnt help but tighten his fist.

    But first, I need to obtain the Rune of Inner Thoughts.

    Seeking topensate for hisck of sleep, he closed his eyes.

    There were still three days remaining until Friday.

    Plenty of time indeed.

    ***

    There are various ways to obtain runes.

    They can be acquired by defeating boss monsters or discovered at specific locations in certain rounds.

    They may also appear as special rewards forpleting rounds or even dropped by regr monsters.

    Although the probability is extremely low.

    People woulde to realize the difficulty of acquiring runes.

    Yet, they would also discover the methods.

    The execution, however, posed a challenge.

    But

    There is a method unknown to most.

    They probably dont know that runes can be obtained in reality.

    While people in this realm might believe that runes can only be obtained by defeating monsters orpleting quests.

    But you can also obtain runes in reality.

    These are known as Hidden Runes.

    Due to their scarcity, they are not runes that can be easily obtained.

    Of course, their numbers are limited.

    At most, around five?

    If people were aware of this fact, they wouldnt rest easy.

    Even after the round ends, they would be alert, tirelessly searching.

    Of course, that doesnt concern me. I already know where to find runes.

    However, its not merely a matter of location.

    Specific conditions are required to obtain the runes.

    When the hidden location meets the specific conditions

    Thats when the rune can be obtained.

    With that, the reason Ryu Min was hiding in the abandoned factory on the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province became clear.

    In a little while, Jang Seok-hyun will appear.

    Nickname: [Jang Seok-hyun]

    His real name is also Jang Seok-hyun.

    An unforgettable name.

    He is none other than the criminal who had kidnapped Ryu Mins younger brother.

    Although it happened during the 11th regression, the memory remains vivid

    The voice of the individual demanding information in exchange for his brothers life.

    I cant forget his appearance either. He reminded me of a burnt bun.

    It was that bear-like figure who possessed the Rune of Inner Thoughts.

    As a result, Ryu Min was exposed as a Regressionist, and his brother was taken captive.

    Thats why I never revealed my Regressionist identity to my brother again.

    He had already exacted revenge on Jang Seok-hyun.

    From the 11th round until now.

    There were no lingering emotions left.

    Im merely using him.

    Although they couldnt meet in the same realm due to being in different zones.

    The only way was through reality.

    Of course, if the zones were unified, there would be a chance to meet someday

    But if he didnt seize the Rune of Inner Thoughts now, he might never get the opportunity.

    Thats why today, March 4th, Friday, held such significance.

    Before he gets it, I will get it. And

    A wry chuckle escaped Ryu Mins lips.

    I will kill him.

    His gaze shifted to a corner of the system.

    [The target Jang Seok-hyun location has been identified.]

    [Currently 2,285m away.]

    [Currently 2,221m away.]

    [Currently 2,160m away.]

    Observing the distance rapidly decreasing, it appeared they were traveling by car.

    Judging by the diminishing distance, it seems theyre approaching this way.

    A faint smile curved Ryu Mins lips.

    A half-smile.

    Ill wait here in the abandoned factory until he arrives.

    In the silent factory, Ryu Min passed the time.

    And when the distance between him and Jang Seok-hyun narrowed to within 100m.

    Tsu-eu-eu-ek.

    He donned his gear.

    Equipped with arge scythe, he was armed.

    Yet, he couldnt conceal his face.

    For precaution, its better to hide my identity, just in case something bad happens.

    He retrieved a mask he had prepared in advance.

    Amon white mask with a generic face shape found on the inte.

    It should suffice to cover my face.

    Donning the mask, he prepared for the reception in the darkness.

    And then

    Thump, thump.

    Jang Seok-hyun appeared.

    Finally, hes here.

    An unmistakable face.

    And the woman beside him Read Next Chapter on Patreon

    <strong>Hello New Trantor Here, Otaku_Hyung!Hope youre enjoying my new novels!Please consider rating this novel on Novelupdates to help it reach more people!Yourments makes the hard work on this novel worth it, Im eager to read them.</strong>

 Chapter 40: Jang Seok Hyun (1)

    Chapter 40: Jang Seok Hyun (1)

    Jang Seok-hyun, a man with a history of 12 criminal offenses, is nothing short of a disgrace.

    While most of his crimes were petty, such as theft or harassment, there were also grave offenses like rape and murder.

    Well, even if I cause a ruckus, it will be just a couple of years in prison, and thatll be it.

    Though he boasted about causing trouble, the reality of prison life wasnt as tough as he imed.

    Sometimes, he even longed for the meals served in jail.

    During moments of hardship, he would contemtemitting a crime to end up in prison, hoping to escape the struggles of daily life. In fact, the thought crossed his mind more than a dozen times.

    Isnt it great how guys like me can lead such afortable life in this country? Do whatever you want while being drunk, and get a reduced sentence. Ha-ha!

    Not only did they offer reduced sentences, but they also looked after the rights of criminals.

    In prison, they provided regr meals funded by the taxpayers.

    Being young was an advantage, too.

    Back in middle school, he had killed a ssmate after bullying him relentlessly.

    He took his life without a second thought

    But just because I was young, I only spent two years behind bars.

    Of course, now at the age of 29, he couldnt afford to be as reckless as before.

    Still, isnt it great thatmitting petty crimes like theft or harassment is so easy?

    Especially this year, life had be even better.

    That was because he had be a yer, someone with unique abilities.

    When I was fighting for my life against goblins in the first round, I couldnt help but wonder how I ended up in such a ridiculous situation

    But now, his perspective had changed.

    He found himself feeling grateful to a higher power.

    Utilizing my abilities makesmitting crimes even more enjoyable, hehe.

    The Rune of Luminescence.

    It was the rune Jang Seok-hyun had acquired early on in the first round.

    With a single touch, it would illuminate his body, leaving his opponent blinded.

    Its a rune thats perfect formitting crimes.

    Using the Rune of Luminescence, he could blind his victims andmit acts of harassment without fear of being reported.

    Although it had a cooldown,sting only ten seconds, it was still useful for evading surveince cameras.

    This is fantastic. The ability to act as I please in this situation is simply marvelous. Hehe!

    It almost felt like a gift tailored specifically for him by a divine being.

    In the past, life was so dull that it didnt matter if I lived or died

    But now, everything had changed.

    He was determined to survive, to fully embrace his abilities.

    Still, I managed to survive until the third round.

    Although he hadnt reached level 9 yet, denying him the opportunity to choose a job, it didnt bother him.

    After all, he had the Rune of Luminescence.

    As long as I have this rune, I can indulge in a life akin to paradise.

    The worry of whether he would survive the next round lingered, but who knew?

    As long as I have the Rune of Luminescence, Ill find a way.

    Yet, he couldnt shake off the underlying anxiety. Therefore, Jang Seok-hyun decided to focus on the present.

    Life was unpredictable, and death coulde knocking at any moment.

    Wasnt it only right to live each day as if it were hisst?

    I wonder which woman I should choose today.

    Jang Seok-hyun strolled through the streets like a hyena on the prowl.

    After exerting himself during the monster wave in the third round, he needed a way to alleviate his fatigue.

    A single woman might be just what I need to recharge. Hehehe.

    Jang Seok-hyun found pleasure in spontaneously selecting his prey as he roamed the streets.

    If he spotted a woman who caught his fancy, he would discreetly follow her, perhaps give her buttocks a squeeze or seize her breasts before making a swift getaway.

    And yet, despite indulging in such acts numerous times a day, he never once got caught.

    All thanks to the Rune of Luminescence.

    However, today he couldnt satiate his pent-up desires with such simple harassment.

    Unless he took things further, sleep would elude him.

    Perhaps I should satisfy my hunger first.

    Jang Seok-hyun located a cafe he frequented and downed a refreshing iced Americano.

    Wee.

    Huh?

    To his surprise, a new face greeted him from behind the counter.

    Shes quite attractive, isnt she?

    Jang Seok-hyun swiftly adjusted his expression and approached her.

    Ill have a venti-sized iced Americano, please.

    Will you be having it here?

    Yes.

    Ill assist you with the payment. Itll be 5,100 won.

    As he extended a thick stack of cash from his pocket, Jang Seok-hyun inquired:

    By the way, have there been staff changes here?

    Yes?

    Im a regr customer, but I dont see the usual staff.

    Oh! Youre a regr customer. I apologize for not recognizing you. All the part-time workers quit due to personal reasons. You know how strange the world has be these days.

    Jang Seok-hyun nodded in understanding.

    He grasped the meaning behind her words.

    In a rapidly changing world, it was unlikely that the part-time workers turned yers would still be working there.

    Some might have perished without ever returning.

    Are you the owner, by any chance?

    Oh, yes!

    How old are you? You look quite young.

    Ah Im 32.

    Oh, so youre not a yer?

    No. I suppose Im fortunate in that regard.

    Could you share your number? Im quite interested in you.

    Pardon?

    The cafe owner wore a bewildered expression at Jang Seok-hyuns audacious request.

    Haha, just kidding. Just kidding.

    Jang Seok-hyun scanned her from head to toe, shing a mischievous smile.

    A cafe owner she

    Not only did her face captivate him, but her figure was also impressive.

    He chuckled inwardly, yet the cafe owner seemed to furrow her brows, seemingly troubled.

    Is there a problem? Jan Soek-hyun suddenly said.

    Huh?

    Why are you giving me that look?

    Oh, well

    Is my face dirty or something?

    Huh?

    Damn, you suddenly seem rather displeased. Are you disgusted by the stubble on my face?

    Jang Seok-hyuns annoyance became apparent as he blinked his eyes.

    Since you find it gross, just give me the coffee to go. Its because my ugly face wont be good to have in your coffee shop.

    I-I sincerely apologize for my behavior customer, Ill Ill arrange a refund for you.

    Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, the cafe owner nervously refunded back the payment.

    Jang Seok-hyun epted the money without a backward nce and left.

    These women, judge people solely based on appearances.

    Angry and genuinely upset, Jang Seok-hyun chose his target.

    Ill make her pay for underestimating me.

    He nned to assault the cafe owner, forcing her to cry and beg for mercy.

    But thatll have to wait for another day

    He set the execution date three dayster, on Friday, March 4th.

    First, he needed to determine the locations of the CCTV cameras and familiarize himself with the cafe owners daily routine.

    He also had to find a suitable location for the crime.

    But I have no intention of going to prison just yet.

    Jang Seok-hyuns twisted smile grew even more pronounced.

    <strong>Hello New Trantor Here, Otaku_Hyung!Hope youre enjoying my new novels!Please consider rating this novel on Novelupdates to help it reach more people!Yourments makes the hard work on this novel worth it, Im eager to read them.</strong>

 Chapter 40: Jang Seok Hyun (2)

    Chapter 40: Jang Seok Hyun (2)

    Three days had passed, and the day of execution had arrived.

    Jang Seok-hyuns n had fallen into ce.

    Thump, thump, thump, thump

    The cafe owner, trapped in the trunk, was pounding on the door.

    Hehe, it was a good idea to bring a car. Its a rental, so there shouldnt be any issues.

    Indeed, when it came to kidnapping, a car was all you needed.

    It was easy to transport, and there was no need to worry about attracting attention.

    It was too easy. I didnt even need to use my abilities.

    Jang Seok-hyun had hidden in an alley near the street where the cafe owner would appear and knocked her unconscious as she passed by.

    He then simply pushed her into the trunk of the car he had prepared in advance.

    He had done well to observe her daily route while stalking her.

    Thump, thump, thump, thump

    Hey, stop banging. Were almost there.

    Jang Seok-hyun, driving the car, arrived at an abandoned factory with no signs of human presence.

    This ce is perfect for what I have in mind.

    At night, nobody woulde near, and there were no CCTV cameras in the vicinity.

    Where should I do it? Ah! That spot looks good.

    After parking in a suitable location, Jang Seok-hyun opened the trunk.

    Creak!

    Ugh, ugh!

    The cafe owner was bound with duct tape and writhing like a fish, her makeup smudged from crying in the darkness.

    Gag!

    Jang Seok-hyun easily carried the cafe owner on his shoulder.

    With his new stats, exerting force became effortless.

    nk! Squeak

    He opened the door of the dimly lit abandoned factory and stepped inside.

    Thud, thud

    There was a switch nearby, but it didnt work.

    Well, thats fine. Darkness isnt necessarily a bad thing.

    Although he could have made himself glow, doing so could blind the cafe owner.

    There was no fun in engaging with a blind opponent.

    Ill untie you, so dont make any noise. Got it?

    The cafe owner nodded, and Jang Seok-hyun removed the duct tape that bound her.

    Peel

    Huff, huff P-please please spare me spare

    Damn it, is that all you can say as soon as your mouth is free?

    Jang Seok-hyuns excitement waned at the predictable repertoire.

    Say something different for once. Something other than begging for mercy, mentioning your children, or offering money. Its all so boring.

    I-Im sorry

    Did her apologye from genuine remorse?

    Jang Seok-hyun sighed heavily, calming his excitement.

    Sigh Why did you do something to warrant an apology?

    I-I looked at you with a displeased expression a few days ago, so thats why youre I-Im sorry

    Did her heartfelt apology have an effect?

    Jang Seok-hyuns gaze softened.

    What are you sorry for?

    F-For for giving you a dirty look a few days ago. I-Im s-sorry

    Im sorry Im sorry Im sorry

    She continued to apologize, but Jang Seok-hyun remained silent, just staring at her.

    This wont do.

    W-What?

    I dont sense sincerity.

    Jang Seok-hyun forcefully pushed the cafe owner down to the floor.

    Did you think I wouldnt know? Pretending to apologize to defuse the situation.

    P-Please please let me go

    Apologizing? You apologize, and then what? You should pay a price if youre sorry.

    A sinister smile crept across Jang Seok-hyuns face, reigniting his desire.

    And then he started to strip the woman forcibly.

    P-Please, stop!

    Although she resisted to some extent, she couldnt withstand the yers strength.

    I made a mistake! I made a mistake!

    She pleaded for forgiveness, but her words fell on deaf ears.

    No, they were heard, but Jang Seok-hyun chose to ignore them.

    Ivee this far; theres no turning back.

    Having crossed an uncrossable river, he couldnt retreat.

    Since you admit your mistake, then just ept this Jand Seok-hyun said as he unzipped his pants.

    Thats right, just stay still. Hehe!

    The owner shop cried in response, and suddenly

    Oh, is that so? If it were you, will you just stay still?

    In an instant, Jang Seok-hyun froze, as if turned into a statue.

    What? Damn it!

    Suddenly, he heard a voice from an unexpected third party.

    And it was a male voice.

    I thought nobody was here!

    Cold sweat trickled down Jang Seok-hyuns back.

    Could it be that a detective had followed him?

    He quickly adjusted his pants and stood up.

    Who the hell was that?

    Dont use profanity in front of ady.

    Jang Seok-hyun turned his head toward the source of the voice.

    In any case, youll have plenty of time to curseter.

    Ryu Min walked out of the darkness, capturing Jang Seok-hyuns attention with hisrge scythe.

    What Whats with that ridiculously huge scythe?

    Next, Jang Seok-hyun noticed the white mask worn by Ryu Min.

    His attire seemed like some kind of character cosy.

    Jang Seok-hyun couldnt help but chuckle.

    Are you crazy? Do you think this is Itaewon? Halloween is still far away.

    I havent quite grasped the atmosphere yet. Does this look like a toy to you?

    Ryu Min swung his scythe in a half-moon shape.

    Swoosh! The sound was quite threatening.

    Hold on, wait a minute. Its not a toy?

    Only then did Jang Seok-hyuns wariness kick in.

    Are you a yer?

    Are you stupid? Why did it take you so long to figure it out?

    Ryu Min, outside his mask, let out a sigh.

    You should leave. Miss, this is your only chance.

    What? Who do you think you are to decide?

    Did he feel safe because the distance seemed greater?

    Jang Seok-hyun turned his gaze toward the woman.

    Just then

    Thwack!

    Ryu Min closed the distance.

    He held the scythe in reverse and struck Jang Seok-hyuns vulnerable area.

    Crunch!

    Urggghhh!

    It happened in the blink of an eye.

    Jang Seok-hyun, struck in a most unpleasant ce, doubled over in pain.

    A wave of indescribable agony washed over him.

    You fcker! You fcking bastard!

    I told you, youll have plenty of opportunities to curseter.

    Ryu Min kicked Jang Seok-hyuns rear end, causing him to tumble away from the woman.

    Leave now. Leave the rest to me.

    Wh-What? Th-Thank you.

    As the cafe owner ran away, only the two of them remained in the abandoned factory.

    Ryu Minughed inside his mask.

    Well, shall we start the main event? Read Next Chapter on Patreon

    <strong>Hello New Trantor Here, Otaku_Hyung!Hope youre enjoying my new novels!Please consider rating this novel on Novelupdates to help it reach more people!Yourments makes the hard work on this novel worth it, Im eager to read them.</strong>

 Chapter 41: Rune Of Inner Thoughts (1)

    Chapter 41: Rune Of Inner Thoughts (1)

    @#$%&!,@#$%&!,@#$%&!,@#$%&!!

    Jang Seok-hyun unleashed a relentless stream of curses, his eyes zing with fury.

    His target had struck him right in the crotch.

    Ill kill you. Ill damn well kill you, you son of a bi*ch.

    The fact that the girl had managed to escape didnt matter anymore.

    His lust had long faded, leaving only an insatiable desire to see his opponent dead.

    I must say, you have quite the fighting spirit. If you had surrendered easily, I would have been caught off guard.

    With an air of amusement, his opponents voice sounded surprisingly light.

    Jang Seok-hyun couldnt help but feel a twinge of confusion, almost as if he could hearughter.

    You bastard! Why the hell are youughing like that?

    Jang Seok-hyun charged forward, disregarding the pain coursing through his body.

    As a yer, he could still move despite the injuries, unlike an average person.

    Just a little closer, and that scumbag wont stand a chance!

    As long as he closed the distance, it would be a piece of cake.

    Luckily, his opponent was as immovable as a statue.

    You foolish idiot!

    In the blink of an eye, a dagger materialized in Jang Seok-hyuns right hand.

    He swung the dagger wildly, desperately attempting to strike.

    Swish, swish, swish!

    He was confident in his skill to pierce a goblins throat, but his opponent proved to be far more skilled.

    With his meager level 9 stats, it was nearly impossible to graze the cor of someone at level 30.

    He actually dodges all of this?

    His attempts to thrust, sh, and rant at his opponent proved futile, merely scorching the empty air.

    Still clinging to a goblins dagger, huh?

    His opponents mocking voice rang out as he brought his scythe down.

    Kwack!

    Jang Seok-hyun, sprawled on the ground after being knocked over, scowled in frustration.

    A wave of agony surged from his core.

    Urgh.

    Feeling the pain, are we?

    The voice of Ryu Min, his opponent, emerged from behind the mask with a hint of a smile.

    But we havent even begun yet.

    In a sh, the scythe descended, causing Jang Seok-hyuns wrist to go limp.

    K-kuh, aaargh!

    Enough with the theatrics.

    Ryu Min swung his scythe once more, severing Jang Seok-hyuns other wrist.

    Effectively rendering him unable to wield a weapon.

    Kuhhh

    Jang Seok-hyuns mind swiftly realized that this was a hopeless situation.

    His ability to fight back had been practically nullified.

    Kuh, its hopeless, I dont have a chance against him.

    Did hee to that conclusion?

    With his limbs severed, Jang Seok-hyuns body began to emit a blinding white light.

    Or at least, that was the intention.

    Huh?

    To his bewilderment, the light failed to radiate as expected.

    Whats going on? Why isnt it working?

    While his hands were now gone, his two feet remained intact.

    He had hoped to blind his opponent with his luminous ability and make his escape.

    But why?

    However, his body seemed unresponsive, as if the ability had vanished into thin air.

    There was nothing but the same darkness that had shrouded him before, without a glimmer of light.

    Ryu Min couldnt help but smile inwardly at Jang Seok-hyuns perplexed expression.

    No matter how brightly you glow, its all in vain. No light is permitted in the face of the impending night of death.

    Anticipating this, Ryu Min had already prepared the skill of the night of death.

    Jang Seok-hyuns runes had be utterly useless.

    If I hadnt surpassed level 20 and learned the skill of the night of death, the tables would have turned.

    He would have undoubtedly fallen for the illusion, gued by blindness.

    Well, even before that, I would have sliced off your ankles.

    While the thought crossed Ryu Mins mind, his scythe swung once more.

    Slice!

    A chilling sound apanied Jang Seok-hyuns pitiful copse.

    Only now, btedly, did he cry out in agony upon seeing his severed ankles.

    K-kuh, dammit!

    Now you cant run away, can you?

    With severed wrists and ankles, Jang Seok-hyuns voice trembled with despair.

    K-kuh, damn it You devilish bastard! Why are you doing this to me? Why?

    Why, you ask?

    Thud!

    K-kuh!

    The scythe struck his back, twice in quick session.

    Argh!

    Pain coursed through his body, sttering blood in its wake.

    It was a hopeless situation with no escape routes.

    As Jang Seok-hyun writhed in torment, his mind struggled to find rity.

    All he could think of at that moment is salvation.

    Should I bite my tongue and just die?

    The moment he thought it would be better to just die and tried to bite off his tongue.

    Chin-

    Ryu Min lifted his head with the scythe.

    You thought Ill let you go just like that?

    Not until you beg me to kill you.

    Thud!

    Once again, the scythe moved, piercing through his thighs.

    Aughhh.

    Thud!

    The other thigh was prated as well.

    K-kuhhh

    Jang Seok-hyuns thoughts turned towards death.

    It felt unfair.

    And it was agonizing.

    But I will never beg, even if it meant killing myself!

    However, the moment he tried to open his mouth, Ryu Min once again stopped him.

    This kept going for a couple of rounds.

    Thud, Thud.

    Aughh

    Thud, Thid.

    Aww

    The pain Jang Seok-hyun was suffering was unbearable to the point that he started sobbing.

    And all that he could think of is how much he wanted this to end.

    Z, z chaff Joe  .

    What?

    Please  kill me  please  .

    Are you serious?

    Jang Seok-hyun nodded.

    He didnt want to suffer anymore.

    Was that satisfying to hear?

    Though his face was hidden behind a mask, Ryu Min wore a pleasant smile.

    <strong>Hello New Trantor Here, Otaku_Hyung!Hope youre enjoying my new novels!Please consider rating this novel on Novelupdates to help it reach more people!Yourments makes the hard work on this novel worth it, Im eager to read them.</strong>

 Chapter 41: Rune Of Inner Thoughts (2)

    Chapter 41: Rune Of Inner Thoughts (2)

    I bet you cant 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. Weve met before.

    A flicker of surprise shed across Jang Seok-hyuns eyes.

    You know my name?

    Jang Seok-hyun cautiously spoke up.

    Could it be rted to the woman?

    Thats not it. Theres no connection between me and that woman.

    Then

    You kidnapped my brother. And you ckmailed me, demanding information about Hidden Peace.

    M-Me? I didnt do that

    Of course, you havent done it yet. Its an event that hasnt urred. Its both the past and the future to me.

    Whether Jang Seok-hyun understood or not, Ryu Min continued speaking.

    If I hadnt intervened, you would have obtained the Rune of Inner Thoughts.

    The Rune of Inner Thoughts?

    Theres a hidden rune in this ce.

    Really?

    Jang Seok-hyuns 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 thates from the heart, filled with utmost sincerity.

    .

    If I hadnt 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 couldnt refute it.

    Ryu Min had an urate 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 wonty a hand on you.

    What?

    In fact, why do you think I would bother exining all this? Ive been waiting for you to die on your own.

    Chin-

    Ryu Mins scythe closed Jang Seok-hyuns 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 cant even utter the words kill me. I cant even speak the words the other person wants to hear! Then whats the point of all of this!

    Since he couldnt speak, he had tomunicate his plea through anguished eyes.

    Youre trying to speak now! You sincerely want to be killed! And wondering whats the point of all of this if I wont let you speak?

    Did Ryu Minprehend that gaze?

    Jang Seok-hyuns eyes widened.

    Why are you looking like this?

    Ryu Min replied.

    Youre wondering how I knew? Its thanks to the Rune of Inner Thoughts.

    What?

    It wasnt a mere understanding of the gaze.

    Well, despite not being ideal, I already obtained the rune.

    He was delving into Jang Seok-hyuns 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 shouldnt die so easily.

    Ryu Mins voice, behind the mask, sent chills down the spine.

    Its 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 nonchntly remarked, Hes dead.

    A concise observation.

    His voicecked 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 didnt detect anyone.

    He could rest assured.

    Even if I were reported, it wouldnt matter since Im wearing a mask.

    Ryu Mins 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 yers body!]

    Recalling the message that appeared as soon as he heard Jang Seok-hyuns plea for death.

    Ryu Min essed 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 prate the depths of ones innermost thoughts.

    Even if the other person remains indifferent.

    Whether for gathering information, adapting to various situations, or identifying enemiesthe rune had limitless utility.

    It was not unworthy of being included in the list of the 18 essential runes.

    Ryu Mins gaze returned to Jang Seok-hyun, lifeless before him.

    Now that Ive obtained what I wanted, lets clean up the aftermath.

    He utilized an additional skill he had acquired.

    And then

    As if in an illusion, Jang Seok-hyuns corpse vanished. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

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 Chapter 42: Dinner With Ma Kyung Rok (1)

    Chapter 42: Dinner With Ma Kyung Rok (1)

    Neat.

    The once blood-soaked scene transformed into a clean environment as if by magic.

    Not a trace of Jang Seok-hyuns body remained.

    This remarkable transformation was all thanks to the newly acquiredmon skill.

    [Universal Skill  Trace Erasure]

    Effect: Erases all traces at the scene, including corpses, bloodstains, fingerprints, footprints, and more.

    The performance is undoubtedly impressive.

    Just as described in the skill description, the scene became as clean as if it were brand new.

    It was hard to imagine that a murder had urred here.

    The 20,000 gold invested was indeed worthwhile.

    This is how the aftermath should be handled neatly.

    Theres no need to dwell on how its possible.

    After all, the resurrection of the dead was also one of the skills this system offers.

    No wonder yers would be so thrilled to have it.

    Trace erasure is a skill perfectly suited formitting crimes and covering up their tracks.

    One might even suspect that it was specifically designed for such criminal activities.

    In the future, there may be yers who offer their services to erase traces for others.

    Although they demand payment in the form of items.

    Its not entirely free, but the demand for this skill is high.

    Instead of spending 20,000 gold to learn the skill, its more cost-effective to exchange it for an item and have the traces erased.

    Currently, there might be a few, but in the future, there will be more yers providing trace erasure services.

    Once they reach level 40, the [Trade] function bes avable.

    It enables yers to trade items and gold with each other.

    Thats when yers who specialize in gold trading will emerge.

    They will offer services such as finding people or erasing traces at crime scenes using universal skills like tracking or trace erasure.

    But I have no intention of venturing into gold trading.

    I will likely have frequent use for tracking and tracing erasure in the future.

    For Ryu Min, its a better choice to purchase these skills rather than rely on others.

    Besides, I dont want to get involved in other peoples crimes for a mere pittance.

    Regardless, I have already figured out ways to earn money beyond gold.

    One of those methods involves utilizing Ma Kyung-rokspany.

    We agreed to meet for lunch tomorrow, right?

    After clearing the scene and leaving the abandoned factory, Ryu Min recalled his lunch appointment with Ma Kyung-rok.

    He had no thoughts or worries about the murder.

    I should buy a suit for tomorrow.

    His sole focus was on meeting Ma Kyung-rok.

    Thoughts concerning Jang Seok-hyun had long been erased from his mind.

    ***

    The following day at lunchtime.

    Ryu Won couldnt help but be surprised when he saw his brother dressed in a suit.

    It was the first time he had seen his brother in formal attire.

    Hyung, do you have a date this weekend?

    What are you talking about?

    You suddenly dressed up in a suit, so I thought

    Its an important appointment.

    Who are you meeting?

    A business partner.

    Huh? Hyung, are you going into business?

    Ryu Min nodded, and his younger brother looked worried.

    His thoughts were conveyed as always when he observed quietly.

    Last time, he went all-in on stocks, and now hes getting involved in business. What if he fails? He will be greatly disappointed. Ryu Won was worried about the emotional impact, not just the money.

    His younger brother was concerned about the potential mental toll, regardless of the financial aspect, even though Ryu Min had already achieved sess.

    Is it normal to feel anxious, but worrying even after youve achieved sess? Well, I suppose its only natural.

    A smile appeared on Ryu Mins face.

    Do you trust me, little brother?

    I trust you! Who else can I trust besides you?

    Then wait patiently at home. Its dangerous outside due to the presence of yers.

    Yeah, I saw the news. They mentioned that yers are causing trouble by utilizing their abilities for crimes. There were even reports of criminals escaping from prisons in other countries.

    Thats because some criminals have be yers.

    It was an anticipated change in the world.

    The poption decreases every month, while yers grow stronger. It would be strange if things remained the same.

    But this is just the beginning. In the future, there wille a time when ordinary people are hunted without hesitation and treated as ves by yers.

    Truly, an era where yers reign supreme, disregardingws and regtions.

    Before the city descends intopletewlessness

    I must significantly increase my power and further enhance the reputation of the ck Scythe.

    Ryu Min expressed his thoughts while putting on his shoes.

    Anyway, be cautious when you venture outside. Most of the yers after the third round have jobs, so the overall strength of yers has improved. It has be even more dangerous.

    Got it. By the way, when will you tell me about your job?

    Its a secret.

    Im curious.

    Ill let you know soon, so please dont keep asking.

    Really?

    Ignoring his curious younger brother, Ryu Min opened the door.

    Im going out to have lunch with my business partner. Dont wait for me; go ahead and eat. Treat yourself to something more expensive than jjajangmyeon.

    Oseong Group, a colossal corporation known to every South Korean citizen.

    Ryu Min stepped into the lobby of a hotel owned by none other than Oseong Group.

    And it was none other than Ma Kyung-roks hotel.

    I had a feeling we would meet here. ying football at your home ground always has its advantages.

    However, the fact that the hotel was owned by Ma Kyung-rok was strictly confidential.

    Furthermore, Cheonma Consulting was not affiliated with Oseong Group either.

    It was apany established secretly by Ma Kyung-rok to gain recognition from his father.

    Probably, among ordinary people, no one else knows this information except for me.

    At most, only Ma Kyung-roks rtives or close acquaintances would be aware.

    Therefore, it was crucial to leverage this information to impress Ma Kyung-rok.

    To demonstrate his own value.

    But first, I need to work on my image.

    Ryu Min approached the front desk, attempting to appear unsure with a hint of naivety.

    Um, hello. I have an appointment, and I was told to inform the front desk upon arriving at the hotel

    Ah, are you referring to the appointment with the CEO of Cheonma Consulting?

    Yes.

    The staff member ced a hand on the inte and spoke in a friendly manner.

    The CEO will be arriving shortly. Would you like to wait in the lounge over there? We will guide you once he arrives.

    Yes, thank you.

    After a polite bow, Ryu Min walked awkwardly to the lobby lounge and took a seat, waiting for Ma Kyung-rok.

    While waiting, he gazed at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling, his mouth slightly agape, resembling a curious fool.

    This was all part of creating an image for various contingencies.

    Then, as the lobby door swung open, An Sang-cheol entered.

    Hes here.

    Striving to avoid any appearance of familiarity, Ryu Min cast admiring nces around the hotel lobby.

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 Chapter 42: Dinner With Ma Kyung Rok (2)

    Chapter 42: Dinner With Ma Kyung Rok (2)

    An Sang-cheol, engrossed in a conversation at the front desk, made his way towards Ryu Min.

    Are you Ryu Min?

    Oh, yes! Hello

    Ryu Min feigned surprise, and even An Sang-cheol, with his stoic demeanor, disyed a hint of astonishment.

    It was expected.

    Weve met before, havent we? At Gallerya Forest.

    Oh Yes. I think I caught a glimpse of you while moving upstairs. Werent you standing next to the actress, Seo Arin?

    An Sang-cheol recollected the situation from Ryu Mins description.

    Thats right. Are you, by any chance, the major shareholder of Cheonma Consulting?

    Yes.

    As soon as Ryu Min confirmed, An Sang-cheol bowed respectfully, bending at a 90-degree angle.

    I apologize for the previous misunderstanding.

    Although he appeared apologetic on the surface, his true sentiments were different.

    -How can this youngster, who doesnt even look twenty, be the one to invest 280 billion won? It doesnt make sense.

    Despite maintaining aposed exterior, doubt lingered within him.

    Even his eyes betrayed a faint trace of wariness.

    Well, isnt this a natural reaction? Its unlikely for someone my age to possess such wealth.

    However, Ryu Min had no obligation to convince An Sang-cheol at this moment.

    After all, the person he needed to converse with was Ma Kyung-rok.

    Naturally, Ryu Min knew the expected reaction.

    Oh, its alright. You didnt know, so its understandable. I, too, wasnt aware that the CEO of Cheonma Consulting resided upstairs

    Oh! Please dont misunderstand. Im not the CEO.

    Oh?

    I apologize for the dyed introduction. Im Manager An Sang-cheol. I arrived early as the CEO will join us shortly.

    I see

    He purposely feigned ignorance of Ma Kyung-roks presence.

    This response was fitting for someone iming not to recognize him.

    Please wait inside until the CEO arrives.

    Oh, yes.

    Following An Sang-cheols lead, Ryu Min entered the hotels restaurant.

    As expected of a top-tier corporation, the restaurants interior exuded magnificence.

    Wow.

    Ryu Min, like a country bumpkin visiting Seoul, couldnt help but gaze wide-eyed at the restaurants grandeur.

    An Sang-cheol discreetly nced at him.

    -What an innocent look.

    Not only his gaze, but his thoughts were also evident.

    Well, it was intentional.

    Lets sit here and waitfortably. The CEO will be here soon.

    Yes, sure.

    While waiting, they took their seats in the reserved room, and Ryu Min observed An Sang-cheol fidgeting with his phone near the door.

    He must be informing the Ma Kyung-rok.

    Ryu Min immediately used the Rune of Inner Thoughts.

    -Ive just met the investor Hes young He looks out of his ce Perhaps the investor sent him instead. Be cautious, as someone may be pulling the strings behind the scenes.

    The message from the text tranted directly into his thoughts.

    He could even understand his unspoken ideas.

    -As expected. An undercover mission, sending An Sang-cheol ahead.

    It was just as he anticipated.

    Given Ma Kyung-roks meticulous self-management, it was highly unlikely for him to bete for such a crucial appointment.

    A momentter

    Swoosh-

    Greetings.

    A man with amanding presence and a tall stature made his entrance.

    It was none other than Ma Kyung-rok.

    While Ryu Min, due to his short stature, appeared somewhat awkward in his suit, Ma Kyung-rok looked immacte, his suit enhancing his charismatic aura.

    Im Ma Kyung-rok, the CEO of Cheonma Consulting.

    Ah Im Ryu Min.

    Quickly rising to his feet, Ryu Min shook the hand Ma Kyung-rok extended.

    Please, have a seat.

    Yes

    Manager An, please join me on my side.

    Yes.

    Without seeking permission, he urged An Sang-cheol to sit beside him.

    -Hes subtly taking the lead.

    Sensing Ryu Mins gaze, Ma Kyung-rok smiled as if to say he understood.

    Manager An is a staff member I trust more than anyone else. Its alright if we sit together and have a conversation, right?

    Oh, yes. Thats fine.

    Thank you. But before we discuss business matters, lets have a meal. Weve prepared a set menu, but Im not sure if it suits your taste.

    As long as its something offered in a high-end hotel like this, it should be delicious no matter what I eat.

    Shortly after, dishes arrived ording to Ma Kyung-roks instructions.

    Soup, cold dishes, grilled fish, Korean beef, braised ribs, stone pot rice, bibimbap, and more.

    From the ting to the course meal itself, everything was presented with meticulous detail.

    They focused solely on eating, with minimal conversation.

    Its truly delicious.

    Im d it suits your taste.

    Their exchange consisted mostly of asionalments.

    However, for Ryu Min, who could read their inner thoughts, it was not a time devoid of meaning.

    His thoughts seemplicated when I read them.

    Even without uttering a word, Ryu Min could grasp their thoughts.

    Hes grappling with the idea that he received someone elses guidance.

    And that was exactly it.

    -Manager An is right. Its hard to believe that he invested 280 billion won himself. He looks too young. However, considering his age, he must be a yer, he has survived until the end of the third round despite his youthful appearance, and he must possess skills. Well, luck might have yed a part too.

    Ma Kyung-rok didnt underestimate Ryu Min despite his young age.

    Ryu Min inwardly admired his attitude.

    Indeed, its Ma Kyung-rok. Quite the talented survivor, making it to the 15th round.

    Unlike An Sang-cheol, he neither dismisses nor underestimates his opponent. With a piercing gaze, he remains vignt, carefully assessing the true extent of their capabilities. Yet, Ma Kyung-roks poker face remains wless, concealing any trace of his inner thoughts.

    So, Mr. Ryu Min, you said youre only 20 years old? Well, Im 29. Pleasure to meet you, as a fellow twenty. Haha.

    Yes Pleasure to meet you too.

    Ma Kyung-Rok then wonders aloud, How did you amass such substantial wealth at such a young age? Are you perhaps a scion of a chaebol family?

    Ma Kyung-roks directness is quite evident.

    Dismissing the notion with a nonchnt wave, Ryu Min responds, Chaebol? No, not at all. Theres no one behind me, as you may suspect. Until recently, I was nothing more than an ordinary student.

    Until recently?

    Ryu Min senses the need to shift to the main topic and continues, Have youe across any news articlestely?

    Perplexed, Ma Kyung-rok asked, What?

    The article about an overnight millionaire winning the lottery jackpot five times in a row.

    Oh, yes. Ive seen it.

    Ryu Mins lips curl into a slight smile as he said, Thats precisely it. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

    <strong>Hello New Trantor Here, Otaku_Hyung!Hope youre enjoying my new novels!Please consider rating this novel on Novelupdates to help it reach more people!Yourments makes the hard work on this novel worth it, Im eager to read them.</strong>Check Out the New Event and read More Chapters For Free

 Chapter 43: I’m A Five Time Consecutive Lottery Winner (1)

    Chapter 43: I��m A Five Time Consecutive Lottery Winner (1)

    I am the five-time consecutive winner of the lotterys prize.

    Excuse me?

    Ryu Mins confession left Ma Kyung-roks eyes wide open.

    Unlike before, his expression showed genuine surprise.

    Is that true? Youre the person who caused such a sensation a few months ago?

    Yes.

    Well.

    And it wasnt just Ma Kyung-rok.

    An Sang-cheol, who was standing next to them, also had a surprised expression.

    -Is he the person who won 70 billion won through the lottery?

    The two of them finally understood.

    How Ryu Min managed to amass such wealth at a young age.

    But Ryu Min, ording to the articles, it was said to be 70 billion won. How did you invest 280 billion won?

    I dabbled in Bitcoin.

    Just Bitcoin? Is that all?

    Yes.

    He turned 70 billion won from the lottery into 280 billion won?

    Ma Kyung-roks expression changed upon hearing that.

    -Anyone who knows about Bitcoin knows that its unstable. Its an impossible feat without considerable courage and audacity.

    Seeing how Ryu Min was different from the image he had in mind, Ma Kyung-rok couldnt help but be in awe.

    Thats truly amazing. How did you have the courage to invest 70 billion won in Bitcoin? I wouldnt have been able to do that. Haha!

    Maybe An Sang-cheol found it displeasing that his CEO was belittling himself, so he furrowed his brow upon hearing that and unexpectedly interjected.

    You must have been incredibly lucky.

    Its not luck.

    Ryu Min immediately refuted, causing An Sang-cheol to give him a dissatisfied look.

    I read an article. It said you predicted the lottery numbers in your dream. If thats not luck, then what is it?

    I didnt have a dream.

    Then?

    Ryu Min paused for a moment and averted his gaze.

    Ma Kyung-rok eagerly waited for his answer, his eyes filled with anticipation.

    I have a called [Rune of Future Sight].

    Excuse me?

    I can foresee the future up to several years ahead. In other words

    Ryu Min spoke with clear pronunciation.

    Im a prophet who can see the future.

    Silence fell upon the room for a moment.

    -What did I just hear?

    -A prophet? Is this kid spouting nonsense?

    Only Ryu Min, who could read thoughts, was allowed to remain silent.

    Ma Kyung-rok regained hisposure and barely opened his mouth.

    A prophet Are you seriously saying that?

    Why would I lie?

    Are you saying that you predicted the lottery numbers through this Rune of Future Sight?

    Yes. Its the same reason I invested in Bitcoin. I had the confidence that I could see the future, so I put all my money in.

    In truth, he discovered the future through dozens of regressions

    Whether its this or that, its essentially the same when ites to knowing the future.

    Thats why it wasntpletel a lie.

    But still

    -Should I believe what this person is saying?

    -A Rune of Future Sight? Such an incredible rune?

    Both of them couldnt shake off their doubts.

    If its not too much to ask, can you prove it?

    Prove it?

    Can you predict what Im going to do in a moment?

    Ryu Min inwardly chuckled as he read Ma Kyung-roks thoughts.

    If I can read his thoughts, predicting his next action is childs y

    However, restricting his abilities was good for the future, so he shook his head.

    Im sorry, but my abilities dont work like that. Sometimes they manifest without me knowing.

    You mean its random?

    Yes.

    -Well, if its a Rune of Future Sight, it makes sense to have such limitations.

    While Ma Kyung-rok was lost in such thoughts, a sudden idea crossed his mind.

    Ryu Min, then could it be that you invested that 280 billion won in ourpany?

    Yes. I invested in it because I knew Cheonma Consulting would experience rapid growth in the future.

    If its rapid growth, how far will it go?

    Within six months, we can easily get listed on the KOSPI stock market.

    !

    A surprised expression flickered across Ma Kyung-roks face.

    How wonderful would that be if it were true?

    Not only would he gain recognition from his father for his abilities, but he could also adjust the proportion of his wealth.

    Seeding as the next chairman would be a natural course of events.

    Ma Kyung-roks lips curved slightly, but it was short-lived.

    -I must have gone crazy. Laughing at information that may or may not be true.

    Still, the mention of hispany doing well made Ma Kyung-rok feel good.

    Until Ryu Min uttered the next words.

    But in order to seed, youll have topletely overhaul the industry.

    Excuse me? The industry?

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 Chapter 43: I’m A Five Time Consecutive Lottery Winner (2)

    Chapter 43: I��m A Five Time Consecutive Lottery Winner (2)

    Cheonma Consulting is apany that provides consulting services in various fields such as corporate, construction, medical, real estate, management, employment, and startups.

    It is Ma Kyung-rokspany specially created to utilize the information and know-how of his fathers Group, which has its foot in various fields.

    Therefore, changing the industry was akin to toppling a carefully built tower.

    Ma Kyung-rok had to set aside his pride in this situation.

    Could it be because he knew that?

    An Sang-cheols voice grew louder.

    Thats an unreasonable demand! Youre telling us to change the industry now? Are you saying we should change thepany name as well?

    Director An!

    Ma Kyung-rok tried to interrupt, but their thoughts were not much different.

    Ryu Min spoke in a calm voice.

    If the industry changes, naturally thepany name should change as well.

    What are you saying? Are you serious?

    Do I look like Im joking at a time like this?

    Ryu Min red at An Sang-cheol, who was opposing him.

    His unwavering gaze contrasted with his disheveled appearance earlier.

    Its good to show such a resolute attitude when showcasing my abilities. It makes me appear trustworthy.

    As Ryu Min expected, Ma Kyung-roks thoughts changed.

    Theres no hesitation in his gaze. Does he have such confidence in his ability to see the future, this dubious power?

    Ma Kyung-rok corrected his thoughts.

    Well, its not necessarily so. I cant definitively say that theres no Rune of Future Sight that transcends reality. Does changing only the industry really mean mypany can seed?

    Ma Kyung-rok pondered.

    If thats all it takes, then he would change the industry without hesitation.

    -The problem is, I cant distinguish whether his words are true or just nonsense.

    As Ma Kyung-rok wore a troubled expression, Ryu Min tried to convince him once again.

    As yers in this game, Im sure both of you know. Opening up about your own runees with significant losses and penalties.

    I was willing to bear those losses and open up about my rune. As the major shareholder and a future business partner who will participate in management, I want to contribute to thepanys growth. Why would I invest 280 billion won otherwise?

    Despite his persuasive words, both of them still seemed unable to believe and sent skeptical nces his way.

    For thepany to seed, youll have to join forces with me.

    CEO, surely you dont believe those words, do you?

    Ryu Min let out a small sigh at An Sang-cheols remark.

    It seems my abilities are not impressive enough.

    To be honest, theyre not.

    Words alone werent enough to convince them.

    I knew this would happen, so I prepared various things.

    Now it was time to show the evidence.

    Director An Sang-cheol, have you ever thought about why I moved to the apartment below you? Do you think it was just a coincidence?

    Ah!

    Wait a moment. The apartment below An?

    Ma Kyung-rok looked at An Sang-cheol as if demanding an exnation.

    Director An, whats the meaning of this? Youre saying Ryu Min lives in the penthouse below Seo Arin, the actress?

    Yes, he moved in this January. Its been only a few days since he obtained the Rune of Future Sight.

    Ma Kyung-rok turned his head to An Sang-cheol.

    Director An, why are you telling me this now?

    I, I only found out today.

    Moving to the neighboring apartment of a person rted to thepany you n to invest in?

    Its impossible without knowing the future.

    -Well, thats the only way. If someone knows that Im sponsoring Seo Arin, they could easily move to the neighboring apartment.

    Even with Ryu Mins persuasion, Ma Kyung-rok didnt believe easily.

    Yes, this might not be enough.

    As Ryu Min anticipated, he took out the next card.

    You still have a doubtful expression. How about this?

    Ryu Min smiled faintly.

    This hotel were in right now, it belongs to you, CEO Ma Kyung-rok, right?

    And youre the eldest son of the Ohsung Group.

    And Cheonma Consulting is apany you secretly established to gain recognition from your father.

    Ma Kyung-roks expression seemed to waver under the three consecutive revtions.

    But he didnt easily sumb to them.

    Instead, An Sang-cheol suddenly stood up, getting excited.

    You! Who told you this? How do you know such information that only close rtives can know!

    Director An, please calm down.

    An Sang-cheol sat back down, calming his anger.

    In contrast, Ma Kyung-roks tone remained calm.

    Yes, everything you said is true. However, itcks the persuasiveness to im that you discovered it by seeing the future. As Director An mentioned, its information that anyone whos a close rtive could know.

    Im sorry, but it doesnt resonate with me. To be honest, it feels like someone set me up and gave you this information to trap me. There are some people who wish for my downfall.

    A self-deprecating smile appeared on Ma Kyung-roks lips.

    In this situation, you want me, as the major shareholder, to trust you and change the industry? You know how odd this is.

    Even as a major shareholder holding 31%, I cant be convinced. Of course, its a persuasive argument, but it also has its ws, doesnt it?

    Ryu Min listened silently without giving any response.

    I, too, want to believe that the Rune of Future Sight exists. Truly. If theres a path for mypany to grow, who wouldnt follow it, even if it means breaking the signboard?

    However, its difficult to believe your words, Ryu Min. While I appreciate the investment you made in ourpany, we should convene a shareholders meeting to consider the matter. Convincing other shareholders will be your responsibility.

    Ma Kyung-rok began to button his suit as if he were about to stand up.

    I apologize for myck of influence. I will take my leave.

    Just a moment, CEO.

    At Ryu Mins call, Ma Kyung-rok paused.

    Do you have something else to say?

    Is there no other way after all?

    Ryu Min cautiously opened his mouth, having hesitated for a moment.

    How about this, then?

    What?

    I will give you the information for Round 4.

    Round 4?

    Both Ma Kyung-rok and even An Sang-cheol widened their eyes.

    Do you have information for Round 4 as well?

    Yes, I saw it all through future sight. I know what tragedy will ur.

    Smiling at the astonished two individuals, Ryu Min said.

    With this level of information, it should be enough to prove my ability, right? Read Next Chapter on Patreon

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 Chapter 44: Unexpected Encounter (1)

    Chapter 44: Unexpected Encounter (1)

    After parting ways with Ryu Min, Ma Kyung-rok remained seated, deep in thought and murmuring to himself.

    Will this amount of information suffice to demonstrate my abilities?

    He believed it should be sufficient. After all, there was nowhere else to obtain information about the fourth round.

    Now, we must wait to verify its authenticity.

    The information ryed by Ryu Min had been nothing short of astounding. Ma Kyung-rok contemted, Could it be true that such a catastrophic event awaits us? If it were indeed true, then caution was paramount from the very beginning. One should never underestimate the importance of being vignt in their surroundings.

    Suddenly, An Sang-cheol, who was seated next to him, lowered his head and expressed his remorse, I apologize, Director. I allowed my emotions to get the better of me earlier, raising my voice without realizing it

    Ma Kyung-rok reassured him, Its alright, Director An. You were simply showing empathy towards me, werent you?

    Well since you mentioned it, may I share my thoughts on this matter, sir?

    Speak without reservation.

    Honestly, I find this person named Ryu Min suspicious. If he can truly see the future why would he need to help us? With such an ability, he could lead afortable life without relying on anyone.

    He ims that he wants to grow alongside ourpany. Perhaps he simply desires to umte more wealth?

    Does he really need a reason for that? With 280 billion, he already possesses more wealth than he could spend in a lifetime.

    Yet, human greed knows no bounds. Even someone like me would readily invest if presented with reliable information that guarantees profits.

    Even so, it is too risky to ce our trust solely in the information provided by one person. Furthermore, the existence of such an extraordinary rune is also questionable.

    I agree with your concerns. However

    Ma Kyung-roks gaze transformed, akin to that of a predator fixating on its prey.

    If he truly is a prophet capable of foreseeing the future, we must ensure his unwavering loyalty to our cause. Imagine the benefits if we could obtain information and prepare for every round. The growth of ourpany in the process would be an incredible bonus.

    But how can we be certain of the prophets reliability?

    That is a valid point.

    Ma Kyung-roks lips curled slightly.

    We will know once we enter that realm. Wont we?

    ***

    As Ryu Min made his way back home, his steps were light, buoyed by the sess of his n. I managed to pique Ma Kyung-roks interest, just as I did in the previous regression. While he couldntpletely convince him, theres no need to worry. Once the fourth round is over, hell be convinced that I am a prophet.

    Deliberately, he withheld important information such as sub-quests, and intentionally kept hidden the secrets to reaching the top ranks. I have enough on my te to share with others. He revealed only the surface, carefully concealing the essence. This should be sufficient to establish my credibility as the prophet.

    A prophet? Its not an empty im. After all, I can glimpse the future through countless regressions. The Rune of Foresight? Yes, such a rune exists. However, it doesnt possess the far-reaching foresight Ryu Min described. At most, it grants a glimpse a few seconds into the future.

    Nevertheless, I cant dismiss its significance. Its an essential rune on my acquisition list. I can obtain it in the eighth round, but thats still far off.

    Regardless, if the information I provided turns out to be urate, Ma Kyung-rok wont be able to doubt me. Even though Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol now know my home address and my status as a prophet Ryu Min exuded confidence. He believed there was no immediate danger. They wouldnt harm him or his younger brother, nor would they entertain the idea of threats.

    On the contrary, they will treat me as a prophet, offering utmost respect and protection. Having me as an ally by his side is more advantageous for Ma Kyung-rok than making me his enemy. The presence of an ally named the prophet would provide unparalleled reassurance.

    So, its best to inform Juri now, isnt it? To let her know that I am a prophet. Since he hadmitted to embodying the role of the prophet, he had to press on. Concealing things served no purpose. Dying the revtion risked eroding trust. Its wiser to keep my identity as the Grim Reaper hidden, though. Disclosing that he was the Grim Reaper would impose restrictions on his actions in this realm. If I mishandle my darker nature, I might be disliked.

    The true identity of the Grim Reaper must remain concealed, but unveiling my status as the prophet is advisable. It would allow me to openly provide Juri with information about the uing round and extend overt assistance. She may inquire about my upation one day. Its better to disclose it now. Despite the suddenness, Ryu Min called Juri. Hey, Juri.

    -Whats up?

    I have something to tell you. Can you spare some time? Lets meet in front of the convenience store.

    -What? Now?

    Yeah. How about meeting in an hour?

    -Oh, okay! See you then.

    After setting up the appointment and exchanging handshakes, Ryu Min hailed a taxi.

    Could you take me to GS24 Yeonhui Branch, please?

    Yes, sir! Please fasten your seatbelt.

    Lost in thought, Ryu Min gazed out the window when suddenly the phone rang.

    Expecting it to be Juri, Ryu Min nced at the screen, only to see an unfamiliar number.

    Oh, this number

    Is it already time for the handover?

    With that thought in mind, Ryu Min answered the call, and as expected

    -Hello, sir! This is Choi Tae-guk, the supercar dealer! As youve been eagerly waiting, the supercar has arrived.

    I wasnt exactly waiting eagerly.

    Nevertheless, since he need a car for various reasons, its good that it arrived today.

    Should I deliver it to you right away? Where should I go?

    What should I do? I need to meet Juri now.

    Delivering it to my home immediately would take time.

    Asking him toe to the convenience store seems awkward.

    Its also too noticeable, and the location is cramped since its an alley.

    Can youe to Seodaemun-gu? Ill send you the address via text.

    Yes! Ill be there soon!

    After ending the call, Ryu Min sent the address and informed the driver.

    Driver, please go to a residential area near Seodaemun-gu Fire Station, not GS24 Yeonhui Branch.

    Yes, sir!

    The ce Ryu Min mentioned was none other than the old house before moving, a shabby multi-family house.

    If its there, I should have enough parking space for the car.

    Just in case, I should check if theres any mail waiting.

    ***

    Please stop here.

    Yes, sir!

    After settling the taxi fare, Ryu Min stepped out of the car.

    Walking through the narrow old alley to receive the car brought back nostalgic feelings.

    It has only been two months since I moved, but it feels like the good old days.

    Having lived in a lush 100-square-meter apartment, Ryu Min made a stop at a shabby residential area.

    Feeling a sense of disconnect in the neighborhood, it almost felt likeing back to a hometown.

    As Ryu Min walked, reading the text message from the dealer, he said he will need 10 more minutes to arrive.

    Upon reaching the front of the house, intending to check for any mail

    Huh?

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 Chapter 44: Unexpected Encounter (2)

    Chapter 44: Unexpected Encounter (2)

    Unexpected individuals were loitering near the house.

    Dad, look! Its Ryu Min.

    Hmm? Ryu Min?

    Observing the approaching duo, Ryu Min furrowed his brows.

    It was those rtives he didnt want to encounter again his unlikable rtives.

    The ones who left him and his brother to live alone after the death of his parents.

    Its been quite some time, Ryu Min. How have you been? His uncle asked with a tone of concern.

    Why are you here, Uncle? Ryu Min responded, his voice filled with a chill.

    Upon hearing this, the image of the disheveled older cousin next to Uncle crumbled.

    Hey, you little brat! What kind of manners are those to use with our father? If its been a while, you should bow from the waist! the cousin retorted.

    Why should I? Ryu Min countered.

    What?

    When Dad and Mom passed away, and our world fell apart, did your father ever stay by our side? Did he protect us as a guardian? Why should I bow to your father? Is it because of some favor I received? All he did was turn his back on me, treating me as if I didnt exist.

    You you brat!

    Do you remember, Uncle? You used to ask my dad for money all the time. But once he left, you didnt even utter a word. Dont you think thats too much?

    Silence enveloped them as Ryu Mins words struck them like a lethal blow.

    Their expressions twisted in confusion.

    Why do you look like that? Did I say something wrong?

    You you little brat! And why are you speaking informally to your older brother? the cousin growled.

    Brother? When did I have such an idiot brother, Ryu Min scoffed.

    What? You you little brat!

    Stop it, both of you! Uncle intervened.

    In that moment, Ryu Min turned his gaze inward, questioning himself.

    Damn it. I let my emotions get the best of me without realizing it.

    Was it because he was hurt by his uncle so much?

    Or was it because he believed this might be their final encounter?

    I got too carried away. Thats not like me.

    Ryu Min recognized his overexcitement and quickly suppressed it.

    Clearing his throat, Uncle spoke with a refined tone.

    Alright. I admit that I was wrong. We didnte here to fight with you; we came because of this.

    A rustling sound apanied Uncle as he took out a document from his bag.

    Sign this to give your consent.

    What on earth is this?

    You dont need to know, you punk. Just do as youre told!

    Despite the older cousins relentless barking from the side, Ryu Min paid him no attention.

    Thunk.

    After swiftly snatching the document, Ryu Min carefully examined its contents.

    An insurance im agreement?

    Lifting his gaze, Ryu Min locked eyes with his uncle.

    Oh, this guy.

    Ryu Min could discern the intricate implications.

    He had already delved into their inner thoughts, leaving nothing concealed.

    Allow me to shed light on this matter. Have you been informed about the recent passing of your grandfather and grandmother?

    No, I havent received any news. Nobody bothered to reach out to me.

    Indeed, thats the case. Now, heres the situation: your grandfather had a life insurance policy, and your grandmother was designated as the beneficiary. However, with the passing of your grandmother, theres no one left to receive the insurance payout, right?

    So, we approached the insurancepany, and fortunately, they informed us that legal representatives of your grandmother, who happen to be rtives, can step in and im the payout on her behalf. That includes you.

    However, they made it clear that the consent of all the legal representatives is required to proceed with the payout. Hence, I kindly request your signature here.

    So, if I refuse to agree, none of the rtives, including you, Uncle, will receive the insurance payout?

    Huh? W-Well, yes. Not just us, but you as well

    In that case, I wont grant my agreement.

    The uncles eyebrows twitched in response.

    Why?

    Im not keen on those unreliable rtives getting their hands on the money.

    Hmm Ryu Min, think this through. Its not the time to be swayed by impulsive emotions. Youre already an adult, and you have numerous expenses to cover. Shouldnt we distribute the insurance payout ordingly? Consider your younger sibling too. How much longer are you going to endure living in this dpidated house? Huh?

    I dont want to witness you resorting to such pathetic tactics just to secure my agreement.

    Are you implying that its solely for my benefit? I am not showing any consideration for you, even though youre penniless?

    Rip-

    As if there were no further contemtion needed, Ryu Min tore the consent form into pieces.

    W-What are you doing?

    Since words seemed insufficient, I decided to demonstrate my stance through action.

    You foolish brat, who didnt learn anything from your parents!

    How utterly absurd. Witnessing the uncle getting all worked up over a mere piece of paper.

    I cant believe I once put my trust in and relied on such a money grubber, Ryu Min sighed to himself.

    I knew it! Dad, did you see that? This brat doesnt understand through words.

    The older cousin red at Ryu Min and cracked his knuckles menacingly.

    You should have just signed the consent form when asked nicely, you punk.

    Why? nning to hit me? Feeling confident?

    Look at this brat. His confidence has soared in the time we havent seen him? Acting tough because youre also a yer?

    The older cousin, with a sneer on his face, growled with an intense expression.

    Dont act tough, you punk. It seems like youve managed to survive until the third round, but let me warn you, were on an entirely different level.

    What level are you on?

    Level 11, punk. I even have a job.

    Level 11? Hahaha.

    F*ck, why are youughing?

    The uncle grabbed his sons shoulder as if he were a dog ready to charge at Ryu Min.

    Wait a moment. Before you do anything, let me say something first.

    Uncle locked his stern gaze onto Ryu Min.

    Hmm, Ryu Min. Why are you doing this? Why are you making thingsplicated with matters that are long gone?

    Is it because youck money? Were you dissatisfied because I didnt repay your fathers debt?

    Fine. Your father may not be in this world anymore, but let mepensate you at least a little. How much would satisfy you? Take some time to think about it

    Thats when it happened.

    Vroom- Vroom!

    The thunderous engine noise made all three of them turn their heads.

    What they beheld was a supercar that seemed entirely out of ce in the humble neighborhood.

    That, thats it! The Lamborghini Aventador model, right?

    As the dream car he had searched for countless times materialized before him, the cousins voice wasced with nostalgia.

    Hah, I envy whoever owns it!

    Hes right in front of you.

    Ryu Min blurted out, causing the cousin to furrow his brows.

    What did you say? You f*cker.

    If you want to be treated well and live a good life, stop cursing so much.

    Ryu Min retorted, then looked at his uncle.

    The same goes for you, Uncle. Lead a good life. Dont be driven solely by money. Take good care of your childrens education as well. Someday, youll receive the same blow from your own children.

    Fine, I understand. I was wrong. So lets go together to the insurancepany and give our consent

    Ah, forget it. I cant bear to listen anymore.

    Where are you going? I havent finished talking yet!

    The uncle blinked his eyes as he spoke, but Ryu Min was engaged in a conversation with the driver who had stepped out of the supercar.

    Whats going on? Do you know each other? Or are you friends?

    However, the driver bowed 90 degrees to Ryu Min, a gesture that indicated they werent acquaintances or friends.

    He even handed over the car keys and vanished into thin air.

    Whats this? C-Could it be?

    Ryu Min instinctively took a seat behind the wheel.

    Observing from a distance, the cousins pupils shook back and forth.

    The uncle, seemingly less aware of the situation, wore a bewildered expression.

    Vroom-

    Ryu Min pulled up in the Lamborghini in front of the two.

    Vrooom-

    Lowering the car window, Ryu Min left them with onest piece of advice.

    Live a life where you can afford to buy this and live it well. Got it?

    With those words, it all came to an end.

    Vroooom!!!

    The Lamborghini roared to life, tearing away from the neighborhood at lightning speed. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

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 Chapter 45: Confession (1)

    Chapter 45: Confession (1)

    Min Juris heart raced as she made her way to the agreed meeting spot. She couldnt contain her excitement.

    What could this be about? Why did my secret crush suddenly call and say he has something to tell me?

    Her mind was flooded with possibilities, and her cheeks flushed red as she tried to imagine what it could be. In an attempt to calm herself, she vigorously fanned her face.

    As she approached the convenience store, her eyes caught sight of a sleek sports car parked out front.

    Who could that be? What kind of a careless person would park a car in such a narrow space?

    Juri!

    Ryu Min?

    To her surprise, the careless person turned out to be none other than Ryu Min himself.

    Min Juri felt a wave of confusion as she caught sight of Ryu Min sticking his head out of the car window.

    Is is this your car?

    Yeah. Im sorry for squeezing it into this tight spot. I originally intended to park elsewhere, but circumstances led me to bring it here.

    .

    Get in. Lets take a drive and talk.

    O-Okay.

    Min Juri hopped into the Lamborghini, which roared to life as they sped down the road.

    Vroom

    Despite the powerful engine noise, the interior of the car was surprisingly quiet andfortable. It felt like a tranquil haven. With wide-eyed wonder, Min Juri explored the luxurious interior of the supercar. It was just as dazzling as its exterior.

    How much does a car like this cost?

    Not as much as you might think. Around 900 million.

    900 900 million?!

    Min Juris eyes widened in disbelief.

    N-No, its not that expensive! Do you know how many multiple convenience stores you could open with 900 million!

    Compared to the money I won in the lottery, its not a huge sum.

    Ah, yes.

    Min Juri had to remind herself that her friend was a lightning-rich multimillionaire, with 7 billion won from the lottery and a whopping 300 billion won in Bitcoin.

    Its more expensive than our house.

    She couldnt help but feel the stark contrast between their lives.

    Min Juri pressed her lips together tightly as if trying to seal away her astonishment.

    .

    .

    An awkward silence enveloped them, and Min Juri could hear the sound of her own heart pounding.

    It almost feels like were on a date, doesnt it?

    She blushed even more at that thought.

    And to add to her embarrassment, Ryu Min seemed to keep stealing nces at her.

    Feeling self-conscious, Min Juri avoided making eye contact and instead focused on the view outside the window.

    Perhaps due to her uneasiness

    I have something to confess.

    W-What? A confession!?

    Startled, Min Juris head snapped towards Ryu Min at the mention of a confession. Considering he was even dressed in a suit, it was easy to misunderstand.

    Ah Its not that kind of confession, so please dont misunderstand.

    Who would misunderstand?

    Min Juri turned her head away from the window, hoping to hide her embarrassment.

    Ugh, I wish I could disappear into a mouse hole.

    Unbeknownst to her, her face had turned as red as a radish.

    S-So, what kind of confession is it?

    I told you before that I dreamt of the lottery numbers, right?

    Yeah, you did.

    But the truth is, it wasnt just a dream. It was information I obtained from the runes of the Future of .

    Ryu Min smoothly revealed to Min Juri that he was a prophet.

    Though he made it up, it held a grain of truth. After all, he did possess knowledge of the future.

    The runes of Foresight.

    And my current job is also that of a prophet.

    A prophet?

    Min Juri blinked her eyes, resembling a curious rabbit.

    With an expression of pure admiration, Min Juri couldnt help but apud.

    This is incredible! Being a prophet, isnt that an amazingly unique job?

    Uh? W-Well, I suppose so.

    This is truly wonderful! And the runes of the Foresight sound absolutely fascinating!

    Min Juris excitement was contagious, leaving Ryu Min slightly taken aback by her unexpected reaction.

    Thank you for being so honest with me! Even among friends, it can be difficult to open up about something like this.

    Well, you also revealed that youre a Buffer. Its only fair that we share these things with each other.

    Fair enough. But I didnt mention the runes. Should I tell you about mine since were on this topic?

    No, its okay

    Its the Protective Rune I drew it in the first round. It creates a thin shield around me, with each person within a 10-meter radius receiving their ownyer of protection. So, if there are ten people, there will be tenyers of protection.

    Unaware that Ryu Min already knew this information, Min Juri enthusiastically shared the details.

    Now were even, right? It feels great like weve confided secrets in each other.

    Haha, yeah?

    But why did you share such important information? It might have been better to keep it hidden if possible.

    Keeping it hidden was weighing on my mind and if I didnt share it now, you might not believe what Im about to say in the future.

    Huh? What do you mean?

    Ryu Min revealed the details of the 4th round to Min Juri, providing her with even more detailed information than he had shared with Ma Kyung-rok.

    Of course, he kept the specifics about the rewards concealed as much as possible.

    So, the 4th round quest is like that?

    Yeah. So, Juri, be careful too. You never know how other yers around you might act, so always stay vignt.

    Yeah, got it.

    Min Juri nodded, a faint smile suddenly gracing her face.

    Even though you shared this with me, Im grateful it feels like youve entrusted me with something personal.

    At the same time, a sense of embarrassment washed over her.

    Perhaps you told me because you were genuinely concerned about me as a friend?

    She wondered if his words arose from personal feelings.

    If only that were true It would be wonderful.

    Min Juri beamed at Ryu Min, sitting in the drivers seat, with a smile full of gratitude.

    It was a smile that carried a deep sense of appreciation.

    After the drive, Ryu Min dropped Min Juri off in front of the convenience store and returned home.

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 Chapter 45: Confession (2)

    Chapter 45: Confession (2)

    Hey, youre back!

    Mhm.

    Why the long face? Is something bothering you?

    What do you mean?

    It seems like youre troubled about something.

    Theres nothing like that.

    Nonchntly, Ryu Min entered his room and changed his clothes.

    Though he imed there was nothing wrong, deep down, he had his own worries.

    And they were quite perplexing.

    Min Juri had feelings for me

    He discovered the truth through the Rune of Inner Thoughts.

    I had no idea Min Juri had been interested in me since our school days.

    No wonder she had always treated him so kindly

    Feeling a mix of embarrassment and bewilderment, Ryu Min shook his head, attempting to dismiss those thoughts.

    It doesnt change anything if Min Juri likes me. If anything, it might be a positive thing.

    If she likes him, wouldnt it be advantageous to have her in my team?

    No, perhaps shes already in my team?

    Ryu Min sighed with relief, feeling a weight lifted from his shoulders.

    Once Ryu Min revealed himself as a prophet to Min Juri, he couldnt anticipate the oue.

    But surprisingly, things seem to be falling into ce.

    When someone is well-disposed towards you, it bes easier for them to believe in prophecies.

    If he ys his cards right, keeping Min Juri alive until the 20th round wouldnt be too challenging.

    Just three more days of waiting, and then itll be over once I buy that Epic item.

    He didnt have much going on in the real world this month.

    I hope Apriles quickly.

    Ryu Min flopped onto his bed, sumbing to the fatigue that awaited him in the next round.

    Seizing the opportunity for a much-needed rest, Ryu Min soon found himself drifting off to sleep.

    ***

    Thirty minutes remained until midnight on April 1st.

    It was a crucial day that required entry into the otherworld.

    Ryu Min, in the safety of his room, meticulously inspected his items and patiently waited.

    [Shadow Glove of Darkness]

    Category: Gloves

    Grade: Epic

    Effects: Strength +5, Agility +4, Weapon Partial Invisibility (applies only at night)

    Durability: 1,000/1,000

    Usage Restriction: Regr grade or above

    Description: Gloves that cloak themselves in darkness, making them invisible at night. The weapon held also bes partially transparent.

    This Epic item was purchased from the item corner for 8,000 gold.

    The stats are impressive, and the option of weapon partial invisibility seems quite useful.

    Weapon partial invisibility.

    Simply put, when night falls, the weapon bes partially see-through.

    While its notpletely invisible, even this level of transparency is enough to confuse opponents.

    The dimly lit environment makes it challenging to distinguish.

    At first nce, it may appear as if Im not even wielding a weapon.

    A subtly advantageous attribute, indeed.

    Furthermore, it pairs well with the Night of Death skill.

    Since theres no light to prate the partial invisibility, the chances of it being discovered are minimal.

    Tick-tock.

    Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts as his younger brother entered the room.

    Hyung, its time.

    His brother wore a worried expression on his face.

    Do you feel confident in your strategy this time again?

    I wont know until I try.

    But hyung, youre a prophet. You have some knowledge about the 4th round.

    Knowing and taking action are two different things.

    Ryu Min confided in his brother about his role as a prophet, urging him not to reveal it to anyone else.

    Since Jang Seok-hyun is gone, and I possess the Rune of Inner Thoughts, there shouldnt be any danger.

    He had only mentioned being a prophet in previous regression too, concealing his status as a Returner.

    I didnt explicitly reveal that Im a Returner, so it shouldnt disrupt the course of the future.

    Tick-tock.

    ncing at the wall clock, Ryu Min realized it was time.

    Soon, they would venture into the otherworld.

    Make sure toe back alive, hyung.

    Dont say such unlucky things. Its like tempting fate.

    Ryu Min lightly tapped his brothers shoulder, as if to reassure him not to worry.

    Although the 4th round is known as the round of death

    There was no round easier than this.

    Here we go again.

    ***

    Whoosh-

    Hwang Yongmin once again summoned to the otherworld, opened his status window.

    [Punishment in progress.]

    [All stats permanently decrease by 50%.]

    Curiosity got the best of him, so he opened it up, but as he suspected

    The curse remained unbroken.

    Damn it.

    This was the consequence of betraying Jo Jung-sik, his role model.

    But the losses extended beyond just his stats.

    He not only lost his stats but also the power of authority and even his friends.

    Perhaps thats why Hwang Yongmin had always been on edge, like a vignt meerkat.

    There might be blind fools among the district who will target me.

    With all hismands depleted, he had no means of defense.

    His friends, whom he believed had betrayed him, might seek retaliation.

    But where am I?

    A white expanse with no horizon in sight.

    It was a stark contrast to the blue meadows and forests they had been summoned to so far.

    What kind of quest starts in such a twisted ce?

    Everything was drenched in white, giving him the feeling of being a rat in aboratory.

    Hwang Yongmins eyes momentarily narrowed as he scanned the surroundings with a tense expression.

    ck Scythe!

    There stood the savior who had protected him in the previous round.

    Yet, at the same time, he was the devil who tricked him.

    All of this hade to pass because ck Scythe ordered him to shatter artifacts.

    That damn devil. He must have known it would end up like this!

    Considering how he used others to destroy artifacts and callously killed the Harbinger of Divine Punishment, it seemed as if he had foreseen it all.

    Although Hwang Yongmin couldnt fathom how he had known.

    If I had the power, Id smash that bastards face into oblivion right now, but

    There was no use dwelling on what he couldnt change.

    If he wanted to save his own life, he had no choice but to shake the devils hand.

    I dont know if hell still extend his hand to me, but

    Shouldnt he at least make an attempt?

    With that thought in mind, Hwang Yongmin approached the ck scythe.

    ck Scythe-nim.

    What is it?

    What about our previous agreement? Is it still in effect?

    Agreement?

    Didnt you promise to protect me in exchange for my allegiance?

    A faint smirk appeared on ck Scythes lips.

    A worthless subordinate like you is no longer necessary.

    What?

    You no longer possess the Power of Authority, do you? What good is a district representative without his power tomand?

    The dreaded situation had unfolded before Hwang Yongmins eyes.

    Hisplexion turned pale with apprehension.

    And besides, most yers have alreadypleted their job changes. Even if you still had the 10mands, they would be considered useless.

    W-Well

    Your value as a pawn has expired.

    ck Scythes voice rang out with an icy chill.

    Now, youre nothing more than a walking dead man. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

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 Chapter 46: The Fourth Round of Death (1)

    Chapter 46: The Fourth Round of Death (1)

    A walking dead man?''

    Hwang Yongmin scanned his surroundings, taking in the scene.

    All eyes were fixated on this spot,pletely drawn to it.

    Caught in a gaze reminiscent of a predator eyeing its toothless prey, Hwang Yongmin involuntarily shivered.

    Witnessing this, Ryu Min couldnt help but smirk, breaking into a subtle chuckle.

    Dont fret too much. When I said a a walking dead man, its merely figurative. In reality, there wont be many people actually aiming for you.

    What? You mean they wont be targeting me?

    Considering youve experienced what its like to be a zone representative, you should know better, right?

    Jo Joong-sik had put his trust in Hwang Yongmin, only to be betrayed and meet his demise.

    As a consequence, Hwang Yongmin suffered the penalty of reduced stats, transforming into a feeble existence.

    The position of zone representative, which once held promise, had yielded nothing but unfavorable oues.

    People have started to realize that being a zone representative isnt the coveted position they once believed it to be.

    Erm

    Moreover, with more yers changing jobs, the scope for exercisingmand power has drastically diminishedpared to the risks associated with the representative title. In essence, itcks the merits it once held.

    Ryu Mins words rang true.

    The status of zone representative had lost its allure.

    If given the chance, Hwang Yongmin would eagerly relinquish the authority to someone else.

    Even so, I no longer have authority on these people

    Hwang Yongmin cast his gaze around once more.

    The yers seemed disinterested, casually diverting their attention elsewhere.

    Did they only turn around because of what ck Scythe said?

    He had presumed himself to be the target, but it turned out to be a self-induced illusion.

    In fact, they went so far as to avoid eye contact, seemingly unwilling to be entangled.

    They truly had no interest in assuming the representative position.

    This somehow feels unjust

    Just as Hwang Yongmin wore a despondent expression, someone approached.

    It was Seo Arin and An Sang-cheol.

    Why are those guys here?

    Momentarily taken aback, Hwang Yongmin instinctively flinched.

    He couldnt help but remain cautious, suspecting they might have their sights set on the representative role.

    However, their attention wasnt fixed on Hwang Yongmin.

    The imposing presence of the ck Scythe acted as a barrier between them.

    Ah, hello, ck Scythe-nim.

    Seo Arin and An Sang-cheol respectfully inclined their heads.

    Do you remember us?

    Of course. But what brings you here?

    An Sang-cheol cast a sneaky nce in Hwang Yongmins direction.

    We wanted to express our gratitude once again for saving us from those ruffians. Ourpanys representative also wanted to extend his gratitude for rescuing us. Oh! Speaking of our representative

    Thats enough. Im not interested.

    Ryu Min attempted to avert his gaze.

    Wait!

    Seo Arin urgently interjected.

    B-ck Scythe, this this is a token of our appreciation for your assistance. P-Please ept it.

    Seo Arin presented a low-grade purple magic stone.

    This is an unexpected reward.

    A glimmer of excitement flickered in Ryu Mins eyes.

    We thought it would be more fitting to offer something tangible, rather than merely expressing our gratitude verbally

    Thats a thoughtful gesture. I graciously ept it.

    Ryu Min effortlessly stowed the magic stone in his inventory.

    Theres no reason to decline such a valuable item.

    Moreover,bining two magic stones of the same grade and color can create a higher-grade magic stone.

    Ryu Min contemted the possibilities as he surveyed the scene, his thoughts swirling with newfound insights.

    I should gather some low-grade magic stones and keep them forter. Given the number of prying eyes here, its better to be cautious.

    He didnt want to disclose unnecessary information.

    Besides, the current strength of the magic stones was more than sufficient, so there was no urgent need to infuse them further.

    Nevertheless, its quite generous of them to offer me something like this. I appreciate it.

    Lost in his thoughts, Ryu Min found himself inadvertently gazing at Seo Arin, and her unspoken thoughts reached him.

    Did he like it? I hope he doesnt feel disappointed by receiving what might seem like an insignificant stone.

    He realized she underestimated the true value of the magic stone.

    No need for her to know.

    As Ryu Min shifted his gaze, he coincidentally caught a glimpse of Hwang Yongmins thoughts.

    I have something simr to that.

    Really now?

    A glimmer danced in Ryu Mins eyes.

    Does that guy possess a magic stone too?

    With Hwang Yongmin under his scrutiny, Ryu Min delved deeper into his hidden intentions.

    However, it turned out that Hwang Yongmin didnt possess a magic stone; instead, he had an even more remarkable item.

    He has a [ck Gold Ore]?

    ck Gold Ore.

    It was a material item that bore a resemnce to a magic stone and dropped with an incredibly low probability when defeating monsters.

    In fact, obtaining it is even more challenging than acquiring a magic stone.

    Though encounters with ck Gold Ore bes more frequent after the 10th round, obtaining it in the current round was as rare as capturing stars from the sky.

    To think he possesses such a precious item and it got revealed to me. Is it good fortune or misfortune?

    Ryu Min barely suppressed the rising curve of his lips.

    With ck Gold Ore, he could create unique items in the next 5 rounds.

    Oh, by the way ck Scythe? Do you happen to need a protective barrier?

    Seo Arins words piqued Ryu Mins interest, causing his eyebrows to raise.

    A protective barrier?

    I recently switched to the Summoner ss.

    Summoner? Seo Arin?

    Although not as unique as the Dark Knight, it was still a decent ss.

    In the early stages, there was a yer who gained recognition as a Summoner but struggled to level up.

    Of course, that yer wasnt Seo Arin.

    I can summon a fairy to provide a protective barrier. If you ever need it

    I appreciate the offer, but Ill pass. I dont think Ill need it.

    Ah I understand.

    Disappointment tinged Seo Arins expression.

    Well, then well take our leave. Good luck in this round

    Best of luck to you.

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 Chapter 46: The Fourth Round of Death (2)

    Chapter 46: The Fourth Round of Death (2)

    Seo Arin and An Sang-cheol nodded, bidding their farewells and departing.

    Not having any further business, Hwang Yongmin discreetly tried to slip away at that moment.

    Wait.

    Yes?

    Youll regret it if you leave like this.

    What do you mean?

    Didnt I tell you? Youre a dead man walking.

    But arent there hardly any people aiming for me anymore?

    I didnt say there were none. The advantages of being a zone representative haventpletely vanished yet.

    I see

    Most yers reached level 10 and changed their jobs, but there are undoubtedly some who havent. That means there are still targets for themand power.

    Uh

    It was indeed true.

    Even though Hwang Yongmin alone was level 10, he hadnt obtained a job yet.

    The absence of job change items was to me.

    Think about it. Do you really believe that among over a thousand people, there wont be a single person targeting you? No matter how risky the role of a representative is?

    .

    In fact, non-job-changers might even be desperate enough to try and kill you. It might be more advantageous for them to eliminate you, each of them would rather be the wielder of themand power that poses a threat to them, rather than handing it over to someone else.

    Hwang Yongmins expression grew uneasy once again as Ryu Min spoke with reason.

    W-What should I do, then?

    Ill help you so that you wont be targeted anymore.

    R-Really? Thank you

    I didnt say its free. Did you see the stone that Seo Arin gave me earlier? If you have such a stone, hand it over to me.

    Ah If its that kind of stone, I have one.

    Hwang Yongmin took out the item from his inventory.

    [ck Gold Ore]

    -ssification: Possession

    -Description: A solid ck stone with a smooth and glossy surface.

    From the description alone, it was hard to tell what it was used for.

    Snickering to himself, Ryu Min couldnt help but feel even happier than when he received the magic stone. As someone who understood its value, he couldnt help but be pleased.

    Good. Do you have any other items?

    W-Well, no. This is all I can offer.

    Seeing Hwang Yongmin covering his body, fearing that even his currently equipped equipment might be taken, Ryu Min couldnt help but let out augh.

    Dont worry. I wont take anything like that from you.

    If it were equipment bought from a shop, he would have sold it to get some gold, but since it wasnt, he couldnt sell it.

    Now that Ive given you the item, will you help me from now on?

    Yes. Ill keep my promise.

    Hwang Yongmins face brightened at Ryu Mins reassuring words.

    He wouldnt go back on his word, right?

    Deep down, Hwang Yongmin had worried about whether the promise would be kept, but those concerns seemed unfounded.

    At that moment, a bright light filled the sky as the angel named Olive appeared.

    [Keheheh! Humans, as usual, youve gathered here today, havent you? Though the numbers have decreased, I must say.]

    The numbers have decreased?

    Did people fight in the real world again?

    [Currently, there are 1,042 people assembled. In Round 3, there were 1,225 survivors, to be precise.]

    The yers were taken aback, but to Ryu Min, it wasnt a surprising turn of events.

    Actually, its more unusual for yers not to cause any idents while staying in the real world for a month.

    Since he had never witnessed survivors gathering intact after each round, he wasnt surprised at all.

    [Now that it seems like everyone is here, shall we announce the Quest for Round 4?]

    Flutter!

    As the angels wings pped, a message appeared before them.

    ROUND 4

    Kill each other for 3 hours.

    [All Zones]

    Participants: 181,906,418

    Achievers: 0/90,953,209

    [Zone ESKS45-5]

    Participants: 1,042

    Achievers: 0/521

    The yers who saw the quest were bewildered.

    What is this?

    Kill each other?

    [Keheh, humans are so funny. Its exactly as it says, everyone.]

    The angel wore a bright smile that seemed out of ce with the atmosphere.

    You want us to kill?

    We must kill each other?

    The yers exchanged nces, hesitating.

    Out of nowhere, yer Killing (PK).

    They couldnt help but feel bewildered since, as usual, They thought we would be fighting monsters.

    [To rify, the objective of this round is to decrease the yer count by killing each other. Unlike the previous rounds, there wont be any monsters.]

    No monsters?

    We need to level up quickly and be stronger

    [Low-level yers will find it unfortunate. To grow, theyll have to wait for the next round.]

    Angel! So, if only half of us can survive, we just have to kill one person each, right?

    [Well theres a secret. But it wouldnt be fun if I told you.]

    Ryu Min silently chuckled to himself.

    Fun? Shes just doing what shes told.

    The angels were mere guides; there was a greater presence above them.

    If they were hiding specific rules, it must have been that persons orders.

    The angels are NPCs who dont have the authority to freely disclose the rules.

    People probably think that all of this is orchestrated by the angels.

    While the yers were still surprised by the revtion, the angel continued exining.

    [Just killing other yers wont make you an achiever. Only the top 521 yers will be able to survive. The criteria for ranking is a secret. By the way, killing many yers quickly doesnt guarantee youll be the first. Keheheh.]

    .

    [Now, that concludes the exnation. Since theres nothing more to say, Ill be going! From now on, have fun killing each other! Keheheh.]

    After the angel disappeared, a message appeared.

    [Time Remaining until Round End: 02:59:59]

    The yers looked at each other with puzzled expressions.

    -What should we do now?

    -Do we simply kill each other?

    -They want us to kill? People we have no grudges against?

    -Isnt this roundpletely insane?

    ncing around, I could sense the hesitation in the yers minds.

    Turning my head, I also read Hwang Yongmins thoughts.

    -Kill other yers? Hehehe, thats actually not bad. I had some bastards I wanted to kill.

    A bitter smile formed on Hwang Yongmins lips.

    So, he ns to kill his friends.

    Ryu Min chuckled and approached Hwang Yongmin.

    Hwang Yongmin was lost in his thoughts, unaware of Ryu Mins approaching.

    He even let out a mockingugh.

    Those bastards, even if I dont know where they are, Ill kill them all

    Only after Ryu Mi was so close to Hwang Yongmin that he noticed and was taken aback.

    Oh, its a surprise! ck Scythe, is there something you need from me?

    I said I would help you so that you wont be targeted by the others, remember?

    Thats right.

    Ryu Min slowly raised the scythe.

    Ivee to keep that promise.

    What?

    Slice!

    With a chilling sound, Hwang Yongmins vision tilted.

    Before he could grasp the situation.

    Thunk Thud

    Hwang Yongmins head fell to the ground, wearing the same bewildered expression as in the previous regression.

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 Chapter 47: Who Shall We Kill (1)

    Chapter 47: Who Shall We Kill (1)

    The fourth round quest was straightforward.

    Kill yers.

    But even within this main quest, therey a hidden sub-quest.

    [A hidden sub-quest awaits!]

    Eliminate the Zone Representative within the given time limit.

    Sessfulpletion  Receive a Lottery Ticket for a Low-Grade Magic Stone.

    [You havepleted the sub-quest!]

    [As a reward, you have received a Low-Grade Magic Stone Lottery Ticket!]

    The reason Ryu Min killed Hwang Yongmin was revealed here.

    To vanquish the Zone Representative and im the reward for the sub-quest.

    [Low-Grade Magic Stone Lottery Ticket]

    Category: Consumable

    Rarity: Rare

    Effect: Obtain a random selection of 1 to 5 Low-Grade Magic Stones.

    Usage restriction: Until the next round, requires Trainee Rank or higher.

    Description: A limited-time item that grants you a chance to acquire Magic Stones through random selection. The item will automatically expire upon advancing to the next round. Its acquisition is influenced by your Luck stat.

    Excellent. Ive obtained the desired reward.

    The Low-Grade Magic Stone Lottery Ticket allows you to potentially acquire up to five magic stones.

    Since its a time-limited item, it must be used before reaching the fifth round.

    When I return, I should request some buffs from Juri.

    At that moment, a piercing scream shattered the air.

    Aaaah!

    S-Someones been killed!

    I saw it! ck Scythe did it!

    Upon witnessing the decapitated Hwang Yongmin, the onlookers erupted in screams.

    Some gazed at ck Scythe as if he were a savage beast.

    So, when you had your de ready to seize the position of the Zone Representative, you were silent. But now you try to feign innocence.

    Clicking his tongue, Ryu Min wiped the blood off the scythe.

    A few yers couldnt hide their disgust, resorting to taunts.

    Hey, ck Scythe! Is that who you really are? How can you kill someone you dont even know?

    Dont you have any remorse or tears to shed?

    Murderer! Youre nothing but a murderer!

    A murderer?

    Indeed, I killed Jang Seok-hyun.

    But is that all?

    Ive ended the lives of countless individuals leading up to the twentieth round.

    They were all mere obstacles in my path.

    No matter how much I tried to exin, my reasons held no importance in their eyes.

    All they needed was a scapegoat for their condemnation.

    They probably think theyve found the excellent target.

    And just as expected, as I nced at the yers condemning me, they all shared the same thought.

    I must tarnish the reputation of the ck Scythe.

    Its truly absurd.

    A wry smile escaped me, provoking an outburst from the yers.

    You! Do you find this situation amusing?

    Are you a psychopath? Whats so funny about what youve done?

    And then, a message materialized before the yers.

    [yer ck Scythe has be the new Zone Representative of ESKS45-5.]

    Upon seeing the notification of the change in Zone Representative, the realization dawned upon them.

    The one who wielded a knife now also held a gun.

    The yers who had mocked me quietly lowered their hands.

    Gulp-

    Suddenly, silence fell upon the crowd as if everyone had turned into statues.

    Ryu Mins sneer deepened, emanating a sense of triumph.

    Why? Why arent you shouting like before?

    Does my newfound authority as the Zone Representative suddenly fill you with fear?

    Aha, so it seems you were afraid of the power I hold

    W-What are you implying!

    The yers stumbled over their words, taken aback by Ryu Mins usation.

    Some slipped away through the crowd like frightened mice.

    Their apprehension stemmed from the fear of Ryu Mins leadership.

    As the Zone Representative, I wouldnt incite others to kill, as if that was my intention.

    For those inexperienced in the game, Ryu Mins climb to Zone Representatives position spelled despair.

    It meant their chances of snatching the coveted position had plummeted.

    Hence, others hoped for the downfall of the ck Scythe.

    But if he would fall ck Scythe will drag others with him.

    And then, it happened.

    Huh? L-Look at that!

    The crowd pointed their fingers towards ck Scythe.

    More specifically, above his head.

    The color of the ck Scythes nickname has changed!

    Though he couldnt see his own nickname since it hovered above him, Ryu Min understood.

    It must have transitioned from neon to crimson.

    Usually, killing someone wouldnt trigger such a change, but this round was different.

    Committing murder caused the nickname to take on this shade of red.

    At the moment, its probably a faint shade of red. After all, Ive only taken one life.

    The more lives one took, the darker the coloring became.

    What was the purpose of implementing such a system for this round?

    Perhaps its to differentiate between murderers and non-murderers. Killing a murderer might relieve some of the burden of conscience.

    Taking the life of a murderer could alleviate guilt more than killing an innocent non-murderer.

    After all, they were murderers.

    They belonged to the same breed as monsters, extinguishing the lives of their fellow human beings.

    But the one who kills a murderer bes a murderer as well.

    Once a murder wasmitted, the nickname invariably turned red.

    In essence, they became the same as the murderers they targeted.

    Despite deeming themselves dispensers of justice, in the eyes of others, they were merely killersno different.

    Regardless, the change in nickname color will likely fuel mutual ughter.

    However, everyone seemed hesitant to take each others lives.

    In such moments, a little instigation was necessary.

    What is everyone doing? We dont have time to hesitate, you know?

    You, just stay put! Youre obsessed with murder!

    If anyone sees me, theyll assume Im the only one desperate to kill the Zone Representative. What about those who fervently attacked Jo Joong-sik in the previous round? Were they chasing him for a kiss?

    T-Thats

    Dont be hypocritical; face the reality at hand. In a cutthroat society where we trample on others to rise, who among us wouldnt raise a de when faced with the choice to kill and survive?

    Amidst the silence, Ryu Mins voice broke through.

    Of course, a truly virtuous person would choose not to kill. But lets be honest, did you refrain from killing for the sake of others? Or was it merely ack of courage that held you back?

    Now is not the time for nk stares. If it bothers you so much, engage in a discussion, just like you did during the previous vote.

    With those words left hanging in the air, Ryu Min turned away.

    Do as you wish, whether its to kill or be killed, as if the decision was left in their hands.

    Even without stating it explicitly, a fight is bound to happen. But

    But by then, it would be toote.

    If I dont speak up now, well just waste time in pointless stagnation.

    However, that might prevent us from reaching the required number of achievers.

    After all, this rounds rule was clear: failure tomit murder meant automatic elimination.

    Even if what Im doing right now means promoting murder, its the path that will ensure the survival of more people.

    Ryu Min headed towards a secluded corner, arms crossed, keenly observing the unfolding situation.

    Check Out the New Event and read More Chapters For Free

 Chapter 47: Who Shall We Kill (2)

    Chapter 47: Who Shall We Kill (2)

    It seemed that Ryu Mins arguments had an effect, as murmurs of uncertainty arose.

    We cant just remain idle like this. Wouldnt it be better to do something, as ck Scythe suggested?

    What do you propose? Are you suggesting idle chitchat?

    Why do you respond with such sarcasm? Im suggesting that we discuss and n our next move.

    What can we do? Lets grab one another and fight. Or we could have a fair tournament.

    What fairness is there in fighting and killing each other? And a tournament? Are we here for a leisurely tour?

    What did you say?

    The murmurs grew louder as the conversation became heated.

    Amidst the unfolding debate, Seo Arin nced at An Sang-cheol.

    W-What should we do? Bodyguard-nim? Should we really kill someone, as ck Scythe suggested?

    Of course, we should kill. Otherwise, well be the ones to die. What significance does a strangers life hold?

    At that moment, An Sang-cheol seemed unfamiliar to Seo Arin.

    After all, it wasnt the role of a manager to discuss such matters of life and death.

    I fully agree with ck Scythes arguments. Arin, it would be best for you to brace yourself. Murder is not a pleasant experience.

    It sounds like youre speaking from personal experience.

    That couldnt be further from the truth. Its just spection on my part.

    Seo Arin didnt miss the fleeting moment of hesitation from An Sang-cheol.

    So, who should we kill?

    Well, lets gauge the atmosphere and gradually make that decision. Besides, people are already debating that topic.

    As Seo Arin followed An Sang-cheols gaze, she saw people engaged in passionate discussions.

    Instead of idle talk, lets determine whom to kill!

    Who should we kill?

    The murderers! Lets focus on eliminating those whose nicknames have turned red!

    Why are you the one deciding that?

    Life is precious! Even if theyre murderers, we shouldnt be killers ourselves.

    Thats right! By killing, we be no different from them!

    Opposing opinions emerged from various corners.

    Some yers caught on to ck Scythes subtle nces.

    Are you suggesting we kill ck Scythe?

    ck Scythe? Are you out of your mind?

    How are we supposed to kill someone at Level 30?

    Even if we all attack, we wont be able to kill them, will we?

    Quiet down! What if ck Scythe hears us

    Theyre so loud. I can hear every word.

    Ryu Min, who had been observing, couldnt help but curl his lips in a smug smirk.

    A few people hastily turned their heads, feeling the intensity of his sharp gaze.

    Dont worry. I have no intention of killing anyone just yet.

    He would refrain from stepping forward until the situation took a dramatic turn.

    Suddenly initiating senseless ughter would only have a negative impact.

    Theres no need to act impulsively when we know that chaos will ensue on its own. We just have to wait for the right moment.

    As Ryu Min patiently waited, the debate reached its boiling point.

    Then what should we do? If I want to live, does someone else have to die?

    Instead of engaging in endless arguments, lets agree to eliminate the criminals!

    But how do we differentiate the criminals? Are we going to ask people to raise their hands if they have a criminal record? Thats a pretty absurd suggestion.

    For f***s sake, stop the sarcasm! If you have an opinion, speak up, you worthless piece of s***!

    What? This crazy bastard is spouting nonsense! Do I look easygoing just because Im a woman? You motherf*****! Why dont you kill me first?

    Look whos triggered. When did I ever make sexistments? You f***** piece of s***!

    The debate quickly escted into a gender conflict.

    Hey, you two! Instead of just talking, why dont you settle it with a fight?

    And who the hell are you, instigating and meddling?

    These bastards are worse! Sneaky bastards who incite from behind!

    What? You dog-like scum! Should we just kill them all?

    If youre so confident, why dont you try killing them? You f***** piece of s***!

    Damn these b*******!

    The air was filled with shouts and profanity, descending into utter chaos.

    The atmosphere of the debate had long dissipated.

    However

    Despite all the talk of killing or not killing, no one actually took action.

    Fear held them back.

    The aftermath that would follow beingbeled as murderers.

    [Time remaining until the end of the round: 02:50:13]

    Soon, it will be 10 minutes since Hwang Yongmins death. I should start preparing.

    Ryu Min uncrossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the progress window.

    Even though they werent fighting as intended

    No need to worry. Soon enough, without hesitation, they will willingly engage in murder.

    Ryu Min was well aware.

    Hwang Yongmin, the person he killed at the beginning, would serve as a trigger.

    Dont just scream and shout, provide practical opinions Hey! Are you even listening? Why are you staring off into space?

    The yer who was shouting turned his head, following everyones gaze.

    And like the others, he couldnt help but be left speechless.

    Because Hwang Yongmin, whom they believed to be dead, had miraculouslye back to life. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

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 Chapter 48: Bloodshed Chronicles (1)

    Chapter 48: Bloodshed Chronicles (1)

    People who had been observing began to doubt their own eyes.

    Its impossible for someone whose throat has been cut toe back to life.

    However, there was undeniable evidence right before them.

    Hwang Yongmin was turning his head in different directions.

    Hwang Yongmin isnt dead.

    Ryu Min already knew.

    That Hwang Yongmin would resurrect.

    So, this must be the hidden rule of this round. If you die, you revive after 10 minutes.

    Dead people areing back to life?

    It seemed absurd, but considering the existence of resurrection skills, it wasnt entirely surprising.

    Yaaawn. Huh?

    Hwang Yongmin, as if awakened from a deep slumber, yawned and nced around, only to be taken aback.

    What? Why are people staring at me like that?

    It wasnt just a passing nce.

    They were looking at him as if he were a zombie.

    Hwang Yongmin couldnt help but feel bewildered.

    He wasnt even aware that he had died.

    That his throat had been slit so swiftly.

    But something is off. I was definitely having a conversation with ck Scythe, and now this situation

    It felt like abruptly losing track of a film while watching it.

    Without even realizing that ck Scythe had been the one to end his life, Hwang Yongmin surveyed his surroundings.

    The yers reacted with surprise and uttered iprehensible words.

    A person hase back to life!

    Its like resurrection from a god!

    Whats happening? It seems like the system revived him!

    Could it be that in this round, peoplee back to life even after being killed?

    Then we can freely kill without consequences?

    The yers exchanged nces.

    Their eyes were filled with a spark of life.

    If they cane back to life even after being killed

    We can eliminate anyone without hesitation

    Everyone drew their weapons.

    The fact that killing no longer carried the burden of guilt relieved their conscience.

    Everyone, calm down! We arent certain if they truly revive or not, so acting rashly Ahh!

    After her back was shed, a woman writhed in pain.

    Before she could regain her senses from the surprise attack

    Thud!

    A sword pierced through her from behind.

    You should be the first to die, you b*tch! Dieeee!!!

    Thud, thud, thud!

    The man who had just argued with the woman went mad, repeatedly thrusting his sword into her with a crazed expression.

    Haak, haak.

    The pristine floor instantly turned crimson.

    The mans nickname also changed to crimson.

    Come back quickly! Lets fight again!

    Even though he had killed her, anticipating her revival, the woman remained motionless.

    Whats happening? Why isnt sheing back to life?

    The question was answered by another yer.

    Perhaps its not an immediate resurrection.

    Is there a cooldown period?

    Come to think of it, it took 10 minutes for that person to revive!

    How about we wait and see if that womanes back to life?

    The yers silently agreed and spent time in silence.

    If it became certain that they could revive even after being killed, they could eliminate without hesitation.

    Time passed, exactly 10 minutes had gone by.

    At that moment, the people witnessed the process of revival.

    As if time were rewinding, the blood was absorbed, and the wounds healed.

    The woman, who had been lifeless, rose like a zombie and regained her original appearance.

    Yaaawn.

    Just like Hwang Yongmin, the woman suddenly regained her senses, yawning back to life.

    Wait?! What the hell! Whos the bastard that attacked me from behind?

    The woman, rapidly turning her head, caught sight of a grinning man.

    Its me, you damn b*tch.

    Slice!

    This time, the man swiftly slit her throat, ending her life with a chuckle.

    Everyone! Did you see that? Its confirmed they revive after 10 minutes.

    Yeah, youre right. Now we can kill without hesitation!

    Though the resurrection ability had been proven, people hesitated to act immediately.

    The reality ofmitting murder still felt uneasy.

    However

    Its hard not to get swept up in the atmosphere.

    As some yers began killing,petition arose, and others started swinging their des at one another.

    Slice! Slice!

    Ugh!

    Die!

    Aaargh!

    There was no specific target in mind.

    They simply attacked randomly, anyone within reach.

    Hey, you b*stard! That hurts!

    Im sorry! But Im not doing this because I want to, okay?!

    You should experience it too!

    Aaack! Stop! Just stop resisting and die! After all, youll revive anyway!

    Then die, you b*stard!

    The previously pristine space transformed rapidly to red.

    The fluorescent hues of their nicknames gradually faded away.

    The sight of over a thousand yers locked in a frenzied battle resembled a war zone.

    Nows the time. Its time to make a move.

    Ryu Min slowly advanced, wielding his scythe.

    Huh? ck Scythe?

    Slice!

    In one seamless motion, he severed the life of a passing yer.

    It was his way of sparing them unnecessary suffering.

    Slice! Slice! Slice!

    He began massacring unsuspecting yers.

    With each swing of his scythe, four lives were imed.

    Amidst the chaos, most yers remained oblivious to Ryu Mins actions.

    And naturally, dead yers couldnt utter a word.

    But that didnt mean he went unnoticed.

    Some yers stealthily approached Ryu Min from behind, akin to cunning cats.

    Silently.

    yers, having closed in on Ryu Min from behind, swung their weapons.

    Nows the time! Die!

    With a sh of light, the upper halves of three yers slipped and plummeted to the ground.

    Thud, thud, thud!

    Wide-eyed, they all perished.

    Their faces asked, How did you sense us?

    With my keen instincts, theres no way a surprise attack can seed.

    Ryu Min smirked.

    Even with his eyes closed, he could read the surrounding environment through his instincts, eliminating the fear of ambush.

    After approximately 10 minutes, the previously deceased yers resurfaced smoothly.

    Whether they had died twice or thrice, it made no difference.

    There was no limit to resurrection; only a 10-minute cooldown was applied.

    Hehehe! Die! Just die!

    Among the yers, a particrly noticeable yer emerged.

    [ck Dragon me].

    Come to think of it, he was here.

    The fourth round stage was undoubtedly crafted for the ck Dragon me.

    To someone equipped with the [Rune of Absorption], the current situation must be like a grand feast.

    The ck Dragon me had a tangible connection with Ryu Min in the real world.

    Hence, he knew just how scary that rune could be.

    Ryu Min narrowed his eyes, studying the ck Dragon mes nickname.

    The color has grown rather intense. He must have imed around ten lives.

    A record akin to Ryu Mins.

    The darker the nickname, the more kills it represented.

    I suppose Ill have to retire him multiple times.

    To eliminate hispetitors, Ryu Min sprang into action.

    Check Out the New Event and read More Chapters For Free<ul><li>Pirates Achievements System</li><li>Infinite Clone System</li><li>The King of The Worlds</li><li>Bleach: Brave New World</li></ul>

 Chapter 48: Bloodshed Chronicles (2)

    Chapter 48: Bloodshed Chronicles (2)

    Hehehehe! Hahahaha!

    The ck Dragon me in his right hand reveled in the thrill of murder.

    But it wasnt just that; it was the [Rune of Absorption] he possessed that fueled his bloodlust.

    The more yers I kill, the higher my stack grows. Its like hitting the jackpot!

    The Rune of Absorption granted a stack every time the ck Dragon me took a life.

    Once the stack reached its maximum capacity, a random stat would be bestowed upon him.

    I knew killing monsters would increase the stack, but I never expected it to rise from ying yers.

    With a swing of his axe, the ck Dragon me struck the shoulder of an unknown man.

    Gah!

    Die! Die! Die!

    He relentlessly struck the man, turning him into a lifeless corpse.

    Huff, the stacks seem to have increased considerably. Perhaps because he was of a higher level?

    Not all yers granted the same number of stacks.

    Depending on their level, some provided more, while others offered fewer stacks.

    Seems logical. If theyre around the same level as me and still grant this many stacks

    For a moment, the ck Dragon me pondered the potential increase in stacks by killing the highest-leveled yer, the one wielding the ck Scythe.

    Wouldnt that fill the stack and grant me a stat?

    Though the possibility was high, he quickly dismissed the thought, shaking his head.

    The chances of killing the ck Scythe were slim.

    Forget it. No need to invite trouble by provoking a giant. Ill focus on hunting the weaklings instead.

    Swoosh!

    His axe struck the back of another yers head, their face unfamiliar.

    I apologize. There is no resentment within me.

    Swoosh! Swoosh!

    With a few more strikes, it was a definite end.

    The ck Dragon mes axe swings carried a tinge of emotion.

    Hehe, its so liberating. Just what I needed after enduring all that stress.

    In truth, the stress he had experienced went far beyond this moment.

    In the previous round, he had been manipted by Jo Joong-sik, and forced into meaningless escort missions.

    That damn gangster hindered my hunting progress as well.

    The ck Dragon me was a skilled yer, ranked third in the area.

    The memory of missing out on ranking rewards due to Jo Joong-sik still made his blood boil.

    But Im fortunate. This round is tailored to suit me.

    While others gained no advantage from killing yers, he did.

    By umting stats, he could grow stronger.

    Nows the perfect time to make up for theck of growth in the previous round.

    Despite being level 10 and a warrior by job, he knew it wasnt enough.

    Did you really think I would fall behind? As the third-ranked yer in the area, I have my pride.

    The thought of taking lives bothered him slightly, but what difference did it make?

    After all, they were just continually resurrecting in the game.

    In the end, they keeping back to life. If I think of it as a game, it bes easier.

    The ck Dragon me didnt consider it murder.

    To him, it was simply a well-crafted virtual reality game, and the figures before him were nothing more than fragments of data.

    With that change in perspective, the act of killing others no longer carried the same unease.

    The unpleasant sensation he felt when hemitted his first murder seemed to fade away.

    How many have I killed already? The more I y, the higher my chances of climbing the rankings.

    The ck Dragon me chuckled with delight.

    His prey continued to resurrect.

    For him, there couldnt be a more ideal hunting ground.

    With anticipation, he scanned the area for his next target.

    He spotted yers engaged in frenzied battles, their surroundings sttered with blood.

    Shall I pay them a visit this time? Hehe.

    They were nothing more than insignificant preypared to his own skills.

    As the ck Dragon me was about to move on, he suddenly froze in ce.

    Right in front of him, he came face-to-face with a formidable beast.

    A reaper wielding arge scythe.

    Huh? The ck Scythe?

    In an instant, darkness enveloped his surroundings.

    Whats going on? Why did the lights go out all of a sudden?

    Voices of confusion echoed around, but none were as bewildered as the ck Dragon me himself.

    Faintly, he could see the outline of the ck Reapers massive scythe.

    What Whats happening? Why is the scythe transparent?

    But there was an even more surprising development.

    The scythe suddenly lunged at him with explosive speed.

    Gasp! Wha- What!

    Was this what it felt like when a lion suddenly charged toward a deer?

    His entire body stiffened in response to the unimaginable speed.

    Though he tried to defend himself with his axe, something was amiss.

    Huh?

    Suddenly, the world spun around him.

    He saw his headless body.

    Ah, Im dead.

    Could it be because his weapon is transparent?

    He couldnt even see it when it struck him.

    I should have avoided the ck Scythe Its too

    With that thought, his consciousness faded away.

    ***

    Die!

    You die, you son of a b****!

    Amidst the mor of shouts and screams in the fierce battle, Hwang Yongmin still couldnt shake off his disbelief.

    People are resurrecting for real.

    Just a while ago, he had witnessed a woman being stabbed by a sword and thening back to life.

    They really do resurrect in just ten minutes?

    If he hadnt seen it with his own eyes, he wouldnt have believed it.

    Though he hadnt realized he died himself.

    Hehe, this is perfect, perfect. Its a chance for revenge against those bastards who turned their backs on me.

    They had all vowed to kill each other; that was the n. Hwang Yongmin maneuvered through the crowd.

    Where are you, Kim Seung-han? Where are you?

    Finding a friend among thousands of people was no easy task.

    There you are, hehe.

    It really wasnt an impossible feat.

    With a delighted expression, Hwang Yongmin shouted.

    Seunghan!

    He even waved his hand, but his voice was drowned out by the surrounding noise.

    Looking at his friend, he seemed to be on high alert, his eyes darting around anxiously.

    Heh, what a coward. Look at him, all scared because of some stat penalties.

    Hwang Yongmin sneaked up behind him, intending to give him a surprise.

    Hey! Kim Seung-han!

    When he called out from close range, the guy turned around in astonishment.

    Good to see you, you piece of s***!

    Without hesitation, he jabbed his fist straight into the guys face.

    Ugh!

    Blood sttered as the guy staggered.

    Hwang Yongmin followed up with a barrage of punches, striking his face repeatedly.

    He straddled the fallen guy, suppressing his movements.

    Kim Seung-han, you son of a b****. You think you can kill me?

    Whack!

    Ugh.

    How about I kill you once? Huh?

    He focused his punches on the guys face, hitting with intensity.

    Whack! Whack!

    He kept punching him in the face until it became a bloody mess and the movements ceased.

    Haah, it feels good now.

    Hwang Yongmin stood up and surveyed his surroundings.

    Now, where are the other bastards?

    There were still many friends to kill. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

    Check Out the New Event and read More Chapters For Free<ul><li>Super Card System</li><li>All Stat yer</li><li>Reincarnation Paradise</li><li>A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War!</li><li>The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer</li><li>Bleach: Brave New World</li><li>The Marvelous Dragon Balls</li><li>The King of The Worlds</li></ul>

 Chapter 49: Round 4 Rankings Revealed (1)

    Chapter 49: Round 4 Rankings Revealed (1)

    Huff, huff.

    Seo Arin gasped for breath, her lungs heaving.

    Arin, are you alright? You seem exhausted.

    Ha no, Im Im fine, really. Its not so much the physical strain as it is the mental

    An Sang-cheol nodded, understanding her unspoken words.

    The sight of blood spraying and des shing was beyond disturbingit was a spectacle of violence that tore at the very fabric of their being.

    It was a ce that made one question if it was akin to the depths of hell itself.

    And in this already pristine white space, the carnage became all the more jarring.

    It wasnt a scene from a low-budget gory movie. No, it was the grim reality ying out before their eyes.

    Well, he could endure this to a certain extent, but his concerny with Seo Arin.

    She still has another hour to go. I wonder if she can hold on.

    An Sang-cheol worried about Seo Arins state of mind. After all, she was Ma Kyung-roks prized asset, a crucial element of his business ventures. If her mental well-being suffered, it could jeopardize the entire enterprise, and he couldnt let that happen.

    Dieeee!

    What?

    An Sang-cheol swiftly swung his sword, aiming for the viin who had set his sights on Seo Arin.

    ng!

    He deflected the aggressors weapon and swiftly sliced him across his shoulder.

    The enemys upper body was now fully exposed, vulnerable, and defenseless.

    Arin!

    With urgency in his voice, An Sang-cheol called out to Seo Arin, who clenched her teeth and plunged her sword forward.

    Swoosh!

    The de pierced the guys heart with chilling uracy.

    The trembling evildoer slumped to the ground, lifeless.

    An Sang-cheol watched the scene unfold before him, a sense of satisfaction washing over him.

    Well, she certainly follows orders well.

    When he incapacitated their opponents, he entrusted Seo Arin with the task of finishing them off personally.

    Seo Arincksbat skills, so she wont survive without doing at least this.

    It was akin to feeding her with a silver spoon.

    However, it wasnt an entirely selfless act, as her summoned creature provided a protective shield, assisting them in this battle without any charge.

    Ugh

    Seo Arin, her face trembling, withdrew her sword

    Yaaaah!

    Yet another viin emerged from the side,unching a surprise attack.

    Swish, swish!

    An Sang-cheol engaged in a swift exchange of blows, parrying the viins strikes and swiftly shing his wrist.

    Ah!

    Seizing the opportunity, he struck the foes neck with his forearm.

    I cant just give, I must also earn. To survive in this round, I too must make my mark.

    His movements flowed naturally like water cascading down a stream.

    Since his transition to bing a knight, An Sang-cheols mastery of runic swordsmanship had transformed him into a seasoned swordsman.

    Seo Arin, struggling to unsheathe her sword, looked at him with a mix of awe and desperation.

    Bodyguard-nim How much longer do we have to keep fighting like this?

    We still have another hour of battle ahead, Im afraid.

    Its so difficult for me to bear witness I just dont understand why everyone is resorting to killing and being killed.

    An Sang-cheol, worn out as he was, showed no signs of sympathy orpassion.

    Shes fragile too fragile. Like a delicate flower in a greenhouse, isnt she?

    Her plight only evoked a sense of pity.

    An Sang-cheol concealed his inner thoughts and replied, If youre tired, rest for now. Havent you already taken down fifty opponents?

    Well, perhaps

    That should be enough to secure a ce among the top ranks. Leave the rest to me.

    Thank you truly.

    Grateful, huh?

    Ironically, he felt even more grateful himself.

    This was an opportunity for him to make a record he couldnt aplish while spoon-feeding her.

    An Sang-cheol remained vignt, brandishing his sword in a defensive stance.

    Even if he stood still, the frenzied individuals intoxicated by madness woulde rushing towards him.

    Come.

    An Sang-cheols sword traced elegant curves through the air, poised and ready for the next encounter.

    ****

    [Time remaining until round end: 00:10:21]

    Its about time thises to an end.

    Ryu Min, his eyes fixed on the progress window, swung his scythe with a powerful arc.

    Swish!

    The approaching yers body,ing from behind, was mercilessly torn to shreds.

    Only ten minutes left, but its not over until its over.

    To secure the top rank for the entire zone, Ryu Min had to umte as many records as possible.

    But it wasnt as simple as just killing arge number of opponents in a specific order.

    Ranking isnt solely determined by the number of kills.

    No, it required more than just a high body count.

    The key was to eliminate a diverse range of adversaries.

    There was no point in repeatedly targeting the same person; it would only count as one kill.

    That was the hidden method of ranking for this round.

    I shouldnt kill like that.

    Ryu Mins gaze fell upon none other than Hwang Yongmin.

    Die! Die, you bastards!

    Using nothing but his fists, Hwang Yongmin was swiftly dispatching former friends who had once been part of their gang.

    And he did it right after their resurrection.

    Its almost the end of the round, and hes still there, doing the same thing. I wonder how many times hes killed the same person.

    Hwang Yongmin cunningly enticed his gang members into a trap, taking advantage of their immediate revival at the same spot.

    To kill the same five gang members over and over again.

    Unbeknownst to them, those gang members would find it difficult to survive this round.

    Dying immediately after resurrection denied them the opportunity to establish a solid record.

    But Hwang Yongmin, who killed only the same people, might have a low score and be eliminated

    However, Ryu Min wasnt concerned about that.

    Hwang Yongmins nickname appeared more vivid than expected.

    It meant that he had killed not only his friends but also others.

    It seems he took the time while waiting for resurrection to kill other yers.

    Despite not undergoing a job transition and suffering penalties due to his weakened state, Hwang Yongmin disyed impressive power.

    Well, I have nothing to say about it.

    Ryu Min walked forward, gripping his scythe.

    His eyes scanned the yers as if searching for prey.

    All their nicknames glowed red.

    There wasnt a single fluorescent color among them.

    Without exception, over a thousand yers hadmitted murder.

    Can it truly be called murder? After ten minutes, everyone resurrects without exception.

    The fact that people could kill so casually was due to the knowledge of the resurrection.

    Perhaps the atmosphere soaked in madness also yed a part.

    Ryu Min immersed himself in the atmosphere and cut down the people.

    It made the act of killing people way easier.

    It was the same for everyone, even for Ryu Min.

    If I stay still, Ill be killed.

    If I dont establish a record, Ill fade away.

    And I have no intention of missing out on the first-ce reward.

    Whoosh-

    shing here and there, Ryu Min reaped one of the yers heads with his scythe.

    Somehow, I must get stronger and reach the twentieth round.

    I dont know how powerful the final boss will be, so I must be as strong as I can.

    Check Out the New Event and read More Chapters For Free<ul><li>The Strongest Hokage</li><li>The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer</li><li>One Piece: The Soul Purchasing Pirate</li></ul>

 Chapter 49: Round 4 Rankings Revealed (2)

    Chapter 49: Round 4 Rankings Revealed (2)

    The reason for epting murder was beyond the fact of the resurrection.

    Survival.

    People fought to survive.

    It was amon event for modern individuals humans living in apetitive society.

    After this round, yers wont feel repulsed by murder anymore.

    Even though it was a virtual world, these yers had already experienced killing people countless times during this round.

    Would they feel repulsion if they had tomit real murder in the physical world?

    In the future, theyll act without hesitation. Thewless zone will only intensify.

    They would aim their weapons at each other, killing innocent bystanders to prove their superiority.

    That was the future that awaited the yers.

    Of course, not everyone will cave to this.

    yers who hadnt lost their humanity would still feel guilt and remorse for taking lives.

    Ryu Min himself experienced those emotions to some extent.

    Thats why I try to end their lives as swiftly as possible, sparing them unnecessary suffering.

    But when faced with the first yer who lunged at him, he showed no mercy.

    No mercy for those who strike first.

    And once he had killed a yer, he never killed them again.

    There was no point in targeting the same person multiple times since it wouldnt count toward his record.

    In other words, it means I meticulously remember the nicknames of the yers Ive in.

    Remembering the nicknames of hundreds of yers?

    It was a difficult task, but not an impossible one.

    As long as I recall the essential keywords of their nicknames, I can easily remember them when I see them again.

    His high intelligence stat made it all the more achievable.

    Ive taken care of him, and him too.

    As he passed by other yers, he scanned them attentively.

    Ryu Mins focus was on yers he had never killed before.

    However, the majority of those who fell by his hand were familiar faces.

    I dont remember that one. Theyre new.

    As soon as he spotted a yer he hadnt in, he swiftly swung his scythe.

    Without a second nce at the fallen, he moved on, searching for his next target.

    Time is running out. I need to get more kills.

    In his pursuit of iming the top rank for the entire zone, his eyes burned with determination as he hunted down his prey.

    Suddenly, pirs of light descended from the sky, obstructing his movement.

    Time had expired.

    [Hehehe! Did you all enjoy the killings?]

    Trapped within their respective pirs, the yers directed chilly gazes towards the angel.

    Could killing the same person bring any enjoyment?

    At times, they even red at the angel who assigned them this nauseating quest, filled with resentment.

    The angel was merely a guide, after all.

    [Oh my, look at this filthy blood. The once pristine space has turned intoplete chaos.]

    [Well, despite killing each other, youve all worked hard. Before we reveal the final results, lets resurrect the fallen.]

    Before the angel could finish speaking, the system had already resurrected the deceased yers.

    These Angels, they speak as if they possess the power to revive them. But in truth, they dont have such ability.

    As Ryu Min continued to look at the angel, the yers were resurrected only to find themselves trapped within pirs, without exception.

    Even Hwang Yongmins friends, who had been mercilessly killed for three hours, were finally granted a moment of peace.

    Hwang Yongmin, you bastard!

    You son of a bitch! Ill kill you!

    Youre nothing but a worthless bug!

    Amidst the pirs of light, they busily spewed insults at Hwang Yongmin.

    [Quiet down! From now on, anyone who makes a sound will have their heads explode.]

    [Now that its finally quiet, shall we take a look at the results after everyone has resurrected? Ah! But before that, lets see what the sub-quest for this round was, shall we?]

    The sub-quest?

    There was one this time too?

    Of course there was. Did you think there wouldnt be? Are you idiots? Hehehe.

    With a knowing smile, the angel who had selected the humans disyed the quest window.

    Defeat the Zone Representative within the time limit.

    Sess grants  Lowest-grade Soulstone Draw Ticket.

    Defeat the Zone Representative?

    So, this was the sub-quest?

    [Yes, you fools. By the way, only one human in the entire world has achieved the sub-quest. And its ck Scythe.]

    ck Scythe?

    Come to think of it

    He killed Hwang Yongmin and became the Zone Representative, didnt he?

    Oh, right.

    Those who had previously criticized ck Scythe for killing Hwang Yongmin now seemed remorseful as if their appetites had been spoiled.

    If I had known, I would have killed Hwang Yongmin

    Damn it. Bing the Zone Representative in this round turned out to be advantageous after all.

    However, Hwang Yongmin, who had perished, waspletely oblivious to this news.

    I I died? Killed by ck Scythe?

    Could it be that the reason he cant remember anything in the beginning is because of this?

    Realizing that he had died and been resurrected, Hwang Yongmin hastily examined his skill window.

    Its gone. The temporary skill, Commanding Authority, is no longer there.

    Even though he had used up all his chances, the skill window had clearly shown that he still possessed the Commanding Authority skill.

    But now, it had inexplicably vanished.

    Did the Zone Representative authority really transfer to ck Scythe? From me?

    Was it an indication that they would assist him so he wouldnt be a target?

    Is this why he took the title of Zone Representative from him?

    Perplexed, Hwang Yongmin gazed at Ryu Min, who appeared indifferent and didnt spare him a single nce.

    [Now, lets take a look at the results, shall we? But before that, Im sure youre curious about how the rankings were determined.]

    The angel finally revealed the hidden rules.

    [The rankings are based on the order of each yers unique kills. Which means, even if the same human was killed multiple times, it only counts as 1 kill.]

    Unique kills?

    So, its not just about killing as many as possible?

    [Do you really think it was that straightforward? Kehehehe, lets see the results.]

    With a graceful movement of its wings, the angel unveiled the results window.

    Round 4 Results

    [Overall Zone]

    1st ce: ck Scythe (Level 30 Reaper)  722 kills

    2nd ce: The Stupid Fools (Level 13 Shaman)  521 kills

    3rd ce: Heavenly Demon (Level 13 Dark Knight)  433 kills

    [Zone ESKS45-5]

    1st ce: ck Scythe (Level 30 Reaper)  722 kills

    2nd ce: Adorable Baby Bird (Level 11 Warrior)  211 kills

    3rd ce: An Sang-cheol (Level 11 Knight)  209 kills

    [Once again, ck Scythe ims 1st ce.]

    Thats a relief.

    As Ryu Min let out a sigh of relief, feeling rtively secure in his 1st ce position, the other yers cast him envious nces, mixed with a hint of resentment.

    To kill over 700 people

    How is that even possible?

    Werent we barely a thousand in number?

    So, he single-handedly killed 70% of us?

    This is absolutely insane.

    Just like the onlookers shaking their heads in disbelief, even the angel couldnt help but be astonished.

    [Wow! You managed to eliminate 722 people all by yourself? Thats truly impressive!]

    [For reference, the lowest record for our zone this time was 30 kills, achieved by the yer ranked 521st. Anyone below that is considered eliminated.]

    Ah

    wuh

    Sighs escaped the lips of almost half of the yers.

    They were among those who couldnt even reach the 30 kills mark.

    Oh no, this cant be happening. I dont want to be eliminated!

    Does this mean were really going to die this time?

    Sigh I should have put more effort into eliminating others.

    While half of the yers sighed with regret, Ryu Min focused his attention on the reward message. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

    Check Out the New Event and read More Chapters For Free<ul><li>Harry Potter and the Secret Treasures</li><li>The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer</li><li>Super Card System</li><li>Reincarnation Paradise</li><li>The Marvelous Dragon Balls</li><li>Infinite Clone System</li></ul>

 Chapter 50: Ask For His Help (1)

    Chapter 50: Ask For His Help (1)

    [Congrattions! You have achieved first ce in the quest for this particr area!]

    [Congrattions! You have achieved first ce in the overall rankings for the quest!]

    [Currently, ck Scythe holds the top position in both the overall rankings and the designated area.]

    [As the reward for ranking first in the designated area, you will receive an Intermediate Rare Armor Selection Ticket!]

    [As the reward for ranking first overall, you will receive a Special Reward Selection Box!]

    An intermediate rare armor selection ticket This is perfect timing for an armor upgrade.

    Ryu Min wasted no time and immediately redeemed the reward.

    [You can now choose one of the following rare armors.]

    [Please select your desired reward.]

    1. Shining Bronze Armor

    2. Crimson Assassin Suit

    3. Robe of Darkness

    With only three options avable, the selection was somewhat limited.

    I guess Ill have to go with number 2.

    [Crimson Assassin Suit]

    Category: Armor

    Grade: Rare

    Defense: 60

    Effects: Agility +4, Attack Speed +5%, Movement Speed +5%

    Durability: 600/600

    Usage Restriction: Requires Regr grade or higher

    Description: A crimson suit once worn by an assassin. Sometimes, it emits a faint scent of blood.

    The options were quite appealing.

    Though it asionally gives off a hint of blood scent, which could be problematic.

    Nevertheless, it was an upgrade from the skilled hunters worn leather armor Ryu Min had been using.

    I should detach the low-grade navy blue sapphire I embedded in the hunters armorter.

    Removing it wouldnt make a significant difference, though.

    Tapping the option where the navy blue sapphire was added prompts a message asking whether to detach it.

    Ryu Min proceeded to open the special reward selection box, his final reward.

    [You can now choose one of the following special rewards.]

    [Please select your desired reward.]

    1. 50% Stat Increase Buff (Valid for 5 rounds)

    2. 5,000 Gold

    3. Information for Round 5

    Unlike the previous round, there was no triple experience buff this time.

    But that doesnt mean monsters wont appear.

    In fact, the fifth round required actively seeking out monsters.

    Furthermore, the difficulty level was slightly higherpared to previous rounds.

    It might be challenging for me, but other yers will likely find it extremely tough.

    The fifth round posed a considerable challenge.

    Even with a fair amount of umted experience, Ryu Min died four times in that round alone.

    Though if I hadnt been so focused on sub-quests, I wouldnt have died as much.

    At the time, he had been overly absorbed in the sub-quest rewards, leading to his demise at the hands of a monster.

    However, he managed to discover the sub-quest and im the rewardster on.

    Fortunately, it was worth the trouble.

    He remembered being pleasantly surprised by the rewards, which exceeded his expectations.

    This time, Ill achieve first ce not only in the main quest but also in all the sub-quests.

    Ryu Min chose the first reward.

    Considering the difficulty, the stat increase would be immensely helpful.

    Its not just the fifth round thats difficult.

    The difficulty significantly spikes with each multiple of five rounds.

    Especially the fifteenth round is remarkably challenging.

    Even Ryu Min, who had already nned ahead, felt a slight tension in the air. But he had said everything that needed to be said.

    Have you all checked your rankings? Well then, shall we proceed with the elimination? Hehehe!

    Just a moment!

    Archangel, please have mercy!

    There was no room for excuses.

    521 yers who didnt make it into the top ranks turned into a handful of ashes.

    Amidst the scene, there was someone breathing a sigh of relief.

    It was Hwang Yongmin.

    I I survived. I barely made it.

    Hwang Yongmin was lucky enough to save his own life.

    Unfortunately, none of his friends survived the elimination.

    ROUND 4 ENDED

    [Overall Rankings]

    Survivors: 90,953,209

    [Designated Area ESKS45-5]

    Survivors: 521

    [In a moment, your souls will return to your original bodies.]

    [Round 5 will begin at midnight on May 1st, 2022. Congrattions on surviving. See you in the next round.]

    ***

    An Sang-cheol, who had returned to reality, was in a hurry, running somewhere.

    Director!

    Beep! Click!

    Using the master key, he opened the hotel room, revealing the CEO, Ma Kyung-rok, fast asleep on the bed.

    Phew

    Hmm? Oh, Director Ahn?

    Startled by the suddenmotion, Ma Kyung-rok rubbed his eyes and sat up.

    Whats going on here? I dont remember summoning Director Ahn.

    I apologize for intruding without prior contact. I came here urgently, thinking that something might have happened.

    I see. Well, what happened? Werent you able to see the final results?

    I did. You secured third ce. But I was still worried. It was such a mentally intense round, wasnt it?

    Ma Kyung-rok nodded in agreement.

    Thats why I copsed on the bed as soon as I returned. I was mentally exhausted.

    I mean, you killed 433 people

    If we count the duplicates, its probably even more.

    Although Ma Kyung-rok had a hobby bordering on psychopathy, this was the first time he had taken so many lives.

    It was mentally draining.

    If Im like this, what kind of monster is ck Scythe? To kill that many people Is he even human?

    He might be an active member of a special forces unit. If theres someone in Korea with that level of audacity and skill theres no other way to see it.

    Ma Kyung-rok contemted deeply.

    What is his true identity? How can he effortlessly dominate the entirepetition and raise his level so significantly?

    The more he thought about it, the more impressed he became with ck Scythe.

    If only I could coborate with ck Scythe, it would be so reassuring for breaking through future rounds.

    It was disappointing that they couldnt meet due to being in different areas.

    We should ask the prophet about itter. See if they know anything about ck Scythe.

    As he pondered these thoughts, An Sang-cheol coincidentally brought up the topic of the prophet.

    Its truly amazing. Round 4 unfolded exactly as the prophet had foretold. Honestly, I had my doubts until I witnessed it myself.

    Ipletely agree.

    The two of them recalled Ryu Mins prophecy.

    Round 4 is not aboutpleting monster-hunting quests. Instead, its a tragic battle where yers kill each other. Be cautious and avoid falling victim to the des of other yers.

    Just as the prophecy foretold, it came true. The information provided by the major shareholder was urate.

    The two of them now had unwavering faith in Ryu Min as a true prophet.

    Now, what should we do, sir?

    What do you mean?

    Im referring to the prophet, Ryu Min. Are you seriously considering partnering with him?

    Of course. He holds a 31% stake, so what authority do I have? In essence, the fate of thepany rests in the hands of Major Shareholder Ryu Min.

    Does that mean youre ready topletely overhaul the industry, as he suggested?

    Why even ask? He believes thepany can thrive. And

    With resolute eyes, Ma Kyung-rok spoke.

    Regardless, we must make Ryu Min our ally. Dont underestimate him because of his age, and dont let your pride get in the way. Even if you dont agree with his actions, support him unconditionally and stay in sync. Thats the only way.

    A cunning smile formed on Ma Kyung-roks lips.

    A prophet like him is a honey trap that can extract all the favors we desire. Do you understand?

    Yes, Ill be cautious when dealing with Ryu Min from now on.

    Good. Call him right away. Confirm if Prophet Ryu Min is still alive while congratting him on surviving.

    What should I say during the call?

    If he has time today, suggest having an evening party to celebrate survival. Tell him to invite his family if he has any.

    Understood.

    And make sure to invite Seo Arin, the actress, to the party.

    Seo Arin?

    We cant afford to exclude an entertainer at a time like this, can we?

    A mischievous grin adorned Ma Kyung-roks face.

    ***

    Thunk!

    Ryu Min, dressed casually, stepped out of the Lamborghini.

    Then, he waved his hand towards the woman standing before him.

    Hi.

    And there she was, Min Juri.

    She also greeted him with a warm smile and waved back.

    Ryu Min! You look great!

    Likewise.

    Whats going on? We had nned to have lunch together first, right?

    Its a celebration for surviving. Dont worry about the meal; Ive got it covered.

    W-who said I was worried?

    But I was actually worried.

    He could hear her thoughts, and even his slight surprise was palpable.

    Lets go. I made a reservation at a fantastic ce.

    W-well then, as shameless as it may sound, shall I enjoy the perks of having a wealthy friend? Juri chuckled nervously.

    Check Out the New Event and read More Chapters For Free<ul><li>The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer</li><li>One Punch Of Justice</li><li>Reincarnation Paradise</li><li>Me and my Wife transmigrated together!?</li></ul>

 Chapter 50: Ask For His Help (2)

    Chapter 50: Ask For His Help (2)

    The man and woman in the Lamborghini zoomed through the city.

    During the ride, Min Juri and Ryu Min engaged in a natural and easy conversation.

    Was it because they had shared their runes?

    Unlikest time, the atmosphere was rxed andfortable.

    Thank you, Prophet-nim. I was able to prepare for Round 4 because of your guidance. If you hadnt given me any hints, I would have been truly taken aback.

    Have you ever doubted the truth of my words?

    No way! Why would you lie to me about something so trivial?

    I appreciate your trust.

    On one hand, Ryu Min couldnt help but feel a pang of guilt in his conscience.

    After all, even though his lies were well-intentioned, they were still lies.

    He also felt a twinge of remorse for inadvertently reading Min Juris unspoken thoughts.

    Unaware of his internal conflicts, Min Juri smiled and spoke with gratitude.

    Im really thankful. Do you know how nerve-wracking it was for me to take someones life? Did you feel the same way?

    Huh? Well I mean

    He didnt.

    He felt no hesitation or doubt when it came to killing.

    In fact, he wished he had felt something, some sort of moral struggle.

    Regardless, if you hadnt told me that I had to kill at least 30 people to pass, I would have been eliminated a long time ago. So, thank you.

    As he sensed her genuine gratitude, Ryu Min couldnt help but smile.

    I dont really have anything to be thankful for.

    Besides, even without his guidance, Min Juri would have survived.

    The protective rune that grew stronger with the presence of more people would have saved her multiple times.

    Plus, shes more resilient than I expected.

    She was like a wild weed thriving outside the greenhouse, rather than a delicate flower inside.

    Were here. This is the ce.

    The two of them entered a high-end traditional Korean restaurant.

    He chose this ce to avoid the formal atmosphere that might make Min Juri ufortable.

    Wee, do you have a reservation?

    Yes, for two.

    Once they entered the private room, the meticulously prepared 200,000 won course meal was served.

    As the staff left, they were left alone in the cozy space.

    It was the perfect setting for a heartfelt conversation.

    Please enjoy your meal.

    Thank you, I will.

    How many times has she thanked me?

    Ryu Min chuckled and picked up his chopsticks.

    The food tasted exquisite, and he savored each bite.

    However, Min Juri seemed hesitant, her hands hovering over the untouched food.

    Can I really enjoy this meal after taking someones life? Ryu Min called me here, but I cant help but feel uneasy

    Reading her thoughts, he realized she was still grappling with the weight of her actions.

    But its understandable. Despite Min Juris vibrant spirit, shes just an ordinary person at the end of the day.

    It was surprising how nonchntly she had acted so far.

    Concerned, Ryu Min involuntarily set down his utensils.

    Juri, why arent you eating?

    Huh? Oh, Im just not feeling well

    Is it because of what weve done? Taking lives?

    Dont burden yourself with guilt. We did what we had to do to survive.

    I know that, but

    Stop.

    Ryu Mins tone turned firm as he interrupted her.

    So what if something like this happens again? Are you just going to stand by and do nothing? If you do, Ill be the one to suffer.

    Think about yourself. It wont be easy, but its the right thing to do. Remember, you have a family to protect too.

    Family

    In that moment, Min Juris thoughts were consumed by her beloved father.

    She had never considered the profound sadness he would feel if she failed to wake up from her slumber.

    With a newfound sense of purpose, her wavering resolve solidified.

    Youre right. I had forgotten about my family. Perhaps thats why Ive endured until now without even realizing it.

    Min Juris eyes no longer held uncertainty.

    Thank you, Ryu Min. Thank you forforting me.

    Why are you thanking me for something like this? Lets just eat delicious food and let it all out.

    Hehe, alright.

    Reinvigorated, Min Juri finally picked up her utensils.

    As she savored the various dishes, she couldnt help but be amazed.

    This is truly delicious. It feels like all the fatigue from the 4th round is melting away.

    Then, Im d.

    They devoured the main dish, Neobiani, and indulged in the Seven-side Dish and Stone Pot Rice, surrendering to the blissful satisfaction that filled their stomachs.

    An unparalleled sense of happiness surged through them.

    That was truly enjoyable, Min-ah.

    Its the first time youve called me by my first name.

    Oh, really? If its alright with you, can I continue calling you that from now on?

    Sure, whatever you like.

    Phew, Im stuffed. Will there be dessert?

    Of course.

    Observing Min Juris eyes gleaming with anticipation, Ryu Min almost let out a chuckle.

    She resembled a puppy waiting for a treat from its owner.

    When the dessert arrivedJujube Tea and ice creamMin Juris eyes sparkled.

    Ill savor every bite!

    Was her heightened enthusiasm due to her improved mood?

    Well, I knew Min Juri enjoys eating, especially ice cream.

    Thats why he chose a traditional Korean restaurant that served ice cream as dessert.

    He wanted to lift her spirits.

    With all the dishes served and no one to interrupt, Ryu Min felt it was time to address the main issue.

    To tell you the truth I havent invited you here today just to celebrate.

    Huh?

    I want to share information about the 5th round.

    The 5th round?

    Surprised, Min Juri lowered her voice and nced around cautiously.

    Did you see the future?

    Yes. The 5th round will be much more challenging than any previous round. Moreover, there will be a zone integration.

    Zone integration?

    It means the separate zones will merge into one.

    This astonishing revtion widened Min Juris eyes.

    S-So, that means You and I might be able to meet?

    Exactly. Although it wont be during the 5th round itself.

    In truth, they would encounter each other during the 5th round, but Ryu Min deliberately misled her about the timing of their meeting.

    If were in the same zone, Min Juri will undoubtedly try to meet me.

    If they crossed paths in this realm, his lie would be exposed.

    He couldnt hide his pseudonym either.

    Not yet, at least.

    But that doesnt mean I have no intention of meeting her.

    Being by Min Juris side was an essential step in fostering mutual support.

    And there was a way to achieve that.

    A way to meet while concealing his true identity.

    Listen closely to what Im about to say.

    Yes, Im listening.

    The 5th round, as I mentioned earlier, will be quite challenging. Theres a possibility that many people will die. However, theres one method to survive.

    What is it?

    Ryu Min, who had been hesitant, spoke with a solemn expression.

    Find ck Scythe. Go to ck Scythe and ask for his help. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

    Check Out the New Event and read More Chapters For Free<ul><li>All Stat yer</li><li>The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer</li><li>One Punch Of Justice</li></ul>

 Chapter 51: Party Invitation (1)

    Chapter 51: Party Invitation (1)

    ck Scythe?

    It wasnt a mere inquiry for rification; it carried a deeper meaning.

    Although they hailed from different territories, Min Juri was well aware of the name ck Scythe.

    After all, it was a moniker that consistently imed the top spot in the world after every round.

    So, youre talking about that person, right? The one who always managed to secure first ce in the world.

    Yes, exactly.

    So, let me get this straight. You want me to seek assistance from ck Scythe in the fifth round?

    I did mention assistance, but its more about coboration. Its about forging a temporary alliance to increase our chances of survival.

    But isnt ck Scythe from a different district? Are you suggesting that our district and theirs will merge this time?

    Thats precisely what I mean.

    But ck Scythe is level 30. Why would they even consider joining forces with me?

    Because you can use buffs. ck Scythe will find value in having you by his side. With your help, you canplete quests and mutually benefit each other.

    Hmm

    It was an intriguing proposition.

    Imagine how reassuring it would be to survive each round safely with the guidance of a high-level yer.

    However, the challengey in forming a party with aplete stranger.

    Moreover, not just any formidable presence, but one of remarkable strength.

    To be honest, I have my concerns. Would ck Scythe truly agree to apany me solely for the sake of a single buff?

    Its not just any buff. The buffs you have are extraordinary.

    Ryu Min suppressed his true thoughts and smiled, trying to alleviate Min Juris worries.

    ck Scythe will be willing to cooperate with you, not only for this round but also for the rounds toe. I saw it in the future, so theres no need to worry.

    Really?

    Min Juris face finally brightened, radiating a genuine smile.

    If Ryu Min, the prophet, expressed such unwavering confidence, Min Juri had every reason to believe him.

    Thank you for sharing this vital information with me.

    No problem. Friends should be able to do something this important for each other.

    As a token of gratitude, I should give you something in return, shouldnt I?

    Min Juri extended her hand and bestowed a buff upon Ryu Min.

    It was a moment that Ryu Min acted as if it had caught him off guard.

    I received the buff as nned.

    Knowing Minjuris financial struggles and inability to offer much, Ryu Min had anticipated her relying on buffs as a form of repayment.

    Now, once I get home and use the lottery ticket

    Suppressing the twitch in the corner of his mouth, Ryu Min left the restaurant together with Min Juri.

    Only when he had dropped Min Juri off in front of the convenience store and found himself alone did Ryu Min allow himself to smile without inhibition.

    Upon returning home, Ryu Min changed intofortable attire and equipped his items.

    [The Bless skill increases all stats by 50%.]

    [The Rune of ughter bestows a 100% increase in all stats.]

    Not only did he receive buffs, but he also obtained the effect of the Rune of ughter by vanquishing the mill worms, just as before.

    Lets see how much my stats have improved.

    Strength: 93, Intelligence: 111

    Agility: 105, Luck: 84

    With this level of luck, I can have high expectations.

    Ironically, the attribute Ryu Min had neglected, intelligence, stood out as the highest.

    This was thanks to the Rune of Luminescence., which boosted intelligence alongside leveling up.

    If I were to encounter a Holy-type opponent, my stats would soar even higher, doubling in magnitude.

    Unless an angel were to suddenly appear, such a prospect seemed arduous to achieve.

    Ryu Min opened his inventory and retrieved the lowest-grade lottery ticket.

    Lets put it to use.

    An ordinary person would have ended up praying, hoping for a favorable oue. But Ryu Min wasnt an ordinary person, without any hesitation, he simply used the item.

    Whats the point of praying? That damn excuse for needing a god.

    Though he had never been religious, this whole situation hadpletely eroded any remnants of faith he may have had. Not only did his faith disappear, but in its ce, a deep-rooted resentment took hold.

    Even if they dont know it, this must be some grand scheme orchestrated by a god.

    Who else but the mastermind behind a hellish survival game that entrapped 1.8 billion people?

    Of course, there had to be a god pulling the strings, toying with humanity.

    If, by some chance, I make it to the final round and have my wish granted, Ill demand the annihtion of that godforsaken deity who designed this wretched excuse for a game.

    Of course, whether that would be possible remained uncertain.

    Just then, the lottery results appeared before Ryu Mins eyes.

    [You have used the lowest-grade lottery ticket.]

    [Congrattions! You have obtained 5 lowest-grade magical stones!]

    In that moment, Ryu Min found himself wearing an expression of astonishment.

    5? Isnt that the maximum you can get?

    Instead of praying, he had resorted to cursing that deity, but fate had handed him the maximum number of stones.

    Talk about an incredible stroke of luck.

    Ryu Min chuckled to himself and checked his inventory.

    Two red, one yellow, one green, one purple Not bad.

    A total of five lowest-grade magical stones had appeared.

    Ryu Min decided to start bybining the stones of the same color.

    [Main Material]

    Lowest-grade red magical stone

    [Sub Material]

    Lowest-grade red magical stone

    -(None)

    -(None)

    -(None)

    -(None)

    With the stones ced in their respective slots, he pressed thebine button.

    [Combination sessful!]

    [You have created a Low-grade Red Magical Stone.]

    A low-grade magical stone now resided in his inventory.

    If theyre the same color and the same grade, you canbine them like this.

    Without hesitation, Ryu Min immediatelybined the low-grade red magical stone with the Assassins Hood.

    [Combination sessful!]

    [The Assassins Hood gains the additional option of Damage +2%.]

    Previously, if it were a lowest-grade stone, the effect would have been 1%. However, now it had doubled to 2%.

    He alsobined the newly obtained purple magical stone with the one Seo Arin had given him.

    After creating a low-grade purple magical stone, he inserted it into his gloves.

    [Combination sessful!]

    [The Shadow Gloves gain the additional option of All Stats +2.]

    The remaining green and yellow magical stones were ced in his shoes and ring, respectively.

    His agility and luck both increased by 2.

    He also inserted the navy magical stone he had removed from the Hunters Armor into the blood-red Assassins Suit.

    By doing so, he had now embedded the magical stones into all of his equipment.

    Great. It was worth sharing information and gaining buffs.

    Not only that, but he had also established a connection between Juri and ck Scythe, all under the guise of prophecy.

    Starting from the fifth round, he could now apany Min Juri without revealing his true identity.

    With Min Juris buffs, breaking through the fifth round will be a piece of cake.

    Feeling satisfied, Ryu Min smiled and nced at his phone.

    Time was already progressing towards evening.

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 Chapter 51: Party Invitation (2)

    Chapter 51: Party Invitation (2)

    Ill have a two-hour window until I meet with Ma Kyung-rok.

    Earlier in the morning, he received a call from An Sang-cheol.

    -Mr. Chairman?

    -Yes.

    -So, youre still alive? Congrattions on surviving. I called to apologize for my rude behavior during ourst encounter. I am truly sorry. Mr. Ma Kyung-rok is also deeply apologetic about that incident. In that regard, as a way to celebrate survival, we are nning to hold a casual party in the evening. How about joining us? It will be a gathering where everyone can enjoy themselves, and we hope your family can attend without any hesitation.

    He received an invitation to a party.

    Though it may be called a party, in reality, its probably just an opportunity to win my favor and extract information.

    Building trust with Ma Kyung-rok was crucial, so Ryu Min had no reason to decline.

    Leaving his room, Ryu Min approached his younger brother, who was lying on the sofa, engrossed in watching TV.

    Won-ah, do you have time this evening?

    Huh? Yeah, Ive got plenty of time. Im not going to school these days.

    His younger brother was supposed to start attending middle schoolst month, but due to the current circumstances, in-person sses had been temporarily halted.

    With all the third-year middle schoolers over 15 bing yers Will they really be studying at school when the next round is looming?

    However, if regr people were allowed to attend school while yers couldnt, it would be seen as discrimination, and parents would surely protest.

    And it wasnt just limited to middle school. High schools and universities nationwide were unable to amodate yers.

    In a life-or-death situation like this, is there even any point in thinking about studying for the future? We should consider ourselves fortunate if we manage to avoid idents.

    The military was in an even more difficult position.

    Extraordinary powers had emerged, and the hierarchical order couldnt be maintained.

    Officers over the age of 30 didnt dare confront the yers.

    Out of the initial 1.8 billion participants, only 90 million remain after just three months.

    A staggering 95% of the participants had perished, leaving a mere 5% alive.

    Under these circumstances, society couldnt function properly.

    Whats with that sudden expression? Won-ah asked.

    Oh, its nothing. Anyway, since you have a lot of free time, how about going to a party with me?

    A party? Why all of a sudden?

    Ryu Min exined the situation to his younger brother.

    What? The CEO of thepany you invested in is the heir of a famous group?

    Yeah, thats right. As future business partners, Ive been invited to the party, and I want you toe too.

    But can I really go to an event like that?

    They insist that youe. Well, its up to you. Its your choice.

    Hmm

    Reading his brothers thoughts, Ryu Min knew his concerns went beyond just this party.

    But deep down, Ryu Min already knew what decision his brother would make.

    It had been the same in the previous round.

    Ill go! When else will I have the chance to attend an upper-ss party? Its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

    Yeah, I knew youd say that.

    A wry smile appeared on Ryu Mins face.

    He knew that if he had gone alone or kept it a secret, his brother would have been seriously upset.

    Lets go. Ill buy you some clothes.

    Clothes?

    Well, you dont have to wear a suit, but its good to have something decent for the party.

    Oh yeah! Ill get to ride in your car, Hyung!

    His brother seemed more excited about riding in a supercar than getting new clothes.

    Lets go.

    The siblings embarked on an outing, a rare asion after a long time.

    After returning from their outing and passing the time watching TV, the brothers nced at the clock.

    It was time for their appointment.

    Now, lets get dressed.

    Ryu Min put on a suit, while Ryu Won opted for a rxed and casual hoodie.

    As they were about to resume watching TV

    Ring ringdong dong dong

    The sound of the doorbell reached their ears.

    I think hes here, Hyung!

    Ryu Won eximed, looking at the inte.

    A familiar face stood at their doorstep.

    Lets go.

    Ryu Min opened the front door, apanied by his brother.

    An Sang-cheol respectfully lowered his head.

    Hello, Mr. Ryu Min, have you finished getting ready? Ivee to apany you.

    Oh? That person is the one I met before

    An Sang-cheol nced at Ryu Min, observing Ryu Wons surprised expression.

    And who is this?

    Hes my younger brother.

    Ah, sorry for thete introduction. Im Team Leader An Sang-cheol. Were from the same sector, right?

    Yes

    Ryu Won still had a hint of wariness in his eyes.

    The initial encounter hadnt left a good impression.

    I sincerely apologize for the rudeness in our previous encounter. I have already apologized to your brother as well.

    Ah

    As a gesture of apology, we prepared this casual party, so please dont feel burdened. Shall we go now? We have a limousine prepared, so all you need to do is join us.

    ***

    As expected, the party took ce at Ma Kyung-roks hotel.

    Oh, Mr. Ryu Min.

    Ma Kyung-rok greeted him warmly at the entrance.

    Its great to see you alive.

    Likewise.

    And who is this, your younger brother?

    Yes, hes Ryu Won, my younger brother.

    Ma Kyung-rok smiled and extended his hand to Ryu Won.

    Nice to meet you. Im Ma Kyung-rok, the CEO of Cheonma Consulting.

    Ah, h-hello.

    Is your younger brother also a yer, by any chance?

    No, hes not.

    Hes still only 14 years old.

    Oh, thats fortunate. Escaping a survival game with just a one-year difference. Im truly envious.

    Envious? Not at all.

    Ryu Min inwardly chuckled.

    Although he had expressed envy, his thoughts revealed otherwise.

    Please follow me. Its a modest party, but everything is prepared.

    Following Ma Kyung-rok, they entered a spacious banquet hall.

    Wow

    Ryu Won couldnt contain his awe, his mouth agape in astonishment.

    Ryu Min also pretended to be pleasantly surprised.

    The banquet hall boasted a buffet-style array of various mouth-watering dishes.

    Are you hungry? We dont have an extensive spread, but it should satisfy your appetite.

    Ryu Won wore a bewildered expression at Ma Kyung-roks words.

    -Is this person joking? Saying its not much, but its far from being insufficient!

    The disbelief was clearly conveyed.

    Well, if youre hungry, lets have a meal first

    Just as Ma Kyung-rok was about to make a move, the door to the banquet hall swung open, and a woman appeared, leaving Ryu Min secretly astonished. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

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 Chapter 52: Underestimating The Prophet (1)

    Chapter 52: Underestimating The Prophet (1)

    Seo Arin? They invited Seo Arin too?

    The reason Ryu Min was taken aback was quite simple: Seo Arin had been absent in the previous gatherings, even when they held parties.

    I wonder if things have changed because they realized we live in the same apartment?

    Well, it doesnt really matter.

    Having Seo Arin here wouldnt make a big difference after all.

    Ah, youre finally here, Actress Seo.

    Pretending to know her, Ma Kyung-rok nodded as Seo Arin respectfully lowered her head.

    Im sorry for being a littlete. I was paying my respects to a fellow actor.

    No worries. If thats the case, beingte is understandable. But before that, please greet the major shareholder of ourpany.

    Hello. Im an actress named Seo Arin.

    As Seo Arin greeted, she suddenly looked at the persons face and was surprised.

    The reason for her surprise was simple: she recognized the face.

    Did you two of you meet before?

    Yes, thats right.

    It turns out the major shareholder is my neighbor. Nice to meet you.

    Seo Arin smiled, her eyes crinkling, but inside, she couldnt help but feel a sense of doubt.

    He looks younger than me, and yet hes a major shareholder Could it be that the CEO is just ying a joke?

    Up until this moment, Ryu Wons mouth was wide open, then he suddenly snapped out.

    Um, hey, hyung.

    Yeah?

    Is the person in front of me really Seo, Seo Arin?

    Ryu Min whispered to his brothers ear, Yes, and Ryu Wons mouth hung open in surprise.

    Come to think of it, did I forget to mention it?

    In a brief whisper to his brother, Ryu Min exined the truth.

    That Ma Kyung-rok is Seo Arins sponsor and An Sang-cheol is the manager he assigned.

    Wow

    Seeing his brothers stunned expression, Ryu Min found himself in a dilemma.

    Should he also admire Seo Arin as his brother does?

    Its probably amon reaction to be captivated by someone so beautiful, right?

    Rather than admiring, Ryu Min decided to simply steal a nce at her.

    As if showing interest in her lovely appearance.

    Noticing every detail, Ma Kyung-rok smirked and twisted his lips.

    Shes young. I wondered if even prophets are subject to human desires. It seems that calling for Seo Arin was definitely the right choice.

    Feeling a sense of aplishment, Ma Kyung-rok turned to address the four individuals.

    You must be hungry, so dont hesitate, and lets eat.

    From Ryu Min, Ryu Won, Ma Kyung-rok, An Sang-cheol, to Seo Arin.

    The five of them filled their tes with various delectable dishes from the buffet and brought them to the table.

    Though the number of attendees was smallpared to the size of the banquet hall, Ma Kyung-rok didnt mind.

    In fact, he found it even more enjoyable with fewer people.

    It must feel overwhelming for a prophet to receive such exceptional treatment.

    Contrary to his words of not wanting them to feel burdened, Ma Kyung-rok secretly hoped they would.

    So, how does the food taste, major shareholder? I instructed the chefs to pay special attention to it.

    Ah, its absolutely delicious.

    What about you, young sir? Are they enjoying it?

    Huh? Oh, yes! Ive never had something this delicious before in my life.

    Its truly rewarding to hear that its a delight.

    The chefs must feel incredibly aplished.

    Ma Kyung-rok smiled and savored a bite of the sulent steak.

    After savoring the tender meat and swallowing it, he couldnt contain his curiosity any longer and asked the question that had been on his mind.

    But why did only your younger brothere? What about the rest of your family? What about your parents?

    To me, my younger brother is my only family. Our parents have passed away

    Oh, I see Thats truly unfortunate.

    Ma Kyung-rok couldnt help but feel regretful to ask.

    Damn it, why did I ask such a question? Itpletely ruined the pleasant atmosphere we had!

    He felt a wave of difort rising as if the food he had just enjoyed was threatening to make a return.

    Ma Kyung-rok nced at Ryu Min, his expression filled with sorrow.

    .

    The gloomy expression on Ryu Mins face further dampened Ma Kyung-roks own mood.

    Damn it, damn it! I should just keep my mouth shut until the tension eases.

    As someone who needed to win the favor of the prophet, Ma Kyung-rok found himself forced to tread carefully.

    Ding, dong, crack, ding, crack, dong.

    Amidst the hushed atmosphere, the meal continued.

    With no words exchanged, the clinking of cutlery became the only sound that resonated.

    Someone needs to lighten the mood

    Ma Kyung-roks gaze subtly shifted towards Seo Arin.

    If there was anyone who could lift the spirits and inject some cheer into the gathering, it was undoubtedly her.

    Seo, look over here, Seo!

    Ma Kyung-rok gestured for her attention, but Seo Arin remained immersed in her meal, oblivious to the call.

    Naturally, frustration creased Ma Kyung-roks forehead.

    That infuriating girl

    As silence pervaded the air, a growing sense of destion settled in.

    Yet, the seemingly eternal meal eventually drew to a close as tes were cleared away several times over.

    When the five of them gathered for a tea break, Ma Kyung-rok finally broke his silence.

    Could we have a moment alone, Seo?

    Yes? Oh, of course.

    Seo Arin followed Ma Kyung-rok, her expression tinged with curiosity, as he led her to a more secluded spot.

    Coming to a stop in a suitable location, Ma Kyung-rok cleared his throat and spoke.

    Listen, Seo Arin.

    Yes, CEO.

    Did you enjoy the meal?

    Oh, it was absolutely delicious.

    Do you think I called you here just to have a meal?

    Pardon?

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 Chapter 52: Underestimating The Prophet (2)

    Chapter 52: Underestimating The Prophet (2)

    As a female entertainer, shouldnt you be more attentive to entertaining others? Isnt that whats expected of a female entertainer?

    .

    Seo Arinsplexion stiffened in response to his straightforwardment.

    Isnt it your responsibility to uplift the atmosphere when it turns awkward? Do you think I invited you here solely for the purpose of dining and mingling?

    I apologize I thought I was invited to the party

    With such obliviousness, how do you expect to survive as an entertainer? No, being an entertainer is no longer the crucial part. If you dont make it through the next round, your profession will hold no meaning.

    Seo Arin bowed her head, akin to a scolded neer in front of a superior.

    Im sorry

    Didnt Director Shin inform you about his identity?

    The major shareholder Isnt he?

    Hes not just a major shareholder; hes a prophet.

    A prophet?

    Seo Arin blinked her doe-like eyes in surprise.

    Yes, a prophet. A unique profession that can literally glimpse into the future.

    Ah

    Now you understand, right? The reason why you should entertain him? How immensely helpful would it be if you could know the information about the next round in advance?

    Ma Kyung-roks hand suddenly reached out, lightly touching Seo Arins cheek.

    Feeling the coolness of his touch, Seo Arin flinched.

    Why are you wasting such a captivating face that can enchant anyone? Why are you just sitting there without making a move? Whether its ying along or shing a smile, dont you think you should do more to win him?

    Ma Kyung-rok lightly tapped Seo Arins face with his hand.

    For Seo Arin, it was an action that wounded her pride.

    If youre making a living with your face as an entertainer, then act like one and make full use of your talents.

    Although it may seem unconventional I am an actress, not a mere face model

    An actress? Hmph.

    Unintentionally, Ma Kyung-rok let out a scoff.

    Yes, I do acknowledge that you excel in acting, Seo. But is it only your acting prowess that has propelled you to fame?

    .

    People ce great importance on first impressions. Naturally, appearance holds the greatest weight in those first moments. Its your looks that have allowed you to sustain your current poprity. If your appearance wasnt exceptional, do you think I would have taken notice?

    Ma Kyung-roks harsh words left Seo Arins expression frozen like stone.

    Her eyes glistened, as if tears were about to burst forth.

    Dont cry. I havent said anything untrue, its disgusting to see someone ying victim so easily.

    .

    Stunned by the remark that made her feel nauseous, Seo Arin couldnt find her voice.

    The tears that were welling up quickly receded.

    Shall I guess what youre thinking right now? You must be feeling angry and sorrowful. Its probably bewildering for you, as youve never been subjected to such bitter words before.

    .

    But endure it nheless. As the CEO, I have given you the opportunity to seed as an actress. Isnt it your duty to repay that debt? Even in these difficult times, we should settle our ounts cleanly.

    .

    So lets end the conversation here. If we drag it out any longer, people outside will find it strange.

    Ma Kyung-rok lightly tapped her cheek once again.

    Behave properly, be straightforward. Whether you seduce him with that pretty face of yours or tempt him with your body, spare no effort to manipte Ryu Min, the major shareholder.

    .

    Why arent you responding?

    I understand I will.

    Good. Now lets go back and have a drinking party. Stand by Ryu Mins side and pour him drinks. Ill be watching you, handle it properly. If you feel ufortable, just think of it as acting.

    Yes

    Lets go then.

    Ma Kyung-rok and Seo Arin returned to their seats.

    An Sang-cheol and Ryu Min sat awkwardly, staring at their empty teacups.

    Youve been waiting for a long time, havent you? We had a lot to discuss.

    What did you talk about?

    Ryu Min asked calmly, and Ma Kyung-rok responded confidently.

    We discussed business. After all, Seo Arin is an actress Ive been nurturing, isnt she?

    Although Ryu Min found the term nurturing unpleasant, he remained silent.

    In any case, he could unravel their conversation by reading between the lines.

    Well, now that the meal is over, shall we move to a different ce? Its time for the second round. Haha.

    Ma Kyung-rok chuckled and gestured to Seo Arin.

    As they transitioned to a new location, Seo Arin subtly approached Ryu Mins side.

    However, Ryu Min hesitated, unable to find the words to initiate the conversation.

    Why are you hesitating when I explicitly opened a window for you to approach her? Whats holding you back?

    Ma Kyung-roks dissatisfaction was evident on his face.

    But it was Ryu Won, the younger brother standing by their side, who mustered up the courage to speak first.

    Um, excuse me, are you Seo Arin, the actress?

    Yes? Yes, I am.

    Im a fan. You look even more beautiful in person than in photos.

    Oh, thank you.

    If its alright, could I take a picture with youter when theres time?

    Oh, of course.

    Seo Arin smiled warmly.

    Ryu Wons face instantly lit up, as if Cupids arrow had struck him with pure bliss.

    Isnt the little brother more excited than the older brother?

    Ma Kyung-rok, who had been observing their interaction, decided to change his approach.

    Tap, tap, tap.

    As they moved, Ma Kyung-rok quickly sent a text message to Seo Arin.

    Surprised by the unexpected sound of the message, Seo Arin picked up her phone.

    [Ma Kyung-rok: Change of ns. Get closer to the little brother first.]

    He wanted her to y some tricks on the fan who approached her with no ulterior motives.

    A shadow of concern quickly cast over Seo Arins face.

    And a subtle smile appeared on the corner of Ma Kyung-roks mouth.

    If I can manipte the little brother sessfully, the older brother will naturally follow suit. It will be easier to gather information about the next round.

    Since he was Seo Arins fan, it would be easier to deceive him.

    After a while, the five of them arrived in a dimly lit room.

    This private room is specially arranged to cater to VVIP guests. You can enjoy unlimited drinks, snacks, and even sing karaoke.

    It resembled a luxurious karaoke venue.

    Um alcohol? Im still in middle school

    Ryu Won hesitated, feeling flustered, but Ma Kyung-rok waved his hand reassuringly.

    Dont worry. Its alright. You can have some soda, little brother. Isnt that right, Director An?

    Yes, sir.

    Please order the VVIP premium course here. Add brandy, whiskey, and, oh, some soda too.

    Understood.

    As Director An went to ce the order, Ryu Won wore a slightly bewildered expression.

    He had never expected to suddenly be exposed to the drinking culture of adults like this.

    With a sigh, the inexperienced Ryu Min spoke up.

    CEO Ma Kyung-rok.

    Yes, Mr. Major Shareholder.

    I cant drink, and my brother cant either.

    Oh Is that so? It seems you both had a very proper upbringing during your school days. Haha, but now that youre of legal drinking age, it wouldnt hurt to have the experience

    Um, actress Seo Arin.

    Ryu Min interrupted, nudging his brother from behind.

    Yes?

    Could you take a picture with my brother outside?

    Oh, yes.

    As the two of them left, only Ryu Min and Ma Kyung-rok remained in the room.

    CEO.

    Yes?

    Am I being underestimated?

    Why do you suddenly

    Have you forgotten that my profession is a prophet? Shouldnt you know that as someone who can see the future, I wouldnt be unaware of the conversation between you and Seo Arin?

    .

    Can we continue working together with transparency if we keep this?

    Ryu Min spoke with a displeased expression.

    CEO, there should be no secrets between us.

    Check Out the New Event and read More Chapters For Free<ul><li>The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer</li><li>The Marvelous Dragon Balls</li></ul>

 Chapter 53: Ma Kyung Rok’s Hobby (1)

    Chapter 53: Ma Kyung Rok��s Hobby (1)

    Ma Kyung-rok fell into an unsettling silence.

    You knew about the conversation I had with Seo Arin?

    It was unclear whether he was merely observing or if he genuinely possessed the ability to glimpse into the future.

    However

    Seo Arin, the actress, was ordered to seduce me, regardless of the means or methods.

    Ryu Mins words left Ma Kyung-rok no choice but to bow his head.

    After all, one cannot make such statements without having glimpsed the future.

    If, um, if I have offended you, I sincerely apologize. My intention was simply to encourage a closer rtionship with the major shareholder

    But it crossed the line when you involved my younger brother in this scheme.

    You knew about that too?

    The power to see the future truly is a fearsome ability.

    Once again, Ma Kyung-rok bowed his head.

    I am genuinely, deeply sorry. I made a foolish judgment against the prophet. I will correct any difort caused.

    His apology was akin to how one would apologize to their own father.

    Upon hearing this, Ryu Mins expression softened somewhat.

    Since you offer a sincere apology, lets let it slide. Lets pretend I didnt hear the instructions you gave to Seo Arin.

    Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity.

    Ma Kyung-rok bent his waist at a ny-degree angle.

    There was only one reason why he would show such deference.

    I have nothing to gain from earning the prophets hostility. To obtain information about the next round, I must grasp onto the thread of fate.

    Survival necessitated seizing the lifeline known as the prophet.

    At that moment

    Creak

    The door swung open, revealing Seo Arin and Ryu Won entering.

    An Sang-cheol cautiously peered out from behind.

    Representative, what are you doing?

    Cough.

    Ma Kyung-rok straightened his previously perplexed face and stood upright.

    Everyone, please leave us for a while.

    Pardon?

    Mr. Major Shareholder and I need to have a serious conversation. Director An, please guide the others to the adjoining room.

    Ah, I see. Everyone, this way, please.

    As the door closed, a profound silence settled between the two.

    Ryu Mins expression still showed signs of difort.

    Darn it, I wanted to improve things through Seo Arin, but it seems I only made matters worse

    Regardless of the intentions, it was unpleasant to discover that something had been schemed behind his back.

    No wonder I couldnt detect any personal motives when he looked at Seo Arin Was it because he had glimpsed the future?

    For Ma Kyung-rok, the situation was fraught with difficulties on many levels.

    Do you want to know about the next round?

    Yes Did you see it?

    Of course. I epted the invitation to provide you with information about the 5th round. However

    Ryu Mins excitement caused his head to perk up.

    But in this situation, revealing the information jeopardizes not only our partnership but also bes challenging for me.

    I deeply apologize for causing you any difort. Please forgive me.

    As the sessor of a prominent conglomerate in South Korea, Ma Kyung-rok bowed repeatedly.

    Observing his demeanor, Ryu Min had no choice but to take a step back.

    You must not withhold anything from me, and you must ce yourplete trust in me.

    Of course. I will do so.

    Furthermore, there should be no rumors circting about thepanys operations. Although I hold a 31% stake as the major shareholder, I dislike dys in handling matters due to shareholder meetings. As the representative, it would be wonderful if you could persuade the other shareholders, dont you think?

    Of course. Please rest assured. I will do everything in my power to firmly secure the support of the other shareholders without impeding the operations of the major shareholder.

    Finally, Ryu Mins smile emerged.

    In that case, I can put my mind at ease. With your assistance, I will undoubtedly propel thepany to greater heights.

    Hahaha, thank you.

    Seeing Ryu Mins spirits uplifted, Ma Kyung-rok also found a moment to rx.

    Now, I shall provide you with the information you seek regarding the 5th round.

    Ma Kyung-roks eyes sparkled with anticipation.

    However, upon learning that it was considered the most challenging round yet, he couldnt help but let out augh.

    No need to worry. If its you, Representative Ma Kyung-rok, there wont be any difficulty we cant ovee.

    Whats the quest about?

    Its a quest to defeat 300 orcs. However, it wont be as easy as it sounds.

    Orcs? Why would it be challenging to defeat orcs?

    Typically, orcs are ssified as weak monsters in games.

    Ma Kyung-roks confusion was entirely understandable.

    Is there any other information?

    The zones will be merged.

    The zones?

    Due to the low number of yers, they will reduce the number of the separate zones.

    So, well have the opportunity to encounter yers from other zones? Like that guy with the scythe, for example?

    Ma Kyung-roks eyes gleamed with anticipation as he asked, but Ryu Min cautiously shook his head.

    You wont be in the same zone as the one with the Scythe.

    Ah I see.

    Ma Kyung-rok, who had been eagerly anticipating an encounter with ck Scythe, wore a disappointed expression.

    Then, a question that had been on his mind suddenly resurfaced.

    Do you happen to know the true identity of ck Scythe in reality?

    I dont know either.

    Although disappointed, Ma Kyung-roks curiosity was far from satisfied.

    But the two of you will meet soon.

    Really?

    Ryu Min bestowed upon him a smile brimming with confidence.

    In truth, they had already met.

    And one more thing.

    Please tell me.

    Theres someone youve been pursuingHwang Yongmin.

    .!

    Ma Kyung-rok tensed up as if facing a formidable opponent.

    Do you know about that too?

    I told you. Theres no point in keeping anything from me.

    Haha, indeed, the prophetic runes you possess transcend imagination. If you happen to know who that person is

    Cease your pursuit.

    What?

    Ma Kyung-roks eyes widened in surprise.

    He was suddenly instructed not to track Hwang Yongmin anymore?

    Do you have a reason for that?

    If you meddle with him, you will face dire consequences.

    Can you provide more specifics

    All I can reveal ends here.

    With those words, Ryu Min fell silent.

    In truth, there was no reason for Ma Kyung-rok to face dire consequences.

    Ryu Min simply didnt want him to interfere because there was still value in utilizing Hwang Yongmin.

    Why should I spare that damn bastard who dared to mess with my people?

    The relentless pursuit of Hwang Yongmin was reaching its conclusion.

    Ma Kyung-rok had nned to handle the situation discreetly once they had concrete evidence of their encounter, intending to keep it hidden from everyones knowledge.

    But now, being instructed to back off, it was inevitable that he would feel a surge of dissatisfaction.

    However

    I understand. I will cease my pursuit of Hwang Yongmin.

    Ma Kyung-rok chose to ept the decision.

    Listening to the words of the prophet was far more rewarding than wasting time dealing with that lowlife.

    Then lets resume our gathering. Lets have a decent conversation without the need for excessive drinking orvish entertainment.

    Understood.

    Check Out the New Event and read More Chapters For Free<ul><li>HxH: God Of Choice System</li><li>One Piece: The Soul Purchasing Pirate</li><li>Harry Potter and the Secret Treasures</li><li>My Inseparable House Guests</li></ul>

 Chapter 53: Ma Kyung Rok’s Hobby (2)

    Chapter 53: Ma Kyung Rok��s Hobby (2)

    Ma Kyung-rok promptly called over thepanions who were in the adjacent room.

    Manager An, please go back to the manager and ask for cider and snacks instead of alcohol.

    Excuse me? Yes, I understand.

    And Seo Arin, lets step outside for a moment and have a brief conversation.

    Yes? Yes

    Seo Arin had a somber expression, but when she returned to the room after their conversation, she wore a perplexed look.

    Why did the CEO suddenly apologize What happened?

    After apologizing, he asked her to treat their previous conversation as if it never happened.

    Seo Arin couldnt help but feel puzzled.

    What could the prophet have said to the CEO?

    Her gaze naturally shifted towards Ryu Min.

    Considering that Ryu Mins demeanor had changed after his conversation with the CEO, it was only natural to make such assumptions.

    Well, it doesnt matter. The CEO said theres no need for any more formalities. I feel much lighter now.

    Then lets enjoy the second round.

    Ma Kyung-roks words were apanied by a mischievous grin, but deep down, he couldntpletely suppress his discontent.

    I need to let off some steamter.

    Taking a deep breath, Ma Kyung-rok filled everyones sses as soon as the cider arrived.

    Alright, lets raise our sses to Ryu Min, the major shareholder, and celebrate his survival! Cheers!

    Cheers!

    With a clink, people sang songs, savored the food, and enjoyed themselves in a cheerful and wholesome atmosphere.

    Indeed, it was a wholesome gathering.

    ***

    In the dim light of dawn

    Huff, huff, gasp!

    An old man ran desperately, paying no attention to what was behind him.

    With each step, his severed arm oozed blood.

    Pant, pant, ah!

    As he entered a dead-end alley, the old man frantically changed his direction.

    No, he tried to.

    Where do you think youre going?

    Gasp!

    The aggressor, the one who severed his arm, stood there like a ghost.

    In that moment, the old man lost his bnce.

    Thud!

    His body tilted and crashed onto the ground.

    From his fallen position, he caught sight of his sprawled legs.

    Only btedly did the pain rise from beneath his legs.

    Aaaah!

    Quiet. If you dont want your tongue sliced off as well.

    The chilling words silenced the old man immediately.

    Fear gripped him.

    Fear of the aggressor who dissected him like a bug.

    Why Why are you doing this to me? What have I done wrong

    Do you really need to ask? You child molester, Jo Doo-pal.

    Hah.

    Jo Doo-pal unwittingly let out a sigh at thebel that had followed him throughout his life.

    Why are you causing a fuss now when its not even the right time? I served my full sentence diligently for 12 years and was released on parole! Im just an ordinary old man

    I told you to be quiet.

    The aggressor swiftly severed the arm that still clutched his weapon.

    Ugh!

    Dont make a sound. If you dont want to die a slow and painful death. Your presence could attract witnesses, and we dont need more corpses.

    Khh.

    Jo Doo-pal bit his lips until they almost burst, struggling to contain his pain.

    Despite having already given up on life after losing a limb, his human survival instinct refused to let him die.

    Indeed. Its a blessing that people hear with ears, not hands, old man.

    Trash like you doesnt deserve to live. Dont you agree? Ill end your life soon enough, so be patient.

    An eerie aura emanated from the mans sword.

    What What is that?

    In an instant, the dark aura consumed Jo Doo-pal.

    Slice! Cough! Slice!

    His flesh was torn apart, blood sttering in all directions.

    As the dark aura ruthlessly tore him to pieces, Jo Doo-pal gasped hisst breath.

    Huuh

    Now, perish.

    The dark aura coiled around the sword like a snake.

    With a swift swing, the head cleanly separated from the body.

    Ssshhhh

    The aura that shrouded the dark entity suddenly dissipated.

    Ma Kyung-rok, who had reimed the dark aura, smirked disdainfully.

    To think I had to spare such trash for even a moment.

    He cast a contemptuous gaze upon the mangled corpse.

    Hunting criminals had been his hobby even before bing a yer, but such encounters were rare.

    He had dispatched the man swiftly by striking his vital point.

    I have no choice but to replenish my Dark Power.

    Using the dark aura required a certain amount of Dark Power.

    Recharging Dark Power was a simple task.

    Taking away the lives of others.

    Thats why Ma Kyung-rok had been charging his Dark Power by hunting goblins since Round 1.

    Of course, only Ma Kyung-rok with the Rune of the Dark Knight could perform this feat.

    But it seems that only hunting goblins wont fully recharge it.

    There was a limit to charging Dark Power by ying monsters.

    However, thats not the case when ites to human beings.

    Killing humans yields more Dark Power than ying monsters.

    For Ma Kyung-rok, whose hobby happened to be eliminating criminals, it was a fortunate turn of events.

    Almost as if he was born to be a Dark Knight.

    Especially when utilizing dark aura to execute them, the addition of Dark Power amplifies.

    Ma Kyung-rok raised his sword as he peered at the lifeless body.

    The Dark Aura trickled from the de, emanating an eerie aura.

    Devour.

    He pointed his sword at the corpse, yet it remained unresponsive.

    So corpses are beyond consumption, after all?

    Dark Aura only feasted upon the life force of living beings, leaving the deceased untouchable.

    Hence, Ma Kyung-rok had extracted flesh with Dark Aura prior to terminating the criminals.

    Nevertheless, engaging in this repugnant cleanup brings about a profound sense of stress relief.

    Wearing a smile, Ma Kyung-rok produced a pre-prepared body bag and gently ced the corpse within.

    Meanwhile, he discreetly surveyed the vicinity, ensuring the absence of potential witnesses.

    There ought to be no one around.

    He had purposely lured them into a secluded alleyway, taking advantage of thete hour when most people were fast asleep, diminishing the likelihood of idental discovery.

    Ah, but there was one individual.

    Ryu Min, the prophetic seer.

    If that were the case, perhaps Ryu Min had foreseen this precise scenario through the Rune of Future Sight.

    If that holds true, it implies he knowingly approached me, even aware of my status as a serial killer

    Ma Kyung-rok contemted.

    He recollected Ryu Mins demeanor, his audacious attitude undeterred by his position as the heir to Oh Sung Group.

    Heh, how intriguing.

    Suppressing a chuckle, Ma Kyung-rok reached for his phone and dialed a number.

    Team Leader An, kindlye and dispose of this trash. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

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 Chapter 54: Shim Hyung Taek (1)

    Chapter 54: Shim Hyung Taek (1)

    Two weeks had passed since Ma Kyung-roks party, and Ryu Min had been cooped up at home all that time. He didnt have anywhere to go or any friends to meet. Feeling toozy to go out, he satisfied his hunger with delivered food. His younger brother was in a simr situation, so they both became reclusive. Even when they asionally had to dispose of garbage or do recycling, Ryu Min depended on his brother to handle it, not wanting to leave the house.

    Am I just an aimless bum?

    Ryu Min let out a self-deprecating chuckle, but he knew he needed this kind of break when he thought about the future.

    Well, this respite will probably end today.

    Ryu Min opened his phones calendar and saw that it was Sunday, April 17th. It was a day he had marked just in case he forgot.

    Now its time to take action.

    One of the five runes that could be obtained in the real world was the [Rune of Doppelganger]. Ryu Min was determined to acquire it today, as it was on his list of essential runes to obtain.

    Today is the day they regrly engage in activities.

    Ryu Min checked the time with a meaningful smile on his face. It was still early, only 9 oclock in the morning.

    If I want to get everything done today, I should submit my application early.

    Ryu Mins fingers moved swiftly as he held his phone.

    Just then, a knock sounded on the door, and Ryu Won entered.

    Hey, what are you up to?

    Using the inte. Why do you need something?

    I was thinking we could go out for lunch today. Im getting tired of always eating delivery food

    I dont think thatll work. I might have a lunch appointment nned for today.

    You might have an appointment? So, do you have one or not?

    Ryu Min let out a yfulugh.

    Well have to wait and see.

    * * *

    [1.8 billion people pulled into this otherworld. Reduced to 90 million in just three months]

    [Celebrities, soldiers, police officers, people from all walks of life dragged into the otherworld, meeting a sudden demise.]

    [The death of the young generation led to an economic crisis. Temporary shutdown of schools nationwide.]

    [Parents and siblings worldwide engulfed in ceaseless sorrow.]

    Merely skimming through the headlines of the article, a somber atmosphere enveloped the scene.

    However, Shim Hyeong-taek found amusement in it all.

    After all, it was someone elses problem.

    He, on the other hand, was a survivor, a yer who had managed to stay alive.

    1.8 billion reduced to 90 million? They died so miserably, and it was only the fourth round. Pathetic losers. Hahaha.

    Laughter echoed in the tranquil ssroom, theughter of an undefeated champion.

    Deep down, he was aware of his own arrogance, but he let it slide.

    Why shouldnt he? He had achieved an impressive rank, securing the 3rd ce in his district.

    A cynical smirk formed on Shim Hyeong-taeks face as he perused the article.

    Well, isnt this amusing? They wouldve spewed the same nonsense even if they became yers.

    Hisughter faded, reced by a disgruntled expression.

    Whats the use of having things you want to do before you die? Those self-righteous fools. If only they hadnt suppressed everyone all the time. Dont do this, dont do thatinevitably, the pent-up frustration would explode. Tsk!

    He irritably thumped the axe onto the floor.

    Thud!

    Startled, the three students nced at him, their faces filled with anxiety.

    They were fellow ssmates whom Shim Hyeong-taek had kidnapped.

    What are you looking at? You little bastards.

    Why? Surprised that Im swearing when I used to be so well-behaved? Did you think I was some spineless fool who couldnt utter a curse?

    The students remained silent, not because they had nothing to say, but because their hands, feet, and even mouths were tightly sealed with duct tape.

    Mmmph.

    Why? Do you want me to take it off?

    Mmmph.

    Mmmph!

    Whats that youre saying? You little shit.

    As the three of them chimed in unison, Shim Hyeong-taek approached them with an exasperated expression.

    Snip-snip-snip!

    He tore off the tape from their mouths.

    Whats the matter? Do you have something to say to me?

    P-Please, were sorry, Hyeong-seob.

    Yeah, w-were sorry.

    Please, spare us this once.

    Is that so?

    Shim Hyeong-taek swiftly raised his axe.

    Swish!

    Like splitting a watermelon, he brought down the axe on one of their heads, and fragments of brain matter scattered.

    Ah, aaah!

    Ugh, ugh!

    Shim Hyeong-taek, having dispatched one person in an instant, spoke with an edgy tone.

    You little bastards, acting all high and mighty when you dont even know my name.

    Shim Hyeong-taek chuckled as he looked down at the two trembling students.

    Why are you shaking like that? Feeling cold?

    Do you even know who I am?

    Y-Yes, we do. Its Shim Hyeong-taek.

    And what about you? Werent you clueless about it?

    T-Thats not true! I obviously knew your name!

    Then do you have any idea why youre being held captive?

    The two students nodded slowly, their expressions filled with guilt.

    Were s-sorry, Hyeong-taek

    We deeply apologize for causing you trouble

    Now, tell me exactly how youve been bullying me.

    W-Well, that

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 Chapter 54: Shim Hyung Taek (2)

    Chapter 54: Shim Hyung Taek (2)

    Now, tell me exactly how youve been bullying me.

    W-Well, that

    The students hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

    They feared that saying the wrong thing could push Shim Hyeong-taek over the edge and lead to their demise.

    But with an axe hovering over them, they had no choice but to speak up.

    W-We were sorry for teasing you and making fun we apologize

    Is that all?

    As the axe loomed closer, they nervously opened their mouths to exin.

    S-Sorry for mocking you, calling you a gluttonous brat

    Thats the first time Ive heard that. Did you talk about me behind my back?

    What?

    Whack!

    The axe struck his foreheads without mercy.

    Uh, uh, uuaaaah!

    The nearby student let out a piercing scream.

    It was a sight that would make an ordinary person shudder in horror.

    How could you say such hurtful things behind my back, you damn brats? Ugh, its infuriating.

    Ah, ah

    Shim Hyeong-taek smirked at the stunned student, rendered speechless by the shock.

    Why are you so surprised? In the fourth round, there were far more gruesome scenes than this.

    But thats not all.

    He himself had experienced having his throat slit.

    Not just once, but five times.

    And it was all at the hands of a single person, wielding a sinister ck scythe.

    If I hadnt made the right moves, I could have easily ended up dead.

    Who else in the world could im to have experienced dying anding back to life?

    When Shim Hyeong-taek red at the remaining student with his eerie gaze, the student recoiled as if struck by lightning.

    Hey, Jin-gon.

    You used to mock me and make me do your homework during breaks, you damn brat.

    Do you think Im killing you just to torment myself? No.

    Shim Hyeong-taek swung the axe once again.

    When the stakes are raised, something is bound to fall. Hahaha, isnt it amusing? Even worthless human trash like you can be of use to me.

    Uaaah, spare me! Spare me, Hyeong-seop, ah, ah! No, Hyung-taek!

    Ha, this brat.

    Shim Hyeong-taeks gaze turned chillingly cold.

    You still dont know my name, huh?

    Whack!

    Without hesitation, he brought down the axe, causing blood to stter in all directions.

    Oh, for f*cks sake! Its all over my face.

    Using the back of his hand, Shim Hyeong-taek wiped his face and left the ssroom, leaving the lifeless body behind.

    Druuk-

    The corridor remained silent.

    With nationwide school closures, there was nobody left in the school except for the scattered corpses in the ssroom, their heads gruesomely split open.

    He immediately headed to the restroom, needing to wash away the stains.

    Ssh- Ssh-!

    After cleansing the blood off his hands and face, he caught his reflection in the mirror.

    An overweight, unattractive middle school student wearing sses stared back at him.

    Damn it, this life is a lost cause. In the final round, Ill make a wish to be reborn as Cha Eun-Woo in the next life.

    (T/N: Cha Eun-Woo: a handsome Korean actor.)

    Muttering to himself, Shim Hyeong-taek rinsed off the flesh stuck to the axe de.

    Though he had lured and killed the trio who bullied him at school, satisfaction eluded him.

    Why? Because the rewards were meager.

    [Acquired 1 stack with the Rune of Absorption.]

    [Acquired 1 stack with the Rune of Absorption.]

    [Acquired 1 stack with the Rune of Absorption.]

    [Current stack: 22/100]

    Even aftermitting murder, he only gained 1 stack per person.

    Is it because theyre ordinary people? F*ck theyre not even worth it.

    Once the stack reaches 100, it randomly increases a stat by 1 and resets the count.

    Clearly, the Rune of Absorption was a deceitful charm.

    Even goblins provide 2 stacks from killing each one. Damn, these bastards are worse than goblins.

    The rounds that yielded the most benefits were the third round, overflowing with monsters, and the fourth round, where he mercilessly ughtered fellow yers.

    Especially the fourth round was a jackpot. Killing a single yer boosted the stack close to 10.

    He recalled being astounded by its efficiency, surpassing even the act of hunting monsters.

    Thinking about it now, Im fortunate my birthday came early. If it hadnt, I might not have been able to dispatch them so effortlessly.

    The three individuals he had just killed were all ordinary civilians.

    Despite being ssmates, they were divided into yers and non-yers based on whether they were 15 years old or not.

    For the first time, I took someones life in the real world.

    Perhaps his prior experience in hell had prepared him for this?

    Shim Hyeong-taek remained unperturbed aftermitting murder in the real world.

    A peculiar sense of emotional detachment had taken hold of him.

    Heh heh. Well, thats fine. Theres no one left to stop me now.

    No longer the target of fat-shaming, Shim Hyeong-taek had undergone a transformation.

    He had been reborn as a yer, an exceptional being.

    Now, who shall I eliminate next?

    What else is there to do until the next round?

    To umte more stacks, it would be advantageous to eliminate at least one more ordinary person.

    I would love to target yers who provide higher stacks Ah!

    Shim Hyeong-taeks memory jogged, recalling an article he had recently read.

    They mentioned a yer alliance caf, didnt they?

    With a swift inte search, he easily located it.

    What if I join and establish contact with yers to eliminate them? Heh heh!

    By engaging with yers, he could umte stacks far surpassing what he could achieve with ordinary individuals.

    Grinning with satisfaction, Shim Hyeong-taek tapped his phone, immediatelymencing the registration process.

    Caf Description

    An alliance caf for yers! yers who reshape the world! Wee to [P.H.C]!

    Registration Guidelines

    At P.H.C, we conduct interviews to meticulously screen out non-yers. If you are not a yer, please press the back button.

    Pre-Registration Questions

    Please answer all questions truthfully, as providing false information may have consequences.

    1. Kindly provide your full name, address, and mobile phone number without omitting any details.

    2. Specify your level, your job in the other realm, and your chosen nickname.

    3. Please indicate the name of the area you are currently in (If you cannot recall, note down the location where you first lost consciousness on January 1st).

    4. Record your rankings for each round you have participated in, ensuring no details are omitted (based on the rankings within the respective area).

    5. If you consent to the registration interview, please state Agree.

    The extent to which they unveil personal information and even conduct interviews is remarkably urate.

    Nheless, he had to join to encounter other yers and strike them unexpectedly.

    It was unlikely that other yers would suspect the existence of yers preying on one another.

    With a sly chuckle, Shim Hyeong-taek put his level, job, and nickname.

    Lv10, Warrior, bearing the nickname ck me Dragon. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

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 Chapter 55: Players Haven Café (1)

    Chapter 55: yers Haven Caf�� (1)

    yers have the power to reshape the world.

    In the renowned caf known as yers Haven, they held regr meetings every Sunday like clockwork.

    Wee, [Yamddi]!

    Hey there, [Chairman]. Good to see you.

    And [Poporing], please join us as well.

    One by one, eight faces appeared on the screen, joining the video chat.

    These were the influential figures of the caf,prising both founding members and esteemed high-level yers.

    Is everyone here?

    A bespectacled gentleman shed a warm smile on the screen.

    Excellent. Lets kick off the regr meeting for the third week of April, led by [Lostyark].

    Sure thing, Chairman.

    Any idea how many new recruits we have this week?

    A man with a duskyplexion directed his attention to the data he had collected.

    Were looking at around 2,000 neers.

    Thats more thanst week.

    You bet. Its quite ironic that even though yers tend to dwindle with each round, the number of new members keeps growing steadily. It seems the news of our yer alliance caf has piqued interest.

    By the way, who hired that reporter?

    A seductive woman, oozing charm, raised her hand and yfully chuckled.

    Guilty as charged, Chairman.

    You, Yamddi? I had no idea you had connections in the media.

    Well, I made some this time. Hehe.

    Ah, as expected, you never cease to amaze. Your loyalty as an early member still shines through. Haha.

    Thank you so much!

    The chairman, wearing a satisfied grin, shifted his gaze.

    Now, Lostyark, out of those 2,000 yers, how many stand out from the crowd?

    After filtering out jobless yers, those below level 10, and individuals who failed to submitplete applications, were left with approximately 1,200.

    And how many among them have the potential were seeking?

    Allow me to address that, Chairman.

    Please, go ahead, Poporing.

    First and foremost, we have a noteworthy yer in the ESKS45-5 zone, known as [ck Dragon me]. Hes a humble level 10 warrior, but his application reveals that he even reached the impressive rank of third ce within his zone.

    Third ce in that zone Seems like his runes are quite impressive for his level, or maybe its just a tall tale.

    Nevertheless, I believe hes a promising candidate for a leadership role.

    I see. Are there any other potential candidates?

    Indeed, theres another contender named [Little Cockle] from the ESKS122-7 zone. Apparently, hes been fluctuating between the fourth and tenth ranks.

    Oh, it seems we have an abundance of talented yers.

    Furthermore, there are 50 yers who rank within the top 100

    Oh, looks like I wont have any time to spare because of these interviews. Yes, [Nae Nai Seoreun]?

    Yes?

    The man, appearing to be in his forties, was startled by the chairmans call.

    Were you dozing off?

    Ah, I-Im sorry.

    What kept you up sote that you ended up dozing off in the morning?

    I I just

    I wont entertain excuses. Complete the interviews for those 50 individuals by our next weeks meeting. If you cant, there might be another high-level candidate ready to take your ce.

    I I understand. Please trust me!

    Although he replied energetically, a shadow cast over Nae Nai Seoreuns face.

    He was already concerned about how he would interview those 50 yers.

    By the way, Lostyark.

    Yes, Chairman.

    Have there been any signs of contact with ck Scythe?

    Lostyark shook his head weakly.

    If there were, I would have reported it immediately, even if it meant putting everything else aside.

    Indeed. If it were me, I would have done the same.

    ck Scythe, the undefeated champion of the entire zone, was already a legendary figure among yers.

    The chairman couldnt help but feel tempted.

    If ck Scythe were to join us, I would willingly give up a leadership position but its a pity.

    Chairman, I believe thats a hasty judgment.

    A yer named [Soso Mokbang] raised their hand, expressing a dissenting opinion.

    Despite ck Scythes fame, we have no confirmation of their nationality. Hiring a foreigner as a leader could be inefficient

    There is evidence that hes Korean.

    Another yer named [Soboruneun Jolmat Taeng] chimed in.

    I know someone in the ESKS45-5 zone, and they im ck Scythe is from the same zone.

    If theyre from the same zone, it means theyre Korean. There wouldnt be any foreigners in that zone.

    That makes sense.

    Ahem.

    [Soso Mokbang], who had voiced their opposing opinion, fell into a contemtive silence.

    ck Scythe is Korean If a legendary yer like that were to join our caf, it would be an incredible addition

    The chairmans voice resonated with a tinge of disappointment.

    Yamddi? Is there any way you can get that reporter to write more articles? We need a widespread promotion to make sure ck Scythe bes aware of our cafs existence.

    Of course, its possible. As long as the payment aligns

    Dont worry about that. Well make sure to reward you generously for your hard work.

    Hehe, thank you so much, Chairman!

    Yamddi yfully expressed her gratitude with a wink, further endearing herself to the other executives.

    Now, lets wrap up the new member registrations and move on to the next item on the agenda

    Just a moment, Chairman!

    Lostyarks voice unexpectedly carried a hint of unease.

    Whats the matter?

    W-Well, a named yer just submitted an application to join the caf.

    A named yer? Who?

    T-The ck Scythe.

    Instantly, the chairman sprung up from his seat in astonishment.

    Consequently, the screen was filled with nothing but the dancing pants of the chairman.

    I apologize. I got a bit too carried away.

    The true chairman settled back into his seat.

    The ck Scythe applied to join our caf?

    Yes, it happened just now.

    Named yers varied from exceptional talents toplete novices, but none could match the fame and reputation of ck Scythe.

    ck Scythe wants to join our caf Its hard to believe.

    What should we do?

    In response to such a seemingly foolish question, the chairman unconsciously furrowed his brow.

    Of course, we must follow the registration process. Confirm the information, conduct interviews with the mentioned applicants as well as the new applicant. Right away!

    Ah, understood!

    What are you waiting for, Nae Nai Seoreun! Dont just stand there, go for the interview immediately!

    Yes? Yes! I-Im on it!

    With a burning determination, Nae Nai Seoreun left the chat room.

    ***

    Is this the right ce?

    Shim Hyung-taek raised his phone to check the text message.

    [Interviewer: Pleasee to the Eoyewa Caf in Wanbu-eup, Namyangju-si by noon. Dress code is casual.]

    Lifting his gaze, he spotted the coffee shop mentioned in the message.

    Having to go through an interview just to join a caf

    Shim Hyung-taeks brow naturally furrowed.

    Being summoned to a location an hour away from Seoul only added to his irritation.

    Moreover, the chosen spot was inessible without a private vehicle.

    Shim Hyung-taek found himself getting off the bus midway and having to walk for a good 30 minutes.

    And yet, he wasnt feeling worn out.

    After all, he considered himself a named yer in his own right.

    Damn it, if they push me even a little, I should just unleash my rage and crush them on the spot.

    He firmly believed that if anyone dared to provoke him, whether they were interviewers or yers, he would eliminate them without hesitation.

    With these thoughts in mind, he pushed open the door to the caf.

    Ding-

    Check Out the New Event and read More Chapters For Free<ul><li>Dragon Ball: Creation x Destruction</li><li>Pick Me Up Infinite Gacha!</li><li>All Stat yer</li><li>HxH: God Of Choice System</li></ul>

 Chapter 55: Players Haven Café (2)

    Chapter 55: yers Haven Caf�� (2)

    The exterior signage of the caf wasnt particrly remarkable, but the interior surpassed his expectations with its refined atmosphere.

    The only issue was that, despite the spaciousyout, there were only two customers present.

    Setting up a caf in such a secluded ce, its no wonder there are no customers.

    He grumbled inwardly, but one of the customers stood up and approached him.

    Excuse me, are you here to apply for the World-Changing Caf?

    The man clearly appeared to be in his forties.

    Is he also a yer?

    Shim Hyung-taek replied somewhat hesitantly.

    Yes.

    Whats your nickname?

    I go by the name ck Fale Dragon.

    Oh! Nice to meet you. Im the interviewer, Nae Nai Seoreun.

    Yes? Are you really a yer?

    Haha Yes, even though it may not seem like it, Im a yer who just turned twenty-nine this year.

    .

    Pleasee this way.

    With a brief handshake, the interviewer guided him to a seat.

    Then, he introduced the young man who was already seated.

    This is Little Cockle, who arrived earlier for the interview. Little Cockle, this is ck me Dragon. Since you might be fellow caf members, feel free to exchange greetings.

    Is this kid also a yer? He doesnt even seem worth a fight.

    Shim Hyung-taek sneered inwardly, only shaking his head.

    Hello.

    Ah, hello.

    Now that youve exchanged greetings, please have a seat here, ck me Dragon.

    Shim Hyung-taek took his seat and nced around.

    It was a conscious act, as if preparing himself for any potential danger.

    It seems like business isnt thriving here, right? There are no customers, and I dont even see any ordinary staff around.

    Its a remote location, so thats probably the case. We rented this ce as the interview venue.

    Oh, so you rented it. But is there no manager present? I dont see anyone.

    The manager is in the kitchen, preparing meals. This caf also serves as a dining establishment, so they have their hands full.

    Shim Hyung-taek nodded, taking a moment to survey the location for any CCTV cameras. Surprisingly, there were none to be found.

    Can you believe it? Not even a single CCTV camera here. I could easily kill those two and get away with it without anyone noticing.

    However, he refrained from taking action, well aware of the inefficiency of such a reckless move.

    Theres no point in fighting over just two lives.

    Instead, he decided to join the caf and gradually build connections with other members, using that opportunity to lure and eliminate them discreetly.

    But first, should I target that little shrimp?

    Shim Hyung-taeks gaze lingered on Little Crock, who appeared to be in his early twenties. The moment their eyes met, the young man quickly averted his gaze, seemingly shy.

    Hes quite timid for a guy. What a pathetic loser.

    A faint mockingughter escaped Shim Hyung-taek, but he quicklyposed himself.

    As an ufortable silence settled among the three individuals, Shim Hyung-taek finally spoke up.

    Arent we supposed to have an interview?

    Oh, theres another interviewee who hasnt arrived yet. Well proceed with the interview once theyre here.

    So, theres someone else being interviewed besides us?

    Wanting to confirm if there were any additional participants, Shim Hyung-taek inquired directly.

    Does that mean there will be a total of three people interviewed?

    Yes, thats correct. Since the scheduled time has just passed, lets wait a bit longer Ah, there they are.

    The sound of the door opening drew everyones attention to the person entering.

    The interviewer, stepping forward, cautiously asked, Um Are you the applicant for World-Changing Caf?

    Yes, indeed.

    I apologize for being forward, but could you please share your nickname?

    I go by the name ck Scythe.

    !

    !

    The room fell into stunned silence as everyone processed the unexpected revtion.

    Bl-ck Scythe?

    Wow!

    The only person who wasnt taken aback was the interviewer, who had been aware of ck Scythes identity beforehand.

    As I suspected! So, youre ck Scythe! Its a pleasure to meet you!

    The interviewer reached out for a handshake, exchanging pleasantries.

    Was the journey here inconvenient for you?

    It was a bit inconvenient.

    Although caught off guard by ck Scythes informal tone, the interviewer maintained aposed demeanor, aware of the significance of the encounter.

    Haha, I apologize for bringing you to this secluded ce. Theres no better location for discreet interactions than here.

    ck Scythe remained silent, his rigid posture exuding an unmatched air of arrogance.

    Nevertheless, the interviewer continued to smile, undeterred by any signs of displeasure.

    By the way, youre quite good-looking. You must be popr with thedies, right?

    .

    Lets have a seat here.

    The four of them settled down at the table.

    These two are the candidates for todays interview. Please introduce yourselves.

    Um, hello, Im Little Crock.

    .

    ck me Dragon, would you like to introduce yourself?

    But Shim Hyung-taek couldnt hear a word as the interviewer spoke. His tense nerves made his back damp with sweat.

    This person is the same ck Scythe who killed me five times?

    Thanks to that guy, he almost missed the chance to rank among the top yers in the fourth round. He wasted 50 precious minutes that could have been used to eliminate more opponents and increase his stats.

    If we ever meet in real life, I wanted to ask him why he went to such lengths to kill me.

    And now, fate had brought them face to face.

    ck me Dragon? Whats going on? Arent you going to greet him?

    Oh, hello. Im ck me Dragon.

    ck Scythe nodded with arms crossed.

    I am ck Scythe.

    No one dared to interrupt his audacious self-introduction, considering his status as the top-ranked yer in the entire region.

    However, Shim Hyung-taek found it perplexing.

    Whats this? Doesnt he even recognize me?

    He had expected ck Scythe to instantly recall his nickname and realize who he wasthe one who fell victim to his relentless attacks in the fourth round.

    He nced at ck Scythe again, but the expression remained impassive, showing no trace of recognition.

    Could he possibly have forgotten my nickname? After all the times he killed me? Haha.

    Shim Hyung-taek wasnt the only one taken aback.

    What an absurd guy,

    Even Little Crock concealed his bewildered thoughts while gazing at ck Scythe.

    Am I always acting this arrogant?

    Little Crock knew the truth. The man before him wasnt ck Scythe.

    He must have worked hard to mimic me so perfectly.

    Ryu Min, disguised as Little Crock, stifled hisughter as he observed ck Scythe. No, there was no point in calling him ck Scythe anymore. He was merely an imposter with a criminal record.

    And this imposter, held the key to unlocking the Doppelganger Rune.

    Thats why Ryu Min, currently operating under the nickname Little Crock, assumed this disguise. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

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 Chapter 56: The Interview (1)

    Chapter 56: The Interview (1)

    The conditions for obtaining the Rune of Doppelgangers were straightforward but far from easy.

    To acquire it, one had tomit murder while impersonating another person in a hidden location where the rune is concealed.

    But how often does someone actuallymit a murder while impersonating someone else?

    Yet, today was the day when this bizarre act would be a reality.

    The one impersonating the infamous ck Scythe wouldmit a heinous crime and obtain the coveted Rune of Doppelgangers.

    Of course, the person involved has no idea.

    Ryu Min delved into the thoughts of the impersonator.

    Heh, they truly believe I am the ck Scythe? How foolish. Its surprisingly easy to deceive them.

    Maintaining an expressionless faade, he concealed his own amusement.

    Wow! Not a flicker of emotion on his face? With such skill, he could be an aplished actor.

    This imposter, currently impersonating the identity of the ck Scythe, went by the nickname Kuku-Ru-Bbang.

    By a twist of fate, he stumbled upon the Rune of Doppelgangers and eventually earned the title Doppelganger.

    For now, he may go unnoticed, but once he possesses the Rune of Doppelgangers, hell be infamous.

    Not for his virtuous deeds, but for his malicious exploits.

    After all, he had shamelessly abused the power of the Rune of Doppelgangers for various criminal endeavors.

    Thats to be expected. He was nothing more than a criminal to begin with.

    From loan fraud to pyramid schemes, scams, counterfeit coins, hacking cryptocurrency exchanges, and even voice phishingthere was hardly a lucrative deceit he hadnt dabbled in. He was an expert fraudster with a wealth of experience.

    And now, this individual bes a yer and disguised as ck Scythe

    The grim reality of even criminals gaining supernatural powers was disheartening, but such power was fleeting.

    As nned, Ryu Min concealed his satisfaction behind a satisfied smile as he faced the imposter.

    I will manipte this mans abilities to im the Rune of Doppelgangers.

    It was an opportunity to obtain the Hidden Runea chance not to be missed.

    Now that weve exchanged greetings, lets briefly verify some personal information. Shall we start with Little Crock?

    Yes? Yes, of course.

    Ryu Min adopted an expression reminiscent of a recently enlisted trainee, his nerves palpable.

    Your real name is Kim Seung-hyun, correct?

    Yes.

    And your age?

    Im 19 years old.

    Do you currently hold any upation?

    No, Ive just graduated from high school

    19 years old and unemployed

    The officer muttered as he meticulously transcribed the information onto the documents.

    You mentioned that youre a level 13 Assassin on the registration form. Is that correct?

    Yes, thats correct.

    And its true that youve even reached the impressive rank of 4th in the district rankings?

    Yes, indeed.

    While answering with a simple yes, a smug smirk couldnt be contained within.

    Truth? To be honest, its all a lie.

    Except for one thingHe hadnt lied about is, the nickname.

    Little Crock is indeed an existing nickname.

    In essence, Ryu Min was also impersonating another yer.

    Thats the only way for me to fulfill the requirements and obtain the Rune of Doppelgangers.

    It would be quite absurd if the guy in charge found out.

    After all, two impersonators were right there, in front of him.

    No matter what lies I tell, theres no way for them to verify them.

    Yet, it didnt make it any less ufortable.

    Although his true identity remained hidden, his face was still exposed.

    Well, its alright. Theres no need to worry about my face being exposed through these people.

    Ryu Min nced at the ck me Dragon and the impersonator.

    Ranked 4th in the district rankings? Surprisingly impressive for a little baby.

    Hmm. Even I havent managed to reach the 4th spot myself Lets not underestimate someone just because they look like an ordinary dish.

    While Ryu Min was reading their thoughts, the guy in charge shifted his gaze.

    Understood. Next, Ill direct my questions to ck me Dragon.

    Can I ask something before that?

    Of course. ck me Dragon, what is it that youre curious about?

    Why do we have to expose our personal information in front of everyone instead of having one-on-one conversations? Is there a reason behind this?

    The slightly disgruntled tone caused the guy in charge to pause for a moment.

    Well, the idea was to get to know each other and foster a sense of familiarity by sharing some information publicly But does it make you ufortable to have others overhear your personal details?

    Is there anyone who wouldnt feel ufortable?

    Anyway, once we be members and get to know each other, well eventually learn everything about one another, right? Besides, were only asking for basic information like name, age, upation, level, and ss in the Otherworldnot anything overly private.

    Although the exnation seemed reasonable, it didntpletely appease the discontent felt by ck me Dragon.

    The officer audibly sighed, their frustration evident.

    Well, if youre genuinely dissatisfied, we can skip the interview with ck me Dragon altogether

    Im not that dissatisfied, so lets proceed.

    ck me Dragon responded nonchntly, but Ryu Min knew better.

    He could sense the underlying unease and slight flustered state within the individual.

    Its no wonder. He joined with the intention of devouring yers, so hell do whatever it takes to pass the interview.

    From the perspective of the ck me Dragon, with the Absorption Rune in their possession, the yer Haven Cafe was like an all-you-can-eat buffet.

    Then, Ill proceed with the questions. Is your real name Shim Hyung-taek?

    Yes.

    And how old are you and what is your upation?

    Im 15 years old, and Im a middle school student.

    Oh, youre the youngest among the applicants.

    Although he smiled outwardly, his true thoughts were far from pleasant.

    That little brat. I thought he was an adult, but turns out youre just a middle schooler?

    Kehehehehe crossed that X out.

    Even the impersonator, who had maintained a poker face all this time, struggled to hold back theirughter.

    However, Ryu Min couldnt find it amusing.

    He knew what the ck me Dragon had done.

    Would they mock him like that if they knew he brutally murdered his ssmate? Well, they werent exactly friends, but rather the ones who bullied him before.

    Having gone through a simr experience, Ryu Min could understand.

    He must have wanted to kill them before but couldnt.

    However, after experiencing countless murders in the fourth round, he must have felt confident.

    But to brutally kill an ordinary person just for ying a prank? Thats something an average middle schooler wouldnt do.

    It was something even most adults would find difficult, yet the ck me Dragon nned and executed it methodically.

    Clearly, hes no ordinary person, even without the Absorption Rune.

    Thats why Ryu Min killed him five times in the fourth round to restrain them.

    He was a dangerous existence in their own right.

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 Chapter 56: The Interview (2)

    Chapter 56: The Interview (2)

    Youre a level 10 Warrior and ranked 3rd in the district rankings. Is that true?

    Yes, it is. Would I lie about that?

    The ck me Dragons somewhat gruff response caught the officer off guard.

    Ahem, I simply asked for confirmation. If it bothered you, I apologize.

    Next, your name, ck Scythe

    Kim In-hong. Im 28 years old, a fund manager. Ive never missed the top spot in my district, and my level is 30. And youre well aware that I belong to the Reaper ss, right?

    Oh, yes! Of course.

    Is that enough now? Anything else to prove?

    No! Thank you for verifying.

    ck Scythe nonchntly folded his arms, as if to shrug off any suspicions.

    Their words carried a hint of skepticism as if he expected someone to call him out as a scammer.

    That guy is nothing but a bundle of lies.

    He didnt even give them his true name.

    Not to mention the questionable information surrounding ck Scythe.

    Fund manager? How dide up with that? Its quite vivid that hes here for the money.

    His intention behind impersonating ck Scythe was purely driven by financial gain.

    Using the reputation of ck Scythe to borrow money from yers. Thats why he wants to join the cafe.

    Even in times of economic copse and the rise of a dystopian era, money remains a constant. Its value may fluctuate, but it never disappears.

    Now that the basic information check isplete, lets proceed with the formal interview.

    The three individuals directed their attention to the officer, ready for the next phase.

    First, Ill ask each of you amon question. Please take turns and share your reasons for wanting to join our yer Haven Cafe. Lets start with Little Crock.

    Um, well

    Ryu Min, having gone through multiple regressions, knew exactly what the officer was expecting to hear.

    The purpose behind the establishment of the yer Haven Cafe and the type of yers they sought.

    The world can be a harsh ce these days, you know? Its frightening to face it alone. So, I thought it would be beneficial to unite with other yers and support each other. Thats why I decided to apply.

    Hmm, I understand. Next, ck me Dragon.

    Um

    Shim Hyung-taek paused, lost in thought for a moment.

    Could he honestly reveal his true intention ofing to kill other yers?

    I I have a simr reason to Little Crock. I cant go to school anymore, and Im worried about the next round. I thought it would be helpful to exchange opinions and find support among fellow yers.

    I see, thank you for sharing.

    The officers query had prompted Shim Hyung-taek to respond as expected.

    It had be a pattern, repeating itself since the previous regressions.

    The world can only be set right when yerse together. Its the motto and driving force behind this cafe.

    If they emphasized the importance of yer unity, they would likely pass the initial interview.

    Of course, there were exceptions.

    Now, what about you, ck Scythe?

    I simply noticed the existence of this cafe and thought it might be interesting to join. Thats why I decided to apply.

    Haha, I see.

    When it came to ck Scythe, his words held weight. There was no way they would reject ck Scythe even if he fails the interview.

    Its just a formality, Ryu Min thought. The desire to dere immediate eptance was written all over their face.

    Very well. All three of you provided satisfying answers from the perspective of the cafe. Now, I have one more question for Little Crock, the interviewer announced.

    Yes, Little Crock replied.

    Have you ever experienced bullying at school? Or perhaps theres someone you wish to harm? the interviewer asked, their tone serious.

    What? Ryu Min had expected this question, yet he faked surprise.

    What is this about?

    These questions are necessary for the interview. Please provide your answers, the interviewer insisted.

    Little Crock hesitated for a moment. Well, I have been bullied before but I dont have any desire to harm anyone

    Hmm, I see. Do you hold any personal grudges? Feel free to share, the interviewer pressed further.

    No, I dont, Little Crock replied with certainty.

    Ryu Min waved his hand, noticing the disappointment in the interviewers expression.

    Understood. Now, I will ask the same question to ck me Dragon. Have you ever experienced bullying at school? Has anyone tormented you? Or is there someone you wish to harm? the interviewer continued.

    ck me Dragon remained silent, pondering on how to answer to ensure their passage in the interview.

    What kind of question is this? What do you want from me? Damn it. Should I be honest and admit to killing? ck me Dragons thoughts raced.

    Observing ck me Dragons dilemma, Ryu Min couldnt help but smile inwardly.

    Just be honest. If you admit to murder, you might just get a free pass, Ryu Min thought.

    However, it seemed that ck me Dragon hadnt reached the point of confessing his crimes to others. He raised his head and replied, I havent experienced any bullying.

    Ah So, theres nothing? the interviewer sighed, once again disappointed.

    The attention turned to ck Scythe. The interviewer asked, And what about you, ck Scythe? Do you have a desire to harm someone?

    ck Scythe retorted, their wordsced with skepticism, Why? Do you want me to kill someone for you? Whats the reason behind these meaningless questions?

    The interviewers eyes widened at ck Scythes defiance. Though they appeared surprised, it didnt truly catch them off guard.

    Oh, how did you figure it out? Thats right. I asked because I wanted you to kill someone for me. Well, to be precise, its more like killing together, the interviewer said, a sly smile on their face.

    What? Everyone stared at him with a mix of confusion and disbelief.

    Given the casual discussion of murder, their reaction was understandable.

    Why are you all so surprised? By the 4th round, I assume youve all gone through the experience of killing someone, the interviewer continued.

    Silence filled the room.

    Well, I understand. Killing in the otherworld and killing in the real world feel different, dont they?

    More silence followed.

    Now that the truth is out, the final challenge of this interview ismitting murder. You must take a life to pass the ultimate stage of this interview. Thats why I asked if any of you had someone you wanted to kill.

    To to kill? Little Crocks expression revealed his shock, and his words came out in a stutter.

    Why would you resort to such actions?

    Hmm? Little Crock, you dont grasp the situation, do you?

    As if responding to his thoughts, the interviewer nodded.

    Very well. I will exin why were doing this. Some of you may have read the news and know that the government is already taking steps to regte and distance itself from yers like us. They fear the power we possess, surpassing the limits of ordinary humans.

    The statement wasnt entirely wrong.

    Faced with the yers disorderly behavior, the government was preparing variousws and regtions.

    But in reality, thesews have no power over yers who choose to ignore them,

    Such policies only fueled the yers resentment.

    Merely looking at the interviewer, was a shred of evidence, wasnt it?

    We are different from ordinary people. We are no longer weak or inferior. I can confidently say that yers will lead the world in the future. When wee together, our progress will elerate. Thats the essence and significance of this cafes existence!

    The interviewers fervent demeanor was reminiscent of a zealous believer of a cult, but

    I cant refute it because these things are actually happening.

    As someone who had experienced a world where yers were in control, Ryu Min couldnt simply dismiss it andugh at it.

    Thats why we dont need to confine ourselves within the boundaries of thew. We must resist and confront the governments regtions. Its crucial to demonstrate that yers themselves embody the essence of thew.

    So, murder?

    Exactly. Murder serves as a form of rebellion, a means to showcase the yers will against the oppressive regtions of the government. Its a statement that we cannot be restrained by merews.

    Silence hung in the air.

    Do you understand now, Little Crock?

    Oh, yes

    Our Caf only wees individuals who are prepared to challenge the government and spearhead the future world. If any of you are not inclined to do so, I urge you to leave now. However, those who choose to leave should not expect any assistance from our caf in the future.

    In other words, it was an implicit threata warning that they would be marked as outcasts.

    It seems that everyone has perceived the gravity of the situation.

    No one stood up or departed from their seats.

    Hehe, it seems you are all resolute enough. Excellent. Then, assuming you all agree, we will proceed to the final interview.

    Proceed with murder?

    ck me Dragons response was met with a nonchnt reply from the interviewer.

    Thats correct.

    But what if we dont have anyone worth killing? How will we proceed?

    Theres no need to fret about that.

    In a fleeting moment, the interviewers expression turned cold, sporting a chilling smile.

    We have already identified suitable targets in anticipation of this very moment. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

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 Chapter 57: The Abduction (1)

    Chapter 57: The Abduction (1)

    Wow, its already 2 p.m. Can you believe it? Before diving into work, how about we grab a bite to eat?

    At the managers suggestion, the remaining trio eagerly nodded in agreement.

    Their stomachs had been growling, likely enticed by the tempting smell of food wafting from the kitchen.

    follow me.

    Trailing behind the manager, they swiftly arrived at a cozy table.

    The air was saturated with the mouthwatering fragrance of rich soybean paste stew.

    You know, this caf is quite special. Its a restaurant too.

    Grinning, the manager led them to a table, and the others took their seats in tow.

    Oh, Boss!

    Prompted by the managers call, the owner emerged from the kitchen, bearing a tray with bottles of water and cups.

    She appeared youthful, perhaps in her early thirties, for someone in charge.

    How did the interview go? Everything alright?

    Though the final interview still loomed ahead, the manager feigned ignorance and responded with a smile.

    Absolutely! Thanks to you, we managed to conclude it in a peaceful setting, undisturbed by other patrons. Your support means the world to us.

    Oh, no need to mention it. In fact, were grateful to have your business here, evenpensating us for the space. This ce has been so deserted, devoid of customers. We were struggling financially. Thanks to you, we can breathe a bit easier.

    Thats a relief to hear. However, on the flip side, I feel apologetic. Today was your day off, yet Ive inadvertently roped you into working

    The owner yfully waved away the managers concerns. Oh, not at all. Isnt it customary to enjoy coffee after a meal at a caf?

    With a mischievous smile, she coyly covered her lips with her hand.

    The guy couldnt help but nod at her charming smile.

    Well then, once you finish your meal, Ill personally whip up some refreshing iced Americanos for each of you. Just give me a moment, and Ill serve your food right away.

    As if prepared in advance, the owner promptlyid out the delectable spread before them.

    The table overflowed with an array of banchan, those delightful side dishes.

    And stealing the spotlight was the savory soybean paste stew, the pice de rsistance of the meal.

    Please, indulge yourselves.

    Thank you so much, Chef.

    Grinning ear to ear, the manager gazed at the owners retreating figure, but swiftly averted his eyes.

    Ahem, I take it everyones starving? Go ahead, dont be shy, and dig in.

    As if eagerly awaiting those words, the yers seized their silverware, ready to savor the feast.

    ck me Dragon devoured the food, swiftly devouring each dish.

    Looks like you were really hungry. Hehe.

    Nom, nom, nom.

    Without bothering to retort to the managers remark, he remained focused solely on savoring the vors before him.

    Indeed, enjoy your meal to your hearts content. It will strengthen you for the final part of the interview, allowing you to give it your all.

    The yers hesitated, ncing at the manager with questioning expressions. Discussing murder over a meal was undoubtedly disconcerting.

    Oh, my apologies. Perhaps this wasnt the right time for such a subject, right?

    I suppose not.

    Observing the managers expression of irritation, the yers couldnt help but feel a sense of relief as he once again lowered his head.

    If it made you ufortable, I apologize. However, please dont hold too negative a view of murder. After all, isnt it all part of encouraging unity among yers?

    Nevertheless, taking the lives of innocent civilians feels

    Ryu Mins words trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished. The manager couldnt help but scratch his nose.

    Hmm, so its the fact that theyre innocent civilians that troubles you?

    Yes

    Dont fret. The targets Ive selected are criminals.

    Really?

    Yes. So, theres no need for you to bear the weight of a guilty conscience. Of course, as yers aspiring to lead the world, you must possess a heart as resolute as ck Scythes, here.

    The manager shed a mischievous smile, proudly presenting ck Scythe.

    It was evident that he was already eyeing a leadership role for him.

    Well, if ck Scythe were to join the caf, he would quickly ascend to a prominent position.

    In truth, Ryu Min, too, held aspirations for a leadership position.

    Participating in the interview wasnt solely for the sake of obtaining the Rune of the Doppelganger.

    It was a vital part of his n to establish an alliance with the yers Haven Caf.

    If I want to rally yers, its only natural to climb to greater heights.

    Securing a high-ranking position within yers Haven Caf posed little challenge.

    Just like this impersonator before his eyes, he could easily reveal to them his true identity as the ck Scythe and sessfully pass the interview.

    However, that isnt the approach I desire. I have no intention of joining by resorting to the killing of innocent civilians.

    Regardless, ascending to a high-ranking position within Haven Caf could wait for another time.

    For now, obtaining the Rune of the Doppelganger took primacy.

    As the meal drew to a close

    Did you enjoy your meal?

    The owner approached with a yful smile, carrying a tray adorned with four iced Americanos.

    Heres some coffee for a sweet ending.

    Thank you, Chef.

    No, Im the one who should be grateful.

    The managersughter evoked a reciprocal smile from the owner.

    However, the warm ambiance was short-lived.

    As the owner disappeared into the kitchen, a sharp remark escaped the managers lips.

    Well then, how about we enjoy our coffee and proceed with the final interview?

    Who are we going to kill?

    ck me Dragons question elicited a sly grin from the manager.

    Originally, if any of you had someone you wished to eliminate, I nned to make them the target. However

    Taking a deliberate sip through the straw, the manager continued.

    Since you im to have no one in mind, were left with no choice but to abduct a preselected target.

    Abduct?

    Yes. After kidnapping the target, well find a suitable location to dispose of the body. Then, the four of us will work together harmoniously, tearing the target to pieces. If you aplish that, you will pass the interview.

    The n seemed straightforward when put into words.

    After all, they had killed multiple individuals during the 4th round.

    But reality felt different.

    -Killing innocent civilians in real life Its rather unsettling. However, if we do it together instead of acting alone, the burden of guilt may weigh slightly less.

    Ryu Min read everyones thoughts starting with the manager; however, even the impersonator, who hadmitted numerous acts of fraud, hesitated to soil his hands with blood.

    With an interest solely in money, he held no inclination for murder, so it was natural to be concerned.

    Well, eventually, once he establishes a notorious reputation as the Doppelganger, he wont need to rely on murder and such.

    While the impersonator worried about murder, there were others who didnt.

    A middle school student with a natural inclination for killing held a different perspective.

    -If its not an interview but a real-life situation, its a breeze. Whats the harm in eliminating an ordinary civilian criminal? It wont even make a dent in my reputation.

    To ck me Dragon, who had alreadymitted murder in reality, it appeared to be a trivial matter.

    Have you finished your coffee?

    Yes.

    Shall we get up then?

    As the manager rose from their seat, the yers followed suit.

    The owner appeared with a radiant smile.

    Oh, leaving so soon?

    Yes, weve had a satisfying meal. Boss.

    Youre wee to stay a little longer.

    No, thank you. We have urgent matters to attend to

    Just as the manager spoke, an unexpected expression crossed his face, as if experiencing difort in his stomach.

    Oh no, I must have eaten too much Where is the restroom?

    Oh, if you go around the corner, youll find it.

    Boss, may I ask for a favor?

    A favor?

    Could you prepare the car for me? As you can see, Im in a rush

    Of course, Ill be d to help.

    The owner readily epted the valet request and took over the keys.

    As for the manager he immediately left for the restroom.

    The owner walked to the van parked in front of the caf and opened the door.

    Creak

    As she leaned into the drivers seat to get in

    Ugh!

    Someone from behind grabbed the owners neck with a strong forearm.

    Before she could even identify the assant, the owners struggle ceased as she slumped down.

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 Chapter 57: The Abduction (2)

    Chapter 57: The Abduction (2)

    Hehe, too easy.

    The person choking the owner was none other than the manager.

    Having pretended to go to the restroom, he swiftly returned and strangled the owner.

    The manager immediately ced the unconscious owner in the back seat and shouted towards the outside.

    What are you doing? Get in quickly!

    The interviewees, who had been dumbfoundedly observing the kidnapping process, hastily boarded the van.

    Vroom

    As the vehicle set off, the interviewees still wore perplexed expressions.

    W-What are we doing now? Why did you the owner

    Didnt I tell you? We had a predetermined target.

    And that was the caf owner?

    Yes.

    The interviewees nced at the unconscious owner lying beside them, their faces filled with confusion.

    They seemed to be in a deep slumber.

    You mentioned targeting a criminal.

    Yes, thats correct. The owner is a typical snake who recently got released from prison and now leads a new life afterundering her identity.

    Snake the owner?

    With her background, do you think someone in their 30s could have amassed enough money to establish such arge business? Its all money she has swindled from men.

    Ah!

    She appeared kind-hearted, but what a surprising turn of events

    They tried to feign surprise at thest moment, pretending they have been fooled by him, but Ryu Min saw through their act. They knew the truth, as the managers true intentions were clear as day.

    Hehe, its so easy to deceive people, isnt it? Even if I told them shes from a family of criminals, they would have believed it, right?

    Narrowing their eyes, Ryu Min thought to themselves, Labeling innocent civilians as criminals.

    The maniption was designed to make it easy for them tomit murder by wrongly using innocent people.

    There was no greater evil than that.

    Their n is to involve us in the killing, making it difficult for us to back outter.

    If they were to discover that the person they killed was an ordinary civilian, guilt would surely consume them.

    And that guilt would make it easier for the manager to manipte and threaten them.

    On the other hand, the manager could try to convince them to establish a new order together.

    That was the Cafs method to keep the yers who had joined from ever leaving.

    Ryu Min caught a glimpse of the thoughts of the impersonator and ck me Dragon.

    Could the owner really be such a snake? If so she deserves to die.

    If she is, its still easier to kill her since shes a criminal. Well, even if she isnt, we have no choice but to kill her in order to join.

    Their thoughts were slightly different, but they both had made up their minds to kill the owner.

    They believed that sacrificing one person was inevitable to be part of the caf.

    Screech

    The car, which had been cruising on the highway, abruptly came to a halt as it turned onto a narrow mountain road.

    Weve arrived. This is the storehouse where the final interview will take ce.

    The manager parked the car in a shabby storehouse nestled in the mountains and approached the owner.

    Although he appeared to be an old man, he was a level 13 yer, effortlessly moving the owner as if she were nothing.

    Thud

    Even though the owner was carelessly dropped onto the floor, she remained motionless.

    It seemed she was unconscious.

    Lets leave her here and begin the operation. But before that

    A wicked smile crept across the managers face.

    Does anyone want to have some fun? It would be a shame to just kill her like this, dont you think?

    Um

    ck me Dragon, being young, had no interest in the owner, but the impersonator had a different mindset.

    ck Scythe? Judging by your thoughtful expression, do you have something in mind?

    Well If were going to kill her anyway, it would be a shame not to do anything.

    Then why dont we enjoy it together? No, this calls for generosity. I shall grant ck Scythe a special opportunity. Let him have some fun first, hehe.

    Well then

    The impostor swayed his hips and stepped forward without a hint of regret.

    Reading his thoughts, it was clear that he had already made up his mind to kill the owner.

    He considered it eptable, even somewhat enjoyable, to engage in sexual assault before killing her too.

    ck me Dragon and Little Crock, please wait behind while ck Scythe finishes up.

    Yes. Ill make it quick.

    In that moment, Ryu Min stepped forward while ck me Dragon, seeming annoyed, stepped back.

    Just a moment.

    Why? Little Crock?

    May I go first?

    Huh? Little Crock you want to participate too?

    The manager was surprised but soon wore a sinister smile.

    Hehehe, this is amusing. I didnt expect someone as shy as you to be interested. But being in the prime of your youth at the age of 19 Ah! Is it your first time?

    Yes? Yes

    Hehe, excellent. ck Scythe?

    The manager requested permission from the impostor, who was about to remove his pants.

    Sorry, but could you give Little Crock a chance instead? Its his first time.

    Well, if its her first time, then Ill step aside.

    Without any disappointment, the impostor pulled up his pants.

    In the meantime, Ryu Min, with an expressionless face, approached the impostor.

    As they passed each other, the impostor spoke in a passing tone.

    Do your best. Im making you a special concession here.

    Ryu Min also smiled and replied, Thank you. I will make good use of the Rune of the Doppelganger.

    Huh? Rune? What is

    Thats when it happened.

    Snap!

    Ryu Min grabbed the impostors face with both hands and exerted a little force.

    Crack!

    Like breaking a chickens neck, the impostors head twisted, and he copsed lifelessly to the ground. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

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 Chapter 58: Rune Of Doppelganger (1)

    Chapter 58: Rune Of Doppelganger (1)

    When faced with a harsh reality thats hard to believe, people often freeze in sheer bewilderment.

    Their words fail toe out as intended, and their eyes dart around in confusion.

    This was precisely the case at the moment.

    U-U-Um.

    The person in charge cast anxious nces back and forth between the lifeless body of ck Scythe and the mischievous Little Crock.

    What in the world have you done?! How could you dare to kill ck Scythe, a legendary figure?

    Neither did he expect the revered ck Scythe to meet such a simple end, nor did he anticipate the mischievous Little Crocks sudden rampage.

    Have you lost your mind? You!!!

    Ah, youre bbering nonsense, arent you?

    A low, menacing voice apanied a piercing gaze directed at the person in charge.

    Caught off guard by the swiftly shifting atmosphere, the person in charge unintentionally swallowed hard.

    What on earth is behind that gaze?

    It resembled the intense re of a ferocious beast, capable of quelling ones spirit.

    The timid visage of the young man in his twenties, the Little Crock he once knew, had vanishedpletely.

    Leaving the flustered manager behind, Ryu Min redirected his gaze to the empty air.

    [You havemitted murder while impersonating another yer.]

    [The activation conditions have been met.]

    [You have discovered a hidden rune in this very cethe Rune of Doppelganger!]

    [The acquired rune will be automatically engraved onto the yers body!]

    Receiving the message about obtaining the Rune of Doppelganger, a satisfied smile graced Ryu Mins face.

    Excellent. All my efforts in deceiving them have paid off.

    Since he had sessfully impersonated Little Crock, the required conditions had been met.

    The fake ck Scythe, infamous for his shapeshifting abilities, was no longer a threat.

    After all, Ryu Min had got rid of him a short while ago.

    Given the guys future destiny as a viin, Ryu Min harbored no sympathy whatsoever.

    Little Little Crock! Tell me, why in the world did you kill ck Scythe?

    Why, you ask? Because hes nothing but a damn impostor.

    Impostor? What do you mean?

    Instead of giving a direct answer, Ryu Min brought out a prepared mask and put it on.

    Just in case the unconscious woman woke up and witnessed the scene, it would be rather inconvenient.

    As an extra precaution, he covered the womans head with a ck sac.

    The person in charge continued to gaze with suspicion and eximed aloud.

    You should have killed the woman! Why did you kill ck Scythe? Exin yourself!

    Why? Because he was nothing but garbage. And the same goes for you.

    What did you just say?

    The person in charge mustered up some courage.

    He wasnt the type to crumble in the face of being called trash.

    With a slight tsk sound, a long, ominous sickle suddenly appeared in the persons hand.

    I dare you to say that again.

    His voice abruptly dwindled away, as if someone had hit the mute button.

    Erged eyes were just a bonus effect.

    I called you trash, why? Do you have a problem?

    The reason was clear. Ryu Min now held the colossal sickle in his hand.

    Whats this? Is the scythe? Little Crocks main weapon?

    The person in charge felt a sudden pang of embarrassment, seeing their meager sickle.

    It seemed downright feeble inparison.

    Ive never seen a yer carrying around such a massive scythe.

    Wait a moment. They recalled hearing about it.

    A yer who wielded a giant scythe as their primary weapon.

    Like a missing puzzle piece falling into ce, Little Crocks words echoed in their mind.

    -Hes a damn imposter.

    Imposter? C-Could it be?

    The person in charge shifted his gaze between the lifeless ck Scythe and Little Crock.

    Now did you grasp the situation? Who is the true ck Scythe?

    I-It was you? You were the real ck Scythe?

    I apologize for deceiving you.

    Contrary to the apology, a cynical smile danced upon Ryu Mins face.

    With the appearance of the massive scythe, the atmosphere underwent a striking transformation.

    Are you kidding? That person I saw earlier wasnt just any kid he was the real ck Scythe.

    He could sense it instinctively.

    The young man standing before them was unmistakably ck Scythe.

    And he knew he wouldnt survive this encounter.

    Thud!

    Without a moments hesitation, the person in charge sank to his knees.

    Resisting would be futile if the other person truly was ck Scythe.

    B-ck Scythe! I apologize for not recognizing you. Your performance was truly convincing

    Why kneel all of a sudden?

    W-Well, its because I deeply respect ck Scythe.

    You didnt bother to kneel before the imposter who fooled you, but now you do this?

    A snicker escaped Ryu Mins lips.

    Dont y games with me. Beg with honesty. Beg for your life.

    P-P-Please spare me.

    Sorry, I forgot to say that Im not inclined to do so.

    The person in charges eyes widened in a split second, realizing that their plea would be met with rejection.

    Little did they know, this would be their final act.

    Thud. Thud.

    The persons head bounced off the ground like a cluster of grapes.

    Rolling away, it came to rest at the feet of the ck me Dragon.

    Ack!

    Meeting their gaze, the ck me Dragon felt a sudden tremor of fear.

    The managers face.

    A face that failed to register his own demise.

    Ironically, it only heightened the terror within.

    He couldntprehend, just like the person himself.

    T-This is the real ck Scythe. Hes on a whole different level.

    He hadnt even seen the attack that ended his life.

    All he saw was the head falling after he swung that big scythe.

    The trembling of the ck me Dragon was a result of this encounter.

    Encountering an iprehensible being invoked an indescribable sense of horror.

    Now, its just you and me left.

    Do you have any idea what Im about to do?

    If you have anyst words, nows the time.

    Given the chance by Ryu Min, the ck me Dragon mustered the courage to ovee his fear and managed to speak.

    I-I wont waste time with the obvious plea for mercy.

    Oh, really?

    I-I had something to ask when I met you.

    Why did you kill me five times in Round 4? I was curious.

    The ck me Dragons pupils widened as Ryu Min urately deciphered his true intentions.

    Yes, thats correct.

    The reason is simple. I wanted to keep you in check.

    Keep me in check? But why.

    Because out of all the people I saw back then, you seemed to have some skill. I needed to eliminate thepetition.

    Ah.

    In that moment, a sense of relief washed over the ck me Dragon, as if a three-day-long constipation had been resolved.

    Their doubts were finally put to rest.

    Any other questions?

    Even if I kill you now, you wont have any regrets, right?

    The ck me Dragon desperately wanted to beg for mercy.

    But seeing the manager die right after their plea made him feel it would be unwise to do so.

    Ca-Can I ask just one more thing before the end?

    What is it?

    W-Why do you want to kill me. What have I done.

    The response came swiftly.

    Because youre trash.

    M-Me? What have I done.

    Arent you here to kill that woman?

    W-Well, yes, but I havent done anything yet.

    Havent done anything? Youve been a mere spectator all this time.

    Being a mere spectator is also a sin.

    Do you finally understand why you deserve to die?

    He didnt answer, but their expression still showed ack ofprehension.

    Ryu Min let out a sigh.

    Fine then, Ill give you a chance to survive. Unlike those scams, your only crime was being a mere spectator after all.

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 Chapter 58: Rune Of Doppelganger (2)

    Chapter 58: Rune Of Doppelganger (2)

    Ryu Min let out a sigh.

    Fine then, Ill give you a chance to survive. Unlike those scams, your only crime was being a mere spectator after all.

    R-Really?

    But.

    Ryu Min tapped the ground with his scythe.

    Empty everything you have right here.

    Their words may not have been clear, but the ck me Dragon obediently took out items from his inventory.

    Naturally, their life held more value than these insignificant possessions.

    Ah.

    Ryu Mins eyes gleamed as he surveyed the itemsid out before him.

    He actually has quite a useful collection.

    Orange Marrow Stone, Yellow Marrow Stone, seble equipment, and more.

    While he didnt possess items as rare as ck gold ore, these treasures surpassed expectations.

    Swiftly, the ck me Dragon, carefully measuring Ryu Mins reaction, spoke up.

    I-Ive emptied out the gear and the axe I was using. This is all I have left. Theres nothing more.

    Who said you couldnt have more? You sound sus.

    Perceiving hisck of change in expression, ck me Dragon assumed that Ryu Min was dissatisfied.

    But in truth, he was 99% satisfied.

    If I sell all the items he bought from the shop, Ill get 2,000 gold.

    Ryu Min only took a few Marrow Stones and a couple of equipment pieces, stashing them in his inventory.

    A-Arent you taking anything else?

    No need. You can keep them.

    Some of the equipment, including the axe, couldnt be sold because they werent shop-bought items.

    While the ck me Dragon carefully gathered the equipment from the ground, Ryu Min cast a nce at the other corpses.

    The person in charge and the impostor.

    Theres no point in searching them.

    Through previous rounds, he already knew they didnt possess any valuable items.

    Thats the reason for killing them without hesitation, unlike the ck me Dragon.

    Of course, I could have taken some loose change from them. But even if I had plundered their items before killing them, the ck me Dragon wouldnt have given up so easily.

    If they were destined to die no matter what, who would bother taking out the items?

    That glimmer of hope for survival was the reason the inventory opened up.

    So does that mean youll spare my life as promised?

    The ck me Dragon looked at Ryu Min with a mix of anticipation and unease.

    Scratching his chin, as if contemting, Ryu Min nodded with a hint ofpassion.

    Yeah. Ill spare you. A promise is a promise.

    Thank you! Thank you so much!

    Expressing profound gratitude, the ck me Dragon repeatedly bowed his body 108 times.

    Enough. Its bing burdensome.

    Alright. Im sorry.

    Now, live a decent life. Whether you dispose of their bodies or not, its up to you.

    Okay, I understand.

    As for the woman, Ill take care of her.

    Ryu Min supported the fallen woman and began walking, leaving behind the approaching ck me Dragon, who wanted to offer assistance but was met with a dismissive gesture.

    Forget it. How can I trust someone like you? Just go away.

    Yes, I understand.

    Watching the receding figure of the ck Scythe carrying the woman, Shim Hyung-taek felt a wave of relief washing over him.

    Phew, Im alive. I thought I was done for, but he actually spared me.

    Initially, when he was asked to give up all his items, he wondered if such a favorable oue was possible.

    He turned out to be more humane than I expected.

    He had anticipated losing all his equipment, but that wasnt the case.

    ck Scythe only took a few unidentified stones and some equipment purchased from the shop.

    Thank goodness. It ended like this. Sacrificing a few items for my life, its definitely worth it.

    When he decided without hesitation to end the lives of the other two, he didnt feel a twinge of remorse.

    Gripped by fear, he couldnt even consider escaping.

    But I didnt expect him to spare me so easily.

    Perhaps because the sin of being a spectator is rtively light, it seems like he could let me go.

    I almost got myself into big trouble by trying to rape that woman for no reason. I couldve ended up like the impostor who died earlier.

    Shim Hyung-taek let out another sigh of relief, grateful for his luck.

    But

    Why do I feel this emptiness?

    The emptiness turned into a simmering frustration.

    Even a tinge of anger started to well up inside him.

    Did I really deserve this? Did I lose all my items just because I watched while they wanted to kill that woman?

    It felt unfair.

    The harsh reality of having to submit to those in power.

    And above all

    Step step

    The retreating figure of the ck Scythe kept catching his attention.

    He lookspletely vulnerable from behind.

    Even if hes the powerful ck Scythe, wouldnt he die if I struck him with an axe from behind?

    And here I am, holding an axe in his hand.

    This could be my chance.

    What should I do?

    Shim Hyung-taek found himself at a critical crossroad, contemting his next move.

    Should he take the risk and ambush the defenseless ck Scythe, or should he y it safe and turn back?

    The decision didnt take long to make.

    If I manage to kill a high-level yer like the ck Scythe Imagine how much my stats would increase.

    This was a rare opportunity, one that may nevere again.

    If I let this opportunity slip away, I will regret it for the rest of my life.

    A burning desire ignited in Shim Hyung-taeks eyes.

    He tightened his grip on the axe, feeling the surge of strength.

    Stealthily

    He carefully stepped closer behind the ck Scythe.

    He hadnt gone too far yet.

    Perhaps due to the woman he was supporting, his movements seemed restrained.

    Dont notice me. Please, just dont notice me.

    If he could narrow the distance a little more, he could strike.

    Just a few steps closer, and he would have the perfect angle to shatter his skull in one strike.

    Carefully, he closed the distance,ing within five steps, yet the ck Scythe remained oblivious, not once ncing back.

    He had no clue of the presence behind him.

    Nows the moment!

    In an instant, he raised the axe.

    The distance was ideal.

    It was the opportune time to crush his skull.

    Die, you son of a bitch!

    With a mighty swing, he brought down the axe, hurling curses that would never reach his ears.

    Swoosh!

    The sensation through the handle was all too familiar.

    It matched the feeling of a split skull.

    It wasnt just a sensation; it was the grim reality.

    Thud.

    The decapitated ck Scythe, along with the woman, slumped lifelessly to the ground.

    Ha Haha I I actually killed the ck Scythe? Just like that?

    A hollow feeling washed over him.

    Simultaneously, a profound realization settled in.

    No matter how high their level, once their head was split open, it meant the end.

    Ha Haha Hahaha! Hahahaha! Hehehehehehe!

    Shim Hyung-taek erupted into maniacalughter, intoxicated by the exhrating thrill.

    Is this for real? The ck Scythe, a mere level 10, killed you? You fell for me? Hehehe, hahahaha!!

    He had defeated the ck Scythe.

    It was difficult to fathom, yet it was undeniably real.

    You fool! Why would you turn your back on someone like me? Even a fool wouldnt make such a stupid mistake. Hehehehehehe!

    He taunted and jeered at the lifeless body, its head split into two.

    There was no room for sympathy towards the one who had killed him five times over.

    Hehehe, you pitiful loser! What good is a high level if youre this foolish? Thanks to you, Ill feast upon your stats. Hehehehe.

    Although there were others with high levels, the ck Scythes demise promised a significant boost to his own stats.

    A sense of anticipation lit up Shim Hyung-taeks face.

    Hmm? But why havent I received a message indicating an increase in stats?

    Normally, when a skull was split, the message would appear instantaneously.

    Yet strangely, there was no message within Shim Hyung-taeks line of sight.

    Whats happening?

    What happened indeed?

    A sudden voice caught Shim Hyung-taek off guard, causing him to swiftly turn his head.

    In that instant, his eyes widened, and his mouth gaped open.

    Why so surprised? Did you see a ghost?

    Shim Hyung-taek could only stutter, rendered speechless.

    After all, the ck Scythe he had just killed stood before him, head intact. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

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 Chapter 59: Round 5 Begins (1)

    Chapter 59: Round 5 Begins (1)

    Wait, what? I was certain that I had killed you!

    Did ck Scythe possess some mystical power of resurrection? Or was he dealing with a spectral being?

    Engulfed in such puzzling thoughts, the gaze of the ck me Dragon darted to where ck Scythes corpse should be.

    Strange

    The corpse had mysteriously vanished. Not a single trace of blood remained, as though that bloody scene was nothing more than a fleeting dream.

    What you killed was merely my clone.

    Aclone?

    Yes. The ability of the Doppelganger Rune allows for the creation of a clone identical to oneself. Although, itcks any form ofbat prowess.

    It seems that even without the ability to fight, the clone has proven to be surprisingly effective. That was a valuable test.

    You You deceived me!

    Ryu Mins face contorted into a perplexed grimace upon seeing the ck me Dragon gnash its teeth in visible frustration.

    Why the sudden victim act? The real victim here is me. My head was almost smashed to bits, you know?

    Youre the victim? Arent you the one who threatened me first and took all my?

    Ah, nevermind.

    Seemingly aggrieved, Ryu Min brandished his scythe.

    Simultaneously, the ck me Dragons vision skewed.

    Whats happening? Why is my body suddenly not obeying me?

    Thud-

    The ck me Dragons head began to roll aimlessly across the ground.

    In his final moments, he remained oblivious to his impending doom.

    Hearing such nonsense is a waste of time.

    With a swift, clean sh, Ryu Min silenced the chatter, sheathing his weapon soon after.

    He found himself standing amidst silent surroundings; no other yer was left alive.

    The Doppelganger Rune is proving quite handy, huh?

    It was on the essential rune list for a reason.

    Had it not been for the Doppelganger Rune, he would have surely been taken by surprise.

    Of course, I deliberately made myself vulnerable for the test.

    Ryu Min carefully read the information about the newly acquired rune once more.

    [Doppelganger Rune]

    -Effect: The activation word Create Clone gives birth to a clone identical to the user.

    During this process, the caster morphs into a ghost-like form for 10 seconds, a period used to conceal their physical body.

    The birthed clone shares a psychic link with the caster and is subject to their control.

    However, it can only perform nonbative actions and is incapable of utilizing skills or essing the inventory.

    Only a single clone can be created at a time, with a cooldown period of 10 minutes.

    Although devoid of direct fighting abilities, the rune could perfectly deceive the enemy, and its short cooldown is an additional benefit. This was undoubtedly a ruse-filled rune of the highest order, the absolute optimum tool for deception.

    Ryu Min, satisfied, unleashed the Trace Eraser skill across the vicinity. In the blink of an eye, all traces of the violent scene, from the three lifeless bodies to the remnants of the bloodshed, had vanished without a trace. To an unsuspecting passerby, it would be virtually impossible to conceive of the site as a former battleground.

    Well, apart from one person, Ryu Min pondered.

    He moved closer to the single exception  the woman wearing a ck bag over her head, the lone survivor and unintentional witness.

    Can I have your attention? he asked.

    Silence.

    Why dont you sit down for a bit?

    Silence again.

    Quit your acting.

    She was motionless, resembling a lifeless body. But he knew better.

    In silent confirmation, the woman gradually sat up. Hidden behind the bag, her face remained unseen, but he could almost picture her embarrassment.

    H-how did you know I was faking unconsciousness? she stuttered.

    Your thoughts were like an open book, he thought but skillfully avoided answering her directly.

    Attempting to deceive a yer is unwise.

    II apologize.

    The woman, misdirecting her guilt, lowered her head in the wrong direction. Blinded by the ck bag, she could only rely on sounds.

    This is ufortablecan I remove it? she asked, her hands inching towards the bag.

    Quickly, he intervened, blocking her attempt. He had his mask on for discretion, yet his clothing might give him away.

    No. Keep it on until my departure.

    Alright.

    Do youprehend the danger you were in?

    She nodded, her fear resonating in her reply. Yes It was terrifying to the point where I dared not open my eyes.

    When did you regain consciousness?

    Since they began talking about offering me

    She must havee to her senses just as the chief and the ck Scythe were about to ravish her.

    You may be aware, but all those men are no more. You can rest easy.

    Youyou did that?

    Yes. Youve heard some noises, and must have figured out a part of it, right? he asked. They were silenced so quickly, their screams were not heard, but she must have put two and two together.

    The only responses were the surrounding sounds  a nge of puddings, sooks, and asional thumps.

    Indeed, she must have heard the gruesome sounds that stoke the imagination.

    Besides, she must have overheard my conversation with the ck me Dragon.

    Sure enough, upon reading her inner thoughts.

    Ryu Min was right.

    After I ask you a few questions, I will be on my way. Can you cooperate with me?

    Yes, yes.

    Firstly, let me exin the situation briefly. You were abducted and almost extorted here. Do you know who abducted you?

    No, not at all

    Do you have any suspicions?

    Um

    The woman was recalling the customers who hade today.

    One of the customers who visited the store seemed suspicious. He left his car in my care, but after that, I cant remember

    Do you know how many customers there were? Their faces? Do you remember each one of them?

    There were four, and one of them was in his mid-40s. I remember him distinctly because we had a conversation, but the others

    Based on the womans testimony, he examined her inner thoughts.

    It was the truth.

    She indeed cant remember the faces of the others.

    This was what Ryu Min wanted to confirm.

    Whether she remembered his face or not.

    Its always better to be sure, even though I behaved unobtrusively and made preparations beforehand.

    Fortunately, like the previous times, she couldnt remember his face.

    I understand. Ill end the questions here.

    Um am I safe now? Everything is over, right?

    In response to her trembling voice, Ryu Min soothingly reassured her.

    Yes, you can now go home in peace. It will be hard, but forget everything that happened today.

    Ah thank you. Thank you so much for your help.

    Oh, and dont make things worse by reporting to the police needlessly. Theres a risk of retaliation.

    Yes, I understand.

    You can take off the bag after counting 60 seconds in your head. Do you understand? Do not take it off before then.

    Yes, I will.

    Excuse me?

    There was no response.

    Even when she concentrated, she couldnt hear a single footstep.

    Whats going on? Should I start counting to 60 now?

    The woman began counting to 60.

    During that time, the only sound was the rustling of the bag in the wind.

    Phew-!

    As the countdown hit zero, she flung off the sack encasing her. Her eyes darted anxiously around her surroundings, met only by the sight of a dpidated warehouse.

    Whatwhat just happened?

    No corpse, no traces of blood, and the anonymous savior whod liberated her was nowhere to be found. The womans face mirrored the bewilderment incited by this unforeseen scenario.

    Surely it couldnt have been a dream?

    But if it were a dream, it was indeed a chillingly lifelike nightmare.

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 Chapter 59: Round 5 Begins (2)

    Chapter 59: Round 5 Begins (2)

    Time, relentless as ever, brought the anticipated day into the present.

    April 30th.

    The moment poised on the precipice of the 5th Round.

    Ryu Min, akin to a general preparing for war, adorned his gear and scrutinized his status window.

    Name: Ryu Min

    Alias: ck Scythe

    Rank: Regr

    Titles: Last Time Reverser (Hidden), First yer of an Angel (Hidden), The One Who Defies Divine Punishment (Hidden)

    Level: 30

    Profession: Grim Reaper

    Strength: 35, Intelligence: 39

    Agility: 39, Luck: 34

    Universal Skills: Tracking, Presence Sensing, Trace Erasure

    Unique Skills: Deaths Seal, Night of Death

    Runes: ughters Rune, Reapers Rune, Luminescences Rune, Mind Inner Thoughts Rune, Doppelgangers Rune

    Gold in possession: 2,150

    Remaining Stat Points: 0

    [Marketce: Permits the purchase of items.]

    [Combination: Enables item synthesis.]

    [???: Unlocks at Level 40]

    [???: Unlocks at Level 60]

    [???: Unlocks at Level 99]

    Ryu Min extricated the pre-installed orange and yellow magical stones and synthesized them with the magical stone harvested from the ck me Dragon.

    After advancing these to lower-tier magical stones and imnting them into his equipment, both his strength and luck improved by four points.

    Consequently, a harmoniousption of stats was manifested.

    My stats average out to be over 30.

    For his current level, his stats were remarkably high.

    Even against an opponent of the same level, he wouldnt be at a disadvantage.

    Not that theres anyone of the same level, though.

    The fact that the runner-up in the overall ranking was merely level 13 eliminated any room for debate.

    Being strong for my level is satisfying, yet

    Above all, what delighted him was the achievement of a set of stats that perfectly aligned with the requirements of the Bnce Rune.

    Ill secure the Bnce Rune in this 5th round. And Ill craft a unique item as well.

    Ryu Mins aspirations soared beyond just obtaining the Bnce Rune; his eyes were set on reaching the milestone of Level 40.

    Its within my reach, especially with the aid of Min Juris buffs.

    While the previous roundcked the presence of Min Juris buffs, this time the scenario promised to be different.

    Im on the verge of establishing an unrivaled record.

    Brimming with resolve, he bided his time, awaiting his transition to the parallel world. Just then, an unexpected message popped up.

    [Juri: Min! Its nearly midnight, isnt it? .. Feeling so nervous But I feel everything will go smoothly this time. Lets not worry, instead lets rally together. Come on, lets give it our all! Go, go fighting! (  ) Well meet each other, alive and victorious!]

    The lengthy message of support brought an involuntary chuckle to Ryu Mins lips.

    Shes obviously on edge. Her long text is a clear indication.

    He had been the one to highlight the exceptional threats of the 5th round to her after all.

    Worry not. From here on, Ill be your shield.

    From the 5th round onward, the zones were set to merge, marking the moment that Ryu Min would cross paths with Min Juri.

    Even if it meant he had to remain by her side solely for the purpose of receiving her buffs, ensuring her safety was a task he willingly undertook.

    Ive advised her to seek out the ck Scythe, so theres no need for her to fret.

    She had no way of knowing that Ryu Min himself was the ck Scythe.

    Oh? Is it time already? Well then, shall we embark on this journey?

    As the minute hand of the wall clock swept past midnight, Ryu Mins eyes gradually closed.

    Within the span of a heartbeat, his consciousness was transferred away to the parallel world.

    * * *

    As he opened his eyes, the surroundingndscape was starkly familiar.

    A sweeping expanse of grasnd, reminiscent of the setting of the 1st round.

    One after another, avatars emerged on the vast ins.

    For him, this situation was a well-known refrain, yet for others, it was a different song.

    The gathering was noticeably light, and the numbers were reduced to a fraction of the usual crowd.

    Isis this it? Is this all of us?

    No way, there have to be more on the way.

    Dont be naive. Thest round had about 500 survivors.

    Upon counting, the number does seem about right

    Its eerily quiet

    The remaining survivors numbered approximately 500.

    In stark contrast to the first round which nearly had a staggering 10,000petitors, the current tally was depressingly light. But this was merely within their designated area.

    Once the zones merge, this echoing sense of emptiness will dissipate, he thought with an amused smirk, casting a sidelong nce at the notification flickering in the corner of his vision.

    [Your stats have increased by 50% for the duration of the 5th round.]

    [The buff will automatically cease at the end of the round.]

    The reward he had previously won had enhanced his stats by a phenomenal 50%.

    With the ughter Rune boosting my stats by another 100% and with Juris Buff adding a further 50%, Im looking at a cumtive increase of 4.5 times.

    Stats that were formerly at 30 were primed to soar past 130.

    Backed by this enormous power, shattering my previous records seems within my grasp.

    iming the first position in this round would reward him with a title, and establishing a new record would rake in a significant heap of gold as an extra bounty. It was this enticing prospect that had influenced his choice of a stat buff over a special reward of 5,000 gold coins.

    The potential gold windfall from smashing records promised to be a more lucrative deal. Just as he was reflecting on this, contemting the static number of yers, an angel materialized.

    [Pleased to see you, humans. A hearty congrattions on your survival up to the 5th round. Ki-hehehe!]

    It was hardly a surprise that none reacted to the angels celebratory greeting with a smile. After all, everyone held the angels responsible for the chaos engulfing them.

    [Oh? Why the sour faces? Come on, lighten up! You folks had quite a st in thest round, didnt you? ughtering your kind so enthusiastically. Kikiki.]

    .

    [I see, I see. Enough with the teasing. Its no fun if theres no reaction.]

    The angel, its cheerful demeanor reced with a more stern expression, adopted a business-like tone.

    [Presently, we have 442 survivors. We should be starting with 521, but it seems were short by almost 80. I presume some of you took the fight into the real world this time around too?]

    The count dropped again?

    Why does it keep shrinking?

    [Well, thats fine. Whatever you choose to do in your world is none of my concern. However, a thrilling game seems far-fetched with just over 400 participants. So, Ive nned something.] Read Next Chapter on Patreon <ul><li>My Inseparable House Guests</li><li>Me and my Wife transmigrated together!?</li><li>Pick Me Up Infinite Gacha!</li><li>Pirates Achievements System</li></ul>

 Chapter 60: Zone Integration (1)

    Chapter 60: Zone Integration (1)

    [Are you ready for this?]

    [Its the territorial integration.]

    The angels words left the people looking puzzled, not quite grasping the meaning.

    One brave soul raised a hand. Angel! Could you please exin what territorial integration means?

    The angel retorted with a hint of impatience, [You should get it once I exin. No need to make itplicated.]

    Ah, my apologies

    [In simple terms, it means merging territories. You might not know, but your country has hundreds of them. To be precise, 875.]

    Whoa! 875?

    We had that many territories in our country?

    The angel chuckled, downying it. [Dont be too surprised; its not a big dealpared to some other countries. China, for instance, has over 26,000 territories.]

    Whoa

    The yers quickly epted the fact, considering Chinas vast poption.

    [Imagine, with each territory having 10,000 people, its natural that countries withrger poptions would have more territories.]

    True. Wait, if each territory has an angel assigned

    That means there are at least tens of thousands of angels

    The sheer number of angels surprised them; they had never thought about it before.

    Hearing their murmurs, the angel smiled. [Your guess is spot on. We angels are each assigned to one territory. Did it take you this long to figure it out? Silly humans.]

    Though the angel teased, they could only listen  arguing with such a powerful being was futile.

    Yet, a question suddenly lingered. Um, Angel. You said you were assigned. Are you saying you didnt create this survival game?

    []

    For a moment, an embarrassed expression crossed the angels face, but it vanished quickly.

    Regainingposure, the angel maintained a poker face and asked, [Why would you think that?]

    Its just hard to believe that so many angels decided to work together to create this survival game, there must be someone behind all of you.

    [Hmm~~ And if we did work together with no one behind us, what then? Would you give us praise?]

    [Let go of needless doubts. You might end up with a throbbing headache, humans.]

    I-I apologize

    Faced with the stern words, everyone could only bow their heads.

    Except for Ryu Min, of course.

    Ryu Min noticed that the Angel was trying to divert the conversation, likely due to a policy of keeping information about the architect hidden. It seemed improbable that a mere angel had crafted this massive survival game, especially considering the self-centered andpetitive nature of angels  not exactly the best team yers.

    [Enough with the pestering questions. You pests should focus on surviving,] the angel grumbled, but that just confirmed that they werent the architect.

    [Alright, no more wasting time. Lets proceed with the territory integration as promised. Just so you know, its only because there arent many of you. Dont make wild guesses.]

    With a flick of the angels wings, the ground started to tremble unexpectedly.

    Ddddddd-!

    Whats happening?

    An earthquake?

    The sudden upheaval bewildered the people, but Ryu Min remainedposed. He knew that this was a typical natural urrence during territory integration.

    In essence, its not the ground shaking; its the space itself.

    Amidst a jarring noise, the very fabric of space seemed to waver.

    Zjejejejeje-!

    Strange ck lines appeared, stretching from the ground to the sky.

    The divided space flipped over like a rotating cube.

    Kugugugugung-

    As the space turned, around 500 unfamiliar figures materialized.

    They were yers from other territories.

    Thump! Thump! Thump!

    Then, with the sound of spaces merging, the ck lines disappeared.

    The once sparsely popted meadow was now teeming with people.

    Phew Is it over?

    Who are these people?

    Curiously, everyone stood still, eyeing one another with caution.

    [Well, the territory integration isplete. Huh? Why the strange looks? Youre all humans, so at least say hello. How long do you n to stand there like statues?]

    A new angel, whose face was unfamiliar, floated up with a warm smile.

    And they were not alone.

    A group of ten angels gathered together.

    [Olive, hey there?]

    [Prisci, hello?]

    [Ellen, hi!]

    The angels exchanged greetings with forced smiles, their voicescking warmth.

    [Olive, how many people are in your territory?]

    [442.]

    [Simr to ours, huh?]

    [Probably.]

    [By the way, whos going to exin things to the humans here? About the game and all.]

    [Ill do it.]

    Olive, from the same territory as Ryu Min, raised her hand and offered to take charge.

    [Wait a second. Are you trying to impress the angel leader?]

    [Me? Why would I?]

    [Your eagerness to step forward seems suspicious.]

    [Then you do it. Whats the fuss?]

    [Alright, Prisci, you do it.]

    [What? Why me? So bothersome.]

    [Guys, lets not fight. Anyone can do it.]

    [Yeah, the angel leader wont care.]

    [Right, now that I think about it.]

    [Okay, Olive, you do it. Your voice is the loveliest among us.]

    [Ugh, fine. Whatever.]

    Even for such a simple task of exining, the angels found it bothersome.

    Olive fluttered her wings and flew to the center of the meadow.

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 Chapter 60: Zone Integration (2)

    Chapter 60: Zone Integration (2)

    Even for such a simple task of exining, the angels found it bothersome.

    Olive fluttered her wings and flew to the center of the meadow.

    [Hello, everyone. Your assigned angels have already informed you, right? Due to the small number of yers, the territories have been merged.]

    The yers nodded in silence.

    [Currently, ten territories have beenbined into one, and there are 4,844 yers here.]

    Ten territories merged?

    Almost 5,000 people?

    No wonder it looked crowded.

    The yers murmured, ncing at each other nervously.

    Knowing they had to proceed with this round alongside unfamiliar faces, their hearts raced.

    [We integrated other territories too, to fill them with yers. Naturally, with the integration, the territory names will change. For your reference, this territory is now named C-ESKS007, exclusivelyprising yers from South Korea.]

    Ah So everyone here is from South Korea?

    Good thing we canmunicate.

    Hmm, soter on, we might be mixed with yers from other countries

    Yes, the territory integration was not a one-time event.

    As the number of yers dwindled to 500 or less, the angels will continue to merge territories. Eventually, we would inevitably cross paths with yers from other countries, just as someone had predicted.

    Itll happen when there are fewer than 500 yers from South Korea.

    Ryu Min knew exactly when that moment would arrive.

    By Round 11, the fourth territory integration will take ce, and well find ourselvespeting with yers from other countries.

    But Ryu Mins knowledge didnt end there. He was also aware that the angels had a surprise side game nned for this round.

    And he was right.

    [Before we unveil the main quest, lets celebrate the territory integration with a simple side game.]

    A side game?

    As expected, the angels spoke up.

    [Each territory used to have its representative, right? But now that theyre integrated, what should we do? Well, its only natural to select a new representative for the unified territory.]

    A new territory representative?

    Since only one representative could exist per territory, it meant they would engage in a game to determine the winner.

    [The rules are simple. The ten existing territory representatives will step forward and fight each other until only one remains standing. That survivor will be promoted as the representative for this newly integrated territory.]

    In other words, it was a death match where they fought until only one person was left standing.

    So, in order to be the representative of the integrated territory, we have to eliminate each other?

    Wow thats brutal.

    The yers expressed shock, but there was no sense of worry. In fact, they seemed rather entertained by someone elses predicament.

    This should be fun, right? Hehe.

    I wonder who will be the representative?

    This calls for popcorn.

    Since it was a battle among territory representatives who had no personal connections, they could take it lightly.

    Except for the actual representatives, of course.

    Damn it, so we have to kill each other to decide on one person?

    Sigh I never asked to be a territory representative

    Wait, if we die this time, will wee back to life like before?

    Do we really have to go through with this? Cant we just give up on being the representative?

    All nine territory representatives wore disgusted expressions, but Ryu Min maintained a poker face. He was actually secretly happy with the knowledge of just how prestigious the position of the unified territory representative was.

    [Territory representatives, my, my, theres no need to make such worried faces. Its called a deathmatch, but rest assured, no one will actually die. Once the game is over, all deceased representatives will be resurrected.]

    Oh! So well be resurrected again this time.

    [Hmm]

    The angels reassured them, hoping to ease their concerns.

    The mention of resurrection didnt elicit any visible change in the expressions of the territory representatives. After all, the game seemed to offer no immediate advantages, making it an unappealing prospect. However, the angels had more to reveal.

    [Judging by your expressions, it seems youre not too keen on the idea of bing the unified territory representative. But do you truly believe there are no benefits at all?]

    Are there specific benefits exclusive to the unified territory representative?

    [Absolutely. The representative gains the power of domination instead of meremand authority.]

    Domination?

    [It means having the authority to control yers with lower levels than yourself. Irrespective of their job ss, you can freely manipte the yers within your territory, much like an upgraded version ofmand authority.]

    Just as long as their levels are lower

    Anyone can be manipted

    Regardless of their job ss

    The territory representatives looked surprised and intrigued. Many of the yers had alreadypleted the changing of their job sses, effectively making themand authority useless. But now, those limitations were lifted, and they were presented with a practically omnipotent power, free from any drawbacks.

    [Of course, the rule remains that you can only use this power ten times, and if the integrated representative is killed, the authority passes on to the killer. But isnt it enticing? Having the ability to dominate fellow humans?]

    It certainly was.

    Though they didnt voice their response, the fire in the representatives eyes conveyed their resolve. They were determined to fight with all their might to be the integrated representative.

    Ryu Min shared the same sentiment.

    Until now, being a territory representative held little merit but starting from this round, its different. I must win the deathmatch and be the united territory representative.

    His decision to kill Hwang Yong-min and be a territory representative in the previous round was motivated by the uing changes. From the 5th round onward, the authority of the representative would be useful.

    And also because of the hidden sub-quest.

    Nheless, Ryu Min was resolute in his goal.

    With level and experience enough to win even in a 9-to-1 battle, he felt more than ready to take on this challenge.

    Above all, I wont miss the opportunity to be the representative. In fact, I never did!

    However, there was one thing that Ryu Min, a regressor who relived this round multiple times, was unaware of.

    Behind the scenes, the angels had ced a bet on the integrated territory representative position, adding an unexpected twist to the unfolding event. Read Next Chapter on Patreon

    Check Out the New Event and read More Chapters For Free <ul><li>The King of The Worlds</li><li>My Inseparable House Guests</li><li>The Strongest Hokage</li><li>The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer</li></ul>

 Chapter 61: Deathmatch (1)

    Chapter 61: Deathmatch (1)Before starting the extra game, the angels huddled together, engaging in a lively discussion. Not only does this new Zone need a new representative, but it also needs a new angel to guide yers. [Now that the areas are integrated, we should appoint a guide,] suggested one angel. [Yeah, we cant afford to fight over it like we did before,] chimed in another. Yet, none of the angels seemed eager to step up as guides. Whether human or celestial, nobody was keen on taking up unnecessary responsibilities. [Is there any brave one willing to volunteer?] asked Elu, looking around expectantly. The silence was deafening. Not a single hand rose in response. [Well, I guess that was a pointless question,] Elu sighed. Prisci couldnt resist throwing a teasing remark, Anyone whos easy to volunteering must be a misfit, right? Olives eyes shot open in disbelief. [Youre talking about me just now?] [What? Your name didnt even cross my mind,] Prisci retorted, trying to downy her earlier mockery. [You were making fun of me when I offered help earlier,] Olive insisted. [Is that how it sounded? Pfft, youre notpletely clueless after all,] Prisci chuckled. [What?] Their heated exchange was interrupted by concerned fellow angels, who stepped in before things escted. [Hey, hey, enough of this bickering!] [Why do you two always end up fighting whenever you meet? Its like old times all over again!] [I didnt quarrel just for the sake of it! That birdbrain started it!] Olive protested. [What? Birdbrain? Youre not even worth mentioning, let alone beingpared to a bird,] Prisci shot back. [Enough, enough! The humans are watching us,] another angel cautioned. [Yeah, if we keep this up, even the Angel Master will notice,] someone added. At the mention of the Angel Master, the two angels immediately fell silent, choosing not to argue further. [Now, lets get back to the main issue. Weve established that no one wants to be the guide. So, whats our n? Any bright ideas?] Ellen asked, trying to steer the discussion in a positive direction. Each angel voiced their opinions in response. [What if we roll a dice to decide on the guide?] [Leaving it to chance? Its not very thrilling, but it could work.] [Alternatively, we could take turns, rotating the guide role.] [But wont that be unfair? The ones at the end might never get a chance. Besides, well probably integrate the areas soon enough.] True. Various suggestions were thrown into the mix, and despite the seemingly simple task of choosing a guide, the angels expressions grew increasingly serious as they contemted the best course of action. Prisci, who had been keeping quiet until then, suddenly spoke up with an intriguing suggestion, How about this? Instead of relying on a random game based on luck, why dont we use this extra round to decide? the district representatives are going to fight, right? The area angel in charge of the first person who dies will be appointed the guide as a penalty.] [Oh, that would be fun, right?] [Thats a good idea.] [I like Priscis way. Anyone who agrees besides me?] [I agree.] [I agree.] Priscis sassy rose as the angels agreed with her. Then Olive raised her hand to object. [Rather than that, how about doing this? Not the first human to die, but the angel in charge of thest human standing wins. To spice things up, the winning angel gets to take on the role of a king.] [A king?] the others echoed in curiosity. [Exactly. The other angels must obey the kingsmands. For example, if the king selects someone as the guide, they must be followed without question. It will be the kings order,] Olive exined. The idea sparked excitement among the angels, [So, if a human from our area emerges victorious, we also get to experience being rulers?] [Oh, this sounds even more fun!] they eximed. [A king you say I get it Kehehe, The very thought of it makes me salivate,] added another. [An inventive idea, Olive!] they praised, all except Prisci, who couldnt help feeling a bit miffed. But her irritation was short-lived as she couldnt resist a yful smile, Hehe, proposing that the winning side bes the king. You must be pretty confident. Yes, I am, Olive replied with a hint of cheekiness. Youre taking our area representatives a bit lightly, arent you? They wont be pushovers. Mine maintained his top rankings across all rounds, Prisci challenged. [Oh, really?] Olive couldnt help but smirk internally, finding Priscis confidence amusing. You think youre all high and mighty? Dont be so quick tough it off. If you knew who my area representative is, youd be astonished. Little did Prisci know that Olives area representative was an unstoppable force, dominating all the areas. [So, are you up for it or not?] Olive questioned, trying to hide her amusement. [Well, I see no reason not to,] Prisci replied confidently. [Im in too. This sounds thrilling,] another angel added. [Count me in,] said yet another. [Im confident too! My area representative is no ordinary enemy!] eximed another angel. With the n now set, they decided to move forward. [Alright then, Olive, please go ahead and exin.] As Olive flew back to where the yers were, her wings caught everyones attention, and she called for the beginning of the extra game to choose the unified representative. [Alright, everyone! Gather under mymand, all area representatives!] she announced, and the ten representatives assembled around her. With a signal, the ground shook, and a circr hill-like arena emerged. [From now on, well have a deathmatch where you kill or be killed until only one remains. I must warn you though, if you die outside the arena, there will be no resurrection for you, so stay within the bounds. Let the game begin!]  Hello Everyone, I hope you like the websites new look.

 Chapter 61: Deathmatch (2)

    Chapter 61: Deathmatch (2)[From now on, well have a deathmatch where you kill or be killed until only one remains. I must warn you though, if you die outside the arena, there will be no resurrection for you, so stay within the bounds. Let the game begin!] Despite the tense atmosphere, none of the participants moved. They waited, eyeing each other cautiously, assessing thepetition. Engaging with an area representative was no small feat, and they wanted to see who would take the first step. In the midst of this, Priscis representative, also known as [Psycho Chopper], couldnt help but wear a confident smile. He had maintained his position as the top-ranked yer in his area without fail. Im unbeatable when ites to dismantling things, be it humans, animals, or monsters, He thought with confidence. His confidence stemmed from the [Dismantling Rune], a cunning yet powerful rune she possessed. The moment I pierce my opponents body with my de, I can wlessly dismantle them. Theres no other deceitful rune like this. He had already demonstrated its potency by killing 312 yers in the fourth round, even proving its effectiveness in PK. As long as my sword pierces them, the game is practically over. The rune automatically removes that part. With the rune, he could, for instance, stab his opponents arm, and the rune would take over, expertly severing the rest of the limb as if guided by a spectral force. After obtaining the rune, my killing numbers increased tremendously. His real-life experience as a butcher had proven valuable,plementing the power of the Dismantling Rune. He even surprised his co-workers when he came back the first time. Well, survival in this otherworld takes precedence, thought Psycho Chopper, understanding the ruthless nature of their predicament. Thats why he didnt hesitate to eliminate his rivals and im the position of area representative. In this harsh reality, stepping on others was the grim path to staying alive. Just a while ago, I was regretting bing an area representative, but who could have foreseen such an opportunity? he mused with a hint of joy. With authority within reach, no one would dare to underestimate him. He felt like he could reign like a monarch. In the end, bing an area representative had been a wise decision. If I can defeat these nine opponents, Ill be the king, wont I? He pondered, his eyes shing with determination as he assessed the others. Everyone seemed cautious, reluctant to make the first move. They were eyeing each other, aware that acting rashly might make them the primary target. [Why are they just staring at each other?] [Why arent you fighting? Come on, humans! Fight already!] [Yes, fight!] The impatient angels shouted from above, their voices akin to excited gamblers watching a dogfight. Whats with them? Did they actually ce bets? Why are they so eager? He wondered, not needing any encouragement to eliminate his rivals. It was a natural course of action. Its a loss if you go first, everyone is thinking the same. If they just wait for others to engage in a battle, they can save enough strength to join inter and win, He surmised, considering his tactics, yet aware that he couldnt linger indefinitely. With confidence, he strode towards the center of the arena, his mind set on securing a strong first impression to instill fear in his adversaries. To make them fear me, Ill unleash the full extent of my ruthlessness, leaving asting impression, He thought, mentally preparing for the intense disy of his prowess. However, a twinge of guilt surfaced; he couldnt help feeling sorry for his first prey, who would bear the brunt of his calcted cruelty. But theres no other way. Whoever challenges me first will just be unlucky, He reasoned, hispetitive spirit suppressing any reservations. And finally, a challenger emerged from the shadows. Ah, there you are! My first sacrifice, He dered, eyeing the yer wielding a massive scythe, a formidable opponent who demanded his respect. As the distance closed, Psycho Chopper couldnt help but be astonished by the yers massive scythe. Ive seen spears and swords, but a scythe? Thats a rarity, He thought, genuinely surprised. Scythe, huh Ivee across usernames with scythe before, but encountering someone who wields an actual scythe is a first, He mused in amazement. As they drew nearer, Psycho Choppers gaze instinctively shifted upward to check the yers nickname. The moment he read it, he was taken aback. A ck scythe? Your nickname is ck Scythe? Its a familiar nickname. When the results are announced, its the name that always ranked first in all districts. Could it be the same name? Oh no. Nicknames cant be used by two people, right? When setting up a nickname in the beginning, he tried to name it Super Saiyan, but it was rejected for being redundant. So, then, is that person really the ck scythe that ranked first in the rankings? The Level 30 yer? He pondered, feeling a mix of awe and fear. Psycho Chopper gracefully lowered his sword. The number 30 alone had shaken his confidence right from the start.  [Why is that human acting like that?] [Just moments ago, they seemed full of vigor, and now his making such a stupid face.] The observing angels shook their heads, perplexed by the sudden change in the yer, Psycho Chopper, who seemed dazed and lost. His expression appeared vacant as if something was not quite right. [Prisci, isnt that your areas representative?] Prisci wasnt in the mood to respond, clenching her teeth in frustration. [What on earth is that human doing? Wevee this close, and hes just standing there!] Despite the yer with the scythe right in front of him, Psycho Chopper remained clueless and motionless,cking any will to fight. It was as if they had lost all determination. Frustration reached its peak, and then [Kiki, kiki, kihuhuhu] Laughter, irritating and mocking, echoed from the side. Prisci shot a stern re at the source of the annoyingughter. [Olive, are you finding this situation amusing?] Prisci asked, her voice tinged with frustruation. [Kehehe, sorry. But I cant help but find it funny,] Olive replied, trying to suppress a giggle [Whats so amusing?] Prisci inquired, perplexed by Olives reaction. [Just look at that human. Your areas representative seems as nervous as a willow in the wind in front of mine,] Olive remarked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Prisci directed her gaze at the human wielding the impressive scythe. However, she couldnt sense the overwhelming aura that she had anticipated. [So, youre saying my areas representative is scared of your representative?] Prisci asked, raising an eyebrow. [Well, it certainly looks that way, doesnt it?] Olive responded with a yful smirk. [Dont be ridiculous, Olive. Do you think being the top-ranked in my area is a joke? My representative has never missed the top spot since Round 1,] Prisci said, defending her areas representative. [In your area? Is just being the top-ranked in his area even a big deal?] Olive challenged with a hint of skepticism. [I dont get you anymore? What do you mean?) Prisci seemed puzzled. [My representative has never missed the top spot in the whole region,] Olive rified, his tone tinged with pride. [In the whole region? Where did youe out with such a lie?] [Do you still not get it? For those angels who bother to check the rankings, isnt his nickname enough of a clue?] Olive pointed out, raising an eyebrow. As Olives words sank in, the other angels finally paid close attention to the humans nickname. [What? ck Scythe?] one of the angels eximed. [Ive seen him! Hes always at the top of the results screen,] another angel chimed in. The realization dawned on them. Even though angels didnt typically concern themselves with human rankings, they knew who held the coveted top spot. Prisci felt a tremor of uncertainty. [ck Scythe, is Olives area representative?] she murmured to herself. Her confidence faltered. If that human was indeed the feared ck Scythe, then her representative wouldnt stand a chance. And then, in a sh, everything changed. [Uh?] Psycho Choppers head dropped to the ground, severed by the ck Scythes swift strike. The angels turned to Prisci, silently acknowledging her elimination. [Well, Prisci is eliminated,] one of them said matter-of-factly. The shock left Prisci speechless. She couldnt even muster anger at this unexpected and inevitable defeat.  Hello Everyone, I hope you like the websites new look.

 Chapter 62: Deathmatch Results (1)

    Chapter 62: Deathmatch Results (1)

    The decapitated head of a person fell to the ground, signaling themencement of a high-stakes deathmatch. But amidst the tension, something unexpected caught the attention of thepetitors.

    Wait, isnt that ck Scythe?

    Why on earth is ck Scythe here?

    The representatives, just realizing the identity of their opponent, couldnt help but shiver with fear. Though they had never encountered ck Scythe face to face, they knew three undeniable facts about this formidable yer.

    Firstly, ck Scythe was renowned for never losing the top spot in any previous area. Secondly, they were a seasoned high-level yer, sitting confidently at level 30. Andstly

    We dont stand a chance against them, no matter how hard we try.

    The level difference was staggering, and it crushed their fighting spirit. Especially after witnessing ck Scythes swift takedown of Psycho Chopper, their fear grew exponentially. They hadnt even glimpsed how it was executed.

    I I wouldnt stand a chance, I wont be able to react just like that person right now. Id be toast.

    How could I possibly defeat someone at level 30 when Im only at level 13?

    With just a glimpse of the nickname, the representatives had already lost their will to fight. All except for Ryu Min.

    Step by step, the ominous shadow of the reaper drew nearer, and the representatives faces betrayed their bewilderment.

    Oh, hello, ck Scythe-nim! Its an honor to meet you. Hahaha

    Can you believe it? Sharing the same area as the renowned ck Scythe-nim! Its enough to bring tears of joy to my eyes. Hahaha

    Despite the ttery, Ryu Mins intense, crimson gaze remained unwavering. He didnt even break his stride.

    Uh, hold on a moment! Lets talk this out, shall we?

    See? ck Scythe put away the weapon again. Im telling you, I have no intention of fighting ck Scythe-nim!

    Hey, angelic beings! We surrender! We surrender!

    Me too! Surrendering over here!

    Count me in!

    In a flurry, they waved their hands, indicating their decision to surrenderall eight representatives, without exception.

    [Sigh]

    Caught off guard by this unexpected turn of events, the angels couldnt help but touch their foreheads in frustration.

    [What disgraceful behavior is this?]

    [Surrendering? Did they just surrender? Humans?]

    [Theyre ruining our carefully crafted game.]

    The angels were fuming, feeling their patience wearing thin with the seemingly cowardly bunch they had sent into the arena.

    [Warning. Any human who surrenders will have their head blown off.]

    [Its best not to count on resurrection once your heads been blown off by us. Do you get my drift?]

    Faced with the angels menacing threat, the representatives turned pale, collectively realizing the gravity of their decision.

    The fear of losing the chance to resurrect was more chilling than the prospect of their heads being blown off.

    Tsueek- Tsueek-

    Reluctantly, the representatives drew their weapons once more. They weighed their options and concluded that dying at the hands of ck Scythe was a better fate than remaining dead, unable toe back to life, courtesy of the angels.

    Cornered and with no other escape, they had no choice but to face this perilous situation.

    There are eight of us, maybe we stand a chance

    Clutching a glimmer of hope, they cautiously encircled ck Scythe, narrowing the distance step by step.

    Their demeanor had changed from arrogance to a foreboding intensity.

    Observing this, Ryu Min couldnt help but smirk.

    Are the angels scarier than me?

    Ryu Min was unafraid of the angels.

    To him, angels were no more than frail beings, hardly different from humans.

    If others knew their true nature, they wouldnt find them as fearsome.

    Of course, I cant overlook their execution ability, though.

    The angels lethal power allowed them to obliterate yers heads with a single nce.

    Ryu Min was not exempt from this deadly threat.

    If an angel decided to act on it, his journey woulde to an abrupt end.

    But unless theyve gone mad, they wont kill the top-ranked yer in the entire area.

    Why would they target someone who was drawing significant attention without any just cause?

    Even if they were unaware, higher-ups would not take kindly to such actions.

    Tearing up the ticket to sess in a game designed to toy with humans would undoubtedly enrage the creators.

    Although Ryu Min knew he couldnt be killed, he refrained from openly challenging the angels.

    After all, there might be an angel who hasnt used their one-time-use ability yet.

    If such an angel took offense for any reason, it would spell disaster.

    Aware of this, Ryu Min couldnt afford to confront the angels right now.

    At least not for the time being.

    Until he obtained the title that would enable him to face the angels on equal ground, he had to endure whatever they threw his way.

    He couldnt give them any justification to take his life.

    But I cant let go of the opportunity to be the Unified Representative.

    Surreptitiously ncing around, he spotted representatives cautiously closing in, akin to hyenas on the prowl.

    Their opponents numbered eight.

    Yet, Ryu Min remained undeterred.

    No matter how many ants there are, theyre still just ants.

    With a smug grin, he provoked the representatives, inciting a surge of anger among them.

    Is this brat mocking us?

    Hes acting all cool because of his high level, huh?

    Were respected rankers in our own territories too!

    Their thoughts were clear as they couldnt resist taking the bait.

    Attack!

    As if guided by an unspoken agreement, they lunged at him.

    However, Ryu Min was a step ahead, swiftly evading their attacks.

    Being able to anticipate their moves gave him an edge.

    Seck- Seck- Seck- Seokgeok-!

    Four necks snapped, and blood vessels burst simultaneously.

    Before the other representatives could react, Ryu Min moved like a lightning bolt.

    Seogeuk- Seogeuk- Seogeuk- Seogeuk!

    With each pass, heads floated up one by one.

    Tuk- Tuk- Tuk- Tuk!

    Headless bodies swayed momentarily before copsing lifelessly to the ground.

    In the blink of an eye, all eight representatives turned into lifeless corpses.

    .

    [.]

    A hushed silence fell over the spectators.

    Hello Everyone, Here is a New Chapter, Enjoy!Please leave a Comment and Review this Novel in NU if you havent.For more chapters please support me onPatreon.

 Chapter 62: Deathmatch Results (2)

    Chapter 62: Deathmatch Results (2)

    In the blink of an eye, all eight representatives turned into lifeless corpses.

    .

    [.]

    A hushed silence fell over the spectators.

    No exceptions, whether angels or humans.

    The result was disheartening, yet not entirely unexpected.

    After all, the level disparity in this match was insurmountable.

    But to have it end so anticlimactically

    [.]

    The angels didnt voice their thoughts, but their puzzled expressions spoke volumes.

    [Its over?]

    [ck Scythe won?]

    [So, we have to treat Olivier, the assigned angel to ck Scythe, like a king for a while?]

    [Oliver!]

    Priscis face contorted into a malicious scowl.

    [You knew it would end like this, didnt you?]

    [Yes, I did.]

    [Of course! You tricked us all with this proposal, knowing youd win!]

    [What nonsense.]

    [What?]

    [I suggested a game that would favor me, obviously. Why else would I propose it?]

    [.]

    Olivers confident response left Prisci momentarily speechless.

    [And did I threaten any of you into making a bet with me? No, I didnt. You all agreed to the wager, iming itd be fun. But now you want to say otherwise?]

    [Yiiiiik!]

    Priscis rage was evident as her under-eye area trembled visibly.

    [Whats making you so upset? Or is it involuntary? Maybe you should take some supplements; they say eye twitching in the human realm is caused by ack of magnesium.]

    [You!]

    [What? Are you going to fight me?]

    Prisci was about to rush forward but hesitated at Oliviers words.

    [Go ahead if youre so confident. Do you really want the angels to lose their dignity in front of the humans? Youll end up in a containment pouch, and even the Archangel wont save you.]

    The mention of a containment pouch brought Prisci back to her senses.

    A containment pouch was a degrading punishment where insects were confined to a cramped space of about 0.5 square meters. It was a humiliating penalty for dignified angels.

    [I hate containment pouches I really do!]

    Just the thought of it made her shudder, and Prisci reluctantly stepped back, quelling her anger.

    [What now? Not up for the challenge?]

    [..]

    [Well thought. You should be thanking me instead. If I hadnt warned you, youd have had a 100% chance of ending up in a containment pouch.]

    [T-Thanking you, for what? Thats ridiculous!]

    Although she shouted in frustration, Oliviers words were true.

    Unbelievably, Prisci felt a sense of gratitude toward her.

    [Anyway, as per our bet, Im the king now, right?]

    []

    [Prisci, youll handle the orientation for the Unified Area for a while.]

    [F-For how long?]

    [Until I feel better.]

    []

    [What are you waiting for? Arent you eager to get started?]

    An expression of injustice shed across Priscis face.

    She looked around at the other angels, seeking their help, but they all turned away.

    [Sigh Why did I agree to this bet?]

    Reluctantly, Prisci flew above the yers heads.

    A bet was a bet, after all.

    [Ahem, yers. As you can see, we have a new Unified Area Representative.]

    As Prisci pped her wings, a message appeared in front of the yers.

    [yer ck Scythe has be the new Unified Area Representative (C-ESKS007).]

    Ryu Min, unfazed by the expected oue, pretended to be nonchnt and merely checked his skill window.

    [Temporary Skill  Domination]

    -Effect: This skill allows the yer to issuepellingmands and take control of others.

    The affected yer cannot resist thesemands under any circumstances.

    It can be used up to 10 times, and once all opportunities are exhausted, the skill disappears.

    Only onemand can be given to each yer.

    However, please note that this skill will not work on yers with a higher level than the user.

    The sole difference between Domination and Command Authority lies in one key aspect:

    The former can be employed whether the targeted yer has a job or not.

    Ryu Min pondered, While there is now a level restriction, it remains an extraordinary privilege. With higher levels, anyone can be dominated.

    In other words, with his level 30 prowess, Ryu Min could potentiallypel anyone to obey his will.

    Could the representative hesitance at first be because they understood this fact? Fearful of showing any hostility that might render them vulnerable to the Domination skill?

    [Now that the verdict is reached, I shall resurrect the other fallen yers.]

    A radiant light erupted within the arena, miraculously bringing back to life the eight yers who had previously lost their heads.

    How is this possible?

    I vividly remember having my head severed

    [You all perished at the hands of ck Scythe. Thus, the new Unified Area Representative is ck Scythe.]

    Ah

    Is this how it ended then?

    To some extent, they had anticipated their inability to defeat ck Scythe, as they were merely forced into the battle, struggling against the angels punishment.

    [With a new Unified Area Representative appointed, the representative authority of the resurrected yers will be withdrawn. Do not be disheartened, though. Opportunities to reim the representative position will always exist,] Prisci assured them.

    Yet, despite the mention of another chance, the yers did not appear pleased.

    After all, their opponent was none other than ck Scythe.

    It felt like attempting to conquer an impregnable fortress.

    [Now that the extra game has concluded, let us proceed to the main quest,] Prisci announced, her wings flickering with grace.

    As she did so, the quest window materialized before them, beckoning them into the next chapter of their journey.

    ROUND 5

    Defeat 300 Orcs per person within 10 hours.

    Collect 4 Bnce Stones.

    Reward upon sess  ????

    [All Areas]

    Participants: 77,310,228

    Achievers: 0/19,327,557

    [Current Area C-ESKS007]

    Participants: 4,844

    Achievers: 0/1,211

    The yers scrutinizing the quest window were taken aback.

    What? Defeat 300 Orcs?

    And why are there so few achievers?

    Looks like its just a quarter of the participants.

    Priscis patience wore thin with the yersints.

    [Why so ungrateful? Is it the low achiever count? Should I make it even lower?]

    The yers remained silent, heads lowered.

    [Youve had easy rounds so far, but this time, weve made it more challenging with fewer achievers. But dont get discouraged]

    But is defeating 300 Orcs really that difficult?

    Arent Orcs just cannon fodder in games?

    Prisci felt irked by their ignorantments.

    [Hmm, youll realize how tough it is once you experience it. I wont say more.]

    Angel! What about the Sub Quests?

    Why is the reward marked with a question mark?

    In response to some inquiries, Prisci replied matter-of-factly.

    [For this round, unlike before, the Sub Quests are publicly revealed. As for the reward, its a secret.]

    Though she called it a secret, Ryu Min knew what it wasthe Bnce Rune is the reward forpleting the Sub Quest.

    The Bnce Rune must be obtained in this round bypleting the Sub Quest.

    He was determined to im one of the 18 essential runes listed for the Sub Quests reward this time.

    But only one person can get the Sub Quest reward.

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 Chapter 63: Vigilance (1)

    Chapter 63: Vignce (1)

    The stakes were high in this round for the sub-quest. Only one yer could receive the reward per zone, a challenging rule that added an edge to thepetition.

    Because the Bnce Stones, the crucial materials that needed to be gathered for this sub-quest, have a fixed number.

    Although every zone had a shot, securing a Bnce Rune wouldnt be a cakewalk.

    Its definitely going to be tough, no doubt about it.

    Sub-quests often carried an air of simplicity, but this instance was an exception.

    They might be called sub-quests, but theyre tougher ande with greater rewards than main quests.

    Bagging 300 orcs, no doubt, was simpler than amassing four Bnce Stones.

    Getting your hands on those Bnce Stones was no walk in the park.

    Thats why I can rx a bit. Its unlikely that many will achieve sub-quests in other zones.

    But even if they cleared the sub-quest, how many could meet the Bnce Runes conditions?

    Probably only Ryu Min, who prepared beforehand and adjusted his stats, could truly gain benefits from the Rune of Bnce.

    I need to im the reward for this rounds sub-quest.

    In the midst of strategizing, Prisci resumed her exnation.

    [This rounds sub-quest revolves around collecting Bnce Stones. You snatch up four, and you will instantly get a reward marked with a question mark. However, only one lucky human gets to bask in the glory.]

    Just one?

    Yep, because there are only four Bnce Stones within the zone.

    But what if the four stones were gathered by different yers?

    Wont the sub-quests just fail?

    [Sure, but dont sweat it. If you take down other yers, you can swipe their Bnce Stones.]

    Kill to snatch?

    Simr topeting for the zone representative seat?

    [Yes. And unlike the previous round, death doesnt lead to a do-over. Once youre out, youre out.]

    The finality of death It was expected, yet the gravity of those words sent shivers down spines.

    Taking lives for the sake of a sub-quest The risks loomedrge.

    But if I dont view it as a risk, then its not, right?

    Risk was merely a burden borne by the mind.

    Toss aside conscience and morality, and taking out fellow yers wasnt a Herculean task.

    Hadnt we practiced this repeatedly during the fourth round?

    Certain yers eyes sparkled with resolve.

    The look that said theyd eliminate others without a second thought, all for the sake of the sub-quest.

    [Of course, sub-quests had their appeal, but they cant quite steal the spotlight from main quests, right? If you failed to take down 300 orcs within a 10-hour timeframe, there was no escape  youd be out, no exceptions. And if you missed the leaderboard due to the timing, the consequence remained the same.]

    yers nodded in agreement. Bagging 300 orcs wasnt an insurmountable challenge. They had a generous 10-hour window, after all.

    [Alright, Ive given you all the intel you need. Now, struggle hard.]

    With an unsettling remark left behind, Prisci and the remaining angels vanished from sight.

    The serene ambiance of the prairie was mirrored by the crystal-clear sky above.

    [Time Remaining Until Round Ends: 09:59:59]

    As the progress window disyed the ticking seconds, Ryu Min sprang into action.

    Just as the angel said. Sub-quests have their charm, but main quests take precedence.

    Swiftly dispatching 300 orcs was vital for safety. The sub-quests could wait untilter, along with assisting Min Juri.

    The key here is speed  the quicker I achieve this, the better the rewards. Min Juris assistance cane after.

    When it came to setting records, flying solo was quicker than sticking together. Even without buffs, eliminating about 300 orcs was a walk in the park.

    Ive already cautioned Min Juri about the orcs, so theres no need for unnecessary worries.

    Having given Min Juri a heads-up, she wouldnt rashly attack an orc nest.

    Lets bust through the main quest ASAP so I can aid Minjuri.

    With determined steps, Ryu Min quickened his pace. Time was of the essence in establishing a record.

    * * *

    As ck Scythe drew near, yers flinched and sidestepped, as if the path before them had parted like the Red Sea.

    With ck Scythe sailing by innocuously, yers collectively released held breaths.

    Phew, he was just passing by.

    Thank goodness.

    Caught me off guard with that sudden approach.

    My heart skipped a beat.

    But wheres he heading so purposefully?

    Yeah, whats the deal?

    Should we tag along?

    At the daring suggestion of a fearless youngster, listeners leaped to their feet.

    Are you crazy!? Chasing after ck Scythe?

    Want to be under his dominion?

    He would probably enve you for life!

    Not an entirely unreasonable assumption.

    Given ck Scythes swift and ruthless beheadings, caution seemed appropriate.

    But is it better to just stay idle like this? Anything ck Scythe chases after is very important, he always knows what to do. Thats why he consistently secures the first ce.

    The young individuals reasoning wasnt far off.

    There was some logic in it.

    The inability of people toe up with counterarguments served as evidence.

    But what if we get caught following him?

    Then we track him from a safe distance.

    But still

    If youre not up for it, maybe you all should stay here. Im going even if Im alone.

    With determination, the young person dashed toward the direction ck Scythe had taken off to.

    After a moment of contemtion, other yers eventually followed suit.

    After all, remaining in ce would lead to annihtion.

    Since the quest had alreadymenced, finding and eliminating orcs swiftly was imperative.

    The ck Scythe likely knew the path.

    Hey, look there.

    What kind of vige is that?

    It was a small vige with haphazardly ced wooden stakes.

    yers had an innate understanding.

    That was the orc stronghold.

    As expected.

    At the vige entrance stood an orc, almost like a patrol.

    Choi-eek! Choi-ik!

    A breeze carried the sound as the orc who made a whistling noise noticed ck Scythe and swung his axe.

    Or rather, attempted to swing.

    Slice-!

    The orcs neck was cleanly cut.

    A rustling sound.

    After easily killing one orc, ck Scythe entered the stronghold.

    As the orcs, who had been roaming the vige, caught sight of the intruder, they grabbed the axes hanging from their waists.

    Choi-ik! Choi-eek!

    Choi-eeek! Choi!

    With a determined spirit, three orcs charged at ck Scythe.

    However, death befell the orcs.

    Without exception, headless bodies fell to the ground.

    Rustle-rustle- rustle-rustle- rustle-rustle!

    With momentum, ck Scythe entered a rudimentary hut.

    Slice- swish- slice-!

    Eerie sounds resonated, and ck Scythe emerged.

    The de of his scythe was tainted with green-hued blood.

    Seeing ck Scythe returning to the vige for more, yers felt reassured.

    As anticipated, the orcs seemed weak.

    See not a big deal. Theyre just orcs.

    Seems about as harmless as the goblins we fought before.

    Maybe ck Scythe makes it look easier than it is?

    But hes slicing through them way too easily.

    Indeed. The ck Scythe is strong, but not that kind of strong, we can handle it as well, right?

    In games, orcs often urred as cannon fodder, easy to defeat. The same expectation lingered in reality, yet underestimating them was a mistake they couldnt afford.

    The sheer might of ck Scythe might be the reason they look easy to kill. Dont dismiss vignce.

    Right, no harm in being cautious.

    Well, we wont know their true strength until we face them.

    Then instead of watching, lets take on a vige just like the ck Scythe did.

    Sounds like a n.

    Around twenty yers set out in search of different strongholds. Even though this quest didnt inherently require teamwork, there was another motivation driving their unity.

    I should cooperate with these neers for now.

    Were still unsure of the orcs true power.

    If I find it doable to handle them solo after observing from the shadows, then I will act separately.

    The obscurity of the orcs capabilities still loomedrge, making teamwork a strategic choice for now. Plus, banding together would provide a cushion for safety.

    Hey? Look, theres a vige!

    Lets go!

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 Chapter 63: Vigilance (2)

    Chapter 63: Vignce (2)

    A swarm of yers who spotted a new orc nest hurried to the scene.

    Wow, this one seemsrger.

    It surpassed ck Scythes raid site by threefold in magnitude.

    Just then.

    Choi-eek?

    An orc stationed in a makeshift tent wore a perplexed expression as it blew a horn.

    Whats that?

    Why does that one have a horn?

    Could it be calling for other orcs?

    Perhaps.

    Why do foreboding hunches often prove urate?

    Choi-ik! Choi-ik!

    Chwang! Chwang!

    Scores of orcs surged forth from the huts, forming an unbroken line.

    Over fifty orcs.

    Once the initial shock subsided, the twenty yers found themselves enveloped by the horde.

    Whoa No way!

    Were in trouble

    The shared expression among the yers was unanimous: a mixture of shock and dismay.

    This unforeseen surge in orc numbers caught them all off guard, especially in such overwhelming abundance.

    Are you joking? This is why this vige seemedrger

    Never imagined thered be this many

    Their earliercency had backfired.

    United by their numbers, they felt a sense of security, but it was only momentarily.

    Uh, whats the n?

    Damn it, what other choice do we have? We fight for our lives!

    However, the orc misread the yers edgy demeanor and took it as a threat, responding with a resounding roar.

    Choi-iiiiik!

    This signal triggered a frenzied charge from the orc horde.

    Damn, theyreing!

    Theyre just a bunch of young orcs; nothing to fear!

    Lets take them down!

    With determination burning in their voices, yers faced the oing orc onught.

    The sh of weapons echoed as they deflected or evaded the orcs swinging axes.

    Whats going on with these guys? Theyre not that skilled.

    Their attacks arent that swift, either.

    Despite the axes carrying considerable force, the yers managed to parry them.

    Seeing a glimmer of opportunity, yers retaliated.

    The sound of weapons piercing orc flesh echoed in the air.

    But there was a twist.

    Huh?

    Why isnt the deing out?

    Their muscles held onto the de with a vice-like grip, defying release.

    In a surge of anger, an orc swung its axe.

    Swoosh-!

    Kwak!

    The sharp impact resonated as a yer copsed, shoulder crushed.

    Other orcs, quick to react, raised their axes again.

    Thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk!

    AAAAAAHHHH!

    The agony of severed ankles and shattered kneecaps forced cries of pain.

    Damn it, F*uck! You monstrous!

    Though yers stood their ground, the orcs resilience proved greater than anticipated.

    Despite weapons piercing them, pulling them proved challenging due to the density of orc muscles.

    Thwack! Thud!

    Crack!

    Urgh!

    The difference in resilience pushed yers back, despite their efforts.

    While they managed to y a few, new orcs surged forth without hesitation.

    Over time, the number of fallen yers steadily grew.

    Those who tumbled to the ground became prime targets for the orcs, treated like cuts of meat.

    Thwack, thud, thud, thud!

    Sa-save me

    Their slow attack speed andck and skills were true, but even with such axe skills, killing a single human posed no challenge.

    Sh-shit To fall to orcs like this

    Augh, didnt think orcs could be this organized

    Despite the vow to stay vignt, they had unwittingly underestimated the situation.

    Believing that orcs were simply soloable foes. Is the quest saying that they need to kill 300 orcs per yer made them think its easy?

    It might be toote, but now their perspective had done an abrupt 180-degree turn.

    Facing them one-on-one might have been better, but their sheer numbers turned the situation dire.

    Choi-iiiiik!

    Choi-iiiiik!

    The orcs threw their arms up, celebrating their apparent victory.

    It didnt take long for the group of twenty yers to meet their downfall.

    * * *

    Ryu Min, who had been leading, suddenly cast a nce backward.

    Moments ago, there were around twenty following me. Now, theyve vanished.

    Ryu Min wasnt known for his empathy toward others.

    He was only mildly concerned because the puppies that were following him were suddenly nowhere in sight.

    Well, I shouldnt sweat over it. As long as they dont stir up trouble with those massive orc camps they should be fine.

    Ordinarily, it was wise to steer clear of orc strongholds.

    They were sizeable and, with a single st of the horn, more than fifty orcs would gather swiftly.

    Such nests usually have over two hundred orcs. Twenty yers would hardly do any damage.

    This is why dealing with orcs was tricky.

    They formed packs and their unity was strong.

    Its worth noting that individually, orcs are tough too.

    Due to their distinct muscle densitypared to humans, pulling a de from them wont be easy.

    Their tenacity was admirable; minor scratches werent enough to break their spirit.

    Thats why orcs need to be taken down in one swift move, targeting their most vulnerable spot, the neck.

    Saying this, Ryu Min checked the ongoing quests progress.

    [Time Left Until Round Ends: 08:59:22]

    About an hour had flown by.

    An hour should yield a decent oue.

    Ryu Min had reason to be at ease.

    Hed already wrapped up the main quest.

    [Main Quest Progress: Orcs 300/300]

    [Entire Area]

    Participants: 77,310,228

    Achievers: 1/19,327,557

    [Specific Area C-ESKS007]

    Participants: 4,844

    Achievers: 1/1,211

    Seeing the achievers stats, he realized he was the sole person to havepleted the quest.

    Not just in that specific area, but across the entire region.

    First ce is locked in for now Should I head over to support Min Juri?

    Ryu Min activated his tracking skill.

    He knew Min Juris face and Nickname, so locating her wasnt a challenge.

    [Target Min Juri located.]

    [Currently 1,691m away.]

    [To track the target, follow the arrow ahead.]

    Without hesitation, Ryu Min set off.

    In his wake,y numerous orc corpses, their bodies and heads lying separate.

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 Chapter 64: Jo Yong Ho (1)

    Chapter 64: Jo Yong Ho (1)

    Heading towards Min Juri, the path stretched ahead like a beckoning adventure.

    Chwiik! Chwiik!

    A horde of orcs emerged, reminiscent of bandits collecting tolls.

    But that was a fleeting moment.

    Sgeo-gegeo-!

    With a swift motion, heads rose and bodies fell, one after another.

    [You have triumphed over the orcs!]

    [Experience gained +0.41%]

    [Gold +40]

    [Current kill count: 303/100]

    [All stats boosted by 100% due to the Rune of ughter effect.]

    [Attack speed increased by 25% due to the Skull Bone Ne effect.]

    Ryu Min, who dispatched three orcs as effortlessly as swatting at passing bugs, squinted as he looked at the earned experience.

    It feels kind of tight in terms of experience, even without the experience buff.

    Ryu Min was at level 31 currently.

    Though he had taken down 303 foes, his level had only increased by one.

    Maybe its because my level is already too high.

    Certainly, the experience might have seemed meager to Ryu Min, but it wouldnt have been so for other yers.

    Most would probably hit level 20 just by finishing the Orc 300 Kill quest.

    Ryu Mins goal was level 40.

    I have plenty of time to assist Min Juri and level up. No need to fret.

    If Min Juri progressed, Ryu Min would also reap rewards.

    He didnt perceive aiding her as a loss.

    Plus, they were ssmates, after all.

    I regret not paying enough attentionst time.

    This time, it would be different.

    Starting from Round 5, they would be working together.

    Ryu Min checked his inventory.

    Experience had only nudged, but gold had piled up nicely.

    With the gold I already had, that makes a total of 14,000 gold.

    At this pace, he could possibly amass over 100,000 gold just in this round.

    He could acquire all themon skills avable at the store.

    Perfect. I just need to head to Min Juris location and subtly stage a meeting

    But there was a task at hand before that.

    Taking down the mid-boss of this round, the Orc Warrior.

    Since its conveniently on the way, better handle it first.

    Ryu Min quickened his steps.

    * * *

    Defeat 300 orcs?

    When the main quest was first unveiled.

    They didnt consider this too challenging.

    The time limit was more generous than expected.

    300 in 10 hours? Thats just 30 per hour.

    They had actually thought it might be a breeze.

    The image of orcs hadnt struck them as too formidable.

    Yet,ing face to face with orcs shattered their confidence.

    Heuk, ack. Bro, you alright?

    Hoo, F*ck. I almost met my end.

    From Round 1, they had journeyed as a party, a group of young hignders, known as the Young Mountain Members.

    Supporting each other, theyd reached Round 5, without any inkling of the challenge ahead.

    Hwiyuuu, what kind of orc is this powerful?

    Yeah, seriously

    We cant afford to underestimate them.

    It didnt need to be said; no one was underestimating orcs anymore.

    As soon as they shed with the orcs, reality hit them hard.

    Going solo was out of the question.

    Mangi. How many have we taken down so far?

    Probably around 50, Hyungnim.

    Fifty in an hour. Not exactly promising

    To an outsider, this might seem like a decent pace, but they were a party of five.

    If they divided the count, each person was responsible for about 10.

    At this rate, we wont evene close to 300 in 10 hours

    Wonte close, huh? We cant afford to say this. If we fall behind, we can try again. But if we fail entirely, itsplete annihtion.

    Huh

    Sighs of frustration slipped from all five of them.

    At this rate, theyd be wiped out.

    They needed a strategy.

    Hey, everyone. I think we might have to aim for a bigger vige.

    Hyungnim, doesnt that sound a bit risky?

    Yeah, exactly. If were struggling against just three, how can we handle a bigger vige?

    Wouldnt it be smarter to stick to smaller viges like weve been doing? Its safer.

    Facing the partys concerns, the imposing figure of [Jo Yong-ho] simply nodded in agreement.

    Okay, I get where youreing from. Youre not wrong, and Im not here to argue. I wont force anyone. But keep this in mind.

    Jo Yong-hos voice lowered as he spoke.

    In a sinking ship, theres no future.

    .

    At this rate, well either fall short of 300 and perish, or well just die by orcs. Its going to be tough, but we have no option but to take the risk.

    But, Hyungnim, given our skills, we cant take down more

    No, our skills are sufficient. We can cleverly take down more orcs. We can rest a bit after each set of kills, say five, then rest for five minutes. If we push ourselves, we can catch more orcs at a faster pace.

    He was making sense.

    Five people taking down five, then a five-minute break. Another five orcs, followed by another rest.

    In fact, their breaks were longer than the actual hunting.

    We need to aim for at least 150 kills in an hour. We dont have to face a massive horde at once. Instead, we can pick up groups of three to five at a time, but at triple the current speed.

    Uh

    Jo Yong-hos argument left the group in deep thought.

    But they were left without many alternatives.

    Alright, Im on board. Lets go with his n.

    Theres nothing good about staying in a sinking ship.

    Thanks for understanding.

    With a faint smile, Jo Yong-ho stood up.

    Weve rested enough. Should we get started for real?

    We saw arger vige in that direction when we passed by earlier. Should we check it out?

    Sure, lets head over there.

    The five members of the mountaineering club moved forward, weapons resting on their shoulders.

    As they journeyed, they didnt neglect to stay vignt for surprises.

    Being prepared for unexpected turns was always wise.

    Look over there. Thats the vige we spotted before.

    The group slowed down upon discovering an orc stronghold.

    From a distance, they carefully observed the viges dynamics.

    The fence is high, so its hard to see inside.

    Want to get closer?

    Lets do it.

    The group approached cautiously.

    Jo Yong-ho, leading the way, suddenly halted.

    Wait, isnt that a guard at the entrance? Lets go around.

    Quickly, the group changed their path, avoiding a reckless confrontation at the main entrance.

    See over there. Theres a gap in the fence.

    It was a narrow opening, just enough for one person to squeeze through.

    They peered through the gap.

    Inside the stronghold, a minimum of twenty or more huts were neatly lined up.

    Clearly, it wasrger in scale than the ces theyd tackled so far.

    No signs of orcs wandering outside.

    Does that mean theyre all holed up inside the houses?

    With this number, maybe about five in each house?

    Well, there seem to be more than we anticipated

    Guess well have to slip into each hut and surprise them?

    At this point, sneaking in and attacking each hut was the wisest option, rather than announcing their presence at the main entrance.

    Alright. Weremitted to this raid. Ready to enter?

    Sure thing. With around five in each hut, if we catch them off guard, it should be fairly straightforward to handle.

    The determined group quietly slipped through the gap in the fence.

    Having stealthily infiltrated, they decided to prioritize attacking the nearby huts first.

    This one? Ill signal, and then we go in.

    Jo Yong-hos hushed voice issued a signal with a flick of his finger,unching the surprise assault on the hut.

    Creak!

    As the door swung open, the ten stationed orcs turned their eyes with a sh of surprise.

    Uh, uh?

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 Chapter 64: Jo Yong Ho (2)

    Chapter 64: Jo Yong Ho (2)

    As the door swung open, the ten stationed orcs turned their eyes with a sh of surprise.

    Uh, uh?

    T-ten of them?

    Therger orc count briefly caught them off guard.

    Greeheek!

    Greeheek, Greeheek!

    The startled orcs seized the axes from their hip straps, standing up with an eager glint in their eyes.

    But their reaction was cut short.

    Left side, attack first!

    Thump, thump, thump!

    The quintet swiftly initiated their assault, felling one orc in their path.

    Yet, nine orcs remained standing.

    Greeheeeek!

    Thud! Greeheeeek!

    Enraged by the death of theirrade, the orcs brandished their axes with heightened fervor.

    Their sluggish attack speed allowed for easy dodging, but their sheer numbers posed a new challenge.

    Crash!

    Aaargh!

    Mangi!

    The sight of an axe burying itself in his younger brothers shoulder widened Jo Yong-hos eyes.

    No! Mangi!

    You monster! Die!

    The remaining group members rallied, sessfully strangling an orc to its demise.

    Nheless, eight orcs persisted.

    A wounded ally and four fatiguedrades were ill-equipped for the task at hand.

    Hyungnim! This strategy wont work! We need to retreat!

    I was just thinking the same thing!

    The group traded blows with the orcs while tactfully retreating.

    Swiftly exiting through the fissure they had initially entered might allow them to evade the bulkier orcs.

    However, unpredictability was an ever-present factor.

    ns had unraveled.

    The orcs that had been drawn by themotion were blocking their escape route.

    T-The number of enemies, its

    Seems like theres at least ten

    Calctions were unnecessary.

    The odds were insurmountable.

    Escape was the optimal course if they could manage it.

    A sheen of cool sweat coated the groups foreheads.

    With no sanctuary and morale shattered by their enemies multitude, options dwindled.

    Its over Were done for.

    Ah to end like this

    The group lowered their weapons, defeat washing over them.

    Except for Jo Yong-ho.

    Keep your weapons at the ready.

    Hyungnim

    Its over now.

    Its been an honor fighting alongside all of you.

    Unlike Jo Yong-ho, the remaining members seemed dejected.

    They were acutely aware that death was imminent.

    A tense standoff with the orcs persisted.

    Hey, guys. Why do you think they arent killing us?

    Huh?

    Well, Im not sure.

    If you want to know, just check their expressions.

    Expressions?

    Uncharacteristic of Jo Yong-ho, his words led the group to scrutinize the orcs faces.

    The orcs bore smirks as if finding amusement in something.

    These guys are mocking us.

    .

    Theyre smirking as if were timid little mice. Now that weve disarmed, theyreughing at us! Thyre enjoying this!

    .

    Arent you furious? Being mocked by orcs like this? Treated like monkeys in a zoo?

    Perhaps his words had struck a nerve.

    Dont lose hope, not until the very end. Grab your weapons, and strike down at least one of them before you die. Thats how youll face death without shame.

    In the hearts of eachpanion, a spark of determination ignited.

    Got it, Hyungnim.

    Apologies for showing such weakness.

    Were here with you till the end, Hyungnim.

    With these affirmations, the group raised their weapons anew.

    Simultaneously, the scornful smirks on the orcs faces crumbled, reced by expressions of sadness.

    Greeheek!

    Greeheek!

    Laughter vanished, reced by boiling rage.

    When I give the signal, move. Approach one by one, discreetly. Clear?

    Yes!

    Yes, Hyungnim.

    Shall we?

    Just as Jo Yong-ho was about to issue the ambush signal,

    Phwoooh-

    An unfamiliar hornpipe echoed.

    Unbeknownst to the group, it was a signal blown from the lookout during emergencies.

    Greeheek! Greeheek!

    Greeheek! Thud!

    Ten orcs swiftly charged toward the sounds origin.

    With over half of their forces vanished only eight orcs remained.

    Whats happening?

    Why are the orcs suddenly

    Though they were uncertain, their odds of survival seemed better.

    Facing only eight orcs, survival became usible.

    Lets do it.

    Yes, Hyungnim!

    The group surged toward the orcs,unching a surprise assault.

    Thwack! Thwack!

    des shed in a symphony of metallic resonance.

    Swoosh! Swoosh!

    Thunk! Thunk!

    The grim sound of flesh being sliced and stabbed resonated in the orc-human fray.

    After an intense struggle where a single misstep could decide life or death,

    Heuk heuk

    Five humans stood triumphant, their faces reflecting victory.

    We, we

    To win against eight

    The thrill of triumphing over adversity eclipsed their relief at survival.

    Hyungnim! We did it! Well, actually, you did it, Hyungnim!

    Its all thanks to you, Hyungnim. Without you, we wouldve given up and perished.

    The group sang praises, but Jo Yong-ho shook his head.

    Enough of that. Your unwavering resolve, and your willingness to fight to the end, thats what made this possible. Without it, Id be dead here too.

    Heh, youre quite something, Hyungnim.

    Their sharedughter was brief.

    Jo Yong-ho turned to his injured younger brother with a serious expression.

    But Mangi, hows your injury?

    Ugh Tough, but I can manage. Ill be fine.

    Despite his ims, his shoulders were drenched in sweat.

    The injury appeared grave at first nce.

    For now, rest. Dont move. Got it?

    Yes

    As for the rest of you, stay hidden here. Ill scout for an exit ande back.

    Isnt that dangerous?

    Dont worry about me. Wait quietly.

    After cing the group in the hut, Jo Yong-ho cautiously explored his surroundings.

    Its risky here. I need a way out of the vige.

    Moving stealthily, the vige was quiet, he wondered why all the orcs had vanished.

    Its so silent. Where did they all go?

    Suddenly, an unfamiliar smell reached his nose.

    Sniff, sniff. Whats that smell?

    Curiously, he approached a sight in the distance.

    Whats that?

    He involuntarily uttered, Huh? before quickly stifling his reaction.

    What in the world

    Before himy a sight beyond belief.

    The corpses of around 200 orcs sprawled across the vige.

    Who could have done something so immense

    Amidst the carnage, one figure stood alone.

    A lone figure amidst the bodies.

    Above his head was the nickname ck Scythe.

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 Chapter 65: Orc Warrior (1)

    Chapter 65: Orc Warrior (1)

    Venturing straight into the Orc stronghold? Thats a recipe for madness.

    And when that stronghold is big andes with guard towers, youre edging further into the realm of lunacy.

    Especially when danger is perceived, the Orc patrols respond by blowing their horns, rallying theirrades.

    And if over fifty Orcs heed that call?

    yers find themselves left with no choice but to tread the path toward the afterlife.

    But, mind you, this applies mainly to regr yers.

    However, Ryu Min had a different perspective.

    Oddly, blowing that horn turned out to be quite beneficial for him.

    No need to tediously troll through each house for Orcs.

    Even his decision to spare the guards until the very end was for this reason.

    Although, by now, theyve all turned into lifeless bodies.

    About two hundred carcassesy strewn across the ground.

    No matter how fiercely the Orcs charged, they couldnt breach the level 30 barrier.

    Handling Orcs easily starts around level 20. Beyond level 30, these creatures arent much different from Goblins, for me at least.

    In essence, it meant that the challenge was formidable for yers currently hovering around level 10.

    Hence, Round 5 poses a considerable challenge. Monsters levels are high, and quantity poses another hurdle.

    If hundreds of yers colluded and moved in unison, oveing the Orcs shouldnt have been too challenging

    But s, thats the core of the issue.

    yers who once shed swords in the previous round couldnt now unite their strengths.

    From the outset, this quest wasnt designed to allow such cooperation.

    Regardless of the designer, its indeed cunning. They possess a deep understanding of human nature.

    While pondering this, Ryu Mins gaze caught onto a certain individual.

    Is this the guy who was being attacked by the orcs inside??

    Drawing closer, Ryu Min couldnt help but feel astonished.

    Jo Yong-ho?

    The nickname was unmistakable.

    Could this guy be the renowned Mercenary King, Jo Yong-ho?

    His job was Mercenary.

    It belonged to themon melee ss, well-versed in wielding a variety of weapons, much like a warrior.

    Theposition of skills is strikingly simr to that of a warrior.

    If there was one sole distinction, it was that mercenaries needed to forge contracts with someone else to attain strength.

    Most mercenaries prefer not to venture alone; they seekpanionship with acquaintances or engage in contracts with the Mercenary King.

    The Mercenary King.

    The unique ss capable of leading mercenaries through contracts.

    When mercenaries entered into pacts with the Mercenary King, they gained additional enhancements.

    It went without saying that mercenaries found every reason to establish contracts.

    The man standing before me is Jo Yong-ho, the sole bearer of the unique Mercenary King job.

    Encountering a Mercenary King in a setting like this was beyond imagination.

    While concealing his astonishment, Ryu Min regarded Jo Yong-ho.

    haha  Oh, no way? ck Scythe.

    Looking at Ryumin, Jo Yong-ho bows his head.

    Do you know me?

    Everyone knows you. Is there anyone who doesnt know the No. 1 ck Scythe?

    Jo Yong-ho, who said with a smile, nced at Ryu-min.

    -And  I never thought Id meet the No. 1 in the entire district here Would he hate it if I suddenly reached out for a handshake?

    When Ryu Min read his thoughts, he felt in him a sense of admiration for the strong.

    In fact, he smiled at himself and was benevolent.

    He doesnt strike me as someone who would stab you in the back. But then again, thats why he was able to get the job called Mercenary King.

    Qualifying as a Mercenary King demanded the qualities of a leader.

    One had to lead his fellow men with a good heart.

    I may be unfamiliar with him, but he doesnte across as a bad sort.

    He only knew his name; this was Ryu Mins first encounter with the Mercenary King.

    Due to Ryu Mins preference for solo y, there hadnt been opportunities to cross paths.

    Furthermore, he didnt require assistance from mercenaries.

    ording to gossip, he once managed to survive beyond Round 10

    However, after that, whether he lived or perished, Ryu Min remained uncertain.

    No, he probably met his end. After all, surviving up to Round 20 was my achievement alone.

    While it was certain he had died, the specifics of when and how were elusive.

    Um, those Orcs over there Did ck Scythe take them all down?

    Ryu Min nodded subtly in response to Jo Yong-hos query.

    Indeed, but

    Wow Thats genuinely impressive. As expected from the number 1 ranked ss!

    Well, then.

    Huh What did I want to say again?

    Just say it. Im rather pressed for time at the moment.

    Jo Yong-ho hesitated for a moment before bowing his head.

    I appreciate it. Thanks to you diverting the Orcs attention, I managed toe out alive.

    I didnt even know you were here.

    Thats right. It wasnt intentional. Still, I received help, didnt I?

    Reading his thoughts, Jo Yong-ho was genuinely grateful.

    Understood. Once youre done here, gather yourrades and leave quickly. Dont worry, Ive taken care of all the Orcs.

    Is that so? But how did you know that I haverades?

    With a subtle gesture, Ryu Min pointed to Jo Yong-hos back.

    When Jo Yong-ho turned around, surprise swept over his face.

    It was because hispanions, who had been hiding, now stood there, a bit sheepishly.

    Why did you guyse out? I told you to wait!

    We were worried youd leave us behind, Hyungnim. Hehe.

    Youre joking even now! As if Id leave you guys behind.

    Ryu Min studied Jo Yong-ho and hispanions closely.

    It seems theyre in a contractual rtionship.

    He could tell from their expressions and gestures.

    All four of Jo Yong-hos friends were mercenaries, contracted under him as the Mercenary King.

    So thats why theyve been hunting together and followed him into the stronghold.

    Ryu Min had concluded the reason for their presence.

    They hade out of genuine loyalty to Jo Yong-ho, forming trustable bonds so quickly.

    Quite the reputation for a Mercenary King.

    As the mercenaries approached, they finally took in the situation.

    Whats going on?

    Why are there so many dead Orcs?

    Did Hyungnim hide his strength all this time?

    Was it an act, Hyungnim?

    Guys, seriously? Joking at a time like this?

    Jo Yong-ho snapped, shooting Ryu Min a look.

    Only now did the mercenaries notice Ryu Mins presence, and they were taken aback.

    Whoa! ck Scythe?

    ck Scythe, whats going on

    Whats this about? Just came for a bit of hunting.

    The mercenaries responded with awkwardughter to Ryu Mins casual response.

    Haha, right.

    Y-Youve already taken down around 200.

    The mercenaries didnt harbor any negative feelings toward ck Scythe.

    They were simply in awe of encountering the strongest of the strong.

    By the way, we watched that deathmatch too. You finish things in the blink of an eye, huh? Haha

    Lets skip the chitchat. If youre done here, leave.

    Ryu Mins tone intentionally turned cold.

    Once the Orcs are eliminated, the mid-boss should be appearing soon.

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 Chapter 65: Orc Warrior (2)

    Chapter 65: Orc Warrior (2)

    Lets skip the chitchat. If youre done here, leave.

    Ryu Mins tone intentionally turned cold.

    Once the Orcs are eliminated, the mid-boss should be appearing soon.

    He was being cautious, not wanting to put them in unnecessary danger.

    Alright, got it. Until next time, ck Scythe.

    It was an honor to meet you.

    After Jo Yong-hos group offered a nod of farewell, they turned away.

    Thinking the threat was over, they walked leisurely, engaging in light-hearted conversation.

    Just as Ryu Min was about to tell them to leave quickly, one of the mercenaries grabbed Jo Yong-hos shoulder.

    Hyungnim.

    Whats up?

    Didnt you hear that?

    Hear what?

    Listen closely.

    Jo Yong-ho focused his hearing as his friend urged him.

    Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

    He could faintly hear the ground trembling.

    Whats that sound?

    Ryu Min supplied the answer.

    The mid-boss. Be ready.

    What? A mid-boss?

    Though filled with doubt, Jo Yong-ho couldnt ask further.

    From a distance, a 6-meter-tall giant was pounding toward them.

    Whats that?

    An Orc?

    It was unmistakably an Orcs appearance.

    The major distinction was its towering height and impressive muscle mass.

    And

    Oh my

    What kind of weapon is that?

    It held a 3-meter-long battleaxe, towering over a humans height, in its hands.

    As everyone stared, mouths agape, Ryu Min remained unfazed.

    Finally, the Orc Warrior makes an entrance.

    In fact, he had been anticipating this moment.

    After all, he needed to defeat it to obtain the Bnce Stone, a sub-quest item.

    But its not just this one. Defeating each bastion boss will yield the remaining stones.

    Completing the sub-quest meant taking down all four bosses.

    It wasnt an easy feat, to say the least.

    As evident, these bosses were no ordinary Orcs.

    Thats why Ive been somewhat at ease. Even with numerous yers, defeating the bosses requires more strength than numbers.

    The reason Ryu Min died four times in the 5th round was tied to this.

    The time he invested in trying to obtain the Bnce Rune from the boss was exchanged for death.

    Of course, it wasnt pointless. Without the Bnce Rune, I wouldnt be this strong.

    Because the Bnce Rune was remarkably powerful,pleting a sub-quest was a necessity to acquire it.

    At least an Orc Warrior can be dealt with even without Min Juris buffs.

    While Ryu Min locked eyes with his prey.

    Chwiieek! Chwiieeek!

    The Orc Warrior, observing its fallen kin, seethed with anger.

    Hyungnim, he seems very angry, right?

    I-It seems like it.

    Boom- Boom- Boom- Boom-!

    Jo- Yong-ho ignorantly brandished his longswords as if threateningly, handling them adeptly, one in each hand.

    Chwiieek! Chwiieeek!

    The Orc Warriors eyes darted around, seeking the prey that ughtered its kin.

    Soon, its focus settled on a target.

    Chwiiik! Chwang!

    The Orc Warriors primary target was Jo Yong-ho.

    Thump, thump, thump

    The Orc Warrior charged ahead.

    Its long strides brought it to Jo Yong-hos side in seconds.

    Whoa!

    Jo Yong-ho was startled, but before he could react

    Whooosh!

    The massive de descended toward his head.

    Kwaaaang!

    A shockwave rippled as the de struck the ground.

    Hyungnim!

    His friends cried out, but luckily, their fears werent realized.

    In the nick of time, Ryu Min pushed Jo Yong-ho aside with his staff.

    What are you spacing out for?

    T-Thank you, ck Scythe-nim.

    Jo Yong-ho breathed a sigh of relief.

    Had ck Scythe not intervened, he would have met a grim fate.

    Step back, unless you want to be ttened.

    Jo Yong-ho promptlyplied with Ryu Mins advice.

    Watching the humans changing ces, the Orc Warrior raised an eyebrow.

    It was an expression of disdain andughter.

    However, that didntst long.

    Thunk!

    Ryu Mins Scythe struck the Orc Warriors foot, contorting its face in pain.

    Chwiieeek!

    Feeling both agony and fury, it swung its axe at Ryu Min.

    Whooosh! Kwaaaang!

    Whooosh! Kwaaaang!

    The sounds of slicing air and impacts echoed, but that was it.

    All that effort ended up in futility.

    Ryu Min narrowly evaded every strike.

    Not incredibly swift, yet not sluggish enough to evade.

    Whats the point of strong damage if you cantnd a hit?

    Chwiieeek!

    Enough with the grunting.

    Ryu Min leaped like a crescent moon, striking his scythe down.

    With an eerie sound, a green streak of blood burst from the Orc Warriors neck.

    Gush! Gush!

    With each strike to its nick, the Orc Warrior emitted a guttural scream.

    Its sturdy neck prevented instant death, prompting Ryu Min to strike repeatedly.

    Chwiieeek!

    Boom- Boom-!

    The Orc Warriorsst struggles continued, but Ryu Min intensified his strikes.

    Squelch! Thump!

    The Orc Warriors head, separated by the Scythe, plummeted to the ground.

    Its once-vigorous arms froze, much like a toy whose batteries were removed.

    He already killed it?

    Even that scary monster?

    Jo Yong-ho and hispanions gazed at Ryu Min with awe, but Ryu Mins attention was elsewhere.

    Messages detailing rewards were appearing incessantly.

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 Chapter 66: The Mercenary Kings Favor (1)

    Chapter 66: The Mercenary King''s Favor (1)

    [Defeated an Orc Warrior!]

    [Experience Gained: +37.73%]

    [Gold Acquired: +4,000]

    [Bonus Gold Obtained: +2,000]

    [Obtained Sword of Huan Du]

    [Obtained Orcs Heart]

    [Obtained Lesser Azure Mana Stone]

    [Obtained Stone of Bnce]

    [Sub Quest Progress: Stone of Bnce 1/4]

    A slight grin curved on Ryu Mins lips as the message materialized.

    Knocking down a boss is way more rewarding than swatting the small fry.

    The experience bar, which had barely budged before, now surged up by over 37% after the boss takedown.

    He pocketed 4,000 gold, and as if it wasnt enough, bonus gold cascaded in too.

    But thats not the whole story. Some nifty items popped up as well.

    [Ring of Huan Du]

    Type: Weapon

    Rarity: Epic

    Attack Power: 100

    Effect: Gain +5% attack speed with each hit on an enemy (up to 10 stacks)

    Durability: 1,000/1,000

    Usage Restriction: Requires Regr grade or higher

    Description: A sword with an eye-catching circr loop on its hilt.

    Ring of Huan Du, an epic weapon for Regr grade, shone in its specs.

    It not only packed a punch with its high base attack power but also upped the ante on attack speed with each sessful hit.

    At a nce, this weapons a real catch.

    It was almost disappointing that it wasnt a scythe, but rather a sword.

    If it were a scythe, itd be a no-brainer to use.

    Maybe using this sword instead of the scythe might dish out more damage?

    Ryu Mins current weapon, the Reapers Scythe, boasted an attack power of 25.

    Even considering the Reapers Rune that doubled attack power when using a scythe, it still hovered around 50.

    A simpleparison clearly showcased the superiority of the Ring of Huan Du, clocking in at an attack power of 100.

    But hey, the swords not my main.

    Although his initial ss was a Hunter, he could handle most weapons, but just not like a scythe-like master.

    While its attack power might be lower, sticking to the trusty scythe might be more efficient.

    He had been nning to upgrade his weapon after this round anyway.

    Ill stash the Ring of Huan Du and sell it to someone in needter.

    A weapon of this caliber was practically one-of-a-kind, so he couldmand a steep price.

    [Orcs Heart]

    Type: Item

    Description: A solid red stone. It might look like a heart but dont worry, its not the real deal.

    Next up was Orcs Heart, an item.

    Some might find it eerie enough to toss aside

    But thatd be a lifelong regret. Its a key ingredient for crafting a unique item.

    It was a must-have item for Ryu Min.

    A Lesser Azure Mana Stone and a Stone of Bnce dropped too.

    He had reaped a good harvest from taking down the mid-boss.

    After wrapping up his item check, Ryu Min turned his gaze around.

    Hmm?

    Jo Yong-hos crew stood there, wide-eyed.

    And then, in a sh, they regained theirposure and spoke with a glint in their eyes.

    ck Scythe! Youre incredible!

    To single-handedly take down that monster!

    I wouldnt have dared to fight it!

    Every man naturally harbored admiration for the strong.

    Given how they probably thought that an Orc Warrior could wipe them out in seconds, this reaction was quite expected.

    ck Scythe.

    Jo Yong-ho, now moreposed, respectfully dipped his head.

    Thank you for defeating the monster. Youve saved my brothers and my life.

    I dont have a hobby of watching people die.

    I see. Did you know the monster was going to show up?

    Ryu Min responded nonchntly, not in the mood to delve into details.

    After wiping out the other orcs, a mid-boss usually makes an entrance.

    I get it. So thats why you told us to scram in a hurry?

    Jo Yong-ho nodded as if heprehended, then looked at Ryu Min with renewed awe.

    To them, who had barely survived a single encounter with an Orc Warrior, the ck Scythe was an object of admiration.

    Now that my business is concluded, Ill be on my way.

    Yes! Thank you once again for rescuing us!

    Take care! ck Scythe!

    As Ryu Min turned away, a voice reached him from behind.

    Lets head out too.

    We need to start hunting!

    Seeing ck Scythes remarkable performance ignited their spirit.

    In that moment, a wounded mercenary crumbled to his knees with a groan.

    Mangi! Are you alright?

    Brother I cant go on. I cant endure any longer.

    What are you talking about?!

    Caught in the suddenmotion, Ryu Min stopped and turned around.

    Jo Yong-hos voice echoed, directed at the injured mercenary.

    Didnt you say that you were fine earlier?

    Back then, I was concerned about Hyungnim. But now, its beyond my limit

    Nevertheless, hold on! You need to endure for the time remaining, so you can be healed when were back to the real world!

    Choi Mangi, the mercenary, weakly shook his head.

    Hyungnim, you know it too. If we cant even reach 300 kills, its all pointless.

    Jo Yong-ho fell into silence, facing the reality he had overlooked.

    Failure toplete the main quest would result in vanishing without a trace.

    Tears and pleading to an angel would be futile.

    When they cant defeat the orcs, hope vanishes.

    And now, Choi Mangi had lost hope.

    I was wrong. I understand my own body well. With this body, I cant fight.

    Cant you even hold a weapon? Isnt the other shoulder okay?

    Its fine. Barely holding on

    Until now, blood had flowed freely without proper care.

    What seemed alright at the time had now worsened significantly.

    His shoulder had endured the strain in this state; that was an aplishment in itself.

    Just leave me and go. I cant burden Hyungnim and the others anymore.

    Its not like that. Well, there must be some solution

    Jo Yong-ho, usuallyposed as a leader, was now flustered.

    A weapon. Cant you wield a weapon? Right? Well weaken the orcs for you to stab. You have that much strength, dont you?

    But then you and the others wont be able to hunt. Im already causing trouble; I dont want to hinder you till the end.

    Hey! Choi Mangi! Listen to Hyung! If you dont do this, youll really die!

    Heh, its toote. Even if I manage to catch 300, enduring the remaining time is impossible Argh!

    Sudden pain furrowed Choi Mangis brow.

    He sensed that death was imminent.

    Ugh, ugh Hyungnim. Please go quickly. I dont want you to see me like this

    No I cant I cant just leave. You keep losing strength! how can I go and leave you behind

    Ryu Mins eyes showed surprise at Jo Yong-hos near-panicked state.

    For the Mercenary King, leading hundreds of mercenaries, to show such weakness in front of a singlerade

    If it were his own close sibling, he might understand.

    He had been in a simr position with his own sibling.

    Given this situation, I might be able to help.

    Ryu Min opened the store interface and hastily purchased a utility skill.

    Amid the dominant sense of doom, Ryu Min squeezed himself into the deste atmosphere of Jo Yong-hos group.

    Hey

    ?

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 Chapter 66: The Mercenary Kings Favor (2)

    Chapter 66: The Mercenary King''s Favor (2)

    Amid the dominant sense of doom, Ryu Min squeezed himself into the deste atmosphere of Jo Yong-hos group.

    Hey

    ?

    Looks like you need help. Can I take a look?

    Ryu Mins sudden appearance prompted question marks on the faces of Jo Yong-hos group.

    He seemed like he was trying to offer assistance, but given the dire circumstances, negative thoughts were the only ones that came to mind.

    Is there even a way to save him?

    Yes.

    Responding to Ryu Minsposed words, Jo Yong-ho stepped back with a straw-clutching resolve.

    Ryu Min approached Choi Mangi closely and inspected his injuries.

    The wounds are quite severe.

    But theyre not beyond healing.

    Mumbling iprehensible words, Ryu Min ced his hand on the injured area.

    Whats he up to?

    At that moment, when the group was puzzled by Ryu Mins sudden actions, something unexpected urred.

    A green light emanated from Ryu Mins palm.

    Its radiance exuded aforting warmth.

    ck Scythe, what are you

    Unable to suppress his curiosity, Jo Yong-ho, who had been about to ask, began doubting his own eyes for a moment.

    It wasnt that nothing was happening; rather, an unbelievable event was unfolding before them.

    The blood that had been sluggishly flowing started to clot, and the wound began to close on its own.

    Huh?!

    T-The wound!

    Everyone present stared in astonishment, their mouths agape.

    Even Choi Mangi, the most concerned, couldnt utter a word as he looked at his own wound.

    Or rather, he looked at the spot where the wound had been.

    T-The wound its gone?

    And it wasnt just the wound.

    The pain had disappeared as well.

    ck Scythe. How on earth

    Yeah.

    In response to Jo Yong-hos baffled question, Ryu Minsposed reply led Jo Yong-ho to step aside, clutching at any straw of hope.

    The exceptional healing prowess left the party in awe, though the truth was, the skill wasnt quite as simple as it seemed.

    It can stop bleeding and heal minor wounds, but it cant fix a shattered shoulder.

    But heres the twist  Ryu Min seemed to almost effortlessly heal the shoulder, pushing beyond the skills limits.

    How was that even possible?

    It all boiled down to the influence of intelligence on healing  the intelligence stat being the driving force here.

    With my current boosted intelligence of 123,bined with the Runes 32% skill boost, fixing a shoulder shouldnt be a tall order.

    First aid was at its core a skill from themon category. However, with the Runes enhancement, its effects were magnified, leading to this impressive oue.

    Try moving your shoulder. Scars might linger on you, but your movements shouldnt be hindered.

    Choi Mangi rotated his shoulder, almost like verifying Ryu Mins im.

    His expression shifted from disbelief to pure delight in the blink of an eye.

    Iits moving normally!

    But that doesnt mean itspletely healed. Remember, this is an emergency treatment; if you push too hard, the wound could reopen. Still, it shouldnt hinder your hunting activities.

    Ah Thank you so much. ck Scythe, youre my savior! Thank you, truly!

    Choi Mangi, now on his feet, bowed deeply and repeatedly, his gratitude evident.

    The rest of the group shared the sentiment, and Jo Yong-hos gaze was particrly striking.

    The more I observe, the more amazed I am.

    Their expressions mirrored both awe and deep respect, an acknowledgment of the magnitude of Ryu Mins help.

    ck Scythe, thank you for healing Mangi.

    Im grateful as well.

    Thank you for saving ourrade.

    As Jo Yong-ho bowed his head, the others followed suit, their foreheads lowered as a mark of gratitude towards Ryu Min.

    While this might not have immense utility, please ept it. Its my way of saying thank you.

    Jo Yong-ho was the first to retrieve an item from his inventory.

    It was a low-grade red mana stone.

    Other members also eagerly offered items  some mana stones, while others proffered equipment, they were originally hoping to secure some gold by selling them.

    No need to go to this extent.

    No, its a symbol of gratitude. Please, ept it.

    Despite any attempt to decline, the items were ced into his hands, though it was done with a polite refusal in mind.

    Even if theyre just ordinary items, gathering them from five people adds up to quite a bounty.

    Yet, beyond these items, there was an even greater gain to be had.

    Thanks to ck Scythe, our friend now has hope for survival. Separate from the token weve just given you, I promise to repay this debt someday.

    In an intriguing twist, he had not only rued a debt from the Mercenary King but also gained his favor.

    Considering I needed to learn amon skill anyway, this is quite a significant gain.

    Looking forward, when the strength of the Mercenary King was inevitably needed, this episode would surely carry significant weight.

    Well then, until we meet again.

    Take care!

    As Ryu Min turned, the Mercenary King and his group uniformly bowed their heads, a collective sign of respect.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 67: Too Easy (1)

    Chapter 67: Too Easy (1)

    Upon entering the 5th round, Min Juri was immediately reminded of Ryu Mins advice.

    The quest to take down 300 orcs is far from a walk in the park. Orcs are no pushovers  theyre tough, and they tend to swarm in aggressively. You definitely shouldnt entertain any thoughts of facing them solo.

    So, youre suggesting I should seek help from ck Scythe?

    Exactly. Once the territory integration isplete, make your way to ck Scythe. Dont even think about tangling with orcs. And even if you somehow cant get in touch with ck Scythe, wait an hour before making any moves.

    Got it. Thanks for the heads up, Min!

    Sticking to Ryu Mins advice, Min Juri patiently awaited the territory integration.

    Putting her trust in Ryu Min, when the integration eventually took ce, she tried to locate ck Scythe.

    How should I approach this? she briefly wondered, but in truth, there was no need to actively search.

    Among the ten area representatives gathered for the bonus game, ck Scythe was among them.

    Ah, there he is. He said, talk to him after its over.

    Simultaneously, her curiosity was aroused.

    Could ck Scythe truly im the Area Representative position, as the prophecies foretold?

    The result didnt disappoint: ck Scythe emerged victorious, showcasing an overwhelming skill gap, as expected.

    Well, Hes at level 30, so thats understandable.

    Understanding this, she tentatively moved towards ck Scythe.

    However, her steps faltered as she neared.

    Even though she saw ck Scythe descending from the deathmatch, she hesitated to get closer.

    She didnt believe she could.

    Why, why is this happening?

    The reason was simple: an innate fear.

    The fear any human would feel towards a strong adversary hindered her steps.

    Especially after witnessing scenes of heads being brutally severed.

    Min, Min already said. I need to cooperate with ck Scythe. Hell definitely need my help, she reminded herself, reassuring that the psycho from their first meeting wouldnt harm her.

    But when she snapped back to reality, ck Scythe had vanished.

    Ah I missed my chance in the end.

    It seemed they had departed for the main quest.

    Other yers were scattering to hunt orcs, but not Min Juri.

    Now what should I do? Min said attacking orcs alone was too much but I cant just stand here.

    With nothing else to do, Min Juri decided to heed Ryu Mins advice and wait for an hour.

    Since shed been so resolutely instructed, she hadnt even considered watching the orcs.

    An hour passed this way.

    [Time Remaining Until Round End: 08:55:15]

    [Main Quest Progress: Orcs 0/300]

    As Min Juri observed the progress window, she let out a sigh.

    An unexpected unease crept over her.

    This is bad. Will I really disappear if I dont kill 300 orcs?

    An hour had slipped by without her making any progress  a natural concern.

    I came here trusting ck Scythe, but I cant even find him

    It was her own mistake.

    Her unnecessary fear had caused her to lose track of ck Scythe.

    I cant just stay put. Theres no guarantee ck Scythe will return to the starting point.

    She had to search.

    At this rate, she might not encounter ck Scythe before the round concluded.

    Step by step, she moved.

    Her eyes darted around, searching for ck Scythe.

    She remained vignt of her surroundings.

    At first nce, it seems like he went this way

    She headed in the direction where ck Scythe had vanished.

    About 10 minutester, she spotted the outline of a vige in the distance.

    Judging from its appearance, it seemed to be the orcs dwelling.

    Could he be inside? No, better not risk it. It might be dangerous.

    She decided to turn back without getting too close.

    However, to her surprise, just at that moment, she encountered the very presence she didnt want to face.

    It was an orc.

    It looked just like the orcs from the game, so she recognized it immediately.

    Giyek, giyik!

    The orc, having spotted Min Juri, rushed toward her with an axe.

    Oh no, I didnt want to face an orc!

    It was an inevitable battle situation.

    Min Juri immediately cast a buff on herself.

    Bless!

    [All stats increase by 50% due to the effect of the skill Bless.]

    Her primary agility stat rose from 24 to 36.

    Her secondary strength stat, where she had invested a bit, rose from 12 to 18.

    Min Juri gripped the rapier bestowed upon her as a mark of her ss upgrade.

    Ive got a couple of fortunate points, she mused.

    First, there was the fact that she was facing a solitary opponent.

    Second, the knowledge she had gained from Ryu Min regarding the orcs weak points.

    He suggested aiming for their necks since other parts are densely muscled.

    She had managed to endure until the fourth round of this torturous game.

    In a one-on-one confrontation, she felt a surge of confidence.

    Swoosh-!

    The orcs axe de swung towards her shoulder.

    After narrowly sidestepping it, she realized that the orcs attack was slower than expected.

    Dodging is easy. He told me that one of their weaknesses is uracy.

    However, targeting the moving opponents neck was far from easy.

    Unlike in a game, there were no hit rate corrections.

    If I mistakenly strike somewhere else, Ill be on the receiving end of a counterattack.

    Ryu Min had warned her that most yers panic when their weapon gets stuck and they often end up killed.

    Because muscle density makes it hard to withdraw. Keep it swift and concise.

    While evading the axe, Min Juri seized the opportunity to thrust her sword at the orcs neck.

    However, due to the orcs sudden movement, the thrust ended up hitting its chest.

    The rapier, which had entered smoothly, was quickly withdrawn.

    Thankfully, it didnt get trapped in the muscles as I feared.

    Thanks to the swift and calcted thrust, the withdrawal was much smoother.

    Skkch!

    The orc, clutched its chest in pain, and swung its axe in a frenzy.

    But Min Juri wasnt one to be taken down by a sluggish and unskilled axe swing.

    Swoosh- Swoosh- Swoosh-!

    Continuously targeting the neck, she pressed on with her attack.

    And finally, on the sixth attempt, she managed to pierce a hole through the orcs neck.

    Skkch! Glrk, skkch!

    Green blood oozed from the orcs neck, escaping its grip.

    As its movements slowed, Min Juri took advantage and thrust two or three more times.

    Thud-

    Huff, huff.

    Breathing heavily, Min Juri wiped the sweat from her forehead.

    It was tough, but I did it. I managed to defeat an orc one-on-one.

    Her smile of aplishment was fleeting.

    Min Juri blinked repeatedly for no apparent reason.

    Whats this? Am I seeing things?

    This was because the man she had been relentlessly searching for was walking towards her.

    Is the person in front of me really ck Scythe? Seriously?

    Brief astonishment was followed by a sigh of relief.

    The man she had been fervently seeking was approaching

    No, he passed by.

    Oh! Excuse me!

    At Min Juris sudden shout, ck Scythe turned around swiftly.

    Whats up?

    Um, well, uh I mean

    As she attempted to speak, her mouth felt strangled.

    Min Juri spoke as though she was reciting words, her hesitation was evident.

    ck Scythe! Lets team up!

    What?

    Huh? Oh pa-party.

    ck Scythe raised an eyebrow.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 67: Too Easy (2)

    Chapter 67: Too Easy (2)

    ck Scythe! Lets team up!

    What?

    Huh? Oh pa-party.

    ck Scythe raised an eyebrow.

    Understanding the term party shouldnt be beyond them.

    Why should I team up with you?

    Well, um

    Min Juri concluded that demonstrating would be quicker than exining.

    She suddenly extended her hand, a burst of light emanating from it.

    As the light seeped into ck Scythes consciousness, his surprise was momentary.

    Whats this?

    This is Bless. My buff skill. Itsts for 3 hours. Most likely, all stats have increased by 50%.

    Even though ck Scytheprehended, he still double-checked his status window.

    It appears to be true.

    Is this exnation sufficient? My buff can be a tremendous aid during hunts.

    So, if I want to continue receiving your buffs, you want me to team up with you?

    Yes. To be precise, assist me with my hunting.

    Hmm.

    ck Scythe rubbed his chin, pretending to ponder.

    Then, he looked at her with an intentionally cool gaze.

    I hold the upper hand here. But I could use you as my subordinate right away.

    Uh

    Min Juri was taken aback.

    This turn of events hadnt crossed her mind.

    Of course, ck Scythe had no intention of wasting his authority.

    Can you promise not to stab me in the back?

    Well, of course!

    Very well. Lets give it a shot.

    ck Scythe suddenly extended his hand.

    Min Juri snapped back to reality and cautiously grabbed hold of it.

    Since were teaming up, lets at least have a brief introduction. [ck Scythe], level 32, ss: Reaper.

    Ah, Im [Democracy], level 13, and Im a buffer.

    Do you need help though? I saw you dealing with the orcs quite well earlier.

    It was my first time, and to be honest, it was tough.

    It took you about an hour and a half to take your first kill?

    Ahaha it just turned out that way

    Min Juri found herself yfully scratching her head, unable to say that waiting for ck Scythe had caused her to waste precious time.

    Looks like were short on time.

    Yes I just took down one orc, and I need to hit 300 quickly.

    Then let me speed things up.

    How can you help?

    Ill weaken the orcs enough for you to finish them off. You just need tond the final blow, and the credit will be yours.

    In gaming terms, he was suggesting shend the killing blow.

    Can you manage that?

    Absolutely. You saw me handle the orcs earlier. Im not weak enough to be unable to finish them.

    Then theres no need to worry. Lets go.

    Just a moment.

    At Min Juris call, Ryu Min turned casually.

    Whats up?

    While I appreciate the help, Im wondering if my presence will disrupt your quest.

    Dont worry about that. Ive alreadypleted the main quest.

    Really?

    Hes already taken down 300 orcs?

    Yet, there are over eight hours left for this round to end.

    While Min Juri contemted this, Ryu Min continued, Im not aiming for the main quest. Its a sub-quest. Ive already obtained one Bnce Stone.

    Oh, youve already got one?

    I defeated the boss Orc Warrior. To get the others, Ill likely need to defeat more bosses.

    Oh there are bosses

    Being well-acquainted with games, Minjuri had anticipated that bosses would show up at some point.

    Just not in this round.

    If youre interested in the sub-quest, just let me know. Ill give you a shot at facing bosses solo.

    Oh, no. Taking on orcs alone is already tough, let alone bosses

    Min Juri pped her hands together and sneakily nced at Ryu Min.

    So thats what you were worried about? You thought I might covet the Bnce Stone and betray you.

    Although she believed in him, Min Juri couldnt help but think that way.

    Dont worry, ck Scythe. I have no ambitions for sub-quest. Im content with the main quest alone. So theres no chance of betrayal. Not that I have the skills for it

    Got it. Ill see if I can trust you.

    With that, Ryu Min took the lead.

    Min Juri followed closely, keeping up.

    Dont stay behind,e to my side. If youre out of my sight, I cant protect you.

    Sure thing.

    Min Juri no longer feared ck Scythe.

    Hes not as ruthless as I thought, based on our conversation.

    He offered help, advised her to move to the side when danger lurked, and subtly looked out for her.

    Min made the right call. Honestly, I was unsure if ck Scythe would agree to party up with me, but now hes helping me

    She wondered how they would tackle the orcs, but she would find out eventually.

    With those thoughts in mind, as they walked side by side, a group of orcs suddenly appeared.

    Chwik- Chwik!

    As three orcs approached menacingly, Min Juri raised her rapier, bracing herself.

    Then, at that moment

    Wait a moment.

    Nonchntly, Ryu Min stepped forward, swinging his scythe low.

    The orcs thick legs were severed, like slicing through meat.

    Kwoak!

    Kreuk!

    The upper bodies of the fallen orcs hit the ground, and Ryu Mins scythe shed once more.

    This time, the arms were severed from the torsos.

    The orcs, now with just torsos and heads, cried out in agony.

    Now, finish them off. All three.

    .

    Why are you hesitating?

    Sorry.

    Regaining herposure, Min Juri moved toward the orcs.

    Thud- Thud- Thud!

    Taking their lives wasnt a difficult task.

    Especially when dealing with helpless opponents who had lost their limbs.

    [You have defeated the orcs!]

    [Experience gained +2.35%]

    [Gold +40]

    Min Juris mouth hung open as she read the messages that appeared.

    This, this is even if its easy, this is too easy!

    She knew firsthand how challenging orcs could be.

    They were no pushovers as goblins.

    So, even though they were considered tough, she expected there to be some level of danger.

    But its not dangerous at all.

    It felt as easy as plucking meat off a fishbone.

    Killing orcs is this easy?

    Her admiration for ck Scythes skills was renewed.

    Lets continue.

    Ah, yes!

    She felt it once again.

    How fortunate she was to have teamed up with ck Scythe.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 68: Trap (1)

    Chapter 68: Trap (1)

    The sharp rapier found its mark with precision, piercing the throat of the lumbering orc.

    In motion, they were elusive prey, but an orc, stripped of limbs and hobbling, made for an easy target. Min Juri couldnt help but admire the efficiency of a high-level yer. I never knew hunting could be this straightforward, she mused, her gentle voice break through the eerie silence of the battlefield littered with lifeless bodies.

    Had an orc witnessed this, it might have choked on disbelief, quite literally.

    Ryu Min inquired, How many have we dispatched thus far?

    52 in just 30 minutes, came the reply from Minjuri, her voice brimming with pride. Thats impressively fast, isnt it?

    Ryu Min chose not to respond, for by his own standards, it was merely efficient, not exceptional. After all, he used to take down a staggering 300 in an houra feat that had now be second nature.

    Yet, the time spent wandering was too long, he contemted. The monster poption in these fields is far from abundant.

    The act of killing them was almost effortless. The true challengey in the hunt itself.

    But its a risky proposition to wander too far, especially with Minjuri by my side, he mused.

    Imagine being suddenly encircled by 50 of them. Alone, it might be manageable, but with Minjuri in tow,plete protection was not assured.

    It seems I must head towards the Orc Shaman. That way, I can expedite the process of locating orcs.

    The Orc Shaman possessed the ability to summon his brethren. By employing this resource, Ryu Min could bypass theborious task of tracking down individual orcs.

    Besides, the path to the shamansir aligns with our current trajectory. If we stick to the n, we should make good progress.

    They could dispatch a few orcs along the way, while approaching the bosss domain.

    Min Juri smiled brightly, not even knowing that they were heading toward a boss.

    At this pace, we could conceivably tally up 300 within 3 hours.

    3 hours is too lengthy. Lets aim for under 1 hour.

    Perplexed, Minjuri queried, Huh? Just 1 hour?

    Concerned that she might have misheard, she sought rification, receiving the same response.

    I intend toplete the quest in less than an hour.

    Really? How?

    By making use of the Orc Shaman.

    Minjuri, baffled, inquired, Whats that?

    Ryu Min revealed his strategy: utilizing the Orc Shaman to summon orcs and reach the 300 mark without eliminating the shaman. Essentially, a tactic to maximize gains by keeping the shaman alive.

    But how did you know about the Orc Shaman? Youve never encountered it before, right?

    Without missing a beat, Ryu Min concocted a seamless lie. I encountered it briefly before meeting you, which is how I know its location.

    Ah

    Dont worry. Ill safeguard against all potential threats.

    Minjuris initial surprise gave way to a warm smile. Surprisingly considerate, she remarked. Perhaps, as the saying goes, You only truly know someone once you talk to him.

    Here we are.

    The duo arrived at a quaint vige adorned with modest wooden huts. It was not extensive, and there were no orc sentinels in sight.

    A boss in this tiny vige? Min Juri voiced her astonishment, for the vige consisted of no more than five huts.

    However, appearances could be deceiving. Ryu Min knew this was a trap set to lure unsuspecting yers. Entering might seem easy, but yers who underestimate it often fall victim to the orcs summoned by the Orc Shaman.

    A simr scenario had unfolded in the previous regression. As he circled behind the vige, he discovered a mountain of yer corpses concealed by the cunning Orc Shaman. It was a testament to his intelligence and malevolence.

    But, in essence, it signifies cowardliness. Hecks the courage to engage in openbat. Without his orc summons, hes a mere pushover.

    Therefore, while Ryu Min could easily eliminate the Orc Shaman, he intended to keep him alive, at least for now, to aid in their hunting efforts.

    Come this way.

    As Ryu Min took the lead, Min Juri followed.

    Howe I cant see the orcs?

    She looked around, but she couldnt even see a single orc.

    But that was natural.

    Because orcs dont live here.

    Only the Orc Shaman lives here.

    After passing three or four thatched houses, they came across arge thatched house that was different from before.

    Inside this ce hides the Orc Shaman, quietly crafting traps, lying in wait for our entry, Ryu Min exined.Ch??��ck out l??t??st ????v??l?? on nov??l/bin(.)c??m

    The orcs set traps? Juri queried.

    Indeed. As a boss, he possesses a measure of intelligence. These seemingly innocuous huts here are just disguises, designed to lure yers in. In reality, this vige harbors none but the Orc Shaman.

    Aha No wonder it was eerily silent.

    In the end, this entire vige is a trap, meticulously set to ensnare and dispatch yers.

    So, have we fallen into the trap?

    Ryu Min nodded affirmatively.

    At least in the eyes of the Orc Shaman.

    Do you have a n? Min Juri inquired.

    Yes, we can turn his trap against him.

    If its a trap

    The trap is simple. Inexperienced yers entering the house will trigger trap points. At that moment, the waiting Orc Shaman summons orcs to overwhelm them. About 10 to 20 orcs are summoned, and when surrounded, theres no escape.

    Ryu Min, of course, felt confident he could handle any number of orcs.

    But our goal now isnt to kill them; its to keep them barely alive

    But if they alle out simultaneously, it could get troublesome.

    Thats true. But theres a solution.

    Ryu Min detailed his n for luring out the orcs.

    Min Juris eyes widened as she listened.

    So, it really can be that simple?

    Yes.

    Do you think the Orc Shaman will fall for it?

    Fear not; the n has already been tested.

    With doubt in her eyes, Min Juri seemed to have made up her mind and nodded.

    Ill take care of the first part of the n.

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 Chapter 68: Trap (2)

    Chapter 68: Trap (2)

    With doubt in her eyes, Min Juri seemed to have made up her mind and nodded.

    Ill take care of the first part of the n.

    You want to do it alone?

    Yes. Theres no need for both of us to be trapped, right? Having both of us act like helpless baby birds waiting to be eaten is suspecious, and

    Are you confident you wont make a mistake?

    Of course. I understood the n, and I should be able to handle that much, right? I can at least earn my keep.

    When Min Juri offered to take on the task, Ryu Min didnt object further.

    Alright. Ill wait outside.

    With a determined but somewhat nervous expression, Min Juri opened the door to the hut.

    Creak

    She cautiously entered alone.

    There was no sign of anyone inside, no indication of any presence.

    Creak Creak

    With each step on the noisy path, she entered a spacious area.

    Twenty orcs could easily fit in this space.

    This must be the trap point that ck Scythe mentioned

    What was peculiar was the out-of-ce red carpet.

    Min Juri swallowed nervously as she recalled the n she had heard just moments ago.

    Inside, theres an Orc Shaman hidden. Hes only focused on the sound of the door opening and footsteps, waiting for humans toe in.

    We can use that to our advantage, deceive him, and corner the orcs. The method is simple. If you go a bit further, youll reach an area with a red carpet. Thats the trap point the Orc Shaman prepared. The moment you step on it, he summons orcs to block your escape. About 10 to 20 orcs will be summoned, and when they surround you, theres no way out. Youll go only as far as the carpet and then immediately leave the room. Afterward, the orcs will think they missed their prey and send a few scouts to lure us back. All we need to do is capture those scouts.

    That sounds simple enough. Ill give it a try.

    Min Juri reached the red carpet and nervously recalled the n.

    Creak

    Making a noise to signal her presence, she quickly turned around without looking back and exited the room.

    Phew. Its not a big deal, but its making me nervous for no reason.

    As she was catching her breath, she suddenly looked up and saw Ryu Min casually looking at the door.

    Are you okay?

    Haha Yes.

    Seeing his unwavering demeanor made her feel strangely relieved.

    How did it go?

    I followed the n and reached the red carpet.

    Good, thats enough.

    Are they really going to send scouts after us?

    Well find out if we wait.

    The two of them pressed themselves against the side of the hut, waiting for the door to open.

    A momentter

    Creak

    The door opened, and six orcs emerged.

    They received fresh orders to lure the recently escaped humans, and the orcs scurried around, following the instructions diligently.

    In that very moment, Ryu Min stepped forward, wielding his scythe with purpose.

    Why are you searching so intently? he inquired.

    Chwiik!?

    Right here, Ryu Min stated calmly.

    With a swift and brutal motion, an orcs limbs came crashing down, the grim sound of its fall filling the air.

    Before the remaining orcs could even raise their axes from their waists, their hands and feet were severed swiftly.

    Thud, thud, thud! The six orcs crumbled like a stack of toppled toy blocks.

    Ryu Min, as if his role werepleted, tactfully stepped back.

    It was now Min Juris turn, her rapier gracefully ending the orcs lives.

    These summoned creatures provided experience points and gold just like real orcs, despite their unnatural origins.

    Phew, its done, Min Juri sighed in relief.

    Then, lets lure them again, Ryu Min ordered.

    Will they fall for it again? Min Juri inquired.

    They might possess some intelligence, but they forget things as quickly as goldfish.

    Min Juri ventured into the house once more, repeating the process.

    She reached the red carpet and then exited, expertly leading the orcs.

    Thud, thud! Thud, thud!

    As Ryu Min severed limbs, Min Juri swiftly finished off the orcs.

    Their coordinated efforts became increasingly efficient as they continued their task, almost like a well-practiced team.

    By the time orc summon corpses piled up next to the huts, Min Juris voice rang out with joy.

    ck Scythe! Weve captured all 300!

    Ryu Min checked his progress window, noting, Exactly one hour has passed.

    In just one hour, they had managed to capture 248 orcs, reaching the impressive total of 300.

    Thanks to you, ck Scythe, we could huntfortably and quickly. Im truly grateful, Min Juri expressed her gratitude.

    Ryu Min smiled warmly, appreciating her sincerity.

    How much did your level go up? he inquired.

    Ive already reached level 19! Min Juri proudly proimed.

    Just 10,000 more experience points, and youll rank up, Ryu Minmented.

    Ranking up would grant her the ability to learn new skills and enhance existing ones, making her an even more valuable ally.

    It means I can receive more efficient Blessings. And new kind of buffs as well,

    Indeed, her growth would benefit Ryu Min as well, and he was pleased with the progress they were making.

    I dont have to assist with this anymore, right? he asked.

    Of course not! Ive received so much help already, and I didnt even request it, Min Juri replied gratefully.

    But what if I help you reach level 20? he proposed.

    Oh You really dont have to Min Juri hesitated.

    No, I need to. Helping you reach level 20 will benefit me, I need to get a buff from you so I can set a record when I capture the High Orc.

    In the fifth round, there were four formidable bosses: Orc Warrior, Orc Shaman, Orc Archer, and High Orc.

    Among them, the High Orc was a particrly powerful foe, almost on par with a mid-boss.

    Thats why High Orc is different from other bosses. Even the Time for Kill rule applies differently to him, Ryu Min exined.

    Time for Kill refers to a rule where you get a reward based on how quickly you catch a specific monster.

    I have to raise Min Juris level to 20, receive the two buffs. Then I can attempt a break the record.

    For the first time ever, he may be able to set an unprecedented record.

    Without even knowing that, Minjuri raised her hand to refuse, but Ryu Min was determined.

    You dont have to help me anymore.

    So does that mean we wont hunt together anymore?

    No way. How could I run away after receiving such great help? This time, I have to help ck Scythe.

    If you want to help, do it after you reach level 20. Ill take care of you until then.

    but  .

    Listen to me. Until you are level 20, please calmly ept the food I give you.

    Minjuri remained silent, her face not reflecting annoyance or frustration but rather deep thought.

    I cant believe you care so much about me

    Her expression revealed her gratitude for the unexpected help.

    Uh, its a bit shameless, but Ill be in your care, she finally agreed.

    Sure. Lets start the work again

    Their conversation was interrupted by a rumbling sound from behind.

    Ryu Min and Min Juri simultaneously turned their heads to see a group approaching.

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 Chapter 69: Kill Steal (1)

    Chapter 69: Kill Steal (1)

    This was no ordinary gathering; it was a party consisting of five men.

    Hey, take a look over there, one of them eximed.

    Isnt that a ck scythe? another chimed in.

    The men, upon spotting Ryu Min, suddenly froze in their tracks, clearly taken aback. It was as though they had stumbled upon a lion in the midst of a tranquil meadow.

    Ryu Min couldnt help but wonder why he felt a pang of unease. After all, these werent monsters; they were yers.

    Surely they wouldnt attack me unless theyve gonepletely mad, he mused.

    And look, theres a woman with him, another observer noted.

    The men, their initial vignce slowly waning, exchanged uncertain nces. Ryu Min found a modicum offort in having Min Juri by his side.

    Um, hello? one of the men ventured hesitantly.

    But Ryu Min remained silent, his expression akin to someone bothered by pesky flies, his brow furrowed.

    Whats going on here? another inquired cautiously.

    Well We came here to hunt orcs, but we never expected to run into such a sight, one of the men exined.

    As he spoke, their collective gaze shifted in unison, drawn to a peculiar sight.

    How many of those beasts did they bring down?

    They managed to kill all these orcs? their shock quickly turned intoprehension.

    The culprits responsible for the in orcs were none other than the wielders of the ck scythes. Yet, something didnt quite add up.

    Wait a moment, there were this many orcs in such a small vige? Somethings not right.

    And whos that woman next to him? Apanion, perhaps?

    ck Scythe has apanion? Thats rather unusual. Unless hes using her for some peculiar purpose.

    Her face is half and half, and shes quite buxom. She looks rather intriguing, heh.

    I had no idea ck scythe had such perverse tastes. Heh.

    They couldnt utter these thoughts aloud, but their minds were active, free to criticize even the President if they so wished.

    However, they had chosen their adversary unwisely.

    Especially when facing someone with runic abilities.

    So it came as no surprise that Ryu Mins eyebrows arched in response.

    Dont bother me; just go away, he curtly instructed.

    Excuse me? one of the men stammered.

    I said if you dont have anything to say, leave.

    The suddenness of hismand was startling, but what truly irked them was his informal tone.

    When did you start using such informalnguage? another questioned.

    Thats right. Isnt it impolite to be informal when meeting someone for the first time? a third added.

    To an outsider, it might have appeared audacious. Individuals not even at level 13 daring to criticize someone at level 32.

    Ryu Min found himself equally bewildered.

    What if, in the midst of a hunt, annoying little pests came buzzing around you? Youd want to squash them, wouldnt you? Thats exactly how I feel right now.

    His words were met with silence.

    Dont trouble me; just leave. Unless youre not too attached to your lives.

    Come on, guys, lets go, one of them urged, attempting to defuse the tension.

    Sorry for the interruption, another added, bowing apologetically.

    We apologize for disturbing you, yet another chimed in.

    The men retreated swiftly, and Ryu Min didnt take his eyes off them until they had vanished from sight.

    He was, in fact, reading their thoughts.

    These fellows They must be lurking somewhere, keeping an eye on me.

    They were evidently curious about the ck scythes hunting techniques, hence their strategic withdrawal and decision to observe from a concealed vantage point.

    Go ahead, watch all you want. As long as I achieve my goal, it doesnt bother me.

    Yet, he couldnt indefinitely hunt orc summons.

    I should eliminate the boss and collect the rewards sooner rather thanter.

    Before that, Ill level up Min Juri to 20.

    Shifting his gaze away from the departing men, Ryu Min looked at Min Juri and said, Lets get back to hunting.

    Why did you deliberately speak so coldly to drive them away? Min Juri inquired.

    What do you mean?

    Why did you use such an icy tone to chase them off?

    You used to be so gentle, she remarked, withholding her follow-upments.

    Ryu Min, somewhat taken aback by her ability to discern his thoughts, maintained hisposure and simply replied, If I dont do this, theyll keep bothering us. I have to make it crystal clear that Ill eliminate them if they dare meddle again.

    Just focus on hunting, and pay no mind to them, He reassured her.

    ***

    The group of men who had been shooed away by the enigmatic ck Scythe came to a sudden halt.

    Perhaps were out of his line of sight by now? one pondered aloud.

    But whats our n here? another asked.

    Its curiosity, my friends, a third chimed in. Were itching to discover just how this enigmatic fellow, ck Scythe, carries out his hunting.

    Ah, yes, that thought has crossed my mind as well, admitted another. Im also intrigued by where hes sourcing all these orcs from.

    So, whats the strategy? Shall we sneak closer and observe? yet another inquired.

    Dont worry, as long as we stay a reasonable distance away, we wont be noticed. And if youre feeling scared, well, you can always hang back, the reassurer offered.

    Fear? Not in a million years! Lets move.

    Having mustered their courage, the five men ventured closer in the direction where the ck Scythe had been spotted.

    I see him, over there, one of them whispered.

    Through the dappled tree cover, they glimpsed a quaint thatched cottage, and just beyond it, the ck Scythe in the throes of his hunt.

    They decided to make use of the trees as makeshift shields and close the distance cautiously.

    At this range, we should remain concealed, one remarked.

    Alright then, this is our chance to observe where this guy is rounding up those orcs from, another strategized.

    Unbeknownst to them, ck Scythe was outside the cottage, methodically dispatching orcs.

    Limb after limb was severed, and orc corpses thudded heavily to the ground.

    Once hed created a substantial pile, the ck Scythe turned away, as though his part in this macabre dance was over.

    What in the world is going on here? someone pondered aloud.

    Why hasnt he finished them? another queried, perplexed.

    Just then, the woman at his side, as if anticipating the moment, thrust her sword into an orc.

    The unfortunate creature, unable to put up any resistance, relinquished experience points as its throat was cruelly pierced.

    What Is he helping her level up? one of them wondered.

    Why on earth? Whats his motive? another mused.

    It was an iprehensible sight. The number one-ranked yer, squandering precious time leveling up with another woman.

    What kind of pleasure did that woman offer to earn his help? someone spected.

    Good Lord, just look at how easy he makes hunting seem, another muttered enviously.

    Their perspective on the matter was profoundly altered. Some of them, toiling to bring down a single orc, now felt a pang of frustration as they watched others amass experience points with minimal effort.

    But isnt something rather peculiar here? one inquired.

    What do you mean? another responded.

    Take a closer look at that woman.

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 Chapter 69: Kill Steal (2)

    Chapter 69: Kill Steal (2)

    But isnt something rather peculiar here? one inquired.

    What do you mean? another responded.

    Take a closer look at that woman.

    Every time she entered the thatched house, the orcs would emerge and follow her outside.

    It wasnt just a one-time urrence; it happened repeatedly.

    Every time she ventured inside and returned, the orcs trailed after her like devoted followers.

    Shes continually luring out the orcs, dont you see? Ive counted at least thirty by now.

    Doesnt that strike you as odd? Could there be as many orcs inside as shes drawing out? someone wondered.

    The two of them were caught in an endless loop of drawing the orcs out and hunting them down.

    If those piles of orc corpses over there areing from inside that small cottage

    That would mean there were at least three hundred orcs inside, another concluded.

    It simply doesnt make sense, one mused.

    In that case, the only logical conclusion is They all seemed to arrive at the same thought simultaneously.

    That that thatched house is an orc respawn point? someone dared to suggest.

    It certainly appears that way. Otherwise, none of this adds up, another concurred.

    In a world structured like a game, the presence of respawn points wasnt entirely out of the ordinary. In fact, it was a rather logical assumption.

    Could it be that theyve been camping out here, using this respawn point? one seethed with indignation.

    Now that I think about it, perhaps they asked us to leave to seize control of this spot? another ventured.

    It was infuriating, to say the least. They burned with the desire for revenge against these two interlopers, no matter the cost.

    Yet, facing off against the ck Scythe offered little hope. For now, all they could do was bide their time and watch.

    How about we wait until those guys depart? Once theyre gone, we can swoop in and im this ce, one suggested.

    That sounds like a n. Wed love to take it back by force, but weck the strength, another conceded.

    Regretfully, the men settled into an impatient waiting game, not realizing that this would ultimately prove to be the gravest mistake of their lives.

    ***

    ck Scythe! Ive hit level 20! Min Juri, her sword bathed in orc blood, couldnt contain her excitement.

    This achievement had been unlocked in a mere fifteen minutes.

    With his usual nonchnce, Ryu Min acknowledged, Congrattions.

    Level 20 marked a significant turning point for Min Juri. Her status had been upgraded to Regr, and shed unlocked the coveted Combination feature.

    Ive even picked up a brand-new skill. Blesss effectiveness has jumped from 50% to 60%! she eximed.

    Can you cast it on me now? Ryu Min inquired.

    Just give me a moment!

    Radiant light emanated from Min Juris outstretched hand, making its way towards Ryu Min.

    [The Bless skill, when activated, elevates all statistics by a resounding 60%.]

    [Duration: 02:59:59]

    And another one. Its my newly acquired buff, she elucidated.

    This time, a verdant radiance enveloped Ryu Mins mind as it permeated his being.

    [The Swift skill dramatically enhances both attack and movement speed by a whopping 60%.]

    [Duration: 00:29:59]

    Swift, the skill that enhanced attack and movement speed, was nothing short of a game-changer. Although its effectssted a mere 30 minutes, they were anything but trivial.

    Effectively, it boosts Agility by a solid 40 points, Ryu Min calcted. While it might not be on par with Bless, it was a valuable addition to his arsenal. Whats more, it promised to significantly improve his time-killing records.

    Swift is quite a useful buff, he acknowledged.

    Right? Dont fret about its short duration. Ill refresh it every 30 minutes, Min Juri reassured him.

    Thanks for having my back.

    I dont say things lightly; I mean it.

    Got it.

    Shes genuinely appreciative, Ryu Min couldnt help but think.

    He knew Min Juris feelings better than anyone, thanks to the Rune of Inner Thoughts, but as the enigmatic ck Scythe, he had to remain indifferent.

    All right, lets conclude our leveling here and set our sights on that Orc Shaman.

    Isnt hunting Orcs like this profitable?

    We must venture after other bosses as well; we cant linger here indefinitely.

    Is there anything I can do to assist?

    Stay out of harms way, so you dont be a liability.

    Yes, dont worry.

    Despite his brusque words, Min Juri didnt take offense; instead, she appreciated his vignce.

    Just before Ryu Min ventured inside to confront the Orc Shaman, he surreptitiously nced toward the two oclock direction.

    Noobs time.

    The same five individuals he had previously told to leave were observing from afar, blissfully unaware that their presence had been detected.

    Ryu Min had discreetly kept tabs on them using the Rune of Inner Thoughts, allowing him to read their intentions.

    They were badmouthing me and Min Juri pretty harshly.

    His mental fortitude was substantial enough not to be swayed by insults. Still, their attitude irritated him.

    Even in the face of such an overwhelming level gap, they dare to entertain such thoughts about me?

    He sighed silently, believing that they just hadntprehended the ck Scythes terror yet.

    I need to work harder to build my reputation. I cant allow anyone to talk about me like that.

    To reach that goal, Ryu Min had prepared something improvised  a n to expose their weaknesses.

    Its almost like an integrity test in a way.

    With a sly smile, he swung open the cottage door and stepped inside.

    A short whileter

    Crash! The cottage door shattered, and Ryu Min burst out.

    Min Juri, wisely keeping her distance to avoid bing coteral damage, widened her eyes in astonishment.

    Why is ck Scythe, the same man who had effortlessly dispatched hundreds of Orcs, fleeing? What could possibly terrify him?

    Her questions were soon answered. Following Ryu Min, an Orc Shaman wearing an eerie wooden mask and clutching a staff stepped out.

    Chii-ing, Shiiii-ing!

    When the Orc Shaman bellowed, ten more Orcs materialized out of thin air.

    While Min Juri was safely out of their reach, the true concern was for the ck Scythe.

    Hes hes encircled by twenty Orcs!

    Should I help him? Min Juris momentary hesitation was brief.

    ck Scythe, whom she knew better than anyone else, didnt fear facing twenty Orcs.

    And hadnt she just buffed him?

    With the movement speed he possesses, he should easily be able to outrun them.

    Why would he let himself get cornered when escape was a breeze?

    Min Juri suspected he had a n.

    Chiiiiing! Ching!

    At the Orc Shamansmand, the Orcs surrounding ck Scythe initiated a coordinated attack.

    Swords shed, shoulders contorted to dodge iing blows, heads ducked to evade axes  in the cramped space, ck Scythe moved tirelessly.

    With twenty attackers, there was barely a moment to catch ones breath.

    Hes parrying and evading them all Remarkable skill, Min Juri silently admired.

    But her admiration was short-lived.

    Who are those people?

    Suddenly, she spotted figures approaching from behind the Orc Shaman. They were the same men they had encountered earlier.

    What are they up to? Could it be that, while ck Scythe is drawing the orcs attention, theyre attempting to eliminate the Orc Shaman?

    Seeing them cautiously approach with weapons drawn confirmed her suspicions.

    No, the Shaman is ck Scythes target!

    Whether he knew this or not, ck Scythe was busy dealing with the Orcs.

    If this continues, the Orc Shaman will be stolen by them!

    The moment she decided that she had to step in and stop it

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 Chapter 70: Orc Shaman (1)

    Chapter 70: Orc Shaman (1)

    In the midst of anticipation, the group of five men stood watch, waiting for ck Scythe to vacate his post.

    Hold on a second. Why is ck Scythe heading into the house? one of them remarked.

    Until now, its been only the woman going in there, another chimed in.

    Is he nning to lure the orcs in himself this time? wondered yet another.

    But why is that woman leaving her spot? someone else inquired, their faces etched with bewilderment.

    At that moment, their eyes were fixed on the scene before them, brimming with iprehension.

    Creak

    A door shattering signaled the emergence of ck Scythe from the building.

    Whats going on? ck Scythe is being chased by orcs! eximed one of the onlookers.

    Does that even make sense? The infamous ck Scythe is fleeing? another questioned, disbelief in their voice.

    After all, they had witnessed him sever orc limbs numerous times. He was certainly no ordinary individual; the idea of him fearing ten orcs was preposterous.

    Wait a moment. Whos that monster chasing him from behind? someone wondered aloud.

    The one with the staff? another queried.

    Doesnt he look over 2 meters tall? observed yet another.

    He appearsrger than the other orcs. Could he be the boss? suggested someone else.

    The boss? The contrast in his attire and staturepared to regr orcs was striking. Moreover, seasoned gamers could likely specte on the kind of skills he might employ.

    Could it be that hes not regenerating orcs but summoning them? someone ventured.

    As fate would have it, that was precisely the case. The boss, summoning an additional ten orcs, had encircled ck Scythe.

    ng, ng!

    Twenty orcish figures relentlessly swung their axes, and amidst them, ck Scythe danced nimbly.

    This is insane! Can he dodge all of that? one of the men eximed.

    Wow hes a monster, another muttered in awe.

    While some were taken aback by ck Scythes agility, others seized the opportunity presented.

    Listen, everyone. This isnt the time to be standing here idle, someone dered.

    Whys that? came the puzzled response.

    Its that monster there, who we suspect is the boss. Hespletely defenseless.

    Oh, really?

    The orc shamans attention was solely focused on ck Scythe, making him oblivious to their presence.

    If we can sneak past the orcs and strike him from behind, we might be able to steal from the boss.

    Whats our move, then? Do we go for the steal? someone asked.

    Well

    This is our chance. Make a quick decision, urged another.

    But what if ck Scythe catches us in the act?

    He wont notice. Hes too busy with the orcs right now.

    Indeed, there was no possible way to break through the orcish ranks and attack the boss. If it had been possible, ck Scythe would have done it already.

    If he asks us why we stole his killter, we can simply im it was to rescue them because it looked perilous.

    Oh, that might work?

    What do you say? Want to join the heist? someone proposed.

    Im in.

    Count me in too.

    With unanimous consent, the group quietly advanced toward the orc shaman from behind, much like skilled burrs.

    Unaware, the shaman remained fixated on ck Scythe.

    All right, on the count of three

    Okay.

    They exchanged subtle nods and readied their weapons.

    One, two

    Just as they were about tounch their assault on the orc shaman

    Three

    Darkness suddenly enshrouded their vision.

    What the?

    Whats happening?

    In their confusion, they involuntarily let out startled gasps.

    Ugh!

    The group hastily attempted to cover their mouths, but the orc shaman had already detected the presence of an enemy behind him and distanced himself.

    Roar? Roarrrrr!

    Was it anger at nearly falling victim to an ambush?

    The orc shaman, who had been bellowing loudly, raised his staff high.

    Tsssssh

    As the darkness lifted, they beheld the scene before them. The orcs that had surrounded ck Scythe had been summoned right in front of their eyes.

    Ah!

    Damn it, were in trouble

    Surrounded by twenty orcs with no room to maneuver.

    Roar! Rooooar!

    Following their mastersmand, the orcs simultaneously swung their axes.

    Thunk, thunk! Thunk, thunk, thunk!

    Dull thuds echoed.

    Save us! Ugh!

    Ugh!

    Brief cries were heard.

    Sounds of something being crushed and shattered also reached the ears.

    Unlike ck Scythe, the men had no skill to fend off the simultaneous axe attacks of twenty orcs.

    To make matters worse, they had already struggled against just five orcs.

    * * *

    Though the orcs had vanished abruptly, Ryu Min remained unfazed.

    In fact, he seemed to have anticipated this turn of events, his gaze trained on the direction the orcs had moved.

    It was painfully obvious who had been just killed.

    The group of five men who had been watching him and Min Juri intently.

    It seems they attempted to steal the orc shaman from me and got caught in the end, Ryu Min thought to himself, deliberately luring the orc shaman out of the hut.

    He could have killed them inside the house, but for the sake of the test, he pretended to be chased by orcs.

    And he lured the five of them while defending against the attacks of twenty orcs.

    Would they really aim for the orc shaman? Or not?

    It was a kind of test of character.

    To see if they would seize the opportunity to steal the orc shaman when he was in danger.

    The result?

    As expected.

    Of course. It seemed likely that they would go after the shaman.

    Their behavior fell squarely within the expected range of character.

    The price for failing the test was death.

    At the moment when they were trying to ambush the orc shaman, he cast the spell of the Night of Death.

    As night fell, the aggro of the orc shaman shifted to the five men.

    As a result, without exception, they became minced meat.

    No sympathy was felt.

    They were individuals who had taken advantage of someone elses life to benefit themselves.

    If they hadnt been so greedy, they might have survived.

    He had undoubtedly given them a chance.

    A chance to live.

    The choice of death was entirely theirs.

    Ryu Min, carrying his scythe, walked casually.

    Roar? Roarrrrr!

    The orc shaman spotted him and raised his staff.

    The orcs rushed at him, wielding their axes.

    However

    Sweeoosh!

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 Chapter 70: Orc Shaman (2)

    Chapter 70: Orc Shaman (2)

    Ryu Min, carrying his scythe, walked casually.

    Roar? Roarrrrr!

    The orc shaman spotted him and raised his staff.

    The orcs rushed at him, wielding their axes.

    However

    Sweeoosh!

    As soon as they entered Ryu Mins range, a fountain of green blood burst forth.

    The orcs fell without even swinging their weapons.

    The result was the same no matter how many of them approached.

    They were mercilessly cut down as if they were being shredded in a blender, an attack so swift that it might appear invisible to the naked eye.

    But the attack speed has definitely increased, right?

    The change from before was clearly perceptible.

    With Bless and Swift, plus the 50% attack speed increase at night

    It was so fast, possibly even too fast to be seen with the naked eye.

    Roar?

    When his summoned creatures were mercilessly cut down, the orc shaman opened his eyes wide in surprise.

    Roar! Roar!

    The confused shaman tried to summon again with his staff.

    Right at that moment

    Thud!

    Ryu Min, who had reached the shamans neck in the blink of an eye, swung his scythe.

    Goodbye.

    As soon as he finished speaking, the orc shamans head floated into the air.

    You have defeated the Orc Shaman!

    Experience +37.73%

    Gold +4,000

    Level up!

    Obtained Bead of Eternity''

    Obtained Mystic Wooden Totem''

    Obtained Lesser Blue Magic Stone''

    Obtained Stone of Bnce''

    Subquest Progress: Stone of Bnce 2/4

    Killing the shaman had raised his level to 33.

    He gained 4,000 gold, the Stone of Bnce, magic stones, and more.

    The unique material item, the Mystic Wooden Totem, was a particrly wee harvest.

    But above all, an item had caught Ryu Mins attention.

    Bead of Eternity

    ssification: Ne

    Rarity: Epic

    Effect: Gain 1 stack every time a monster is killed, reducing durability by 1. Every 100 stacks can be converted into 1 stat point.

    Durability: 1,000/1,000

    Usage Restriction: Regr grade or higher

    Description: A ne adorned with a murky white bead. It is said that the souls of the defeated are trapped within the bead.

    The Bead of Eternity was an incredible item that granted stat points every 100 stacks.

    It was simr in effect to the absorption rune that the me Dragon had.

    The only difference was that stacks were umted only when monsters were killed.

    Its as good as it gets to permanently raise stats.

    The only downside was that it was a consumable item, as it had a durability of 1,000 points.

    In other words, with a durability of 1,000, you can gain 10 stat points.

    Afterward, the ne would be destroyed, but who would care about that?

    It was worth it for the permanent stat boost of 10 points.

    But what if you could infinitely restore durability?

    Then you could raise stats indefinitely, perhaps up to 100 points.

    That was, of course, if there was a way to restore durability.

    Of course, I know that method.

    Among the runes, there was a special rune that restored durability.

    Acquiring it in the eighth round seemed impossible at the moment.

    However, a glimmer of hope shone on the horizon: assistance from the cksmith ss. These crafters possessed a skill, known as Repair, that could restore durability. In the early stages, most cksmiths relied on this skill to make some extra cash.

    With a calcted approach, offering items in exchange for repairs each round could be a continuous source of stat improvements. But for now, this avenue remained inessible.

    ck Scythe! Where are you? Min Juris voice echoed,den with curiosity.

    Ryu Min stayed silent; the power of the Reapers rune had significantly reduced his visibility when motionless. Swiftly, he deactivated the Night of Death skill.

    A puzzled Min Juri, noting the peculiar alternation of light and darkness, finally locked her gaze onto Ryu Min. Oh, there you are! Ive been searching for ages.

    Oh, as you can see, Ive been a bit busy, Ryu Min responded with the orc shamans lifeless form at his feet. Yet, Min Juris reaction was oddly nonchnt, as if this oue were no surprise.

    Have you finally captured him? But havent you seen anyone else? There were individuals attempting to steal the orc shaman from you

    Ryu Min replied with a hint of uncertainty, I didnt notice anyone.

    Thats strange, dont you think? It felt like I heard screams

    Min Juri voiced her doubts, but Ryu Min chose silence; there was no need to reveal the grim evidence.

    Lets proceed and try to kill the next boss quickly, Ryu Min urged, refocusing their conversation.

    Absolutely!

    * * *

    You have defeated the Orc Archer!

    The rewards flowed in:

    [Experience +37.73%]

    [Gold+4,000]

    [Agile Archers Boots have been acquired.]

    [Rusted arrowhead has been acquired.]

    [Lesser Green Magic Stone has been acquired.]

    [The Stone of Bnce has been acquired.]

    [Subquest progress: 3/4 stones of bnce]

    Upon confronting the third boss, it crumbled before them. Unlike the protracted struggle against the orc shaman, there was no reason to prolong this battle.

    Ryu Min, contemting whether to inspect his newfound items, was drawn to one particr artifact: the Bead of Eternity. This epic ne had proven itself invaluable, umting a stack with each in monster, at the cost of a negligible durability reduction. Once a century stack milestone was reached, it could be converted into a precious stat point.

    Equipped now with Agile Archers Boots, boasting a remarkable +10 Agility, Ryu Min contemted a change from his current, less impressive footwear.

    He decided to begin by disassembling the lowest-grade green magic stone, one of his oldest possessions. With the recent acquisition of a lesser green magic stone, he embarked on a fusion of the two.

    Combination Sessful! the announcement dered.

    The resulting synergy bestowed upon the newly enhanced boots an additional perk: Agility +4.

    As he reviewed his achievements, Ryu Min acknowledged the sessful conquest of all mid-level bosses. The final challenge loomedthe formidable High Orc.

    Differing from its predecessors, this boss adhered to the Time Rule. Quickerpletion equated to greater rewards.

    This one needs to be killed rapidly. The quicker, the more bountiful the spoils, Ryu Min strategized. His previous best time, 43 seconds, was the record to beat.

    Though he had regressed 99 times, he had yet to surpass that record. However, he held a trump card this time: Min Juris buffs.

    Confident of breaking records, Ryu Min resolved to dy his showdown with the High Orc, utilizing the surplus time to maximize his level. He also intended to use the Bead of Eternity without the fear of its destruction.

    In his quest to attain the highest record, hemitted to enhancing his stats and achieving what had thus far eluded him.

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 Chapter 71: High Orc (1)

    Chapter 71: High Orc (1)

    [Ryu Min]

    [Experience +0.27%]

    [Gold +40]

    [Current Orc Count: 2,415/100]

    [Rune of ughter Effect: Boosting all stats by 100%.]

    [Skeletal Ne Effect: Speeding up attacks by 25%.]

    Ryu Min, who had carved through the orc horde like a well-oiled machine, checked the time with a quick nce.

    [Time Remaining until Round End: 00:30:41]

    With roughly 30 minutes left on the clock, Ryu Min sheathed his scythe. He decided it was time to shift gears, realizing that further orc hunting was bing futile.

    Its time to change our approach. Leveling up in the remaining time doesnt seem feasible.

    At present, Ryu Min was standing at level 39. Just one more level, and hed unlock new skills, significantly boosting his prowess. But

    Regrettably, time is running short for that.

    Still, he had no regrets; hed given it his all.

    Seven hours of relentless hunting, over two thousand orcs in.

    Min Juri tagged along during this ordeal, but Ive handed her more than a hundred, so she should be content. Besides, she gave me buffs.

    This arrangement had its advantages. It had expedited their hunting, taking Ryu Min to level 39, boosting nine stats through the Bead of Eternity.

    Ryu Min wore the neckless around his neck as he marked his achievement  ying 900 orcs. Every hundred orcs equated to one stat point, so he hadted nine of them. Additionally, he had 99 more orcs tucked away in his inventory, nearly filling the stack to [99/100].

    One more, and the beads durability hits zero, shattering it. Ill have to halt its use to restore durabilityter.

    The beads remaining durability stood at [1/1000]. To rejuvenate it for future use, he had to cease its current use.

    ck Scythe, finished hunting?

    This should suffice.

    Time to tackle the remaining boss, then?

    Yes, its a must.

    Any idea where its located?

    Well have to search for it.

    Ryu Min suddenly extended his hand as he briefly locked eyes with Min Juri.

    Lets part ways here. Youve gone through a lot chasing me.

    Ah Is this the end?

    Min Juris face clouded with disappointment as they shook hands, signaling the end of their partnership.

    Should I ask if its okay to stick around until we defeat the final boss? No, parting ways here is for the best. Being by his side would likely hinder more than help. Yes, parting ways here is the right call.

    Ryu Min heard her thoughts but chose to ignore them. The final boss, High Orc, posed a significant threat. No need for Min Juri to shadow him.

    Ill refresh your buffs onest time.

    As Min Juri reached out her hand, the Bless and Swift buffs reset.

    Now are you going?

    Yes.

    Thank you again for your help with hunting. It would have been incredibly tough for me alone. This is small, but

    Min Juri handed over a blue mana crystal from her inventory.

    It dropped while I weas hunting. Im not sure if youll need it, but Ill give it to you.

    You can keep it.

    No, Im fine with just the experience points.

    Even without reading her thoughts, her sincerity shone through. Her thoughts involuntarily seeped into Ryu Mins understanding.

    Originally, I had two, but I have to give Min the other one

    Observing Min Juris caring nature, unaware that they were the same person, Ryu Min couldnt help but smile.

    I cant let him refuse, I owe ck Scythe big time.

    I also received help. So stop trying paying off your debt.

    What?

    Min Juri appeared bewildered by his words, as if he could see through her.

    In the meantime, ck Scythe epted the mana crystal.

    Ill dly ept what you give me. Well then, well see each other next time.

    Disregarding the perplexed Min Juri, ck Scythe urged a quick pace. Time was of the essence in defeating the High Orc.

    * * *

    Among the four bosses in Round 5, High Orc undoubtedly stood as the mightiest.

    So formidable that even a group of twenty level 20 yers wouldnt stand a chance.

    Maybe a hundred yers throwing their lives at him might have a shot.

    However, such a scenario had never unfolded, rendering it pointless to contemte.

    Thats why I can be at ease until now as the round draws to a close. Theres no risk of someone snatching it from me, so theres no need to fret.

    During the early regressions, no one had managed to take down the formidable High Orc. Its sheer dominance discouraged any thoughts of challenging it, except for one determined soul  ck Scythe.

    At first, Ryu Min had hesitated to confront the High Orc. He had ventured out toplete a sub-quest but ended up dying four times, courtesy of the High Orc. However, as his head got progressively cracked open, he learned its tactics and grasped the rules of the Time Attack.

    Since then, I havent met my demise once while hunting the High Orc.

    With each passing round, he shaved off precious seconds from his hunting time, even setting a new record of 43 seconds.

    This time, Ill shatter that record.

    Ryu Mins feet pushed him forward with remarkable speed. Thanks to Swift, he could cover 100 meters in a mere 7 seconds. As he sprinted, his focus zeroed in on a specific point.

    [Target High Orc location identified.]

    [Currently 1,121 meters away.]

    The High Orc, essentially a boss that roamed the field without a fixed spot, remained elusive to Ryu Min until he employed the Tracking skill.

    Tracking isnt exclusive to yers; monsters arent exempt.

    Of course, the conditions remained constant: remember the face and name. But was tracking only useful for locating bosses? Not at all; it could be employed for regr monsters as well. If he thought of any orc and said Track, it would pinpoint the nearest one. This had been the secret to his rapid hunting all along.

    Seeing that tracking is possible means it hasnt been captured yet.

    After all, who else but Ryu Min could tackle the High Orc? The yers who had fought fiercely in previous rounds were unlikely to team up now.

    [Currently 585 meters away.]

    [Currently 321 meters away.]

    [Currently 160 meters away.]

    As the distance to the High Orc shortened and it faintly appeared within Ryu Mins field of vision, he sighed with relief.

    Good, it hasnt been captured yet. If I handle it quickly

    However, an unexpected turn of events halted Ryu Min in his tracks. The High Orc was already locked inbat with other yers.

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 Chapter 71: High Orc (2)

    Chapter 71: High Orc (2)

    Any yer who had faced orcs even once understood that filling a quota of 300 alone was an uphill battle. Teamwork was the only way.

    Orcs are teaming up so why cant we too?? Lets hunt together!

    Thus, this makeshift party was born. With the vige overrun by orcs, dealing with them was no simple task.

    Lets introduce ourselves! Can you all see our nicknames? Im [Eom Jun-seok], level 12, a warrior.

    My level matches yours. Nice to meet you. Im [Brady Pit], an assassin.

    Im a level 13 unarmed fighter, [Bbukbbukbbwbbw]. Pronouncing it might be tricky; I got carried away and just typed whatever

    The five of thempleted their introductions in a warm atmosphere. As it was a hastily assembled party, they were essentially strangers, only teaming up for mutual gain. However, the mood was surprisingly pleasant. They hadnt exchanged a single insult, and their cooperation was smooth.

    Mr. Eom Jun-seok, can you please draw aggro?

    Yes, Im on it! Hey! Look here, you ugly orc, uglier than my wife!

    Mr. Brady Pit, nows your chance! Snap its neck!

    Be careful, Mr. Bbukbbuk. Watch your back!

    For hours, the five of them faced off against orcs, working like a well-coordinated team. They had all experienced defeat at the hands of orcs before, so they remained vignt and calmly took down one orc at a time.

    Phew, taking on six of them at once is pretty tough.

    But with all five of us, its manageable, right?

    Indeed. I couldnt have done it alone.

    After synchronizing their breath for over two hours, they had cleared a small orc stronghold.

    How about we challenge arger one now?

    No, lets not risk it.

    Yeah, it looks like theres a watchtower at the entrance.

    If theres a watchtower, it means theres some organization. The orcs weve faced so far are on apletely different scale.

    Then lets safely raid a smaller vige.

    Recognizing their own limits, they had carefully avoided dangerous situations. After more than six hours of hunting, they reached the goal.

    Weve reached our goal of taking down 300!

    Count me in too!

    Congrattions! Youve all made it out alive!

    Although they werent sure if they had secured a top position, for now, they could breathe a sigh of relief.

    Wouldnt it be a shame to part ways now? How about some more hunting?

    Sure, Id like to reach level 20.

    Eom Jun-seok and his group decided to continue their hunt. Having alreadypleted the main quest, they were feeling more rxed and confident. They dispatched orcs with newfound assurance.

    Ive hit level 20!

    Me too!

    Congrattions!

    I learned a new skill. Did you guys get one too?

    I did.

    It seems to be abination skill. What should webine?

    Well, well figure that out as we go along.

    Their existing skills had been enhanced, and they had acquired another skill. Their ranks had increased, allowing them to purchase stronger items from the shop.

    Shall we keep going and take down those orc youngsters?

    Sounds good. I also want to test out the new skill I learned.

    The party continued hunting together until their remaining time was up.

    Profit!

    Profit!

    The orcs were dropping like flies, noticeably faster, perhaps about 1.5 times as fast as before.

    Arent these orc youngsters now a walk in the park?

    Hehe, its unbelievable how we used to struggle against these pigs.

    Thats right.

    With level 20 reached, their confidence was at an all-time high. They began to consider tacklingrger orc strongholds.

    Shall we attempt to conquer a big stronghold for our final challenge?

    Huh? Wait a minute, whats that?

    Eom Jun-seok pointed in the direction of a peculiar orc they hadnt encountered before. It had tough, taut skin, stood over 3 meters tall, and boasted bulging muscles. Even without any weapons, it exuded power.

    Whats that? It looks like an orc

    Ive never seen one like that before.

    Could it be a boss?

    Boss?

    In the past, they would have been terrified at the mere mention of a boss. But now, Eom Jun-seok and his group were at the peak of their confidence. Without any evidence, they simply felt it was achievable.

    Want to try taking that guy down? The five of us should be able to handle it.

    Should we?

    Its a boss, so the rewards should be substantial, right?

    If theres a reward, well split it fairly among us, alright?

    Okay, lets do it!

    Yeaaah!

    Perhaps it was their confident shout that caught its attention.

    Grurk?

    The High Orc turned its head toward the party. When they met its eerie yellow eyes, they instinctively felt that their opponent was not prey but death itself.

    Kwihihihik!

    The High Orc made a bizarre sound and leaped toward them. The colossal creature, over 3 meters tall,nded in front of the group with a resounding thud.

    Thunk!

    With a single punch, one persons head burst like a balloon.

    Thud!

    With another strike, someones spine folded like a hinge, causing instant death.

    In the blink of an eye, two were gone.

    The remaining three were paralyzed by fear, unable even to think about using their skills.

    Bkwoong! Bk!

    Brady Pit and Bbukbbukbbwbbw died one after the other. They both died with their mouths agape, pierced through the chest.

    Thud, thud, thud, thud

    Eom Jun-seoks teeth felt like they were shattering.

    Im going to die, Im going to die, Im going to die, Im going to die!

    His mind was filled with the terror of death.

    There was no time to run or counterattack.

    Kwihihik! Kwihihik!

    As the High Orc looked at thest remaining prey, it seemed to mock them with an amused expression.

    To beughed at by a monster.

    It was a blow to his pride, but to Eom Jun-seok, even that was a luxury.

    Please spare me, Mr. Orc, please

    If he could, he wanted to grovel and beg, regardless of his pride.

    But he couldnt move; that was all.

    Kwiruk.

    In his feeble state, the High Orc attempted to swing its fist.

    But it couldnt.

    Suddenly, it saw the sky, then the ground, then its own body.

    Kwoong!

    Before its head could reach, its body had already fallen.

    Thwunk!

    The High Orcs head bounced as itnded.

    Whew.

    Ryu Min, who had approached unnoticed, let out a short breath. From behind, he had swung his scythe with all his might, cleanly severing the High Orcs neck.

    He had wondered if it would work, but it had taken just one strike.

    The time it took to kill the High Orc: 1 second.

    It was a new record.

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 Chapter 72: New Record (1)

    Chapter 72: New Record (1)

    [Triumph over the High Orc!]

    [Experience Points Gained: +54.79%]

    [Gold Acquired: +8,000]

    [Additional Gold: +4,000]

    [Level Up!]

    [Obtained High Orcs Gauntlets.]

    [Obtained High Orcs Fang.]

    [Secured Low-grade Purple Mana Crystal.]

    [Acquired Stone of Bnce.]

    [Subquest Progress: Stone of Bnce 4/4]

    In the midst of a flurry of messages clouding his view, Ryu Mi remained unruffled. These messages were cause for celebration, not confusion.

    [High Orcs Gauntlets]

    Type: Gauntlets

    Rarity: Epic

    Defense: 60

    Special Effect: Strength +10, additional Strength +5 against Orcs

    Durability: 1,000/1,000

    Usage Restriction: Requires Regr grade or higher

    Description: Gauntlets fashioned with the brutal and savage fists of the High Orcs. Orcs fear them.

    Despite the considerable boost in strength stat that these gauntlets offered, Ryu Min chose not to divert his attention to it. These gauntlets were not worthy of recing the Shadow Gauntlets he currently wore.

    What truly piqued Ryu Mins interest was the following message:

    [Subquest Completed!]

    [Rewarded with the Rune of Bnce!]

    He had acquired the Rune of Bnce, a crucial item for bing stronger, and one of the Runes in his list.

    [Rune of Bnce]

    Effect: When the difference between pure stats is 10 or less, all stats are doubled.

    The condition for the Rune of Bnce to work was straightforward: the difference between stats had to be 10 or less, focusing solely on attribute points and excluding items or additional effects.

    Simple, yet not easy. It means you have to evenly raise all four attributes.

    For instance, imagine if an average level 20 yer were to obtain this Rune with the following attributes: Strength 30, Agility 14, Intelligence 3, Luck 3.

    In this case, the minimum is 3, and the maximum is 30, resulting in a difference of 27. It doesnt meet the condition of 10 or less.

    Naturally, the Rune of Bnce would be ineffective.

    On the other hand, if someone with a bnced distribution, like Strength 20, Agility 10, Intelligence 10, Luck 10 were to obtain it, it would work like a charm.

    Minimum and maximum are both under 10, so he qualifies for the Rune of Bnce.

    Ultimately, all attributes would double, granting benefits that surpasses his previous stats.

    No matter how you achieved it, bncing your attributes was necessary to benefit from this runes effects.

    But what if someone obtained the Rune of Bnce without knowing this?

    Theyd have to struggle to bnce their attributester.

    Boosting stats with items wouldnt work; it had to be based solely on pure attributes.

    However, Ryu Min had no need for such struggles.

    I already nned on getting this rune and have already bnced my attributes.

    Currently, Ryu Mins pure attributes were: Strength 27, Agility 26, Intelligence 18, Luck 28.

    He had deliberately kept Intelligence lower to precisely match the minimum and maximum of 10.

    Especially since Intelligence is already high thanks to the Rune of Illumination.

    His pure attributes were highpared to his level; thanks to the nine points from the Bead of Eternity which also included to his pure attributes.

    Lets see how much the attributes have increased

    Ryu Min opened his status window and was pleasantly surprised.

    Strength: 374, Intelligence: 614

    Agility: 518, Luck: 374

    All attributes are over 300, huh?

    Buff 1.5x, Rune of ughter 2x, Rune of Bnce 2x, Bless 1.6x.

    It all added up to a 9.6x increase.

    It was an unbelievable figure for someone at level 40.

    His eyes widened in amazement.

    Of course, itsrgely due to the Buff and Bless, but

    Even so, the numbers exceeded his imagination.

    No, I shouldnt be surprised; I should be delighted.

    And there was more to be delighted about.

    [Your grade has increased from Regr to Expert.]

    [You can now use the trading function.]

    Upon reaching level 40, his grade had risen, and he now had ess to the trading function, allowing him to exchange gold with other yers.

    Of course, the other party also needs to open this function to work properly.

    But Ryu Min didnt really care about the trading function. What mattered now was that he had learned a new skill.

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 Chapter 72: New Record (2)

    Chapter 72: New Record (2)

    [Celebrating Your Grade Boost: Seal of Death Gets an Upgrade!]

    [Additional Damage for the Seal of Death Skill: Increased from 120% to 140%!]

    [Grade Advancement Celebration: The Night of Death Skill Gets an Upgrade!]

    [Extended Range for the Night of Death Skill: Expanding from 500m to 1,000m!]

    [New Skill: Youve Unlocked the Unique Skill Moonlight ughter for Reapers!]

    [Next Skill: Automatically Learnable at Level 60.]

    The existing skills have received a power boost, and he picked up some new tricks along the way.

    This new skill is a game-changer for Reapers, serving as their sole offensive maneuver.

    [Exclusive Skill  Moonlight ughter]

    Effect: Gather energy for one second, then unleash a devastating 1,200% area-of-effect damage in a crescent-shaped pattern ahead.

    Damage Type: A hybrid mix of both physical and magical, amplified by 1.5 times when used under the cover of night.

    Cooldown: Requires a 10-minute cool-down, and can only be employed while wielding a scythe.

    Ive finally learned it  the exclusive offensive skill for Reapers.

    Regrettably, Reaper-ss characters are limited to just one offensive skill. The rest of their arsenal consists of buffs and debuffs.

    Could this be the Achilles heel of the Reaper ss?

    When you only have one attack skill, its only natural to use it cautiously. After all, if it misses, the risk is incalcble.

    Theres nothing more frustrating than a missed coup de grce.

    But all these considerations hinge on the assumption that the attack will miss.

    If youre confident innding your shots, the risk is null and void.

    Piercing someones eye with a scythe cant be much harder than this.

    Moonlight ughter happens to be one of those skills that are rtively easy tond. With its wide crescent-shaped radius, theres practically no room for it to miss.

    Even if it did somehow miss, youd have little room toin.

    Plus, theres no skill more potent than this one.

    With its 1,200% area damage, the figure jumps to a staggering 1,800% when deployed at night.

    Though it demands a simultaneous boost in both strength and intelligence due to itsbined physical and magical attributes, the payoff is worth the investment.

    Besides, if your opponent is immune to physical attacks, you can still hold your ground with this skill.

    Currently, only low-level monsters are making appearances. But, sooner orter, more formidable adversaries will emerge.

    Those creatures are truly indomitable. The seven Archangels who reign supreme in the heavens.

    The seven Archangels are beings even I cannot contend with.

    While Ive only encountered them once briefly, their power is beyondprehension.

    Of course, no quests have ever instructed me to kill them, but

    Given the opportunity, Ryu Min has a burning desire to try and eliminate at least one of these Archangels.

    Judging by the fact that regr angels drop items when defeated, Ryu Min has a hunch that there will be rewards.

    Well, thats a challenge for when Ive reached max level.

    For now, its all about growth.

    Ryu Min cast a final nce at the message that hade to his mind.

    Its time to check the rewards for the Time Attack.

    [Youve defeated the 5th Round Boss High Orc in a mere 1 second!]

    [This boss is subject to the Time Attack rule.]

    [Additional gold will be awarded based on your record.]

    [Since you defeated it in under 10 seconds, you will receive the maximum reward of 100,000 gold. Congrattions!]

    In a single swoop, he amassed a staggering 100,000 gold.

    Last time, it took me 43 seconds to bring it down and got 23,255 gold. This is truly something.

    When hebines it with what he has saved up so far, the gold starts piling up.

    With this, I should be able to learn all themon skills Ive yet to learn.

    Satisfied, Ryu Min was about to shift his gaze elsewhere when he paused.

    Upon closer inspection, he noticed there were more messages that had appeared.

    [Youve set an unprecedented record in Time Attack history!]

    [Your achievement will be recorded in the Akashic Records.]

    [As a reward, you will receive a Unique Item Selection Voucher!]

    Whats this all about?

    This one-second victory marked Ryu Mins first Akashic record.

    Naturally, he hadnt anticipated any extra rewards.

    Upon checking his inventory, he indeed found a Unique Item Selection Voucher.

    You mean I can choose a unique item? Can it be anything?

    Without hesitation, he pressed the button to use it.

    [Youre about to choose one unique item.]

    [First, please select the item category.]

    1. Weapons

    2. Shields

    3. Helmets

    8. Rings

    They even gave him the option to pick any type of item.

    Unique items, I need to think of something that I need right now

    Ryu Min paused briefly, his hand gently brushing his chin as he contemted his decision.

    As for unique weapons, Ill craft them after returning, so theyre not necessary. What about

    At this moment, he needed utility more than immediate power.

    He pondered which abilities might be useful in the current situation.

    Ah! That could be great.

    Ryu Mins fingernded on option 3.

    ***

    Eom Jun-seok gazed at one spot with widened eyes.

    Dted pupils.

    Damp trousers.

    Did he cross the threshold of death and return?

    But, more than anything, he couldnt fathom the current situation.

    This cant be real. That monster, taken down in a single blow

    The High Orc, who had crushed hisrades with one mighty punch, nowy at his feet in a bizarre twist of fate.

    The result of a single swing from a scythe, wielded by the enigmatic ck Scythe.

    Was ck Scythe this strong?

    Eom Jun-seok found himself utterly bewildered.

    At level 30, ck Scythe had managed to defeat a monster that not even five level 20 yers could take on?

    Of course, Ryu Min wasnt level 30 anymore; he was level 40.

    Moreover, he was currently boosted by Min Juris buffs.

    Slicing through the High Orcs throat in one swift motion wasnt an entirely impossible feat.

    Especially when targeting a weak point like the throat.

    And, unintentionally, Ryu Min had managed to capture Eom Jun-Seok s attention.

    Of course, he had no inkling of these details.

    Eom Jun-Seok simply gazed at the ck Scythe with a mixture of awe and admiration.

    At that precise moment, just as Eom Jun-seok was about to utter something

    Ah

    The ck Scythe swiftly vanished from sight.

    And Eom Jun-seoks expression shifted to one of regret.

    He hadnt even managed to utter a word of gratitude.

    ***

    Finally, as the time limit psed, the yers congregated in one location.

    And, as if awaiting their arrival, an angelic figure materialized.

    [How did it go? Did youplete the quest?]

    [It seems the number of participants has dwindled within the span of ten hours. Surely, you didnt fall to those lowly orcs Did you engage in skirmishes over prey?]

    It was a tant taunt, but the yers chose to remain silent.

    They werent in a position to respond, and their energy was depleted.

    [Now, shall we see what results have been achieved?]

    Priscis wings fluttered, and the results screen materialized.

    Simultaneously, expressions of astonishment danced across the yers faces.

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 Chapter 73: Compilation Of The 5th Rounds Result (1)

    Chapter 73: Comption Of The 5th Round''s Result (1)

    Round 5 Results Tally

    [Overall Rankings]

    1st ce: ck Scythe (Level 40 Reaper)  01:00:06

    2nd ce: Dumb Idiots (Level 25 Shaman)  02:30:21

    3rd ce: Heavenly Demon (Level 24 Dark Knight)  02:47:12

    **[Zone C-ESKS007]**

    1st ce: ck Scythe (Level 40 Reaper)  01:00:06

    2nd ce: Democracy (Level 21 Buffer)  02:55:38

    3rd ce: Aged Man No Gay (Level 23 Warlock)  03:19:12

    The sight of the results left everyone in astonishment. The achievements of ck Scythe were indeed impressive, but it was their level that stole the spotlight.

    Level 40

    This is simply mind-blowing

    There were no words adequate to describe this overwhelmingly remarkable performance. Some were left speechless, while others nodded, as if expecting nothing less.

    After all, ck Scythe had maintained their unbeaten streak of 1st ce since the previous rounds.

    Ryu Min, however, didnt share the same level of enthusiasm upon seeing the message.

    [Congrattions! You have achieved 1st ce in this zone!]

    [Congrattions! You have achieved 1st ce in the overall ranking!]

    [Current ranking for ck Scythe is 1st ce overall and 1st ce in this zone.]

    [As the 1st ce reward in this zone, you will receive the Intermediate Epic Ne Selection Voucher.]

    [As the 1st ce reward in the overall ranking, you will receive the Special Reward Selection Box.]

    The rewards for achieving 1st ce had started to feel somewhat repetitive, but the following message managed to pique Ryu Mins interest.

    [Confirmed as the first yer to achieve 5 consecutive 1st ces in the overall ranking.]

    [You have aplished an unbelievable feat!]

    [You will now be granted the title The One Who Leads]

    [Title  The One Who Leads]

    Requirement for Acquisition: Achieve 5 consecutive 1st ces in the overall ranking for the first time.

    Effect: Increases all experience gained by 1.5 times.

    A subtle smile curved at the corner of Ryu Mins lips as they read the message.

    Ive obtained the title as nned.

    The reason for his unwavering pursuit of 1st ce in the overall rankingsy here  with this coveted title. With this title, he could expedite his leveling progress by 1.5 times.

    I cant afford to miss out on an opportunity to grow this fast.

    This experience point boost would prove invaluable in the future.

    Now that I have the title I desired, should I consider selecting some 1st ce rewards?

    [You can now choose one of the following Epic Nes.]

    [Please touch the reward you desire.]

    1. Ne of the Skeleton Knight

    2. Ne of the Java Tribe

    3. Ne of Resilience

    These nes held abilities not easily deduced from their names alone.

    Ordinary folks might pick one at random, like answering a test question

    But Ryu Min was well-informed about each ne, having carefully chosen them through sessive rounds.

    What I need is number 2, the Ne of the Java Tribe.

    Without hesitation, he made his choice, and the reward swiftly found its ce in his inventory.

    [Ne of the Java Tribe]

    Category: Ne

    Rarity: Epic

    Effects: Boosts all stats by +3, and Resistance by +35%

    Durability: 1,000/1,000

    Usage Restriction: Requires at least Regr Rank

    Description: This ne, worn by the enigmatic Java Tribe, an extraterrestrial race, is imbued with magical energy.

    Despite possessing formidable power and skills, Ryu Min was not without vulnerabilities.

    What I need to bolster now isnt just strength or stats; its resistance to abnormal status effects.

    Even the mightiest could sumb to these conditions, especially when they were widespread.

    It might not be time for monsters like that yet, but its better to be prepared.

    Moreover, items with resistance enhancements were exceedingly rare and valuable, making this a prudent investment.

    In the future, if I dont need them, I can sell them for a good price.

    yers who grasped the danger of abnormal status effects would be willing to part with a hefty sum.

    Of course, such considerations were still somewhat premature.

    Lastly, Ryu Min turned his attention to the Special Reward Selection Box.

    [You can now choose one of the following special rewards.]

    [Please touch the reward you desire.]

    1. 3x Experience Boost Buff (Limited to Round 6)

    2. 6,000 Gold

    3. Information on Round 6

    The first option no longer featured a stat boost but instead provided an experience boost.

    Theres no need for deliberation; the experience boost it is.

    He was already privy to the details of Round 6, and his need for additional gold was currently not pressing.

    Six thousand gold didnt seem like much of a reward. Thats because Ryu Min currently had over two hundred and twenty thousand gold in their possession.

    2,400 orcs, 4 boss monsters, and the time attack rewards. Plus, gold collected from various sources, Ryu Min recalled.

    Thanks to his Luck stat, he had umted even more gold than expected.

    The 1-second time attack record was quite unexpected. I had no idea a High Orc would go down in one hit, Ryu Min pondered.

    The guy was busy dealing with other yers, so I could go all out.

    Wasnt the yer who drew aggro from the orc named Eom Jun-Seok?

    At a nce, Ryu Min couldnt see it very clearly.

    [Has everyone checked their rankings through the list? If so, I have to inform you now that there are 1,585 main quest achievers. Well mercilessly eliminate anyone below 1,211th ce.]

    Oh, no! Wait!

    Angel! Have mercy!

    There could be no mercy for an angel d in the guise of a demon. yers wailed as they were wiped out.

    [Pathetic, begging for their lives like this. Humans truly are no better than insects,] Prisci sneered, and Ryu Min discreetly clicked his tongue inwardly as he looked at her.

    Youre no different to them, though.

    He had already seen angels pleading beneath his feet.

    [Inferior humans. Who probably couldnt even achieve the 5th round sub-quest I thought they didnt, but it seems they did,] Priscis gaze briefly turned towards Ryu Min, her eyes reflecting a hint of unease.

    [Alright, humans. Rest up, and well see you in the next round.]

    ROUND 5 Ends

    [Overall Rankings]

    Survivors: 19,327,557

    [Zone C-ESKS007]

    Survivors: 1,211

    [Shortly, your souls will return to your original dimensions.]

    [On June 1, 2022, at midnight, Round 6 willmence. Congrattions on surviving.]

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 Chapter 73: Compilation Of The 5th Rounds Result (2)

    Chapter 73: Comption Of The 5th Round''s Result (2)

    As soon as Ryu Min woke up, his brow furrowed. Sunlight streamed in through the window, and checking the time, it was 10 in the morning. Ten hours had already passed.

    Stretching to ease his stiffness, Ryu Mins gaze fell to the floor, where his younger siblingy, asleep as if hed passed out.

    This kid must have been really worried.

    A smile unconsciously graced Ryu Mins lips. Most likely, his brother had stayed up all night, fretting because he hadnt woken up.

    He could tell even without looking at the video. It had been the same during the previous rounds.

    Won-ah, wake up.

    Hmm? Hyung?

    Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Ryu Won looked as if hed been drenched with cold water when he realized Ryu Min was awake.

    Hyung! Youre up!

    Yes, Im up.

    I was so worried when you didnt wake up!

    Im sure you checked if I was breathing.

    Still!

    For Ryu Won, his sibling was not only his sibling but his only family. Even though he had heard the warning beforehand, worrying was only natural.

    Ryu Min knew this, so he chuckled and ruffled his brothers hair.

    You brat. But its nice to see you care.

    Why are you like this! My head hurts!

    Though his brother grumbled, deep down, he was relieved that his sibling had returned safely.

    If you havent eaten yet, lets have breakfast. Im hungry.

    After enjoying a meal of Jjajangmyeon, Ryu Min returned to his room. He had work to do.

    The Combination Panel.

    As the Combination Panel appeared, he moved the materials he had acquired from Round 5 into the slots. His goal was to create a unique item, no less.

    [Main Material]

    Reapers Scythe

    [Sub-Materials]

    Orcs Heart

    Mysterious Wood Totem

    Corroded Arrowhead

    High Orcs Mr

    -(None)

    In the main material slot, he ced the Reapers Scythe, a weapon he intended to reinforce. Naturally, he removed the low-tier orange-grade gemstone embedded in the scythe.

    If I press the Combination button like this, the weapon should be enhanced into an epic item suitable for my rank.

    Even if it wasnt a weapon,bining it with the item he wanted to enhance and the remaining materials would result in an epic item. However, Ryu Min had something more valuable in mind: the ck Gold Ore they had swiped from Hwang Yong-min.

    Incorporating it with the ck Gold Ore will allow me to enhance it to a unique item, not an epic one.

    In thest slot among the sub-materials, he ced the ck Gold Ore.

    As they pressed thebination button, a dazzling white light burst forth.

    [Combination sessful!]

    [Deaths Side has been created.]

    [Deaths Side]

    Type: Weapon

    Grade: Unique

    Attack Power: 300

    Effects: All stats +10, Skill Damage +10%

    Durability: 3,000/3,000

    Usage Requirement: Expert Rank or higher

    Description: A formidable scythe favored by the Grim Reaper. Legend has it that the shadow of death perpetually trails this scythe.

    Finally, he had crafted the Unique weapon he had longed for.

    Now, Ive finally outgrown that beginners weapon.

    He couldnt help but reminisce about how long hed used that simple tool.

    Now, with all this extra gold, should I invest in somemon skills?

    The store offered fourmon skills:

    1. Area Scan allowed them to perceive their surroundings like a mini-map.

    2. Enhanced Vision elevated their sight beyond that of an average person.

    3. Basic Resistance boosted resistance to abnormal status effects by 15%.

    4. Dexterity enhanced skill uracy by 20%.

    With 220,000 gold at his disposal, he could afford to learn them all.

    I would still have 140,000 gold left after purchasing all the skills.

    After perusing the store, nothing else seemed worth buying at the moment.

    Besides the Epic itemsing up in a few days, there doesnt seem to be anything else worth purchasing.

    While money remained unused, it wasnt entirely without purpose, thanks to the trading function.

    First, lets organize those mana stones.

    Hebined the mana stones in his inventory into lower-grade ones and inserted them into his required equipment.

    After donning the entire set, he opened his status window to review his stats.

    Name: Ryu Min

    Nickname: ck Scythe

    Rank: Expert

    Titles: Time Regressor (Hidden), First Angel yer (Hidden), Challenger of Retribution (Hidden), The One Who Leads (Hidden)

    Level: 40

    ss: Grim Reaper

    Strength: 106, Intelligence: 150

    Agility: 136, Luck: 106

    Common Skills: Tracking, Detection, Erasure of Traces, First Aid, Area Scan, Enhanced Vision, Basic Resistance, Dexterity

    Exclusive Skills: Seal of Death, Night of Death, Moonlight ughter

    Runes: Rune of ughter, Rune of the Reaper, Rune of Illumination, Rune of Inner Thoughts, Rune of Doppelganger, Rune of Bnce

    Gold on Hand: 142,380

    Remaining Stat Points: 0

    [Store: Purchase items.]

    [Combination: Combine items.]

    [Trade: Trade items or gold.]

    [??? : Unlocks when reaching Lv60.]

    [??? : Unlocks when reaching Lv99.]

    All his stats now boasted three digits. This was his base stat with only the Rune of Bnce buff.

    If the Rune of ughter is applied, itll double, right?

    Whenbined with Min Juris buff and bless, his strength would be unmatched.

    Alright. Ive reached my full potential for now. Its time to advance with my ns involving Ma Kyung-rok.

    He needed to utilize Hwang Yong-min.

    Hows that guy doing? I hope he survived as nned.

    Considering he had always survived up to Round 5, he assumed he was alive, but just to be sure, they used the Tracking skill to search for him.

    Tracking, Hwang Yong-min.

    [Face and name match. Tracking the targets location.]

    Seeing that tracking was possible, it was certain that he was alive.

    Thank goodness. I can make more use of him now.

    He had nned to use Hwang Yong-min to the fullest, but beyond this point, it was unrealistic.

    This is thest time Im going to use him in real life.

    Hwang Yong-min would never know.

    That his fate rests so heavily in the hands of the shuttle that had once tormented.

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 Chapter 74: Business (1)

    Chapter 74: Business (1)

    The day after their return, Min Juri found herself seated at a cafe table, her heart racing with anticipation. She was about to meet Ryu Min, and the appointed time was drawing near.

    Why does Min want to meet again? Could it be? Juri pondered, her thoughts veering into the realm of spection. She shook her head, deeming her musings somewhat oundish.

    Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat, and a delightful rush of anticipation surged through her. Woah! Okay, calm down, stay cool. I cant afford to let it show, she reminded herself sternly. She didnt want to burden herself with unnecessary anxiety or, even worse, reveal her one-sided affection.

    Just then, the cafes door swung open, and Ryu Min entered.

    Hey, youre here already? Have you been waiting long? Ryu Min inquired with a friendly smile.

    Oh, no, not at all. I arrived just a little while ago, Juri replied, rising from her seat hastily, feeling a tad self-conscious about her earlier fanciful thoughts.

    Ill go ce our orders. What would you like to drink? Its on me, so feel free to choose, Ryu Min offered.

    Iced Americano with an extra shot, please, Juri requested.

    Got it. Ill be right back, Ryu Min said before heading to the counter. A short whileter, he returned with the coffee.

    Enjoy your coffee, Juri.

    Mmm-hmm, Juri nodded as she took a sip. During this time, an awkward silence settled between them.

    Why does it feel so awkward? Juri wondered. Was it because of her earlier, somewhat bizarre daydreams? Even the briefest moments of silence seemed strangely ufortable to her.

    Breaking the silence, Ryu Min finally spoke, So, how was round 5? Did you meet the ck Scythe, like I said?

    It was a rather blunt question, but Juri, eager to steer the conversation, weed the opportunity to discuss it. Yes, just like you said, we met and hunted together. To be honest, I had doubts that the top-ranked yer would join me, but when I showed him my abilities, he agreed.

    I told you so. If he sees your buffs, the ck Scythe will want you on his team.

    Thanks to that, I had a reallyfortable hunting experience. I even managed to secure second ce in the area for the first time, Juri added with enthusiasm.

    Second ce? Impressive. What was the reward?

    I received a mid-tier rare ne that boosts agility. Would you like to see it?

    Juri opened her inventory and disyed the ne to Ryu Min, who responded with an impressed Wow.

    Of course, it was a mere disy of admiration. In a world filled with epic nes, regr ones hardly caught anyones attention.

    What do you think? Does it look good?

    Ryu Min replied, Uh, it looks great!

    You can have it.

    Huh? Why would you give it to me

    Its thanks to your prophecy that I obtained it, so its only right for you to have it, Juri insisted, attempting to pass it over.

    However, Ryu Min gently declined, pushing her hand away. Im fine. Why would you give me the reward you worked hard for

    It wasnt all that difficult to obtain. Thanks to the ck Scythe, I had a veryfortable hunt.

    In that case, why not give it to the ck Scythe instead

    Do you really think a high-level yer like him needs a low-level ne like this?

    Well, its not needed, Ryu Min agreed; A regr-grade rare ne? For someone of his level, it was a rather useless item. With plenty of gold to his name, even selling it wouldnt make a significant difference in his finances.

    Ryu Min waved his hand to politely decline once more.

    Thank you, but I dont need it. I havent even reached the regr grade yet.

    What? Youre not even a regr grade? Whats your level?

    Im level 19. I barely managed to defeat 300 orcs on my own in 10 hours, Ryu Min admitted with a hint of exasperation in his voice.

    O-ow

    Although unspoken, Juris frustration was evident. Well, a prophet isnt exactly suited forbat she mused.

    Having the ability to see the future,bined with strongbat skills, was just too powerful, that would just break the system.

    Of course, such an individual stood before her now, but it was a concept Juri couldnt even fathom. Ryu Mins demeanor, tone, and image were worlds apart from ck Scythe.

    By the way, Min. How does the Prophet fight?

    Ah, I have magic skills. Im embarrassed to show it, but.

    Then you dont need the agility ne? Ah, I get it, since youre using magic, you need to increase your Intelligence.

    Yes.

    He said so, but in fact, even those sses that use magic need a certain level of agility.

    Because you have to have a means of defense.

    You may not need the attack speed that increases with agility, but movement speed and evasion are somewhat helpful for survival.

    Of course, this had nothing to do with Ryu Min, who does not use magic.

    And so, when Ryu Min insisted that he didnt need it, Min Juri found herself with no other option but to tuck the ne away.

    Well then, how about this instead? Juri suggested, retrieving the lowest-grade red mana stone from her inventory. I found this during one of our hunts. I cant vouch for its quality, but its a token of my appreciation, so please, dont decline.

    Ryu Min, aware that Juri had prepared this with him in her mind, smiled with genuine warmth. Thank you. For thinking of me.

    Huh? It was an offhand remark, but it seemed to catch Juri off guard.

    I mean, I didnt do it with you specifically in mind I just noticed youve been helping me with information all along, and I thought I should show my gratitude. So

    Seeing Juris flustered response, Ryu Min found it rather endearing.

    I get it now. Thanks. Ill ept it gratefully.

    Without further protest, Ryu Min stowed the mana stone away. Although it was the lowest grade, collecting these could undoubtedly aid in his growth.

    Since youve given me something, I feel like I should give you something too, you know?

    Huh? Like what?

    Well, naturally, its information about Round 6.

    O-oh

    For a moment, she seemed disappointed, but it was a fleeting emotion. Juri brightened up with a wide smile.

    If you tell me, Ill be more than thankful!

    Sure thing. So, about the quest in Round 6

    As Ryu Mins prophecy unfolded, Juris eyes gradually widened. It was all due to the mention of the ck Scythe and the directive to cooperate with him.

    So, I should team up with the ck Scythe again this round?

    Yes, considering that your buffs proved their worth in Round 5, he probably wont decline.

    Oh Whys that?

    Why? Whats wrong?

    I just didnt expect to team up with him again.

    Well, isnt that a good thing?

    Well, I guess so! ck Scythe was so good to me.

    He was good to you?

    Yeah, surprisingly considerate and not as intimidating as I had imagined. A bit cocky, sure, but thats par for the course when youre the top-ranked yer.

    Ah Is that so?

    It was an unintentional self-evaluation, but Ryu Min couldnt help but smile at the unexpectedpliment. It was quite a positive assessment.

    He also seems quite insightful too.

    Insightful?

    Its hard to put into words What can I say? It feels like he really understands peoples hearts.

    Well, I do have the Rune of Inner Thoughts.

    For Ryu Min, it was a given, but Juri, unaware of such a runes existence, found ck Scythe incredibly impressive.

    He possessed skills, insight, charisma, and thoughtfulness  a near-perfect existence, really.

    But Im far from perfect. After all, I failed 99 times.

    Despite the sense of urgency he felt for the final round, where a 5-person party was required, failure was simply not an option. I cant afford to fail, especially when its myst chance.

    He gazed at Juri with determination, knowing that he needed to bring her along. Juri must join me, and so must the American priest.

    With two positions now secured, there were still two more to consider.

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 Chapter 74: Business (2)

    Chapter 74: Business (2)

    He gazed at Juri with determination, knowing that he needed to bring her along. Juri must join me, and so must the American priest.

    With two positions now secured, there were still two more to consider.

    Min-ah? Whats on your mind? Juri asked.

    Oh, nothing much.

    Are you worried about how to pass the next round?

    Huh? Well I am a bit concerned. Im not that strong.

    While it might seem like an exaggeration to others, Ryu Min couldnt reveal his true identity for various reasons.

    Urgh, if only the zones were integrated, I would have dly helped you

    For free?

    Of course. Its not like I havent benefited from your help all this time. In contrast, I havent been able to help you at all

    Dont be disheartened. Well probably meet soon.

    Yeah, youre right. Until then, Ill stay strong. You do the same!

    Ryu Min couldnt help but smile at Juris determined fist-pumping and her words.

    I wonder how shell react when she finds out Im the ck Scythe

    For a brief moment, Ryu Min couldnt help but worry.

    ***

    The day after Min Juri received information about Round 6,

    Ryu Min rode in the limousine provided by Ma Kyung-rok, heading to thepanys office.

    Originally, he suggested having lunch together at the hotel, but

    Ryu Min declined and proposed a meeting at thepany. It was time to discuss business matters.

    Ive already proven that Im a prophet, so there shouldnt be any issues.

    He hadnt yet revealed to Ma Kyung-rok what kind of business they would venture into.

    However, regardless of the venture, he was confident that Ma Kyung-rok would trust and follow him.

    Ma Kyung-rok was a person willing to go to great lengths for the sake of hispanys growth, and Ryu Min had a track record of solidifying his abilities as a prophet over time.

    With the trust he had earned, it was now time to deliver results. But for him, this wasnt merely about making money or starting a business; it ran deeper than that.

    Using Ma Kyung-rokspany meant he could obtain any item he desired whenever the need arose. Money was just a tool for acquiring these items. His primary goal was his own personal growth, and expanding thepany allowed him to strengthen his bond with Ma Kyung-rok. This, in turn, was his ticket to connecting with the enigmatic Priest, leveraging his contacts. The financial gains that came with it were, quite literally, a cherry on top.

    As he arrived at his destination, the chauffeur hastily opened the car door and said, Weve arrived. Please wait a moment. I will show you to the office. He led him to the building and into the elevator, where the chauffeurs courteous demeanor suggested that he was ordered to treat him well.

    Ryu Min followed him as they ascended to the 8th floor, where he found that the office was modest in size, which made sense for apany that had started with limited capital.

    Upon entering, he was enthusiastically greeted by Ma Kyung-rok. Oh! Have you arrived, major shareholder? He gestured for him to take a seat as he instructed,

    Chief An? Here, Please two cups of chamomile tea.

    Yes, representative.

    Ryu Min could tell that Ma Kyung-roks heartyughter was somewhat contrived, meant to create a favorable impression.

    Major shareholder, no, Prophet. Did you feel ufortableing here? Ma Kyung-rok inquired.

    Ufortable? Not at all. I came quitefortably. Your driver was very kind, he replied.

    Haha, is that so? Thats good to hear. If anyone makes you ufortable in any way, please let me know. Ill take the appropriate measures.

    Ah, um It was hard to imagine Ma Kyung-rok, a man whomitted murders every week, taking appropriate measures. Unless someone had a personal vendetta against him, it was best not to mention such matters.

    Have you had a meal? I would have liked to have lunch together.

    Theres something more important to do than have a meal.

    Could it be that youre here to tell us about the next round?

    Ryu Min had to stifle his internalughter. It seems youre eager to know about the 6th round. The reason Ma Kyung-rok mentioned it out loud was that he was afraid that Ryu Min might not share information with them this time.

    Of course, Ill tell you about the 6th round as well.

    Have you seen the future?

    I have. At that moment, An Sang-cheol approached and ced a cup of tea in front of him.

    He didnt show any signs, but he was eavesdropping.

    Ill provide you with information about the 6th round.

    Really? Thank you so much, as always

    In return, Id like to convene an ad-hoc shareholders meeting.

    An ad-hoc shareholders meeting?

    We should start discussing business soon. We need to change the industry and thepany name.

    Ma Kyung-roks expression turned serious as the topic shifted to business. In reality, business was just as important as information about the next round.

    What can I do for you?

    Support me in the ad-hoc shareholders meeting regarding the business I propose. Although I effectively hold 51% of the shares, for a special resolution, I need a 67% majority vote for the motion to pass. Changing thepanys name and industry was a significant undertaking. Without the consent of investors who had already put in money, he couldnt unterally make decisions.

    Of course, he didnt need other shareholders to agree. As long as Ma Kyung-rok sided with him, that was enough. He seemed to understand this fact, as he nodded.

    Since I have 20% of the shares, with the two of us, well have 71%. Ultimately, we can easily pass any motion.

    Yes, but as I mentioned before, there shouldnt be any gossip. Convincing other shareholders will be necessary.

    Dont worry about that. Ill ensure the other shareholders wont make things difficult.

    Thank you.

    But Seeing you mention this in advance, it seems that the shareholders might oppose changing the industry?

    Yes. I didnt find it as sweet as they might have hoped when I looked into the future, especially those shareholders who are in their 30s or older.

    Exactly what kind of industry is it

    Ma Kyung-rok looked extremely curious. An Sang-cheol, who had been listening in, seemed equally interested.

    He looks extremely curious. I mean, I did promise we would seed just by changing the industry, Ryu Minughed as he began to exin. The business Im nning to venture into

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 Chapter 75: The Shareholders Meeting (1)

    Chapter 75: The Shareholders'' Meeting (1)

    Ive got a business idea

    As Ryu Min spoke, the two leaned in, their curiosity piqued.

    Im nning to create a unique social open e-market, exclusively for yers.

    A social open e-market?

    Are you referring to tforms like Auction, qmazon, and Coopung?

    In response to their question, Ryu Min nodded affirmatively.

    Thats right. However, theres a significant twist  only yers can ess it, and instead of regr articles, theyll be trading in-game items.

    You think these items would be traded for real cash?

    Thats an option determined by the sellers when they list their items. They can choose to trade for real cash or swap items with others.

    I get the barter idea, but why would yers need cash?

    Well, some yers might need cash, dont you think? Especially since there arent many viable options avable at the moment.

    At the moment? Does that imply there will be other options in the future?

    In response to Ma Kyung-roks query, Ryu Mins eyes sparkled with anticipation.

    Hes sharp, as expected.

    Clearly, he wasnt taking this lightly.

    Yes, exactly. Ive caught a glimpse of the future. People whove crossed level 40 will soon be trading in gold rather than cash.

    Gold?

    The two who hadnt yet reached level 40 had no idea that a trading function even existed, let alone the possibility of gold trading.

    Naturally, the concept of trading in gold had never crossed their minds.

    When you reach level 40, the trading function bes avable. With this feature, yers can exchange gold amongst themselves. All we need to do is build a secure system to facilitate this, and, of course, charge amission in cash or gold.

    Hmm

    Ma Kyung-rok furrowed his brow in thought, his fist clenched in contemtion.

    A social e-market for yers Its not a bad idea at all.

    For now, the fact that no one had ventured into this territory gave them a significant first-mover advantage.

    If they yed their cards right, they could establish a monopoly in this niche.

    While his inclination was optimistic, Ma Kyung-rok didnt show it. Caution was still in order.

    Do you believe people will actually use a social market like this?

    Were currently in Round 5, and yers already have a considerable stash of items. As you know, items dropped by monsters cant be sold in regr shops, so yers must be grappling with how to manage them.

    So youre saying, if we create a tform where they can trade these items, yers would wee it with open arms?

    Exactly. Moreover, now that most yers are over level 20, a crafting feature has been introduced, and theyll be eager to experiment with various items for recipes. When theres an easily essible marketce for these items

    People will flock to it.

    Yes. Now is the perfect timing.

    Ma Kyung-rok nodded, echoing the positive sentiment.

    There was little more to discuss.

    What do you think of creating an auction system? Allowing users to list items and participate, thereby increasing the value of select items.

    Thats a fantastic idea. It would certainly pique yers interest.

    And what about this? Allowing items to be listed without fees initially to attract users. We could also implement a tiered system that rewards more active traders.

    Thats a great concept too.

    A satisfied grin spread across Ryu Mins face as he observed Ma Kyung-roks enthusiastic response.

    It seems like youre quite taken with the business proposal Im presenting.

    Indeed, it was a promising venture.

    Especially in an era where yers would dominate.

    Most importantly, it appealed to him because it was an entirely new concept.

    And since the Prophet is vouching it, he has no right to say no.

    Creating this yer-centric marketce will benefit me as well. He will be able to easily procure the items he needs.

    Especially those crafting materials that currently have an uncertain purpose. We must secure them.

    By acquiring these materials, they could effortlessly craft items of legendary and god-tier quality, surpassing even unique items.

    Regarding our chosen industry, weve settled on a social market. Now, what about thepanys name?

    Do you have any ideas?

    Ryu Min inquired, but Ma Kyung-rok simply shook his head.

    Lets not dwell on my suggestions. Especially in times like these, we should follow the path foreseen by the Prophet. After all, arent you the major shareholder of ourpany?

    Haha

    Ryu Min didnt disagree because what he said was true.

    Well then, how about this? We could name it yer ce to signify that its a space tailored for yers.

    yer ce, huh It has a nice ring to it. I like the name.

    In reality, Ma Kyung-rok wasnt entirely sure, but he ced unwavering trust in the Prophets judgment.

    By the way, I have another idea. Would you like to hear it?

    Yes, please share.

    Ma Kyung-rok eagerly delved into more business ideas.

    Ryu Min listened attentively and, as the final decision-maker, evaluated and made choices.

    As the seconds ticked away on the office wall clock, the two of them engaged in a lively conversation, seemingly oblivious to the advancing evening.

    Before they knew it, it was already evening.

    Oh its gottente. Would you like to have dinner together?

    No, Ill have dinner at home. My younger sibling is waiting for me.

    Oh, I see.

    Ma Kyung-rok looked disappointed.

    It seemed that discussing business with Ryu Min was quite enjoyable for him.

    Approximately how long do you think it will take to build the system and bring it to market?

    It should take around a month if everything goes smoothly.

    It will beunched after Round 6, then.

    Ryu Min nodded.

    A month wasnt too much.

    Speaking of which, I have some information about Round 6.

    Oh, thats something Ive been eager to hear.

    Ma Kyung-rok leaned in eagerly, genuinely excited.

    An Sang-cheol, who was sitting beside him, pretended to be disinterested but was secretly focused on Ryu Mins words.

    Finally, Ryu Min exined the details of Round 6, including the key points and strategies to consider.

    Having absorbed all the information, Ma Kyung-rok sent a meaningful nce filled with interest.

    Hmm, it seems cooperation will be crucial in Round 6. Thank you for sharing, Prophet.

    Youre wee.

    Ma Kyung-rok exchanged polite words but couldnt help but smile inwardly.

    It was a wise decision to keep the Prophet close. It feels like things are going smoothly because of it, both in the real world and in the other realm.

    Thats what he thought, but Ryu Min heard every word, as if it wereing out of his mouth.

    He had no way of knowing that his every thought was being meticulously read by the Prophet right in front of him.

    Well then, lets proceed with the business n we discussed today. Ill arrange for an interim shareholders meeting as soon as possible to pass the resolutions. At that time, would it be okay for you, Mr Ryu Min, toe and exin the business idea? Are youfortable with that?

    It was a subtle way of asking if he was okay with presenting in front of people.

    Yes, Im fine with that.

    Alright. Ill contact you as soon as we have a date for the shareholders meeting. Manager An.

    Yes, CEO.

    Please apany the Prophet all the way home. While youre at it, visit Seo Arins house and share the information we just received from the Prophet.

    Understood. Mr Prophet, lets go.

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 Chapter 75: The Shareholders Meeting (2)

    Chapter 75: The Shareholders'' Meeting (2)

    A few dayster.

    As midnight approached, Ryu Min opened the shop window as if he had been waiting.

    Todays Item

    [Wanderers Tattered Cloak]

    Category: Armor

    Grade: Epic

    Defense: 1

    Effects: Attack Speed +30%, Movement Speed +30%

    Durability: 1,000/1,000

    Usage Restriction: Regr Grade or higher

    Description: A dirty, torn cloak that cant perform its original function, but it has its advantages.

    The awaited Epic item had finally appeared.

    The defense is garbage, but its an item with significantly higher attack and movement speeds.

    The price was a whopping 20,000 Gold.

    It might seem steep to other yers, but Ryu Min had no qualms about it.

    An Epic item for 20,000 Gold Thats amazing.

    For Ryu Min, who was swimming in money, it didnt make a dent.

    Until a social market is established, I have to rely on shop items like this.

    Once the business thrived and item trading became more active, the need for this shop would diminish.

    He could get everything he needed from the e-market.

    At that time, I canbine as many Unique or higher-grade items as I want.

    In the shop, they didnt offer anything beyond Epic items.

    For anything better, crafting was the way to go, but discovering the right recipe was no walk in the park.

    But hey, Ive got most of those crafting recipes memorized.

    This was because Ryu Min had meticulously checked all the [Patterns] items containing crafting recipes, over numerous regressions.

    If it werent for these Patterns, there would be no way for me to know all the crafting methods.

    Patterns were simple info items containing instructions on creating specific items.

    Now, since they dont have those Patterns, People will have to experiment with variousbinations to figure things out

    Later, as the existence of Patterns bes public knowledge, more people will embark on the hunt for them.

    Because experimenting randomly to unearth crafting methods had its limitations.

    Furthermore, certain Patterns are traded for exorbitant prices, even if they only contain crafting methods.

    Imagine getting your hands on crafting methods for God-tier items, usually out of reach by conventional means. Would you not buy them, even if it cost a fortune?

    Plus, having information means you can sell it to others for a pretty penny.

    Thats how valuable crafting info was.

    But for someone like me who already has this information, items like Patterns are utterly unnecessary.

    Going by that logic, Ryu Mins information was worth an immeasurable sum in terms of money.

    The n is to create God-tier items before Round 11.

    Smirking, Ryu Min settled onto her bed.

    Not because he was just sleepy  there was an interim shareholders meeting scheduled at 10 a.m.

    As the top shareholder and ultimate authority, he couldnt afford to miss it.

    Ryu Min closed his eyes early.

    The murmurs gradually died down.

    * * *

    The room buzzed with anticipation as many people gathered for the shareholders meeting.

    These were all shareholders who had invested in Cheonma Consulting.

    Please take these documents and fill in your seats from the front.

    At the entrance, An Sang-cheol handed out simple brochures to the arriving shareholders.

    These brochures contained information about thepanys management policies, performance data, operating profits, and more.

    The shareholders who entered quickly nced at the brochures before setting them aside and focusing on the stage.

    They were already informed about todays agenda through the notice of convocation, so there was no need to read the brochures.

    They must be joking, right? They want to change the industry and thepany name?

    What is the CEO doing?

    Lets hear what theyre saying first.

    The shareholders were anxiously awaiting the appearance of the CEO.

    If the CEO made uneptable statements, they nned to withdraw their investments as soon as they left the shareholders meeting.

    As time passed, more people gathered, and the expected 10 a.m. arrived.

    When the time came, Ma Kyung-rok, dressed neatly in a suit, stepped onto the stage.

    Hello,dies and gentlemen, our shareholders. I am Ma Kyung-rok, the CEO of Cheonma Consulting chairman.

    There was no apuse at this point, which was unusual.

    It seemed like they were withholding it, waiting for something more.

    Smiling as if he anticipated this reaction, Ma Kyung-rok quickly got to the point.

    The reason we have convened this interim shareholders meeting today, as you all know, is to address a matter of great importance.

    The room was silent.

    The chill in the air was palpable.

    It may be sudden, but we, as apany, intend to change our industry, along with ourpany name.

    And boom.

    They finally heard it directly from the CEOs mouth himself.

    Sighs were heard from various ces.

    It was a natural reaction.

    Investors who had put their money into Cheonma Consulting because of thepanys vision were now being told that thepany was taking apletely different path.

    Naturally, the shareholders found it bewildering and absurd.

    We were doing so well, and now youre suddenly making some strange changes?

    What do you mean by changing the industry? Is this a game to you?

    Just keep doing consulting like youre doing now!

    Alright, folks, calm down.

    Some impatient shareholders began to create amotion, but Ma Kyung-rok didnt lose his smile.

    First, with regard to changing our industry, Id like ourrgest shareholder, who now holds 51% of thepany and has acquired the top management rights, to speak. Mr major shareholder, can you join us?

    At Ma Kyung-roks call, one person stepped up to the stage.

    Hello, everyone. Im Ryu Min, and Ive recently be the major shareholder of Cheonma Consulting.

    As the shareholders looked at Ryu Min, they were collectively astonished.

    A young man, who couldnt have been more than twenty, was now asserting himself as the top executive of thepany.

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 Chapter 76: No More Questions (1)

    Chapter 76: No More Questions (1)

    Is this some sort of joke? That young man is the major shareholder?

    Having 51% of the shares implies investing billions!

    The shareholders reactions towards Ryu Min were remarkably consistent.

    They regarded him with suspicion, some even clenched their fists as if grappling with disbelief.

    The abrupt transition from obscurity to the helm of thepany had certainly left them bewildered.

    First, allow me to elucidate the industry shift were considering

    As Ryu Min began to exin the business idea as he did with Ma Gyeong-rok., the shareholders eyes widened in response.

    Hes nning to create a social open e-market for yers?

    Isnt that only primarily beneficial for yers?

    Is he nning to change thepanys name to yer ce?

    F*uck, what kind of naming sense is this?

    Comints simmered beneath the surface, yet none were vocalized.

    In the face of numerous onlookers, Ryu Min exercised restraint.

    Internally, Ryu Min couldnt help but smile at the brewing discontent.

    Yes, its undoubtedly frustrating. After all, these shareholders are not yers.

    The attendees represented a diverse age range, spanning from their 30s to their 60s.

    They were all ordinary individuals because the younger generation of yers hadrgely abstained from stock investments.

    In a situation where one might face life-threatening challenges in the next round, long-term stock investments seem futile.

    If they needed funds, they either sought to utilize their own skills or resorted to gambling.

    Some yers present were enticed by the temptation of criminal activities.

    With a few robberies, they can easily obtain what they desire.

    What is there to be afraid of when your life is at stake?

    Given the choice, many would opt for prison over the uncertainties of the next Round.

    Thats precisely the issue. In the eyes of ordinary citizens, yers are often seen as instigators of social unrest.

    They were essentially viewed as potential criminals.

    Hence, it was natural for skepticism to arise when someone proposed creating a market website for yers.

    Now, that concludes my exnation. Ill be happy to address any questions. If anyone has inquiries

    Before Ryu Min could finish his sentence, hands shot up throughout the room.

    In response to the eager gestures, Ryu Min couldnt suppress a wry smile.

    It appears theres a considerable degree of discontent.

    Ryu Min cleared his throat and proceeded to answer each question withposure.

    Whose idea is it to change the perfectly fine industry?

    Its my idea.

    Whats your intention behind changing the industry? Do you anticipate thepanys downfall?

    Is there any CEO who wishes for theirpany to fail? Its a change aimed at growing thepany further.

    Do you have solid evidence that changing the industry will be sessful? Arent you just assuming the yers will want to use this tform? Who says they will ept this idea?

    They will find it very handy, and if a few decide not to use it, they will just fall behind. Gentlemen, if thepany grows, wouldnt it be good for the shareholders here? You will receive higher dividends.

    What are you going to do if you try for nothing and thepany goes bankrupt? Cant you just be satisfied with consulting?

    Im sorry, but I cant be satisfied with just consulting. Consulting is not viable. Moreover, the era of yers ising in the future. Changing the industry is for that reason. We need to adapt to the trend.

    Despite the onught of inquiries, he remained unfazed, responding to each query methodically.

    As he continued, the frequency of questions gradually dwindled.

    Are there any further inquiries?

    The once turbulent atmosphere had now transformed into silence.

    What more is there to ask?

    It seems weve covered most ground

    While he may be young, hes certainly not flustered.

    While the shareholders were surprised, the most astonished person was Ma Kyung-rok, who had been observing from the sidelines.

    Whats going on? Is this really the same prophet I know? The atmosphere feels subtly different

    I thought he was just a naive kid, but surprisingly, hes quite bold.

    But today, hes truly impressive.

    Indeed, todays disy of resilience in the face of criticism was rather astonishing.

    To answer every question amidst a barrage ofints required a remarkable degree ofposure.

    Its difficult to believe hes just 20 years old.

    For a moment, Ma Kyung-rok reminisced about his own life at the age of 20.

    Comparing his past to Ryu Minsposure, these were undeniably less mature times.

    If only I couldve handled situations as calmly at 20 I mightve earned my fathers recognition and taken my ce as the sessor.

    An unexpected awkwardness swept over him, but this was the shareholders assembly, after all. Ma Kyung-rok quickly regained hisposure.

    Ladies and gentlemen, if there are no objections, we shall proceed with the vote.

    For a special resolution to pass, the affirmative votes needed to surpass 67%.

    With Ryu Min holding 51% and Ma Kyung-rok holding 20%, their approval alone guaranteed the resolutions passage.

    In reality, there was no need to solicit other shareholders opinions.

    However, holding a shareholders meeting and discussing it with the shareholders served primarily for diplomatic reasons.

    Is there anyone opposed to the change in industry andpany name?

    With a smile, Ma Kyung-rok dered the results.

    As there are no opposing votes, I announce that the proposal has passed with 100% approval.

    Thump, thump, thump

    Ma Kyung-rok concluded by tapping his gavel.

    Though they had voted in favor, the shareholders couldnt hide their unease. They hadnt raised their hands reluctantly; they had wanted to oppose it.

    But Ryu Min understood.

    In a few months, these people will be thankful they didnt sell their stocks. Theyll be celebrating a remarkable sess.

    Indeed, everyone would be cheering for thepanys soaring sess.

    Now, with this, we conclude the shareholders meeting. Thank you to all the shareholders who attended.

    With Ma Kyung-roks closing remarks, the shareholders began to leave, one by one.

    During this time, Ma Kyung-rok approached Ryu Min.

    Major Shareholder, well done. You handled it with confidence, and there wasnt a hint of nervousness.

    Haha I practiced for various scenarios at home, which seems to have paid off.

    In truth, he hadnt practiced at all, but his recent speech had somewhat softened Ma Kyung-roks guard.

    Is that so? You certainly did well.

    Regardless, it seems to have been resolved.

    Yes. Now, all that remains is to create the website and build the system as soon as possible.

    Ill leave that part entirely to you, Mr. Ma.

    Of course. Major Shareholder, focus on surviving the next round without any worries.

    It appeared Ma Kyung-rok was concerned because the Prophet ss appeared weak.

    I guess hes worried that if something happens to me, he wont receive any more prophecies, but

    Well, Ma Kyung-rok had nothing to worry about.

    Would you like to have lunch together at the hotel?

    Yes, sounds good.

    Ryu Min smiled and followed Ma Kyung-rok.

    With this, todays tasks werepleted.

    Now, theres only one thing left. How to use Hwang Yong-min.

    Ryu Min, lost in thought about how to use him, wore a broad smile.

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 Chapter 76: No More Questions (2)

    Chapter 76: No More Questions (2)

    Sundays regr meeting of yers Haven Caf.

    -Hello!

    Yamti appeared on the video chat screen with an energetic voice.

    -Hello, Yamti.

    However, unlike Yamti, the expressions of the others on the screen were far from normal.

    -Huh? Why is the atmosphere like this? Whats going on?

    -You probably havent heard the news, Yamti.

    -What news? Poforin?

    -Two of our officers have been out of contact all this time.

    -Really? Who are they?

    -[My Age Thirty] and [Jam Made of Honey]. Since we havent heard from them since Round 5, it seems they didnt survive.

    -Ah

    No wonder the atmosphere felt heavy. Someone died.

    Yamti understood, but at the same time, she found it puzzling.

    They only met through video chat; did they really develop such strong feelings that they were mourning like this?

    Ah, I get it. Theyre just acting, right? Trying to impress the Chairman.

    The founder of the caf, known as the [Chairman], was undoubtedly the top dog.

    In corporate life, it was only natural to cater to your superiors emotions.

    And that the Chairman had genuinely shown sorrow every time a yer died.

    Well, I cant lose in that regard.

    Yamti activated her Female Tears.

    -Uh, what should we do My Age Thirty and Jam Made of Honey Sniff

    -Dont cry, Yamti

    -If Yamti cries, I feel like Ill start tearing up too

    The officers in the chat room sympathized with Yamtis tears.

    Sly bunch. Look how they stick together at a time like this. Well, humans are naturally sly.

    Even Yamti couldnt openly fathom what was unfolding.

    It was at that moment.

    Whats happening?

    The Chairman logged in, adjusting his sses. He cast a surprised nce at the people before him.

    Why is everyone in tears?

    Thats Chairman

    Seizing the opportunity, Lostyak quickly reported, his tone incisive.

    He regretted being a step behind, gauging the situation from the expressions of those present.

    Ah, why is something like this happening

    As anticipated, the Chairman covered his face, disying a somber reaction. This was his usual response whenever a yer met their demise.

    Nevertheless, were fortunate that the others have survived.

    Chairman, were you alright in Round 5?

    Im fine. Otherwise, would I be here?

    He chuckled at the trivial query, but there was an undertone of concern in the Chairmans words. Regrettably, the person who had posed the question remained oblivious.

    Phew By the way, it seems incidents like this keep happening. Our officers have been reduced to six

    Chairman, why dont we recruit new officers now?

    Id like to, but dont weck suitable talent? The candidates who appliedst time havent even been in touch.

    He was referring to the three officer candidates, including ck Scythe.

    Lostyak, those interviewees still havent been in touch?

    Yes. Ive called them several times, but no answer.

    Could it be they didnt survive in Round 5

    While we dont know about the other two, ck Scythe is still alive. Didnt you see the results of Round 5? They passed as first ce.

    Then why did ck Scythe apply and then go MIA?

    I have no idea.

    Could they be trying to deceive us

    Or maybe ck Scythe wasnt the real one from the beginning? The reason theres been no contact is because they died in Round 5.

    Oh, that makes sense, Poforin.

    A scammer That actually makes sense.

    Well, theres no way a guy like ck Scythe would want to join a cafe like thi''

    Poison Food momentarily realized their slip of the tongue, and closed his mouth. However, the Chairmans expression had already chilled.

    Poison Food? Did you just say this kind of caf? Whats wrong with our caf?

    Our caf ys a pioneering role in this new era by bringing yers together through cooperation. Why criticize our caf?

    Im sorry, Chairman I didnt mean it that way

    As of this moment, Poison Food, I hereby remove you from your officer position. No, youre permanently expelled from the caf.

    Yes?!

    Cooperating to survive in a situation where even ourbined strength falls short, we cant ept someone who belittles our caf. From now on, Poison Person, youll be on our cklist, so adapt when a new era arrives.

    Chair Chairman!

    [Poison Food has been banned from the chat room.]

    One officer down, five remained.

    Now, since weve removed the troublemaker, shall we continue the meeting?

    Ah Yes.

    The remaining officers faces were tense. Once again, they realized that in this ce, the Chairmans word wasw.

    At that moment, Lostyak made an Ah sound and disyed a noticeably flustered expression.

    Whats wrong?

    Oh, that, well Theres a yer who just applied now

    But?

    The yers nickname is ck Scythe

    !

    The Chairman and everyone else looked at him in shock.

    ck Scythe applied again?

    Well, the name is different from the previous ck Scythe.

    Whats the name?

    The previous ck Scythes real name was Kim In-hong, but the person who applied this time is Hwang Yong-min.

    Hwang Yong-min

    After pondering for a moment, the Chairman made a decision.

    Go visit his home. We dont know for sure if its ck Scythe, but we have to meet to find out, dont we?

    What if hes not?

    If hes not ck Scythe

    The Chairman said in a chilly tone.

    Theyll have to pay for ying tricks on us.

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 Chapter 77: Who Am I? (1)

    Chapter 77: Who Am I? (1)

    Not long ago, Ryu Min found himself in a local inte cafe, of all ces. But he had a specific mission in mindto join the enigmatic yers Haven Cafe. However, there was a catch; he was doing this under the identity of Hwang Yong-min.

    You see, this cafe didnt require any pesky real-name verification, making it a haven for identity impersonation. The reason behind this covert operation? Well, it was born out of necessity.

    Somebody has been masquerading as the enigmatic ck Scythe, and PHCs top brass cant just sit idly by, Ryu Min mused. His grand n was to use Hwang Yong-min as bait to draw out the PHC executives.

    Choosing the nickname ck Scythe was no arbitrary decision. Ryu Min believed it would grab more than just attention. It would potentially serve as an entry point to confirm ck Scythes authenticity through an interview, perhaps even a visit to Hwang Yong-mins residence.

    Thats why he had meticulously listed Hwang Yong-mins home address when signing up, right down to the vis plot number and unit details. Little did he know, that Hwang Yong-min had undergone quite a change of scenery, having moved from his previous torment-ridden abode.

    Seems like hes taken this step to gain independence from his family, but one cant help but wonder where he got the funds, Ryu Min pondered with a hint of irony.

    Wherever these guys go, theyre in my palm, he smirked, confident in his tracking skills, which could unveil anyones whereabouts. This was one of the perks of being a yer in this realm.

    While Ryu Min could understand the Caf executives power-hungry drive, he vehemently disagreed with their methods. In their quest for supremacy, they forced members tomit murder, shunned regr folks, and treated them like ves. Their actions were causing a dangerous rift between the general public and yers, a division that could ultimately lead to societal copse.

    This was precisely why Ryu Min feltpelled to act. He believed that the Caf viins, who could be considered the architects of this impending chaos, needed to be eliminated. However, he also saw an opportunity to harness the might of the Caf rather than dismantle it.

    yers Haven Caf is too valuable to be eliminated, he thought. Though it was still in its infancy, the caf was on the path to bing a formidable organization, with over 30% of the countrys yers joining its ranks. Despite their often-terrorist-like behavior, they were undoubtedly the most influential yer organization around.

    So, rather than tearing it apart, Ryu Min decided to find a way to utilize it. He already had a n in mind, one that would save him precious time. His n? To seize the existing top leadership position within the Caf, taking on the role of Chairman.

    You see, Ryu Min recognized that no matter how strong he was individually, controlling a vast number of yers required more than just raw power. It demanded a well-structured organization, something he couldnt build from scratch given the ticking clock.

    But if he could take over an already-established leadership role, everything would be more manageable. And thats where the position of yers Haven Cafs Chairman came into y.

    [Chairman], that guy doesnt hold any special significance. What truly matters is the role he has created, Ryu Min concluded.

    Thats why he had infiltrated the cafto bring down the higher-ups and im the Chairmans seat for himself. Hwang Yong-min was simply a pawn to draw them out.

    With a sly grin, Ryu Min shifted his stride, heading toward Hwang Yong-mins vi.

    ***

    Following the mayhem of the 4th round in this nightmarish realm, many yers had grown desensitized to murder. They no longer hesitated to take the lives of ordinary people, and yer misconduct had reached rming levels.

    In a way, it was a natural progression. With enough repetition, even the most daunting tasks be second nature. Hwang Yong-min was no exception. He had adapted to the chaotic lifestyle that had be his daily reality.

    The shrill sound of a bell echoed as Hwang Yong-min entered a lottery shop. He approached the counter, where the owner had been engrossed in reading a newspaper. Finally looking up, the owner inquired, What brings you here today, good sir?

    The moment the owner spotted the unexpected guest, his words failed him. It was as if he had encountered a bank robber, the stranger wearing a mask that concealed their identity.

    With a sudden, brisk movement, Hwang Yong-min tossed his bag onto the counter, his voiceced with a steely edge. Put all the cash you have in this bag. If you dont want trouble.

    The owner hesitated, his confusion palpable, and in response, Hwang Yong-mins fist came down hard on the counter.

    Thud!

    Despite the punch being seemingly ordinary, it sounded more like a blow from a sledgehammer, leaving asting impact.

    What are yougging for? Do you think this is a joke?

    Is this a yer? It was only now that the owner recognized the truth.

    Such incredible strength could only be attributed to a yer. Thoughts of a recent newspaper headline shed through the owners mind:

    [Convenience Store Owner Resists yer, Struck with Blunt Object and Killed].

    Resisting a yer was foolish, especially in South Korea, where firearms were a rarity.

    Whats the hold-up? Hurry and fill the bag. Do you really want to risk it?

    I-Ill do it right away! The owner swiftly collected cash from the register and presented the bag, anxiety clear in his eyes.

    Here

    Is this all youve got?

    Well,tely, business hasnt been great. Lottery ticket sales have been suspended, you see. I do sell various items like a convenience store, but revenue

    Who asked for your life story? Youre aware theres a safe, right? You think you can fool me? Go get everything from there. Understand? Go!

    Y-yes! Confronted with a raised fist, the owner reluctantly retrieved the money from the safe. It was about ten million won.

    That should suffice.

    Content, Hwang Yong-min turned to leave but abruptly pivoted back.

    You know, if you ever think about reporting this, think again. Ill break out of jail, and when I do, Ille for you.

    . The owner, now considering reporting the incident, swallowed hard. After all, the mask concealed the intruders identity entirely.

    Hwang Yong-min quickly retreated to a nearby alley, minimizing the chances of being recognized.

    Phew. After removing the mask, he checked the contents of the bag. A smile involuntarily spread across his face.

    Heh, todays haul is quite the catch. This should sustain me for a month.

    In the real world, he could manage, but what about the other world? Could he endure the next round?

    Such thoughts cast a shadow over his face. Damn If only it werent for that penalty.

    The permanent stat reduction penalty had not only hindered his growth but also sapped his motivation.

    I managed to defeat around 300 orcs this time, but can I survive the next round? The more he pondered, the heavier his sighs became.

    Damn you, ck Scythe Its all because of that bastard.

    It was due to ck Scythe that he had lost his friends, suffered stat reductions, and resorted to robbery.

    Its all that bastards fault!

    He shouted in the alley before making his escape. He had threatened to break out of the jail and kill the owner if he ever reported the incident. However, he had no intention of doing so.

    Once back home, he can curse that bastard as much as he wants.

    Click!

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 Chapter 77: Who Am I? (2)

    Chapter 77: Who Am I? (2)

    Once back home, he can curse that bastard as much as he wants.

    Click!

    Upon opening the shabby front door, a cramped one-room apartment greeted him. Surprisingly, he paid a monthly rent of 50,000 won for this ce.

    Still, its good to be independent. No more nagging parents.

    After the fourth round had ended, he cut ties with his parents. He had acquired money through robbery and started chasing the dream of living a thugs life with gang members.

    But with the world in chaos, who needs to be a thug?

    Everything had be too bothersome, so he had discarded that idea, securing this one-room apartment instead.

    At least I can make enough money through robberies as things are now.

    Thud!

    After casually tossing the bag of cash, he headed inside to wash up. However, his expression was far from content.

    Sigh, how much longer do I have to live like this?

    In the past four months, much had transpired. He had fought numerous battles against monsters like goblins, trolls, and orcs to survive. He had even lost a limb to the monster known as ck Scythe.

    He had also killed his role model, Jo Jung-shik, by striking him from behind. And as for his close friends from his school days, he had personally ended their lives.

    In a desperate bid to earn some cash, he reluctantly turned to robbery, steering clear of any criminal affiliations.

    His life had taken a chaotic turn, spiraling into the abyss.

    If only I hadnt crossed paths with that bastard, ck Scythe

    Had it not been for the debilitating penalties, perhaps he wouldnt have plummeted into such despair. At the very least, a glimmer of enthusiasm for life might have remained.

    A deep sigh escaped his lips.

    Emptiness consumed him, apanied by a wave of self-loathing.

    His existence now revolved around waiting for the next round, living on the precipice of uncertainty.

    Ah

    Suddenly, he felt as though he was squandering precious time, lost in thought. This isnt the moment for such indulgence.

    The next round could spell his demise, and he couldnt afford to waste even a single moment.

    I must make every remaining moment count, experience everything Ive ever desired.

    In this world, he had killed, andmitted robberies, and fear no longer held him captive.

    What should I try next? Should I try to rape a woman?

    His life was already in ruins. The world itself was exhibiting ominous signs, and thinking about bright future ns was unneeded.

    Oh, by the way, arent all my peers are yers too?

    Underestimating women would be a grave mistake. Gender was inconsequential when pitted against stats.

    Moreover, those who had survived until now had weathered the hellish trials of the 4th and 5th rounds as yers. They were far from easy targets.

    Theres no choice but to set my sights on older women.

    If they were over 30, theyd be easier to overpower.

    However,tely, finding ordinary folks outside has be a challenging endeavor.

    Regardless, I must search. My wish is to be with a beautiful woman, isnt it?

    Perhaps an ordinary person resembling Seo Arin would be on the streets.

    With a tune humming in his heart, he donned his coat, ready to step out. If the mood struck him, he might visit a room salon.

    He yearned to spend money as if he were a character in a movie, surrounded by women, showcasing his wealth.

    If I run low on cash, I can always raid a store again.

    With unwavering determination, he swung open the door.

    What the hell?

    Hwang Yong-mins reaction was one of shock. A stranger stood at his doorstep.

    What the Who are you?

    Are you Hwang Yong-min?

    .

    Hwang Yong-min regarded the stranger with cautious eyes.

    In response, the tan-skinned man offered a friendly smile.

    I suppose my guess was correct, judging by your reaction.

    Who are you? Are you a police officer?

    A police officer? Haha! Why have youmitted a crime? Lets discuss this inside.

    Attempting to enter discreetly, the man tried to push past Hwang Yong-min.

    Hey, who told you can go in? Who are you?

    Oh, my apologies. Im Lostyak, the interviewer from the yer Haven Caf. You applied for membership this morning, didnt you?

    Are you on drugs? What nonsense are you talking about?

    Arent you ck Scythe?

    ck Scythe? Me?

    Hwang Yong-mins bewildered response clued Lostyak into the possibility of a misunderstanding.

    Let me ask again. Arent you ck Scythe?

    You think Im ck Scythe? Are you joking?

    Did you not apply for membership at yer Haven Caf?

    yer Ha.. what? Whats that?

    Ah

    Lostyak sighed, realizing his error.

    I apologize for the confusion. Ill take my leave.

    Whats going on? You should at least tell me why youre here, you jerk.

    It appears that someone yed a prank using your personal information. Given that your name and address match

    So, someone used my personal information? Who the hell was it?

    It was me.

    Both Hwang Yong-min and Lostyak turned their heads in response to an unexpected voice.

    In the corridor, a masked man with white face paint stood, fully equipped.

    Are you the one who used Hwang Yong-mins personal information?

    What the hell Who is this crazy guy?

    Hwang Yong-mins bewildered reaction was expected. After all, a masked lunatic had suddenly appeared and imed identity theft.

    Youre actually admitting this, right? Damn it, how do you know who I am?

    I know.

    Who the hell are you?

    Instead of responding, Ryu Min retrieved Deaths Scythe from his inventory.

    Witnessing the colossal weapon, both Lostyak and Hwang Yong-min were left in stunned silence.

    Does this answer your question?

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 Chapter 78: Its Me (1)

    Chapter 78: It''s Me (1)

    The yer using a scythe is notmon.

    Especially a scythe asrge and brutish as this one.

    If there is a yer carrying such a scythe, there is only one person.

    Shit, is that a ck scythe?

    They both thought of the same person as if they were twins.

    The yer who is a top-ranked, high-level ranker, known to anyone in the other realm.

    Could it be that hes another imposter?

    Lostyak erased his surprised expression and narrowed his eyes thinly.

    There was a discrepancy between reality and calling oneself the ck Scythe.

    First of all, hes small.

    He doesnt look like hes even 170 cm tall.

    Arge scythe that looks hard to swing.

    A somewhat weak voice, a petite figure, and so on.

    It was very different from the reported image of the ck Scythe.

    Of course,paring the real person to his Avatars is stupid.

    But the problem is he also looks weak!

    But Hwang Yong-min, who had actually met the ck Scythe before, knew.

    Th-Thats the ck Scythe for real, its the ck Scythe!

    Although their physique was different, their tone and atmosphere were the same.

    Above all, the look in those eyes that appeared through the mask was unforgettable.

    Its real the real one appeared.

    His head stood on end, and his hands and feet trembled intermittently.

    It was like the reaction of a herbivore recognizing a predator.

    ck Scythe showing himself.

    It hasnt been a long time since Hwang Yong-min promised himself to cut him in half if he saw him in reality.

    To be honest, it was just something he said.

    With the level difference being more than double, how could he kill him?

    But why is the ck Scythe here?

    No, more importantly, why did he use his identity?

    There should be no reason for them to have any business with each other now.

    In any case, its not a good sign to appear armed.

    Whether it was because his hands were sweating or to ease his tension, Hwang Yong-min clenched and released his hands repeatedly.

    With such strange behavior, Lostyak once again looked at the ck Scythe.

    Is it really the ck Scythe?

    Even he, who had thought of him so lightly, had a somewhat tense expression now.

    Ive never seen him in person, but if hes really the ck Scythe.

    Someone like himself at level 20 wouldnt be a match.

    Perhaps the only answer is a surprise attack.

    You.

    Suddenly singled out, Lostyak was startled.

    W-What?

    You didnte here alone, did you?

    .

    Tell the others toe out. I know everything.

    Lostyak was shocked.

    He was so impressed that he wanted to apud.

    He even knew there were other executives here.

    Until just a while ago, he was suspecting whether he was the real ck Scythe.

    But now he was sure.

    Regardless of whether he was the ck Scythe or not, he was not an easy opponent.

    At that moment.

    Bububuk-

    Is it because he called them out?

    Two men who had been hiding in the corridor stairs revealed themselves.

    They were [Soboru is Jolmattang] and [Poporing].

    Man, weve been caught.

    How did you know we were here?

    Without knowing anything about the presence detectingmon skill, the two tried to approach Ryu Min.

    Donte any closer if you dont want to die.

    Kick, youre just all talk.

    Soboru scoffed, and Poporing held him back.

    Hey, are you the ck Scythe?

    At Poporings question, Ryu Min shook the scythe.

    You should be able to tell by looking at this, right?

    I heard that you use a scythe as your main weapon, but weve never seen the ck Scythe in person, so we dont know just by looking at a scythe.

    Then why did you ask? You wont believe it anyway.

    But we still want to hear it from your own mouth.

    Fine, Im the ck Scythe. Is that enough?

    Once he admitted that he was the ck Scythe, Poporings expression changed.

    [The target you are currently looking at is telling the truth.]

    It was all thanks to the [Truth Rune] he had.

    Soboru, who was next to him, turned to Poporing and asked.

    What did it say?

    It said its the truth.

    At Poporings words, the executives looked at the ck Scythe with surprised eyes.

    Is this guy really the famous ck Scythe?

    I cant believe it, but it seems to be true.

    They were somewhat surprised by the slightly awkward reality

    Well, Ill be damned.

    Soboru was the only one making a face as if was chewing poop.

    Its because he arrogantly acted up talking to ck Scythe a minute ago.

    Damn it. That guy cant keep his mouth shut.

    To think I would annoy someone who might be a caf executive.

    If he became a member, it was obvious that he would get kicked.

    What should I do? Should I apologize for my mistake? Oh no, maybe he didnt hear it. Hes still just standing there quietly, right?

    With his numb feet, Soboru, who was watching the situation, first greeted him.

    ck Scythe, its a pleasure to meet you

    Its not the time for greetings.

    Ryu Min aimed his scythe at Soboru.

    You said you want to confirm if Im the ck Scythe, right? Then lets confirm it through our skills.

    S-Skills?

    Soboru was taken aback.

    Challenging a level 20 to a duel was simply child y.

    The intention was clear.

    Darn it, he is obviously holding a grudge from earlier.

    He clearly intended to embarrass him in front of others.

    There is no way I would do this. Lets just apologize sincerely.

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 Chapter 78: Its Me (2)

    Chapter 78: It''s Me (2)

    Of course, he was not confident of winning.

    You can tell without even looking at it.

    Im truly sorry for my rudeness earlier, ck Scythe.

    Youre sorry? How would that help you check if Im the ck Scythe?

    There is no need to show your skills. The verification has already beenpleted.

    Poporing intervened, but ck Scythes anger did not go away.

    You just asked me and it was confirmed?

    Ah Well, I have a rune rted to that

    Okay, but I cant let this slide. if you block my attack, Ill treat your rude behavior as if it has never happened. Then shall we begin?

    Well, ck Scythe-nim. Theres no need for that Im really sor.

    Before Soboru could apologize for his mistake, it happened.

    Skkrrt!

    With a chilling sound, Soborus head fell to the ground.

    -

    Well, ck Scythe-nim. Theres no need for that Im really sor.

    Before Soboru could apologize for his mistake, it happened.

    Skkrrt!

    With a chilling sound, Soborus head fell to the ground.

    Thunk roll

    When their colleagues head rolled under their feet, the two were in shock.

    What the hell is this guy doing!?

    Lostyak wanted to shout.

    But if he did, he might end up like Soboru, so shut his eyes in pain.

    Poporing felt the same way.

    I, I didnt even see him swing the scythe.

    A clear gap.

    Even if they had learned themon skill Enhanced Visual Perception, it was too fast to follow.

    ck Scythe! What on earth are you doing?

    What am I doing? I just proved with my skills that Im the ck Scythe.

    I told you there was no need to show your skills

    Sigh

    With an expression as if he had a headache, the two of them grasped their necks.

    They could be next.

    One of the executives just died so easily.

    And there was no resurrection here, as in the other world.

    They were not members who could be just reced, they were executives.

    They cant just find recements.

    Who are we going to rece him with?

    The moment they thought that a madman in a white mask appeared in their field of vision.

    The ck Scythe was the perfect candidate for an executive position.

    They hade here to recruit him in the first ce.

    But

    How can ept a lunatic who kills hisrades as an executive?

    Chairman probably wouldnt agree either. He cares more about the lives of his subordinates.

    It was too much of a risk to ept the ck Scythe as an ally.

    Especially since he was a cold-blooded killer.

    So the two didnt have much trouble deciding.

    Its dangerous to ept the ck Scythe as a member. If we cant ept him, we have to kill him right here.

    Even though it wasnt easy, they couldnt just let it go after killing arade.

    It was the right thing to do even from the perspective of eliminatingpetitors.

    But again it wont be easy. Hes level 40 after all.

    First, pretend to surrender, that will make him lower his guard. Then we ambush him. Thats the only way.

    As the two exchanged nces and tacitly agreed to kill him, Ryu Min spoke up.

    Hahah.

    A smallugh leaked out from Ryu Mins mask.

    Do you really think I wouldnt suspect you when you openly showed your intention to kill me earlier?

    Yes? W-What are you talking about?

    I bet you were nning to act submissive and then ambush me, right? Isnt that so?

    Unable to say anything when hit right on the mark, their inner thoughts were clearly read.

    Let me ask you something. Do you know why I used Hwang Yong-mins name and address to apply?

    They didnt.

    Because I wanted to lure out the executives.

    Us?

    The executives looked at each other.

    W-What do you want from us?

    Its simple. I want you to die.

    If it had been someone else, they might have dismissed it as a joke, but the opponent was the ck Scythe. He was definitely not someone to joke with. He had already killed one of the executives as an example.

    Above all, he had that crazy look in his eyes.

    What should we do? Lets think If we stay like this, were as good as dead.

    Poporing, usually the logical one, tried to calmly assess the situation. However, in such a panic situation, there was no way for his mind to work properly.

    Especially in such urgent situations.

    Lets try to persuade him for now. Persuade him and buy some time.

    Although he had killed someone out of the blue, maybe they could still talk it out. That was their hope.

    But just as Poporing was about to speak with that thought in mind

    Huh?

    He unintentionally eximed.

    Thats because Lostyak had also be a headless corpse.

    Thud

    In an instant, two corpses were under his feet.

    Blood quickly formed a puddle on the floor, and only three people remained in the corridor: trembling Hwang Yong-min, Poporing, and the Grim Reaper.

    Ah He was trying to lure us in to kill us from the beginning.

    Fear filled Poporings eyes as he faced the harsh reality.

    Why Do you have such a grudge against us?

    Youre asking me why?

    Skrk!

    Ryu Mins scythe touched Poporings neck.

    Because you falsely used innocent people and killed them, didnt you?

    H-How did you?

    Did you think I wouldnt know? You killed a lot of people during your job interview tests.

    Especially the executive interviews. You have to personally deal with innocent civilians, you guys raped and killed a lot of them.

    They werent innocent civilians.

    Poporing said, seemingly unjustly used.

    They made remarks that disregarded yers and belittled them. They secretly envied our abilities. Such humans who hold double standards deserve to die.

    And what about you?

    While treating others strictly, you are lenient with yourself. Isnt that a double standard?

    What are you talking about? You dont even know me.

    You think I dont know? I can see right through your inner thoughts with my Rune.

    Ryu Min swallowed his words and raised his scythe.

    I might not know you, but I know one thing

    Skkrrt!

    Poporings head fell to the ground like a grape.

    Only scums kill innocent people.

    Hwang Yong-min, who was trembling, looked frightened.

    Theres no need to be afraid. Ill send you to your friends soon.

    Perhaps provoked by the mention of his friends?

    Hwang Yong-min, who had been trembling just a moment ago, now looked at Ryu Min with a determined expression.

    How do you know my friends?

    Why wouldnt I? We used to hang out together. Strictly speaking, I was dragged into your group.

    What?

    Ryu Min smiled at Hwang Yong-min, who was looking at him as if asking what kind of bullshit he was saying.

    Dont you know who I am?

    Youre ck Scythe.

    Hwang Yong-mins words were cut abruptly as he looked at the face revealed behind the mask. It was a face he knew very well.

    Its me. Ryu Min, the one you used to torment.

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 Chapter 79: The Assassin Mask (1)

    Chapter 79: The Assassin Mask (1)

    Reactions to unbelievable events can vary greatly. Some react with surprise, while others wear bewildered expressions. Some freeze up like statues. Hwang Yong-min fell into thetter category.

    Ryu Min? The ck Scythe Ryu Min? Hwang Yong-min uttered, while the scenes from his memory were ovepping in his mind.

    One was of Ryu Min, hunched over like a turtle, striking himself. The other was of the ck Scythe, exuding an overwhelming charisma while shing his arm. These two seemingly incongruous images pointed to the same individual standing before him.

    The same person It cant be. Ryu Min, the nerdy guy, is the ck Scythe? Hwang Yong-min raised his head once again, his disbelief evident.

    Even after blinking his eyes a few times, there was no doubt that the unmasked man was indeed Ryu Min.

    It seems hard to believe for you, that Im the ck Scythe,

    Well, it makes sense. Untilst year, I was the one who got beaten by you.

    You What are you? Have you been deceiving me all this time? Why pretend to be a fool? Hwang Yong-min inquired, his voice quivering with a mix of emotions.

    Ryu Min retorted, What are you talking about? When did I pretend to be a fool?

    In the midst of their conversation, Ryu Mins scythe spun around, and Hwang Yong-mins arm fell to the ground.

    The shock of losing his arm left Hwang Yong-min momentarily speechless.

    Its unpleasant to hear words like fool from trash like you, isnt it? Ryu Mins voice carried a chilling edge.

    Hwang Yong-min, stammering in pain, could only manage a feeble response, S-St-stop

    Quiet. Unless you want your tongue cut out.

    Ah, uh.

    Hwang Yong-min held back tears and endured the pain.

    Blood leaked out from the cut.

    Ryu Mins hand moved swiftly to administer first aid, stopping the bleeding, and healing Hwangs arm. However, there was one ring change.

    Oh? Youre one-armed now? Ryu Min observed, a touch of amusement in his tone.

    Hwang Yong-min, having failed to reattach his severed arm, had tears in his eyes.

    So what? You can still live with one arm, right?!

    Although Ryu Mins actions seemed designed to shame him, Hwang Yong-min remained emotionally numb, overwhelmed by the situation.

    Is it really you the Ryu Min I knew? Hwang Yong-min asked, searching for a glimmer of the familiar in this transformed figure.

    No, Ryu Min replied, his voice devoid of sentiment. The Ryu Min you knew is no longer here.

    With these words, Ryu Min slowly raised his scythe, akin to an executioner preparing to carry out a sentence.

    Goodbye.

    W-Wait! Just a moment, Min-ah! Hwang Yong-mins voice was desperate, pleading for a chance at redemption.

    Please spare me! Ive caused you a lot of trouble, havent I? I was wrong. Im truly sorry!

    The scythe, previously in motion, hesitated in mid-air. Is that so? Ryu Min leaned in, appearing to consider Hwang Yong-mins plea.

    Hwang Yong-min saw a glimmer of hope and thought, Maybe I can survive this!

    Carefully choosing his words, he continued, You have nothing to gain from killing me. Why not use me?

    Use you? How so? Ryu Mins curiosity was piqued.

    Hwang Yong-min quickly responded, Well, how about Yes! Ill be your exclusive assistant! Ill obey your everymand, run errands, act as bait during huntswhatever you need!

    Ryu Min pondered for a moment, stroking his chin, while Hwang Yong-min held his breath in anticipation.

    But hope was short-lived.

    Its still not going to work.

    Hwang Yong-mins expression sank. Huh? What, what do you mean?

    You still intend to strike me from behind, dont you?

    Hwang Yong-min was left dumbfounded. How did he know? Did he guess?

    You cant keep a dog that tries to bite its owner. With these words, Ryu Min raised his scythe, and Hwang Yong-mins face contorted in desperation.

    Wait, just a moment!

    Your worth as a pawn ends here.

    Wait, give me a ch!

    Swoosh! Hwang Yong-mins head fell.

    It was a pitiful and insignificant end to a once-tangled fate.

    I gave you countless chances. In the previous regressions. Ryu Mins cold voice echoed in the air.

    Back when he didnt have the rune of inner thoughts, Ryu Min had spared Hwang Yong-min, who had been deceived by his silver tongue. But as expected, it ended with betrayal.

    I was such a sucker back then. Ryu Min chuckled inwardly. Only after his death did he realize how foolish he had been to spare Hwang Yong-min.

    Of course, this was a tale from a time when his level and experience were much lower than they were now.

    Goodbye, you bastard.

    Their long, twisted destiny had reached its conclusion.

    Even in the face of their unfortunate circumstances, there was a strange sense of relief this time, perhaps because he knew it was theirst encounter.

    First things first, I need to clean up this mess.

    Utilizing his skill to erase any traces, Ryu Min made the four lifeless bodies vanish from the scene. It appeared that no one had detected their presence, as there were no witnesses to be seen.

    This is going smoothly.

    Ryu Min stowed away his scythe once again and donned his disguise. With this, he had sessfully aplished his goal of dealing with Hwang Yong-min and the yer Haven Caf executives.

    Now, he was one step closer to the position of the chairman. Well, it wasnt just one step; it was more like a series of steps.

    Should I pay a visit to his house?

    With that thought, Ryu Min swiftly disappeared into the darkness.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 79: The Assassin Mask (2)

    Chapter 79: The Assassin Mask (2)

    People began to gather in Cafs online chat room. It wasnt a Sunday, but an unexpected meeting was taking ce.

    Wee, Chairman-nim!

    Come on in, Yamti-nim.

    Yamti, with a smile on her face, scanned the chat room screen but couldnt help noticing that some of the other executives were missing.

    Where are the other executives?

    Its precisely because of that issue that we had to convene this meeting urgently.

    Whats going on?

    Before the chairman could reply, he let out a sigh.

    There was indeed a problema significant one that could shake the very existence of the caf.

    The executives have been killed.

    What?! Theyre dead?

    Yamti, taken aback, stared at the screen once more. There were empty seats, and the executives, who were neverte, were absent today.

    What happened? Have you tried calling them?

    We checked, but

    There was no need to say more. The chairmans grim expression said it all.

    Theyre not answering individual calls either. It seems they were attacked while going for interviews.

    So, who did it? Could it be

    Yamti thought of one person.

    As if to confirm her suspicions, the chairman nodded. Thats right. ck Scythe, hes hunting our caf members.

    Strictly speaking, they werent regr members but executives. However, the chairman wasnt concerned about that distinction. What mattered was that the caf they had painstakingly built was under attack, and it was by none other than the ck Scythe, who was considered the number one yer in the otherworld.

    What about Soboru? And Poporing? They all they were killed by him too?

    Thats correct.

    Why? What could those good people have done wrong

    Why do murderersmit murder? Its just for their own satisfaction. Or maybe they saw us as a threat, gaining influence.

    Ah

    Listening to the chairmans exnation, Yamti could understand to some extent. There were people with twisted personalities who, when others sess seemed too prominent, wanted to snatch it away.

    Did he join our caf just to lure the executives?

    Yes.

    Ha I was looking forward to meeting ck Scythe someday, but now I find out hes a psychopath whos hostile to us I feel really ashamed. If we had epted him as an executive, it could have been a disaster.

    Thats right. I would have regretted it for the rest of my life. Maybe even before that, he would have killed me.

    Losing the executives seemed to have put the chairman in a bad mood.

    ck Scythe is now our clear enemy. We must find him and avenge our lost members.

    Yes, we have to do that. But

    With an assured tone, Yamti asked, But is it certain that the ck Scythe is the culprit?

    There are eyewitnesses.

    Ah!

    If there were eyewitnesses, the situation changed.

    Lostyak-nim?

    A man with a grayishplexion upying part of the screen answered, Yes, Chairman-nim.

    As you reported to me, please exin the situation to Yamti-nim.

    Of course.

    Lostyak, with a gloomy expression, described the confrontation with the ck Scythe.

    ***

    Well then, well see you at the next regr meeting.

    Yes, Chairman-nim. Please go ahead.

    Please go in, Chairman-nim!

    As the chairman left the chat room, Lostyak exchanged greetings with Yamti.

    Yamti-nim, well see you next time.

    Yes, please take a rest. Youve had a tough day today, Lostyak-nim.

    Thank you! Well then

    After ending the chat, Lostyak turned his attention away from the monitor.

    Fortunately, it seems they didnt notice.

    He opened his equipment window and pressed the button to remove his helmet.

    Suddenly, his face undted like the waves of the ocean before returning to its original appearance.

    It was no longer the gray-skinned Lostyak; it was Ryu Min in all his glory.

    I guess Ive got a knack for acting, Ryu Min chuckled, gazing at the item he had just unequipped.

    [Assassins Mask]

    Category: Helmet

    Grade: Unique

    Defense: 1

    Effect: By saying the trigger word disguise, it lets you mimic the appearance of a yer youve dispatched, down to their facial features, skin tone, voice, and physique, all wlessly replicated.

    Durability: 3,000/3,000

    Usage Restriction: Requires an Expert or higher grade

    Description: A thin, translucent mask, favored by assassins, boasting an astounding 99.9% sess rate. They say no one can unveil the true face behind it.

    Ryu Min had chosen this helmet as his reward from the previous Time Attack event, using a Unique item selection ticket.

    At this point, if I need a Unique item, the Assassins Mask is the best choice.

    Even though itcked stats and provided minimal defense, its perks were invaluable.

    Being able to transform into the appearance of a yer Ive in is a major advantage.

    It wasnt just about deceiving opponents; it had versatile applications, from gathering information to espionage and deception.

    In essence, it was the ideal mask for assassination.

    Theres no easier assassination than betraying allies.

    That was precisely why Ryu Min killed the executives today.

    He needed to infiltrate their ranks as one of the executives.

    Now, I can even turn into Hwang Yong-min if needed.

    The mask hed removed in front of Hwang Yong-min was just a in, non-functional one.

    When he killed him, Ryu Min was wearing the transparent Assassins Mask, allowing him to replicate Hwang Yong-mins appearance.

    For now, hed stay focused on ying the role of Lostyak.

    If I hadnt delved into Lostyaks inner thoughts earlier, I wouldnt have been able to fool the other executives.

    His speech patterns, habits, and social connections had all been meticulously unraveled by the Rune of Inner Thoughts in previous regressions.

    Thats how hed managed to break into Lostyaks private ce and engage in video chat.

    Without the Assassins Mask, this intricate n wouldve been impossible.

    I originally nned to execute this n slowly, but thanks to the mask, the n has been expedited.

    Now, all that remained was seizing the right moment and taking over the position of chairman.

    If it were up to me, Id eliminate the chairman, assume his identity, and effortlessly manipte the organization.

    But that was proven impossible.

    The Assassins Mask only targets yers.

    Which means the chairman isnt a yer.

    It was an ironic twist that the leader of a yer-filled organization wasnt a yer himself.

    However, approaching him was no easy task, thanks to yer Yamti.

    I cant deal with Yamtis abilities with my current capabilities.

    Until he devised a countermeasure, he had to steer clear of contact with the executives.

    Fortunately, when the 7th round rolled around, hed have a solution.

    Until then, Ill stick to ying the role of Lostyak through video chat and buy time.

    With that, the situation was pretty much wrapped up.

    He likely wouldnt be transforming to Lostyak until the next meeting.

    Thank goodness. Ive got some spare time now.

    With the newfound free time, there was something he had to do.

    Its rted to recovering durability.

    Its been a while since Ive had to go on a trip abroad.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon! <ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 80: The Young Blacksmith

    Chapter 80: The Young cksmith

    The Bead of Eternity, a remarkable item, bestows stat points for killing monsters.

    While it takes on the form of a ne; its made of beads. You can consider it more of a consumable item.

    You see, for every monster you kill the durability drops by one point.

    And once that durability is depleted, the neckless vanishes.

    Thats its one shoring, but only when its durability wanes.

    If one can restore durability, theres no better stat-boosting item.

    Thats why its a tailor-made item for cksmiths.

    With the repair skill, you can endlessly mend durability and strive for permanent stat gains.

    But this neckless isnt easy to acquire.

    Should you fail to defeat an Orc Shaman in the 5th round, the chance to obtain it eludes you.

    asionally, they pop up on the PLPL social open market, but their unreasonable prices deter most cksmiths.

    (T/N: PLPL: yer ce.)

    But theres now that says only cksmiths can benefit from it. Recovering durability is possible for anyone.

    That was the reason Ryu Min wanted to go abroad.

    Because there was a cksmith overseas who would be famous for being the best.

    I need to ask that person to fix the durability of the bead.

    With this goal in mind, Ryu Min promptly prepared for his overseas journey.

    He had already procured a passport in anticipation of this moment.

    Hey, what are you up to?

    Observing Ryu Min packing his suitcase, his younger sibling inquired with curiosity.

    Where are you headed?

    Just a quick trip abroad.

    Suddenly?

    Ill be back soon. Three days should suffice.

    All he would carry were clothes and toiletries for his hotel stay. The rest hed buy locally.

    Whats the reason for your trip? Business-rted?

    Well, you could say that.

    I was thinking of joining you if it was for leisure, but it doesnt seem feasible.

    Who goes on vacation in times like these?

    True.

    Make sure to eat well while Im away.

    But where are you off to?

    Ryu Min chuckled and replied, The UK.

    * * *

    In the UK, Russell Daniel had long forsaken formal education.

    For six years, he had dwelled in a rustic cabin amidst the woods, honing his cksmithing skills.

    The ng of the hammer meeting red-hot iron resonated through the air.

    This was the craft of shaping and strengthening.

    This should do.

    Russell was fashioning a 15cm-long dagger, and when its shape met his approval, he used a whetstone to sharpen the de.

    Subsequently, he plunged the de into the water after heating only its edge in the fiery forge.

    A satisfying hiss followed.

    This process elevated the des sharpness.

    A touch of iron dust on a special whetstone was the final touch, making the de razor-sharp, and a handle was attached.

    Itsplete.

    This dagger was a product of his hobby, not intended for sale.

    Well maybe its time to put an end to this.

    Gazing at the finely crafted dagger, Russell let out a wistful chuckle.

    Itd be nice if I could sell at least one a day.

    He had embarked on this journey with youthful zeal, but that was a tale of days when customers sought his craft.

    Now, very few came knocking.

    All thanks to that confounded angel.

    January 2022.

    Russell, as usual, was fashioning weapons for customers in his cabin when an unexpected summons transported him to another realm.

    He found himself creating an avatar and banding together with others tobat goblins.

    It felt like I was plucked from my countryside abode and thrust into a war.

    After enduring through five rounds and looking back, he beheld a world in turmoil.

    What began with 1.8 billion people had dwindled to 19 million, resulting in economic turbulence and a decline in customers.

    Well, I did anticipate this turn of events. After all, making a living as a cksmith was never a walk in the park.

    The costs of cksmithing materials were no trifling matter.

    He had persevered thus far, but now he reached his limits.

    His bank bnce was plummeting, and he wished not to burden his parents any further.

    Perhaps its time to explore a different profession

    He had hoped to continue cksmithing for as long as possible, but that dream was unraveling.

    The world was undergoing swift transformations, with yers at the epicenter.

    Didnt they mention granting a wish if we clear the 20th round?

    A wish, indeed.

    Russells wish was simple, yet profound.

    He yearned to continue his lifelong passion for cksmithing, a craft that had captured his heart for years.

    Yes, I cant let go of cksmithing. Whats life without a little passion, especially when youre young? A man needs to pursue his dreams!

    (T/N: I like Russell Already!)

    With renewed determination, he cast away his despondency and set his sights on a brighter future.

    He had a new objective in mind.

    I will conquer the final round and make my wishe true!

    No longer content with mere survival, Russell was ready to take an active approach to conquering the rounds.

    Being a cksmith may not be the mostbat-ready profession, but I can handle it in my current state.

    While he didnt know the precise conditions, Russell had managed to secure a cksmith job-change item early on.

    Initially, he believed it was fate smiling upon him.

    However, as the world plunged into turmoil, continuing his current profession became increasingly challenging.

    Whatever it takes, Ill reach the 20th round. Theres no other way for me if I want to pursue the cksmithing I love.

    He refused to ept the idea of impossibility.

    By the time he reached level 20, he had learned a skill called Weapon Sharpening, which greatly improved his axes performance.

    Thanks to this newfound skill, taking down Orcs became a breeze.

    I dont know how tough the 6th round will be, but Im confident!

    Of course, he had no intention of quitting his real-life job, even if he managed to survive in this otherworldly setting.

    Ill only take a break until Ive saved enough money. As long as I have the funds to buy materials, Ill return to my cabin and continue as a hobby.

    If he ran out of money, he would gracefully bow out; he had no intention of resorting to theft, unlike some yers.

    After all, once youre gone, youre gone, and you shouldnt harm others. Well, the massacre in the 4th round was inevitable, but

    For now, his n was to find a job once he had aplished his mission.

    Finding a job might not be easy in these circumstances

    With 23% of the global poption wiped out, the economic situation was far from favorable.

    I read an article that said most shops had closed due to yers looting

    It seemed that finding a job wouldnt be a walk in the park.

    Nevertheless, I have to give it a try! Im not one to give up without a fight.

    If necessary, I n to raise money by selling items in my inventory.

    I dont know if anyone would buy something like this, though.

    With his decision made, Russell began to tidy up his cabin.

    It was then that he heard footsteps behind himcarefully measured steps.

    Without thinking, Russell turned around and was taken aback.

    Instead of a wild animal, a person was approaching, and not just any person, but someone of Asian descent.

    What? Its notmon to see people here

    Russell had intentionally chosen a remote location for his cabin to avoid causing any inconvenience to others.

    Whats the matter? Are you lost?

    He wasnt sure if they couldmunicate, but he decided to start a conversation.

    However

    Russell Daniel, right? The young, famous cksmith.

    The other person spoke fluent English and even knew his name.

    Russells expression grew cold.

    Who are you?

    It seems Ive found the right person based on your reaction.

    Where did you hear about me? I dont have any Asian customers.

    I didnt hear about you. I saw you.

    Saw me?

    Ryu Min first revealed his hand.

    Im a prophet. I can see the future.

    A prophet? What nonsense is this person talking about

    Russell. Level 21. upation: cksmith. Area designation: C-EUKE008. Is that correct?

    Russell remained silent, unable to speak due to his shock.

    His eyes widened in disbelief.

    To urately guess the area designation, even details Ive never disclosed to anyone It seems saying hes a prophet isnt just a baseless im.

    Can you really see the future?

    Yes.

    Ive never heard of a profession like prophet.''

    Thats because its rare. In this otherworld, there are countless professions. Among them, theres a unique ss that only one person can have. That ss is prophet.''

    Okay? And why have youe here, Mr, Prophet?

    Dont ridicule me like that. Russell, Ivee because I want to strike a deal with you.

    A deal?

    Please use your repair skill to fix one item for me. If you do that, Ill provide you with valuable information.

    Information?

    Russell cautiously asked, What kind of valuable information?

    Its information about the 6th round.

    Russells eyes widened.

    If I can know about the next round in advance, it will be of great help to n ahead.

    Fixing one item?

    Honestly, it wasnt a difficult task.

    It was easier than cksmithing, as all he needed to do was touch the item and cast a skill.

    The problem is that its too easy.

    The benefit outweighed the simplicity of the task.

    Information about the 6th round was a significant advantage.

    Being cautious by nature when it came to interpersonal rtionships, Russell couldnt help but be wary.

    Are you really offering 6th round information in exchange for repairing an items durability?

    Yes.

    Isnt that too good to be true? Are you sure there isnt another motive?

    As Russell looked at him with suspicion, Ryu Min chuckled.

    He had expected this reaction.

    Typical Russell.

    Even though it was a no-risk proposition, he doubted and remained cautious.

    I could have been disappointed if you had just epted it without suspicion.

    At times like this, suspicion must not be betrayed.

    One should open their heart first and proceed with the proper approach.

    May I be a bit straightforward?

    ?

    I want to be friends with you.

    W-What?

    I saw it in the future. You, reaching the pinnacle as a cksmith.

    Me? Reaching the pinnacle?

    Whether Russells eyes widened or not, Ryu Min continued.

    You survive up to the 15th round without anyones help. Its an impressive feat, but thats all it is. After that, you have no future. Its a bleak prospect.

    But I can help you. If you join hands with me, you can grow more easily, even beyond the 15th round. Even the cksmithing life you desire.

    !

    Just a while ago, Russell didnt believe a word this Asian man was saying.

    He thought it might be a trick.

    But when he urately guessed his wish, his thoughts changed.

    What do you want from me?

    I dont want much. Just

    Ryu Min smiled warmly.

    to help each other.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 81: Mr. Ryu (1)

    Chapter 81: Mr. Ryu (1)

    Unlike the more unique sses like Buffer, Mercenary King, and Dark Knight, the cksmith ss is amon ss.

    This means, there are a lot of other cksmiths that can rece Russell.

    However, Ryu Min had a specific reason for embarking on a journey deep into the mountains of Ennd. It boiled down to one simple fact: Russell was a rare talent.

    The story about Russell surviving up to the 15th round was far from fiction. He had not only defied the odds but also reached the pinnacle of the cksmith ss.

    Although he never hit max level and eventually met his end, he was thest cksmith standing.

    Russells excellence extended to his personality, skills, and remarkable survival instincts.

    If I can maintain a friendly rtionship with such a talent

    It would be incredibly advantageous as they progressed through the rounds. Furthermore, repairing the durability of the neckless was an added benefit.

    The cksmith ss shares some simrities with the Buffer, so having one around wouldnt hurt.

    But unlike Buffers, cksmiths didnt need to be constantly present. Once they fixed or enhanced the equipment, their job was done.

    Ryu Min cast a thoughtful nce at Russell; he seems to be torn between trusting him and doubting himself.

    He could use some guidance in making this choice.

    For times like these, Ryu Mins grasp of English honed through countless regressions, came in handy.

    With a fluent voice, Ryu Min made his proposition.

    What Im requesting isnt too demanding. Just help with asional equipment maintenance and cast a few skills when needed. In return, Ill provide you with information about the next round. By doing so, you can rapidly enhance your strength, taking advantage of missed opportunities from the past.

    Russell hesitated, pondering the tantalizing offer of receiving future information in exchange for the use of his skills. However, his primary concern was trust.

    Ryu Min seems honest when he speaks, but can I really trust him?

    Russell, caught in a dilemma, offered apromise.

    Thank you for valuing my future, but Im not entirely convinced yet. So, heres my proposal: Ill decide whether to continue the deal based on the results of Round 6.

    Do whatever you feelfortable with. Im not asking you to sign a contract.

    Ryu Min wore a confident smile, believing that once Russell saw the prophecye true, he would have no choice but to rely on him, just like Ma Kyung-rok.

    First, let me repair your items. And you can give me the information for Round 6 afterward.

    Alright. Here.

    Ryu Min retrieved the Bead of Eternity from his inventory. With only 1 durability remaining, it was on the brink of shattering.

    Without even checking the items information, Russell immediately cast a skill.

    Pah-

    As the bead briefly emitted light, the repair wasplete.

    Ive fixed everything here.

    Ryu Min epted the item and checked its information. The durability was now [1,000/1,000], fully restored.

    Great. Now I can start stacking again.

    Ryu Min grinned.

    I dont know what kind of ne this is, but it seems quite valuable if hes willing to go through all of this trouble to repair its durability.

    Although Russell could have easily read the items information, he had chosen not to, respecting the customers privacy. It was a professional and ethical approach.

    Thank you. The durability is fully restored now.

    Now can you provide me with information for Round 6?

    Of course. The 6th round is a quest

    Ryu Min began unveiling various advanced information. Each revtion caused Russells pupils to widen and contract repeatedly.

    Um if what you just said is true, I should try to gather strong allies as much as possible.

    Yes, that would probably be helpful. The monsters are exceptionally powerful.

    Russell nodded reluctantly, but deep down, he still harbored doubts about whether the prophecy woulde true.

    Well, he wont believe it until he experiences it firsthand.

    Ryu Min remained patient, knowing that Russell would find out the truth after Round 6.

    To survive, he will have no choice but to grasp the thread of the prophet.

    Is the dealplete with this?

    Yes, but

    Ryu Mins voice trailed off. There was still more business to be conducted with the cksmith.

    Would you consider selling me some items?

    Items?

    Do you have [ck Iron Dust] by any chance?

    !

    Russell had been cautious until now, but this time, he couldnt help but be astonished.

    He actually saw that too!? Did he foresee all the items inside my inventory too?

    Russell didnt know that predicting the contents of someones inventory was even possible.

    However, his astonishment didnt stop there.

    That item, sell it to me. I know youre looking for work because youre short on cash. Ill pay you generously.

    You know that Im looking for a job too?

    It wasnt a prophecy; Ryu Min was actually reading his thoughts, but to Russell, it made little difference.

    Im genuinely amazed now. I believe youre the prophet. And I apologize. Honestly, I had my doubts, thinking you might be trying to trick me.

    No need to apologize. I only speak of what Ive seen in the future. Whether you believe me or not is your choice.

    You wont be wrong about the information for Round 6 either, will you?

    With those words, Russell, who had been deep in thought, raised his head as if he had made up his mind.

    Do you need [ck Iron Dust]? Ill just give it to you.

    Youre giving it to me just like that?

    I feel like Ive received more than Ive given. Im not that shameless, you know?

    It seemed that he had btedly realized the value of the information he received about Round 6.

    Russell, with a smile, took out the ck Iron Dust from his inventory.

    Take it.

    Without hesitation, Ryu Min epted it, and the items information came up.

    [ck Iron Dust]

    Category: Inventory

    Description: ck-colored iron dust. Faint magical energy can be sensed.

    Hes giving away this valuable item just like that.

    Strictly speaking, he had given it aspensation for the information.

    However, Russell was unaware of the value that ck Iron Dust held.

    Its a material that falls into the God Tier, after all.

    It might be an item that could easily be obtained after Round 11, but for now, it was difficult toe by.

    The likelihood of finding it by killing monsters, as Russell did, was slim.

    Shouldnt I be grateful for this?

    He received the information for Round 6 after all.

    Are you sure about giving this to me for free?

    Im perfectly fine with it. Honestly, I dont even know what its used for. Only you, as the prophet, would know how valuable this item is.

    Russell had a hench after all.

    If hes demanding it specifically, it must be quite important.

    But he didnt ask deliberately.

    He didnt seek to find out.

    He thought that asking for more after already receiving help would be greedy.

    Drawing a clear line and not crossing it. Thats Russells strength.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 81: Mr. Ryu (2)

    Chapter 81: Mr. Ryu (2)

    He thought that asking for more after already receiving help would be greedy.

    Drawing a clear line and not crossing it. Thats Russells strength.

    Ryu Min, who had been smiling, extended a bag he was carrying.

    Take it.

    Whats this?

    Russell, who had received it unexpectedly, opened the bag.

    Wow!

    Inside were dozens of 10-pound notes.

    Its a total of 20,000 pounds.

    .

    You gave me an item for free. So Im giving you this as a payment for the repair job. I think it should cover the cost, right?

    Well, yes

    Russell mumbled, and then replied quickly, More than enough.

    Twenty thousand pounds amounted to approximately 32 million Korean won.

    I wont need to look for a job with this amount!

    Was it because he thought he could indulge in his cksmithing for the remaining time?

    Russells gaze at Ryu Min quickly turned friendly.

    Realizing his situation, Russell hesitated and spoke up btedly.

    Oh, but is it okay for me to ept such arge sum of money?

    Its perfectly fine. I didnt give you that much money just for the job. Its for the item you gave me too.

    Actually, its not a waste to give him even millions, but if its too much, itll feel burdensome for him.

    This was the extent of his restraint.

    But Russell seems to think that even this little amount is a lot.

    Ryu Min, who thought there was nothing he could do, hinted.

    Of course, I didnt give you this much money just to use it for food.

    What? Then.

    Open an overseas stock ount and invest about half of the money I gave you in Korean stocks.

    Yes, thepanys name is yer ce. It will soon be a big hit, so if you invest, you wont have to worry about looking for a job for the rest of your life. Well, its up to you whether to believe it or not.

    I believe you. Your words as the prophet must be infallible. Besides, its money Ive received without any effort

    When Ryu Min witnessed hismitment, he could finally take a step back from the negotiations.

    Well, it seems my business here is concluded, Russell Daniel. I wish you luck in the next round. Oh, do you have a cellphone?

    Of course. I use my cellphone to upload videos on YouTube.

    Then, Ill share my number with you. Just in case, please save it.

    Russell, absorbed in his phone, seemed to have overlooked asking something crucial.

    I nearly forgot to inquire about your name all this time. Your name?

    With a yful smile, Ryu Min replied, You may call me Mr. Ryu.

    Time marches on relentlessly.

    As always, that day arrived.

    June 1st, midnight.

    Just like before, Ryu Min, summoned to this world, cast his gaze around.

    Instead of the lushndscapes he had grown ustomed to, he now faced a deste wastnd.

    This was none other than the setting for Round 6.

    Round 6 is a cooperative round. I need to find people to coborate with.

    Ryu Min scanned his surroundings and employed his tracking skill.

    The first person he located was Min Juri.

    If he had to form a party, she was an essential presence.

    In reality, besides Min Juri, theres no one else I need.

    However, he needed to fill in the required number of party members.

    The rule for this round was to assemble a 5-person party.

    I need three more people, excluding Min Juri and me. Who should I choose?

    He swiftly considered four candidates.

    Among them, one person was a stranger, but they were vital to the party.

    Oh? Its ck Scythe!

    Min Juri spotted Ryu Min and approached, waving her hand.

    Its nice to see you like this! How have you been?

    Youre talking as if its been ages since we met.

    Hehe, but its been a month, hasnt it?

    Now, Min Juri smiled without any fear. After all, their partnership had been excellent in the previous round.

    So, even without knowing each others true identities, we could still be friends.

    Ryu Min looked around and noticed that peoples eyes were directed at them.

    Whos that woman? Why is she talking to ck Scythe?

    Democracy? Is she such a high-ranking yer to be talking to ck Scythe?

    Come to think of it, I think I saw her during thest rounds result announcement. I think she was in second ce

    Im envious. To have a connection with a top-ranked yer like that

    Ryu Min didnt pay any attention to it, but ck Scythe was popr among the yers.

    Being the unchanging number one in rankings and possessing a cold charisma, he was someone everyone wanted to befriend, regardless of gender.

    That actually was a bit troublesome.

    But Ryu Min had only thought about it in his mind; he hadnt actually done anything about it. And the reason was simple.

    ck Scythe had been too intimidating.

    An unfathomable aura had surrounded him like a barrier.

    However, Min Juri seemed unaffected and continued talking.

    Did you defeat the final boss in thest round?

    I did.

    Even though the time was tight, you defeated it quickly, right? Then, have youpleted the sub-quest to gather Bnce Stones?

    Ipleted it. By the way, I wont tell you what rewards I got.

    Tch, how did you know I was going to ask that?

    Just a hunch.

    Ive always felt this, but you really seem to have deep insight, ck Scythe.

    .

    Silence followed, and Min Juri only realized then that the atmosphere had turned strange.

    W-What did I say? Did I say something wrong? how embarrassing!

    Btedly, embarrassment washed over her, and her face turned red.

    Ah, I-I said something too presumptuous, didnt I? Im sorry.

    Whats there to apologize for?

    Huh? Ah Right, why did I apologize?

    Anyway, thanks for thepliment.

    With that, Ryu Min chuckled, and Min Juri joined in.

    Hes considerate yet exudes charisma Anyway, hes a fascinating person.

    At that moment, when Min Juri wasughing it off

    Hello. ck Scythe.

    Two candidates approached ck Scythe.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 82: Round 6 Begins (1)

    Chapter 82: Round 6 Begins (1)

    The person who approached Ryu Min wasnt anyone else but Seo Arin and An Sang-cheol.

    Its been a while, ck Scythe, Seo Arin said, her eyes briefly ncing at Min Juri.

    But whos this?

    I dont think I need to exin, do I?

    Ah, well I guess not, Min Juri replied, somewhat uncertainly.

    Seo Arins smile, though seemingly in agreement, concealed her true feelings.

    Why is he smiling at her and not me? Seo Arin couldnt help but feel a pang of disappointment at the cold reception.

    But what do you want from me?

    Ah, well

    Ryu Min acted as if he didnt know the reason, even though he did.

    They probably came because I forecasted as a prophet that ck Scythe would party with them.

    On the other hand, Seo Arin and An Sang-cheol were deliberating on how to respond. Since they couldnt openly discuss the prophecy, they chose their words carefully.

    After a moment of hesitation, An Sang-cheol finally spoke up, Uh, ck Scythe. Honestly, we want to party with you.

    Party? With me?

    Yes. Well just be in the way, but we promise well do our best not to cause any trouble for you, ck Scythe.

    Seo Arin and An Sang-cheol were sincere in their request. The prophecy had stated that ck Scythe needed to join their party to have an easier time with Round 6, and they couldnt afford to back down now.

    Ryu Min pretended to ponder the request, tapping his chin. In reality, their presence in the party was inconsequential. Whether they joined or not made little difference since there were plenty of eager volunteers.

    But what will I gain if I let these two join?

    Ryu Min thought of the potential benefits, with An Sang-cheol reporting this development and Ma Kyung-rok viewing ck Scythe more favorably.

    It wouldnt hurt to build a positive image for the future.

    Though he had already made up his mind, Ryu Min pretended to hesitate, making it an intense situation for those watching.

    Growing impatient, An Sang-cheol made a proposal, We wont ask to join the party for free. I have information about Round 6. If you let us join the party, Im willing to share the information

    I dont need it.

    What youre trying to share with me is what I told you, Ryu Min thought but didnt reveal.

    Ahn Sangcheol looked puzzled, unaware of this fact.

    Why dont you need it? Wouldnt it be helpful to know how to pass Round 6 in advance?

    Ill strategize in my own way. I dont rely on unreliable information.

    But but

    Seeing An Sang-cheols flustered state, Ryu Min couldnt resist ying a little prank.

    But where did you get that information?

    Huh? Uh, what information are you talking about?

    The information about Round 6 that you just mentioned. Whos the source?

    An Sang-cheol was caught off guard, unsure how to respond. Revealing the existence of the prophet would put them at risk, so he hesitated.

    Cant you say it? If you do, Ill let you join the party.

    Uh, well

    Reluctantly, An Sangcheol lowered his head.

    I-Im sorry.

    Surprisingly, it was difficult for An Sangcheol to speak up.

    He wont reveal the existence of the prophet.

    Of course, he didnt want to mention it to avoid Ma Kyungroks wrath, but it didnt bother him much. An Sang-cheol, on the other hand, was crestfallen.

    Darn it, I couldnt party with ck Scythe as nned.

    How will he report this to the CEO?

    Then, unexpectedly, Ryu Min made a decision.

    Ill let you join the party.

    Huh, you will?

    Seo Arin and An Sang-cheols eyes widened in surprise.

    Why?

    I thought it might be trustworthy since you didnt reveal the source of the information. I dont like filthy rats.

    Ah

    Realizing that exposing the prophets existence could have backfired, An Sang-cheol breathed a sigh of relief.

    Thank you! Thank you, ck Scythe!

    Thank you, ck Scythe.

    The two expressed their gratitude and turned to Min Juri. It seemed they were still curious about her rtionship with Ryu Min.

    As for her, shes a buffer in a contract rtionship with me.

    A contract rtionship? A buffer?

    How did they meet up?

    They had many questions, but they decided to inquire about the contract first.

    If its a contract rtionship

    Yes, there is such a thing.

    Their curiosity subsided. It seemed Ryu Min wouldnt disclose more details, even if they asked.

    Seo Arin shifted her gaze and extended her hand toward Min Juri.

    Hello, Im Seo Arin. Its a pleasure to meet you.

    Oh, yes Im Min Juri. By any chance, are you the famous Seo Arin? Did you just change your appearance?

    No, this is my real face.

    Oh? So, youre the actress Seo Arin who starred in Oh My Destiny, right?

    Yes, thats me, Seo Arin.

    Really? I was curious, given your identical face and name!

    Min Juri was ecstatic, meeting a TV celebrity in person was truly fascinating.

    Oh, my god, Im a huge fan of yours! My father adores the drama you were in! Hes a massive Seo Arin actress fan!

    Oh, really? Thank you for your kind words.

    Seo Arin nodded politely. While Min Juri continued with excitement, An Sang-cheol cast a nce at Ryu Min.

    Um Are you sure its okay not to share information about Round 6 with you?

    I dont need it. Dont bother offering it to me. I dont want to owe you anything.

    Ah, in that case

    An Sang-cheol felt a tinge of disappointment as ck Scythe drew a clear line.

    I was nning to provide information in exchange

    But if he didnt want it, there was nothing to be done.

    Maybe I should discreetly advise him if he deviates from the provided information during the quest.

    When Ryu Min shared the information, he had considered offering a bit of assistance to make the prophecye true; that if they didnt follow his words, but it seemed unnecessary now.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon! <ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 82: Round 6 Begins (2)

    Chapter 82: Round 6 Begins (2)

    As An Sang-cheol shifted his gaze, the two women continued their conversation.

    By the way, Min Juri, is your profession a buffer?

    Yes, Im a buffer, and Ill buff everyer.

    I have something simr to a buff in my job too

    Really?

    Im a summoner, and I can cast shields with my fairy summons.

    Summoner? You have summons?

    Yes, my profession is a Summoner. I can summon up to three creatures, Ill show youter.

    At that moment, An Sang-cheol interjected.

    I apologize for interrupting. I think its important to exchange greetings. My name is An Sang-cheol.

    Oh, nice to meet you. I saw you earlier, and it seemed like you and ck Scythe knew each other

    We received some help from ck Scythe. He saved both of our lives.

    Oh I see.

    Min Juri looked at ck Scythe in surprise.

    He even rescued someone who was in danger.

    My instincts were right.

    Min Juri once again felt that ck Scythe was a surprisingly warm-hearted person.

    As more people gathered over time, Prisci appeared with a burst of light.

    [Hello, humans. Have you rested well for a month?]

    Priscis voice echoed through the area.

    [There are 1,010 participants for this round, which is a perfect number. Shall we get straight to the point?]

    A message window appeared before the yers.

    ROUND 6

    Defeat one boss within 6 hours

    [All Areas]

    Participants: 16,120,590

    Achievers: 0/8,060,295

    [Current Area C-ESKS007]

    Participants: 1,010

    Achievers: 0/505

    The yers reacted with excitement to the quest details.

    Whats this? Defeat one boss?

    Are bosses finallying out?

    How are we supposed to defeat a boss on our own?

    Hearing the murmurs, Prisci chuckled and spoke through the message window.

    [Dont worry; you cant defeat the boss on your own. Of course, youll need to work together.]

    We cant defeat it alone?

    Together? How

    [Naturally, youll need to form parties. Thats where the party systemes in.]

    Party system?

    [A party is a group formed to allow cooperation among its members. You need five members to form a party, and when youre in a party, you wont harm each other.]

    Oh, so we wont identally hit each other?

    [Thats right! No more worries about friendly fire or betrayals kehehe]

    Thats convenient, isnt it?

    [However, attacks from other parties or monsters will still affect you. Only your party members attacks will be nullified.]

    The yers nodded in understanding.

    The quests difficulty seemed reasonable. If you had a party of five, defeating the boss should be manageable.

    [When you form a party, the experience points and gold obtained from defeating monsters are distributed evenly among party members, regardless of who delivers the killing blow. Just keep in mind that if the distance between party members exceeds 100 meters, the distribution wont ur.]

    Oh, so experience points and gold are distributed equally?

    It sounds a bit likemunism.

    I think its fair, though.

    So, how are items distributed then?

    [Unlike experience points or gold, items are distributed based on contribution. For example, if two humans contributed 70% and 30% to defeating a monster, the chances of getting an item when it drops will be proportional to those percentages.]

    Ah, so the person who contributed more to defeating the monster has a higher chance of getting the item.

    I see, that makes sense.

    Yes, exactly.

    So, conversely, even if someone had a low contribution, they could still get an item if theyre lucky?

    [Thats correct. Even if you contributed only 1%, you could still get an item if luck is on your side. The probability might be low, though.]

    Archangel! I have a question!

    [Go ahead, human.]

    How is contribution measured? Is it all about dealing the most damage? Wouldnt that disadvantage yers with lower damage output?

    [Thats a good question. While dealing more damage usually leads to higher contribution, its not always directly proportional. The system considers all factors and makes a judgment to measure contribution. So, even a yer who mainly provides buffs can affect contribution.]

    Wow So, just giving buffs can earn you contribution?

    It seems like being a buffing profession is pretty sweet!

    As the archangel said, contribution was calcted based on an overall evaluation, not just dealing damage. Even if someone had low damage output, if they made a significant contribution to the monsters defeat, their contribution would be high. Conversely, if they saved allies and indirectly contributed to defeating the monster, that would also result in a high contribution.

    So, professions like priests and buffers can earn high contribution in parties.

    The party system wasnt exclusive to this round alone. It could be opened asionally when needed, and the required number of participants could vary.

    For me now, parties are just a nuisance  .

    But you cant say no.

    [By the way, if you dont form a party, even if you defeat monsters, it wont count.]

    As the angel had just mentioned, the system enforced party formation.

    There was no option for soloing.

    But that doesnt mean there are no advantages to it.

    The benefits of a party include the ability to rely on each other and cooperate freely.

    And

    [After forming a party and defeating just one boss, youll immediately pass the round. All five members, that is.]

    All all five members?

    The quest was shared equally among party members.

    [In the current field, there are 101 boss monsters released. In other words, only the 505 who defeat a boss will survive.]

    The angel chuckled and pped her hands.

    [That concludes the exnation about parties. Now that you know the quest, its nothing special, right? Just defeat one boss, and its a straightforward quest to pass.]

    Nothing special, huh?

    A hint of amusement appeared on Ryu Mins lips.

    It wasnt as simple as she made it seem.

    [Now, humans, do your best to defeat the boss. Oh, and there are no sub-quests, so keep that in mind.]

    With a flutter of her wings, the angel disappeared in a sh of light.

    Round 6 had begun.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 83: Party Formation (1)

    Chapter 83: Party Formation (1)

    The quest from the Angel may seem straightforward, but theres more to it than meets the eye.

    Its a quest with a singr objectivedefeat a boss, and youre done. No sub-quests, no borate twists. But, despite its apparent simplicity, yers had learned not to take the Angels words at face value.

    Easy quest, my foot! This boss is going to be a real pain, mark my words.

    The curses and doubts flowed freely as the Angel vanished into thin air. Everyone knew by now that curses hurled in the Angels absence fell on deaf ears. The Angel only appeared at the start and end of the quest, a fact well-known to all.

    The timer on the progress window began ticking, announcing themencement of the quest.

    [Time Remaining Until Round End: 05:59:53]

    Within the time limit, the party had to form and defeat the boss, or else they would meet a grim fate.

    At that moment, a message popped up, demanding action.

    [Form a 5-member party starting now.]

    [To create a party, hold hands with five people and memorize the Party Formationmand simultaneously.]

    [Remember, defeating the boss wont count unless you form a party, so keep that in mind.]

    The message exined the party formation process.

    We should definitely form a party, right?

    Yeah, they say defeating the boss doesnt count without one.

    Hey, would you like to join my party?

    Whats your level?

    Im a level 20 warrior! Anyone want to team up with me?

    People raised their hands, searching for potential party members. The scene turned into a bustling marketce in no time.

    Amidst the chaos, An Sang-cheol pondered Ryu Mins prophecy.

    Its all unfolding just as the prophet foretold. The 6th round requires a 5-member party.

    An Sang-cheol cast a nce at ck Scythe by his side. He knew it was a wise choice to stick with him after hearing the prophecy.

    Mr ck Scythe, we should

    Wait. Since its a 5-member party, we need to find more people.

    Forming a party required all five members to hold hands simultaneously. At present, Ryu Min, Seo Arin, An Sang-cheol, and Min Juri make up four of the party members. They were one member short of forming aplete party.

    Well, who should we choose for thest spot?

    Lets leave it to Mr ck Scythe, the strongest among us.

    Nodding in agreement, the others turned their attention to Ryu Min.

    Hmm

    Ryu Min pretended to ponder, but he already had a candidate in mind, someone he wished to include in the party. Someone who had to be nearby so that Ryu Min could smoothly invite them.

    As Ryu Min looked around, some yers found the courage to speak up.

    Hello, Mr ck Scythe.

    Would you, by any chance, consider joining our party?

    No, get lost.

    Uh Okay.

    Dejected by the firm rejection, the yers retreated with downcast faces.

    He didnt even hesitate to reject us. How embarrassing.

    Damn, I was trying to get on ck Scythes good side.

    Whoever gets to party with ck Scythe must be living the dream.

    Such thoughts circted, but Ryu Min had no interest in these indecisive individuals. He already had a candidate in mind.

    Its not about finding party members for this quest.

    Rather, its about selecting the right people to fill the slots for thest round.

    These were connections that didnt exist in previous rounds.

    Originally, at this point, Ryu Min had never interacted with anyone.

    Not Min Juri, not Seo Arin, not An Sang-cheol.

    He came to know them personally in this regression.

    So, back then, I wouldve epted anyone to fill the slots.

    But now, ns have changed.

    Because he needed to find people that would grow together with him.

    That said, whether back then or now, pests always find a way to bug you.

    As before, when forming a party, ck Scythe was always popr.

    No matter how strong he appeared, he attracted people like a ma.

    yers who dared to seek the favor of the enigmatic ck Scythe were in for a treat, all in pursuit of obtaining the coveted Blue Chip. The prospect of joining forces with the ck Scythe was, in essence, a guarantee of survival in this treacherous quest.

    Mr ck Scythe

    Get lost.

    Wait, please listen

    Ive got no interest. Move along.

    One by one, those who suggested forming a party were swiftly brushed aside. As word spread that the ck Scythe was declining all party invitations, the number of hopeful yers diminished.

    Damn, wont he just ept anyone?

    Hes being way too choosy! At least hear them out before saying no!

    Disgusting, really. Ill find a better party myself!

    But arent those guys next to him already in his party? Theyve pretty much secured their survival.

    Disheartened yers distanced themselves from the ck Scythe. Those who had witnessed the rejections didnt dare to try their luck and retreated voluntarily.

    At this point, Ryu Mins party members became curious.

    Who would he possibly choose for thatst spot?

    While An Sang-cheol was curious, he also felt a tinge of regret.

    It would have been great if Master Ma was here in this section

    If they were in the same zone, he would have actively rmended him without hesitation.

    Min Juri shared a simr sentiment.

    If only Ryu Min were here, I would have passionately advocated for him to take thest spot

    They each had someone in mind for thatst spot, but the different zones made it impossible.

    Then, a group approached Ryu Min.

    His party members thought they were just more random yers, but they were mistaken.

    Mr ck Scythe, its a pleasure to meet you again.

    With a warm greeting, he extended his hand, revealing a familiar face.

    Jo Yong-ho

    Ryu Min lightly shook Jo Yong-hos hand, recognizing him.

    Im pleasantly surprised to see you here. I thought you might not make it past the 5th round.

    Really? Haha, arent you underestimating me a bit too much? Dealing with around 300 orcs was a walk in the park.

    It wasnt an empty boast. Jo Yong-ho had safely passed the quest, ranking 125th among the 1,211 participants who reached the 5th round.

    I was inspired by your battles back then, which motivated me to finish the hunt quickly.

    Is that so?

    Either way, thank you. Thanks to you, my friend here also survived without a scratch.

    One of the yers who had benefited from the ck Scythes emergency treatment, Mangi, stepped forward.

    Mr ck Scythe! Im grateful for your help with my shoulder back then! Thanks to you, I could extend my lifespan like this!

    You managed to take down 300 with that body of yours.

    Its all thanks to you, Mr ck Scythe. Im truly grateful. Youre my savior!

    Mangi bowed repeatedly, his gratitude was sincere.

    With a friendly gaze, Jo Yong-ho turned to Ryu Min.

    Are you looking for party members?

    Thats right.

    You have four members now. Just one more, and youll be set, right?

    Ryu Min nodded.

    From his tone, it didnt seem like he was seeking someone to join their party. But, as fate would have it

    Oh, please dont misunderstand, Im not here to ask you to join our party. Weve alreadypleted our formation.

    I wasnt.

    He already knew that their party formation wasplete. Golden chains on Jo Yong-ho and his mercenaries wrists served as proof.

    It seems youve formed a party of five since you all have the correct number of members.

    In that case, what was the reason for Jo Yong-hos visit?

    Ryu Min asked straightforwardly.

    If youre not here to join our party, why did you seek me out?

    Well, out of goodwill, I wanted to greet you and make a suggestion.

    A suggestion?

    Our party and ck Scythes party. How about forming an alliance together?

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 83: Party Formation (2)

    Chapter 83: Party Formation (2)

    A suggestion?

    Our party and ck Scythes party. How about forming an alliance together?

    Ryu Min read his thoughts on what he meant by proposing an alliance.

    Im not trying to benefit from him, hope he understands that Im just offering this with the intention of helping him a little bit.

    Perhaps grateful for the treatment of Mangi, Jo Yong-ho is trying to help ck Scythe in some way.

    Were not asking you to join your party. We dont have any intention of seeking items or experience points. If we encounter the boss, well give you priority.

    ?

    We simply want to help. Please dont be too guarded. We mean it.

    Ryu Min sensed that Jo Yong-ho wasnt trying to cling to him but was genuinely offering assistance out of gratitude for his past aid in Choi Mangis treatment.

    After a period of silence, Jo Yong-ho and his party seemed like they had been misunderstood and be wary.

    Ryu Min decided to clear up the misunderstanding.

    I decline.

    What? Why Oh, perhaps youre concerned that we might be a hindrance? Dont worry about that. Well never be a burden. If you ever find us troublesome, you can simply in front of the boss

    Its not about that. I just dont likeplications. I appreciate the offer, but Ill pass.

    Oh Is that so? Thats disappointing. We wanted to help

    As if expressing his regret, Ryu Min hinted at what he wanted to say to Jo Yong-ho.

    Ill ask for help when I really need it.

    Ah! Will you do that?

    Jo Yong-ho perked up after receiving a positive response.

    If the opportunity arose to repay a favor, he would dly be avable anytime.

    So, if were needed in the future, should you let us know?

    Yes.

    Is it a promise?

    I said yes, didnt I?

    With a definitive response, Jo Yong-ho broke into a satisfied smile.

    Since we have a promise, well take our leave now. We hope to meet again next time. Feel free to ask for help whenever you need it! Goodbye.

    Jo Yong-hos group, as a whole, bowed their heads and left gracefully to hunt the boss.

    Mr ck Scythe, its time to make a decision. Who will fill the remaining spot?

    Ive made my decision.

    Ryu Min pointed his finger in one direction.

    The gazes of his party members followed his finger.

    There, you.

    The person singled out was taken aback.

    Come here.

    Ryu Min beckoned with a flick of his finger, and the person hesitantly approached.

    A slight build, hunched shoulders, a nondescript face  this young man didnt appear particrly strong.

    Youve been watching me for a while now, havent you?

    Uh yes

    Why?

    Thats um

    The young man hesitated, struggling to answer.

    There was no need to say it aloud, but Ryu Min patiently waited.

    Well, I, I want to party with Mr ck Scythe

    He stammered,cking confidence in his words.

    His sentence trailed off at the end, making it hard to hear.

    Whats your level and ss?

    Im level 23, a ck Mage.

    Well, that probably doesnt matter much.

    Ryu Min, who had been rather nonchnt, dered abruptly.

    Ill take this guy for the remaining spot.

    What?

    An Sang-cheol and the other party members were surprised.

    How could they choose a yer who was rejected by others?

    But the most surprised person in the group was the chosen one.

    Th-the ck Scythe wants to include me in his party?

    Judging from the young mans expression, he seemed overwhelmed with gratitude and was on the verge of tears.

    While An Sang-cheol silently clicked his tongue, Ryu Min was unexpectedly satisfied.

    After all, the young man before him was the potential leader of a cult that would worship the ck Scythe like a deity.

    In the future, if we form a strong bond, this guy could be a devoted follower.

    Ryu Min extended his hand to the future leader of his cult [Aged Man No Gay.]

    So, lets form the party like this. Everyone, shake hands.

    The five of them gathered in a circle and shook hands.

    As they silently memorized Party Formation, golden rings with engraved characters appeared on their wrists.

    The ck Scythes party had been formed.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 84: Heo Taeseok (1)

    Chapter 84: Heo Taeseok (1)

    Heo Taeseok found himself in a state of utter despair.

    He was subjected to torment for his introverted nature, and his perceived weakness made him the target of ridicule by everyone around him.

    While some might im that the era of bullying had passed, the torment endured by Heo Taeseok proved otherwise.

    Questions like, Where are the bullies these days? abounded, but the bullies were very much present.

    Initially, Heo Taeseok was taken aback and bewildered by the turn of events. It was as if the things he had only witnessed on television were suddenly unfolding in his own life.

    He couldnt help but question himself, What have I done to deserve this treatment?

    With a genuine desire to correct his perceived wrongs, he embarked on a journey of self-improvement.

    However, it didnt take long for him to grasp the harsh reality: Ah These individuals are simply preying on me because I appear vulnerable.

    He held onto the hope that this torment would eventuallye to an end, promising himself, Ill endure it until graduation. Just until I finish high school.

    With this unwavering determination, Heo Taeseok braved the relentless bullying from his peers.

    But his assessment of his own strength proved to be overly optimistic.

    Dont you understand? Money, Im saying, give me your money!

    Sorry, but my grandmother is my only family, and we struggle financially, he responded.

    What? So, this guy doesnt even have parents?

    Then, does that mean your grandmother is this guys bi*tch?

    What? That would make me very old! Buhahaaha!

    Regardless, you still need to bring us the money, you piece of sh*t. Whether you resort to theft or begging on the street.

    Thats right. Because of you, I cant even afford cigarettes. Or do you want us to bury your grandmother alive?

    As the bullies taunted his grandmother, Heo Taeseok felt a gnawing sense of madness creeping in.

    This Th-these bastards!!!

    And then, for the first time, he stood up to the bullies.

    The oue, however, was nothing short of grim.

    This lunatic wants to die.

    Hey, punch him square in the forehead. Ill pierce a cigarette hole in it.

    *The sound of slicing*

    Aaaargh!

    Following that confrontation, the torment escted to even greater levels.

    Assault, threats, extortion, and torture that defied imagination.

    Afternoons became a living hell.

    I want to die that would be very nice.

    Having endured unimaginable pain, Heo Taeseok no longer feared death.

    In fact, suicide appeared to be the only escape.

    But he couldnt bring himself to do it.

    What would happen to my grandmother if I were gone?

    It would be an unforgivable betrayal to the woman who had raised him, collecting recybles and working tirelessly to support him.

    I have to endure. I promised to graduate and make a better life for her.

    With unwavering determination, Heo Taeseok persevered.

    He did it for the sake of his beloved grandmother.

    In the end, Heo Taeseok felt a sense of pride he had never known before.

    Proud that he had endured three years of high school torment without giving up.

    Finally, graduation. Just a little longer

    But in the year 2022, everything changed.

    With the arrival of an angel, a seismic shift urred.

    They were thrust into a monthly survival game, where their lives hung in the bnce.

    And as if that werent enough, Heo Taeseoks grandmothers health took a turn for the worse,pounding his troubles.

    Then, around the second round.

    Gr-grandma?

    Heo Taeseoks life unraveled before his eyes.

    His grandmothers passing marked a turning point in his life.

    Haha, did you see that? I told him his grandmother would pay the price if he messed with us.

    Yeah. Heo Taeseok, are you angry now? Didnt I say wed bury you and your grandmother together?

    Thats right, you scoundrel. A worthless excuse of a human being. Regretting it now?

    Do you understand the situation you are in now, you bastard

    Suddenly a dagger pierced the guys throat.

    A ck arrow pierced the eyeball of the guy next to him.

    Ugh, f*ch! Augh!!

    They didnt know.

    They were oblivious.

    Oblivious to the fact that Heo Taeseok had already acquired the job of a ck Mage.

    They were mistaken.

    They assumed that a loser in the real world would be a loser in this alternate world.

    They underestimated him.

    Thinking that sheer numbers would guarantee victory over any opponent.

    S***. S***. S***.

    When he finally came to his senses, the area was littered with lifeless bodies, stained with blood.

    Their actions had desecrated Heo Taeseoks grandmothers home with blood.

    Grand mother

    Thats when the transformation began.

    When Heo Taeseoks speech became hesitant.

    When he erected walls between himself and others.

    And when he set a new goal.

    If I can make it to the final round, they said they would grant any wish, right?

    Heo Taeseoks wish was straightforward.

    Heo Taeseok had a simple yet profound goal: to save his grandmother and share a lifetime of happiness together. He had no desire to ever see the parents who had abandoned him. All he needed was his grandmother by his side.

    From that moment forward, Heo Taeseok approached the game with unwavering determination. His skills were more than adequate, and the ck Mage profession proved to be even more potent than he had initially imagined.

    The ck Arrows quickly corrode the wounded area, so theres no need to target the head.

    A mere graze would lead to rapid decay and putrefaction, making it advantageous to hit the target and bide ones time.

    He invested in agility to exploit this strategy. By hitting the monsters with ck Arrows and then evading, he could gradually shift the tide in his favor.

    If I y my cards right, I might be able to take on multiple opponents.

    His foresight held true as he effectively eliminated multiple foes with a strategy of hitting monsters with arrows and then retreating.

    As a result, his confidence grew. He began to believe that he could attain the level of skill required for a high-level quest.

    But in the world above, theres always someone stronger.

    ck Scythe? How did that person be so powerful so quickly?

    Every time he saw the name of the yer who consistently held the top position across all areas during the rankings, curiosity stirred within him.

    He also developed a sense of admiration for the strong.

    Id like to meet that person once. Just to see how powerful they really are.

    He harbored such thoughts until the areas were consolidated, and he finally got the chance to see the ck Scythe in action.

    Just how powerful was this yer known as the ck Scythe?

    Wow He effortlessly took down nine of them

    Watching the selection round, Heo Taeseok was mesmerized by the artistry of the ck Scythe.

    Even for someone as strong as him, the ck Scythe was overwhelmingly powerful.

    If only I had been that strong I wouldnt have been bullied by those bullies

    If he had been, his grandmother might still be alive today.

    Regret washed over him, the regret of his days as a weakling.

    I want to be strong like the ck Scythe.

    His desire to be stronger sparked his admiration for the ck Scythe.

    Should I try talking to them? No What am I even thinking

    Compared to himself, the ck Scythe was like a godly being. He had to be content with just being in the same area as such a presence.

    Thats what he thought, until

    I-Im in a party with the ck Scythe?

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 84: Heo Taeseok (2)

    Chapter 84: Heo Taeseok (2)

    I-Im in a party with the ck Scythe?

    He never imagined that he would form a party like this.

    Simply being in the same ce as the object of his admiration felt like a dreame true.

    Aged-Man-No-Gay.

    Yes?

    Now that were in a party, introduce yourselves.

    Ah

    At the ck Scythesmand, Heo Taeseok hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

    I Im Aged-Man. Level 23, a ck Mage. My skills are ck Arrows and ck Chains

    At first, he stumbled over his words, but soon he found his voice.

    Nice to meet you, Aged-Man. Im a Buffer, level 21. Ill do my best to support you!

    Hello, Im Seo Arin. Im a level 20 Summoner. My skills are

    While the other party members took turns introducing themselves, Heo Taeseoks ears seemed to stop working.

    Why is this happening? I used to stutter, but now

    Was it the shock of losing his grandmother?

    He used to struggle with speaking in front of people, but now his nervousness seemed to be fading.

    Is it because of the ck Scythe?

    Did being in the presence of the ck Scythe boost his confidence?

    Or was his subconscious desire to impress him unconsciously influencing his behavior?

    He couldnt quite pinpoint the reason, but one thing was certain.

    I made the right decision to party with the ck Scythe.

    As Heo Taeseok secretly smiled to himself, Ryu Min spoke up.

    Now that weve finished introductions, shall we go hunting?

    Wait a moment. Ill cast buffs on everyone first.

    Min Juri went on to cast buffs on her party members one by one.

    It was Bless and Swift.

    Those who received the buffs couldnt help but be astonished.

    What is this? My stats have increased by 60%?

    My attack and movement speed are 60% faster.

    Is this real?

    yers who had never experienced buffs before were left speechless, but Ryu Min remainedposed.

    This is why the ck Scythe was always with Min Juri, right? Buffer, youre truly amazing!

    Haha, why are you embarrassing me?

    When An Sang-cheol made apliment, Min Juri awkwardly smiled.

    Seeing this, Seo Arin spoke as if unable to contain her jealousy.

    Im a Summoner too. I can cast buffs on my summoned creatures.

    With their skilled incantations, two fairy-like creatures, aglow with golden dust, materialized. They fluttered about like radiant fireflies. Following this spectacle, a soft rustling sound filled the air as a humanoid golem, the size of a person, coalesced from the gathering earth.

    Wow, what are those adorable little things?

    Theyre Fairies, protective summons that bestows shields. Originally this onecked attacking moves, but when I reached level 20, one more fairy was summoned and it could use offensive magic.

    Wow, thats impressive! And what about that stone-made summon?

    Thats a Golem I acquired at level 20. While it doesnt provide buffs, it serves to draw monster aggro, so I summoned it ahead of time.

    Wow a tank and a support. Youre really impressive, sis.

    As she received a continuous stream of admiration from Min Juri, Seo Arins gaze remained fixated on the ck Scythe.

    What do you think, ck Scythe? Dont I contribute in some way?

    She sent a beseeching look, hoping for recognition, but Ryu Min appeared disinterested, his attention directed elsewhere.

    Lets get going now.

    As Ryu Min took the lead, everyone nodded and followed suit.

    Buffer and a summoner Everyone here is quite remarkable. I need to be helpful too.

    Heo Taeseok, with a tense expression, followed closely behind. However, amidst their leisurely pace, he suddenly found himself perplexed.

    Why is the atmosphere so rxed?

    Of course, with a generous six-hour time limit, they had an abundance of time. They needed to defeat just one of the 101 boss monsters in the field toplete the quest, so it was only natural to proceed with a sense of calm.

    But isnt it faster to defeat the boss and secure the top spot? Why isnt anyone in a hurry?

    Doubts crept in, but Heo Taeseok, unaware of the prophecy, couldnt fathom the reason behind thisckadaisical attitude.

    He had yet to realize that there was no benefit in swiftly defeating the boss.

    Suddenly, from somewhere nearby, a cry rang out.

    Theres the boss!

    All eyes turned towards the source of themotion, revealing a colossal monster.

    Standing at a towering 3.5 meters, it possessed the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horsea monstrous centaur.

    We must im the top spot!

    Lets do this!

    One party charged forward, undeterred, towards the centaur.

    Kroooh!

    Brandishing its colossal double-edged axe, the centaur resisted fiercely, causing the yers to grapple with its strength.

    This guy hes incredibly strong!

    Spread out and attack!

    Surround it!

    Five yers encircled the centaur.

    Aim for the back! Atack its rear!

    In response to a shoutedmand, they instinctively approached from behind. Ryu Min, who had been observing them, clicked his tongue in disdain.

    Targeting its rear, huh? How foolish.

    And as expected

    Thud!

    One yer who had ventured behind was met with a powerful kick from the centaurs hind leg. They were sent flying 10 meters before crashing into the ground, rolling an additional 3 meters.

    P-PinkGongDu!

    Fortunately, the yer was still squirming, having avoided death. But the battle seemed impossible to continue.

    This bastard!

    Well seek revenge!

    The remaining yers employed their skills,unching a coordinated assault.

    Kreeeeak!

    As the centaur, its legs severed, copsed, they jubntly cried out in victory.

    We we won!

    Were in first ce!

    Weve finally achieved first ce inpleting the quest!

    It was surprisingly manageable, dont you think?

    Amidst the rejoicing faces of the rival team, Heo Taeseok couldnt help but feel somewhat disheartened.

    Oh no, the first ce was taken from us?

    Heo Taeseoks gaze naturally drifted towards the ck Scythe. After all, he had consistently maintained the top ranking, so he must be the most disappointed.

    Huh?

    However, Ryu Mins expression remained entirely nonchnt. There was no trace of regret on his face.

    Curious, as time passed, the cheers from the opposing team gradually dwindled.

    What whats going on?

    Why isnt the questpletion appearing?

    Ah Could it be?

    As the yers btedly expressed their disappointment, Ryu Min smirked.

    I guess they finally realized it. You didnt defeat a boss.

    Regrettably, the centaur wasnt a boss.

    They imed that there were only 101 bosses, but they never said there were no regr monsters.

    The reason Ryu Min had been soposed while observing became evident. The centaur was merely a standard monster.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon! <ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 85: Mob Hunting (1)

    Chapter 85: Mob Hunting (1)

    The definition of trash mobs can vary from person to person, but, in general, they refer to the rtively easy-to-defeat monsters.

    For Ryu Min, the Centaur fell into the category of these trash mobs.

    Though for others, it might be considered as elite-level foes.

    At the current stage, which is the early levels of 20, facing the Centaur posed a challenge.

    However, that doesnt mean they couldnt handle it.

    With a group of five, they were more than capable.

    The issue here is that this creature isbeled as a trash mob.

    Contrary to popr belief, the Centaur wasnt a boss.

    The real boss, lurking somewhere, was a Minotaur with a bulls head.

    To take down the Minotaur, youd need at least 20 people, all at Level 20.

    In other words, youd require five parties to have a chance.

    Its a tough enemy, to say the least.

    Of course, from my perspective, its merely a monster with a sturdy physique but somewhat sluggish movements.

    When yers assembled their party, they probably thought this mission would be a walk in the park.

    They might have even thought, With five of us, we can be the first to kill the boss.

    But, even if its possible for the Centaur, tackling the Minotaur is out of the question with just five yers in the early stages of Level 20.

    To stand a chance with a five-yer party, youd need to be well beyond Level 30.

    In all honesty, even Level 30 seemed like a stretch.

    Maybe if youre at Level 40.

    This is precisely why the Angel had emphasized that tackling it solo was a no-go.

    The Minotaur wasnt the kind of monster you could take down on your own.

    The trap in this round lies right here. They exined it in a way that indicates only a 5-person party could take down the boss.

    Of course, there hasnt been any explicit mention that a 5-person party is guaranteed to defeat the boss

    Youd need at least 20 people to stand a chance, but the Angel acted as if she didnt know.

    It seemed intentional that crucial information wasnt shared.

    Well, shes probably just following orders from higher-ups.

    Yet, she had no reason to expose herself, inviting unwarranted suspicion.

    It would only lead to unnecessary doubts.

    Well just have to observe.

    Those whove faced the Minotaur would soon realize that a mere five-person team wouldnt suffice.

    To defeat the boss, extensive cooperation was the key.

    After grasping this, parties will unite and assist each other.

    This was the strategy for Round 6.

    Cooperation and kill-sharing were essential for survival.

    Troubles might arise along the way, but ultimately, cooperation was the only way forward.

    Some might think, Then theres no point in defeating the Centaur.

    After all, it had nothing to do with the quests objectives.

    But, if youre smart enough, youll understand why theres such a long time limit.

    Why else would they impose a 6-hour time limit?

    The intention was clearto defeat the Centaur within that timeframe and gain some levels through hunting.

    Dealing with the Minotaur couldeter.

    The ranking method didnt prioritize who struck first.

    It was all about how quick the party could eliminate the boss.

    In essence, the order didnt matter.

    Achieving the quickest kill time meant securing the top spot.

    Thats why Ryu Min and the rest of the team werent rushing into action.

    Everyone was aware of the game n.

    The other members of the party knew this too, this is why they didnt rush in.

    There were six pieces of information that Ryumin gave them as the prophet.

    First: The main mission of Round 6 is to form a party of 5 yers and defeat the boss.

    Second: Centaurs are just mobs and Minotaurs are the real bosses.

    Third: The boss requires four parties of five people to defeat, so cooperation between parties is necessary.

    Fourth: The ranking measurement method is not based on the order in which party killed the boss first. The order will be determined by which party achieved the lesser time kill.

    Fifth: The moment a party kills the boss, they will be immediately sealed by a pir of light. In short, it is rather disadvantageous to defeat the boss quickly because you will spend the remaining time meaninglessly sitting there.

    Sixth: It is best to defeat the centaurs within the time limit, level up, and then challenge the boss.

    This was the key strategy for round 6.

    Only Heo Taeseok, who did not hear the prophecy, does not know this.

    Looking at the other teams reactions, it looks like that monster isnt the boss. The real boss is probably another monster.

    Ryu Min, who was silently observing the field, finally spoke to the party members.

    Let mey out my n for the moment.

    He was going to share the information with them once again, but this time as ck Scythe, who had just discovered it.

    Please, go ahead.

    Were going to put off tackling the boss for now and, instead, well focus on taking down these Centaur-like creatures to level up. Well keep at it for at least 5 hours.

    Why? Whats the reasoning behind this?

    As you can see, yers at Level 20 were struggling against these Centaurs. If such trash mobs are so troublesome, then the boss likely requires multiple teams to stand a chance against it. Rushing into the boss fight without knowing its true strength seems ill-advised. Plus, there might be other traps awaiting us.

    Ah I see now.

    Also Im thinking, what if, for instance, we defeat the boss early, like we did in the 1st round, and end up trapped in the Pir of Light? Wed waste precious time without any gain. So, it seems wiser to hunt the mobs and assess the situation.

    Ah I understand. So, your n is to prioritize leveling up first and leave the boss forter?

    Exactly.

    But what if we miss out on the top spot?

    It doesnt matter. Even if we miss out on the 1st ce reward, well have earned experience and gold from six hours of hunting. Perhaps the ranking method doesnt give priority to who strikes first.

    An Sang-cheol found himself speechless.

    Incredible. How did he figure it out like this? Its exactly like the prophecy!

    Its like finding your way out of a maze without making a single wrong turn.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 85: Mob Hunting (2)

    Chapter 85: Mob Hunting (2)

    Got it. Shall we all head out to hunt these Centaur-like creatures together? Oh, but before that, we should discuss our positions and basic strategies

    No need for that. Ill handle the monsters on my own.

    What? You alone, ck Scythe?

    Everyone, including An Sang-cheol, was astonished.

    Taking on a monster that a 5-member party struggled with, alone?

    Of course, given ck Scythes level, it was entirely possible.

    But what would the rest of the group do if he went solo?

    Ryu Min seemed to anticipate their thoughts and spoke up.

    The rest of you, just stick with me, collect experience points, and gold. You could think of it as a free ride.

    In other words, hell carry them along.

    However, Ill take all the items thate through contributions. In return, you can level up and earn gold quickly without any risk. How does that sound?

    Um If thats the case

    It was certainly an appealing offer.

    Why refuse to give up a few items when you could safely gain experience points and gold?

    Very well.

    Were fine with it.

    Well follow ck Scythes lead.

    Ryu Min nodded in agreement.

    You made a wise choice. You probably wont be disappointed.

    As Ryu Min, going solo was more convenient than fighting with everyone.

    Trying to help from the sidelines would only be a hindrance.

    Its just a Centaur, so its nothing more than a trash mob to me.

    Ryu Min brandished his Deaths Scythe.

    Shall we get going?

    Taht-!

    As Ryu Min shot off like a bullet, the group was taken aback.

    We We should follow him quickly!

    Led by An Sang-cheol, everyone chased after Ryu Min.

    Despite the Swift spell being active, the distance didnt seem to close down.

    How can he be this fast?

    Just how high is his agility?

    Even Heo Taeseok, who prided himself on his speed, felt like a mere catpared to ck Scythe.

    Oh, there!

    Ryu Min came face to face with a Centaur for the first time.

    Kwoooah-!

    Before the scream could even finish, the head fell with a swift strike.

    The time it took to defeat the Centaur was 0.3 seconds.

    The group, rushing towards the scene, was left dumbfounded as it hadnt even taken a second.

    W-What just happened?

    Just one hit?

    None of them had expected the Centaur to be defeated in a single blow.

    Whether Ryu Min knew their reactions or not, he immediately dashed toward the next target.

    ***

    Had it been around 30 minutes since they began their hunt?

    [Target Centaur located.]

    [Currently 52m away.]

    Ryu Min, using his tracking skill, took a moment to catch his breath.

    [Centaur has been defeated!]

    [Experience pointsx3.]

    [Title effect increases experience points by 1.5 times.]

    [Experience +0.89%]

    [Gold +60]

    [Current kill count: 172/100]

    [Rune of ughter effect increases all stats by 100%.]

    The messages kept scrolling on one side.

    172 kills in 30 minutes, not too shabby.

    There were a total of 2,000 Centaurs in the field. At this rate, he might be able to devour them all within 6 hours.

    Well, considering other yers will be hunting too, lets leave some for them.

    Ryu Mins gaze shifted downward.

    [Stacks umted with the Bead of Eternity: 71/100]

    [Current durability of the Bead of Eternity: 828/1,000]

    [Stat points gained from the Bead of Eternity: 11]

    Real-time alerts about the Bead of Eternity appeared below his vision. When wearing the Bead of Eternity, these messages popped up upon defeating monsters.

    All I need to do is keep hunting Centaurs until the Bead of Eternitys durability reaches 1, just likest time.

    It was convenient not to have to check the equipment window every time.

    I should ask Russell to repair the durability when I return.

    While pondering that, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching.

    Turning around, he saw his party members rushing towards him.

    Heh, heh, heh

    Im so tired

    Seeing the party members who were too exhausted even to chase, Ryu Min couldnt help but smile.

    If youre tired, take a short break.

    Really?

    Th-thank you!

    After a long time, the party members sat down on the spot for a break. Seo Arin and Heo Taeseok, with the lowest strength stats,y downpletely on their backs.

    Its tiring just to chase after him, seriously.

    I thought a 100m radius would be spacious enough, but its not

    Yeah, youre right. Whew

    They said that, but it couldnt have been a happier concern. They had already leveled up in just 30 minutes.

    ck Scythe, youre truly amazing. Your hunting speed is unbelievably fast.

    Do you not like it?

    In response to Ryu Mins teasing question, Min Juri waved her hand dismissively.

    Oh, no! Not at all! Even just chasing after you raises our levels.

    Is this what they call a free ride? Youre probably working harder than us, ck Scythe.

    At that moment, Seo Arin joined the conversation, but Ryu Min simply responded with a nonchnt remark.

    It seems like you guys are working even harder.

    Haha

    As theyughed and caught their breath, a group approached Ryu Min.

    Hmm? Its ck Scythe.

    Wow! It really is him!

    There were four people in the group and a total of twenty onlookers. When the group came closer, the party membersughter subsided, and they looked at the approaching group with wary eyes.

    However, there was no need to worry. These guys were crazy, but they wouldnt attack a party with ck Scythe in it.

    Or so they thought.

    As they approached Ryu Min, they respectfully bowed from head to toe.

    Hello, ck Scythe. Its quite lucky to meet you here. Haha!

    Okay, and what do you want?

    Well, were recruiting a team to hunt the boss. How about joining our group?

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 Chapter 86: I Decline (1)

    Chapter 86: I Decline (1)

    What? I decline, Ryu Min asserted firmly.

    The response caught the other party off guard, and their expression shifted from anticipation to puzzlement.

    Heh, ck Scythe, you might not be aware, but the boss isnt a pushover. Do you see that thing over there; the muscr minotaur?

    Everyones attention shifted to a minotaur that exuded an aura of strength, even from a distance.

    That creature is the boss we must confront, and I assure you, hes no walk in the park.

    How can you be so sure? Have you faced him before?

    Yes, not personally, but we witnessed another party attempt a solo challenge and end up in utter defeat. It was a sobering sight that made us realize the importance of cooperation among parties.

    Take care of it yourselves; were not interested, Ryu Min responded curtly.

    Still, wouldnt it be better if we helped each other out? Well even allow you to deliver the finishing blow first, so consider it

    Before he could finish, he was interrupted.

    This is the third time. Dont make me repeat myself, Ryu Min retorted sharply.

    Alright, my apologies Subdued by Ryu Mins aura, they reluctantly retreated.

    As they reached the gathering of parties, discussions, and deliberationsmenced.

    It seems we wont be able to recruit ck Scythe.

    Did you try to recruit them?

    We did, but they declined and said we can defeat it on our own.

    Whys that? ck Scythe should be part of this or we wont be able to take it down.

    Im not sure. Maybe theyre intimidated by the boss, or perhaps one yer sighed, trailing off.

    Well, it looks like well have to face the challenge alone.

    Since ck Scythe declined, we had nned to tackle it independently anyway.

    With nods of agreement, the group finally prepared to hunt the minotaur.

    With each heavy step, the massive creature, standing at a towering 6 meters tall, emitted a resounding thud that reverberated through the air. It walked with a human-like gait, shouldering a colossal axe.

    Five parties cautiously approached the minotaur.

    Slurp

    From a distance, the creature didnt appear as intimidating, but up close, its immense size was even more apparent.

    Do you think we can defeat it?

    Well, our group consists of about twenty members.

    Despite their words, uncertainty still clouded their expressions.

    Hmm?

    Suddenly, the minotaur sensed something and turned its head.

    The yers, who had been quietly advancing, froze in their tracks as if caught in a game of tag.

    Kwaaah!

    Excitement surged through the minotaur as it spotted the humans, and it charged forward.

    Fire! Attack!

    Waaah!

    Twenty yers rushed in to engage, fighting for their lives against the towering beast.

    Ryu Min observed the situation calmly, contemting, How long will it take them to bring it down?

    He had no doubt about the oue. The minotaur wasnt as formidable as it appeared. Its attackscked finesse, and it was far from swift. Its somewhat sluggish movements made it predictable and easy to evade.

    If all twenty of them attacked, that creature wont stand a chance, Ryu Min thought.

    However, the minotaurs strengthy in its extraordinary endurance, surpassing even that of a jewel. From its perspective, humans were nothing more than buzzing flies.

    Twenty flies buzzing around wont pose much of a threat

    At least, thats what it believed.

    As the battle raged on for over three minutes with no end in sight, he continued to watch, as the demise of the boss would provide them with the motivation to focus on the hunt.

    Finally, after more than seven minutes had passed, the minotaur let out a pitiful cry and copsed to the ground.

    Boom!

    We got it!

    We finally killed it!

    The party members rejoiced, but there were casualties.

    Three out of twenty yers didnt make it.

    There were no injuries, though. After all, even a mere brush against the creature meant certain death.

    Nevertheless, defeating the boss with minimal losses was amendable achievement.

    Whonded the final blow? It doesnt seem like our team did.

    It was our team! Were the ones who brought it down! Hahaha!

    Amidst the victorious cheers, a radiant pir of light descended from the sky.

    One of the four teams that had been battling the minotaur found themselves enveloped by a translucent pir.

    It looks like our team has survived!

    I checked the quest progress window, and it proudly disys Sess!

    Thats great news!

    Ah, well, were just making others look good.

    As the people trapped within the pir celebrated, a few who hadnt managed to defeat the boss grumbled, but it was short-lived.

    But do we really have to stay here until the time runs out?

    Is it true that we need to be trapped here for over 5 hours?

    It seems so.

    Its nice to rest early, but it feels like were missing out on something

    Although defeating the boss first was a triumph, the idea of being stuck within the pir, having to while away the remaining time, felt somewhat uneasy.

    Well, then, lets go and find other parties. We need some reinforcements.

    Agreed.

    The remaining parties briefly cast nces at ck Scythe but soon shook their heads and departed.

    They knew that talking wouldnt change their minds about cooperation.

    Whether they did or didnt, Ryu Min quietly reflected on the battle he had witnessed.

    Its fortunate. If we had defeated the boss too early, we would have squandered the remaining time

    Yes, just as ck Scythe predicted.

    Hunting slowly and defeating it aste as possible was the right approach.

    Without altering his expression, Ryu Min addressed hispanions, Weve rested enough; now lets move on.

    Follow me.

    Once again, the party members exmations began.

    ***

    While Ryu Min hunted the Centaur,

    Other teams joined forces and concentrated on the boss hunt.

    Are we the fiftieth party?

    I dont know, the rankings arent disyed.

    Who cares! Weve defeated the boss, so weve survived, right?

    Lets just lie down and rest for the remaining time.

    The yers within the pir of light dropped to the ground. Even though they were trapped, they were safe from monsters. The Minotaur didnt seem to acknowledge their presence; they were like invisible entities.

    Hey, look at that! Look!

    Suddenly, a yer holding a scythe appeared, followed closely by four teammates.

    Swish  Thud! Swish  Thud!

    With each pass of the scythe, the Centaur heads rolled to the ground.

    Isnt that ck Scythe?

    They defeated it in one shot?

    Heh, thats what youd expect from a level 40 yer.

    While it was impressive that they had taken down the Centaur with a single blow, the victorious yers didnt envy them. They were already winners, having defeated the boss and now resting.

    What puzzled them was why ck Scythe was only targeting the Centaur and not the boss.

    Why are they not going for the boss and resting early?

    Isnt it better to defeat the boss quickly and take a break?

    No, theyre below the top 50 now. Theyve missed the top ranks, so theyre probably focused on leveling up.

    I see! That makes sense.

    Its a shame. I thought he might aim for first ce again.

    Even though theyre ck Scythe, they cant stay at the top forever.

    But they still have good judgment. Theyre clearly trying to gain experience points.

    While the group that had already defeated the boss believed they were superior to ck Scythe, they were unaware of one thingtheir record of 11 minutes and 30 seconds in the boss hunt was the longest and rankedst.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 86: I Decline (2)

    Chapter 86: I Decline (2)

    Thud-thud-thud-thud!

    Thud-thud-thud-thud!

    As Ryu Min continued to run without stopping to focus solely on hunting the mobs, he suddenly halted.

    Hmm?

    He paused in response to a message that had popped up.

    Cannot locate target Centaur anymore.

    It was a weing messageHe hunted them all.

    Finally, theyre all gone, Ryu Min muttered.

    He checked the kill count and the remaining time.

    [Current kill count: 1,920/100]

    [Time remaining until the end of the round: 00:20:43]

    About 1,920 kills in roughly 5 hours and 40 minutes.

    It was incredibly fastpared to what he had expected.

    At that moment, a panting voice came from behind.

    Haah, haak, ck Scythe. Is it finally rest time?

    Yes, were done with hunting.

    Ah, hunting is over?

    Because I tried the tracking skill and found no Centaur left in the field.

    Oh

    Only now did the group check the time limit.

    Only 20 minutes left? They eximed, feeling a sense of urgency creeping in.

    It had been a mere three hours since theirst check, but time had swiftly slipped away, leaving them in a race against the clock.

    Amid the relentless pursuit and constant action, there had been no chance to pause and take stock.

    Huh? E-everyone, check your levels, An Sang-cheol urged, his toneced with surprise.

    The party members hurriedly opened their status windows, their faces reflecting a mix of confusion and astonishment.

    O-our levels

    Theyve shot up significantly

    The truth was that they had been too caught up in the pursuit to spare a moment for level checks. For Ryu Min, it had been a relentless grind after the agreed rest period.

    Certainly, the asional message had hinted at level increases, but they hadnt had the luxury to tally them up one by one.

    Later on, as the chase intensified, they had even been too preupied to pay heed to those messages, so the shock among the team was quite understandable.

    I-it was 20 initially, but now its 34.

    Im in the same boat.

    From 20 to 34.

    Mine went from 21 to 35.

    I was 23, and now Im 36

    As Heo Tae-seoks response came in, Ryu Min muttered to himself, recognizing that everyone had gained 13 to 14 levels.

    Well, its no wonder, considering the first digit changed from 2 to 3.

    In fact, Ryu Mins own level had made a significant leap, shifting from 40 to an unexpected 54.

    This impressive feat was thanks to the 3x experience round buff and the title he earned that multiplied experience by 1.5x.

    With over 1,900 kills under his belt, he had acquired a trove of items, including neen Magic Stones, nine pieces of Normal Equipment, misceneous items, and

    The ingredients needed for a God-gradebination.

    Ryu Min scrutinized the item information once more.

    [Glimmering Tail]

    Category: Inventory

    Description: As the name suggests, its a tail that glimmers. Faint magical energy can be felt.

    This is more important than anything else.

    Ultimately, the keyy in the materials required for a God-gradebination.

    Perhaps because he had secured the key item, Ryu Min couldnt help but let a satisfied grin creep onto his face.

    All the hard work had certainly paid off.

    Now, I just need to find two more items

    At that moment, his teammates let out a collective gasp.

    Everyone, check this out! W-weve amassed a huge amount of gold.

    I-I have the same.

    Its 115,000 gold

    Most likely, their situations mirrored his own.

    Since they were in a party, the gold had been evenly distributed among them.

    Of course, there might be some differences based on our Luck stat.

    In contrast to his teammates, Ryu Min had a staggering 150,000 gold in his possession, thanks to a Luck stat exceeding 350, which increased his chances of acquiring extra gold.

    W-what should we do with all of this?

    Having this amount of money doesnt feel right right? Haha

    His party members were unsure how to spend their newfound wealth, so Ryu Min offered some guidance.

    If you dont have a specific use for the money, buy utility skills from the store. Invest in Perception, Enhanced Night Vision, and Basic Resistances. Save the rest of the gold, and if you spot something you need in the daily items section, make the purchase.

    Ah

    I will follow your advice Mr. ck Scythe.

    Understood.

    The party members nodded, readily epting Ryu Mins counsel. Given his high insight and extensive experience, it made perfect sense to heed his words.

    While his teammates indulged in unexpected shopping, Ryu Min opened the quest progress window.

    [Area C-ESKS007]

    Participants: 1,010

    Achievers: 455/505

    Observing the number of achievers, it was evident that 50 remained.

    That means there are only 10 Minotaurs left.

    He promptly activated the Track Minotaur skill to pinpoint their location.

    [Location of target Minotaur has been determined.]

    [Currently 198 meters away.]

    Seeing that the Minotaurs were rtively close, Ryu Min took the lead.

    Follow me. We need to defeat the final boss.

    Oh, alright!

    After a few brisk strides, they finallyid eyes on the Minotaur.

    However, they werent alone; three other teams were already waiting nearby.

    Oh, its ck Scythe?

    Hes finally moving!

    ck Scythe! Please party with us!

    Lets hunt together!

    Without hesitation, Ryu Min shook his head.

    No. I dont intend to share contributions with you.

    Huh? Then

    Ryu Min nonchntly remarked, Ill take down the boss on my own.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 87: Moonlight Slaughter (1)

    Chapter 87: Moonlight ughter (1)

    Capturing the boss alone.

    What kind of nonsense is this, forgetting about your own capabilities?

    Youre saying youre going to capture the boss by yourself, not even your own team?

    No matter how high the level of the ck Scythe is, the opponent is the boss.

    And its a boss that takes at least 20 people to barely defeat.

    If the ck de really manages to capture the boss?

    Its the same as saying their skills are on par with 20 yers.

    From their perspective, who take pride in their skills, this was uneptable.

    Hah, I see now that youre quite boastful, ck Scythe.

    Boastful?

    Ryu Mins gaze turned cold.

    Youre underestimating me too much. Do you guys think I cant capture it?

    Well, but we have more people, right?

    Even if you are many; flies are still flies.

    What? Thats a bit

    Ignoring Ryu Minsment, he walked forward.

    The team members were also surprised by the deration that he would capture the boss alone.

    ck Scythe?

    Wait. Ill finish it soon.

    Carrying the Death Scythe, people made way for him like the Red Sea.

    The atmosphere was unusual.

    Stay further away. Anyone who interferes will die.

    Ah, okay!

    Watching the yers who stayed far away, Ryu Min looked around.

    There were pirs of light scattered around, which seemed to have trapped a nearby Minotaur.

    Hmm, so they will be watching inside the pirs?

    It would be good to hide the ultimate skill if possible

    But maybe this is a chance to truly showcase my strength.

    Most people dont know how strong the ck Scythe really was.

    They just assumed that since his level is higher, hes just a little bit stronger, and theyll catch up eventually.

    They felt it when they saw me fight before, but they dont truly understand yet.

    But what if they saw him quickly defeat the Minotaur that they needed 20 people to have a chance against?

    No fly would dare to underestimate the ck Scythe.

    Lets finish it as quickly as possible.

    As Ryu Min stepped forward, most people wore expressions of disbelief.

    Is he really going to do it alone?

    Oh, the ck Scythe alone?

    It was getting boring, but this should be interesting.

    Some even put their fists in the air from inside the pirs, saying it would be fun.

    All eyes were focused on the situation in the middle.

    Ryu Min, who had stopped a certain distance ahead, faced the Minotaur.

    The giant bull monster sensed his presence and turned to look.

    Grrrrr.

    It snorted with a menacing glint in its eyes, but Ryu Mins momentum did not waver.

    He simply held his scythe with both hands and extended it behind him.

    Whats he doing?

    Is he going to use a skill in that posture?

    Hes going to use a skill like that?

    Despite the murmurs around him, Ryu Min continued to gaze at the Minotaur without faltering.

    The system measures the record when the attack reaches a certain range.

    In other words, right now, its just considered a preparatory movement, and time measurement isnt taking ce.

    When he enters my range, Ill aim for his throat.

    Ryu Mins gaze narrowed as he gauged the distance from the Minotaur.

    He subtly adjusted the angle of his scythe.

    In his mind, he quickly drew a simple simtion.

    Be patient.

    Kwaaaaah!

    The Minotaur, which dared to charge at him despite seeing him, showed signs of panic.

    Thud, thud, thud!

    Calcting the distance to the range, Ryu Min timed it.

    3 seconds.

    Thud, thud!

    2 seconds.

    Thud, thud!

    Kiiiiiiing-

    Moonlight energy gathered around Ryu Mins scythe.

    1 second.

    Thud, thud!

    Thud, thud!

    Kiiiiiiing-

    Ryu Mins scythe drew a crescent moon.

    Night of Death.

    In the pitch-ck darkness that suddenly descended.

    As the front turned pitch ck, the Minotaur was momentarily confused.

    Now!

    Moonlight ughter.

    Ryu Mins scythe traced a half-moon.

    A single arc of light in the profound darkness illuminated the Minotaurs face brightly.

    Szzzzzz-

    With a clean sound of something being cut

    Thud!

    The sound of something falling could be heard.

    The situation became clear as soon as the curtain was lifted.

    Wow!

    Look at that!

    Isnt that the Minotaurs head?!

    That thick neck that would be difficult to cut even with twenty swords was cleanly severed in one stroke.

    The yers wore expressions of disbelief, their gazes alternating between Ryu Min and the fallen boss.

    He defeated it in a single strike?

    This cant be real

    It doesnt add up What are his stats now?

    Currently, Ryu Mins stats stand at 403 in strength and 627 in intelligence. These impressive figures resulted from abination of Min Juris buffs, the Rune of ughter, and the Rune of Bnce.

    With stats like these, taking down a boss in a single hit is entirely feasible.

    Furthermore, he had activated Deaths Night during this crucial moment, amplifying the damage from Moonlight ughter by 1.5 times.

    The High Orc was one-shotted, and this Minotaur is weaker than him.

    Despite being the boss for Round 6, the Minotaur was weaker than even the High Orc.

    The subquest difficulty in thest round was insane.

    However, the reward in the form of the Rune of Bnce made up for it.

    [You have defeated the Minotaur!]

    [Experience points are boosted by 3 times.]

    [Experience points increase by 1.5 times due to the title effect.]

    [Experience points +11.68%]

    [Gold +1,200]

    [Acquired Bull Leather.]

    [Acquired Blueprint: Minotaur Armor.]

    Since they were in a party, simr messages would have appeared for the teammates. The experience points and gold might not seem substantial, but that was due to theirrge group.

    But the items are mine.

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 Chapter 87: Moonlight Slaughter (2)

    Chapter 87: Moonlight ughter (2)

    Since they were in a party, simr messages would have appeared for the teammates. The experience points and gold might not seem substantial, but that was due to theirrge group.

    But the items are mine.

    Ryu Min chuckled as he nced at his item list. Among the various items dropped by the Minotaur, the best one had emerged.

    [Bull Leather]

    Category: Possession

    Description: A high-quality cowhide suitable for crafting armor due to its toughness.

    It is a material used for creating the Minotaurs armor.

    The blueprint for the armor had also appeared.

    [Design: Minotaur Armor]

    Category: Consumable

    Description: An item with sixbinations that can be used to create the unique item, Minotaur Armor. Its best to prepare to jot down thebinations before using it.

    Most likely, the Bull Leather would be listed among the materials in the blueprint.

    I already know it though.

    In any case, the blueprint was essentially a consumable item.

    It reveals the itemsbinations when used, but

    Because it disappears after one use, it was best to either memorize it or jot it down somewhere.

    I dont need it, though. I have everything in my head.

    He had no intention of crafting the Minotaurs armor, as it was exclusively designed for tanks.

    He already had a set of armor in mind, so this item wasnt necessary. However, he decided to keep it for the time being, as unique design blueprints could fetch a high price.

    Ive mostly acquired great items.

    Satisfied, he returned to his party members, who were all wide-eyed in astonishment.

    Is everyone okay?

    Yes? Um yes.

    Their expressions seemed to say that they hadnt expected it to be a one-hit kill.

    Among them, Heo Taeseoks expression was particrly peculiar.

    Whats with that guy? Whats with that look?

    He was gazing at Ryu Min with a dreamy expression, resembling someone smitten with love.

    It seemed like he had lost his mind.

    Hes going to be a follower, so its not like I dont understand but maybe I should keep my distance?

    Ryu Min didnt want any misunderstandings.

    In the midst of it all, An Sang-cheol was secretly amazed.

    What just happened? It was so fast that I couldnt even see it properly.

    One moment, it seemed like a sh of lightning in the darkness, and the next, the Minotaurs head had fallen.

    Was it a skill? Or maybe a regr attack?

    Either way, what was certain was that the boss had been defeated in one swift move.

    To think hed take down the boss in one shot

    Upon reflection, it still seemed absurd.

    Afterward, pirs of light descended and enveloped them.

    With the boss defeated, they had passed the round, although their ranking remained uncertain.

    Ryu Min gazed at the remaining bosses.

    Now, only nine tickets left. Theres not much time left, so they need to hurry.

    There was no time to dawdle.

    Realizing this, the parties scattered across the area and began to engage the Minotaurs.

    Soon, the game came to an end.

    [Youve defeated 101 bosses, havent you?]

    As the time limit drew to a close and the bosses were all dealt with, the angel appeared.

    [For the teams that failed to defeat the bosses, theres no need to worry; you will immediately be eliminated.]

    No, please!

    Wait, Angel, just a moment

    Pssss-

    Amidst the swirling dust, Prisci spoke, her voice trembling.

    [Shall we take a look at the rankings?]

    Round 6 Results

    [Overall]

    1st ce: ck Scythe and 4 others 00:00:01

    2nd ce: Heavenly Demon and 4 others 00:03:21

    3rd ce: Dumb Fools and 4 others 00:04:09

    [Zone C-ESKS007]

    1st ce: ck Scythe and 4 others 00:00:01

    2nd ce: Kim Suhanmu and 4 others 00:05:31

    3rd ce: Rice Eater and 4 others 00:05:58

    [By the way, the nicknames on the results screen have been credited to the most contributing humans.]

    yers who checked the rankings were taken aback.

    Whats this? Why isnt our team in 1st ce? We definitely defeated it first, didnt we?

    ck Scythes team is in 1st ce? The team that took so long?

    Prisci, overhearing theirints, couldnt help but smirk.

    [Who said that? Who said the ranks would be based on the order of defeat. As you can see, the ranking is determined by the time it takes to kill the boss.]

    Time?

    Ah So, thats why our team is inst ce

    [The longest time taken was 11 minutes and 30 seconds. I cant imagine how someone could spend over 11 minutes on a single cow. These inferior humans, I swear.]

    Prisci, who had been mocking them, checked the records once more.

    On the other hand, the shortest time was 1 minute. It belongs to ck Scythes team, and, well, its a decent performance]

    Angel! The time is wrong!

    [What are you talking about?]

    The time, I mean!

    [Is it not 1 minute No?]

    Feeling something was amiss, Prisci blinked and looked again.

    [Its not 1 minute Its 1 second?]

    When ck Scythes team defeated the boss, it took only 1 second.

    Prisci realized her mistake toote and wore a bewildered expression.

    [1 second? Just 1 second?]

    She murmured under her breath, seemingly unaware that humans were watching her in astonishment.

    The angel, who had only just realized her mistake, broke into a cold sweat.

    [Hmm, it seems that a record of 1 second is possible. Anyway, how weak must the boss be]

    Her earlier boast about the bosss strength now seemedpletely contradictory.

    [Well, first, lets reward the top three ranks. The rewards will be given only to the person with the highest contribution, so please keep that in mind.]

    A wee message appeared in front of Ryu Min.

    [Congrattions! Youve achieved 1st ce in this zone!]

    [Congrattions! Youve achieved 1st ce overall!]

    [ck Scythe is ranked 1st in the overall and zone rankings.]

    [As the 1st ce reward for this zone, you will receive a High Epic Helmet Selection Voucher!]

    [As the 1st ce reward for the overall ranking, you will receive a Special Reward Selection Box!]

    A High Epic Helmet?

    Ryu Min smiled faintly.

    It was about time to change his helmet anyway.

    [You can choose one of the following epic helmets.]

    [Please touch the desired reward.]

    1. Angels Ring

    2. Minotaurs Bullhide Helm

    3. Hermes Feathered Helm

    Among these, the feathered helm suits me best. It has some pretty appealing stats.

    When he selected option 3, the item information appeared.

    Hermes Feathered Helm

    Category: Helmet

    Grade: Epic

    Defense: 180

    Effects: Agility +10, [Invisibility] avable

    Durability: 1,500/1,500

    Usage Restriction: Expert rank or higher

    Description: A helmet modeled after Hermes feathered cap. Its not a genuine article, but it allows you to use invisibility when needed.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 88: Round 6 Ends (1)

    Chapter 88: Round 6 Ends (1)

    Hermes Feathered Helmes with a unique option  Invisibility.

    Invisibility, as the name suggests, grants its user the extraordinary ability to be invisible. Its a skill particrly coveted by assassins, often considered the pinnacle of their craft.

    When assassins reach level 20, they gain the skill of Invisibility. However, what makes this item truly remarkable is that it can be wielded by anyone, not just assassins, and its effectiveness remains consistent for all sses.

    But, before you start thinking that Invisibility is the ultimate game-changer, theres a catch. This skill triggers the Perception skill, amon ability that allows individuals to detect concealed presences. In essence, while you can turn your body invisible, you cant muffle the sound you make.

    Additionally, Invisibilitys effectiveness is limited by its cooldown period, making it less advantageous inbat situations.

    So, why does Ryu Min hold invisibility in such high regard? Well, thats where the Rune of Concealmentes into y. This special rune, known as the Rune of Concealment, can be acquired in Round 9. It not only shields the user from Perception skill but also eliminates Invisibilitys cooldown, rendering it an incredibly potentbination.

    Ryu Mins n is clear: obtain the Rune of Concealment and pair it with an item possessing the Invisibility ability for a nearly unbeatable and broken strategy.

    And thats exactly what will happen when Round 9 arrives.

    For now, Ryu Min secured one of the twoponents of his n. All thats left is to acquire the Rune of Concealment.

    With Hermes Feathered Helm now in his possession, a message appears:

    [Wearing Hermes Feathered Helm.]

    [You can use the Invisibility skill as an option.]

    [Temporary Skill  Invisibility]

    -Effect: You canpletely hide yourself from your opponent. However, only the appearance is hidden and the effect does not apply to the sound.

    The skill allowsplete invisibility for 30 minutes, but any action, be it an attack or being attacked, dispels the effect. You can deactivate it at will, but ites with a 30-minute cooldown.

    This newfound skill, Invisibility, is now a part of Ryu Mins skill list. But as soon as he removes Hermes Feathered Helm, the skill vanishes.

    Ryu Min acknowledges the value of keeping Hermes Feathered Helm, as Invisibility offers various strategic advantages. He doesnt have to wear it continuously; it can be donned when needed. And, should the need arise, it can be sold for a handsome sum, as items with skills as options are highly sought after, regardless of their grade.

    Moving forward, Ryu Min faces a choice from a Special Reward Selection Box:

    [You can choose one of the following special rewards.]

    [Please touch the desired reward.]

    1. Material Item Selection Ticket

    2. 14,000 Gold

    3. Information about Round 7

    Typically, option 1 would offer either an experience boost or a stat boost. However, if neither of these options is avable

    This suggests that Round 7 has a unique quest that doesnt require either of these boosts. Other yers might be tempted by the allure of extra gold (option 2), but information about Round 7 is paramount.

    While the allure of gold can be strong, the value of information in Round 7 cannot be overstated. Its the kind of knowledge that can make all the difference.

    But Ryu Mins biggest weapon is the experience and information from his 99th regressions.

    In Ryu Mins mind, the choice is clear: option 3 is discarded, and option 1, the Material Item Selection Ticket, is chosen.

    As soon as the choice is made, the Material Item Selection Ticket appears in Ryu Mins inventory. Without hesitation, he makes his selection:

    [Please choose one of the following materials.]

    [1. Broken Ironwood Branch]

    [2. Bubbling Elixir]

    [3. Tough Magic Shell]

    [10. Angelic Golden Powder]

    With ten options to choose from, Ryu Mins knowledge of material item useses in handy.

    If you dont know the uses of each item, it will be meaningless what you choose. but for me

    The decision is crystal clear to someone with his knowledge.

    **Selecting Option 10.**

    Upon obtaining the item, information unveiled itself.

    [Angelic Golden Powder]

    Category: Inventory

    Description: Fine powder scattered from an angels hair. Its not dandruff.

    Among the ten choices, this was the lone god-tier material.

    Now, with just one more material, I can craft a god-tier item.

    However, that remaining material wouldnt surface until after Round 8, so there was no need for immediate excitement.

    ROUND 6 Ends

    [Entire Area]

    Survivors: 8,060,295

    [Area C-ESKS007]

    Survivors: 505

    [Souls will return to their original bodies shortly.]

    [Round 7 willmence at midnight on July 1, 2022. See you in the next round. Congrattions on your survival.]

    * * *

    Tap-tap-tap-tap-

    As soon as his eyes fluttered open, An Sang-cheol sprang into action.

    He made his way to the hotel room where the chairman was staying.

    Click-click- thud-thud-thud!

    Chairman!

    While anyone else might have grumbled about thete-night intrusion

    Click-ck- creak-

    Ma Kyung-rok, the upant of the room, opened the door with a puzzled expression.

    Director An? Whats the matter that youvee rushing right after your return?

    Um, can we discuss it once were inside?

    Of course.

    Upon entering, Ma Kyung-rok reached for the whiskey ss he had been sipping.

    Before he could even suggest taking a seat, An Sang-cheol, his face radiating excitement, blurted out.

    Chairman, my level has shot up dramatically.

    Ma Kyung-rok swirled the whiskey in his ss.

    Really? So did you level up by hunting alongside ck Scythe? Is it like he said? A six-hour-long hunting spree?

    Having received the same prophecy, Ma Kyung-rok was well aware of the situation.

    So, how many levels is it? To the point that you came running so excited?

    I went up from level 20 to level 34. Thats a whopping 14 levels up!

    .

    Ma Gyeong-roks hand, which was about to pour the whiskey, stopped in midair.

    34? Are you sure?

    Yes. It really went up a lot, didnt it?

    Its worth getting excited about.

    Ma Gyeong-rok asked, drinking his whiskey with a bitter expression.

    But how did you gain 14 levels in 6 hours?

    ck Scythe did all the hunting by himself. Our party members had a tough time keeping up.

    But as apensation, he took all the items, right?

    Yes, but I dont regret sharing the items at all. I never imagined Id level up this quickly.

    I find myself in the same situation. I never thought Director An would surpass my level

    Chairman, what level are you?

    29.

    Ah.

    An Sang-cheol decided not to say anything more. No matter what he said, it would make the chairman ufortable.

    Is Seo Arin around the same level as well?

    An Sang-cheol nodded discreetly while gauging Ma Kyung-roks reaction.

    Hmm, Ive ended up with a lower level than Seo Arin. I need to step up my game.

    Ma Kyung-rok, with a wry smile, refilled the whiskey ss.

    Why dont you tell me, Director An? Did ck Scythe really hunt down the bosses so quickly?

    Yes. He took out the Centaur in one hit.

    So, thats why it was much quicker. Even though our team consists of five members, it wasnt as quick as that.

    Having heard the prophecy, Ma Kyung-rok had naturally formed a party and targeted the Centaur first.

    It took some persuasion to convince his party members, but they eventually hunted the Centaur sessfully, securing the top spot in the area.

    Is it true that it was in just one second?

    Indeed. He used a skill Id never seen before, and the Minotaurs neck was sliced in an instant. It was the first time Id seen such a skill.

    It should be a skill learned at level 40 since Director An is seeing it for the first time.

    Ma Kyung-rok, who took pride in his skills as ranking 2nd or 3rd, couldnt hide his astonishment.

    Killing the Minotaur with one skill in one second? Amazing.

    There was no one who could boast of being able to kill a boss so quickly.

    Is the gap between us and the 1st ranker this big?

    Rather than being amazed, he felt bitter.

    Can I be that strong when I reach level 40?

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 88: Round 6 Ends (2)

    Chapter 88: Round 6 Ends (2)

    There was no one who could boast of being able to kill a boss so quickly.

    Is the gap between us and the 1st ranker this big?

    Rather than being amazed, he felt bitter.

    Can I be that strong when I reach level 40?

    The Dark Knights skills were powerful.

    Ma Kyung-rok was satisfied with them.

    However

    Its not on the same level as ck Scythes.

    Even if he reached level 40, he wasnt sure if he could disy the same presence.

    He couldnt be confident.

    Instead of worrying about that, I should focus on leveling up first.

    Facing the unexpected situation of having subordinates with higher levels than himself, his pride couldnt allow such humiliation. Instead, a newfound determination began to kindle within him.

    I need to up my game.

    .

    As Ma Kyung-rok downed a full ss of whiskey in one shot, Sang-cheol chose silence. He couldnt think of what to say after unintentionally pricking the chairmans ego.

    He felt like he was sitting on a bed of thorns.

    I should really thank ck Scythe. Ive been cking offtely, and hes managed to reignite my motivation.

    .

    And not to forget, he helped level up Director An and Seo Arins levels. We should definitely show our appreciation when we meet himter, dont you think?

    Uh, should I try to find a way to personally show my gratitude too?

    No need for that. After all, you sacrificed items in exchange for experience points. My subordinates benefited from him. Showing gratitude is my responsibility as the chairman.

    .

    We should also inquire with the Prophet about when we can meet ck Scythe again.

    Do you think the Prophet survived?

    Instead of pondering that, its faster to make a confirmation call. Besides, it falls under Director Ans jurisdiction.

    Ah, I was being thoughtless. My apologies. Ill check right away.

    No need to apologize. Just inform me once you have the information. Oh, and by the way, did you manage to learn those skills I mentioned earlier?

    Yes, Ive indeed acquired the Tracking and Erasing Traces skills as you advised.

    Then,ter on, when we put those skills to use, join us for a little cleanup. Were nning to take care of some nuisances, and its been a while.

    You intend to work at this hour? Its almost dawn

    Its fine. We wont be causing any harm outside.

    Ah, I understand. Chairman.

    Leaving behind Sang-cheol, who maintained proper decorum, Ma Kyung-rok turned his gaze toward the window. The hazy weather was the perfect backdrop for stress relief.

    * * *

    Seo Arin held a deep sense of gratitude toward ck Scythe. She may have given up some items, but in return, she had acquired a substantial amount of experience points and gold.

    It always feels like I owe something to ck Scythe.

    Whether it was the leveling up this time or his previous act of saving her life, she felt she hadnt adequately repaid him.

    I want to be of more help to ck Scythe, but its not that simple

    At best, she could offer him low-grade Marquise Stones or express her gratitude, but it didnt feel like enough.

    No matter how much I think about it, I dont know how I can be of assistance. He doesnt seem to need it either

    Well, that wasnt entirely true.

    Even ck Scythe needed assistance from someone else.

    Wasnt there a woman in a contract with him who provided continuous buffs?

    Min Juri, right? The woman in a contract with ck Scythe

    Comparing avatars might be fruitless, but she had a pretty face and a lively personality.

    Plus, she bestows some impressive buffs.

    It made sense that ck Scythe kept her by his side. Just having her around provided significant help.

    I wish I could be that kind of assistance

    She had Fairy Buffs, but they only offered a thin protective shield at best.

    As a Summoner, she had her limitations when it came to providing assistance.

    I need to think about this.

    Seo Arin, donning a hat, stepped out of her apartment and entered the elevator. Her n was to make a quick stop at the convenience store for some essentials.

    *Ding.*

    The descending elevator came to an unexpected halt on the lower floor.

    Oh? Actress Seo Arin?

    It was none other than Ryu Min, her neighbor and a business associate of Ma Kyung-rok, and, interestingly, a Prophet.

    Hello.

    Seo Arin greeted him with a polite nod.

    Apart from ck Scythe, there was someone else she owed gratitude to.

    Thanks to the information provided by the Prophet, we managed to smoothly navigate through Round 6. Im grateful. Thank you.

    Its nothing, dont worry about it.

    Ryu Min responded casually, then fell silent.

    Seo Arin observed him thoughtfully.

    Hes quite an intriguing person. At just 20 years old, he carries himself with confidence even in the presence of Chairman Ma Kyung-rok. And his business insight

    While Ma Kyung-rok exuded an aura of intimidation, Ryu Min seemed different.

    Could I have disyed such confidence if I were a Prophet?

    No, even if she possessed the same ability, she doubted she could exude such self-assuredness.

    Where are you headed, Prophet?

    Oh, Im nning to make a quick stop at the convenience store.

    The convenience store? I was heading there too.

    Suddenly, an idea popped into Seo Arins mind.

    While she couldnt assist ck Scythe directly, she could lend a helping hand to the Prophet.

    Since Im going the same way, let me run an errand for you. Were neighbors, I can drop off your items on my way back up.

    No need for that.

    Still, I received something from the Prophet, and I want to repay the favor in some way.

    After a brief pause, Ryu Min raised his head.

    You cant just send a celebrity to run errands.

    Its something Im willing to do

    If word gets out that I had a celebrity running errands for me, your fans will give me a hard time.

    Ah

    Seo Arins head dropped. Even though her face wasnt visible, her disappointment was palpable.

    If you truly want to help, how about giving me an autograph?

    An autograph? Seriously?

    My younger brother is a fan of yours.

    Oh, you want to give it to your younger brother.

    The Prophet, who had made this request, turned his head.

    Seo Arin was immensely popr among men in their twenties, but this particr individual seemed uninterested.

    Ill dly do that for you.

    Seo Arin realized he was trying to do something nice for his brother, but somehow, it made her a bit sad.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 89: Russells Visit

    Chapter 89: Russell''s Visit

    Heo Tae-seoks first emotion was awe.

    Being epted by the ck Scythe as a party member who wouldve thought?

    The notion of teaming up with the legendary ck Scythe was beyond his wildest dreams.

    Then came admiration.

    He watched in amazement as ck Scythe single-handedly vanquished the Centaurus, a feat that had challenged even a group of five.

    Such power was nothing short of staggering.

    No wonder hes the ck Scythe. Truly admirable.

    Heo Tae-seok aspired to match his strength.

    The third emotion was gratitude.

    Incredible Just six hours with the ck Scythe and my levels skyrocketed.

    He hadnt expected a 13-level jump on his first party adventure.

    Thanks, ck Scythe. Im indebted for this chance.

    His fortunes had turned since meeting the ck Scythe. How could he not feel thankful?

    But then, a sudden emotion eclipsed all others.

    Kwooo!

    The ground trembled.

    Fear gripped him.

    He he took down the boss in one shot?

    Despite the ck Scythes strength, this was unimaginable.

    What was I thinking? Matching the ck Scythe is impossible.

    He realized, btedly, ck Scythe was beyond reach, almost god-like.

    How do I even repay such a being?

    Back home, Heo Tae-seok pondered ways to return the favor, feeling useless and despondent.

    If only I had skills to assist the ck Scythe

    Even his job as a dark mage was unuseful.

    A wolf pup cannot aid a full-grown wolf; it only gets in the way.

    What can I offer in this world?

    Then, an epiphany struck him.

    What does a god need?

    Devout followers.

    Heo Tae-seoks lips curved into a grin.

    Meanwhile, Ryu Min browsed flights on his phone.

    I need to visit Russell to recover the durability.

    But the prophecy he shared with himst time might change his reception.

    Suddenly, his phone buzzed with an international call.

    -Is this Mr. Ryu?

    Yes, its me. Russell Daniel.

    -Ah, Mr. Prophet, thank you. You saved my life.

    Russell sounded excited.

    What happened?

    -Ill exin when I arrive.

    Youreing to Korea?

    -Yes, Ive booked my flight.

    This was unprecedented. This has never happened in the previous regressions.

    -Is this inconvenient, Mr. Ryu?

    No, I was hoping to meet you. Ill wait at Incheon Airport.

    The next day, Ryu Min greeted Russell at the airport.

    Mr. Ryu!

    Russell approached with a light backpack and a broad smile.

    Wee to Korea, Russell.

    After a brief handshake, they headed to the parking lot.

    Lets go. Ill drive.

    Russell, talkative and eager, spotted the car.

    Wait, is that a Lamborghini Aventador?

    Recognize it?

    Do you think my mountain life means Im out of touch? This car right here is my dream car!

    Is that so?!

    Amidst yful banter, the two drove away

    Any particr ce youd like to visit?

    Id prefer somewhere tranquil for a chat.

    Ryu Min nced at his watch, pondering for a moment.

    Lunchtime already? Shall we grab a bite?

    Yes, please! Ive always wanted to try authentic Korean cuisine.

    Then let me take you to my favorite spot.

    Ryu Min led Russell to a serene Korean restaurant nestled in Ma Kyung-roks hotel. Thanks to a precautionary reservation, they were seated without dy.

    This ce is so peaceful. Is it a Korean eatery?

    You could say that.

    The array of dishes served was impressive, eliciting a look of awe from Russell at each course.

    This variety is astonishing! Ive never experienced such a meal in my life.

    Are you enjoying it? Thats great. Dig in, its on me.

    No, Mr. Ryu! I cant keep owing you. Let me cover this.

    Sure you can afford it? Its a bit pricey here.

    How much are we talking?

    Around 130 pounds per person.

    Russell almost choked on his water, setting the ss down hastily.

    Why so costly? What could possibly justify 130 pounds?

    Expecting a bill no more than 30 pounds, Russell masked his shock and replied,

    Ill handle it. No issue. Dont worry.

    I wasnt concerned.

    After all, the money Russell was spending had originallye from Ryu Min.

    Though Russell had been frugal, spending money that wasnt his in the first ce wasnt a waste in such a situation.

    Russell, dont fret over the bill. In exchange, can you repair my item like before?

    The durability? Absolutely, just hand it over!

    Russell promptly fixed the bead of eternity and returned it.

    Thank you. Ill take care of the bill.

    Um, I feel like I havent done enough for you

    No worries. By the way, you mentioned a near-death experience?

    Oh, about that

    Russell recounted a rather ordinary tale. He had formed a party as suggested, hunted for 6 hours, and then fought the boss, narrowly escaping demise.

    If I hadnt followed your advice to level up, things could have been dire, right?

    Im d to have been of help. Did you level up much?

    Im now level 29.

    He reached Ma Kyung-roks level.

    As a cksmith, Russell wasnt naturally suited for hunting. However, his skill in enhancing and repairing weapons was invaluable to his party members.

    Its akin to being a buffer.

    His contribution to the partys synergy exined his rapid leveling. Besides, Russell was strong enough to take on orcs and simr mobs with ease.

    But I must confess, I feel out of ce at times. Can I truly im to be among the top cksmiths? Its hard to believe

    With effort, anything is possible. And with my guidance, you can achieve even more.

    Haha, your words alone give me strength. With a prophets support, whats there to fear? Oh, are these more dishes?

    Russells eyes widened as the waiter served more food.

    Its not a buffet, yet the dishes keeping! Wow, this is delicious! Whats this dish called?

    Its Bulgogi.

    It suits my pte perfectly. I never knew Korean cuisine could be this tantalizing.

    Russell devoured the Bulgogi, seemingly spellbound.

    He likely economized on food to save for the stocks.

    But you muste from an affluent family, Mr. Prophet? Youre young, drive a fancy car, and evenst time, you paid me handsomely

    Wealthy family? No, I was just fortunate. If someone with foresight cant make this much, itd be a waste, right? But soon, youll be wealthy too.

    Because of the stocks?

    Yes. Did you invest in thatpany I rmended?

    Immediately. I opened an ount and invested more than half of what you suggested

    Smart move. With that investment, you wont need my financial support in the future.

    But is thatpany really a sure bet?

    Absolutely. Thats why I advised you to invest.

    Whats the nature of thispany?

    You invested without researching?

    I trusted your prophecy. I figured it would be safe. Haha

    Hmm

    As they neared the end of their meal, Ryu Min suggested,

    Shall I take you to thepany?

    Thepany?

    Its not far from here.

    Sure, lets go.

    After settling the bill, they headed to Ma Kyung-roks office in their car.

    Here we are.

    The signboard of Cheonma Consulting was reced by yer ce.

    Preparations seem almostplete.

    Unannounced visits were no issue.

    After all, as the top executive, Ryu Min virtually owned thepany.

    This is where I put 70% of my fortune, right? Oh, I mean your money, not mine

    Thats your money, Russell. Feel free to use it.

    Only a prophet could be so kind, youre an angel! Wow!

    Russells foreigner-like gestures made Ryu Min chuckle.

    Isnt that phrase more of a curse than apliment these days?

    Oh, is that how it is?

    But with only 30% left, can you manage?

    Its tight, but Ill manage. Maybe cut down to two meals a day

    Ill withdraw some cashter. 10,000 pounds should tide you over, right?

    Wow! Of course.

    Arent you even going to pretend to refuse?

    Ah, hahaha

    Russell, foregoing even a token protest, justughed.

    But is it alright to just walk into apany like this?

    Its fine. I may not be the CEO, but its essentially mypany.

    Pardon?

    Realization dawned on Russell as he blinked in surprise.

    Is thepany you advised me to invest in?

    Yes, I am the actual owner of thispany.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 90: Unexpected Meeting (1)

    Chapter 90: Unexpected Meeting (1)

    Russell heard a detailed story from Ryumin.

    Wow, did you really rake in that much from the lottery?

    Yes, I managed to amass quite a fortune, rivaling even Powerball.

    And what came next? How did you employ that wealth?

    Though it seemed like he was boasting, Russells persistent questioning left Ryu Min with no choice but to reveal the whole story.

    He went on to exin how he converted his winnings into cryptocurrency, acquiring a 51% stake in thepany and seizing control of its operations.

    Oh, so youre essentially thepanys major shareholder?

    Yes, indeed. Thepany still has significant growth potential. Weve not only changed thepanys name this time but alsopletely revamped our business model, gearing up for ambitious endeavors.

    Its hard not to believe that a prophet wouldnt make billions in such a short span. Ive made a truly wise investment. Haha By the way, isnt this also the prophets money?

    Ryu Min chuckledpassionately, observing Russells embarrassed expression as he scratched his head.

    Dont feel burdened; feel free to use it.

    No, I hope you continue to feel a bit of pressure like this. That way, well be more dependable allies in the future.

    Ryu Min, mumbling thoughts contrary to his appearance, led Russell into his office.

    Let me exin the nature of this business once were inside.

    Do we really need an exnation? If the prophet went all in, its bound to be a colossal sess.

    Nevertheless, youve invested a substantial sum, so its crucial that you understand the nature of thepany. Even Russell might have some doubts if he hears about it. Its a business that would pique the interest of anyone involved in gaming.

    With a sly smile, Ryu Min swung open the office door, revealing a group of employees in their thirties scattered about.

    They were all individuals who had previously worked at Cheonma Consulting.

    Follow me.

    Ryu Min disregarded the inquisitive looks of the employees and led the way to the CEOs office.

    Right in front of the CEOs office, An Sang-cheol stood like a sentinel.

    Why is he blocking the door like that? Could a client be inside?

    Ryu Min was perplexed, and just then, An Sang-cheol spoke with a surprised expression.

    Chairman Ryu Min? What brings you here

    I apologize for the unannounced visit. I wanted to introduce a foreign investor to thepany.

    Ah.

    An Sang-cheols gaze flicked towards Russell, suspecting that he might be a yer due to his youthful appearance.

    Is the CEO in?

    Yes, he is, but theres a client in there at the moment

    A client?

    Even though he raised his head as if to inquire further, An Sang-cheol remained rooted to the spot without making any move.

    It seemed that Ma Kyung-rok had perhaps instructed not to admit anyone.

    Even so, I, the prophet, giving you this much attention, and you decide to ignore me.

    It was absurd, but considering An Sang-cheols character, it made sense.

    If the CEO tells him to die, hell pretend to die.

    Perhaps he will not just act, and he might actually end up dead.

    But who came to visit?

    Feeling a bit curious, Ryu Min read his mind.

    While reading his thoughts, Ryu Min couldnt help but be surprised.

    What? Who is it?

    An unexpected visitor had arrived.

    Christine came?

    He had to carefully manage his expression, suppressing the corners of his mouth.

    Since Christine, the priest he needed to take to Round 20, had approached Ma Kyung-rok, he had to meet her.

    But how can I make theme out?

    Upon reflection, there was no need to make them.

    Ill wait here until theye out.

    Ryu Min turned as if he were leaving and then took a step to the side, patiently waiting.

    An Sang-cheols eyebrows twitched at his actions.

    Um Are you waiting here?

    I have something to discuss with the CEO.

    Unable to ask him to leave, An Sang-cheol stood there like a sentinel.

    Mr. Ryu, what did you talk about?

    Waiting while exining the situation to Russell in English, Ryu Min remained stationed until Ma Kyung-rok eventually emerged.

    Ma Kyung-rok opened the door a momentter, and two individuals emerged.

    One was Ma Kyung-rok, and the other was the priest Ryu Min needed to take to Round 20.

    Uh? Chairman Ryu Min?

    Ma Kyung-rok was taken aback by Ryu Mins sudden visit.

    Why did youe here without notice?

    Why am I only weed that way?

    In response to Ryu Mins reply, Ma Kyung-rok mustered an awkward smile.

    Haha, it seems I might have conveyed my words in a confusing way, leading to some misunderstandings. I apologize for that.

    What misunderstandings? Its clear as day. He pretends to favor me as a prophet outwardly but secretly eyes me with disdain.

    Of course, Ryu Mins somewhatid-back demeanor might have contributed to this perception, but fundamentally, Ma Kyung-rok saw him as a weak figure.

    Being a prophet wasnt a powerful job, and apart from his ability to foresee the future, Ryu Min didnt appear particrly exceptional.

    Perhaps thats why hes always concerned whether Ill survive after each round.

    He had always been subconsciously prepared for the possibility of death at any moment.

    In an attempt to break the awkward silence, Ma Kyung-rok exined, You are, of course, the highest executive in ourpany, and you can visit anytime you like. Typically, we schedule appointments, but today you arrived unannounced, hence my mention of it.

    Is that so? Ryu Min responded with a subtle smile.

    Nice excuses. Well, youre still within my grasp.

    Ryu Mins gaze shifted to the side, where a foreign woman with blonde hair stood gracefully.

    Finally, we meet. The one and only Priest in the world.

    Her name was Christine Craig, and she was not just any Priest; she had a remarkable record of surviving up to Round 15.

    Moreover, Ryu Min had her in mind as one of the people he would take to Round 20.

    Just like Buffers, Priests are indispensable support upations.

    Priest skills were all valuable, without exception. Especially the Level 60 skill, [Resurrection], was a game-changer, allowing her to revive the dead.

    Of course, there are limitations, as it can only revive yers who have died within thest 10 minutes.

    Even so, gaining an extra life was a significant advantage.

    I didnt anticipate meeting her at this juncture.

    Originally, he had nned to approach her cautiously using Ma Kyung-rok, but their meeting had urred earlier than expected.

    Well, Ive never visited thepany at this stage before.

    If Russell hadnte looking for him, he wouldnt have considered visiting thepany.

    He trusted that Ma Kyung-rok would handle the business preparations effectively.

    Although the future had changed, this meeting was inevitable.

    The n had merely been elerated slightly.

    Whatever happens, I need to make Christine an ally.

    Ryu Min looked at Christine and inquired to Ma Kyung-rok, By the way, who is she?

    Oh This is my friend, Christine Craig.

    Friend? Thats not even remotely urate.

    Ryu Min knew very well that Christine was more than just a foreign friend.

    Shes his fiance, sought for a green card.

    While Korean conglomerates used to search for marriage partners for strategic reasons within the country, times have changed.

    These days, they sometimes look for potential partners abroad.

    In the era of globalization, even conglomerate leaders were now casting their eyes internationally.

    Of course, they werent considering individuals from ordinary households.

    Naturally, Christines family is well-off.

    She was the daughter of a pastor who led thergest church in the United States, with a congregation of 100,000.

    As a fiance, she was more than suitable.

    He told me not to hide anything from him, but I suppose hell hide the fact that shes his fiance.

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 Chapter 90: Unexpected Meeting (2)

    Chapter 90: Unexpected Meeting (2)

    She was the daughter of a pastor who led thergest church in the United States, with a congregation of 100,000.

    As a fiance, she was more than suitable.

    He told me not to hide anything from him, but I suppose hell hide the fact that shes his fiance.

    Ryu Min nced at Ma Kyung-rok and addressed Christine fluently in English, Nice to meet you, Christine. Im Ryu Min, a business partner of CEO Ma Kyung-rok.

    Ryu Mins self-introduction surprised Ma Kyung-rok.

    His English was perfect.

    To the extent that if you closed your eyes and listened, you might think he was a native speaker.

    Christine, too, was taken aback by the unexpected English pronunciation and adjusted her posture slightly. Then, she politely lowered her head in a Korean manner and replied, Nice to meet you, Ryu Min. I had no idea CEO Ma had such a remarkable business partner.

    Oh, really? I never imagined CEO Ma would have such a lovely fiance.

    Ah, did he mention our rtionship?

    Ma Kyung-rok was startled by Christines gaze. After all, he had never mentioned that she was his fiance.

    Does he somehow know about our engagement?

    Ma Kyung-rok looked at Ryu Min and decided that he should never deceive the prophet again.

    Now it seems as if he was trying to hide the fact that she was his fiance.

    Ma Kyung-rok had no choice but to admit his mistake.

    I apologize, Prophet. I didnt intend to deceive you

    No need to apologize. I understand that introducing your fiance might have felt overwhelming.

    Thank you for your understanding

    But I wish you had trusted me a little more

    As Ryu Mins disappointment subtly surfaced at the end of his sentence, Ma Kyung-rok couldnt help but feel awkward.

    Damn, its not a good idea to be on the Prophets bad side

    Regretting introducing her merely as a friend, Ma Kyung-rok was taken aback when Christine asked, What are you two discussing so seriously?

    Curious about the serious conversation held in Korean, she must have wondered.

    Its nothing, really. We were just briefly discussing business.

    I see. Well, considering you mentioned opening a business soon

    Christines words conveyed her understanding, but her gaze remained disinterested.

    Perhaps due to their arranged engagement, there was no sweetness in their rtionship.

    Please convey my regards to the Chairman. I have a church service to attend, so Ill take my leave.

    Of course. Dont worry about that part, as your father is also busy. Hell understand.

    Thank you. Then, I hope to see you both alive in the next round.

    Ill pray for Christines luck as well.

    After bidding farewell to Ma Kyung-rok, Christine nced at Ryu Min once and then departed, seemingly uninterested.

    Or more urately, she tried to depart.

    Just a moment, Christine.

    Ryu Mins voice halted her steps.

    Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol looked at him with puzzled expressions.

    Christine did the same.

    Whats going on?

    Its about the next round. It would be wise to be cautious.

    ?

    Instead of answering, Christine nced at Ma Kyung-rok.

    Whats going on with this guy?

    Having read her expression, Ma Kyung-rok spoke, concealing his confusion.

    Major shareholder. We can talk about thatter.

    Mr. Ma, theres no need to hide my identity. Wouldnt it be better for your fiance to know about the information for the next round as well? It could be the right path for your fiance, too.

    Ryu Min deliberately spoke in Korean, giving Ma Kyung-rok a chance to decide.

    But Ma Kyung-rok had no choice.

    In the situation where control had shifted to Ryu Min due to his earlier mistake, refusing here would not only provoke Ryu Min but also make him appear heartless, and indifferent to his fiances life or death.

    What the Prophet says is correct. If its for my fiance, then hiding it wouldnt be the right choice.

    Ma Kyung-rok looked at Christine and said, Shall we go inside for a moment? Theres something I need to discuss.

    Christine initially appeared bewildered but eventually nodded in acknowledgment. She sensed that something significant was about to be discussed.

    Russell, please wait here for a moment, Ryu Min requested.

    Respecting Ryu Mins request, Russell remained outside.

    Ryu Min guided Ma Kyung-rok into the CEOs office, and as the door closed, the outside noise waspletely shut out.

    Christine, gesturing as if to encourage Ma Kyung-rok to speak, wore a curious expression.

    Christine, I didnt properly introduce him earlier, but this individual here is my business partner and the CEO of ourpany. And

    Before proceeding, Ma Kyung-rok nced at Ryu Min, seeking permission to continue. Upon receiving a nod from Ryu Min, he continued.

    He is also a Prophet ss, capable of foreseeing the future.

    What do you mean by Prophet? Christine questioned, understandably skeptical about the concept of someone seeing the future.

    Ryu Min stepped in to address Christines doubts, interpreting her skepticism.

    What the Chairman says is true. I am a Prophet ss, capable of glimpsing the future. For instance, I can provide strategies for the uing 7th round.

    Is that so?

    Ma Kyung-rok nodded, affirming his ability.

    Prophets words are entirely trustworthy. There has never been an instance of a prediction going wrong.

    Does that mean youve received help from this person so far?

    Yes, thanks to him, weve been able to anticipate and strategize for the next round ahead.

    Although the notion was hard to fathom, the expressions on both of their faces were profoundly serious.

    So, why are you suddenly revealing this to me?

    Christine, I will furnish you with information about the 7th round.

    Without anypensation? Christines reaction to discussingpensation hinted at the life she might have lived.

    Dont worry. I will provide it without expecting anything in return.

    If the Priest survived, it would also benefit Ryu Min.

    Even though you survive up to the 15th round without any help

    Ultimately, its the semnce of assistance that matters.

    Christine appeared skeptical, but eventually, she nodded.

    If youre confidently offering future information, Im willing to give it a try.

    Providing future information so confidently was indeed audacious.

    You still cant fully believe it though.

    Ryu Min, as if prompting Ma Kyung-rok, ryed the details about the 7th round.

    Do not be fooled by temptation. Just remember this for the 7th round.

    Uh?! Is that all, Prophet?

    I cannot divulge more. Doing so would bring harm to everyone. Resist temptation. You must memorize it like a spell, and thats all I can share.

    Both Christine and Ma Kyung-rok remained silent, The somewhat vague prophecy seems absurd.

    Is that all?

    Yes, but Christine, theres something else I need to tell you.

    What?!

    This gathering was primarily to deliver this message

    Ryu Min, who was pausing, spoke with a grave expression.

    Christine, when the 11th round arrives, you will be in danger. Your life may be at risk.

    Me?

    But dont worry. A rope wille down to rescue you.

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 Chapter 91: Christine Craig (1)

    Chapter 91: Christine Craig (1)

    As the ne soared back to the United States, Christine found herself in a state of persistent bewilderment. Why, you might ask? Well, her fiancs business partner turned out to be far more enigmatic than she had initially assumed.

    Was it because he concealed his partners identity as a prophet? Or perhaps it was because, during their six months of engagement, her fianc had monopolized the information about the uing rounds, leaving her in the dark.

    But it wasnt just that. What truly bbergasted Christine was the ominous prediction made by the so-called prophet during the 11th round.

    He would have been in deep trouble if my father had been there.

    Perhaps the pastor would have lost his reputation andshed out at the little Asian?

    Even a fiery temperament like her fathers would have its limits, wouldnt it?

    But now someone ising to rescue me?

    Christine couldnt help but recall her conversation with the self-proimed prophet.

    -A rope wille down to rescue you. What do you mean?

    -It means that someone will save you.

    -Who is it?

    -I cant reveal that.

    In hindsight, those words seemed even more bizarre. You cant tell me whosing to save me? Are you really a prophet? If he had glimpsed the future and identified the savior, why withhold such crucial information? Was there a reason to keep it a secret?

    Who could it be? Could it possibly be my fianc?

    Christines mind whirled as she contemted the identity of her potential rescuer.

    This is ridiculous. I cant believe Im taking this oundish prophecy seriously.

    The prophets vague references to 7th-round information and the mystery surrounding the saviors identity left her skeptical. Of course, in a world where resurrection was possible, it wasnt imusible that someone possessed the gift of foresight.

    But I cant bring myself to believe that the Asian man is a prophet.

    Christine couldnt shake the feeling that her fianc was deceiving her.

    [A momentter, we will arrive at Das Fort Worth International Airport.]

    When she raised her head, she was surprised to see that they had already arrived at the airport.

    After retrieving her luggage, she stepped out of the gate and was greeted by a familiar faceJeffrey Bishop, the young deacon.

    Christine, I hope you had a pleasant trip to Korea.

    Oh, Mr. Bishop. I had no idea youd be waiting for me at the airport.

    The pastor insisted on picking you up.

    Sigh, I suppose so.

    After a brief sigh, Christine boarded the ck van. As they drove away from the airport toward the outskirts, they came to a halt in front of an imposing church adorned with a sign that read [Shiningwood Church].

    This church boasted a congregation of over 100,000 members, making it thergest in the entire United States. Such was its influence that not even the Governor of Texas could afford to overlook it.

    And, lo and behold, the pastors daughter was none other than Christine herself.

    With her background, she was unquestionably a suitable match.

    Creak, creak

    Upon pushing open the church doors, she was greeted by the sight of an immense worship hall, reminiscent of a grand concert venue.

    As she made her way to the back of the hall, she reached the pastors office.

    Jeffrey knocked lightly on the door and announced, Pastor, Christine is here.

    Let her in.

    The door swung open, and Christine stepped inside. There, seated before her, was a middle-aged man exuding an air of unwavering determination.

    It was none other than her father, Nathan Watson.

    Have you arrived?

    Yes, Father.

    So, did you meet your fianc in Korea?

    Yes.

    So was he, your fianc?

    Hes neat and seems like a decent person.

    Has he ever been rude to you?

    He has never been rude. He doesnt strike me as a bad person at all. In fact, he treats me with respect.

    Of course, he should. After all, hes dating my daughter.

    A satisfied smile spread across Nathans face.

    So, what do you think? Now that youve had a chance to see him, does he seem like a decent person to you?

    Well

    Has there been any progress in your rtionship?

    Were not quite at that stage yet.

    After six months of dating, youre still not at that point?

    Christine felt a momentary surge of frustration.

    Dating? Seriously? Can we even call it that when were merely going through the motions without any genuine emotions?

    Even so, just hang in there a little longer. Osung Group is a globally renowned Korean conglomerate. A marriage with the son of such a conglomerate can only benefit you.

    I get it, but

    Christine stopped herself, suppressing her irritation. The topic of her marriage had been exhausted long ago. There was no point in revisiting it now. Could her father not see her naivety in seeking a marriage partner for strategic reasons?

    Even if youre not fond of it now, you might develop feelings over time. You might even be close to the point of no return.

    Im not so sure. I find overly neat people somewhat off-putting. They tend to appear perfect to hide their ulterior motives.

    Such suspicions are unwarranted. As a child of Jesus, you still have much to learn.

    Because Im your daughter, right?

    A momentary silence hung between them.

    Alright, what has your fianc been up totely?

    Hes working on a business venture.

    A business venture? Even in a world where the divine and the mundane are intertwined, people cant seem to let go of their earthly desires.

    Youre no exception, Father.

    Im not just anyone; I am chosen by God.

    Do you genuinely believe that this is Gods choice and Gods power?

    A soft glow emanated from Christines hand, casting a warm andforting light. It was the basic skill of a priest, [Heal].

    Ah, indeed, my daughter. Youre a true priest blessed by the grace of angels.

    The grace of angels? Christine was so bewildered that she found herself speechless. She had tried to exin the malevolence of angels many times, but her father remained impervious to her words.

    Alright, does your fianc make good use of his gifts these days?

    Yes

    Whats his level?

    Hes level 29. He consistently ranks in the top two or three in the region.

    He must be quite skilled if he surpasses our Jeffreys level.

    Nathan chuckled with satisfaction.

    Indeed, the preparations for the new business seem to be going well.

    It appears that he ns to create a social market for yers. He mentioned that theunch is just a few days away.

    Well, he certainly has an eye for items, being the son of a conglomerate. Did hee up with this idea himself?

    He didnt do it alone. He had a partner, who imed to be a self-proimed prophet

    A prophet? What do you mean by that?

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 Chapter 91: Christine Craig (2)

    Chapter 91: Christine Craig (2)

    He didnt do it alone. He had a partner, who imed to be a self-proimed prophet

    A prophet? What do you mean by that?

    As if prompted for more details, Christine waved her hand dismissively.

    I cant remember his name, but his partner says hes a self-proimed prophet ss. He said he can see the future. He gave me some information about the 7th round, but Im not sure if its reliable. It all sounds like nonsense.

    He had a friend like that? A prophet

    Nathan wore a contemtive expression.

    In these tumultuous times, theres nothing more enticing than the ability to foresee the future. How about getting closer to this friend?

    I doubt it. Even if he predicts the future, theres no guarantee hes right. He just casually mentioned the danger in the 11th round, but its all vague predictions.

    Id like to meet this so-called prophet.

    You dont need to. Theres no way his prophecies wille true.

    Could it be that Mr. Ma was lying to you?

    I dont think he so, he looked like he believed him. Lucky guess, perhaps? Making vague prophecies like that makes it easy for anyone to get it right.

    Well then, do you not believe in prophecies?

    I dont. Theres no reason for me to be in danger.

    Christines rune was the [Rune of Life]. It allowed her to gain experience points and bonus stats as she healed injured people or saved lives. Thanks to this ability, Christine had been helping people from an early level, allowing her to level up rapidly.

    Furthermore, because yers who hade to recognize the value of a Priest gathered around her, there was hardly any danger.

    It was a situation where dozens of so-called meat shields had gathered around her.

    Dont let your guard down. Isnt it possible that someone among the crowd following you might betray you?

    Dont worry. Dont forget that Im the zone representative.

    With her dominion, no one dared to defy hermands.

    Still, with that dominion, you could be a target at any time.

    But there are more people who want to protect and stay with me than those who might betray. Dont worry about my safety.

    Alright, if you say so. But always be prepared for unexpected situations.

    Yes, Father.

    As Christine left the room, Nathan called Jeffrey, who had been waiting in front of the door.

    Jeffrey.

    Yes, Pastor.

    My daughters fiancs business partner ims to be a prophet. Hes been saying unnecessary things about my daughters life being in danger. Investigate whether hes telling the truth.

    In the name of Jesus Christ, I will carry out yourmand.

    As Jeffrey left, Nathans eyes narrowed.

    Whoever this guy is, hes been needlessly unsettling my daughter with his empty words.

    It was essential to understand his intentions.

    What if the prophecy turns out to be false?

    He would make sure that guy tastes hell sooner orter.

    ***

    After meeting Christine, Ryu Min had also given Russell the same information about the 7th round.

    What? I just need to remember this? Dont be tempted?

    Dont be deceived by temptation.

    Ryu Min recalled his encounter with the chairman and his fianc at that time and couldnt help but smile.

    Everyones reaction is remarkably consistent.

    It wasnt that he didnt want to share information about the 7th round; he simply believed that remembering only those words was enough.

    Theres no need to say more or reveal more. If I do, it could ruin the 7th round.

    As long as they remember not to be tempted, they should easily pass the 7th round.

    A bit early, but I also shared information with Christine about how shell be in danger in the 11th round.

    He had thrown the bait, and all that remained was for them to take it.

    Of course, it wasnt Christines fianc who would save her; it was ck Scythe.

    The reason he hadnt revealed who would save her was that if he mentioned that the ck Scythe would save her, it would undoubtedly make her fianc, jealous.

    Therefore, it was best to hide it for now so as not to ruin the rtionship between Ma Kyung-rok and ck Scythe.

    Once a knot was severed, it was difficult to tie it again.

    To use Ma Kyung-rok, its better to maintain a good rtionship as much as possible.

    Afterward, Ryu Min disappeared for a while.

    Other than shopping and crafting magic stones by looking at items, he didnt do much at home.

    [Created a Low-Grade Green Mana Stone.'']

    [Combination Sessful!]

    [Hermess Feather adds the option Agility +4.]

    Ive infused low-grade mana stones into all my gear.

    Moving up from the low-grade tier, the next step was the intermediate. The fusion process remained consistentsimplybining two low-grade stones.

    The procedure for crafting high-grade mana stones followed the same pattern.

    Even though theres only one low-grade mana stone left for each color, its still beneficial to have them.

    Labeling them as low-grade didnt render them useless. As long as you have a lot of magic stones, you can upgrade them to intermediate or advanced level bybining them as many times as you like.

    In just a few days, yer ce will throw open its doors. As anticipated, a lot of people will flock in, offering a variety of fusion materials, including magic stones.

    This presented an opportunity to sweep up the magic stones en masse, facilitating their progression into high-grade, and, perhaps, even the esteemed top-grade magic stones.

    Furthermore, I must secure the essential ingredients for crafting unique items tailored to my needs.

    The avenue to obtain unique items was diverse, such as killing boss-level monsters or receiving quest rewards.

    Among the options, fusion remains the most straightforward.

    Having the fusion form firmly engraved into his memory, Ryu Min faced noplexity in executing it.

    However, the conundrum lies in the avability of raw materials.

    Upon the impending debut of yer ce, this predicament was set to find a resolution.

    Naturally, its sess hinges on people making use of it.

    Notably, Ma Kyung-rok had delegated responsibility for garnering users to an advertising agency.

    They im to have secretly paid journalists to generate articles, but where are they?

    Ryu Min entered yer ce into his inte search bar, and an array of articles promptly manifested.

    [The First yer Market, Launching on June 11!]

    [A market will be created for yers? The worlds first social market is scheduled to open.]

    [Unwanted items can be directly listed and traded! yer ces grand opening is imminent.]

    Numerous articles chronicled the extent of their engagement with journalists.

    Such efforts had, to all appearances, sessfully culminated in extensive promotion.

    Now, its time to entrust the rest to fate.

    Nheless, prior to this, one final opportunity for promotion beckoned.

    Since it was Sunday, Ryu Min was dressed for going out.

    Ill be stepping out for a moment.

    Sure thing, hyung.

    After going to a ce without CCTV, I put on the feather bristles and cast the skill.

    Invisibility.

    Swish!

    Ryu Mins form seamlessly melded into the surroundings, vanishing instantaneously.

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 Chapter 92: The Opening Ceremony (1)

    Chapter 92: The Opening Ceremony (1)

    Ryu Min, veiled in disguise, made his way to the one-room apartment once upied by Lostyak. Inside, the setup included video chat equipment, and there was no need for him to be discreet, making it his regr Sunday haunt.

    Now, as I put on the assassins mask and transform

    Ryu Mins appearance underwent a mesmerizing shift, and he turned into a wless replica of Lostyak, right down to the paleplexion, rendering his previous form unrecognizable.

    [Lostyak has joined the chat room.]

    He logged into the channel where they convened their regr meetings, but it appeared he was early, as no one else had arrived yet. They seemed to be running a tadte.

    During the slightly tedious wait, Yamti logged in.

    Wee, Yamti.

    Lostyak, youre here early, huh?

    I didnt have much else to do, hehe.

    His voice and even his manner of speaking mirrored Lostyaks  an uncanny resemnce.

    Ive already deciphered the tone Lostyak, Yamti will never notice a thing.

    Or so he thought.

    However, her gaze seemed to wander elsewhere, as if her interest had waned.

    [The Chairman has entered the chat room.]

    Oh, Chairman, youre here?

    Hello, Chairman.

    Greetings, everyone.

    Even as the chairman responded, he wore a bittersweet smile on his face, considering there were only two executives left.

    Lets kick off the meeting. We had decided to choose our executivesst time, right? Lostyak?

    Yes.

    Did wee across any promising candidates among the applicants?

    Ryu Min opened the statistical data on his desktop, which wasnt aplex task, given that all the necessary data and programs were already set up on Lostyaksputer.

    Currently, weve shortlisted 30 candidates, ranked by their level and the zone they excel in.

    No ck Sycthe members among them, I hope?

    Youre correct. If there were, I would have reported it immediately.

    What about other Named members?

    There arent any. I checked, but none of the applicants used the nicknames Heavenly Demon or Idiot Fools.

    Well, in that case, well have to pick executives from those 30 candidates.

    Although there were no Named members akin to ck Sycthe among the applicants, the selected candidates still fell within the upper echelons.

    Yamti, youll be conducting the interviews. Select five executives from those who pass the assassination test.

    Certainly, Chairman.

    Now, onto the next agenda. Theres a member of the National Assembly whos been criticizing yers recently.

    Oh, Ive seen that news. Its Lee Seong-hyun, the National Assembly member, right?

    Well have to discuss what to do with him when we finalize the executives. Hes a legal professional trying to wield thew against our yers.

    Even though hes not a yer himself, he speaks as if he were one.

    Ryu Min chuckled but didnt let it show outwardly.

    The meeting proceeded expeditiously from there.

    Once all the necessary matters were resolved, Ryu Min seized the opportunity to suggest indirectly.

    Have any of you seen the news?

    What news?

    Theres news about a yer-exclusive market opening up. Its set tounch next week.

    Oh, Ive heard about that. I checked out the temporary website thats already open, and it seems promising.

    Really? When itunches, I n to list some items. I have a lot of useless stuff in my inventory

    I should do that too.

    Ryu Min and Yamti spoke with excitement.

    The only one who didnt respond was the chairman, the sole non-yer among them.

    Ryu Min nced at him and spoke.

    Chairman, I have a great idea.

    What is it, Lostyak?

    How about actively encouraging yers to use the yers ce, the open market, as an announcement?

    Why would we do that?

    You might not know, but the number of caf members has been dwindlingtely. We have over ten thousand members, but the rate of new posts is low. In times like these, if we inform them about the existence of an open market where they can trade items

    It could breathe new life into the caf.

    Exactly! As expected of our Chairman! Always on point!

    He yfully teased the chairman, who then pondered the proposal seriously.

    Well, that doesnt sound like a bad idea.

    The chairman agreed.

    Lets go with Lostyaks suggestion.

    As desired, yer Haven Caf is now involved in promoting the site.

    Thank you, Chairman.

    No one noticed, but a subtle smile crept onto the corner of Ryu Mins lips.

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 Chapter 92: The Opening Ceremony (2)

    Chapter 92: The Opening Ceremony (2)

    Finally, the day has arrived.

    The highly anticipated opening day of yers ce was just around the corner.

    Ryu Min, dressed in a sharp suit, gazed at his monitor during the opening ceremony. By his side, Ma Kyung-rok couldnt help but mutter, What do you think Prophet? The opening is almost here. Do you think people will flock to it?

    Ryu Min replied, Well, its hard to say. Well have to see the results.

    Ma Kyung-roks eyes widened at Ryu Mins uncertain response. No, Prophet, weve prepared avish feast for this asion, and now you say that

    Ryu Min exined, Details about the future can change at any moment. The overarching sess of thepany remains unchanged.

    Ma Kyung-rok sighed in relief, Ah right. I panicked for a moment.

    As they conversed, other shareholders began to enter the room. Following Ma Kyung-rok, the next most significant shareholders took their seats, and a formal exchange of greetings ensued.

    Truth be told, they all felt a bit uneasy about this venture since it had been approved with some reluctance during the previous shareholders meeting.

    As Ryu Min looked at them, he could read some of their thoughts:

    They even changed thepany name for no apparent reason.

    One of the shareholders added, Lets see how well it does.

    A touch of discontentment lingered on their faces as they all watched the monitor intently. In just five minutes, the homepage of the Social Market would open, and Kim, a manager known for his skills during the Cheonma Consulting era, was in charge.

    Kim began, The official opening of the yers ce website willmence shortly. I want to thank all of you for being here and provide a brief exnation of the sites opening process

    The five minutes of exnation passed quickly, and it was time to start. Kim announced, Now, we have only 10 seconds left until the opening! 9 seconds! 8 seconds!

    With bated breath, they all counted down together. Each had a different expression, but they shared the same hope for sess.

    Kim continued, The opening has begun! If you look at the traffic and the number of users on the monitor, you can get an idea of the trend, but

    Suddenly, Kim paused and adjusted his sses, leaving everyone in suspense. He stammered, Um, wait this

    No one could find words as they watched the traffic numbers skyrocket. Only Kim managed to speak, his words filled with joy, Its a huge sess! The traffic is skyrocketing!

    The unspoken truth was evident: the numbers were rising rapidly, changing by the thousands in the blink of an eye. In less than five minutes, the sites visitors had exceeded 50,000.

    Ma Kyung-rok, his excitement showing, looked at Ryu Min, Mr. Ryu Min, this is a huge sess.

    Ryu Min agreed, Thats right.

    Despite his calm tone, Ryu Min was genuinely surprised. It wasnt like this before.

    Although he had witnessed several opening ceremonies, this explosive increase in traffic was unprecedented. As the traffic soared past 200,000, the shareholders couldnt help but smile. It was the first time they had seen shareholders smile since attending the opening ceremony.

    Congrattions, sir.

    It seems even better than during the Cheonma Consulting days.

    Haha, thank you. But we still need to keep an eye on it.

    As shareholders praised Ma Kyung-rok, their attention turned to Ryu Min.

    Congrattions. Youve made a big hit, just as you said during the shareholders meeting.

    Now all thats left is for thepany to continue to thrive.

    Thank you for trusting and following along.

    As shareholdersplimented him, Ryu Min smiled warmly.

    Kims voice interrupted the moment, Already, over 1,000 people have applied to register their items for sale!

    As registration requests poured in, the office staff became busy.

    Selling posts areing in!

    Item sales posts flooded in, apanied byments, ratings, purchase requests, and even money transfers. The once-quiet site was now bustling like a lively market.

    Mr. Ryu Min, with this kind of start, we might be able to go public on the KOSPI within six months.

    (T/N: The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or KOSPI)

    Can you tell that just from the first days performance?

    Of course. A skilled person can tell from the start. Its like recognizing a tree by its first leaves. Chairman, as you said, this is a huge sess.

    Chairman, congrattions.

    As shareholders praised him, Ryu Mins smile deepened.

    Ryu Min couldnt help but notice the subtle twitch at the corner of Ma Kyung-roks mouth. Although he tried to maintain hisposure, his expression revealed the joy he couldnt suppress.

    Perhaps if there was no one else here, he would have burst intoughter, Ryu Min thought, turning his gaze back to the monitor.

    The reason he had initially created the Social Market was to make item supply more essible. As the site flourished, it would also contribute to Ryu Mins growth.

    In the process, a rising stock price is just a bonus, he thought.

    As expected, it was garnering tremendous poprity. Ryu Min couldnt help but feel satisfied that his proposed business idea was performing so well.

    As people celebrated while looking at the monitor, Ryu Min spoke prophetically, Mr. Ma, something interesting will happen soon.

    Ma Kyung-rok looked puzzled and asked, What do you mean by that all of a sudden?

    I told the staff to register an item for auction on the day of the opening.

    An auction?

    The yers ce had an auction system where anyone with money in their ount could participate in a 24-hour auction for items.

    So, you secretly put up an auction item? Ma Kyung-rok asked.

    Yes. I thought that having an auction item might pique peoples interest even more.

    I see.

    Of course, Im not donating it. You should consider the proceeds from the auction as mine.

    Of course. But what kind of item did you put up?

    Ryu Min smiled slyly, Youll see when you look at it, Manager Kim.

    Sure!

    Can you please show us the auction progress on the monitor?

    Of course.

    Manager Kim clicked the mouse and disyed the auction page.

    [Blueprint: Minotaurs Armor]

    [Auction in progress]

    [Starting bid: 1 won]

    [Current bid: 1,210,392 won]

    [Time remaining until the auction ends: 23:52:34]

    [The yer with the highest bid at the end of the timer will win the auction.]

    This is the auction status. As you can see, it has already reached 1.21 million won.

    It had climbed significantly in less than ten minutes. But after an hour, the price had exceeded 10 million won, and after three hours, it had crossed 50 million won.

    And the next day

    Ding!

    [Ryu Min, your auction item has been sold to the highest bidder.]

    Upon reading the message, Ryu Min couldnt help but be astonished.

    [Final bid: 1,000,123,912 won]

    The auction price was a staggering 1 billion won.

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 Chapter 93: Rainbow Effect (1)

    Chapter 93: Rainbow Effect (1)

    Blueprints hold undeniable significance.

    .Its more efficient to invest in blueprints with writtenbination forms than to experiment with random items, considering both time andbor saved.

    But is it truly worth the staggering 1 billion?

    Thats not the core issue here,

    Blueprints, in essence, are repositories of information. Crafting items from blueprints necessitates sourcing materials separately.

    In simple terms, you spent 1 billion just to acquire information,

    As a buyer, you must have discerned value in the investment.

    After all, its the first blueprint item, and its touted for its unique armor-crafting potential, making it quite enticing,

    Perhaps they would acquire information through blueprints and profit by sharing it with others.

    Indeed, there were individuals who had thrived through this approach.

    I could potentially sell thebination forms in my head and amass substantial wealth, but

    Theres a straightforward reason they refrained.

    Monopolizing information yields greater gains than selling it,

    Rather than sharing limited materials by selling information, monopolize the ingredients yourself.

    Selling items crafted from blueprints would be a more profitable endeavor,

    However, Ryu Min has no intention of going through the trouble of making and selling items.

    His goal was simply to create the items he needed.

    With an abundance of wealth at his disposal, there was no need for him to do otherwise.

    Especially when stock prices are on the rise,

    In any case, he was content with the 1 billion windfall when a phone call interrupted his thoughts.

    The caller ID revealed Ma Kyung-rok.

    Yes, Mr. President, Ryu Min answered.

    Prophet! Have you seen the winning bid at the auction? Ma Kyung-roks voice was filled with excitement.

    Yes, I have, Ryu Min replied calmly.

    Unbelievable, 1 billion in just one day. I didnt expect it to reach such heights, Ma Kyung-rok marveled.

    Do you know who the buyer is? With that kind of wealth, they might have some connection with you, Mr. President, Ryu Min inquired.

    Thats correct. I found out that the buyer shares the same name as the eldest son of Hancheol Groups chairman. Well, were not close, I just know his name, Ma Kyung-rok rified.

    Is that so? Ryu Min replied thoughtfully.

    And I did some research. About 10,000 people bid within 24 hours, just as you predicted. It seems to have certainly captured the attention, as the website traffic significantly dropped right after the auction item was sold, Ma Kyung-rok revealed.

    Indeed? Should we consider listing another item then? Ryu Min suggested.

    Do you have something else worth listing? Ma Kyung-rok inquired.

    Its an item called Bull Leather, and I thought it might not sell unless I mention that its a material needed for the blueprint I just listed, Ryu Min exined.

    How did you know its needed for the blueprint? Ma Kyung-rok asked, his curiosity piqued.

    I saw it through my prophecy, Ryu Min replied confidently.

    Ah, I see, Ma Kyung-rok acknowledged.

    Anyway, Ill drop by thepanyter to deliver the item, Ryu Min decided.

    Alright. If you give it to Manager Kim, hell take care of it, Ma Kyung-rok assured.

    Being a CEO certainly had its perks, Ryu Min thought. You could delegate the tedious tasks to your employees.

    By the way, where did you get items like blueprints and materials? Ive never seen these items before, Ma Kyung-rok inquired.

    I was surprised too! I just got lucky while hunting monsters, thats all, Ryu Min replied nonchntly.

    ming it on luck was a convenient excuse.

    I noticed that a lot of items have been listed in just one day, Ma Kyung-rok observed.

    Thats right. Currently, there are over 3,000 items registered, Ryu Min confirmed.

    Its going to be challenging with so many sellers, Ma Kyung-rok remarked.

    There are many buyers too. The transaction volume is over 50 deals per hour, Ryu Min revealed.

    Thats true.

    -As a middleman site, have you prepared a n for transactions like we discussed? Ryu Min inquired.

    Of course. As we discussed before, weve diversified transaction methods for user convenience, including face-to-face transactions, courier transactions, and consignment transactions. We provide identity verification and various authentication methods to ensure the safety of transactions between buyers and sellers on our tform, Ma Kyung-rok exined.

    -That sounds promising, Ryu Minmented.

    Certainly, Ma Kyung-rok possessed entrepreneurial qualities as a scion of a conglomerate.

    As I mentioned before, youll make it possible for foreigners to register, right? Ryu Min inquired.

    Yes. Opening it to foreign yers is scheduled for a weekter, but weve already built a system to make it avable to yers worldwide. Weve taken care of customs clearance and all the legal aspects, Ma Kyung-rok assured.

    Well done, Ryu Min acknowledged.

    Currently, there are only 40,000 Korean yers. Limiting customers to Korea alone wouldnt lead to sess. It was better to expand on a global scale.

    To gather materials from all over the world, thats the n.

    First, Ill arrange for the auction proceeds to be sent directly to your ount, Prophet.

    Got it.

    And if you happen to desire any other items, dont hesitate to make purchases as well.

    Yes, I will.

    With a subtle grin, Ryu Min ended the call.

    That was precisely my intention.

    He essed the app, scouring it for any promising items.

    It seems like people have been listing quite a lot, perhaps in need of some cash.

    Over time, equipment that had be unneeded as yers leveled up, as well as magic stones and material items whose uses were unknown, had all found their way to the listings.

    There was a wide variety of items avable.

    Lets start by gathering unique materials.

    He has memorized the unique itembination form required for the Reaper job over and over again.

    Deerwood Roots, Dark Steel Ore, Orcs Canine, Trolls Vertebrae

    Monsters dropped various types of items.

    Even for that insignificant goblin: the goblins rusty dagger, beginner-level equipment items, goblin blood, old leather bag, etc.

    Drops more than five or six different items.

    But how do you know this, you ask?

    Because Ive experienced it firsthand during countless regressions.

    Even when facing the same type of monster, the items they dropped were subject to probability.

    However, some items have low probability.

    This was precisely why it was challenging to decipherbination forms without blueprints.

    Sourcing materials on your own had its limitations.

    And the introduction of a trading function likely stemmed from this need.

    Unlocking at level 40 is probably because thats when yers have amassed a diverse range of items,

    However, most yers had to reach level 40, which involvedpleting nine rounds.

    I cant wait that long.

    Hence, he conceived the idea of a social marketce for yers to utilize.

    If no one else will create it, I will.

    Although practically speaking, Ma Kyung-rok is the one who actually made it.

    Ryu Min ced unique material items into his virtual shopping cart.

    With what Ive gathered, I can probably craft three unique items.

    Ryumin put unique material items in his shopping cart.

    Looking at it all together, I think I can make 3 unique items.

    All materials were purchased through courier delivery.

    The purchase amount was deducted from the cyber currency preloaded on the website.

    Now the seller will send the package to my address.

    Should he receive the items securely, the website would release the payment to the sellers, after deducting amission.

    Even if the wrong package arrived, there was no need to fret, as the website would promptly issue a refund.

    By serving as an intermediary, the website ensures safe and hassle-free transactions.

    Perhaps due to theck of fixed market prices, material costs were not exorbitant.

    Most items were priced at or below 500,000 Korean won.

    When he added them all to his cart, the total cost barely surpassed 5 million won.

    The cost of making three unique items is incredibly cheap.

    Satisfied, Ryu Min proceeded to search for magic stones.

    The lowest-grade magic stones price was 2 million won per piece.

    Well, discovering thebination form for magic stones is rtively straightforward.

    Chances are someone had attemptedbinations of items with matching colors and stumbled upon them.

    They likely recognized its value once they realized it could be embedded in equipment.

    Price isnt an issue when youre swimming in real-world money.

    Ryu Min promptly bought all the magic stones listed.

    All of them were of the lowest grade, and they amounted to over 90 pieces in total.

    Its about 18 million won or so. No problem at all.

    Ryu Min wore a satisfied grin as he confidently pressed the payment button.

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 Chapter 93: Rainbow Effect (2)

    Chapter 93: Rainbow Effect (2)

    Two dayster.

    From the front entrance, he heard his younger brothers exmation.

    Whoa! Hyung, whats all this!?

    Whats going on?

    With an indifferent expression, Ryu Min went outside to inspect the stack of delivery boxes.

    Theyve arrived.

    Did you order all of this?

    Yes.

    What in the world?

    Its nothing. These are items used by yers.

    Oh, is this from that yer-ce marketce thing?

    Yeah. By the way, could you help me move these?

    Sure, hyung.

    Together with his brother, they piled up the delivery boxes neatly in their room.

    ck!

    They closed the door and began opening the boxes one by one.

    The contents were neatly packed into the 105 parcels he had ordered, and they were a perfect match.

    Alright, lets dive into somebinations. Lets start with the surplus of magic stone.

    He began fusing magic stones of the same color, repeatedly, including those he had previously possessed.

    With just 16 lowest-grade magic stones, I can craft one top-tier magic stone.

    The initiallyrge count gradually decreased, and then

    [Combination Sessful!]

    [Youve forged a Highest-Grade Red Magic Stone.]

    [Youve crafted a Highest-Grade Orange Magic Stone.]

    [Youve produced a Highest-Grade Yellow Magic Stone.]

    [Youve shaped a Highest-Grade Purple Magic Stone.]

    Seven top-tier Magic Stones, each in a different color, were now in his possession.

    Great. If now I embed these into each piece of equipment

    Weapons, helmets, armor, gloves, boots, nes, and rings.

    He imnted the Magic Stones into all seven different items.

    [Combination Sessful!]

    [The Damage +16% bonus is added to Deaths Side.]

    [Youve got a Strength +32 bonus on Hermess Feathered Helm.]

    [The Wanderers Linen Clothes now grants a Luck +32 bonus.]

    [The Ring of Resistance is now enhanced with the All Stats +16 bonus.]

    All of his equipment had been adorned with these top-tier Magic Stones.

    Once he put them on, Ryu Mins stats skyrocketed.

    -Strength: 206, Intelligence: 284

    -Agility: 244, Luck: 202

    All of my stats are now above 200, even without the ughter Rune and Bless Buff.

    Ryu Min couldnt help but smile with satisfaction.

    But there was more to it.

    [Youve equipped seven highest-grade Magic Stones of different colors.]

    [The Rainbow Effect buff is now in effect.]

    A subtle, shimmering rainbow hue graced Ryu Mins equipped gear.

    It was visible at certain angles but not overly conspicuous.

    Whats more, the Rainbow Effect wasnt merely a visual upgrade.

    [Due to the Rainbow Effect buff, your resistance to status ailments has increased by 50%.]

    For Ryu Min, status ailments were the most menacing threat.

    With the Rainbow Effect, he could bolster his resistance to them by 50%.

    No wonder Ryu Mins smile remained unwavering; it was indeed a significant gain.

    A 50% resistance boost is incredibly helpful.

    Now, if we factor in Javas ne with 35%, the Ring of Resistance with 35%, and the base resistance of 15% from themon skill

    0.5 x 0.65 x 0.65 x 0.85 = 0.179. I can prevent status ailments with an approximately 82.1% sess rate.

    If it had been a sum operation, it would have already exceeded 100%, but unfortunately, the systems percentage is applied as a multiplication operation.

    Wearing magic stones of different colors indeed offered tremendous benefits.

    But most people wont receive a simr buff. Its not something achievable with regr magic stones.

    The Rainbow Effect activates when you wear the top-tier Magic Stones of each color.

    Lower-grade Magic Stones wont trigger the buff.

    Most people will find it difficult to create even intermediate Magic Stones. Theres a limit to the Magic Stones individuals can obtain.

    Therefore, at this point, aside from Ryu Min, there likely isnt anyone else with top-tier Magic Stones equipped.

    He had monopolized every single Magic Stone.

    Of course, with time, more will be avable.

    People looking to acquire Magic Stones through trade websites would emerge sooner orter.

    But by then, the value of Magic Stones will skyrocket, and scarcity will be an issue.

    Currently, even the lowest-grade ones cost over 2 million won. And thats just for the lowest grade.

    In the future, prices will likely exceed 20 million won.

    Later on, Magic Stones may be as plentiful as beans during a drought.

    Because if you have one, you will think it would be a waste to give them away.

    Being an early bird has its advantages.

    Since he had already created top-tier ones, Ryu Min didnt need Magic Stones for the time being.

    Now, it was time to craft unique items.

    Making unique items is straightforward. You just need to put the main item you want to enhance and the specified materials into the secondary materials.

    It wasnt about creating entirely new items but rather enhancing existing ones.

    However, Ryu Min didnt have immediate ns for it.

    Ive got the materials, but Ill hold off for now. Its more advantageous to enhance high-tier equipment, so the grade of the primary equipment should be higher.

    Currently, Ryu Min is at level 54.

    He would reach level 60 in no time.

    Then my grade will rise to Master and the level of equipment I can buy at the store will also rise. Unique itembinations should be done then.

    It would be a better deal to raise the grade and buy Master-grade equipment from the store for crafting.

    For now, I should focus on securing unique materials in advance. After all, Im not far from reaching level 60.

    During this time, Ryu Min decided to keep checking the app for unique materials whenever he had a moment.

    Once he reached level 60, he could enhance all his items to a unique grade.

    I wonder if any new materials havee up even now.

    With this thought in mind, Ryu Min opened the app to check for any recently added materials.

    However

    Huh?

    As Ryu Min examined the recently added materials, his eyes blinked in disbelief.

    Wait, this this is

    The reason for Ryu Mins astonishment was nothing short of extraordinary.

    These are the materials needed for legendary item crafting, arent they?

    Because there were items posted that were notmonly seen.

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 Chapter 94: Ju Sung-Taek (1)

    Chapter 94: Ju Sung-Taek (1)

    Ryu Mins gaze fixated on an item featured in a sales listing.

    [Fragment of Immortal Skin]

    [Category: Possession]

    [Description: A sliced piece of skin from a creature known as the Immortal.]

    [Seller: dontgo95]

    [Price: 1,000,000 won]

    [Inquiry: Avable]

    [Chat: Avable]

    [Transaction Method: In-person only]

    [Transaction Location: Suwon]

    Undoubtedly, this is the item we need for the Legendary Combination.

    Beyond Unique, the next level was Legendary, yet Ryu Min had initially excluded it for apelling reason.

    And that reason was rather straightforward.

    Obtaining Legendary materials at this early point is impossible.

    Not entirely impossible, but immensely challenging.

    Theres only one ce where obtaining a piece of Immortal skin seems remotely feasible.

    That ce was none other than the 5th round boss, the High Orc.

    The exceedingly rare chance of acquiring the Immortal skin piece upon defeating that powerful boss was widely acknowledged.

    The High Orc was far from an easy boss to conquer, even surpassing the strength of the 6th round boss, the Minotaur.

    But did he really manage to kill the boss and obtain this material through sheer luck?

    Certainly, luck yed a part, but without the skill to match, it remained an unattainable feat.

    So, who might it be? Who possesses the prowess to defeat a High Orc?

    Several names floated through his thoughts.

    Among them, one particr name seemed to linger in his mind.

    Could it possibly be him?

    An individual skilled enough to conquer the High Orc and in possession of the [Rune of the Drop].

    If the person he suspected was indeed the seller, this item might be a bait

    A rather risky one, at that.

    Considering that only in-person transactions are avable I should send a message to find out.

    Before finalizing the purchase, Ryu Min initiated a chat.

    [Buyer: Hello. Are you the one selling the piece of Immortal skin?]

    [Seller: Yes.]

    [Buyer: Youve listed it for 1 million won, and it mentions that inquiries are wee?]

    [Seller: Um, I dont typically offer that, but I can make an exception. Whats your proposed price?]

    [Buyer: 900,000 won. Would that work for you?]

    [Seller: Well, its a bit of a stretch, but alright. Its not that big of a]

    [Buyer: Oh! Nevermind, I misspoke. Can you lower it by 100,000 won? 800,000 won.]

    [Seller:  Are you joking?]

    [Buyer: Why? After all, the price isnt fixed, and honestly, Im not even sure of its utility.]

    [Seller: Then why are you trying to purchase something whose purpose you dont know?]

    [Buyer: I want to experiment with variousbinations. Everyone buys material items for that, right?]

    [Buyer: But my finances arent great right now. Could you offer a discount?]

    [Buyer: Hello?]

    [Buyer: Hello?]

    [Buyer: Why arent you responding?]

    [Seller: Ugh, fine. Ill sell it to you for 800,000 won. But well conduct the transaction in cash. Can youe to Suwon?]

    [Buyer: Of course.]

    [Seller: Can youe to this ce?]

    Upon seeing the address in the chat, Ryu Min couldnt help but crack a smile.

    It seems this might indeed be the person Im thinking of.

    Even with a 200,000 won discount, they still wanted to proceed with the sale. This item was likely just bait.

    If its that psycho guy

    It might be a bit premature for their meeting, but Ryu Min decided to don his coat.

    After all, if he didnt step in, more victims would pile up, and he also needed to secure that Legendary material.

    I should go and have a look, just in case.

    Fortunately, he had the Rainbow Effect buff, which was a relief.

    Well, even without it, I wont be an easy target.

    With a sly grin, Ryu Min confidently left his house.

    * * *

    Ha, the f*ck is wrong with this guy? Haha.

    Ju Sung-taek, who had been engaged in a chat with the buyer, couldnt help but burst intoughter.

    He have the audacity to ask for a 20% discount on what an item that Ive listed for 1 million won?

    Character traits aside, what kind of item was this, anyway?

    This was an item that dropped after defeating the 5th round boss, the High Orc.

    He had struggled mightily to take down the High Orc, thinking he was a goner. Who would have thought that the High Orc was such a strong monster?

    Trying to gulp down an item he had worked so hard to obtain for a mere 800,000 won?

    This guy really wants to meet his end.

    When had it ever been a non-lethal rendezvous?

    Sure, he had been nning to eliminate them anyway, but this individual was different.

    You wont meet a peaceful end if we ever cross paths, you little shi*t

    Ju Sung-taek, gritting his teeth and setting his phone aside, was momentarily taken aback.

    It was because he heard thebored breath of someone on the brink of death beneath him.

    P-please spare me.

    Heh, quite the actor, arent you? Whats this? Youre not dead yet?

    The middle-aged man in his 40s, who had been lying prone, managed to lift his head slightly.

    In his current condition, with his limbs severed, it was the best he could do.

    P-please s-save. me.

    Save me is too informal.

    G-give me a chance. like this. Ugch

    Thud!

    Ju Sung-taeks dagger pierced through the middle-aged mans throat.

    Youre saying some ridiculous things. Tsk. You scared the hell out of me.

    He hadnt known that the man would still be alive even after having his limbs severed.

    In any case, that guy is as good as dead when he shows up.

    It wasnt just talk; if the buyer actually came, hed kill them.

    After all, the item had been bait for that purpose.

    Thats why he had let it go with a 20% discount.

    It wasnt something he intended to sell anyway.

    Why sell it? Do you know how much I suffered to obtain it? If I wanted to sell it, I wouldnt do it for dog food money.

    He didnt know what the item was used for, but it could be used to lure people.

    Why? To lure them?

    Because it was fun.

    No, to be precise, because life had be boring.

    Thats how life is.

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 Chapter 94: Ju Sung-Taek (2)

    Chapter 94: Ju Sung-Taek (2)

    Why? To lure them?

    Because it was fun.

    No, to be precise, because life had be boring.

    Thats how life is.

    Therees a day when boredom strikes so intensely that you want to drop everything.

    Ju Sung-taek had been like that since the second grade of elementary school.

    I thought I was going crazy from boredom.

    Nothing was fun, everything was dull, and nothing was interesting no matter what he did.

    Despite his young age, he had lost all enthusiasm for life.

    Looking back now, it was like a missing screw, a malfunctioning part.

    Even when he reached middle school, it was the same story.

    He tried studying like everyone else, hoping it might get better if he immersed himself in something.

    I never missed being first in ss.

    But even with good grades, nothing changed.

    He received nothing but superficial praise and heightened expectations from his parents.

    Too bored to handle, he hoped that the bullies would torment him, but not even they dared to touch the top student.

    Bullies didnt dare to mess with top students.

    Thats what he thought, but there was a truth that Ju Sung-taek didnt know.

    The bullies didnt leave him alone not because he had good grades.

    It was because of his madness.

    They had seen an unfathomable madness in Ju Sung-taeks eyes.

    Thats what made them avoid him.

    Drip, drip

    As he wiped his dagger clean on the clothes of the dead body, Ju Sung-taek reminisced about the past.

    Hehehe, looking back, those times were really great. Especially when Imitted my first murder.

    The first person Ju Sung-taek killed was his parents.

    Bored with their constant nagging due to his declining grades, he hadshed out.

    Thats when the kitchen knife ended their lives.

    It wasnt intentional. It was just a moment of anger.

    But that moment turned out to be a turning point in his life.

    Ah I cant forget that feeling even now.

    The heart pounding with tension.

    The living room floor stained with blood.

    The feeling of pushing a knife into a persons body.

    That first murder had taught him so much.

    In his moments of extreme boredom, when he felt like he was about to die of it, he found the meaning of life.

    I want more I want to savor this thrill a bit more.

    With that in mind, he voluntarily turned himself in to the police.

    He realized that there was no point in running away in a country full of CCTV cameras.

    In any case, if Im going to get caught, its better to surrender early.

    Instinctively, he knew that it would work in his favor for a reduced sentence.

    He wanted to go to prison quickly and n things properly, to kill people again.

    He wanted to experience the thrill of murder once more.

    Thats why he pretended to regret his crime and framed it as an idental killing.

    Fortunately, Ju Sung-taek had a talent for acting.

    The police, unwaveringly, believed that it wasnt Ju Sung-taeks fault.

    What a bunch of idiots. I clearly killed them, but they believe there was no wrongdoing on my part.

    Heughed it off.

    At first, he had nned to go to prison as part of his sentence reduction strategy.

    But Ju Sung-taek faced an unexpected twist.

    What? Theyre treating me as a juvenile delinquent?

    Back then, anyone under 14 was exempt from criminal prosecution.

    He was sent to a juvenile detention center, ordered topletemunity service, and released under supervision.

    For Ju Sung-taek, who had expected to end up in prison after killing his parents, this was an unexpected stroke of luck.

    This is a breeze, isnt it?

    His streak of luck continued.

    He graduated from school, became an adult, and reached the age of 27 without being caught.

    Despitemitting numerous murders, Ju Sung-taek remained unapprehended.

    Was it because he meticulously nned each murder on an annual basis?

    Or maybe because he selectively chose homeless individuals whose deaths wouldnt raise suspicion?

    In any case, he could kill people and still lead a seemingly normal life, even now.

    Those foolish police. They havent managed to catch me yet.

    However, his luck seemed to run out this year.

    When he was told he had to participate in a survival game where his life was on the line up to Round 20.

    Ju Sung-taek felt unjust.

    If I had known this would happen, I would have killed people to my hearts content and dly gone to prison.

    He had been careful all this time, evading the watchful eyes of the police, and it had be infuriating.

    But.

    It didnt take long for him to realize that life in this new world suited him.

    Is it really that hard to catch these goblins?

    Watching countless people die in Round 1, Ju Sung-taek couldnt understand.

    Stabbing goblins, who were smaller than middle school students, was easier than killing people.

    It also matched his hobbies.

    Its not as fun as killing people, but

    Then, in Round 2, he was lucky enough to be a shaman while hunting.

    Maybe its because of the [Rune of Drops] I received at first?

    The Rune of Drops significantly increased the drop rate of special items.

    The appearance of shaman-specific items might also have been influenced by the rune.

    After that, well, there wasnt anything difficult.

    He didnt miss 2nd or 3rd ce in the previous zones, and he cleared Round 3 without any issues.

    Round 4, where he had to kill people, was even easier.

    For someone who had been a serial killer, it was not a difficult task.

    It was actually quite exciting. Hehe.

    Games that provided stimtion in his ordinary life were enjoyable for Ju Sung-taek.

    He wanted to enjoy them as long as possible, even beyond survival.

    If I clear up to Round 20, Ill make a wish to increase the rounds. Its just so much fun.

    Now, everyday life has be boring.

    If he were to go back to being a regr person, he might not be able to.

    Watching the world fall apart like this is also quite exciting. Keke.

    Perhaps because he had killed so many people, it was no longer about whom to kill but how to kill them in an interesting way.

    What he was currently scheming was part of that n.

    What if I hide the corpse I just killed in a clothing collection bin next to the alley, and the buyer shows up?

    He would detonate the corpse with the [Corpse Explosion] skill.

    After rendering the guy helpless with the [Curse of Terror], he would meticulously chop his arms and legs like slicing up bugs.

    No hard feelings, dude. Just understand that Im doing this for fun.

    Turning away from the corpse, Ju Sung-taek looked at his phone.

    There were three hours left until the agreed-upon time with the buyer.

    Hurry up, you bastard. Ive prepared a gift for you. Keke.

    To introduce a new stimulus, he ced the corpse in a clothing collection bin and used [Erase Trace] on the ground.

    The arms and legs that had been scattered were gone, leaving no trace.

    He waited for three hours with the hope that the guy would fall into the trap.

    Finally.

    Step by step.

    One person entered the alley where the trap was set.

    A wicked smile formed on Ju Sung-taeks lips.

    Bingo.

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 Chapter 95: The Perfect Plan (1)

    Chapter 95: The Perfect n (1)

    The setting couldnt have been more perfect.

    In the midst of Suwons winding alleys, this particr spot was one of the least frequented.

    Even though its broad daylight, there shouldnt be any issues. Because this is a low-traffic time.

    This is the result of a careful observation over the past of few days.

    And I already secured my escape route.

    Just in case there were any unexpected witnesses, he could easily slip away into the two-story building tucked away behind the alley.

    With no CCTV cameras in sight, he could make his exit without anyone taking notice.

    The n is wless.

    As soon as the target got within ten steps, the n was to detonate the hidden body inside the clothing collection bin.

    At that very moment, as the guy stumbles in pain, Ill cast a curse of terror upon him, making him kneel in fear.

    Afterward, finishing the job with a dagger to the throat would be a straightforward affair.

    But I dont intend to end it quickly. Ill y with you as much as possible

    There was a price to pay for crossing him, and he would make sure it was paid off.

    With these thoughts in mind, Ju Sung-taek stood in the alley, eagerly awaiting the buyers approach.

    Yes, just a little closer. Just five more steps.

    Unaware of the impending danger, the buyer continued walking towards them.

    The gap between them was shrinking rapidly.

    Four steps, three steps, two steps Now, just one more step, and!

    Then, an unexpected pause.

    The buyer stopped with just one step to go.

    It was no surprise that Ju Sung-taeks expression twisted in frustration.

    What on earth? Why did he suddenly stop?

    There is a bit of distance between the two to have a conversation.

    Yet, the buyer remained at a distance, shouting loudly.

    Excuse me! Are you the seller?

    Yes, I am.

    What are you doing over there? Arent we going to make a deal?

    Seeing the buyers gestures as if calling him over, Ju Sung-taek couldnt help but be baffled.

    Damn it, if he takes just one more step, hell be within the st radius.

    Despite the buyers signals, Ju Sung-taek couldnt move any closer.

    If I get any closer, Ill be caught in the explosion too.

    The corpses explosion spared no one, friend or foe alike.

    Getting closer was simply not an option.

    Of course, they could abandon the idea of the corpse explosion and opt to approach and cast the Curse of Terror, a simpler method of subduing their target.

    But that would be far too dull.

    Above all else

    Thats not the n I had in mind.

    As per his carefully crafted n, Ju Sung-taeks hesitation stemmed from the fact that things werent going as hed expected.

    What are you doing? Arent youing over?

    Um, would you minding this way? I have a leg injury

    Even though it soundedme, there was no other choice.

    Just one step, just one step closer.

    However, the other party seemed glued to the spot, as if they had glue on their feet.

    It was just a single step.

    Instead, they crossed his arms and wore a displeased expression.

    Oi, do you think anyones without pain in their legs? If it hurts you, it hurts me even more aftering all this way down.

    I have a disability, thats why its hard for me to move.

    He even resorted to an extreme excuse, iming he had a disability.

    A disability? Both your legs look perfectly fine to me.

    The buyer showed no intention of budging.

    That damn guy, does he know what hes doing?

    No, it couldnt be.

    Who would think there was a bomb inside a clothes collection bin?

    They probably didnt even know him or his job as a shaman.

    They likely had no idea that stepping forward just one more time would seal their fate.

    But why wont he just take that step and stop arguing?

    The buyer, still standing and making their difort known, suddenly eximed, You damn jerk! Dont you want to make a deal with me?

    What? Whats going on?

    Youre hesitating, so it must be true. You were trying to lure me in and rob me, right? Thats why you keep insisting Ie inside, isnt it? Right? You damn scumbag.

    It seemed like there was some misunderstanding, but it was incredibly perplexing to listen to.

    When was thest time hed received such a verbalshing in his life?

    Probably not since his military days.

    Ugh, stay calm. Dont get tangled up in this guys pace.

    Ju Sung-taek had to do something to clear up the misunderstanding.

    After all, one more step forward, and everything would be over.

    He could make this guy kneel at his feet.

    Well, you seem to be misunderstanding something. Its not like that at all.

    Its not like that, you damn jerk.

    Youre speaking rather rudely.

    Whether its rude or not, youre still a scumbag. Do you think Id say nice things to a guy who tried to set up a false deal and rob me?

    Ive never lied, okay? Look!

    Feeling unfairly used, Ju Sung-taek reached into his inventory.

    He retrieved the [Fragment of Immortal Skin] he had listed for sale.

    Only then did the other partys confrontational stance start to soften.

    Huh? You actually have it?

    Internally, Ju Sung-taek couldnt help but let out a sigh of relief.

    Good. With this, I can lure that guy toe closer

    But something was amiss.

    Just moments ago, the buyer had been cursing and suddenly, they were smiling amiably?

    Whats going on? Why is this guyughing all of a sudden?

    In that instant, it felt as if a gust of wind had passed, and then, sensation vanished from his arm.

    Huh?

    His arm, the one holding the material item, was now lying beneath Ju Sung-taeks foot.

    Ahh!

    Dyed by the pain that surged in, Ju Sung-taeks mind suddenly cleared.

    When did When did he get this close? There was quite a distance just a while ago, wasnt there?

    Turning his head, he saw the person with a weapon in hand.

    And when he turned back, the smiling figure was still there.

    T-Two?

    Utterly bewildered, he looked back and forth between the two identical individuals in matching clothes and appearances.

    Youre trying to say there are two of them? No, its just one.

    Hearing these words, Ju Sung-taek looked back and saw that the person who had been there earlier had disappeared in the blink of an eye.

    All that remained was the guy holding the weapon.

    It was like witnessing a ghost.

    In reality, he used a clone to divert his attention, but Ju Sung-taek had no way of knowing that.

    What happened?

    Do I need to exin that too?

    With a smirk, the person casually picked up the material item that had fallen from Ju Sung-taeks severed arm and ced it in their inventory as if it were their own.

    Ju Sung-taek was left speechless, unable toprehend what was happening.

    This this damn bastard!

    Ju Sungtaek shouted btedly and used the [Curse of Terror] on the person.

    The Curse of Terror.

    It was the first skill shamans learned when they advanced, a skill that instilled fear in the opponent.

    Ju Sung-taek had easily subdued most of his enemies using this skill.

    As soon as he cast the curse, the target would shiver in fear without fail.

    Why wouldnt the guy in front of him be any different?

    But something unexpected happened.

    [The opponent resisted the fear.]

    [Failed to cast the Curse of Terror.]

    What? A failure?

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 Chapter 95: The Perfect Plan (2)

    Chapter 95: The Perfect n (2)

    [The opponent resisted the fear.]

    [Failed to cast the Curse of Terror.]

    What? A failure?

    Ju Sung-taek wondered if he had seen it wrong.

    It was a message he had never seen once in the six rounds he had yed.

    Dont be surprised. With an 18% sess rate, its only natural for it to fail most of the time.

    What are you?

    Before he could question further, he was struck on the chin with a punch.

    Argh!

    His teeth flew out as he staggered back, blood spurting.

    He had nearly reached a near-death state, but

    Shaaa

    A warm sensation enveloped him, and both internal and external injuries healedpletely.

    What What just happened?

    I healed you.

    The other person spoke indifferently.

    I wanted to beat you up a bit more.

    Punch!

    Before he could even turn his head back, the next punchnded.

    Pak! Crunch! Punch!

    A series of one-two punches made him stagger backward, and he copsed.

    Shaaa

    He nearly lost consciousness, but the pain faded, and he recovered once again.

    This This F*cking Bastard!!!

    Ju Sung-taek, who had no idea why this was happening, was getting beaten by the other person again and again.

    Despite having a weapon, he was beaten by him with his fists alone.

    Damn it If I could only use the Curse of Terror

    The cooldown for the Curse of Terror was one minute.

    Despite enduring countless beatings, it seemed he still couldnt use his power. It was clear that the time hadnte yet.

    Just one more minute, damn it, he muttered under his breath.

    But even moments that feel like they wouldst forever eventually pass. For Ju Sung-taek, who had held on for so long, an opportunity finally arose.

    [Cooldown for the Curse of Terror has reset.]

    Youre finished, you damn bastard.

    Although he had narrowly escaped the curse earlier, this time

    Thud! Thud!

    Whats happening?

    Ju Sung-taek was momentarily blinded, disoriented by the overwhelming pain surging from his eyes.

    Ah, ah!

    Your parents, who brought a dirty bastard like you into the world, must be shedding blood tears of despair in the afterlife, just like you are now.

    Ugh You son of a bitch!

    Whip! Whip!

    Desperate to counterattack, he drew his dagger and swung it wildly, butnding a blow without vision was near impossible.

    How dare you fool me?

    Thwack!

    Ju Sung-taek was sent sprawling by a kick from his foe.

    Though his vision was gone, he could still sense his surroundings.

    Did that guy deliberately poke my eyes during the cooldown? Nah, couldnt be.

    Could his opponent possibly know that eye contact was required to use the Curse of Terror? More likely, it was just a lucky hit.

    Damn it, it hurts. it hurts You bastard! What should I do?

    Blinded and missing an arm, hed have been dead by now if his opponent hadnt employed some method to heal him.

    Is there truly no way to defeat this guy?

    Then, a single idea sprang to mind.

    Didnt he still have one more skill?

    That bastard. He underestimated me too much.

    Even if he perished, hed take that guy down with him. With unwavering resolve, he activated his skill.

    He wasnt sure if it would work, but

    Its either die, or

    [Corpse Explosion]

    Die.

    Kwaaang!

    * * *

    As the explosion rocked the alley, nearby merchants rushed to the scene.

    What Whats happening?

    Wow, look over there!

    They saw charred marks, shattered clothing collection bins, and bits of flesh scattered about.

    Those who quickly reported it to the police were unaware that someone had been watching them from afar.

    Phew, I almost met my end because of this bastard.

    Ryu Min, who had taken refuge inside the two-story building, nced at the unconscious Ju Sung-taek in one corner.

    You crazy bastard. You cant even see whats in front of you and youre using Corpse Explosion.

    If it werent for Ryu Mins ability to read thoughts, both of them could have easily be mere pieces of flesh.

    Sure, hes a scumbag deserving of death a hundredfold, but

    Ryu Min still didnt have the heart to end Ju Sung-taeks life yet.

    If that were the case, he would have swiftly grabbed the materials, cut his neck, and disappeared.

    Hes a psychopath, but theres a way to make use of him. The rune he possesses for item drops is quite valuable.

    Ju Sung-taeks in-game nickname was Dumb Idiot, just like Ma Kyung-rok, also known as Heavenly Demon, who vied for the 2nd and 3rd spots in the previous zone rankings.

    However, teaming up with a serial killer posed a problem.

    I dont intend to take him all the way to Round 20, but I can utilize him to help defeat the boss before then.

    The drop rune, as its name suggested, significantly boosted item drop rates.

    It was especially effective at increasing the chances of boss-level creatures dropping special items by tenfold.

    So, if the base drop rate is 10%, this rune turns it into an incredible 100%.

    Thats how he managed to extract legendary materials from the High Orc earlier.

    If I use his rune wisely, it could prove beneficial.

    After all, hadnt he already listed legendary materials on the PPL Market?

    Given his skills, he was bound to offer even more valuable materials in the future.

    The issue lies in him being a serial killer

    Leaving him as he was felt ethically troubling, considering he could potentially harm innocent people.

    However, that doesnt mean theres no solution.

    Ryu Min took out a sword.

    There was no need to give him a reason to track him down by using the scythe.

    Shtick!

    Since one arm had already been severed, he went ahead and removed one of Ju Sung-taeks legs.

    Then, he applied first aid with only one arm and one leg remaining.

    The wounds healed, and the stumps became smooth.

    I used it on his eyes, so when he awakens, his vision should return.

    However, he couldnt reattach the severed limbs.

    Ju Sung-taek was now missing one arm and one leg.

    By making his real body disabled, he wont be able tomit murder recklessly. Anyway, what I need is a body in the other world capable of gathering items.

    Even if he turned Ju Sung-taek into a disabled individual, his avatar in the other world would remain unaffected.

    Now I can depart without concerns.

    Of course, since he saw my face, hell probably attempt revenge when he wakes up

    There was no issue with that. The face Ryu Min had revealed belonged to the deceased Hwang Yongmin.

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 Chapter 96: Anger (1)

    Chapter 96: Anger (1)

    Ugh.

    Ju Sung-taeks eyes fluttered open as he regained consciousness, his senses slowly returning to him.

    His vision went from a blurry haze to a clear focus.

    Whats going on? Was that all just a dream?

    Strangely, there was no pain, just a sense of awakening from a deep slumber.

    What a f*cking dream man, that sh*t was so real

    In that dream, he had attempted to murder a buyer but ended up on the receiving end of a brutal retaliation.

    It was a terrifying experience to face an opponent who was immune to his fear skill.

    Well, it doesnt matter, it was just a dream, right?

    Ju Sung-taek shook his head, trying to shake off these bad scenes, and began to assess his surroundings.

    The ce looked oddly familiar.

    Where am I?

    To his surprise, he found himself inside the second-floor building he had prepared as his escape route.

    Ugh? So, it wasnt all a dream?

    He attempted to stand up, cing his hand on the floor.

    Huh? Wheres my arm??!

    It all came rushing back to him.

    That buyer cut off my arm.

    But his loss extended beyond just his arm.

    Ugh, f*ck my leg!

    Even his leg was gone.

    Confusion, frustration, anger, and an overwhelming sense of emptiness washed over him all at once.

    He desperately wanted to scream, but it felt like his throat was blocked.

    Where are you? Where are you, you damn bastard!

    He confirmed that this was no dream. It was painfully real.

    His anger surged beyond words, filling the void left by his lost limbs.

    Where are you! You miserable, f*cking insect-like scumbag!

    He frantically searched for the person who had reduced him to this state.

    There was no doubt about the identity of the offender.

    Buyer, you bastard! I wouldnt mind tearing you apart! Get Out!

    Ju Sungtak tried to get up with bloodshot eyes.

    But due to the missing leg, even that was not easy.

    Did this damn son of a b*eeetch make me like this? Ill definitely kill

    At that moment, Ju Sungtaks eyes fell on a neatly folded piece of paper on the ground.

    When he unfolded it, he found a lengthy letter written in dense handwriting.

    [Your name is Ju Sung-taek, right? I checked your ID. Your address is written on the back.

    Do you really think its my fault that you lost your leg? Thats your doing, you bastard.

    Why did you hide a bomb in the clothing collection bin? Were you trying to kill me with that?

    Honestly, I was so pissed that I wanted to kill you, but since youre missing both arms and legs, Im just letting you live.

    Who in the world treats the guy who was trying to rob them and even gives them medical treatment? Consider yourself lucky.

    Live a good life instead of trying to rob people. I know your name and address, so dont cause trouble for no reason. If you do, youll really die.]

    W-what is this?

    It was clear that the buyer was the one who wrote this letter.

    However

    What happened to my leg is the result of the body explosion?

    Suddenly, a wave of helplessness washed over him.

    To fall into his own trap, it was a bitter realization.

    He couldnt me anyone else, and it was far from an ideal situation.

    But does this guy usually carry paper and a pen? Leaving a letter behind?

    Muttering in disbelief, he searched his pockets.

    Uh, its gone. My wallet!

    His wallet, containing his ID, had disappeared.

    Damn it, my entire savings were in there!

    He took away up to 300,000 won in cash.

    Asking people to live a good life then he robs others?!!

    This scumbag. He must have thought I was a joke, huh?

    Even if he med himself for his missing leg, it was evident that the buyer was responsible for his missing arm.

    He had more than enough reason to bear a grudge.

    Not only did the buyer take his item and wallet, but he also took away his arm and leg!

    Ju Sung-taek couldnt let go of his anger and frustration.

    Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it!

    He shouted so loudly that it echoed through the building, yet it couldnt fill the void left by his missing limbs.

    Ill kill him. Ill definitely kill him, even if I lose my life trying to!

    He remembered every detail about the buyerhis face, build, and voice.

    While the buyer was undoubtedly strong, Ju Sung-taek was confident he could win in a rematch.

    If only the body explosion had struck him

    Ju Sung-taek thought he had lost due to bad luck, and as he attempted to take a single step, he lost his bnce and fell.

    Thud-

    Damn it.

    Setting aside his pride, he limped out of the building, unaware that the person he had been searching for was invisibly watching his every move.

    Ryu Min couldnt help but smile as he read Ju Sung-taeks thoughts from behind.

    It looks like hes nning to get back at me, just as I expected.

    After all, severing someones limbs tends to brew resentment.

    But realistically, what can he do in his current state?

    Could he seek revenge when he could hardly walk, especially when his opponent is Ryu Min?

    Theres no way hed stand a chance if we were to face off again.

    Could he have won if he had utilized the body explosion technique more effectively?

    Honestly, I wasnt even bothered by that weak skill.

    While the Fear Curse could be considered a potential threat, it didnt appear overly menacing.

    After all, I have an 82% resistance to it.

    The fact that the Fear curse was nullified earlier was due to this resistance.

    Well, its not 100%, so I could have been unlucky.

    But he wasnt overly concerned.

    Resistance reduces the duration of the Fear curse by the same percentage.

    Normally, the Fear cursested for 5 seconds. With an 82% resistance, it would onlyst for 0.9 seconds. In other words, even if he had an 18% chance of being affected by fear, it would onlyst for about a second.

    One second is enough to lose a life, but not in front of this guy, he was so careless.

    This was why Ryu Min confidently faced the Fear curse. Even if he were affected by fear, it would likely dissipate with just a casual Huh?

    Anyway, despite reaching this point, he still wants to take revenge on me. Hes got some spirit.

    Though Ryu Min met him as Hwang Yongmin, there was no way for Ju Sung-taek toe after him.

    With that desire for revenge, he would make a name of himself. If he has any items, he would immediately list them on the market. This will benefit me too. He may not be in the best physical condition, but he still needs to earn a living, right?

    Ryu Min chuckled as he watched Ju Sung-taek struggling to move with his unsteady gait.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 96: Anger (2)

    Chapter 96: Anger (2)

    Before the start of the 7th round, Ryu Min and Min Juri sat down for a meal.

    Isnt the food here at this Korean restaurant delicious?

    Yeah, its the best Ive had!

    Im d you like it. Letse here often.

    Often?

    There wasnt any deeper meaning to Ryu Mins words, but Min Juri seemed to interpret them differently, contemting their significance.

    Ryu Min quickly rified, Not often, just asionally.

    Oh, I see. I see

    Min Juri appeared somewhat disappointed.

    By the way, Min, youve seemed busytely, havent you? Every time we talk, you say well meetter.

    Oh, theres been some stuff.

    Ryu Min brushed it off casually. He indeed had been busy, attending Heaven Caf meetings every weekend and yer ce meetings as the top executive. Additionally, he had to be vignt about being tailed.

    Ryu Min knew that even at this moment, there were eyes watching him. He had already identified the person.

    Jeffrey Bishop, a level 28 assassin. And the mastermind behind it all is Nathan Watson, Christines father.

    At first, Ryu Min didnt realize he was being followed. But he eventually figured it out using his Perception skill, as someone had been tracking him for several days.

    However, they didnt show themselves. That means

    They had the Invisibility skill. There was no other exnation.

    The question is, why are they tailing me?

    It wasnt too difficult to figure that out. In fact, tailing the tailer was the way to go.

    I dont think theyve learned the Perception skill. If they had, I wouldnt have been able to follow him.

    If he had known that Invisibility can be detected by the Perception skill, he would have followed from a distance in the first ce.

    Not so closely and openly as hes doing right now.

    It was information that could be known if he thought about it a little.

    With that in mind, Ryu Min followed the trailer in reverse and waited for the invisibility to be lifted.

    And I found out. The person tailing me is a foreigner, and this was orchestrated by Christines father, Nathan Watson.

    He could also discern their intentions by reading their thoughts. It wasnt for assassination or some other grand purpose, but simply for information gathering.

    Christine must have told her father about me. Thats why Nathan felt ufortable.

    He understood. Imagine if someone predicted that your daughter would die in the 11th round.

    Even Ryu Min, like anyone else, would want to confirm the truth by visiting the fortune teller.

    Well, unless they reveal their purpose, theres no reason to confront them. Just let them keep tailing you. In their eyes, youll appear as an ordinary executive, shuttling between yourpany and home.

    Despite having weekendmitments to Heaven Caf meetings, he was confident he wouldnt be exposed as long as he knew about the tailing.

    But, Min, about the 7th round information you told mest time.

    What about it?

    Is that all? I just need to remember these words?

    Yeah. Just remember that.

    From Ma Kyungrok to An Sangcheol, Seo Arin, Russell, Christine, and Min Juri, Ryu Min shared the same information with all of them.

    All you needed to know about the 7th round was that one thing.

    Sharing more information than that would be unnecessary.

    You might wonder why he doesnt reveal the quests, but it cant be helped.

    If I reveal the quest, theyll be eliminated from the round.

    Elimination meant extinction.

    Its better to save as many people as possible. I need at least five people to make it to the final round.

    Of course, only those worth saving should be saved.

    Juri.

    Yeah?

    Lets survive until the final round.

    It was an unexpected statement, but Min Juri shyly responded with a smile.

    Yeah

    * * *

    Midnight on July 1, 2022.

    The 7th round had begun.

    The yers summoned to the meadow were bustling around.

    There were fewer people summoned than expected.

    [Hello, everyone! Have you been well for the past month?]

    Prisci spoke with a cheerful smile, but the yers remained silent.

    In a game where people died one after another every round, there was no way anyone would feel favorably toward an angel.

    [There are 434 survivors this time, right? As you can see, there are too few humans, so the game wont work, right? Thats why were going to proceed with area integration again. Right now.]

    As soon as the angels words ended, the ground shook.

    Drrrrrrrrr-

    The process of integrating ten areas was still fascinating to watch.

    It was like the process of fitting together puzzle pieces with perfect precision.

    Perhaps thats why the yers didnt react with surprise but rather looked at it with fascination.

    Seeing it once before made it easier to adapt.

    [Weve integrated 10 areas. The total number of people is 4,922, and the new areas name is C2-ESKA003. As you can see, youre all Koreans, so theres no need to be on guard.]

    The yers nodded in agreement with the friendly exnation, albeit briefly.

    [Now, before we start the round, we need to choose area representatives, right?]

    Once again, the representatives of the areas, who realized that they had to kill each other, frowned.

    Except for Ryu Min, of course.

    Of course, theres a representative selection match this time.

    Every time the areas were integrated, it felt like an annual event.

    This time, I have to be the area representative for sure.

    Actually, Ryu Min even wanted to be an area representative, but he couldnt miss it this time.

    The reward was tremendous.

    It allows you to use the authority of the area representative in the real world.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 97: Round 7 Begins (1)

    Chapter 97: Round 7 Begins (1)

    Dominance, a temporary skill, grants the yer the power to enforcemands on other yers.

    However, ites with its limitations: only 10 uses are allowed, and it applies exclusively to other yers.

    The most critical drawback is its exclusive usability in the otherworld, rendering it ineffective in reality. In fact, its not even registered in the status screen in the real world.

    Its only listed in the skill window when you hold the position of area representative in the otherworld. Once you return to reality, the dominion disappears.

    Could it be because Im not an area representative in reality?

    This time, as a reward for the winner of the Representative Selection Tournament, the winner would gain the ability to employ Dominance only once in the real world.

    Its an opportunity I absolutely cannot afford to miss.

    However, Ryu Mins focus extended beyond this sole objective.

    In this round, well also receive a rune as a subquest reward. Its essential for me to dominate yer Haven Caf.

    Currently, among the cafs executives, only Yamti is a yer. To counter Yamtis abilities, obtaining this rune was a necessity. Furthermore, it was one of the 18 runes ssified as essential.

    In this round, there are two must-have rewards: the Unified Representative title and the subquest rune. I must obtain both at any cost.

    He was well-prepared to achieve this goal, having madeprehensive preparations to conquer the round.

    [Its time to select our representative. Wait for a moment while we discuss the procedure.]

    Prisci, the one who proposed the discussion, gracefully flew towards the gathering of angels.

    [You arrived?]

    [Prisci, hello,]

    [Elphir, hello,]

    [Sophia, hello,]

    The ten angels united, within the unified zone, exchanged formal greetings. It was now the moment to appoint a guide to lead them in this newly unified domain. However, the angels seemed more inclined to delegate the responsibility than to assume it.

    Who would like to volunteer for the role? Anyone willing?

    What a ridiculous question. Honestly, where would like to be troubled with such a task?

    We cant rule it out entirely. There might be an angel who enjoys volunteering,

    A remote possibility,

    By the way, Prisci, I heard you had an interesting time with Oliverst time,

    Yes, I heard about that. It was a kings game, right?

    Indeed, if a human from their designated area wins, they can dere themselves a king,

    Why dont we give it a try again this time?

    That does sound entertaining,

    Prisci couldnt help but be pleased with the angels consensus. After all, their designated area had the strongest yer, ck Scythe.

    This is my chance to im the throne!

    So, for the representative selection, well opt for the most basic deathmatch

    Wait a moment. That wont work. You guys have ck Scythe in your area,

    Huh?

    Oh, we knew that. Hehe, we all heard it,

    The ck Scythe is the only human who has surpassed level 50, right?

    If we go with a deathmatch, Prisci will undoubtedly be the king,

    But that would be an unfair game,

    Why should we seize the throne through force? Tsk!

    Prisci, who had secretly hoped to seize the opportunity, was disheartened.

    So, what should we do? Any other good suggestions?

    A strength-based game wont work with the ck Scythe in the picture,

    Indeed. It might be better to have a game where the first human toplete the seventh round wins,

    Oh, that sounds reasonable,

    Besides, the seventh round is unrted to physical strength,

    The angels reached a consensus on this suggestion, with Prisci being the only exception.

    Prisci, what are your thoughts?

    W-Well, it seems fair, Prisci reluctantly admitted.

    She may have had reservations, but there was no solid reason for her to oppose this n. After all, the seventh-round quest did not hinge on strength.

    Darn it, I thought I could seize the throne this time Priscis inner doubts began to surface.

    Perhaps, this time, ck Scythe wouldnt secure the first ce.

    This might be the first time our records get shattered, other angels shared simr concerns.

    If passing the seventh round is the condition, its worth a shot. Haha,

    Even though hes a ck Scythe, the seventh round is beyond his reach,

    Priscis dejected expression gave the angels a glimmer of hope. They, too, saw the possibility of iming the throne for themselves.

    And if they were to be king, they had already pondered whom he might target.

    Oh yeah, by the way, Prisci? Im sorry, but until the seventh round is over, youll have to continue managing the area.

    Even if it means doing it reluctantly, youve got to go through with it. Heh.

    Unbeknownst to the angels who had already huddled together behind her, Prisci returned to the humans side.

    [After discussions among the angels, weve settled on the method for selecting the representative. It wont be a deathmatch this time, unlike the previous round. The area representative who is the first toplete the 7-round quest will be the unified representative.]

    Oh, its not a deathmatch?

    Whew.

    A sigh of relief escaped from all the area representatives. If they had to face off against the ck Scythe, they would undoubtedly be powerless.

    So, the area representative who finishes the quest first bes the representative Does that mean I have a chance?

    Even though they didnt yet know the specifics of the quest, they believed it had to be better than a deathmatch.

    [As an additional incentive for bing the unified representative this time, well grant one secret reward. Of course, this is a secret that will only be revealed to the human who bes the unified representative.]

    They referred to it as a secret, but Ryu Min was already aware of the reward.

    [Alright, lets announce the 7-round quest!]

    A quest window appeared shortly after, and everyone stared at it with keen interest.

    ROUND 7

    ??? ?? ???? ????

    [All Areas]

    Participants: 6,927,066

    Achievers: 0/3,463,533

    [Specific Area C2-ESKA003]

    Participants: 4,922

    Achievers: 0/2,461

    The quest content was concealed behind question marks.

    Angel, is there an error in the system?

    The quest is marked with question marks.

    [Its not an error. The 7-round quest is ssified as hidden.]

    Contrary to Priscisposed exnation, the people looked puzzled.

    Hidden

    How are we supposed toplete it if we dont know what it is?

    [Theres no further exnation. Thats it.]

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 Chapter 97: Round 7 Begins (2)

    Chapter 97: Round 7 Begins (2)

    [Theres no further exnation. Thats it.]

    Prisci disappeared coldly along with the other angels, leaving the people looking disheartened, like abandoned stray dogs, as they gazed at the angels retreating backs.

    What are we supposed to do if we dont even know the quest?

    Are they just leaving us in the dark?

    They have no consideration, seriously.

    Murmuring their grievances, they had no other options.

    During that gloomy moment, a message appeared before everyones eyes.

    [Time Remaining Until Round End: 01:59:59]

    Huh? Theres a time limit?

    Whats going on? Do we just wait?

    Having a time limit might mean we need to do something during that time, right?

    Damn it, are we supposed to figure out the quest on our own now?

    While people grumbled, there was no alternative.

    Time will continue to flow, and when the time limit ends, nobody knows what will happen.

    They had to do something, anything.

    Its probably a quest to defeat monsters.

    If we wander around, we mighte across something.

    That area over there looks suspicious; lets check it out!

    People began to scatter. Some walked wherever their feet took them, while others ventured into the seemingly peculiar forest on the other side. However, about half of them stood still, unsure of what to do.

    They didnt know what to do.

    At that moment, a group approached Ryu Min.

    It was An Sang-cheol, Seo Arin, Heo Taeseok, and Min Juri, who had formed a party during the previous 6th round.

    ck Scythe, youre here? An Sang-cheol greeted.

    Why are you alling together? Ryu Min asked.

    Oh, we happened to run into each other nearby.

    Its nice to meet again like this. Hehe.

    The four of them had be somewhat familiar with each other.

    Did they get close because they partied together?

    It wasnt a bad situation. After all, these four were allies Ryu Min had to nurture. If they got along, it wouldnt be a bad thing.

    Hey, ck Scythe? Its about the 7-round quest. Do you have any idea what it could be? Any guesses?

    An Sang-cheol asked Ryu Min.

    Why are you asking me?

    Oh, if its ufortable, Im sorry. Its just that I thought, with your insight as the ck Scythe, you might have some idea

    An embarrassed An Sang-cheol was met with a blunt response from Ryu Min.

    The quest is hidden, so what can I do? Im in the same boat as you guys.

    Oh, I see.

    An expression of mild disappointment on An Sang-cheols face was reced by a subtle smile.

    It was a look that conveyed his relief at finally being able to assist the ck Scythe.

    So, ck Scythe, would you like me to share some information about the 7th round?

    How do you know about the 7th round?

    I heard about it from a real-world prophet.

    A prophet?

    Ryu Min furrowed his brow.

    Last time, they concealed it. Now, hes openly talking about the prophet like this.

    Had he been naive to think he could trust them?

    With this thought in mind, he stared at An Sang-cheol, stumbling over his words.

    Why, why are you looking at me like that?

    No, but you mentioned prophet. It sounds absurd.

    Its true. I have a friend whos a prophet. Ive already received their help several times. Isnt that right, Seo Arin?

    Yes? Oh, yes.

    Seo Arin too?

    One more person who couldnt be trusted had been added to the mix.

    Hey, what are you two talking about? A prophet?

    Heo Taeseok asked with a puzzled expression, while Min Juri remained silent.

    Min Juri seems quite surprised internally. She seems to doubt that the prophet she thought only she knew about might be Ryu Min.

    Ryu Min sighed inwardly as he observed their reactions.

    The situation had be quite troublesome.

    He wanted to silence An Sang-cheol immediately, but he didnt have a good reason to do so.

    ck Scythe, Ill tell you about the 7th round information. Ill tell you without any cost. How about that? Will you listen?

    .

    After some contemtion, Ryu Min finally nodded.

    Alright. Im not sure if its trustworthy, but Ill listen for now. Were in a situation where we have to catch even a straw.

    Dont worry. The prophecy has never been wrong.

    With that said, An Sang-cheol conveyed the prophecy he had received.

    As the prophet said, dont be tempted. Just remember this when tackling the 7th round.

    What are you talking about? Temptation?

    Heo Taeseok asked, but An Sang-cheol simply nodded quietly.

    I dont know the details.

    Uhm, excuse me, An Sang-cheol?

    Min Juri, with a bewildered expression, approached.

    Is the person you mentioned as a prophet named Ryu Min?

    .!

    This time, An Sang-cheol was the one taken aback.

    Seo Arin was the same.

    Heo Taeseok, who didnt understand the situation, alternately looked at the two of them.

    Ugh, damn it.

    Ryu Min, who had witnessed the entire situation, sighed inwardly.

    The existence and identity of the prophet had been shared by the four of them.

    Well, it shouldnt be a problem as long as my identity as the ck Scythe isnt revealed.

    It was a frustrating situation, but Ryu Min held back.

    For now, it might be better to scatter the four of them in different directions.

    If the prophets wordse true, dont be tempted. It might not be a bad idea to remember that for now.

    It mighte true. Just remember those words.

    After Ryu Min nodded, he said to the four of them.

    For now, its best to split up and gather more detailed information.

    Split up, you say?

    As we move around, we mighte across new quests or information.

    But why do we have to do that when we dont even know if its a party quest?

    Ryu Min stared at him coldly upon hearing these words.

    An Sang-cheol swallowed his irritation at the cold tone.

    There was no way Ryu Min would look favorably upon him for causing trouble.

    Uh, okay. I understand. Lets handle the 7th round individually then. ck Scythe, good luck! See you next time.

    After bowing their heads, An Sang-cheol and Seo Arin disappeared.

    Heo Taeseok also hesitated for a moment and then awkwardly bowed his head.

    Uh, Ill, uh, go

    Now, only Min Juri remained by Ryu Mins side.

    You can go too.

    Oh, I see. Okay then

    Although she seemed reluctant to part, Min Juri eventually left.

    Alone, Ryu Min heaved a sigh.

    This situation has be quite troublesome.

    As he pondered for about five minutes, he suddenly heard a sharp scream piercing through the air.

    Aaaargh!

    Somewhere, a sharp scream resounded in his ears.

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 Chapter 98: Betrayal (1)

    Chapter 98: Betrayal (1)

    Ryu Min wasted no time, sprinting toward the direction from which the piercing scream had echoed. But what he encountered there was nothing short of shocking.

    Mi, Min Juri?

    Min Juriy sprawled on the ground, clutching her stomach, blood seeping through her fingers, staining the ground crimson.

    With an unusual fervor in his expression, Ryu Min hurried over to her.

    Democracy! What in the world happened?!

    She struggled to speak, her voice trembling. B-ck Scythe no, Min please, help me.

    Ryu Min was taken aback.

    She knows about my true identity?

    How had this revtione about? He hadnt detected even the slightest hint of this when he delved into her thoughts.

    As her pupils quivered, Min Juri continued in a feeble voice.

    Min Ryu Min. Youre Ryu Min, right?

    My true identity how did you find out?

    Of course you know, dont you? Why pretend? Im no youre my love no matter how hard you tried to conceal it, it was painfully obvious

    So, youve known all along and pretended otherwise?

    Min Juri nodded, her strength waning.

    I knew pretending all this time was unbearable

    Setting that aside, what happened to you? Who did this to you? Tell me.

    Her injuries appeared grave, with the imminent risk of losing her life.

    Emergency Healing!

    In his momentary panic, Ryu Min had failed to employ his healing abilities immediately.

    With a sharp inhale, he finally summoned his power, and Min Juris wounds began to mend. A sense of relief washed over her features.

    Thank you, Min.

    Who did this to you? Who attacked you?

    An Sang-cheol hes the one.

    What?

    A fiery anger ignited within Ryu Min.

    His rage was directed squarely at An Sang-cheol.

    Where is that bastard?

    Here I am.

    In a swift motion, Ryu Min turned toward the voice from behind.

    There stood An Sang-cheol, grinning like the quintessential viin. Beside him, Seo Arin twisted her lips into a wicked smile. Their sinister expressions alone made it evident that the two had conspired to harm Min Juri.

    You f*cking bastards.

    Wow, your choice of words is rather harsh, Prophet.

    Ryu Mins initially contorted expression subtly morphed.

    His fury waned, reced by aposed demeanor.

    Did you already know I was the Prophet?

    No. We only discovered it when we interrogated that girl, Min Juri, over there. Until a little while ago, we had no idea.

    Im sorry, Min. The pain was unbearable

    Ryu Min harbored no resentment toward Min Juri.

    With an ominous gaze, he fixed his sights on An Sang-cheol.

    Kukuku, dont re at me like that. Do you have any idea how surprised I was to find out that the feeble Prophet was ck Scythe? Who wouldve imagined that? Hehe.

    Before I unleash my wrath, lets hear your exnation. Why did you attack Min Juri?

    Well, she seemed closely connected to you, so I thought I might obtain some valuable information if I surprised her with an attack. But the oue exceeded my expectations, huh? To think that the Prophet was the ck Scythe, hahaha! The CEO will be thrilled when he hears about it!

    As An Sang-cheol chuckled and spoke, Ryu Min unsheathed his Death Scythe.

    Can you ensure your survival long enough to deliver that message?

    Whoa, whoa, slow down. Donte any closer, or Ill detonate the bomb hidden inside Min Juris body.

    What?

    In that moment, Heo Taeseok stepped out from behind An Sang-cheol.

    Hehe, this guy lent me a hand.

    Ryu Min could already piece together the situation.

    Could it be?

    Sorry, ck Scythe.

    Did you truly imnt a [ck Seed] within Min Juris body?

    Heo Taeseok nodded without uttering a word.

    This simple act sent shockwaves through Ryu Min.

    When a Dark Mage reached level 40, they acquired a skill called [ck Seed].

    This skill allowed them to randomly summon one of their demonic minions and nt it in the ground.

    But what would happen if this skill were used by nting it within a persons body?

    Their body would erupt like a firework, and the summoned minion would burst forth.

    In a positive light, it was a great application of the skill, but viewed negatively, it was a brutal act.

    Of course, in Ryu Mins case, it was thetter.

    You bastard When did you reach level 40?

    Did you think I was merely fooling around? I worked hard to be strong, just like you, ck Scythe.

    You worthless scum. Remove the seed immediately.

    I refuse.

    Without hesitation, he firmly declined Ryu Mins demand, causing Ryu Mins eyebrows to twitch.

    Are you out of your mind? How dare you challenge me? Werent you secretly in awe of me?

    Of course, to me, ck Scythe is like a god. But thats only if you manage to handle this situation sessfully. If youre not wless, theres no reason to continue following the ck Scythe, right?

    Ryu Min felt like hed been sucker-punched. An Sang-cheol, Seo Arin, and even Heo Taeseok, who had once revered him as a deity, had all betrayed him. The aftermath of such a betrayal from those hed trusted ran deep.

    What do you want?

    Hehe, do you see that precious girl of yours? How pity, she cant even move.

    Get to the point. And promise me you wont harm Min Juri if I do what you ask.

    Kukukukuk!

    An Sang-cheol burst into wickedughter.

    Thats right, kukuk. I promise.

    Alright, what do you want then? Information about the next round? The location of the Hidden Piece?

    I have no interest in such matters.

    You think you can deceive us and manipte the CEO to your advantage? Unbelievable.

    An Sang-cheols grin abruptly turned into a stern expression.

    Take your own life.

    End it right here in front of us. Then well spare this girl.

    Understood. Keep your promise.

    Without hesitation, Ryu Min pressed the de of his scythe against his throat.

    Snick

    His severed head dropped lifelessly to the ground. For a moment, it seemed as if Min Juris screams echoed in the air, but there was no time to focus on such matters.

    As long as I can save Min Juri thats all that matters.

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 Chapter 98: Betrayal (2)

    Chapter 98: Betrayal (2)

    As long as I can save Min Juri thats all that matters.

    His vision blurred, and the faces that had mocked him seemed to vanish into the distance.

    [A hidden sub-quest is avable!]

    A message?

    Squishsquish

    Cracks appeared in everything he was looking at, as if the world hed seen moments ago wasnt real.

    Whats happening Ah!

    One after another, messages flooded his consciousness, and Ryu Min finally snapped back to reality.

    Commit Suicide Without Hesitation

    Upon Sess  Receive ?? ??? ?

    [You havepleted the sub-quest!]

    This was an illusion.

    The moment he read the message, it dawned on him.

    What he had seen moments ago was an illusion crafted from his inner anxieties.

    Theres no way Ryu Min, who had gone through it 99 times, would not have known.

    But the system had ensured Ryu Min couldnt realize it.

    Actually, its not the system. I did it to myself.

    Ryu Min examined the information for the temporary skill, Dominion.

    [Temporary Skill  Dominion]

    Remaining Uses: 9 times

    Target: ck Scythe

    Dominion had been used once.

    And it had been used on the ck Scythehimself.

    It was as I suspected.

    His memories flooded back to him btedly.

    I used Dominion on myself to prevent me from realizing that it was an illusion.

    Ryu Min used Dominion on himself as soon as he entered the 7th round.

    The first half of the order he gave himself was simple.

    Do not entertain the thought that this is an illusion until youplete the sub-quest

    The main quest of the 7th round was to escape from the illusion.

    But if you knew from the beginning that it was an illusion, you couldnt be trapped by it.

    In other words, youd be stuck at the starting point, unable to progress with the quest.

    Ultimately, youd be excluded from participating and vanish.

    How do I know that?

    Because Ive experienced it once before.

    I recognized it as an illusion, yet I continued with the 7th round, only to receive a warning message and then disappear.

    I felt so empty then. Just like when I was defeated in the 20th round boss room.

    This was the reason why Ryu Min had never explicitly stated that it was an illusion when he talked about his prophecies.

    Knowing in advance that its an illusion would lead to immediate erasure.

    Ive tried various methods of self-mind control, but its futile. If youre aware of the illusion in your mind, it tends to surface unintentionally.

    To eliminate such risks, he had thought of using the Dominion.

    If he used Dominion to wipe his own memories, there would be no problem.

    I only realized I could use Dominion on myself because of this round.

    However, the real challengey in devising a strategy.

    Progressing through the rounds was possible, but strategizing wasnt easy.

    Especially the sub-quest, it was difficult.

    Committing suicide without hesitation was no simple task.

    Especially for someone like Ryu Min, who valued survival above all else, it was even more challenging.

    Moreover, I couldnt intentionallymit suicide since I didnt know it was an illusion.

    Thats why he had gone through the 7th round numerous times, searching for a solution.

    Eventually, he found the answer.

    The solution was simple yet not so simple.

    Beforeing to this world, I needed to brainwash myself. To sacrifice my life if necessary, to save Min Juri. My true love Min Juri.

    The 7th round presented illusions based on inner anxieties.

    In Ryu Mins case, he had anxieties about his trustedrades betraying him upon discovering his true identity.

    Based on this, the system created an illusion and induced a situation where he had tomit suicide as per the sub-quests objective.

    So, what if I trick the system into believing that I love Min Juri?

    The system would likely craft a story around it and push him towardmitting suicide.

    His prediction had been urate.

    The result wasmitting suicide without hesitation.

    It had worked because he had conditioned himself to believe in his love for Min Juri.

    Thankfully, it went ording to n.

    If he hadnt made up his mind that way, he would have hesitated when told tomit suicide.

    In the past, Ive failed numerous sub-quests because I hesitated when told tomit suicide.

    Back then, before meeting Min Juri, someone else had been taken hostage.

    My younger brother.

    Returning afterpleting the 7th-round quest would have meant Ryu Won being kidnapped and threatened by the viin.

    At that time, Ryu Min had hesitated slightly when faced with the threat of suicide.

    So, I came up with a method of mind control before the round to avoid it.

    If the situation arose where he needed to save Ryu Won, he wouldnt hesitate to sacrifice his life.

    Thus, he had mentally repeated this hundreds of times, and when entering the 7th round, he had no qualms aboutmitting suicide.

    This time, the target had changed to Min Juri.

    Thankfully, the brainwashing worked, and I seeded in the sub-quest.

    Ryu Min chuckled, and suddenly, Seo Arin appeared.

    Oh, ck Scythe. Did you pass the 7th round quest?

    Yeah. You?

    Yes I also escaped from the illusion.

    She blushed and nced around, making sure no one else was present.

    Others seem to still be trapped in the illusion.

    Is that so?

    Um, ck Scythe.

    Suddenly, Seo Arins expression turned serious, and she blushed.

    This might sound sudden, but I actually really like you.

    Dont joke around.

    Haha I know it sounds too sudden. I understand if it seems like a joke. But its not a joke; its sincere.

    I gathered the courage to say this now that were alone.

    Ryu Mins response was icy.

    In fact, he tightened his grip on the scythe, as if waiting for something.

    Whether she was aware that the atmosphere was strange or not, Seo Arin summoned the courage to speak again.

    Uh, ck Scythe. Will you date me?

    Squelch!

    With a chilling sound, Seo Arins head flew into the air.

    Thunk

    Ryu Min stared at the system with a cold gaze and muttered.

    Enough with these absurd tricks.

    As if responding to him, Seo Arins body disappeared, and a message appeared.

    [You havepleted the main quest Escape Temptation within 2 hours!]

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 Chapter 99: The 7th Round Results (1)

    Chapter 99: The 7th Round Results (1)

    Round 7s main quest didnt involve breaking free from a fantasy world.

    The true quest was to resist temptation.

    The first challenge was a sub-quest:mitting suicide.

    The second, the main quest, was all about resisting temptation.

    Round 7 was designed as a dualyered fantasy experience, like this:

    Most participants felt relief afterpleting the initial stage, thinking they had escaped the fantasy. But that wasnt the case.

    Its not over until its truly over.

    Even what Seo Arin said about escaping the illusion was a deception.

    Ryu Mins advice to not fall for temptation was precisely for this reason.

    If they remembered my words and resisted temptation, the main quest would be a breeze.

    Of course, he didnt disclose anything about the sub-quest rewards since he needed to secure it for himself.

    The sole reward that could only be obtained by one person, the Rune, was crucial when facing Yamti.

    Tick-tock, tick-tock.

    Seo Arin vanished, and Ryu Min gazed at the message that materialized.

    [Main Quest Escape Temptation Within 2 Hours Completed!]

    Now, were truly breaking free from the illusions.

    The illusion was dissipating.

    Seo Arin, the field, everything faded away.

    What emerged was an expanse of pure, colorless space.

    This was indeed the authentic escape from the illusion.

    [Huh? Someone has escaped already?]

    Prisci, seemingly noticing Ryu Mins movement, flew in from a distance.

    [Who could be the first to resist temptation Oh!]

    As she drew closer, her eyes widened.

    [ck Scythe?]

    Why the surprise?

    Ryu Min raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

    She was too far away for her thoughts to be discerned.

    Gradually, a smile crept across Priscis previously astonished face.

    [Hehehe, kehehehehe.]

    Whats so amusing? Something unfortunate?

    Disregarding the perplexed Ryu Min, Prisciughed heartily.

    An intrigued Ryu Min inquired, Hey, Angel? Whats the situation here?

    [Oh, right. This isnt the appropriate moment. Congrattions on being the first to escape the illusion.]

    Illusion? Oh, was that it?

    To avoid any suspicion from the angel, he feigned ignorance.

    [Please wait until the time limit pses. Rewards will be distributed after the results are tallied.]

    Subsequently, a beam of light descended, ensnaring Ryu Min.

    Swoosh.

    Ryu Min, who hadfortably been seated on the ground, surveyed his surroundings.

    In this colorless expanse, numerous individuals stood with their eyes closed.

    They were the ones immersed in the illusion.

    They likely relocated us to a different setting after wagering on the illusion.

    The meadow we initially been in wasnt the actual field of the mission.

    Once youre in the new field and you recognize it as an illusion, it vanished even before the roundmenced.

    The system establishes the illusion after some time has passed.

    Prior to that, despite being aware it was an illusion, it wouldnt vanish.

    Ryu Mins ability to exertmands over himself was what helped him sessfuly pass the mission.

    Most of them are probably experiencing the illusion fantasy by now.

    The first illusion is aboutmitting suicide, and its only a sub-quest.

    Even if you couldnt readilymit suicide, you wouldnt be excluded from the list of survivors.

    Only the chance to seize a reward would be forfeited.

    What truly matters is the main quest. Resisting temptation.

    Following swiftly was the second illusiontemptation.

    Just like the first illusion, the system enticed yers based on their innermost data.

    There existed a multitude of ways to be tempted.

    Material temptation, romantic temptation, yearning to escape suffering, and so forth.

    Different individuals faced different temptations.

    In my case, Seo Arin confessed to me.

    What urred if you sumbed to temptation and exhausted the allotted time?

    Naturally, you would be disqualified.

    Conversely, if you resisted temptation?

    Your ranking hinged on how swiftly you resisted.

    Its better to resist quickly. Just like me.

    However, had he killed Seo Arin the moment she appeared, it wouldnt have counted.

    The timer began after you declined the temptation.

    The reason Ryu Min had awaited Seo Arins confessiony here.

    To eliminate her as soon as temptation began.

    It didnt happen, but he would have manifested being with her within a second or so if he didnt act quickly.

    It had been the same in his previous life.

    Ryu Min sighed and waited, somewhat bored.

    [Time remaining until the end of the round: 01:30:51]

    We still have an hour and thirty minutes left.

    It wouldnt have been as tedious if he could see others illusions.

    With that thought, while waiting, a few people stirred from their illusions.

    Wow! Whats happening!?

    Where are we? others asked, bewildered.

    Whats going on? confusion was evident on their faces.

    Donte any closer! Huh? someone urged cautiously.

    Even if you try to tempt me, its useless! I have someone I love Huh? another voice chimed in, filled with surprise.

    The angel began to exin the simple truth, leaving those who had just awakened from the illusion scratching their heads in confusion. As time ticked by, more people found themselves encircled by the pir of light.

    Eventually, the time limit expired, and everyone snapped out of the illusion.

    Snap, snap!

    Prisci pped her hands, wearing a smile, [Now, everyone, lets get our wits about us! You must all realize by now that everything youve witnessed was a mere fantasy. Let me share the quest details with you once again.]

    A message window appeared, unveiling the quest details:

    Escape Temptation Within 2 Hours

    Commit Suicide Without Hesitation

    Sess Leads to  Reward Distribution

    [As you can see, the main quest was all about resisting the temptation of the illusion. The hidden sub-quest was the challenge ofmitting suicide without hesitation.]

    What? Committing suicide was a sub-quest?

    Ah, you mean that wasnt the main scenario?

    For heavens sake, how are we supposed tomit suicide in such a messed-up situation?

    This quest is insane. Who canmit suicide without a second thought?

    yers voiced their discontent, seemingly having suffered some significant mental strain.

    [Heh, seems like some people here are ready to explode?]

    When Prisci shifted her demeanor to seriousness, the crowd fell silent, as if she had poured a bucket of cold water on them.

    [But dont fret. I wont be taking anyones life. Im in quite a good mood right now.]

    With a mischievous grin, Prisci pped her wings.

    A results window appeared in front of everyones eyes.

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 Chapter 99: The 7th Round Results (2)

    Chapter 99: The 7th Round Results (2)

    With a mischievous grin, Prisci pped her wings.

    A results window appeared in front of everyones eyes.

    Round 7 Results

    [Entire Area]

    1st. ck Scythe (Level 54 Reaper) 00:00:01

    2nd. Krisi (Level 27 Priest) 00:00:05

    3rd. Heavenly Demon (Level 29 Dark Knight) 00:00:06

    [Specific Area C2-ESKA003]

    1st. ck Scythe (Level 54 Reaper) 00:00:01

    2nd. An Sang-cheol (Level 34 Knight) 00:00:18

    3rd. Seo Arin (Level 34 Summoner) 00:00:24

    Upon seeing the results window, everyone voiced their dissatisfaction.

    ck Scythe is in first ce?

    Again?

    Even when its not about strength?

    Does he have an incredibly strong willpower?

    Look at that, he resisted temptation in just one second.

    Hes not an ordinary human.

    [Hehehe.]

    While some yers grumbled and shook their heads in disbelief,

    [Heeheehee.]

    Prisci, staring at the results window, seemed ted.

    [I cant believe it? I actually won this? And its thanks to ck Scythe!]

    Was it the joy of iming the throne?

    Prisci had momentarily forgotten about distributing rewards.

    Angel? The 1st ce reward hasnt been received yet.

    Oh! Thats right. I apologize, ck Scythe.

    The angel, in an umon disy of humility, apologized to a human, and reward messages appeared.

    [Congrattions! Youve achieved the quest in 1st ce within this specific area!]

    [Congrattions! Youve achieved the quest in 1st ce across the entire area!]

    [At present, ck Scythe holds the 1st position both in the entire area and this specific area.]

    [As the 1st ce within this specific area, youll receive a Random Selection Voucher!]

    [As the 1st ce in the overall area ranking, youll receive a Special Reward Selection Box!]

    As these messages streamed in, the rewards didnt end there.

    [As a sub-quest reward, youll receive the Rune of Mental Barrier!]

    [The acquired rune will automatically be imprinted onto the yers body!]

    Now Ive finally obtained it.

    With the desired rune in hand, the information window appeared.

    Rune of Mental Barrier

    Effect: Immunity to all mental attacks.

    Now I can stand up to Yamti with this.

    The reason for the systems dy in granting the rune until the end became clear.

    If he had received it earlier, the yer might not have been able to participate in the mission, the temptation test.

    Ryu Min meticulously examined the rewards that had juste in.

    Until now, 1st ce rewards for specific areas had been equipment items, but this time, it was a lottery selection voucher.

    [You have the option to choose from the following rewards in the next random draw.]

    [Please select your desired reward.]

    1. Random Gold Pouch

    2. Intermediate Magic Stone Draw Ticket

    3. Surprise Potion Box

    It seems like theres not much choice here.

    My magic stones are already at the highest level, and I have an abundance of gold. Theres only one thing worth picking.

    Number 3. Ill go with the Surprise Potion Box.

    Its scheduled to appear in Round 8, but there are consumable items known as potions. These potions can heal wounds or provide various buff effects when consumed, much like in a video game. Theye in various types.

    The fact that there are gacha boxes with such a variety of potions speaks volumes.

    There are three ways to obtain these potions: by bing an Alchemist, a unique ss; by defeating boss-level monsters that appear after Round 8; and finally,

    NPCs. Or should I call them beings from another realm?

    You can either purchase these potions from beings from another realm or acquire them as rewards. The rounds in which these otherworldly beings start appearing begin with Round 8.

    yers will probably be taken aback. Theyve been encountering monsters who cant speak, and suddenly theyll meet otherworldly beings they can converse with.

    Ryu Min still remembered his initial confusion upon discovering the existence of these otherworldly beings. What added to the perplexity was the difficulty in discerning whether they were humans or NPCs.

    Its still an enigma to this day.

    In any case, starting from Round 8, with the appearance of these otherworldly beings, he could utilize his titles. He also needed to acquire the two runes he had set his sights on.

    The Rune of Future Sight and the Rune of Durability.

    Moreover, Round 8 provided an excellent opportunity for leveling up. It is likely that some yers would reach level 40.

    Ill probably aim for level 60, though.

    Ryu Mins gaze shifted to thest remaining special reward selection box.

    [You have the option to choose from the following special rewards.]

    [Please select your desired reward.]

    1. Triple Experience Buff (Limited to Round 8)

    2. 20,000 Gold

    3. Information on Round 8

    Without hesitation, he chose option number 1.

    The next round was ideal for gaining experience.

    [Now, everyone, have you all checked your rewards? Then, lets have our moment of dissolution. Humans who didnt make it into the top ranks and those who couldnt resist temptation within the time limit, farewell.]

    Wait, hold on!

    No!

    Pshh-

    Without even a chance to make excuses, half of the yers turned into dust and disappeared.

    [And as I mentioned earlier, we decided to select the yer who cleared the mission the fastest as the zone representative, as you all know. As expected, the Unified Zone representative is this person.]

    [yer ck Scythe has be the new zone representative of C2-ESKA003.]

    People nodded in agreement with the message announcing the representative.

    It was a fair result with no room for objection.

    [As promised, we will now provide the rewards to ck Scythe, the Unified Zone representative.]

    After a moment, a message Ryu Min had been eagerly waiting for appeared in his eyes.

    [The authority of the temporary skill Dominion will change.]

    [From now on, you can use the Dominion skill once in the real world.]

    [The authority will immediately be nullified if the zone representative is dethroned.]

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 Chapter 100: The 7th Round Ends (1)

    Chapter 100: The 7th Round Ends (1)

    At longst, he has obtained the one thing he desired most.

    The ability to use dominion in the realm of reality.

    This means having the power to manipte someone entirely as desired.

    Ive already chosen who Ill use it on.

    A sly grin curled on his lips as the angels eyed him.

    The nine angels, defeated in the bet, looked frustrated.

    How could that ck Scythe clinch the top spot again this time?

    How does that human manage to stay in first ce all the time?

    Is it possible that the missions have been leaked?

    Their disbelief and frustration knew no bounds.

    They wanted to pop his head like a balloon right then and there, but regrettably, they had already used their abilities early on.

    Perhaps 90% of the angels were now devoid of such powers.

    [Hehe, why do you all wear such pouty expressions?]

    Prisci approached with a smile, causing the angels to hunch over like drenched puppies.

    [Oh, no, its nothing.]

    [Does anyone here object to me bing the king?]

    [Well, no. Prisci is the king now.]

    [Thats right. What does our Prisci want to do now?]

    [Who will you entrust with the guidance?]

    [Wait, wait, before answering the questions.]

    Priscis gaze turned chilly.

    [Kneel before me, all of you.]

    ROUND 7 Comes to a Close

    [Entire Area]

    Survivors: 3,463,533

    [Specific Area C2-ESKA003]

    Survivors: 2,461

    [In a moment, your soul will return to your original dimension.]

    [Round 8 willmence at midnight on August 1, 2022. See you in the next round. Congrattions on your survival.]

    * * *

    Hoo.

    As soon as he returned, Ma Kyung-roks first action was to survey his surroundings.

    Is it the hotel?

    Could this possibly be another illusion?

    He thought to himself, pinching his cheeks multiple times while exploring the house.

    Just to be safe, he even made a phone call.

    An Team Leader, have you returned safely?

    Yes, President! Are you safe too?

    Is this the reality right now?

    Yes? It is reality, President.

    Are you sure?

    -Im certain. The results are there, and even a congrattory message for returning.

    But one never knows, right? Even that could be a meticulously crafted illusion.

    -Oh,e on, it cant be. Oh, wait a minute. What if it truly is?

    Listening to the Presidents words, An Sang-cheol suddenly felt a sense of unease.

    For now,e to my room.

    All right.

    Ma Kyung-rok consoled himself with his usual ss of whiskey.

    Swish-

    He raised his whiskey ss and gazed at the scenery outside the hotel.

    As he observed the lights scattered in the darkness, it often brought peace to his heart.

    Have I genuinely returned to reality?

    It didnt feel like it, perhaps because he had been so deeply immersed in the illusion.

    No, should I say it was hard to believe?

    He harbored constant doubts.

    Ma Kyung-rok had suffered so much mental anguish.

    Was what I saw merely an illusion?

    The memory of his brothers pressuring him tomit suicide on the rooftop shed in his mind.

    It was an illusion he never wished to experience again.

    Could it be that I didnt see an illusion, but rather glimpsed the future?

    Thinking of it as something that would ur in the future made him even more anxious.

    He resolved to grow thepany quickly and gain his fathers approval.

    Knock, knock-

    Come in.

    When An Sang-cheol entered, he bowed respectfully.

    President, are you okay?

    Im fine. Ive been in the illusion for so long that distinguishing it from reality is a bit challenging for now.

    What kind of illusion did you see that made you?

    .

    Ma Kyung-rok only drank his whiskey in silence.

    Realizing his mistake, An Sang-cheol lowered his head again.

    Im sorry. I said something unnecessary

    Ill just consider it a bad dream.

    Sip-

    Ma Kyung-rok turned around and poured another ss of whiskey.

    But Team Leader Ahn, are you okay?

    Ah Im okay

    What kind of illusion did you see?

    Well

    An Sang-cheol couldnt bring himself to say it.

    Its just a dark story

    What, well, I suppose everyone feels that way.

    Ma Kyung-rok, who emptied his whiskey in one gulp, frowned.

    It feels dirty to be alive. Ha.

    He suddenly thought of someone.

    Did the Prophet also survive the illusion?

    Well, I thought you might be curious, so I called while heading this way, and hes indeed alive, responded An Sang-cheol.

    Is that so? I mean, the person who was warned not to be ensnared by temptation wouldnt have died, right?

    Ma Kyung-rok nodded as if it were an obvious point, but suddenly doubt crept in.

    But its strange. If they knew that breaking free from temptation was the strategy, shouldnt the Prophet have secured the 1st position in the entire area?

    Oh? That makes sense.

    But there was no nickname resembling the Prophet in the calction results.

    As always, the ck Scythe imed the top spot in the entire area. Second was the fiance, and third was himself. While they didnt know the Prophets nickname, it was clear they werent among the top ranks.

    If they were truly the Prophet, they should have resisted temptation immediately Did they deliberately dy their clear?

    I dont understand, An Sangcheol admitted.

    It was a perplexing issue, but they were unaware of a critical fact. If someone recognizes that its an illusion, the entire progression bes impossible, including the notion that the Prophet survived.

    Well, well find out when we meetter, Ma Kyung-rok decided to leave it for now and encouraged An Sangcheol to rest.

    Rest well, Team Leader An, he added.

    Thank you, President, An Sang-cheol replied.

    As An Sang-cheol exited, Ma Kyung-roky on the bed, gazing up at the ceiling.

    The mental shock was considerable. He desired sleep but found his eyes wide open. That night, Ma Kyung-rok stayed awake, fearing a potential nightmare.

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 Chapter 100: The 7th Round Ends (2)

    Chapter 100: The 7th Round Ends (2)

    At lunchtime, Ryu Min and Min Juri sat down for a meal together. This meeting was primarily for Ryu Min to share information about Round 8 ahead of time.

    Is it too early to meet up? You seem a bit off, Ryu Min observed.

    Min Juri was in a more fragile mental state than Ryu Min had expected.

    Juri, whats wrong? Dont you have an appetite? he inquired.

    Oh, no. Its delicious; its just Min Juri began, struggling to articte her feelings.

    Despite her appetite, she was wrestling with a significant emotional shock.

    Was the illusion from Round 7 particrly distressing? Ryu Min ventured to ask, trying to read her thoughts.

    I I dont know, Min Juri stammered, unable to bring herself to discuss it further.

    She feared that lifting her head would reveal her flushed face, so she kept it lowered.

    Oh Its not that it was distressing, but rather embarrassing, Ryu Min responded, empathizing with her.

    Having discerned her thoughts, he coughed awkwardly, uncertain of how to proceed.

    It appeared that, despite his advice, resisting temptation was more challenging than he had anticipated.

    Regardless of what the illusion entailed, lets put Round 7 behind us. Its a round thats already passed, Ryu Min advised.

    Y-Yes, thats true, Min Juri agreed.

    Anyway, theres something I want to tell you about Round 8, Ryu Min continued.

    In his usual fashion, Ryu Min delivered a prophecy. Jeffrey, the spy, who was nearby, was present, but there was no need for discretion. Ryu Min deliberately spoke loudly enough for Jeffrey to hear.

    Hell probably pass on my prophecy to Christine.

    Due to Christines skeptical nature, one prophecy wouldnt suffice to gain her trust. Therefore, there was no harm in them overhearing the conversation.

    So, in Round 8, NPCs will appear, right? Min Juri inquired.

    Yeah. I dont know if theyre artificially created NPCs or beings from another dimension, Ryu Min rified.

    This time, Ryu Min exined the strategy in greater detail. Unlike Round 7, Round 8 offered many opportunities to gain experience points. In other words, it was crucial to level up by exploiting various aspects. Ryu Min was providing as much assistance as possible at this time.

    And theres one more thing to keep in mind, Ryu Min added.

    What is it? Min Juri asked.

    In Round 8, you wont be able to apany the ck Scythe as you did in the past.

    Huh? Why? Min Juri inquired, her eyes widening.

    Ryu Min exined the reason for this change, which left Min Juri perplexed.

    Why? But the ck Scythe

    Why theyre making that choice, I dont know. I can only foresee the future, Ryu Min stated matter-of-factly.

    He casually observed Min Juri, who appeared puzzled. Suddenly, memories of past experiences resurfaced in his mindthe girl who had learned his true identity and was at risk of being manipted and harmed.

    No, Its just an illusion. Its like a daydream. I wont let that happen, Ryu Min vowed to himself. He was determined to ensure the safety of those around him at all costs.

    ***

    In this world, the only one worth believing in is the Lord Jesus Christ. Repent and seek salvation, everyone. Hallelujah!

    Hallelujah!

    Praise the Lord!

    We believe, we believe!

    Leaving behind the prayers of numerous faithful, Nilson concluded the worship and returned to his pastors office.

    Christine, with her slightly puffy face, awaited her father, appearing somewhat anxious.

    Hmm? When did you get here?

    Just a little while ago.

    Well, what do you want to discuss?

    Isnt it about inquiring about Round 7?

    I already heard about that through Jeffrey. A round filled with illusions, right?

    Yes.

    What kind of illusion did you witness?

    It was rted to you, Father.

    Me?

    Yes, Father you were being threatened by the believers. I found myself in a situation where I had no choice but tomit suicide.

    Thats quite something. The more I think about it, the more sinister this sorcery bes.

    Father, its the work of the angels you believe in.

    No, theres no way. Those are evil spirits disguising themselves as angels. Sometimes Satan appears before us in familiar forms.

    Then, youre saying that all of this isnt Gods will?

    Youre stating the obvious. Is it due to ack of faith? Or have you been ensnared by demons?

    I just seeing the things I believed in being betrayed in the illusions made my heart waver.

    Dont worry needlessly. You are the Messiah and the Savior sent by God in a bewildering world. Focus only on leveling up and saving people. Dont entertain any other thoughts.

    Yes

    Also, about the so-called Prophet you mentioned before.

    The Korean guy?

    Yes. When I asked Jeffrey, it seemed that his prophecy was somewhat urate.

    Do not be ensnared by temptation, right? Thats correct. Honestly, I didnt believe it at first, but it turned out to be the key to clearing the quest.

    Then, it might be a good idea to get closer to that Prophet.

    Really?

    The unexpected statement caused Christine to widen her eyes. It wasnt something she expected to hear from her conservative father.

    Do you believe him just because he got one thing right?

    Even if its a lucky guess what do you think, Christine?

    The unexpected remark left Christine perplexed.

    Have you conducted a background check?

    He appears to be an ordinary young man whomutes between home and work.

    Christine didnt me her father for conducting the background check. Instead, she understood why he did it, given her natural skepticism towards people.

    Even before she got engaged with her fianc, her father had Jeffrey investigate the man thoroughly.

    Father, do you think its necessary to rely on him so much?

    Isnt your fianc doing the same? Theyre even doing business together.

    But theres a possibility that hes a fraud

    In that case, how about doing this, Christine?

    At the right moment, Jeffrey returned.

    Jeffrey, whats this all of a sudden?

    I just obtained information about Round 8 from that guy.

    It was not exactly obtaining information but rather eavesdropping, but it seemed fine in this context. What mattered was the information itself.

    Round 8? Does this mean you heard a prophecy?

    Yes. He was quite detailed this time. Christine, if youre still doubtful, you can test it in the 8th Round and decide afterward.

    Hmm. Thats not a bad idea.

    Id prefer that.

    However, a littleter, the three of them realized there was no need to eavesdrop.

    A call came from Ma Kyung-rok, who felt sorry for keeping his prophecy to himself.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 101: Surprise Potion Box (1)

    Chapter 101: Surprise Potion Box (1)

    After the encounter with Min Juri,

    Ryu Mins actions outside were all about exterminating Millworms.

    Slice, slice!

    [Current Kill Count: 100/100]

    [With the Rune of ughter, all stats receive a 100% boost.]

    Ryu Mins gaze shifted to one side of the message.

    [With the Bless skill, all stats enjoy a 60% increase.]

    [Duration: 02:51:21]

    Once again, he got a buff from Min Juri.

    All set. The preparations are done.

    From the inventory, he pulled out an item.

    [Surprise Potion Box]

    Type: Consumable

    Grade: Unique

    Effect: Get 1-5 random potions.

    Usage Restriction: Until the next round, Master grade or above

    Description: A time-limited item where you can roll random potions. The item vanishes automatically when transitioning to the next round and is influenced by luck stats.

    This time, it was a draw box received as the first-ce reward in the area.

    He had boosted his stats for this moment.

    Boosting luck as much as possible will result in getting more potions.

    They could be of different types or even duplicates.

    Either way, the more, the better, so raising luck was the only option.

    Use.

    He gripped the box, memorized themand, and as it disappeared with a swish, a message appeared.

    [Youve used the Surprise Potion Box.]

    [Congrattions! Life Potion obtained!]

    [Congrattions! Healing Potion obtained!]

    [Congrattions! Dark Magic Potion obtained!]

    [Congrattions! Lowest Agility Potion obtained!]

    [Congrattions! Potion of Icy Chill obtained!]

    Hooh.

    Fortunately, they were different types of potions, and five too.

    [Life Potion]

    Type: Consumable

    Grade: Legendary

    Effect: yer resurrection

    Usage Restriction: Master grade or above

    Description: A potion that resurrects a desired yer. Must be used within 10 minutes of death, and if the corpse is more than 30% damaged, it cannot be used. Cannot be used on oneself.

    [Healing Potion]

    Type: Consumable

    Grade: Rare

    Effect: Wound recovery

    Usage Restriction: Novice grade or above

    Description: A potion that heals internal and external injuries. More effective than emergency treatment.

    [Dark Magic Potion]

    Type: Consumable

    Grade: Rare

    Effect: Dark magic recovery

    Usage Restriction: Novice grade or above

    Description: Recovers dark magic used by Dark Orcs. Only effective for specific professions.

    [Lowest Agility Potion]

    Type: Consumable

    Grade: Normal

    Effect: +2 Agility for 24 hours

    Usage Restriction: Novice grade or above

    Description: Potion that increases Agility stat. Multiple consumptions do not stack.

    [Potion of Icy Chill]

    Type: Consumable

    Grade: Rare

    Effect: +50% Cold Resistance for 24 hours

    Usage Restriction: Novice grade or above

    Description: Potion that enhances resistance to cold. Resists not only cold damage but also status abnormalities.

    Ryu Mins eyes widened as he looked at the list.

    Especially where his gaze fellthe first Life Potion that appeared.

    To think a potion that resurrects people woulde out Truly a Legendary-grade potion.

    Of course, the other potions were good too.

    But none couldpare to the Life Potion.

    However, it can only be used by those of Master grade or higher. Plus, it can only be used on others.

    That meant the caster had to be at least level 60 to resurrect someone else.

    Anyway, just having a Legendary-grade potion is valuable in itself.

    Even if he didnt need it now, possessing such a potion could bring tremendous benefits.

    It might be good for persuading the alchemist.

    The only ss capable of crafting potions, the alchemist, was a guy in Nigeria.

    Making him an ally would undoubtedly be helpful.

    Although hes reluctant toe forward for now, once the alchemists existence bes known, it will create a sensation.

    Before that happened, if he made his move first, he might be able to monopolize the alchemists abilities.

    But among these potions, one seems useless.

    None other than the Dark Magic Potion.

    Is this potion solely for the Dark Magic Record?

    The only wielder of dark magic is the unique Dark Knight ss.

    In simpler terms, this potion is exclusively tailored for the Dark Magic Potion.

    For ordinary yers, consuming it wont yield any effects.

    The same goes for Ryu Min.

    Maybe I should try selling it at a hefty price to the Dark Knight?

    When Dark Knights run low on dark magic, their power takes a significant nosedive.

    Its like a car running out of gas.

    In that sense, the Dark Magic Potion was undeniably an item that would catch the Dark Knights interest, especially when facing critical situations where a dark magic shortage could be disastrous.

    For now, lets keep it. What I need isnt money, anyway.

    He decided to hang on to the rest as well.

    Given that he wasnt in a dire financial situation necessitating an immediate sale on the market.

    Creak, clink.

    Upon returning home, Ryu Min changed into morefortable attire in his room.

    Lying back on the bed, d in casual clothes, he reached for his phone.

    Lets see if any unique material items have popped up.

    In his free time, Ryu Min often checked the yer ce app to scrutinize items, aiming to snag crucial material items before others.

    Oh, is there one again this time? A unique material item.

    However, the seller turned out to be a foreigner, and the item required overseas delivery.

    Well, no problem. The tform is well-equipped for seamless transactions with international users.

    Originally designed to cater to yers worldwide, yer ces recent expansion to international users resulted in a significant surge in its user base.

    After tapping the payment button, Ryu Min set his phone aside.

    Another task done today.

    Upon scrutiny, this was the sole worthwhile material item avable.

    While he had added Ju Seong-tak to his favorite, there was no listing after the legendary material item.

    Well, Round 7 wasnt a hunting round.

    Perhaps he should look forward to the rounds that followed.

    Feeling fatigued, Ryu Min gradually closed his eyes.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 101: Surprise Potion Box (2)

    Chapter 101: Surprise Potion Box (2)

    Every Tuesday, yer ce held regr meetings.

    Even Ryu Min, the majority shareholder, made sure to attend them all without fail, considering it an opportunity to leave a positive impression on Ma Kyung-rok.

    Today held discussions of importance.

    Ryu Min observed Ma Kyung-rok, who was presiding over the meeting.

    After a round of diverse opinions, the meeting drew to a close.

    Thank you all for your hard work. Todays meeting concludes here.

    Great job, everyone.

    The executives rose from their seats and exited the meeting room.

    Only Ryu Min and Ma Kyung-rok stayed in the room.

    It was an opportune moment for a private conversation.

    Major shareholder, or rather, Prophet. Thanks to you, we safely survived the 7th Round. Im sincerely grateful.

    Fortunately, you remembered not to surrender to temptation.

    Yes. When it happened, your words shed in my mind. If it werent for you, I might have given in. Its a bit embarrassing to admit, but the illusion was quite vivid.

    Though he concealed it out of embarrassment, Ryu Min had already discerned the nature of the temptation Ma Kyung-rok faced.

    Facing the criminal who had taken his parents lives and yet he had to refrain from killing him and take revenge.

    By the way, Prophet, I have a question.

    It was a question that had been on his mind for a few days now.

    You knew the answer, so why couldnt you secure a higher rank? It wasnt a round that demanded excessive effort.

    If he possessed knowledge of the round, securing the top spot would have been a breeze. So, why didnt he?

    It was a sharp question, but

    I thought you, Ma Kyung-rok, also knew the answer. Why couldnt you secure the top spot?

    Huh? Uh.

    For a moment, Ma Kyung-rok appeared as if he had been blindsided.

    Even if youre aware that resisting temptation is crucial, when the moment arrives, executing this bes quite challenging. Having experienced it firsthand, you get it, right?

    Yes, indeed, I understand. Got it.

    Ma Kyung-rok swiftly dispelled his suspicions.

    Yet, instead of dwelling on his inquiry, he reproached himself for the briefpse in his thinking.

    Certainly, hes not someone to underestimate just because hes young. Theres a subtle blend of insight and seasoned experience.

    Ma Kyung-roks thoughts, tinged with self-caution, echoed.

    He acknowledged that the Prophet had not only demonstrated prowess in prophecy but also seemed quite insightful and wise.

    Its not wise to make him overly cautious.

    From Ryu Mins standpoint, which aimed to encourage openness and trust, it wasnt an entirely pleasant situation.

    Prophet, you mentioned you had something to tell me?

    Yes. I wanted to share information about Round 8.

    Ryu Min promptly provided the information for the next round as nned.

    Wow, this time theres a wealth of detailed information.

    Thats right for Round 8.

    Thank you, Prophet. You always provide such invaluable assistance. Im not sure how I can repay you.

    Dont burden yourself too much. Isnt it wonderful to coborate from the standpoint of being on the same boat?

    Haha, thank you so much.

    Despite the advice not to feel burdened, Ryu Min continued to umte a sense of indebtedness.

    Uh, Prophet. While youre helping me, can I ask for one more favor?

    What favor?

    Do you remember my fiance from the other day?

    Of course.

    Is it okay to share this information with my fiance?

    Probably already got the information from her, right?

    He chuckled inwardly but didnt show it, stating, Certainly, its fine. I already allowed sharing when I prophesied separately back then. Consider it already permitted when Round 11 bes dangerous.

    Oh, thank you for allowing it.

    It seemed more and more people were sharing future information, but it was fine.

    If I have to lead a few people with me to thest round, its better to make them rely on prophecy to survive until then.

    Smiling slyly with apassionate expression, Ryu Min was about to discuss business when

    CEO?

    An Sang-cheol entered the conference room.

    There was a sense of urgency in his expression.

    Not missing this, Ma Kyung-rok asked seriously, Manager An, whats the matter?

    T-the Chairman is here.

    My father?

    Surprised, Ma Kyung-rok hastily rushed out.

    At the door, Chairman Ma Dae-cheol of Ohseong Group was entering with a young bodyguard.

    Father Chairman, why did youe here without saying anything?

    Do I have to notify anyone when I decide to visit my sonspany?

    Well, even so, you should have at least given a heads up so we could prepare

    Enough. Im just going to take a look around briefly.

    Having shared those words, Ma Dae-cheol, gripping his curiosity, casually toured thepany premises.

    Youve gathered it up rather nicely.

    .

    Ive heard positive things. They say it had a good start.

    Where did you pick up on that?

    If youre asking this? Then youre still too naive.

    .

    Even your brothers have sent their congrattions.

    At the mention of brothers, Ma Kyung-roks gaze shifted.

    Oh, those brothers who didnt bother sending a single congrattory wreath?

    Dont say that. Whether you liked it or not, theyre still family.

    Can we really call those who set their sights on your fortune family?

    Are you any different?

    Im only engaging inpetition because I dont want to divide shares with my brothers. Didnt you agree to that, Father? If I prove my skills are better than theirs, youll acknowledge me as the sessor and inherit all the property.

    Right. Is that possible? Theres less than a year left until the agreed-upon time.

    Just give me a little more time. The start of thispany is much more promising than the Consulting we did before. We still need a few more months of observation, though.

    Why did you abandon consulting? It wasnt bad enough to warrant such a change.

    There was no room for further growth. Besides, would you have acknowledged me to that extent?

    Humph, certainly not. If you cant make it into the top 50 in Kosdaq market cap, being 150th doesnt matter.

    Thats why I gave up on thatpany.

    A bold move, venturing into an uncertain industry.

    .

    Ma Kyung-rok fell silent.

    In truth, without Ryu Mins suggestion, there would have been no need to switch industries.

    What about the idea of creating a yer market? Did you think of it because youre a yer?

    Ma Kyung-rok hesitated at the chairmans question.

    Should he tell the truth that it was Ryu Mins idea, or should he entirely attribute it to his own merit?

    Ma Kyung-rok had to make a choice.

    And he knew what the right choice was.

    Father is someone who wouldnt miss that.

    Inwardly sighing, Ma Kyung-rok honestly admitted.

    That idea wasnt mine.

    What?

    The majority shareholder who acquired ourpany at 51% suggested and conceived that idea. Were working together as business colleagues now.

    It wasnt your idea? Who is this major shareholder then?

    Ma Kyung-rok turned around.

    Coincidentally, Ryu Min was present.

    Major shareholder. Can I have a moment?

    Oh, sure.

    Watching, Ryu Min approached the chairman.

    Chairman. This is the person.

    Hello. Im Ryu Min.

    .

    The chairman maintained a poker face, however, internally he was quite surprised.

    Is this guy, who looks like he just turned 20, the majority shareholder?

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 102: LC Group (1)

    Chapter 102: LC Group (1)

    The president was doing his best to hide his surprise, finding it quite challenging given the unexpected youthfulness of the top executive of thepany.

    Holding 51% of thepany at such a young age?

    Doesnt that imply possession of assets exceeding 280 billion?

    Word is that you own 51% of thispany. Is that true?

    Yes, President.

    If its alright, could you reveal thepany youre affiliated with?

    Judging by the wealth, Ryu Min seemed to be cut from the same cloth as Ma Kyung-rok, resembling a conglomerate offspring.

    A nod from Ryu Min.

    My parents are deceased, and my background is rather ordinary.

    I was fortunate enough to umte that sum. Luck was on my side, allowing me to strike gold.

    But will you pour all that money into my sonspany?

    I was confident.

    Confident that changing the industry would lead to substantial growth?

    Yes.

    Expression was unchanged, but the president was internally astonished.

    This is certainly an extraordinary young man.

    Even facing him directly, there was no flicker in his gaze or tremor in his voice.

    And beyond that, he had real abilities.

    Luck might y a part, but often luck slips away even when it arrives. This is why theres a saying that luck is a skill.

    How old are you?

    Im 20 this year.

    An age fitting his appearance, but the attitude he disyed was anything but typical.

    Did my son have this level of insight and boldness at 20?

    Ma Dae-cheol could only shake his head.

    His children were talented, but this young man surpassed them.

    Did you confidently propose this business idea?

    I proposed it, but I only threw out the idea. Most of the detailed systems here are President Mas work.

    Kyung-rok?

    As Ryu Min redirected the spotlight, Ma kyung-rok was quietly surprised. Unexpected, as he hadnt foreseen such a statement.

    To be honest, I didnt do much. President Ma conceptualized specific systems, crafted various business ideas, and managed them. I merely provided the framework; President Ma filled in the bones and flesh all night long.

    Is that true?

    Ah Yes.

    Ryu Mins contribution was mentioned at the time, not entirely false.

    During the establishment, ideas sprouted, and Ryu Min and Ma kyung-rok discussed various aspects of the items.

    Ryu Mins advice was indeed helpful

    To attribute all of that to me.

    It might look good if he were the chairman of Osung Group, but Ryu Min was actually promoting Ma kyung-rok.

    However, Ma Dae-cheol, with extensive experience and knowledge, couldnt be unaware of this fact.

    Hmm, this young man knows how to uplift others and not be greedy, huh?

    He couldnt help but consider him a truly promising talent.

    He even wanted to make him an apprentice and teach him proper business management.

    Hmm, am I getting too old? Why am I having such thoughts

    Ma Dae-cheol cleared his mind with a cough and turned away.

    Alright. With this level of passion, theres nothing to worry about in the future.

    Saying that Ma Dae-cheol moved away without a word of farewell.

    He didnt turn his head once.

    He left.

    Major shareholder. You spoke really well!

    You dont know how nervous I was inside. Haha.

    Ryu Min chuckled, but Ma kyung-rok didnt smile.

    There was something he wanted to ask seriously.

    Major shareholder. Why did you tell my father that it was all my hard work? Surely, you suggested many ideas as well.

    But its all ideas. Isnt it you who worked it out? You developed it, and executed those ideas, right?

    I just told the truth.

    Ma Kyung-rok silently observed Ryu Min.

    Almost facing the risk of having someone elses efforts wrongly attributed, Ma Kyung-rok managed to salvage his pride, courtesy of the acknowledgment extended by his father.

    Its all thanks to Major Shareholder Ryu Min.

    Ma Kyung-roks gaze toward Ryu Min underwent a transformation.

    A touch softer, transitioning from the re of vignce.

    Quietly, Ryu Min couldnt help but crack a relieved smile.

    Fortunately, I could ease his wariness.

    Ultimately, impressing the president wasnt a necessity for Ryu Min.

    iming ownership of those ideas wouldnt have caused a significant stir anyway.

    Better to build goodwill with Ma Kyung-rok like this.

    Feigning ignorance to Ma Kyung-roks appreciative gaze, Ryu Min concealed a subtle smile within.

    * * *

    In the grand scheme, the world tends to remember the champion.

    The runner-up, more often than not, finds itself overshadowed by the glow of the winner.

    Onepany that keenly felt this truth was LC Group, a formidable rival of Osung Group.

    Tick-tock, tick-tock, drdrdr

    With every move of the mouse, LC Group Chairman Song Baekhyuns face carried a growing weight of concern.

    [yer ce Corporation, stock on the rise again today!]

    [yer ce, nearing 100,000 users in just a month!]

    [Apany growing day by day, yer ce!]

    [yer ces sess secret? Precise understanding of yers needs]

    [yer ces CEO unveiled as Osung Groups sessor]

    Did they throw money around? Why are there so many articles?

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 102: LC Group (2)

    Chapter 102: LC Group (2)

    [yer ces CEO unveiled as Osung Groups sessor]

    Did they throw money around? Why are there so many articles?

    Muttered Song Baekhyun, clicking through thements on an article.

    Who else is using yer ce?

    Me! Selling items here is genuinely convenient! The apps user-friendliness is top-notch.

    I sold all the unnecessary materials on yer ce too.

    Me too. Thought useless things wouldnt sell, but someone bought them, lol.

    Was short on living expenses, but sold items on yer ce and made some money, lol.

    Lol, for real. Quit my part-time job and am surviving by selling misceneous items.

    Tend to buy good rare equipment as soon as ites up.

    Buying equipment is really convenient.

    A site for yers was needed, and yer ce fits the bill.

    Stock prices hit the ceiling every day, its aplete jackpot.

    More than in the heyday of Bitcoin. Need to earn money and put it in as soon as possible.

    This is right. Anyone who doesnt invest in yer ce is an idiot.

    Maybe Chairman Song of LC Group wont invest because of his pride?

    yer ce was made by Osung Group. Its a big hit.

    Osung does it again.

    Like they know what theyre talking about. Phew.

    Song Baekhyun simply turned off the monitor.

    Reading further might lead to dying of anger.

    Ding-dong

    Come in.

    Upon seeing the person entering the office, Song Baekhyuns eyebrows shot up like arrows.

    It was none other than his eldest son, Song Jaegyeom.

    Father. You called?

    Jaegyeom. How old are you this year?

    32 years old.

    Your actual age.

    30 years old sir.

    Hoo.

    (T/N: Under the Korean age system, babies are considered to be one year old on the day they are born, and every January 1, a year is added to peoples ages  regardless of their actual birthdate. )

    As a sigh escaped the chairmans mouth, Song Jaegyeom lowered his head like a sinner.

    You can only be a yer if youre 29, right?

    Yes, sir.

    Arent you feeling unjust? Just a one-year difference and you could be a yer.

    Well

    Why? Bing a yer would give you abilities, even if youre ipetent. How great is that, to gain supernatural abilities even if youre inept? Right?

    It might be great.

    But Song Jaegyeom couldnt smile.

    Because he knew his fathers words were mocking his ipetence.

    Look at our rival, Osung Group. Despite expanding globally, we alwaysg behind as second. Why is that? Our technology isnt significantly inferior, right? Right?

    People remember only the first ce. If its not the first, second, or third doesnt matter. And that first ce is often influenced by luck. The gap between second and first isnt that significant. Do you understand what this means?

    It means with effort, even second ce can be first. Just with effort! But even though we make tremendous efforts, we cant surpass them. The gap has widened so much that ordinary effort cant narrow it. In that case, we need to strike a heavy blow, right?

    Despite the somewhat irritated tone, Song Jaegyeom listened quietly with one ear, letting the words pass without much impact.

    By now, he was so ustomed to these kinds of lectures that it would be strange not to hear them.

    You know what article I read a little while ago?

    Probably something about Osung Group. Youve been reading those topics all week.

    Recently, Osung Group has been making waves with a groundbreaking app. Have you heard of yer ce?

    yer ce?

    With slightly widened eyes, Song Jaegyeom nodded, as if acknowledging his awareness.

    Heard of it?

    I have.

    Apparently, Osung Group created that app. And guess whos behind it? Their second son, Ma Kyeong-rok.

    Ma Kyeong-rok is the representative of yer ce?

    Song Jaegyeoms expression hardened as if he had tasted something bitter.

    How many years apart are you and Ma Kyeong-rok?

    Three years.

    Hes younger than you, right?

    But that young man still has the vision to run such apany. Especially seeing him explode with such a good idea. On the other hand, some, despite growing up in an environment where sess is practically guaranteed, cant even get a single line of news with their name on it.

    Despite the clearparison, Song Jaegyeom remained silent.

    He wasnt bothered by it anymore.

    If you were at least a yer, I wouldnt have pressured you like this. What should you do then? Shouldnt you try to expand your business like Ma Kyeong-rok? Not necessarily aiming for a big hit, maybe a moderate sess, or even something small. Right? As the eldest son of LC Group.

    I will show results.

    Really? Well, do you have any ongoing projects?

    I am preparing something quietly.

    What is it?

    Its not time to reveal yet. Please wait a little longer, Father.

    Didnt you say something like thisst time? Dont make excuses to avoid criticism.

    I really mean it, please watch and wait. I am preparing a significant thing.

    Hoo, well, understood. You should have something by now. Go on.

    Yes, please restfortably.

    Song Jaegyeom, bowing his waist, left the chairmans office.

    Thud

    Closing the door, he pondered deeply.

    How did thingse to this point?

    Its all because of that Ma Kyeong-rok guy.

    When someone is repeatedlypared to the point where it bes like abel in ones ears, its inevitable to harbor resentment.

    Who wouldnt want to be a yer, iming its themselves?

    What can you do about bad luck.

    Some might consider it fortunate to be excluded by just a one-year difference.

    After all, it was a life-or-death survival game.

    But for Song Jaegyeom, whose reality was hell, it was nothing but misfortune.

    I wish I had be a yer at least

    If that were the case, he could havepeted with Ma Kyeong-rok on an equal footing.

    Regretting now is pointless.

    Thud, thud

    With the sound of footsteps, Song Jaegyeom walked.

    Click, creak

    Entering his private office, he leaned against the back of the chair.

    Hoo.

    Taking off his sses for a moment, he massaged his temples.

    Stress had been overwhelmingtely.

    yer ce was Ma Kyeong-roks?

    It was the first time he heard this information.

    Suddenly, irritation surged within him.

    Without even knowing, he had rmended it to cafe members to use.

    Wasnt this indirectly helping the rival he wanted to kill?

    Frowning, he saw another article that caught his eye.

    [National Assembly member Lee Seong-hyun. Massive yer Act passes!]

    [Lee Seong-hyun says, yers are like societys cancer.]

    [With the increase in yer crimes, voices supporting Lee Seong-hyun are growing]

    [When thew is enacted, yers will be suppressed by force!]

    [yer catching yers? We decided to prioritize yers among the police.]

    [As early as next month, arge yer police organization will be formed.]

    As expected, that guy was a troublesome.

    Song Jaegyeom also harbors a disdain for yers.

    However, to expand influence andpete with Ma Kyung-rok, its unavoidable to side with the yers.

    That member of the National Assembly. We cant leave him alone.

    Seeing that the meeting time had arrived, Song Jaegyeom logged into the chat room.

    [The chairman has joined the chat room.]

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 Chapter 103: Lee Seong hyun (1)

    Chapter 103: Lee Seong hyun (1)

    Its not even Sunday, so whats going on?

    Despite it not being a regr meeting day, Ryu Min was making his way to Lostyaks residence.

    The reason? An unexpected urgent summons.

    Could it be? Are they already putting the n into action?

    While he had a hunch, he knew he had to attend the meeting first.

    Swoosh-

    Entering the one-room space, he lifted the invisibility skill.

    Disguise.

    Rumbling, Rumbling-

    After wlessly transforming into the spitting image of Lostyak, Ryu Min took his seat in front of theputer.

    [Lostyak has entered the chat room.]

    Upon joining, he found Yamti and the president eagerly awaiting.

    -You made it?

    -Oh, sorry for beingte.

    -Its okay. Honestly, we were worried you wouldnt show. Each members situation is critical.

    The presidents expression seemed darker than usual as he spoke.

    Whats happening? Whats his deal?

    It was a pity that he couldnt read his mind through the video chat.

    -Yamti, how did the executive interviews we nnedst time go?

    -Yes! Its still ongoing, but at least three of them have sessfully passed the murder test.

    -So, theyre okay with our cafe?

    -Yes, indeed. They are positive about our cafe, to the extent that we could sit them in a meeting without any issues.

    Three? Who are these individuals aiming for an executive position

    Certainly, they must havemitted murder without hesitation, tempted by the position.

    -So, we can use them as part of our team?

    -Yes, but whats the matter

    The president cut in with a determined look.

    -Tomorrow, we execute the n.

    The n?

    Curious, Ryu Min inquired.

    -Mr. President, what do you mean by the n?

    -Capturing National Assembly member Lee Seong-hyun. Thats the n.

    Ah That exins the urgency.

    As expected.

    He had long asserted that a countermeasure was needed against National Assembly member Lee Seong-hyun, who had disyed hostility towards yers.

    So, theyve decided to kidnap him?

    National Assembly member Lee Seong-hyun was the observed target of yer Haven Caf.

    Not only did he disregard yers, but he also proposed unfavorablews.

    -I saw recent articles. National Assembly member Lee Seong-hyun sessfully passed the Anti-yer Act.

    -If he refers to anti-yers

    -To effectively suppress yers whomit crimes, a special organizationposed of police officers who are yers will be established, ording to the act.

    -Ah.

    -The ironic part is that the members of the special organization are yers who were selected from the police.

    -In other words, yers who are police officers will catch criminal yers with power.

    The chairman nodded in agreement with the exnation.

    -Thats right. The problem is that now that the act has passed, our cafs position will undoubtedly decrease.

    -So, kidnapping

    -Yes. By kidnapping Lee Seong-hyun and showing it to the public as an example, the voices of protest will decrease.

    An example? Are they nning to execute him?

    Surprised, Ryu Min raised his hand and suggested an opposing opinion.

    -But, Mr. President. Doesnt showing such public murder prove that the Anti-yer Act is necessary?

    -I am aware of that. It might even backfire. Therefore, we wont take on the role of kidnapping.

    -What? Then?

    The president smiled slightly.

    -We will fabricate it as if ordinary citizens kidnapped Lee Seong-hyun. We will use money to hire ordinary citizens with a criminal record to make it look like they kidnapped him. Of course, the actual kidnapping will be done by us.

    -So, youre saying youll stage it?

    -Exactly. After secretly kidnapping Lee Seong-hyun, well make it look like ordinary citizens did it, and well even carry out a public execution. At that point, we will intervene toote, trying to stop the criminals and save Lee Seong-hyun, but by then, Lee Seong-hyun will already be dead.

    -Ah

    -This way, we not only achieve the goal of killing Lee Seong-hyun but also officially let the citizens know that our caf is not an enemy.

    In short, it was a strategy to kidnap and then stage a y to win public opinion by saving themter.

    Hmm, there wasnt a scenario like this in the previous regressions.

    In previous regressions, Lee Seong-hyun showed hostility towards yers too. Then, the caf proceeded to kidnap him in the same way.

    But at that time, I didnt know about this n. I saved Lee Seong-hyun before he was kidnapped.

    Ryu Min didnt know about this n despite sessfully rescuing Lee Seong-hyun and forming a bond with him.

    His ability to transform into Lostyak had revealed these hidden aspects; without it, he might have remained in the dark.

    Getting the Assassins Mask early turned out to be a wise move.

    Achieving the Time Attack record and securing a Unique Item Selection Ticket had led to these significant developments.

    -However, Mr. President. The act has already passed. Will eliminating Lee Seong-hyun make any difference?

    -Hmm, a question fitting for Lostyak. Certainly, there will be changes. First and foremost, the act loses its influence with the demise of the outspoken congressman. Moreover, not only that but we might also get an opportunity to select members for the Anti-yer police unit.

    -Ah, I see.

    -Plus, getting rid of Lee Seong-hyun will prevent proposing more anti-yer acts, simply blocking those acts makes him worth the sacrifice. Do you get it?

    -Yes, Mr. President. I understand.

    Havingprehended the presidents intentions and the overall n, Ryu Min inquired about the detailed n.

    -So, how do you n to find ordinary citizens for the show?

    -Our connection with the police department will make it easy to check individuals with red gs. Well approach them, check if they have any qualms about making some money, and then recruit about half a dozen.

    The president had it all nned out.

    It seemed like a n that had been contemted for a while, not hastily concocted.

    -Yamti, you mentioned we could mobilize three executives immediately, right?

    -Yes, yes.

    -When we execute the kidnapping of Lee Seong-hyun, involve them as well. Yamti, youll be in charge of overseeing the congressmans abduction.

    -Understood. Trust me with that.

    -Lostyak, assist Yamti in preparing for the kidnapping. Ill send you the location and Lee Seong-hyuns schedule.

    -When is the execution time?

    -The execution time is when Congressman Lee Seong-hyun goes to his office

    A slight upward curve formed on the presidents lips.

    -Tomorrow at 8 a.m.

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 Chapter 103: Lee Seong hyun (2)

    Chapter 103: Lee Seong hyun (2)

    -Hello, viewers. Today, weve brought National Assembly member Lee Seong-hyun into the studio. Please greet the viewers, Congressman.

    -Nice to meet you. Im Congressman Lee Seong-hyun, representing the voice of the people.

    -Do you know youve been trending on the intetely, Congressman?

    -Im aware that Im popr among reporters. I wonder if there are any questions left for them to ask me

    -Haha, your straightforward remarks are quite impressive, Congressman. Recently, an act you proposed has been gaining attention.

    -The Anti-yer Act, you mean?

    -Can you exin what kind of act it is?

    -In simple terms, its an act to catch and punish yers. Of course, good yers have nothing to worry about. Its aw targeting yers whomit crimes.

    -Haha It must be a despair-inducingw for criminal yers. Do you have a reason for proposing such aw?

    -I consider yers as cancer cells in society, you know? Of course, I mean criminal yer. Anyway, six months since the appearance of yers, indiscriminate murders, rapes, robberies, and thefts have been urring, right? 77.5% of those actions aremitted by yers. Statistics prove it. So, its a problem we cant just ignore.

    -So youre proposing thisw to eliminate the cancer cells in society?

    -Exactly. Honestly, I thought it wouldnt pass, but luckily, it did.

    -That seems to indicate the severity of the situation.

    -You know well, host. Thats correct. The situation is really serious these days.

    -But, Congressman. yers y rounds in the other world every month, dont they? Its a rule that only half survive. In that case, wouldnt the numbers decline naturally? Is thisw really necessary?

    -Every time reporters ask me that question, I turn it around. Would you wait for a fire on your foot to naturally go out? No. Youd shake your foot to extinguish it quickly. Thats the current situation. You can speak like that when youre in a bystanders position. But in the victims shoes, youd want to catch and punish yers as soon as possible, even if its just for a day.

    -Ah, so waiting for yers to vanish isnt a fundamental solution, is it?

    -Exactly. To truly resolve this, we must uproot all yers in this world. But mind you, only those with a criminal record, so dont misunderstand.

    Beep-

    The TV screen blinked out.

    Misunderstand?

    Lee Seong-hyun smirked.

    What misunderstanding? All yers must bepletely eliminated. Whats wrong with that? You worthless bastards.

    He buttoned up his shirt, threw on the suit jacket, and then he put on his tie.

    Finally, he pinned the gold-colored congressman badge onto hispel.

    Lee Seong-hyun nced at the mirror, and his gaze shifted to a photo of his son, smiling brightly while holding onto his fathers leg.

    Our Seunghoon used to love it when I put on the badge for him before going to work

    His elementary school son had tragically died five months ago at the hands of a yer.

    A yer with newfound supernatural powers had, in an attempt to make money, identally killed Seunghoon during a clumsy kidnapping.

    Just because they couldnt control their own power.

    Of course, revenge was on his mind, but irritatingly, the yer met their end in the next Round.

    I should have taken that damn bastard down with my own hands.

    Thunk-

    Having missed the chance for revenge, Lee Seong-hyun redirected his attention to criminal yers.

    To prevent more victims like his son, he proposed an act, and fortunately, it passed.

    Yet, contrary to what he mentioned in the broadcast, he viewed all yers negatively.

    Theres no such thing as a good yer. All yers are trash. Potential criminals who can unleash hidden powers at any moment.

    Who knows when they might use theirtent powers to shake the world.

    Ordinary people couldnt coexist with such yers.

    All yers must be wiped out.

    Lee Seong-hyun grasped this twisted ideology, knowing it was wrong.

    But he couldnt help it, if youre a yer, his honest feeling is that he doesnt want to see you at all.

    The chaos those abilities brought to the world was what he truly hated.

    Yet he proposed an act to eliminate criminal yers, using yers in the police department.

    As much as I hate them, I have no choice but to use the same yers.

    yers were simply uncontroble by the power of ordinary people.

    Even with the mobilization of the military, there were limits, so he decided to use yers to control other yers.

    It was like using hunting dogs to catch other hunting dogs.

    Luckily, the act had passed, so all that remained was to proceed swiftly.

    Criminal yers will see me as an enemy.

    Surely they will find him troublesome.

    Perhaps they might n to kill him.

    But there was no need to worry.

    In preparation for such unfortunate circumstances, Ive hired young bodyguard yers.

    In this grim world, even securitypanies wereposed entirely of yers.

    The price has skyrocketed, but whats more important than life?

    I wont take money to the grave.

    Money or anything else didnt matter as long as the goal of eradicating yers was achieved.

    He had nothing left to lose, after all.

    Lets push through the act and wrap this up nicely.

    It was morning, almost time to go to work, Lee Seong-hyun left his house and headed to the parking lot.

    His bodyguards were ready at the door.

    On both sides, one yer each, and one in the front and one in the back, a total of four yers protected him as he walked.

    It was an ironic situation.

    He, who disdained yers, was being protected by yers.

    If only everything goes well this time, a world without yers wille.

    He had nothing more to wish for.

    Thud-

    Lets get in, Congressman.

    Thank you.

    When the bodyguard opened the rear door, Lee Seong-hyun got in without suspicion.

    However, there was a woman sitting in the drivers seat, whom he hadnt seen before.

    Who are you?

    Hello, Congressman. Nice to meet you.

    Who the hell are you?

    Thunk-

    Lee Seong-hyun could no longer speak.

    He was knocked unconscious by the hand of the security guard who had opened the door a moment ago.

    Yamti, its ready.

    Yes. Ill go first. Please follow slowly.

    Yes, Master.

    Vroom-

    The car carrying the congressman smoothly exited the parking lot.

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 Chapter 104: Yamtis Past (1)

    Chapter 104: Yamtis Past (1)

    Miss Ye-dam, is this really how you n to handle it?

    With a sharp sound, the document hit Kim Ye-dams face and scattered on the floor.

    F*ck this! I spent a good two hours on this report.

    Though she felt the urge to retaliate against her boss right away, she held back. After all, biting her tongue was a small price to pay for putting food on the table.

    Head back and redo it.

    ?

    Why no response? Not in the mood to work? Well, then, how about submitting a resignation and taking a walk?

    No, Ill rewrite it.

    Ah, but before you go, could you do me a favor and make some coffee? Even if reports arent your thing, you make killer coffee, right?

    Yes.

    Chewing on her lower lip, Kim Ye-dam headed to the break room, returning with a cup of coffee that bore the mark of her frustration.

    Here you go, sir.

    Thanks. Um, why the stare? Times ticking; get that report done pronto.

    Yes.

    That day, Kim Ye-dam found herself revising the report not once, but five more times.

    It marked the first time she contemted the idea of wanting someone dead.

    Works piling up, and this boss

    The taste of the post-work alcohol was sweet, but thest night of December felt like a descent into hell.

    Almost New Year, and Im here dealing with this nonsense. Seriously?

    Even if revenge against her boss brewed in her thoughts, as an ordinary employee, she found herself powerless.

    Im just a poor woman What can I do?

    Being an orphan with a modest background, just managing her own life felt overwhelming.

    If only Id won the lottery at a time like this.

    With such thoughts, she drank herself into sleep, only to wake up in a meadow.

    Wait, she had seen an angel in her dream just before.

    Survive until Round 20 or something

    It still felt unbelievable, like a dream.

    Thinking it was a dream, she was asked to pick a nickname, and she chose Yamti.

    No special meaning; it was the nickname of a female BJ she admired.

    The that Angel appeared in the dream said

    [Defeat 100 goblins each to return to Earth.]

    Kim Ye-dam chuckled at the seemingly absurd statement.

    Dreams can be so real.

    But it didnt take long for her to realize the brutality of reality.

    A scene of a bloodbath with green blood and chaos unfolded.

    Real. Its really real.

    If she didnt kill 100 goblins, she would die.

    The focus was clear  kill goblins.

    But with only a short goblin dagger in Kim Ye-dams hands, killing living beings wasnt as simple as she thought.

    What do I do? How can I

    At that moment, the first random rune fragment shed in her mind.

    [Enchanting Rune]

    Effect: Seduce and dominate humans with just eye contact or physical contact. Can dominate up to 5 people and can only be used on the opposite sex.

    Duration is infinite, and the enchanted person remains loyal to the owner. Cannot be used on monsters or angels.

    Right, I had this.

    Kim Ye-dam used the rune to dominate a nearby male yer.

    Excuse me!

    Yes?

    The domination was instant.

    The moment she decided to seduce he was dominated by her eye contact.

    For a moment, a pink tint appeared in the guys pupils, indicating that he was dominated.

    [SuckerGuy has been enchanted.]

    1. SuckerGuy (yer)

    2. (None)

    3. (None)

    4. (None)

    5. (None)

    [You can disenchant the desired human by calling the number along with the trigger word Unenchant.]

    SuckerGuy looked at Kim Ye-dam with a bewildered expression.

    Do you have something tomand me? Master.

    Uh

    It was awkward for a moment.

    Goblins! Protect me from the goblins!

    Yes, Master.

    Hurriedly giving themand, SuckerGuy immediately moved.

    Swoosh!

    Kiya!

    The yer enchanted by the rune readily followed Kim Ye-dams orders.

    Seeing the obedient man who became her loyal guard, she thought she should increase the number.

    I can dominate up to 5 people, right?

    She dominated any nearby humans as soon as they were caught.

    Chaos ensued.

    Guard md with your body up front!

    Use your body to block the goblins dagger!

    There! Protect me on the side!

    No matter whatmand she issued, they followed. Creating human shields made catching goblins much easier.

    I I survived. I passed Round 1.

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 Chapter 104: Yamtis Past (2)

    Chapter 104: Yamtis Past (2)

    The enchanting runes real-world application proved exceptional.

    Miss Ye-dam! What time is it now, and youre just co

    The manager who once tormented Kim Ye-dam, now under her control after she resigned, crawled like a dog.

    Crawl like a dog. Apologize for what you did to me.

    Woof, understood. I was wrong, Master.

    Ignoring the stares, the manager crawled around the office all day. The ownersmand was absolute.

    I thought my boss was so difficult, but it was surprisingly easy to make him bow down like this.

    Sympathy was long forgotten. Seeing the manager crawling like a dog,ughter bubbled up.

    Now,mit suicide. Get out of my sight.

    Understood, Master.

    After that, there was no news, and she never bothered to see what happened to the manager.

    Haha, haha, hehehe.

    Kim Ye-damsughter never stopped since that day.

    Anyone, anyone can kneel at my feet!

    In a moment, she went from the bottom of life to the pinnacle of humanity.

    The once hellish reality was now bearable.

    The enchanting rune was powerful.

    Anyone, with just eye contact, could be controlled and made to grovel.

    Hehe, getting rid of that job was a good move. You can live without a job, right?

    Money was limitless, and even

    From now on, this house is mine, so donte out of that room over there.

    Understood, Master.

    Unauthorized entry into others homes and living there like her own was possible.

    Luring a rich man is nothing.

    She seduced a man living alone in an apartment with a view of the Han River.

    While living in an apartment worth tens of billions like her own, Kim Ye-dam thought

    The world is so unfair. Were all in Seoul, yet some live in basements, and others live in the sky.

    She wasnt ming the unfairness.

    Her position hadpletely changed now.

    It was just a muttering of realization, acknowledging that such a high-ss life existed.

    I want to live this way a little longer.

    To do that, she had to survive the rounds.

    The problem was that the enchanting rune didnt directly help in hunting.

    If only I could control monsters, hunting would be so much easier.

    But it wasnt bad.

    With yers bing meat shields, she could hunt more safely than anyone else.

    After she used the yers to catch monsters, she monopolized experience points by finishing them off.

    It turned out to be very useful, huh?

    Thanks to that, she could grow faster than others.

    In Round 3, she could even change professions to a tamer.

    It was a job of capturing monsters and taming them. Since she couldnt seduce monsters with her rune, it was the perfect job.

    Growing through the rounds, Kim Ye-dam eventually discovered a drawback to the enchanting rune.

    W-who are you? What are you doing in my house!?

    Huh?

    Somehow, erasing the homeowners name caused the enchantment to be released.

    She thought that by deleting them from the list she would only lose the ability tomand them, she hadnt realized that being removed from the list would release the enchantment.

    And once enchanted, the target could not be enchanted again.

    Oh, so you cant enchant the same target again after releasing it.

    After killing the homeowner and erasing traces to clean up, Kim Ye-dam sat on the sofa, pondering.

    Then I shouldnt release the enchantment so easily for humans I want to continuemanding, right?

    Realizing the new fact, she became more cautious with enchanting.

    Its a bit disappointing that there are only five slots.

    Still, the enchanting rune was undeniably incredible.

    It was enviable, almost like having the authority of a district representative.

    Enchantment isnt just for yers; it can dominate any human.

    Level or job didnt matter.

    Even against opponents stronger than her, it didnt matter.

    If you set your mind to it, even the president can be beguiled. Enchantment possesses a unique poweran ability to dominate akin to the authority of a zone representative, or perhaps even surpassing it. With the tamer ability, Kim Ye-dam couldmand monsters, cing every living being under her watchful eye.

    Life became easier.

    Feels a bit dull, doesnt it?

    During this time, Kim Ye-dam stumbled upon a caf named yer Haven.

    The yer will change the world? I resonate with that slogan. A lot of yers have joined the caf too.

    Impressed by the cafs charm, she decided to take the interview test, only to discover it involved bing entangled in a murder. But for someone who had alreadymitted such an act, it posed little difficulty.

    Hmm, if I excel at this, could I manipte the individual who founded the caf?

    Building trust, she ascended to a leadership position and proposed extending interactions beyond video chats to include offline meetings.

    Ultimately, in the real world, she encountered the individual known as the Chairman.

    Oh, youre the Chairman, the visionary behind the caf? Greetings!

    Hello. You must be Yamti?

    Hehe, yes. Delighted to meet you.

    Sharing a smile and making eye contact, Kim Ye-dam effortlessly dominated the Chairman.

    [Average person Song Jaegyeom has fallen under enchantment.]

    Huh? Wait, an average person?

    While yers werebeled as such, discovering he was an average person was perplexing.

    Yet for Kim Ye-dam, the distinction held little significance.

    Whether a yer or not, I can control the Chairman of yer Haven at my whim!

    From that pivotal moment,

    Dont address me as your master in public. Act like Im an early member like the other executives.

    Understood.

    ying the role of a high-ranking official alongside the Chairman and steering the caf,

    Though LC Group fell slightly shortpared to Osung, it remained a colossal empire.

    With the son of such a corporation held as a metaphorical ve, financial concerns were virtually nonexistent.

    But Chairman, why did you create the caf?

    At first, the idea was to gather yers since I couldnt be one. Now, its about expanding influence and surprising my father.

    Ah, attempting to earn approval from your father.

    Yes. But before that, I must kill Ma Kyung-rok.

    Ma Kyung-rok?

    Hes the eldest son of Osung Group. My father alwayspares me to him. Hence, I need to eliminate him as soon as possible. If I dont, Ill be subjected to endlessparisons.

    Though she imed to have enchanted him, it merely increased his liking from 0 to 100. These individuals also think and feel. Even under the influence, their existing sentiments of revenge and inferiority persist.

    You harbored a hidden agenda all along.

    Kim Ye-dam was well aware of how that felt.

    She had harbored a desire to stab the manager with a knife more than once or twice.

    I understand how you feel. Ill assist you in killing Ma Kyung-rok.

    Really?

    But only when our influence surpasses its current state. If we be so powerful. Ma Kyung-rok will have no choice but to join yer Haven.

    Kim Ye-dam grinned slyly.

    Thats when we will kill him.

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 Chapter 105: Kidnapping The national Assembly Member (1)

    Chapter 105: Kidnapping The national Assembly Member (1)

    The car carrying the Members of the National Assembly raced down the road, gliding like a dancer on ice.

    Yamti, firmly gripping the steering wheel, stole a quick nce at the rearview mirror.

    She wasnt afraid that he might get up since they hit him really hard on the back of his head.

    He should have kept a better eye on his subordinates.

    For Yamti, asserting control over the bodyguards was no challenge.

    Conveniently, there were only four bodyguards, she noted.

    Currently, there are four remaining slots for the enchantment runes.

    One slot belonged to the Chairman, and the others were kept flexible for various uses.

    The bodyguards enchantment has just been lifted. By now, theyre probably regaining their senses and searching for the Members of the National Assembly.

    Lifting the enchantment on the bodyguards had been intentional.

    They needed to know about the Members of the National Assemblys kidnapping to prompt the necessary action.

    The Chairman surprised me by suddenly announcing the kidnapping of the Members of the National Assembly, even though it wasnt nned. Its been a while since hese up with an operation I like.

    The kidnapping wasnt her order, but a n devised and executed by the Chairman himself.

    But he shouldve given me a heads-up before nning something like this. I should warn him not to do it again.

    She it was a warning, but she didnt need to say it strongly.

    Anyone enchanted by her would listen without much persuasion.

    Here we are.

    Yamti, arriving at a remote mountain valley with an uncertain location, stepped out of the car.

    In spite of her appearance, which seemed too feeble to lift a bag of rice, Yamti effortlessly carried the Member of the National Assembly on her shoulders and ascended the mountain.

    Now, regardless of gender, every yer in this world is considered a Monster.

    Yamti, having brought the Member of the National Assembly to a cabin she had prepared in advance, swung open the door.

    Creak

    As soon as the door opened, the lively gazes of those inside turned towards Yamti.

    Oh, youve arrived, Yamti-nim.

    The yers, recognizing her as an ally, exchanged nces.

    These were the three high-ranking executives recently recruited through a rigorous interview process.

    After cing the Member of the National Assembly in a chair, Yamti smiled and spoke.

    Ive chosen you three well. Its nice to see that sharp look in your eyes.

    Thank you for your praise, Yamti-nim.

    Yamti-nim, your eyes are truly beautiful as well, and your well-built body

    Haha, thank you. But

    Yamti grabbed the mans finger that had just spoken.

    Snap!

    Ahh!

    Where did you learn to make inappropriate remarks to your superior? I feel like punishing you.

    Im, Im, Im sorry. Ah!

    The man with the broken finger immediately apologized.

    Yamtis strength was beyond imagination, but that wasnt the reason that he apologized.

    [yer DollPlusEye has fallen under the enchantment.]

    He was currently under the control of the enchantment rune.

    Other executives should be cautious too. If you belittle a woman, youll all face consequences. Understood?

    Why no response?

    Oh, we understand.

    Well, well do whatever you say, Yamti-nim.

    Come here. Ill treat your finger.

    Thank you for being so generous. Master

    Dont talk. Just stay quiet.

    After giving emergency treatment to the injured man, Yamti did not release the enchantment.

    She was concerned that the guy might seek revenge and disrupt the ns.

    Because once controlled, he cant be controlled again.

    Later, when the work is over, she can just kill him and thats it.

    Ugh.

    Lee Seong-hyun, who had awakened from the other guys scream a while ago, blinked.

    Whats going on? Who are you guys?

    Wait a moment. Let me get some rope to tie him up.

    While Yamti went to get a rope, Lee Seong-hyun got up from his seat.

    Hey, old man. Sit down. Sit.

    These guys Do you know what youve done? You kidnapped a Member of the National Assembly, you idiots.

    So what? If we want we can kidnap the president.

    What?

    Besides, were going to kill you soon.

    Were not the ones killing you, though.

    Well be treated as heroes of the nation. Hehehe.

    Listening to theughter of the criminals, Lee Seong-hyun furrowed his brows.

    What the hell are these guys talking about

    You should stop there, executives.

    Yamti, who had returned, pressed her finger to her lips as if to signal them to be quiet.

    Dont reveal the n so recklessly.

    Im sorry, Yamti.

    Yamti approached Lee Seong-hyun, who wore a bewildered expression.

    Alright, Ive brought the rope. Please sit quietly in the chair.

    You f*cking b*tch! What are you doing?

    Let me ask you, what are you trying to do, congressman?

    What?

    Youve already figured out the situation. You know were kidnapping you, and soon youll die, so why are you provoking me? I see.

    Yamti snorted as if she figured out something.

    Youre eager to go see your son, huh? Hehe.

    This

    Dont worry. Soon well send you to your son.

    You You f*king b*tch

    Swish!

    Yamti, avoiding a punch, kicked Lee Seong-hyun in the abdomen.

    Cough!

    The pain felt like being hit with concrete, causing his legs to go weak.

    Think you can mess with me just because Im a woman?

    Yamti frowned as if expressing his displeasure.

    Tie him to the chair and tape his mouth.

    Yes!

    When the male subordinates held him down, Lee Seong-hyun resisted with clenched teeth.

    Let go! Let go, you bastards!

    But there was no way an ordinary person could withstand the strength of a yer capable of breaking concrete.

    Thud!

    Although he was forcibly seated in a chair, he struggled as if he wouldnt give in.

    This man is resisting fiercely.

    He wont let us tie the rope.

    Yamti, can I just punch this guy once?

    Step aside.

    Yamti, seeming resigned, made eye contact with Lee Seong-hyun.

    Stay still. Well send you off nicely. Dont you want to see your son?

    Yes.

    Lee Seong-hyuns movements ceased as if he had given up on life.

    Oh, what happened to him?

    He turned into a puppy in front of Yamti.

    As expected of Yamti.

    The observing executives were impressed, but for Yamti, it was an easy task.

    Ive used up the enchantment slot again.

    Yamti sighed inwardly as she read the message that appeared on Lee Seong-hyuns enchantment.

    [Ordinary Lee Sung-hyun has been enchanted.]

    1. Song Jaegyeom (Ordinary)

    2. DollPlusEye (yer)

    3. Lee Sung-hyun (Ordinary)

    4. (None)

    5. (None)

    She wanted to save the slots if possible, but there were only two left now.

    Well, using the enchantment will make things easier.

    It seemed impossible to make Lee Seong-hyun behave himself.

    In a little while, Chairman wille with six criminals. Get ready as soon as they arrive.

    Yes!

    Following Yamtis instructions, the executives moved busily.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 105: Kidnapping The national Assembly Member (2)

    Chapter 105: Kidnapping The national Assembly Member (2)

    Following Yamtis instructions, the executives moved busily.

    After tying Lee Seong-hyun to the chair and covering his face with a ck bag, they ced a cell phone camera on a stand in front.

    Is everything set?

    Yes. With a press of a button, we can start streaming live on YouTube.

    Good.

    The phone for streaming was none other than Lee Seong-hyuns.

    She hadnt deliberately turned it off for easy tracking by the police.

    Yamti, what about the criminals?

    Chairman will bring them here soon. Just wait a little longer.

    At that moment.

    Creak!

    When the door opened, everyones attention focused on it.

    However, the expectant expressions soon turned to disappointment.

    The person who entered was not the Chairman but Lostyak.

    Why did youe here? Shouldnt someone be watching over there?

    Yamti was about to say something but was then taken aback.

    Could it be that the police are already tracking us?

    No, its not that.

    Then why did youe in?

    I got tired of just watching, and I was curious about how things would turn out

    Sigh.

    Yamti, who sighed in disbelief, suddenly opened her eyes wide.

    Hey, Lostyak. Do you have any idea how important today is?

    Yes.

    But why are you acting like an idiot? I told you to keep watch. We need to finish the performance before the police arrive

    Before the criminals we recruited arrive, you mean?

    Thats right. But Chairman isnt here.

    True, why isnt the Chairmaning?

    Yamti felt something was off.

    Lostyaks atmosphere was subtly different from before.

    Did you just use informalnguage with me?

    Yeah, replied Lostyak nonchntly.

    Did you forget that Im your senior? She pressed.

    Seniority doesnt mean much in this world, Lostyak shrugged, his tone indifferent.

    Hah, youve really lost it now, havent you? Yamti chuckled wryly, realizing the futility of arguing.

    Yamti decided to set aside their linguistic disagreement for the time being, given the pressing situation. For now, lets put that aside because of the urgency. We can discuss itter, formally with the Chairman

    Lostyak, however, didnt let the matter go. So why isnt the Chairman showing up in this urgent situation?

    Yamti nced at the cabins wall clock, her brows furrowing.

    Why isnt he showing up at this time?

    It was already the time when six ordinary criminal members should have arrived.

    Yamti couldnt fathom why the Chairman was disobeying her orders, he would have shown up even if it meant sacrificing his own life.

    Growing increasingly concerned, Yamti picked up her phone and dialed the Chairmans number.

    Why the hell arent you answering the phone, f*ck? she muttered under her breath.

    Are you cursing at the Chairman right now? Lostyak raised an eyebrow, catching her unintended expletive.

    Embarrassed, Yamti stammered, Oh I was just talking to myself.

    Ryu Min, unfazed, remarked, Oh? But yourepletely clueless.

    What? Yamti was taken aback.

    I did this much, and you still havent caught on? Lostyaks tone was mocking.

    Yamti lowered the phone, her expression now a mix of bewilderment and irritation. What are you trying to do?

    What do you mean?

    Is the Chairman not showing up because of you? Yamtis frustration was evident.

    Lostyaks response was less than courteous. You seriously have no clue. Youre only realizing it now.

    Hey, Yamti abandoned her formalnguage, growing increasingly exasperated. Whats wrong with you? Wheres he?

    Huh? Are you seriously using informalnguage with the chairman again? Its as if hes your subordinate?

    Ugh. Yamti brushed her hair back, her patience waning. What kind of day is it today? Why is everyone acting like this? Do they really underestimate me just because Im a woman?

    Yamti couldnt hold back any longer. The traitor who had disrupted all their ns stood before her.

    Look at me properly, she demanded, locking eyes with Lostyak.

    A bastard like you should have been screened out a long time ago. Ah, its my mistake. Really. She sighed, her voice tinged with regret.

    With an almost resigned air, she activated the Enchantment. Hey, wheres the Chairman? Tell me now and speak properly.

    Lostyaks response caught her off guard. Why should I?

    What did you say Yamti was momentarily stunned.

    I said, why should I answer you, b*tch? Ryu Mins brazenness knew no bounds.

    Yamti was left speechless, her frustration palpable.

    She couldnt help but feel stunned as if she had been hit in the back of the head with a hammer.

    She had seduced dozens of men, but this was the first time someone reacted this way.

    This is strange?! Im sure Ive used it correctly!

    Could it be that the Lostyak is not a man as it appears?

    Or has the slot already been filled up?

    No, there are definitely two slots left  .

    Yamti ordered again for confirmation.

    W-Where is the chairman?

    Ryu Min continued to provoke her. Why do you keep giving me orders? You crazy b*tch.

    As Yamti opened her eyes in disbelief, a message she had overlooked for a moment appeared in her vision.

    [A powerful mental barrier is blocking the enchantment.]

    [You cant seduce the yer ck Scythe.]

    what?

    Yamti couldnt help but be surprised by something other than the fact that the enchantment didnt work.

    Its not Lostyak but ck Scythe?

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 Chapter 106: The True Identity Of Lostyak (1)

    Chapter 106: The True Identity Of Lostyak (1)

    The Rune of Enchantment is a deceptive rune.

    Regardless of a yers level or the heights of human renown they may reach, this rune entraps them without fail.

    In the presence of Yamti, everyone ispelled to bow their heads.

    However.

    Its not working, no matter how many times I try!

    No matter how intently she gazed and attempted to bewitch, all that awaited her were messages indicating that her rune was stopped by an unyielding mental barrier.

    Why doesnt it work? Why?

    Yamti found herself not only pondering this puzzle but also something elseher opponents nickname, revealed in the messages.

    ck Scythe.

    Is the person standing before me now not Lostyak, but ck Scythe?

    It turned out that the identity of the Lostyak she had known all along was, in fact, ck Scythe!

    Who would have imagined that ck Scythe, the top-priority recruit, would be right by her side?

    You, you

    Oh, did you notice? My nickname.

    Its quite the cunning rune, isnt it? It even exposes real nicknames.

    How do you know about my rune?

    Ive told you many times.

    In an instant, Ryu Mins gaze turned ice-cold.

    Why do I have to respond to your questions?

    A gulp echoed in the tense silence.

    Under the weight of this tension, Yamti observed Ryu Min in silence for a while.

    A man who cannot be enchanted. Thats ck Scythe

    Since bing a yer, he was the first man to make Yamti this nervous.

    What should I do now? Judging by the atmosphere, hes not doing this with good purpose

    In this situation, the one who had disrupted their operation and targeted the chairman was none other than ck Scythe, who stood before her.

    Considering that the chairmans name still lingered on the enchantment list, it appeared that he hadnt killed him yet.

    He must want something since hes not killing me right away.

    It couldnt be resolved through sheer force.

    After all, their opponent was the renowned ck Scythe.

    Somehow, she had to solve this through conversation.

    With the thought that perhaps, if she handled it well, she could work things out, Yamti made a proposition.

    Uh, ck Scythe. If you tell me what you want, Ill do my best to amodate it

    Yamti-nim. Do you have any issues?

    Sensing that something was amiss in the atmosphere, the executives drew near.

    One blocked the exit, one prepared for a potential ambush from behind, and one cast a vignt gaze by Yamtis side.

    They had strategically positioned themselves, ready for any scenario to make a favorable impression on Yamti.

    Look at these idiots.

    In an instant, Ryu Min smiled, but Yamti sensed a peculiar aura from that smile.

    Yamti-nim. Is something troubling you? If you inform us of the situation, we can

    Shut up. You lot are getting in the way, so stay quiet

    Yamti.

    Yes?

    These guys are rather sharp. They could sense the mood better than you.

    In the blink of an eye, Ryu Min drew his scythe.

    They may not grasp the topic, but they know how to read the atmosphere.

    Then, there was a sound as if something was being sliced one by one.

    Tututututu-

    The three executives who had been standing moments ago copsed like a row of dominos.

    Ah.

    Blood stained the floor, but Yamti was oddly nailed in her ce.

    I didnt even see it happen.

    Realizing that she couldnt react at the necessary speed, Yamti let go of any hope she had.

    When the executives stepped forward, she had held a faint hope.

    In the end, it turned out to be a futile one.

    I have no choice. I cante up with any n to deal with this man.

    She had only just realized this fact.

    What What do you want?

    First, release Congressman Seong Hyun Lee from the enchantment.

    If she releases the enchantment, she will no longer be able to utilize him again.

    That fact was what held Yamti back.

    I-if I refuse?

    She gathered her courage.

    In exchange, she had to lose her arm.

    Tock-

    Ah, ahhhhhh!

    In apparent agony, Yamti grabbed her shoulder and sank to the ground.

    Naturally, she didnt see when it was severed.

    Courage may be a virtual concept, but youve misjudged your opponent.

    Ugh

    Im not here to entertain denials.

    Ryu Min picked up the severed arm from the ground.

    He then ced it against the cleanly cut section.

    Ahh!

    With searing pain, Yamti clutched her shoulder, and when Ryu Min used healing magic, the wound was mended, and her arm returned to its original state.

    It wont be quite the same as before, but you can manage to move it.

    Really?

    Yamti found herself quietly astonished.

    Reattaching a severed arm was no small feat. Even with her own emergency healing skills, she knew shecked the recovery capacity to reattach a severed limb.

    How is this even possible?

    Both of them possessed the same skill, so why was there such a gap in their recovery abilities?

    Ryu Min, as if cautioning against entertaining doubts, once again raised his scythe.

    Now that the arm is reattached, let me repeat. Release Congressman Seong Hyun Lee from the enchantment.

    Without hesitation, Yamti took action.

    I-Ive released him.

    Ryu Min silently scrutinized Yamti upon hearing those words.

    Reading her inner thoughts, there was no falsehood.

    That was quick.

    As evidence, Congressman Seong Hyun Lee, who had been as motionless as a doll just a moment ago, let out a sigh.

    Ah, my head Huh?

    Upon opening his eyes, his vision was obstructed by a ck bag.

    He couldnt move; it seemed he was tied to a chair.

    Although he couldnt see whaty in front of him, Seong Hyun Lee quickly grasped the situation.

    Hey, all of you! You know that the police are nearby! How could you kidnap a member of the National Assembly without thinking this through? Youve made a mistake. Listen to me! Release me do you understand!

    At that moment, the darkened vision suddenly brightened.

    Ryu Min had removed the ck bag.

    Huh?

    Hello, Congressman Seong Hyun Lee. Im someone trying to rescue you.

    A man with an unfamiliar grayish-paleplexion was gazing intently at him.

    Before he could even wonder who this man was, the stench of blood and corpses hit him btedly.

    Ugh!

    Just wait a little. Ill negotiate with that woman first.

    While the congressman hurled, Ryu Min red at Yamti.

    Do you want to be spared?

    P-please spare me.

    If I spare you, will you promise not to use your abilities anymore?

    Yes! I swear to never use my abilities again, I swear to g

    Dont swear to some god. Swear to me.

    Oh, alright. I swear to ck Scythe! I swear!

    Watching Yamti, who spoke with desperation in her tone, Ryu Min nodded.

    Very well. Ill show you mercy.

    Th-thank you! Thank you!

    Now, be on your way.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 106: The True Identity Of Lostyak (2)

    Chapter 106: The True Identity Of Lostyak (2)

    Very well. Ill show you mercy.

    Th-thank you! Thank you!

    Now, be on your way.

    Even with the invitation she desired, Yamti still regarded Ryu Min with suspicious eyes.

    Can I really go now? You wont cut my throat as soon as I turn around, will you?

    Dont be silly. Go.

    Ryu Min turned his head indifferently.

    Hes defenseless?

    For a moment, she had the impulse tounch a surprise attack, but it was just a fleeting thought.

    No, no. Am I insane?

    Was it necessary to risk her life for something like vengeance?

    Compared to ck Scythe, her stats were utterly insignificant.

    The gap between them was akin to that between an elephant and a mouse.

    No matter how sudden the attack, there was almost no chance of winning, and she knew it well.

    I-Ill go. ck Scythe. Ill be on my way then.

    Where do you think youre going?! You f*cking b*tch!

    As Yamti tried to leave the cabin, Congressman Seong Hyun Lee erupted in anger.

    Untie me! I have to catch that woman! She kidnapped me!

    Even though he was screaming so loudly, Ryu Min made no move to release him.

    Hurry up and go.

    A-ah, yes.

    For a moment, Yamti, casting a suspicious nce at Ryu Min, left the cabin.

    * * *

    Thump, thump, thump, thump

    As she descended the mountain path, her breathing grewbored.

    Whew, huff.

    Yamti, who hade down a considerable distance, turned to look back.

    The cabin was already so far away that it couldnt be seen.

    Hes not following me, is he? Is he really letting me go?

    It is neither visible nor detected by themon skill Presence Detection.

    Yamti was sure

    There was no pursuit.

    Ha, hahaha, heeheeheehee. Huh!

    She bit her lip to stop herself fromughing aloud, in case it would be heard by ck Scythe.

    But she couldnt hold back theughter bubbling up.

    Puhihihihiheeheehee. Hahah, whats going on, seriously.

    Tears welled up in her eyes fromughing so much, and she spoke in disbelief.

    Does he actually like me? What on earth? Why did he spare me?

    Was it because of the promise not to use her ability?

    Or was it because she appeared frail?

    Have you fallen in love with my beauty or something?

    She couldnt fathom the reason why he had spared her.

    Whatever it is, youre so naive!

    Believing in mere words was really a naive act.

    Ive encountered countless men, but never one like this. Heh.

    Yamti had met her fair share of suckers, but this one took the cake.

    Heheheheheh, what a sucker. Promises? Oaths? Its for losers. Why should I bother keeping them?

    From the beginning, Yamti had no intention of honoring her promise.

    It was simply a matter of saying what she needed to say in order to survive.

    And as for the guy who fell for it, well, he was a sucker, a fool!

    She was meless.

    Yamti walked more, and after confirming that there was no one around she did Yamti let out a sigh of relief.

    Phew, I narrowly escaped death. I never thought Id encounter a human in this world who wasnt captivated by me.

    And it was ck Scythe out of all people.

    Besides, if Lostyak was indeed ck Scythe, that means he hid his true identity and patiently waited for the right moment to strike, catching us off guard, right?

    The more she thought about it, the more terrifying the guy seemed.

    The kidnapping operation may have failed, but theres no need to dwell on it. Where would I be now if not for the softness of ck Scythe?

    Surprisingly, thanks to ck Scythes naiveness, she wasnt currently crossing the treacherous San Docheon River.

    Could it be that hes secretly the type whos weak for women? If thats the case, I shouldve seriously tried to seduce him when were together in the caf.

    Muscr men with grayish-pale skin werent exactly her type, but then again, what could she do?

    He was the infamous ck Scythe, after all.

    At least hes alive. And as long as hes alive, I can n for whates next.

    The enchantment on the chairman still hadnt been lifted.

    She could use the chairman to control the caf once more whenever she desired.

    With that thought in mind, Yamti was about to descend the mountain once again.

    Huh?

    Suddenly, her Detection skill picked up on a presence.

    Yamti reflexively turned her head, and she had every reason to be terrified.

    Y-You, ck Scythe!

    Because the grim reaper was right in front of her.

    As expected. Youre not a trustworthy woman.

    Y-You, ck Scythe. Why are you suddenly saying such things? I think theres a misunderstanding

    I heard it all. You were muttering to yourself.

    Yamti momentarily thought that ck Scythe hade just looking for her. She hoped he hadnt heard anything.

    I heard everything, even your mockery about me being a sucker. Yourughter sounded eerier than that of an angel.

    You still dont believe, huh? Or do you refuse to believe? Well, it doesnt matter. Ive confirmed that youre a woman who cant be trusted.

    As ck Scythe approached, Yamti grew desperate.

    W-Wait a minute. If youre going to kill me, please reconsider. Even though I look like this, I have various uses, I promise

    You promise?

    Promises are for losers.

    Yamti swallowed hard.

    Since he mentioned these particr words, he had definitely overheard her.

    And who said I was going to kill you anyway?

    Excuse me?

    You have a good ability like the Rune of Enchantment. It would be a waste to kill you.

    T-Then?

    Yamti couldnt say anything more.

    Ryu Mins pupils had turned purple.

    It was the change that urred when he used Domination.

    Yamti, be my ve.

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 Chapter 107: Whats Your Name (1)

    Chapter 107: What''s Your Name (1)

    Before Yamti kidnapped the congressman, Ryu Min, disguised as Lostyak, found himself a bit puzzled.

    He was pondering when the right time would be to rescue Congressman Lee Seong-hyun. His conclusion: perhaps it was best to save him after the kidnapping had urred.

    You see, Ryu Min had a particr strategy in mind. He figured that dealing with Yamti and the rest of the miscreants prematurely might not be the wisest move. Who would appreciate his efforts if no one even knew about the kidnapping?

    This situation presented an opportunity, a golden chance to thrust the name of the enigmatic ck Scythe into the publics awareness. While ck Scythe was a renowned entity among yers, it was virtually unknown to the general popce. In fact, some voices in the public sphere were quick to criticize yers as a whole.

    Among those voices stood Congressman Lee Seong-hyun, leading the charge against criminal yers. Yet, Ryu Min, having built a friendship with him in the past, understood the congressman better than most. He knew the hardships his one and only son had endured and theplex feelings he harbored towards yers. This insight enabled Ryu Min to grasp the nuances of the situation better than anyone else and discern the right course of action.

    Its imperative to change Congressman Lee Seong-hyuns perspective, Ryu Min thought. He aimed to make people see that not all yers were viins. He wanted to demonstrate that utilizing the abilities of yers for noble purposes was an opportunity too good to pass up.

    Why? You might ask. Well, Ryu Min had a vision. He foresaw a day when he would stand as the representative of yers, and he knew that securing the support of the general public was crucial for this endeavor.

    If Congressman Lee Seong-hyun came to his aid, Ryu Min believed that ordinary citizens would readily rally behind ck Scythe. Consequently, he bided his time, refraining from taking action until the kidnapping unfolded.

    Or so it seemed on the surface. In truth, he was quietly orchestrating events from behind the scenes. His current mission? Shadowing Song Jaegyeom, the chairman of yer Haven Caf.

    Ryu Min was well aware of the critical point when Congressman Lee Seong-hyun would be vulnerable  when the six criminals hired by the chairman would spring into action.

    The Chairmans script dictated that they would intervene only after these criminals publicly executed the congressman. As a result, Ryu Min had no reason to fret as long as the cabin remained free of criminal activity.

    Ryu Mins decision to use the invisibility skill and tail Song Jaegyeom stemmed from this understanding.

    Whats the chairmans role? To pick up the criminals.

    Hey there, boss. Are you seriously tripling our payment once the jobs done?

    Indeed.

    Suspicion crept in, and one of the criminals asked cautiously, Youre not nning to scam us at thest minute, are you?

    A sly smile yed across Song Jaegyeoms face as he reassured them, If you cant do it, just say so now. Ill transfer the 25 million won to someone else.

    Laughter erupted from the criminals. Haha, youre quite impatient. I was just asking a question.

    When have we ever said we wouldnt do it?

    In todays world, taking a life is hardly a big deal.

    Money matters dominated the conversation, flowing effortlessly from the lips of the criminals. After all, their lives had spiraled into ruin, and in their eyes, racking up 100 million won by ending a single life seemed like a steal.

    Ryu Min couldnt help but sigh at the realization. Whether they were yers or regr folks, there always seemed to be trash lurking around.

    With such thoughts in mind, Ryu Min patiently awaited the opportune moment.

    Then, suddenly, a soft chime signaled that the time hade. It was a call for Song Jaegyeom. Yes, yes, Yamti-nim, Song Jaegyeom responded, I understand. Ill take him now.

    Upon ending the call, Song Jaegyeom directed his bodyguards, Gather everyone here and follow me.

    The bodyguards acknowledged the order, but before they could react further, they faltered and copsed, much to their shock.

    Whats happening Ugh? one of them managed to groan before losing consciousness.

    Ryu Min had swiftly dealt with them, leaving Song Jaegyeom and the criminals dumbfounded. Song Jaegyeom, who recognized Ryu Mins face, was especially taken aback. Lostyak?!

    With a grin, Ryu Min quipped, Well, now its your turn to faint, Chairman.

    Poof! Thud! Song Jaegyeom joined the ranks of the unconscious, and Ryu Min turned his attention to the bewildered criminals.

    Now, what should we do with you lot? he inquired.

    Hey, Hay! was all that one of them managed to say, realizing that Ryu Min was no ordinary human.

    It was an unexpected turn of events, and they beat a hasty retreat.

    A yer! You can never hope to win against one of them! the criminals conceded.

    Realizing that he couldnt simply let those who conspired tomit murder walk away, Ryu Min unsheathed his scythe. In an instant, the six criminals were reduced to a gruesome scene of crimson stter.

    Just in case these guys try to hold me back, Ryu Min thought, as he knew that, ultimately, the criminals fates were sealed the moment they epted the mission from yer Haven.

    Maybe they never thought theyd meet their end without even collecting the contract fee.

    Regardless, Ryu Min, who quickly cleaned up the scene to eliminate all traces, drove off with the unconscious chairman. Carefully cing the body as if it were a discarded object, he had a n in mind: Even if the chairman wakes upter, it wont matter. By then, the situation will be firmly under control.

    Ryu Min steered the car towards their designated rendezvous point, an old cabin. Upon entering, he was greeted by three junior officers who recognized him. They respectfully nodded, saying, Hello, senior.

    Hey there. Has Yamti-nim arrived yet? Ryu Min inquired.

    Yes, shes expected to arrive with the congressman shortly, they replied.

    Alright then. Ill maintain my watch outside as nned.

    While Ryu Min was outside, he noticed Yamtis arrival with the congressman. Finally, theyre here, he thought.

    From this point on, the n was clear-cut: get inside, rescue the congressman, and eliminate all officers except Yamti. Why spare Yamtis life? The reason was simple: If I can enve Yamti, yer Haven will naturally fall under my control.

    Though the chairman was the nominal leader of yer Haven, Yamti wielded the real power behind the scenes. Ryu Min believed that if he could control Yamti, he could effectively steer the organization.

    But there was more at stake  Ryu Min coveted the enticing Rune of Enchantment. This Rune held immense power, perhaps even surpassing that of a territory representatives authority.

    In fact, Ryu Min mused, its superior. It knows no boundaries, dominating yers and regr individuals alike.

    However, Ryu Min had struggled to approach Yamti until now. How could hepete with someone who could captivate people effortlessly? Of course, ending her wouldnt be difficult. I could sneak up invisibly and finish the job swiftly.

    But from the start, Ryu Min had never intended to kill Yamti. It was more practical to utilize her. Thats why I needed the 7th Round sub-mission Rune. Thanks to the Rune of Mental Barrier, Ryu Min could finally confront Yamti. The Rune of Enchantment might be powerful, but it cant pierce through the Rune of Mental Barrier.

    Once inside the cabin, Ryu Min dealt with the three junior officers swiftly. Then, he pressured Yamti to release the congressman from her charm. Yamtiplied as nned.

    However, to avoid any misunderstandings in front of the congressman, Ryu Min decided to lure Yamti outside. Ill make him think I spared her out of mercy.

    Seeing Yamti show signs of remorse, Ryu Min released her. He then used his doppelganger ability and turned invisible to tail Yamti, maintaining a distance of more than 30 meters to avoid detection.

    Never seen such a sucker in my life. Haha,

    Ryu Min chuckled as he watched Yamti mock him.

    Seeing Yamtis scornful expression, Ryu Min was sure of one thing  mere threats couldnt control people.

    In that case, theres only one way, Ryu Min thought.

    He decided to use the one-time-use Realitys Dominion on Yamti. Im not sorry to see it go. Dominating Yamti will grant me another Authority anyway if not a better one without the restrictions.

    Yamti, be my ve.

    As Yamtis eyes zed over, a message appeared.

    [All uses of Real Worlds Dominion have been exhausted.]

    [Temporary Skill  Dominion]

    Remaining Uses: 8

    Targets: ck Scythe, Yamti

    [Unused Authority can be employed in the otherworld.]

    [Temporary skill Dominion is hidden from the skill window.]

    With this, Ryu Min not only gained ess to the potent Rune of Enchantment but also control over yer Haven.

    Its an honor to meet you, Master, Yamti said, bowing slightly, Please give me an order, master. I will do whatever you tell me.

    Never call me Master. Dont bow to me in front of anyone else, either. Just act naturally, Ryu Min instructed.

    Alright.

    If you get too carried away with your words; someone might find it strange.

    I I understand.

    Although Yamti didnt add another word, Ryu Min could read her inner thoughts.

    She genuinely sees me as his Master. Shespletely under my control.

    Run down this path as fast as you can. The police will arrive soon. Tell the chairman that Lostyak betrayed him.

    Alright Um, Master, I mean, ck Scythe?

    Dont even mention ck Scythe. I will kill you.

    Oh, Im sorry, I mean, I apologize.

    Yamtis face showed embarrassment.

    So, what should I call you from now on?

    Just use my name, Ryu Min.

    A faint smile graced Ryu Mins lips.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 107: Whats Your Name (2)

    Chapter 107: What''s Your Name (2)

    I cant believe I was kidnapped.

    The moment Lee Seong-hyun opened his eyes, he quickly assessed the situation.

    Recalling his memories before passing out, the conversation with the woman who brought him here, and being bound to the chair, all signs pointed to a kidnapping.

    Of course, it was clear who had done it.

    That woman. Shes the one who kidnapped me.

    Given the force she used when knocking him out, she was undoubtedly a yer.

    Probably retaliating for thew I proposed.

    Wasnt that why he hired bodyguards to begin with?

    Those bodyguards are utterly useless. Worthless.

    Then, it happened.

    Sssnatch!

    The cabin door swung open, and a man with a somewhat tanplexion walked in.

    He introduced himself earlier as someoneing to rescue me. But whats his connection to that woman?

    The atmosphere didnt suggest they were on the same side.

    After all, she was begging for her life.

    However, that alone couldnt confirm him as an ally. So, Lee Seong-hyun kept a watchful eye.

    Hes probably not an ordinary person but a yer.

    Then, the man approached Lee Seong-hyun and extended his hand.

    Startled, thinking it was an attack, Lee Seong-hyun flinched.

    Tug-tug.

    But all the man did was tear the rope.

    Sorry for the dy in untying you, Congressman Lee Seong-hyun. I had to tie up some loose ends outside.

    Loose ends? You mean that woman?

    Yes, as youve shared, she is indeed the one responsible for your kidnapping. Ive taken care of her, so you need not worry.

    Lee Seong-hyun scrutinized him with a probing gaze.

    You must be curious about the situation. Ill exin everything. First, lets get rid of the body.

    With the use of Erase Traces, the bodies vanished.

    Hmm.

    Lee Seong-hyun was initially surprised by this ability, but he quickly regained hisposure.

    You a yer.

    Yes. I know you might not hold yers in high regard, but you seem a bit disappointed by your savior.

    So, youre the one who saved my life?

    Ryu Min nodded and proceeded to exin the situation in detail.

    As you may have guessed, there are many yers who hold grievances against you, Congressman. The group here is one of them.

    Ryu Min artfully wove a narrative, skillfully blending elements of truth and deception. He chose not to overtly involve yer Haven in the scheme.

    I received an offer from a yer I typically associate with. Consequently, I came to know their n.

    He portrayed the rogues who had kidnapped Congressman Lee Seong-hyun as money-driven conspirators, casting themselves as the brave rescuers.

    With intricate detail, he exined the n, right down to the schedule and route they had followed.

    Lee Seong-hyuns eyes widened as he listened. The level of detail in your story makes it appear genuine but

    As evidence, Ryu Min presented the schedule he had received and their precise movements.

    I harbored no ill feelings toward you, Congressman. I didnt harbor any negative opinions about thew you proposed. In fact, I regarded it as a necessary legition for our current era.

    Lee Seong-hyun felt an unusual sense of unease. Before him was a yer who supported thew, in stark contrast to his own disdain for yers.

    So, I betrayed them because I didnt want someone like you to perish in vain.

    The bodies I saw earlier

    Yes, they were yers who had conspired in the crime. I eliminated them all. If you wish to know their identities, I can provide that information.

    To you, I must seem like a murderer. Well, I am a murderer, but I have no intention of surrendering.

    Why not? If youvemitted a crime, you should turn yourself in.

    I cant imagine that youd want the man who saved you to spend the rest of my life behind bars, right?

    Yes, turning him to the police was something even he couldnt force himself to do. Despite this young man being a yer he held in hatred, he was still the person who saved his life.

    What do you desire from me? If you expect me to revoke thew aspensation for saving me, thats utterly

    Please proceed with thew. Maintain your current perspective. Thats all I request.

    Frankly, Lee Seong-hyun was taken aback. It was the opposite of what he had anticipated.

    He betrayed hisrades and saved him, and it was all for such a straightforward reason.

    If thats all is there anything else

    I desire nothing more. I acted ording to my convictions, and like I said before, I dont oppose yourw.

    A yer who supported hisw

    For some reason, Lee Seong-hyun felt a sense of embarrassment.

    In any case, thank you. You saved me, and I will find a way to return

    At that moment, the sound of approaching footsteps reached their ears.

    It appears the police have tracked us down. I must depart.

    Just like that?

    Ryu Min turned to leave, disregarding Lee Seong-hyuns bewildered expression.

    It was a pleasure talking to you. Everything you have witnessed and heard, you may share with the police.

    Wait.

    In response to Lee Seong-hyuns call, Ryu Min turned his head.

    What is your name?

    As if wanting to at least know the name of the person who had rescued him, Lee Seong-hyun gazed at Ryu Min.

    My name is

    With a faint smile, Ryu Min replied.

    I am known as ck Scythe.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 108: Round 8 Begins (1)

    Chapter 108: Round 8 Begins (1)

    [Breaking News! Lee Seong-hyun, a Member of the National Assembly, Kidnapped and Miraculously Escapes]

    [Major yer Law Faces Crisis as MP Lee Seong-hyun Bes a Kidnapping Target.]

    [MP Lee Seong-hyuns Harrowing Kidnapping Ordeal  Revealing Four Shocking Truths.]

    [Who is Behind the Abduction of MP Lee Seong-hyun?]

    [The Kidnappers of MP Lee Identified as Four yers.]

    [Congerssman Lee Seong-hyun Narrowly Escapes Public Execution, Thankfully Trauma-Free ]

    [Police Report: Three yers Confirmed Deceased, Others Still Under Investigation.]

    The inte is abuzz with the sensational news of Congressman Lee Seong-hyuns kidnapping.

    Lee Seong-hyun,  thankfully unharmed.

    Wow theyve gone so far as to kidnap a Member of the National Assembly.

    Are these yers in their right minds?

    It feels like the end of the world. Im busy leveling up in X-Martree.

    Lets not generalize and insult all yers. Some people see them all as potential criminals, but theyre just regr humans like us.

    Exactly! Lets stop the yer hate!

    We should just stay indoors. Those creatures will disappear anyway after 13 months, lol.

    I hope all those monsters get wiped out soon after 13 months.

    Public opinion has taken a sour turn against yers.

    This was a ring example of yers receiving a negative public image.

    However

    [Breaking News! The Hero Who Rescued Congressman Lee Seong-hyun Is a Fellow yer  Meet ck Scythe.]

    [yer ck Scythe Rescues Congressman Lee Despite Receiving a Prior Criminal Offer.]

    [ck Scythe: A True Hero Who Betrayed His Fellow yers to Save Congressman Lee Seong-hyun.]

    As news articles began to highlight that the hero who saved the Congressman was a yer, public sentiment started shifting.

    The person who saved Congressman Lee Seong-hyun is a yer?

    Is this article urate? If its false, itll trigger a petition to the presidential office.

    Its the truth, so we can expect a slew of simr articles. People can be quite naive

    Brace yourselves, yer enthusiasts areing. Not all yers are bad! Seriously!

    Why are you saying this? The article clearly said that they helped without any reward. I wonder if there are many sarcasticments.

    True, it looks like there are more people hating on them without reason.

    Maybe those making fun of them were the street vendors who got robbed by yers? Haha!

    But this ck Scythe person is famous among yers, right? Hes a beast who consistently ranks number one in every round.

    Whoa, really? That means hes a big deal, huh?

    So ck Scythe-nim made an appearance in the real world? Wow, this is huge!

    Theres a yer here too, lol!

    Who even is ck Scythe, are you his fanboy?

    As Yamti read through the articles, a smile spread across her face.

    Master, take a look at this. There arements praising ck Scythe.

    Really? Let me see.

    Ryu Min took Yamtis phone and scanned thements.

    While there were still manyments ridiculing yers, the overall mood seemed less negative.

    Who would have thought my reputation would soar just because I helped someone once?

    It should be enough if people associate ck Scythe with the hero who rescued Congressman Lee.

    Ill gradually build up my name value. Theres no need to rush.

    Ryu Min smiled and handed the phone back to Yamti.

    Oh, thank you, Master.

    Even though three days had passed since the incident, Yamti continued to trust and follow Ryu Min.

    Ill serve you as my master for the rest of my life.

    Certainly, having authority was pleasant.

    Especially when it could even tame someone with a personality like Yamtis.

    However, it seems that different people have varying levels of willingness to ept requests.

    Even though Ryu Min had told her not to, Yamti kept identally calling him Master.

    Could it be because of themand to be a ve?

    If you considered yourself a ve to the core and your owner told you to use informalnguage, could you easilyply?

    It must be incredibly difficult to be a ve.

    The situation was akin to a president telling an ordinary citizen to speak to him informally.

    Would they do it?

    Despite her efforts, the errors stemmed from viewing Ryu Min as her master. This led Ryu Min to reluctantly let her call him master again.

    I always found informal speech ufortable, so this works out as well.

    Externally, Ryu Min appeared to be a mere 20 years old, but he had lived well over a century.

    If we consider the time Ive lived, these guys are practically my grandkids.

    Ryu Min, gazing at Yamti, felt the need to caution her once more.

    Remember, you can call me master when were alone. But what about in public?

    I should call you Ryu Min and drop the formalities, right?

    Exactly. Keep that in mind. And forget that Im the ck Scythe.

    Yes, Master.

    As Yamti bowed deeply, Ryu Min did not urge her to rise, understanding the gestures significance in their master-ve dynamic.

    very is the vesfort ce.

    When Yamti finally raised her head, Ryu Min inquired,

    Did you speak to the chairman as I instructed?

    Yes. I exined that the ns failure was due to Lostyaks betrayal, as you said. He epted it readily.

    Ryu Min nodded in approval. ming the betrayal on Lostyak fit the narrative perfectly since he had attacked the chairman in Lostyaks image.

    Did you also pass on the other message I gave?

    Yes. As of July 9th, weve agreed to rece the murder tests with ones focusing on character.

    Good. With the change in regime, its time to set things right.

    They decided to halt the barbaric practice of murderous interviews, focusing on the yers characters instead of their levels or achievements.

    If someone applies to the cafe, have the chairman check their criminal record first. Reject anyone with even a hint of an issue.

    Understood.

    The interviews are sorted, but the real challenge is dealing with the current members How many are left?

    Over half diedst round, leaving about 4,000.

    They all passed the murder tests?

    Yes. They all participated in or witnessed murder.

    These are the ones who arent even worth killing. Deciding their fate is the real issue.

    A sly smile crossed Ryu Mins face as he pondered.

    Lets leave the trash to the janitor.

    Ryu Min always had a way to utilize even the waste.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 108: Round 8 Begins (2)

    Chapter 108: Round 8 Begins (2)

    Tap Tap Tap-

    Heo Taeseok rarely used his phone, only having a Sudoku puzzle game on it. Since bing a yer, he hadnt even considered ying or deleting it.

    But now, he was absorbed in his phone like never before.

    The ck Scythe has emerged? Wow, incredible!

    His fingers flew across the screen,menting on every article about the ck Scythe.

    Then he saw a derogatoryment.

    Whos even this ck Scythe, are you his fanboy?

    He instantly responded to the disparaging remarks.

    Ignorance at its finest. Not knowing the great ck Scythe. Every yer knows him, tsk tsk.

    What does that matter, kid? To the average person, hes just a nobody.

    You dont know how great he is, you fool.

    Haha, resorting to insults when logic fails? Pathetic haha.

    Ah, this is maddening.

    He was now embroiled in his fifth keyboard war.

    He was on the brink of fury.

    The fools dont understand the ck Scythes greatness

    Though he clicked his tongue in frustration, Heo Taeseok knew deep down that to themon people, the ck Scythe was just a character in a lesser-known game.

    What to do? How can I make them understand

    He was troubled, yet the answer seemed evident.

    Wasnt he the visionary behind the idea of creating a cult devoted to the ck Scythe?

    To make this a reality, Ill need to gather followers.

    Building a cult single-handedly was a daunting task. He required allies, individuals who would echo his voice. Financial issues aside for the moment,

    I must seek out those eager to establish a gathering in honor of the ck Scythe.

    But where to begin this quest? The solution was already forming in his mind.

    To catch fish, one must go to the river.

    To attract yers, he logically needed to venture where they were most abundant.

    * * *

    Time marched on to August 1st. A crowd of approximately 2,000 yers had convened.

    The 8th round was underway.

    The air buzzed with whispers

    Where is this?

    This doesnt look like any meadow.

    Previous rounds had typicallymenced in meadows or forests. However, this time, the yers stood in an expanse of stark, uncolored space, their faces etched with the tension of the unknown.

    ck Scythe-nim!

    Min Juri approached Ryu Min.

    Youve found me quickly.

    Indeed. With the tracking skill, it was a breeze

    Min Juri halted, suddenly aware of her slip-up.

    But the tracking skill wasnt included in the set I advised you to learn, was it?

    Haha

    Min Juri was unable to confess that she had acquired the tracking skill specifically to meet the ck Scythe. Interestingly, Heo Taeseok had learned it for a simr reason.

    Hello, Lord ck Scythe.

    Heo Taeseok approached Ryu Min with a cautious air.

    Did he, too?

    Ryu Mins eyebrows arched slightly. Everyone seemed to be investing in silly skills instead of the practical ones he had suggested.

    Ryu Min recalled something about Heo Taeseok at that moment.

    Hes a recent applicant to yer Haven, right?

    It appeared he had joined as part of his campaign to build a cult for ck Scythe. His recent membership distinguished him from the others who had passed the murder test.

    It seems I need to categorize the members by their grades.

    Ryu Min contemted downgrading the grades of the existing members, giving preferential treatment to the newer ones.

    The old members might revolt, but its irrelevant. Theyre destined for the janitor anyway.

    Ryu Min, smirking at his n, was greeted by Min Juris cheerful demeanor.

    Oh, ck Scythe-nim, did you catch the news? You were the hero who rescued Congressman Lee Seong-hyun, werent you?

    Oh, yes, that.

    I saw that too, Lord ck Scythe! I was so excited that I left supportivements on every article about you. Hehe.

    Observing Heo Taeseoks unusually bright smile, Ryu Min couldnt bring himself to scold him for his seemingly useless efforts.

    But really, its incredible! The articles mentioned the criminals invited you to conspire with them, right?

    Yes, they did.

    How could they dare to make such an offer? And what were they thinking, challenging the ck Scythe?

    They didnt know it was me.

    Technically, Yamti was aware, but being Ryu Mins ve, it hardly mattered.

    At that moment, both Heo Taeseok and Min Juri shared a thought.

    -I wish I knew (Lord) ck Scythes true identity.

    Hearing their thoughts, Ryu Min inwardly shook his head and then looked upward.

    Suddenly, a figure shimmered into view above them, radiant like an angel.

    [Wee, everyone. Im Ariel, newly assigned to supervise the C2-ESKA003 zone. No apuse is necessary.]

    When the crowd remained silent, not pping, Ariels eyes narrowed slightly.

    [I thought at least one of you would p. Thats quite disappointing.]

    p- p p-

    This isnt exactly a red carpet wee.

    As a few ps broke the silence, Ariels expression softened into a smile.

    [Thank you for the wee! Now, shall we dive into the quest for the 8th round?]

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 109: The Guild Selection (1)

    Chapter 109: The Guild Selection (1)

    ROUND 8

    Escort the guild to their Destination

    Punish the Traitor

    Reward upon sess  ????

    [Previous Zone]

    Participants: 3,047,910

    Achievers: 0/1,523,955

    [Current Zone C2-ESKA003]

    Participants: 2,166

    Achievers: 0/1,083

    As the yers delved into the quest details, their intrigue grew.

    Escort the guild to the destination?

    Why is the term guild suddenly thrown in?

    Where can we find this guild?

    A group of merchants is called a guild, but for a guild to exist, shouldnt there be merchants first?

    Is this some sort of role-y scenario?

    If someone ys the role of a merchant, do others act as their protectors?

    Amidst the puzzled chatter,ughter burst forth from the Angels lips.

    [Role-y? Haha, were not asking you to do that. We wouldnt dare.]

    So, what exactly does it entail

    [Literally, just escorting the guild.]

    So, where can we locate this guild

    [Humans may have a reputation for being inferior, but I never imagined you were this clueless.]

    In the face of the Angels mockery, the yers fell into contemtive silence.

    Despite their idle gossip about the Angel, they had a firm grasp of the intricate web of alliances.

    [Do you all think youre the sole inhabitants of this world? Goblins, Angels, Nols, Orcs, and other raceshavent you encountered them already?]

    Ah

    No way

    [Yes, these guilds hail from different realms. There are three races of guild in totalHuman guild, Elf guild, and Dwarf guild. Youll need to pick one and serve as their escort.]

    We get to choose which race to escort?

    Do Elves and Dwarves also have their guilds?

    Well, setting that aside, are you suggesting that the Elves weve only read about in novels actually exist?

    The prospect of encountering fantastical races from another dimension in the flesh sent shivers down some yers spines.

    [The escort mission willst for 5 hours. If you sessfully deliver the guild to their destination without harm, the quest will be consideredplete. Naturally, youll face monsters during the journey, but dont fretyou wont be alone.]

    We wont be alone?

    Are we forming parties like we did in the 6th round?

    [Yes, today youll be formingrge parties, which is quite existing. The 2,166 yers here will be divided among the three guilds.]

    Well be divided?

    This meant theyd have to coordinate with hundreds, perhaps even over a thousand other yers.

    You must choose just one guild. If you choose the same guild as someone else, youll automatically form a party with them. Of course, you wont know others choices.

    Arge-scale party, huh

    Will we all be moving together with amon goal of protecting the guild?

    It feels somewhat like joining on a raid in a video game.

    By the way, each guild has a different difficulty level, so choose carefully. We wont reveal which one is harder.

    We have to choose only one?

    So, if we pick the guild with the higher difficulty, itll be a tougher challenge?

    In essence, they had to choose based solely on the race.

    Since the difficulty level isnt disclosed, well simply have to make a random selection.

    Deciphering the difficulty level from the race was simply impossible.

    Ultimately, it came down to relying on luck.

    Hoping for a more straightforward task.

    This time, Ariel provided an exnation for the sub-quest.

    [As you can see, the sub-quest revolves around uncovering the traitor. Within the guild youve selected, there will be at least a traitor. Were unsure if its a single individual or a group.]

    Theres a traitor?

    While were escorting them? The traitor is with us?

    Is this akin to the Mafia game?

    [The traitors objective is to stop the guild from reaching their destination. Naturally, the traitor isnt part of your party. You can attack them with your skills or any means necessary; they can be eliminated.]

    Oh, so we can eliminate them?

    [If you sessfully locate and dispatch the concealed traitor, youll receive a reward for the sub-quest. Of course, the reward will be granted to the individual who contributes the most.]

    Nods of understanding rippled through the crowd.

    With this exnation, they now had a clearer picture of whaty ahead.

    [The exnation concludes here. The mission will start in ten minutes after youve selected your Guild. Best of luck to everyone! Kya-ha-ha!]

    The Angels departure set off a buzz among the onlookers.

    Choosing one out of three, huh?

    I guess we should aim for lower difficulty.

    Maybe going with the Elf guild is the easier path?

    Im leaning towards the Human guild. Other races might be too intimidating

    Im with you on the Human guild, it feels safer.

    But wouldnt it be risky if too many of us gather in one ce?

    Yeah, I mean, there might be a lot of people joining the Human guild.''

    I think Ill go somewhere else.

    Maybe the Dwarf guild is less crowded, so Ill give it a shot?

    But how do they determine rankings?

    Good point. If were all escorting the guilds together, whats the basis for ranking?

    Ipletely forgot to ask about that.

    And whats the deal with these traitors? f*ck.

    Conversations about the quest were buzzing, and Min Juri joined in.

    ck Scythe, we have to pick one of the three races, right?

    Thats correct.

    Do you know where youre headed?

    Well

    There were three types of guild, and Ryu Min had a hunch about which one would be the most popr.

    Most folks will probably flock to Human, then Elf, and finally Dwarf.

    Humans were familiar andfortable for most, given their shared race.

    Elves attracted those who had always dreamed of meeting them in the flesh.

    As for Dwarves, they didnt seem as appealing, evoking images of elderly mountain dwellers.

    If I had to choose, Id go with the Dwarves.

    Having been through multiple rounds, Ryu Min was well aware of the different difficulty levels associated with each.

    Dwarf is the easiest, followed by Elf, and then Human.

    In other words, the ce with the most participants was also the most challenging.

    Higher difficulty zones featured monsters that required a minimum level of 50, including trolls, ghouls, skeletons, and minotaurs.

    The mid-level Elf Guild had harpies, lizardmen, and werewolves.

    The lower difficulty zone featured monsters simr to orcs.

    If you want an easier time passing the round, the Dwarf option is the way to go.

    The main quest primarily involves escorting the guild, but just escorting it doesnt guarantee passing the mission.

    Escorting is the basic requirement for the round clearance, but it doesnt mean youll pass just by doing that. Rankings are determined based on the order in which individuals acquire the most contribution.

    At first nce, it may seem like a party quest where everyone escorts the guild together, but in reality, survival is decided by each individuals performance.

    Competition is necessary.

    If the monsters are weak, you can receive a higher contribution, so its better to focus on the Dwarf guild, which has a lower difficulty level, to secure a higher ranking.

    Heo Taeseok might not have known this fact, but Min Juri did.

    Ive provided all this information to her through my prophecies.

    In other words, choosing the Dwarf guild means you can easily clear the rounds.

    However, Min Juri seemed to be in deep thought.

    And the reason was quite simple.

    The Dwarf guild has a lower difficulty level, because of that fact, the monsters are weak, which means fewer experience points.

    Lower monster levels mean lower experience points.

    On the flip side, higher difficulty zones offered tougher challenges and higher XP rewards.

    So, its a choice between low risk and low reward, or high risk and high reward.

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 Chapter 109: The Guild Selection (2)

    Chapter 109: The Guild Selection (2)

    Lower monster levels mean lower experience points.

    On the flip side, higher difficulty zones offered tougher challenges and higher XP rewards.

    So, its a choice between low risk and low reward, or high risk and high reward.

    I know Dwarves are low difficulty, but if I tackle a ce thats too easy, my level wont increase much. Then what if the gap between ck Scythe and me widens? I

    Ryu Min could sense her concerns.

    Unnecessary worries

    Even with a low level, Bless provided a substantial buff.

    Ryu Mins hope was for her to survive as long as possible.

    Democracy.

    Yes?

    Why are you so deep in thought?

    Oh, its nothing.

    I might not know whats on your mind, but remember this: Greed can lead to trouble. Try to stay alive for as long as possible. Its a path that benefits you, me, and everyone else around us.

    Min Juri was taken aback.

    It felt like he had spoken as if he had her situation in mind.

    Can he actually read peoples minds?

    She wondered, but Ryu Min feigned ignorance and turned away.

    Maybe this time, Ill take the easier route.

    When he delved into Min Juris thoughts, it seemed she had settled on the Dwarf guild.

    Thank goodness.

    If I had known, I would have strongly rmended going for the Dwarf guild.

    While the choice was free, Ryu Min had been more anxious about it than he should have been.

    Just in case Min Juri might be in danger.

    No, theres no way that would happen. She can clear rounds like this without my intervention, right?

    Heo Taeseok was also pondering, but in the end, it seemed he had decided on the Elf guild.

    Ma Kyungrok, An Sang-cheol, Seo Arin, Russell, Christine, and the others will decide for themselves.

    Some would aim for easier ces, while others would be greedy and go for the Human guild.

    Anyway, my prophecy should be helpful. Ive told them all about the advantages and how to deal with monsters for each guild.

    However, there was one thing he hadnt mentioned: sub-quests.

    He had avoided discussing them.

    Of course, there was a reason for that.

    Theres no point in finding out about sub-quests anyway.

    A whileter, after 10 minutes, a message appeared in everyones view.

    [Guild Selection Begins.]

    [Please touch the guild you want to escort.]

    1. Human Guild

    2. Elf Guild

    3. Dwarf Guild

    Although they had different levels of difficulty in order, those who didnt know hesitated cautiously.

    Oh, its not like its up to us, right?

    Whatever happens, happens!

    Im going for number 1 since its what I want!

    Lets see how the Elves look, number 2!

    As soon as they chose their Guild, the yers disappeared as if they had been teleported somewhere.

    ck Scythe, where are you headed?

    Well

    Im going for the Dwarf Guild, want toe with me?

    Ryu Min shook his head at Min Juris suggestion.

    Never mind. You go first.

    Hmm, alright.

    Although she knew about the difficulty levels, Min Juri kept her words to herself.

    She didnt want to endanger Ryu Min by revealing the prophecy.

    ck Scythe will probably choose on his own anyway.

    Before Min Juri made her selection, she bid farewell.

    ck Scythe, I dont know where youll choose, but I hope you have a good oue. We might not see each other again, so Ill cast a buff and leave!

    Min Juris buff enveloped Ryu Min.

    A smile crept onto Ryu Mins lips.

    You do have a sense of timing.

    Then Ill really be going!

    After Min Juri disappeared following her guild selection, Heo Taeseok also said his farewell.

    Um, ck Scythe. Ill go ahead as well.

    Sure, go ahead.

    When Heo Taeseok chose number 2, he disappeared.

    Most people had moved on, but Ryu Min still hadnt made a selection.

    It appeared as if he was contemting, but he had already made up his mind.

    My choice is

    Ryu Min clenched his fist, revealing his unwavering determination.

    To choose nothing.

    At first nce, there seemed to be three choices, but in reality, there was one more.

    Choosing nothing.

    Ryu Min hadnt known this at first.

    I thought I had to choose one of the three without hesitation and picked number 1.

    As he explored various strategies from numbers 1, 2, and 3, Ryu Min began to question the sub-quest.

    It was because the traitors were the same every time.

    Whats going on? Wasnt the traitor randomly chosen among the guild?

    While he pondered this question, Ryu Min made a mistake and missed his guild selection.

    That was when he realized it.

    Not choosing anything is the best option.

    There appeared to be no time limit, but there was one.

    Exactly nine minutes passed, and then an additional message appeared.

    [1 minute left until your remaining choice.]

    [Not making a choice may result in penalties!]

    The message urging him to make a choice appeared, but Ryu Min knew better.

    That not making a choice was the greatest benefit.

    [10 seconds left until your choice. Hurry!]

    [9 seconds left, theres no time!]

    [1 second left. Its really over now!]

    [You ultimately did not choose a guild.]

    Atst, the message that appeared brought a satisfied smile to Ryu Mins lips.

    [yer ck Scythe has joined the traitor group.]

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 Chapter 110: The Group Of Traitors (1)

    Chapter 110: The Group Of Traitors (1)

    In the 8th round, the mission unfolds with two distinct groups taking center stage.

    First, theres the regr group, tasked with safeguarding the guild, and hiding within it lies a covert faction of traitors.

    Naturally, the objectives of these two groups couldnt be more divergent.

    The primary aim of the regr group is to ensure the safe passage of the guild to their intended destination. This is the well-known main quest of the 8th round.

    Simultaneously, the sub-quest revolves around unmasking and neutralizing the traitors lurking within their midst.

    But if you join the traitor group, the quest will bepletely different.

    As expected, a new goal appeared before Ryu Min.

    [yer ck Scythe joined the traitor group.]

    [Main quest and sub-quest arebined into one.]

    [The 8th round quest has been changed.]

    ROUND 8

    Objective: Hinder the guilds progress to the destination

    Sess  Reward: ????

    Failure  Retry with a 20% reduction in stats and debuff

    Three consecutive failures  Annihtion

    While the regr group aims to safeguard the guild, the traitor groups mission is diametrically opposed. Their purpose is to obstruct the guild from reaching their intended destination. This quest operates discreetly, within the shadows, amidst the masses. One could even liken it to a struggle between the minority and the majority.

    It might sound like an impossible task.

    However, theres no need for Ryu Min to take on the entire regr group by himself. All he needs to do is prevent the guild from reaching their destination for the quest to seed. Theres no necessity to turn all yers into enemies.

    In the end, its only the otherworldly guild that needs to be eliminated.

    A swift assassination of the otherworldly merchants is sufficient, but surviving the yers retaliatory onught after that is a different matter.

    But I dont feel sorry for what Im going to do. If they discover a traitor they will eliminate him without hesitation.

    For the regr group, traitors are their targets, in other words, the yers are the ones who turned Ryu Min into their enemy.

    No, did I turn them into enemies by choosing to be the traitor?

    The reason Ryu Min didnt mention the sub-quest in his prophecy bes evident here. Pursuing the sub-quest would be futile.

    You want to kill me, the ck Scythe, and im the sub-quest reward? Thats cute.

    How would people react if they found out that you the traitor you need to deal with is ck Scythe?

    A lot of people would give up on the sub-quest without even trying it.

    By the way, do these people belong to the same traitor group as me?

    Where Ryu Min currently resides is a gray space distinct from the starting point. Alongside the message that he had be a traitor, he had been transported here, with other individuals now visible in his vicinity.

    They must be people who couldnt select the guild due to running out of time.

    They must be bewildered by their sudden transition into traitors and the daunting task of turning hundreds or even thousands of yers into adversaries.

    It appears there are fewer than 30 of them.

    Now, whether Ryu Min likes it or not, they must work together as members of the traitor group toplete the mission.

    However, theres no obligation to cooperate if they have no intention of finishing the quest early.

    Its unfortunate for them, but Ryu Min has no intention of concluding the quest prematurely.

    Even with the penalty of stat reduction and a retry upon failure

    Whats truly crucial is that failure results in annihtion after three attempts. Even if they fail once or twice, it only leads to a stat debuff, without any real loss.

    This is the key point  the fact that we have three chances.

    The traitor group is sequentially deployed with dwarves, elves, and human guilds.

    This means that failing the mission allows you to experience all of them.

    Its an opportunity for tremendous level growth.

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 Chapter 110: The Group of Traitors (2)

    Chapter 110: The Group of Traitors (2)

    Deliberately failing the mission and traversing each guild, hunting monsters

    Not only does this yield superior experience points, but it also provides items from all three locations.

    Especially the runes awarded when the reputation level is high in each guild. You will be able to monopolize it all.

    Ryu Mins n for this 8th round revolves around obtaining two specific runes: the Rune of Durability from the dwarves and the Rune of Foresight from the humans.

    From the elf guild, he could acquire potions, and there is one potion that Ryu Min is coveting.

    Regardless, the core strategy for this 8th round is to traverse each guild, monopolizing experience points and items along the way.

    In order to achieve these goals, joining the traitor group appeared to be the best choice. However, this might not be a fortunate turn of events for the other traitors.

    Ill do whatever it takes to ensure the quest fails.

    He was a member of the traitor group, secretly hoping for the failure of his fellow traitors. It was a situation where he could be called a double agent.

    [Haha, it seems like all the indecisive folks who couldnt pick a guild have gathered here.]

    Angel Ariel, the one responsible for exining the 8th round, appeared with an incongruous smile.

    [Everyone, gather here now. If not now, we wont see each other, and you should at least know each others faces, right?]

    As the angel fluttered her wings, the scattered yers assembled.

    Wow, ck Scythe?

    Why is ck Scythe here?

    No, why am I in the traitor group?

    [A few of you havent grasped the situation yet. But thats why I am here, right?]

    Ariel kindly exined to the yers how they had be traitors.

    Oh, it was because I didnt choose?

    What was I thinking

    So, is everyone here because they couldnt choose a guild?

    While the others were still distracted by the angels exnation. Ryu Min quickly counted the heads of the yers gathered here, including himself. There were 29 in total.

    Right now, I need to remember their faces. Itll make it easier to deal with them when I eventually betray them.

    Ryu Min began to memorize the faces of the traitor group quickly.

    Why was he memorizing faces when he could recognize them through the wristbands if they were in a party?

    Well, were a group, not a party, so

    Just then, the angel was exining this very point.

    [For those of you who have be part of the traitor group, you need to stop the guilds from reaching their destination. You can think of it as a party since you share the same quest, but in reality, its not a party.]

    So, its not a party?

    Then, is it solo then?

    [Yes. While the regr group forms parties, you, as traitors, do not share experience points. Its a setting where you dont trust each other. Kehaha!]

    No, then how are we supposed to hunt

    We thought ck Scythe was in our party and were excited

    A sense of disappointment was evident on the faces of the yers who had secretly hoped for a party.

    [The idea of not trusting each other was just a joke. But there are legitimate reasons for not allowing you to form a party. If one person betrays the team, the rest would suffer as well.]

    What are you talking about?

    [Lets say one of the traitors acted crazy and exposed the identities of the fellow traitors on the same side. What would you do?]

    You should shut that guy up.

    Even if it means killing him!

    [Thats right, right? But as you know, if you form a party, you cant attack each other, and no damage is dealt. In other words, its a system where if one person betrays, the rest can get rid of ihm.]

    Ah, so

    So, there was a reason we couldnt be in a party.

    If they were in a party, they wouldnt be able to silence the traitor.

    The moment they were suspected, the chances of sess for the traitor team would drastically decrease, so it was inevitable that they couldnt be in a party.

    Im fortunate in that regard. I dont need to share hunting experience points.

    Ryu Min smiled as he had memorized all the faces of the traitor group. Now, even in real action, he would be able to identify who the traitors were.

    If I know who they are, dealing with them will be a piece of cake. Besides, if anything goes wrong I can read their minds.

    Furthermore, there was a reason for memorizing faces instead of nicknames. The reason came from the angel herself.

    [By the way, Ill also hide everyones nicknames. Knowing each others nicknames would make it easier for traitors to identify each other.]

    Youre hiding our nicknames too?

    In short, it was a measure to prevent traitors from knowing each others identities.

    But our faces are exposed now, arent they?

    [Nicknames are easier to remember than faces. Who could possibly memorize all of the faces in such a short period of time, like now.]

    She had a point.

    If it were any other person it would be true, not me though.

    [And if you wear a helmet, it will sufficiently conceal your face. It should be eptable, right?]

    As if expecting an answer, the angel red at them, and the yers had no choice but to nod.

    Yes, yes.

    Completely understandable.

    [Alright, shall we proceed then? Please be careful because when a guild reaches its destination, you will all be weakened and have to try again with another guild.]

    They might not be in the same party, but they were bound by destiny, sharing the same quest.

    Oh? Which guild are we going to stop?

    Are we supposed to retry the guild if we fail?

    [Oh, I forgot to mention. Youll be facing the guild in the order of Dwarves, Elves, and Humans. The difficulty level increases in the same order.]

    Oh? So, what if we fail in the Dwarf guild?

    The angel chuckled.

    [Your stats will drop by 20%, and youll have to tackle a more challenging intermediate level.]

    Ah, got it.

    In essence, the more they failed, the tougher the next challenge became. When this realization dawned on the traitors, they had one singr thought,

    We must seed in the Dwarf guild at all costs!

    This is our only shot!

    The traitor group was resolute, but they remained oblivious to one critical fact: as long as Ryu Min was in the picture, the odds of sessfullypleting the quest were slim.

    Wouldnt it be convenient if I found and eliminated all the traitor groups right from the start? After all, Ive memorized their faces.

    While Ryu Min smiled, Ariel unfurled her wings.

    [Now, its time to go. Traitor group!]

    May your betrayal bring delight to those above!

    Ariel, keeping her inner thoughts to herself, gestured.

    With a radiant burst of light, Ryu Min and the other 29 traitors vanished.

    Their mission to protect the Dwarf guild had officially begun.

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 Chapter 111: The Dwarf Guild (1)

    Chapter 111: The Dwarf Guild (1)

    The dwarf realm is less challengingpared to the other two options.

    The creatures youll encounter here are mainly orcs. If youre a yer with a current level exceeding 20, handling them should be a breeze.

    However, only Ryu Min who was a regressor knew this.

    The yers who had chosen the dwarf guild were stepping into the unknown in terms of difficulty, and it was evident from the tension on their faces.

    Is this another dimension?

    Wow, this is intriguing.

    Come on, weve been in another dimension all along, havent we?

    Oh, right, I forgot.

    Thendscape before them, with distant rocky mountains and scattered stone towers, presented an environment starkly different from what they had encountered so far, leaving yers bewildered.

    Hey, where did our nicknames go?

    Yeah, I cant yours either.

    Their normally disyed nicknames had mysteriously vanished.

    However, some yers seemed unfazed by this.

    They were members of the traitors group, who received this information from the angel earlier.

    Arent they being too calm about this? Doesnt that make them look suspicious as traitors?

    Ryu Min, although inwardlyposed, couldnt help but adopt an expression of surprise. Once suspicion arose about being a traitor, it tended to linger.

    I need to be cautious and avoid arousing suspicion. Of course, if the traitor group exposes my identity, its game over.

    While others might not recognize him, there was no doubt that the infamous ck Scythes face was known within the traitor group.

    If they even think about it, I will deal with them before they start spreading rumors about me being a traitor.

    He used the term deal with, but he had no intention of resorting to violence. He wasnt a murderer, and there was nothing to gain or lose by eliminating them.

    Ill simply intervene if they try to expose me.

    Remembering the faces of the 28 members of the traitor group, Ryu Min wasnt overly concerned. With proper control of the situation, everything would be fine.

    As Ryu Min surveyed the area, he made a rough estimate of the number of yers who had chosen the dwarf guild.

    It looks like around 200 yers have chosen for the dwarf guild.

    Of course, this figure excluded the traitors, so the actual count of assembled yers would be around 230.

    And then, a surprise.

    Hey, check this out.

    A message materialized before the yers.

    [Escort the Dwarf Gulild]

    Safely apany the Dwarf Guild to its destination.

    Sessful escort results in experience point rewards for all participants.

    Those who contribute significantly to eliminating traitors will receive sub-quest rewards.

    If all traitors are eliminated, additional rewards will be granted to everyone.

    This quest was not exclusive to the regr group; even the traitor group could earn experience points by sessfully escorting.

    However, it was highly unlikely that the traitors would cooperate willingly. Failure this time would drastically reduce their sess rate in the next summit.

    Especially if they reach the human summit.

    If the traitor group failed toplete the mission from the dwarves to the elves, they would face the daunting task of stopping the human guild, which was most difficult. In addition to suffering a 20% stat drop twice.

    They probably think its an impossible feat.

    But Ryu Min was confident.

    Not only was this round not his first attempt, but he was also in peak condition.

    Experiencing a 20% stat reduction twice wont impede my hunting. Moreover, this debuff vanishes after this round.

    While Ryu Min focused on the progress window, the other yers were in awe.

    [Current Participant Count]

    Participants: 230

    Traitors: 29

    Whats going on?

    Why can we see the number of traitors?

    The participant count was disyed for all to see.

    Are there really 29 traitors among us?

    yers exchanged suspicious nces.

    While they couldnt see each others nicknames and couldnt identify each other, one thing was clear.

    Among us, there are 29 traitors, no doubt.

    With 230 participants, roughly one in ten was a traitor.

    Suspicion was only natural in such a situation.

    Well, Ryu Min, who knew their faces, could easily identify the traitors.

    Oh? ck Scythe?

    With 230 participants, roughly one in ten was a traitor.

    Suspicion was only natural in such a situation.

    Well, Ryu Min, who knew their faces, could easily identify the traitors.

    Oh? ck Scythe?

    At that moment, a voice pretending familiarity caught Ryu Mins attention.

    It was none other than Min Juri.

    Wow! I never expected to run into you here! Did you choose the dwarf guild? You didnt follow me, did you?

    Well, your buffs are quite handy.

    Seeing her overwhelming joy, Ryu Min couldnt resistplimenting her.

    However, it seemed that his response held a slightly different significance for Min Juri.

    Her sudden blush and flustered expression gave it away.

    In haste, Min Juri blurted out, Uh, yeah. But, ck Scythe, why cant we see the yers nicknames?

    Well, Im not sure.

    Ryu Min pretended not to know and turned his head, only to lock eyes with one of the traitors.

    He grinned ominously, then looked away.

    Reading his thoughts, it seemed he wanted to act like he knew him due to the camaraderie of being in the same group

    Crazy. Are they really trying to reveal that theyre in the same group?

    Ryu Min couldnt express his frustration openly, so all that came out was an incredulousugh.

    There are 230 yers at the dwarf guild. Its fewer than I expected.

    Yeah, true.

    With just 230 out of 2,166 participants, it was undoubtedly a smaller number.

    This meant that the remaining 90% had gathered in the other two guilds.

    It was clear evidence that the dwarf guild wasnt very popr.

    Most likely, the human guild has the most yers. It was the same before.

    Is it because of the small number of participants?

    Someone who recognized the ck Scythe approached cautiously.

    Uh, are you ck Scythe?

    Hmm? Seo Arin?

    Seo Arin, with a pleasantly surprised look, greeted Ryu Min with a warm smile.

    I didnt expect to meet you here. Its really nice

    But Seo Arins gaze naturally shifted to Min Juri, who was standing next to Ryu Min.

    Her smile disappeared as if it were a lie.

    But Min Juri is here too?

    Seo Arin!? Hello. Its nice to see you!

    Yes.

    Unlike Min Juri, Seo Arins reaction was less enthusiastic. It was probably because she had noticed that Min Juri always seemed to be with the ck Scythe, and it had caught her attention.

    I dont even know why shes acting like this.

    It was only natural to have a fondness for the ck Scythe, who had saved her, but it shouldnt go beyond that. Strangely, she felt a twinge of jealousy towards Min Juri.

    By the way, wheres the person who used to always be with you?

    Oh Kyung Ho, no, An Sang-cheol went to the human guild.

    The human guild?

    When Ryu Min asked with a puzzled expression, Seo Arin also looked unsure.

    For some reason, he really wanted to go there.

    I see.

    He replied calmly, but secretly, Ryu Min was surprised.

    Even though I said its the most difficult level Going to the human guild Unexpected.

    Did he want to hunt stronger monsters and earn more experience? Ryu Min wondered if he had underestimated An Sang-cheol.

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 Chapter 111: The Dwarf Guild (2)

    Chapter 111: The Dwarf Guild (2)

    Just then, a rumbling sound caught their attention, and they turned to see a procession of wagons approaching.

    Thump-thump-thump.

    There werent many wagons, just ten in total, which was more than enough for 230 yers. The yers felt relieved that there were fewer wagons than expected because it meant they could easily keep track of the ones they needed to protect.

    Eventually, the wagons came to a halt.

    Oho, here you are? The warriors from other realms.

    The bearded dwarf, just as they had imagined, stepped down from one of the wagons, chuckling heartily.

    Wee! I am Heimer, the cksmith of the Dwarf Guild. It seems like you are the warriors from other realms who will be escorting us Is that correct?

    The yers nodded in agreement, and Heimer enthusiastically pped his hands together.

    I knew my intuition wasnt wrong! You all have a different aura from the ordinary thieves group! Kukuk!

    With a heartyugh, Heimer pointed at the wagons.

    The cargo here consists of various ores and metal materials, which must be transported to the Albitz Kingdom beyond the Karago Mountains. However, the road is infested with monsters, so we had no choice but to seek help from a higher power, the divine.

    Despite being anguage they had never heard before, the yers understood the dwarfs words.

    They could only understand it due to a message that appeared.

    [Round Feature: Trantion Activated.]

    [You Can Now Communicate with Beings from Other Realms.]

    A kingdom, a temple.

    Listening to the dwarfs exnation, it felt quite detailed.

    what? It probably doesnt really exist, does it?

    no way. It must be a fake made like the monsters, right?

    In a world where angels had already be part of thendscape, whether beings from other realms were real or not, no longer held significant weight. For the yers, it was a matter of fulfilling quests and moving forward. However, Ryu Min understood that this wasnt such a straightforward affair.

    This is Round 8, our first encounter with beings from other realms. Its crucial to start building a positive reputation now so that we can receive future benefits when interacting with these races.

    Most yers would simply pass by and not pay much attention to their rtionships with beings from other realms. But Ryu Min knew better.

    The beings from other realms wont be limited to just this round. Theyll continue to appear, and the reputation we establish now will carry over.

    This is why making a good first impression was essential. If they started with a bad reputation, turning it around wouldnt be easy.

    In this regard, the traitor group was a hindrance.

    Would they kill the dwarves to prevent the summits arrival? If they did, their reputation would plummet.

    If that happens, not only will unnecessary fights erupt when we meet the dwarvester, but well also be at a disadvantage in receiving various benefits.

    Dwarves were known to provide legendary-level weapons and divine materials, among other valuable rewards. No sensible yer would want to miss out on such advantages by shing with the dwarves.

    But the traitors dont know that, so their eyes were full with murderous intent.

    Wherever Ryu Min looked, the traitors were watching the dwarves intently, ready to strike at any opportunity.

    However, the traitors were aware of the consequences.

    Killing dwarves in front of other yers would undoubtedlybel them as traitors.

    So, they could only bide their time, unable to act recklessly, contemting when would be the best moment to eliminate the dwarves.

    Ideally, its best to assassinate them discreetly.

    There were a total of 20 dwarves at the dwarf guild, with two in each wagon. If they seeded in eliminating all the dwarves, it would result in a victory for the traitor group.

    However, if even one dwarf survives, it will be considered a failure.

    In that case, the traitor group would be forced to target the next guild.

    The elf guild, known for its specialization in elemental magic.

    Its easier to target dwarves with nobat abilities than elves who can manipte elemental energy with their magic.

    While contemting these thoughts, a dwarf shouted loudly.

    Warriors from other realms! We humbly request your protection!

    [Time Remaining to Reach the Destination: 04:59:59]

    As if signaling the start of the quest, the timer appeared. Now they had to protect the guild for the next five hours.

    From the horde of orcs.

    Dealing with orcs should be a walk in the park.

    While some yers were on edge, uncertain about where or when monsters might jump out, Seo Arin, Min Juri, and Ryu Min seemed remarkablyposed.

    The rhythmic ttering of the carriages signaled the yers to adjust their positions. With weapons in hand, they maintained a vignt stance, and it didnt take long for them to encounter a band of orcs.

    Gruntgrunt!

    Are these orcs?

    These guys, didnt we see them back in Round 5??

    The yers faces rxed as they recognized the orcs. While these creatures had been formidable opponents in Round 5, they were no longer a significant threat. Most yers had reached levels beyond 20, equipped with the skills to easily dispatch orcs.

    As if to demonstrate this,

    Swooshswoosh!

    Grunt! Grunt!

    The orcs fell, their once imposing muscles now easily severed by yers at level 30 and beyond.

    However, there seems to be quite a number of orcs.

    Why do these creatures keep popping up endlessly?

    yers were already growing weary as orcs relentlessly emerged from various locations.

    After approximately five minutes of battle, the situation came to a conclusion.

    A mountain of countless orc corpsesy before them.

    Ryu Min had a precise estimate of their number.

    Probably around 4,600.

    The number of orcs was rted to the number of yers. They appeared in waves, each wave containing twenty times the number of yers.

    In other words, each yer had to confront twenty orcs.

    Such monster assaults urred a total of thirty times, meaning monsters appeared every ten minutes.

    Although it might seem like a considerable quantity, disappointment clouded the yers expressions.

    The experience points from this

    Its just a drop in the ocean.

    Experience points were lower than anticipated because they were evenly distributed among the 230 yers.

    Because they were all in one party.

    Strictly speaking, 29 yers out of the 230 yers were excluded.

    The traitor group consisted of individual yers, not a party. As a result, experience points and items acquired from defeating monsters belonged entirely to them and werent shared with others.

    Ryu Min reflected on this.

    [You have defeated an orc!]

    [Experience points 3x buff is currently in effect.]

    [Experience points increased by 1.5x due to the title effect.]

    [Experience points +0.18%]

    [Gold +40]

    [Current kill count: 463/100]

    [All stats increased by 100% due to the Rune of ughter.]

    Seeing the message that appeared in his field of vision, Ryu Min couldnt help but smile.

    Ive already taken down 463 of them.

    After a relentless solo massacre, he managed to eliminate 10% of the 4,600 orcs single-handedly. As a result, he had already leveled up.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 112: Hunting Down The Traitors (1)

    Chapter 112: Hunting Down The Traitors (1)

    Unlike the traitor group, the regr group shares experience points and gold through party hunting.

    Excluding the traitors, there are 201 people, so it will be divided by 201.

    You can tell the experience points they receive are even less than a mouses tail, even without doing the math.

    Well, if a yer dies in the middle, the rest will get arger share, but

    These orcs are a walk in the park, so theres hardly any danger.

    Anyway, if we divide the 4,600 monsters thate out during the raid by 201?

    It means youre getting experience equivalent to catching 20 on your own.

    That indicates that the experience gained isnt particrly substantial.

    Even if you go through all the 30 waves until we reach our destination, youll end up catching 600 at most.

    But when we reach our destination, well receive a generous amount of experience points. Quite a lot, actually.

    The key to the escort quest lies in the experience points reward at the end.

    In other words, it doubles the experience points you get from escorting.

    In essence, its an additional 1,200 experience points.

    There was a reason why Ryumin said in the past that there would be yers who reach level 40.

    Of course, achieving that would require making a mark at the guild of the humans.

    Wasnt An Sang-cheols ambition to reach level 40 the reason he chose the Human Guild?

    With An Sang-cheol currently at level 34, it should be well within reach.

    Anyway, at this rate, Ill easily surpass level 60.

    Even though he had only faced one wave, Ryu Min had already reached level 55.

    Thats an increase of one level per wave.

    If we manage to fend off the remaining 29 waves of attacks, Ill be over level 60.

    He was confident because Ryu Min had an experience points buff.

    A 3x bonus for a limited time in the 8th round and a 1.5x bonus because of his title.

    Combined, it amounts to a 4.5x boost, leaving him no choice but to forge ahead of the others.

    Besides, Im not even in a party.

    Since he was in a traitor group where soloing was possible, the experience points and gold he obtained for the 463 orcs he caught this time came in full.

    Other traitors probably didnt catch as much as I did

    Even if you catch a lot on your own, it wouldnt surpass 50, would it?

    No matter how easy orcs are to deal with, you cant catch more than that in one blow.

    Still, unless youre a fool, the traitors will calcte their profits and losses too.

    Unless theyre fools, they would have realized that the experience points from soloing are plentiful.

    It would be a shame toplete the quest early.

    Once you stop one of the guilds andplete the quest, no more experience points wille in.

    Youll want to raise your level against these weak monsters.

    Thinking of that, a Dwarf shouted.

    Lets set off again now!

    The carriage moved.

    Thud, thud, thud.

    But that was short-lived.

    After only 10 minutes, the 2nd wave began.

    These crazy bastards! Theyre already showing up?

    We havent even had a break.

    yersined but continued to y orcs for experience points.

    However, some yers couldnt help but lose their motivation, and the reason was different.

    Ryu Mins overwhelming skill.

    With every swing of his scythe, he cleaved through four at a time, and anyone would feel disheartened by that.

    It was even more so because of his higher level and Min Juris buff.

    Wow Look at how many ck Scythe is killing with one swing while I can only kill one!

    Ugh, Im really feeling sad.

    If hes killing that much, do we really have to do anything?

    Right? Experience pointse in even if we just stay still.

    Should I take the ck Scythe Bus too?

    (T/N: A Bus in video games is when a higher-level yer helps a newbie.)

    Some quietly retreated with that thought.

    Even though they could catch more, they gave up because it was easier.

    When Ryu Min, who was on the hunt, saw that, he smirked.

    In other peoples eyes, I must look like a party member. Thats why they think we better ept the bus.

    People misconstrued that Ryu Min was earning them experience points while hunting.

    But no matter how you think about it you cant just y around. Rankings are determined by contribution.

    In this round, the ranking method is all about your overall contribution.

    Simply sticking to escort duty wont cut it; youve got to delve into monster hunting to make a real mark.

    So, lounging aroundzily might turn out to be a deadly mistake.

    Seo Arin and Min Juri were well aware of this, and they were putting their all into the hunt.

    Min Juris an exception, though. Shell contribute enough without even breaking a sweat.

    Before the hunt began, Min Juri had taken the time to approach each yer individually.

    Her motive was simple:

    She wanted to enhance her contributions by bestowing buffs.

    Hello, Im a Buffer. How about trying out one of my buffs?

    Buff? Whats that?

    Min Juri yed the role of a benevolent preacher, offering buffs to yers without charge.

    To onlookers, it might have seemed like she was peddling something, but the response she received was nothing short of explosive.

    Wow, my stats just shot up by 60%?

    Seriously?!

    Is that really true? Can I have one too?

    Where can I get it? This buff thing. I want one!

    Right here! Anyone who hasnt gotten a buff yet?

    Yes, right here!

    It took her about 20 minutes to finally buff every yer.

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 Chapter 112: Hunting Down The Traitors (2)

    Chapter 112: Hunting Down The Traitors (2)

    It took Min Juri about 20 minutes to finally buff every yer.

    When you see them crying for buffs like that, it really confirms that Bless is nothing short of a game-changer, right?

    Min Juri had been running around, providing buffs to around 230 yers.

    Whats more, shed even thrown in Swift, but with a duration of only thirty minutes, she had to keep reapplying it.

    Phew, Im unexpectedly busy. Haha.

    Min Juri hadnt expected to be in such high demand.

    Later, everyone will talk about it even those who didnt receive buffs before. Thats how widespread it will be.

    As for those yers who discovered Buffs, theyd call for one whenever their buffs wore off.

    Although it might have seemed a bit inconvenient, it was a profitable venture for Min Juri.

    In fact, its a significant gain. When yers she buffed take down monsters, it contributes to her too.

    Imagine taking just 1% of the contribution from 230 people.

    Even if you were just rxing, you could still cover your contribution.

    Thats why Ryu Min wasnt concerned about Min Juri dropping out of the round.

    He wasnt worried about Seo Arin either.

    She was providing shield buffs to her allies using her summoned creatures, and she was even tanking, contributing effectively.

    Huff, Huff.

    After thwarting the seventh assault and witnessing the yers fatigue, Dwarf Hymer pounded his chest and shouted,

    Are we all done? Lets move, warriors of the other realm!

    Hey, Old Man Dwarf! We could use a bit of a break!

    Is there time for that? If we dont move immediately, monsters will attack. If you want to rest, do it on the move.

    With that, yers, irritated by Dwarfs urging, rose to their feet.

    There was hardly any time to sit down.

    He looks like he didnt notice it, but some of them really want to kill him.

    Even though they were the guardian party, it was hard not to be frustrated with the relentless pace.

    If thats how theyre thinking, what do you think the traitors are thinking right now?

    Well, the difficulty itself wasnt too high, but there was no time to catch your breath.

    It was like a non-stop march day and night.

    For someone like Ryu Min, who kept hunting, it was all fine.

    My level is already at 59.

    Just one more level, and hed finally attain Master rank.

    Then, Master-grade normal equipment would appear in the store, and he could enhance all the unique materials he had bought in advance.

    Whats more, Ill gain new skills and abilities.

    Both of which were highly efficient, making him eagerly anticipate leveling up.

    But when will someone step into action?

    Ryu Min wasnt referring to the traitor group.

    Someone from the regr group was bound to take the lead, as long as they had a bit of wit.

    And it finally happened.

    Guys! Instead of persistently hunting, shouldnt we prioritize finding the traitors? At this rate, we might all fall before we uncover their identities!

    In response to that call, heads nodded in agreement among the gathered individuals.

    Thats right, simply hunting monsters wont cut it.

    I agree. We need to root out those traitors.

    But how do we go about finding them?

    I have a suggestion!

    The person who had initially proposed the idea continued speaking.

    We know that the traitors arent part of any parties, right? So, when we attack them, they should take damage, correct? Lets test it by attacking each other to confirm. What do you think?

    That sounds reasonable.

    Then it should make finding them much easier.

    Lets give it a try!

    The yers readily embraced this straightforward method to identify the traitors.

    Meanwhile, the traitors maintained their silence, unaware that their time was running out, their thoughts undoubtedly in turmoil.

    Could those who arent speaking right now be the traitors?

    Heh, heh, it certainly seems that way, doesnt it?

    They must be getting nervous. Soon, their true identities will be exposed.

    As the regr group shared augh, the traitors found themselves in a precarious situation.

    -What should we do? We might get discovered like this.

    -We need to eliminate the dwarves as soon as possible.

    Ryu Min, who had been eavesdropping on the traitors thoughts, happened to lock eyes with them.

    -ck Scythe, its time to take action.

    -Lets target the dwarves together. This is our only chance.

    He conveyed his intentions through their gaze, but Ryu Min deliberately ignored them.

    Stupid bastards. Are they basically advertising themselves as traitors?

    The unfolding events were expected, albeit with some dy.

    Those of you with area-of-effect skills now is the time to use them on your fellow yers.

    Understood!

    Then lets begin! Attack the person beside you!

    yers unexpectedly started stabbing one another.

    Ting, ting!

    The clear sound of metal shing echoed throughout the area.

    Wow, our attacks arent doing any damage!

    Its like hitting a lump of iron.

    You are definitely in our party!

    However, it wasnt just the sound of metal that filled the air.

    Thunk!

    Ahh!

    Whats happening? This person got stabbed!

    Hes a traitor! That guys a traitor!

    Some of the traitors, hidden among the yers, couldnt evade the attacks and were exposed.

    Get them! Kill these traitors!

    Puh, puh, puh!

    Cough!

    One of the traitors became a target, enduring attacks from all directions.

    Just one person couldnt evade the onught from every direction.

    Moreover, these were yers who hadmitted murder in the fourth round.

    They had no qualms about attacking others.

    Alright! Weve identified one traitor here!

    Here too!

    We found a traitor here too!

    Traitors were being exposed from various ces, leaving the remaining traitors in dismay.

    Damn it! You bastards!

    A few traitors retaliated, attacking yers before their own identities could be revealed.

    Cough! This guy suddenly stabbed me.

    Hes a damn traitor! Get him!

    The traitors attempted to escape the yers clutches, with their only hope being to kill the dwarves andplete the quest.

    Okay, lets kill Hymer. Kill Hymer!

    With determined gazes, the traitors rushed toward Dwarf Hymer, who was driving the carriage.

    Hymer shouted toward the yers, unaware of the situation.

    Hold on! Warriors of the other realm! Whats happening all of a sudden?

    The spectacle of warriors pointing their swords at each other was nothing short of bewildering.

    But then, btedly, he turned his head to a surprising scene.

    Die you pig!

    A Traitor!

    Oh no!

    Just as the traitors de was about to reach the dwarf.

    Cheng!

    Ryu Min intervened, stopping the traitors, in the form of LostYak.

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 Chapter 113: Level 60 (1)

    Chapter 113: Level 60 (1)

    As the yers squared off, their swords glinting ominously, Ryu Min moved with the precision of someone who had been waiting for this very moment.

    He gracefully sidestepped, as though he had foreseen this encounter, and then after using invisibility, he transformed into the image of Lostyak.

    Its time to make my move, Ryu Min thought to himself, If I save the dwarf in the form of ck Scythe, the traitors will know that Ive betrayed them.

    Remaining hidden, Ryu Min observed the unfolding situation with keen anticipation, knowing the traitors would likely strike when the dwarves were most vulnerable.

    Theyll grow impatient when the search operation begins. Thats when theyll try to eliminate the dwarves first to save the mission.

    The smaller number of dwarves would make it rtively easy to find them.

    Having experienced simr situations in the past, Ryu Min was well-prepared for this operation.

    They usually conduct extractions around the 4th to 6th wave, but this time they seem a bit dyed..

    However, Ryu Min wasnt bothered by this variation; he could patiently wait while remaining invisible.

    Theyre finally making their move, Ryu Min observed as the traitors began to act.

    With prior knowledge of the traitors faces and the ability to read their intentions, Ryu Min easily discerned their objectives.

    Theyre targeting Heimer, the dwarves leader. Ryu Min realized.

    Four traitors were closing in on Heimer. Ryu Min readied his weapon, a specially prepared sword.

    Of course, he didnt use the scythe, as it might reveal his true identity.

    Although the sword wasnt his primary weapon, Ryu Mins skill level was more than sufficient to handle these four individuals.

    These guys are all under level 30. Theyre no match.

    As the traitors advanced, Ryu Min remained invisible, waiting by Heimers side. He knew he had to choose the perfect moment to maximize Heimers favor toward him.

    The traitors charged toward Heimer, who eximed, Warriors from the other realm! Whats happening all of a sudden?

    Unaware of the impending danger, Heimer continued shouting energetically.

    It was only when it was toote that he noticed the des aimed at him.

    Then, with a swift motion, Ryu Min parried the des and dispelled his invisibility. Are you alright? he asked, feigning concern.

    Uh, um. Who are you? Heimer responded, startled.

    Stay behind me. These guys are after you, Heimer, Ryu Min said.

    He quickly assessed the situation: two traitors in front and two behind.

    With an air of confidence, the traitors growled at Ryu Min. Whos this bastard? Where did hee from?

    Dont interfere and get lost if you dont want to die, another one warned.

    If they knew he was ck Scythe, these young pups would have retreated long ago. However, now they were snarling at him.

    Should I finish them quickly? No, its not time yet. I have to stage it for maximum favor with Heimer, Ryu Min thought to himself.

    The traitors, still targeting Heimer, rushed forward simultaneously.

    Ryu Min deftly parried their attacks and, with a quick movement, plunged his sword into the chest of one of them.

    Ugh! The traitor groaned.

    I warned you, Ryu Min remarked as he drew his specially prepared sword and sliced through the second traitors shoulder, causing him to cry out in pain.

    In an instant, the other two traitors were taken aback. However, what surprised them even more was the sudden appearance of their own lifeless bodies on the ground, their heads severed from their necks.

    Ryu Min had swiftly executed them.

    You brought this upon yourselves, Ryu Min said to the lifeless bodies.

    No response came from the already dead traitors.

    The nearby yers who had witnessed Ryu Mins skills were amazed.

    Wow, who is that guy?

    Hes incredibly skilled, isnt he?

    Since Ryu Mins face was that of Lostyak, no one suspected the ck Scythe. Moreover, he was wearing different armor and using a different weapon.

    Amazing, isnt it? He rescued the dwarves.

    Why didnt we notice such a skilled yer before?

    Hey, did you hear that?

    The shift from confusion to eptance among the crowd didnt take long. With over 200 people present, encountering unfamiliar faces wasnt surprising.

    Amidst this, the Dwarf, Heimer, was still trying to steady his racing heart, clearly taken aback by the sudden turn of events. He hadnt expected an attack from his own escorts.

    Whats happening here? he stuttered.

    We have a traitor among our team, Ryu Min calmly exined.

    A traitor?

    We were attacking each other earlier to identify the traitor.

    Understanding finally dawned on Heimer, and he nodded, wiping his beard.

    To think there was a traitor among the warriors from the other realm. We narrowly avoided a disaster, he remarked.

    Heimer! We need to report this to the temple immediately!

    Yes! The ones we were supposed to protect have turned into our enemies!

    With things like this, we may never reach our destination

    S-silence!

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 Chapter 113: Level 60 (2)

    Chapter 113: Level 60 (2)

    Heimer! We need to report this to the temple immediately!

    Yes! The ones we were supposed to protect have turned into our enemies!

    With things like this, we may never reach our destination

    S-silence!

    Heimers outburst silenced the protesting dwarves.

    The volume of his voice was enough to make even the yers, who had been observing the situation, pause and turn their attention.

    Is this the time to discuss such matters? The most pressing issue at the moment is that there might be traitors hidden among the warriors from another realm, Heimer pointed out.

    Heimer looked up at Ryu Min and said, Thanks to you, Ive spared myself from disgrace. Please allow me to express my gratitude for saving my life. May I know your name?

    Ryu Min hesitated. He couldnt simply reveal himself as the ck Scythe, especially not with so many witnesses around. It would be challenging to gain any benefits from the dwarves if he provided a false nickname.

    A tricky situation.

    But theres a way.

    While others might not be aware, there was a system in ce for such situations: titles.

    Ryu Min selected one of the titles he had acquired over time and clicked on Show Title.

    [Ahead of the Pack]

    Above his head, the title appeared in ce of his nickname. Unlike nicknames, titles couldnt be hidden.

    This sudden change left the yers wide-eyed.

    Whats this? Who is that?

    Why can we see his nickname, but not ours?

    We dont have that?

    Some yers who were unaware of the concept of titles mistook it for a nickname and voiced their confusion.

    Well, theyve probably never obtained one, Ryu Min thought, understanding the reaction.

    Titles were rarer and harder to acquire than runes, and Ryu Min had earned several of them.

    At that moment, Heimers expression changed as he looked at Ryu Min.

    Ah? Are you Ahead of the Pack?

    The titles disy seemed to have caught Heimers attention.

    To people from this realm, it probably holds a different meaning, Ryu Min mused internally.

    To yers, titles were just a substitution for nicknames, but among these beings, titles seemed to carry a deeper significance. It was as if revealing a title triggered a particr reaction based on an internal story or system.

    Youre indeed Ahead of the Pack, Heimer acknowledged with a chuckle. Modesty suits you.

    Heimersughter quickly turned serious as he expressed his gratitude. Thank you for saving us. If it werent for you, Id be nothing more than a fallen dwarf on the roadside. Just the thought sends shivers down my spine.

    Observing Heimer, Ryu Min asked cautiously, Do I need to reveal my name?

    What significance does a name hold? You already have the reputation of being Ahead of the Pack, Heimer replied.

    Ryu Min nodded, relieved that he didnt have to reveal his true identity as the ck Scythe.

    Now, even if I meet other dwarves besides Heimer, I can use this title to gain their favor, Ryu Min thought, considering the potential benefits.

    As if to confirm his theory, a message appeared:

    [The reputation of ck Scythe among the dwarves has increased from Neutral to Friendly due to the title Ahead of the Pack.]

    Just as he had hoped, the title was influencing the dwarves favor toward him.

    This is the practical function of titles, Ryu Min realized with a smile.

    While he smiled and pondered this, the work of identifying the traitors continued.

    However,

    Grrr Grrr!

    Grrrah!

    Suddenly, the assault of Orcs interrupted the traitor identification process.

    Ryu Min, taking on the appearance of Lostyak rather than wielding the ck Scythe, stood guard over the dwarves, all in an effort to solidify their goodwill.

    Little did he know,

    Having the Ahead of the Pack among us really boosts my confidence in reaching our destination.

    His skills are exceptional, evenpared to other seasoned warriors.

    It would be a true honor if theyd consider using the weapons Ive crafted.

    The dwarves who were silently observing couldnt help but be impressed.

    Ryu Mins hunting speed was a tad slower this time, he couldnt help but let out a sigh.

    I cant reveal my transformation in front of the dwarves, so it looks like Ill have to stick to using the sword for this wave.

    While he wasnt entirely satisfied with the hunting speed, it wasnt drastically different from using the Scythe.

    With the scythe, he could eliminate four Orcs in one sweep, whereas the sword required four stabs.

    But if I can earn the dwarves favor and secure some rewards, its definitely worth it.

    Ryu Min nned to receive rewards from Heimer once the escort mission wasplete, but he decided to build up his reputation just in case.

    Being thorough didnt hurt.

    As Ryu Min continued to dispatch Orcs, a wee message popped up before him.

    [Your level has increased!]

    [Your rank has risen from Expert to Master.]

    [You can now use the Duel Request feature.]

    Reaching level 60, Ryu Min had ascended to the rank of Master. With this achievement, he gained ess to the Duel Request feature, a valuable addition.

    You can challenge each other to one-on-one battles using this feature, with each person putting up an item as coteral or making some other promise.

    In simpler terms, it allowed yers to wager something valuable and engage in one-on-one duels. This feature was moremonly used in the real world than in other realms.

    [In celebration of your rank increase, the Death Seal skill has been upgraded!]

    [Additional damage from the Death Seal skill has increased from 140% to 160%.]

    [In celebration of your rank increase, the Death Night skill has been upgraded!]

    [The range of the Death Night skill has increased from 1,000m to 1,500m.]

    [In celebration of your rank increase, the Moonlight Ind skill has been upgraded!]

    [The range damage of the Moonlight skill has increased from 1,200% to 1,800%.]

    Ryu Mins existing skills were sequentially enhanced a weed development. However, his attention was immediately drawn to a new skill.

    [You have acquired the exclusive skill Crimson Moon!]

    [The next skills will be automatically acquired when you reach level 99.]

    [Exclusive Skill  Crimson Moon]

    Effect: Reduces the cooldown of Moonlight by 1 second for 10 seconds. Crimson Moon can be used again only after the 24-hour cooldown.

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 Chapter 114: Heimers Reward (1)

    Chapter 114: Heimer''s Reward (1)

    It was a simple buff-type skill, but its power was far from simple.

    Its a skill that reduces the cooldown of the Moonlight sh, which is normally avable only once every 10 minutes, to one second.

    Its only for 10 seconds, but still, Crimson Moon was the skill that enabled the consecutive use of Moonlight sh.

    Gathering the energy for Moonlight sh takes one second, plus a one-second cooldown. So, I can use Moonlight sh every two seconds.

    A skill that was used once every 10 minutes could now be used five times in just 10 seconds.

    It felt like gaining an additional finishing move.

    Now, afterpleting the escort, Ill receive experience points as a reward and something extra from the dwarves.

    Excluding this, there was nothing more to gain from the Dwarf Merchant Guild.

    Alright, now that weve dealt with the monsters, lets resume the traitor identification process!

    Following that, the process of identifying traitors continued, and several were killed.

    However, among the traitors, there seemed to be assassins who escaped every time using their invisibility skills.

    [Current Personnel Status]

    Participants: 190

    Traitors: 5

    Ha, there are only 10 minutes left, and there are still 5 traitors?

    Is there anyone we havent attacked yet?

    I guess weve tried stabbing everyone

    Its frustrating how we didnt catch them, even when we made everyone attack each other.

    During the 30 monster waves, they had tried to identify traitors numerous times.

    But the traitors were never caught.

    They could easily escape by avoiding the spot or using their invisibility skills.

    With 200 people, its not like the group is too small to make finding them easy.

    Moreover, the constant monster attacks every 10 minutes left no spare time to search for the traitors.

    Of course, there was the option of conducting a thorough investigation whenever there was a chance.

    But for that, someone needs to take the lead, and nobodys willing to do that.

    With the orc attacks keeping them busy, there was neither the time nor the energy to spare.

    And it wasnt feasible to split the time for the investigation, as it was impossible to remember each person without seeing their nicknames.

    This dilemma was no small matter for the yers.

    Hmm, are you sure weve stabbed everyone?

    Im telling you, weve tried more than ten times.

    But why are there still 5 traitors?

    Why are you asking me?

    Then who should I ask, bastard?

    This guy suddenly started cursing?

    What? Are you my mom? You f***ing bastard.

    Perhaps due to exhaustion from fighting orcs, tempers were ring.

    Stop it! Everyone, stop fighting!

    Someone stepped in to mediate in the heated atmosphere.

    Fighting like this isnt going to solve anything.

    Then do you have a better idea?

    We should first discuss whether theres anyone we havent stabbed yet.

    Weve stabbed everyone.

    What about ck Scythe? Did anyone try stabbing ck Scythe?

    ck Scythe?

    Stab ck Scythe?

    Who would be crazy enough to do that?

    So, no one tried?

    I couldnt do it. Hehe.

    What if ck Scythe is the traitor? Id lose my head anyway!

    Thats a point.

    So, no one? Nobody?

    The murmuring reached Ryu Mins ears.

    Everyones attention was on him.

    They seem to be suspecting me.

    At this point, someone eager to take charge was bound to appear.

    Right about now.

    If youre not confident enough to stab him, should I do it?

    Go ahead and stab me.

    Ryu Min replied promptly as if taking the bait.

    If youre confident, then try stabbing me.

    The yer flinched at Ryu Mins daunting aura but then burst outughing.

    Heh, seeing you threaten like that, you must be the traitor, huh? Ha ha.

    When did I ever threaten?

    Didnt you just re at me as if you were going to kill me if I stabbed you?

    Should I smile at someone who suspects me? Anyone would naturally feel bad when being doubted.

    Ryu Min feigned an annoyed expression and said again.

    If you want to stab me, go ahead and try.

    Most people usually back off when actually confronted.

    Ryu Min, understanding this, deliberately took a strong stance.

    Sure enough, the guy who had been confidently shouting now began to back away like a scolded puppy.

    Among them, there was likely no yer brave enough to actually stab ck Scythe.

    But that doesnt mean the suspicions havepletely disappeared.

    Just as Ryu Min predicted, people murmured among themselves.

    Seeing that reaction, could it really be that ck Scythe is a traitor?

    Surely not.

    Has really no one ever tried stabbing him?

    They spoke as if Ryu Min couldnt hear, but he heard every word.

    However, it seemed Ryu Min wasnt the only one who heard the murmurs.

    Theres no need to suspect ck Scythe-nim! Ive tried stabbing him myself.

    Someone defended Ryu Min.

    It was none other than Min Juri.

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 Chapter 114: Heimers Reward (2)

    Chapter 114: Heimer''s Reward (2)

    Theres no need to suspect ck Scythe-nim! Ive tried stabbing him myself.

    Someone defended Ryu Min.

    It was none other than Min Juri.

    Her im made the yers, who were benefiting from her buffs, mumble in confusion.

    Really, did the buffer try stabbing him?

    Yes. I really did. I stabbed him, but it just made a ting sound and bounced off.

    Hmm, well if the buffer says so

    Its more effective when someone else defends you than when you deny usations yourself.

    As if approving this, the crowd nodded in agreement and turned away.

    Ryu Min, reading their thoughts, couldnt help but be surprised.

    Those who doubted me just a moment agopletely dismissed their suspicions with just a word from Min Juri.

    It seems it felt too much for them to suspect both ck Scythe and the buffer, especially after receiving buffs for free.

    Its a bit of a blow to my pride, isnt it? To be so easily suspected by others.

    Is it more effective to draw people in with kindness rather than force, huh?

    Oblivious to the turmoil she caused in others hearts, Min Juri whispered in a quiet voice with a hehe smile.

    ck Scythe-nim. Did I do well? Dont worry. Ill keep your secret of being a traitor.

    A traitor, huh? I dont know what youre talking about.

    Ah, you dont need to y dumb with me.

    Min Juri walked away with a light hum, smiling.

    She distanced herself to avoid raising suspicion by being seen talking to ck Scythe.

    Shes really enjoying herself, isnt she? Was she that eager to help me?

    Min Juri, who had always received help from ck Scythe, couldnt contain her joy at finally being able to help in return.

    But not far away, Seo Arin was watching this scene.

    Regret was evident on her face for not being able to defend Ryu Min.

    Ryu Min could only facepalm at the situation.

    Why are there so many around me so eager to help?

    He didnt really need any help himself.

    Just then, a shout from the crowd broke the moment.

    Monsters! Monsters!

    To appear with just 10 minutes left!

    Ryu Min knew.

    This was going to be thest wave.

    Should I go for a clean sweep this time?

    Whoosh-

    A curtain of darkness enveloped everything around.

    Using the Death Night skill, which increased his attack speed by 50%, Ryu Min ughtered the orcs.

    And for the finale, of course.

    Ssshhhing-

    Moonlight sh.

    sh-

    The sh he released swept away fifteen orcs in a straight line.

    [Your level has increased!]

    His level had now reached 62.

    This was a satisfying rate of growth, even before the experience point rewards were factored in.

    After annihting the group of orcs.

    [Time to Destination: 00:00:00]

    As the timer hit zero, the Dwarf Merchant Guild stopped the carriage.

    Warriors from another world, we thank you. This is where your escort ends. Weve passed the dangerous areas.

    Haimer, with his short arms, pointed ahead.

    Our destination is over there. Well go on our own from here. You may return now. Thanks to you, we were able to transport our goods safely. Thank you once again.

    After repeatedly expressing his gratitude, Haimer suddenly stepped down from the carriage and walked somewhere.

    Following his gaze, there was Ryu Min, transformed into a Lostyak.

    Haimer was holding Ryu Mins hand, personally expressing his gratitude.

    Warrior from the other world, no, Ahead of The Pack. Im truly grateful for saving our lives.

    Its nothing.

    Although he appeared cool on the outside, Ryu Min was secretly anticipating.

    Awaiting the reward he had been hoping for.

    As expected, Haimer pulled something out from his pocket.

    Its notparable to the value of a life, but I would like to repay you. Please ept this.

    Far from refusing, Ryu Min promptly epted it.

    [You have received Rune Fragment of Durability as a reward from Dwarf cksmith Haimer.]

    Worried he might be asked to return it, Ryu Min used it immediately.

    [Using Rune Fragment of Durability.]

    [The acquired rune will automatically be engraved on the yers body!]

    [Rune of Durability]

    -Effect: The durability of equipped items recovers at a rate of 1 per second.

    Ryu Mins lips stretched into a wide grin at the awaited reward.

    Great. Now I dont have to ask Russel to fix the durability anymore.

    Until now, he had been returning to reality to get the Beads of Eternity repaired, but now that was no longer necessary.

    Even without a cksmith, he could now autonomously recover durability.

    This means I can endlessly increase my stats while wearing the Beads of Eternity.

    However, in the real world, there will be a very little use of the bead.

    Because the stack only increases when monsters are killed.

    Some might think they can increase the stack by killing mealworms, but mealworms arent monsters. Theyre just insects.

    Only the Rune of ughter, which increases with each target killed, applies to mealworms.

    But that doesnt mean itspletely useless in reality.

    I said there would be a very little use of the bead, not that it couldnt be used at all.

    This implies that monsters can also appear in the real world.

    Well then. I look forward to meeting you again.

    After saying this, Haimer led his group away.

    Once the merchant guild had disappeared out of sight, the same message appeared before all the yers.

    [You have sessfully escorted the Dwarf Merchant Guild to their destination.]

    [You havepleted the Escort the Dwarf Merchant Guild Quest.]

    [Shortly, everyone will receive experience points as a reward for a sessful escort.]

    [The amount of experience awarded will be twice the number of monsters you and your party members have killed.]

    Whoa, is this for real? Twice the experience points for all the mobs weve killed?

    Thats a lot, isnt it?

    Since were a party, we all get the same amount, right?

    Although it was regrettable that they couldnt identify all the traitors, the yers spirits were lifted at the thought of receiving double the experience points.

    Soon after the rewards were distributed, exmations of amazement were heard from various ces.

    Min Juri and Seo Arin were no exception.

    Wow, thats a substantial amount of experience points. ck Scythe-nim, my level has already hit 38.

    Really? Congrattions.

    What level did you reach, ck Scythe-nim?

    Me?

    As Ryu Min moved his lips, Min Juri asked again.

    Sorry, what did you say?

    Wondering if she had heard incorrectly.

    Level 70.

    It was a level worth being astonished about, after all.

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 Chapter 115: The Elf Guild (1)

    Chapter 115: The Elf Guild (1)

    [The mission to escort the Dwarf Guild has beenpleted.]

    [Current personnel status]

    Participants: 190

    Traitors: 5

    The mission to escort the Dwarf Guild concluded with a rtively low death toll of 40.

    Among them, 24 were killed not by monsters, but by other humans, as part of the traitor group.

    I survived.

    Ryu Min and four others managed to survive to the end without being detected.

    Of course, surviving was just the beginning of their challenges.

    [Since you failed to disrupt the guilds journey, all stats will be reduced by 20% until the end of the round.]

    [You will be moved to the Traitor Groups waiting area shortly.]

    Not being caught during the search was a relief, but the group mission failure was a gloomy affair.

    Well, for the other traitors, not for Ryu Min.

    I managed to level up to 70 with the Dwarf Guild. The experience points were surprisingly good.

    He even thought he might surpass level 80 in this round.

    Now its over, ck Scythe-nim.

    Good work, ck Scythe-nim.

    Min Juri and Seo Arin approached to say goodbye.

    Their expressions seemed regretful as if they were reluctant to part.

    Good job. See you in the next round.

    With those words from Ryu Min, the background changed.

    When he came to his senses, he was standing in a grey space.

    [Kyahahat, wee back, traitors? Huh?]

    The angel Ariel frowned delicately.

    [Only five of you left? Haaa. Thats far fewer than I expected.]

    Expectations? Did you expect so many of us to die?

    [Of course. I expected the traitors to be quickly identified and eliminated in the small Dwarf Guild. Did you really think it would be easy?]

    The traitor who spoke up fell silent as if hit by the painful truth.

    [Kyahaha, then thats really naive. Or are you just stupid? Its obvious that its harder to hide your identity when there are fewer people.]

    In reality, the Dwarf Guild was the most difficult challenge for the traitor group.

    The perception of it being easy was merely a standard set for the escort groups.

    If its easy for the escort group then its hard for the traitor group.

    [The good news is, you still have hope. There are two more chances.]

    If they can stop either the Elf Guild or the Human Guild from reaching their destination, the traitor group can survive.

    That is if they can manage it.

    [Cheer up. The next mission with the Elf Guild wont be as difficult as this one. There are as many as 700 participants.]

    The four traitors, excluding Ryu Min, were surprised by the number, more than triple the previous count.

    Indeed, beautiful elves are more popr than the unattractive dwarves.

    [This time, the five of you should work closely together. Of course, youll have to deal with the stat penalty. Kihihi.]

    The five traitors looked at each other.

    Were only five left, lets do well this time.

    Yeah, we have to stick together if we want to survive.

    Should wee up with some sort of strategy, ck Scythe-nim?

    Their eyes turned to Ryu Min, seemingly appointing him as the leader naturally.

    Do whatever you want.

    Ryu Min had no intention of mingling with them.

    Though they share amon goal, a solo yer remains solo.

    He couldnt trust people who werent his party members.

    ck Scythe-nim, you dont n to strategize?

    Thats right. I didnt see you when we were trying to attack the dwarves

    One of the traitors stopped speaking mid-sentence, silenced by the lethal look in Ryu Mins eyes.

    Why should I trust any of you? Were not even in the same party.

    But were in the same group

    Only in terms of objectives, were practically individuals. Thats why we receive experience points separately.

    Ryu Min coldly refused and turned away.

    Better focus on hunting.

    His deration of solo y darkened the expressions of the other traitors.

    It seemed they were not confident in attacking the Elves caravan without ck Scythe.

    Watching this, Ariel chuckled.

    [Oh dear, it seems theres ack of consensus within the group. Well, thats none of my concern. Im just here to move you to the Elf Guild.]

    But Angel, if we go to the Elf Guild, does that mean the yers there have been waiting for us for five hours?

    [Ah, didnt I mention? While you traitors are on your mission, time is frozen for the other Guilds. That includes the people who just finished with the Dwarf Guild.]

    The time only flows in the guild where the traitor group participates, the rest are frozen.

    [Otherwise, the other groups would have to endure boring times while you tackle other guilds. Dont worry about the other humans though. Right now, what matters most is yourselves, right? Kyahahahat.]

    Listening to her annoyingly jovial voice, the traitors waited to be moved.

    [Shall we go to the Elf Guild then? I sincerely hope you seed this time.]

    * * *

    Changing locations can help lift ones mood.

    This was especially true for the traitor group.

    This is

    The Elf Guild quest location?

    Unlike the gloomy rock terrain of the Dwarf Guild, this ce was filled with lush trees and fragrances.

    But the biggest difference was the yers.

    Oh, are we starting the escort here?

    Choosing the Elf Guild starts us off in a ce like an elf vige, huh?

    But why are there so many people?

    They all chose this one to see the elves, obviously.

    As the angel mentioned, about 700 people filled the forest.

    With this many people

    It wont be easy to find us likest time.

    On one hand, the traitors were relieved they wouldnt be easily exposed beforehand.

    But

    [Traitor Group Failure Penalty: All stats reduced by 20%.]

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 Chapter 115: The Elf Guild (2)

    Chapter 115: The Elf Guild (2)

    On one hand, the traitors were relieved they wouldnt be easily exposed beforehand.

    But

    [Traitor Group Failure Penalty: All stats reduced by 20%.]

    The message that appeared to one side only served to deepen their despair.

    Ryu Min, however, paid no mind to such messages.

    This will start the same way. Shocked by the nicknames, shocked by the number of traitors.

    As Ryu Min predicted, the yers were first surprised by the absence of their nicknames, then by the message that appeared.

    [Escort the Elf Guild]

    Safely escort the Elf Guild to its destination.

    If sessful, all participants will receive experience points.

    The person who contributes most to defeating the traitors will receive a sub-quest reward.

    If all traitors are eliminated, additional rewards will be given.

    [Current personnel status]

    Participants: 740

    Traitors: 5

    Look at this. There are five traitors among us!

    How do we find them?

    What if we start by attacking each other?

    The yers, perplexed, decided to start by probing each other with attacks.

    However, they soon realized it was impossible to check over 700 people one by one and gave up.

    Ah, we need to catch those traitor bastards.

    How do we find those five?

    It feels as ufortable as having a bug in your mouth, really.

    While the yers sighed in frustration, the traitor group breathed a sigh of relief.

    Then, without fail, the carriage procession appeared.

    It was a long line that seemed endless.

    Oh, elves, elves.

    Really. They look exactly like the elves from the game.

    Seriously, its like a copy of my female elf character.

    The elves, with their pointed ears, were distinguished by their fair skin and beautiful features, regardless of gender.

    This was a stark contrast to the dwarves, who all resembled uncles or grandfathers.

    Moreover, the magic-floating, wheel-less carriages were eye-catching.

    The noble air of the elves was secondary.

    Greetings, warriors from the other world. As promised, you were waiting here.

    A tall, handsome elf stepped forward and bowed gracefully.

    My name is Yugrito, and I operate the magic caravan under Elsorium. Its reassuring to have the warriors of the templee to meet us.

    His smile was enough to sway the hearts of the female yers.

    To the men, it was nothing short of nauseating.

    As expected, they call us warriors from the other world.

    It wasmon for the natives to address the yers this way.

    For Ryu Min, this was nothing new, but for yers encountering the natives for the first time, even understanding thenguage was fascinating.

    Wow, elves really exist?

    Or are they created beings?

    Just ask. Are you really an elf?

    Eh? What do you mean?

    Yugrito tilted his head, puzzled.

    Ryu Min thought it was a foolish question to ask if elves truly existed.

    It was like asking a human if they were really human.

    The important thing isnt whether elves exist. Its how much we can benefit from them.

    Like how he gained the rune of durability by increasing his reputation with the dwarf race, there were benefits to be gained from the elves.

    The elixir that elves only offer to truly important guests. Thats what I need to get from this escort mission.

    So, how could he be treated as such an esteemed guest?

    The answer was simple.

    Just like with the dwarves, saving their lives should do the trick.

    But for that, the traitors needed to make a move, and they didnt seem to have the guts.

    Even if they attack, the elf knights disguised as merchants and the earth and wind spirits surrounding the carriages will protect them, rendering it futile.

    So, he had to wait for a monster attack and save them from a crisis.

    But saving the elf merchants wouldnt yield much more than gratitude.

    As I said, theyre knights of Elsorium disguised as merchants.

    The reason why knights would disguise themselves as merchants was clear without reading thoughts.

    They have something precious to protect.

    If he could barely save that precious thing?

    Surely, the elves would treat Ryu Min as a distinguished guest, even as a lifelong benefactor.

    That precious thing is

    Ryu Mins gaze swept over the line of carriages.

    Among the 30 carriages, only the 15th in the middle had a distinctly different design and pattern.

    There it is. There, the Elf Princess is hiding.

    The Elf Princess, Eufinelcia.

    If he could protect her from a monster attack, Ryu Min would be able to obtain what he desired from the elves.

    Suddenly, someone who recognized Ryu Min approached him.

    Oh? ck Scythe-nim?

    It was none other than Heo Taeseok.

    Old-Man-No-Gay. You were here.

    ck Scythe-nim, how are you

    Obviously. I chose the Elf Guild, so Im here.

    After speaking, he read Heo Taeseoks thoughts and realized the question had a different implication.

    Hes wondering how I chose the same location as him.

    It was a ridiculous misunderstanding, but there was no need to correct him.

    Heo Taeseok himself shook his head, correcting his own thoughts.

    -ck Scythe-nim wouldnt have known I chose the Elf Guild. Then is this a fateful encounter? A destiny to party with ck Scythe-nim again?

    Heo Taeseok was trying to find any way to connect himself with ck Scythe.

    Why are you looking at me like that?

    Oh, nothing. Hehe

    Heo Taeseok, who had been intently staring at Ryu Min, suddenly turned away shyly.

    Knowing his intentions makes his gaze all the more burdensome.

    Ryu Min inwardly clicked his tongue, but there was another person who made him feel ufortable.

    ck Scythe?

    Hm? You are?

    An unexpected figure approached Ryu Min.

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 Chapter 116: The Commotion

    Chapter 116: The Commotion

    Eom Jun-seok?

    Ryu Min remembered his nickname.

    He was the one who had caught the boss attention during the High Orc battle.

    Not intentionally, but because he had been frozen in fear.

    You, you remember my nickname?

    I just saw it briefly, but it seems Im right.

    After all, he yed a significant role in achieving a 1-second record in the time attack.

    But why is this guy approaching me?

    He had never spoken a word to Ryu Min before, yet here he was, approaching nervously.

    -Oh, ck Scythe-nim remembers me I did good speaking to him!

    Ryu Min read his thoughts and saw no ulterior motive.

    It seemed like a simple greeting.

    Even knowing this, Ryu Min bluntly asked, What do you want from me?

    Ah, well, you saved me back then, and Ive been feeling guilty for not thanking you.

    Eom Jun-seok bowed solemnly and seriously.

    Thank you for saving my life.

    I should be thanking you for drawing the High Orcs aggro.

    Ryu Min swallowed these words and simply nodded.

    Alright, you can go now.

    Although it was a dismissal, Eom Jun-seok didnt move, looking disappointed.

    Ah, wait. Dont tell me?

    Ryu Min nced back and forth between Heo Taeseok and Um Jun-seok.

    Their gazes seemed simrly devoted.

    It feels like Ive gained another follower

    Ignoring Ryu Mins offer to leave, Eom Jun-seok continued, Its an honor to party with ck Scythe. Im looking forward to working together.

    Hold on. Youre Eom Jun-seok, right? What do you mean ck Scythe-nim saved you?

    Oh, that was when

    Interrupted by Heo Taeseok, Eom Jun-seok detailed the perilous situation he had faced.

    Ah, that time when ck Scythe-nim appeared.

    Yes. It was truly fortunate. But you are

    Sorry for thete introduction. Im Old-Man-No-Gay. Are you interested in religion?

    Religion?

    Im recruiting people for a new cause

    The two continued their conversation, leaving Ryu Min aside.

    Hes trying to recruit followers even now.

    Heo Taeseok, usually awkward, was eloquent in front of Eom Jun-seok, especially when it came to ck Scythe.

    Let them be. More followers for me isnt bad.

    Although their whispering felt a bit like being a third wheel, it didnt matter to Ryu Min as long as they didnt bother him.

    Then, Elf Yugrito used the wind spirit to announce to everyone, We will start moving now. Please take care of us, warriors from the other world.

    With that as the signal, the caravan started moving.

    Clip-clop, clip-clop.

    The white horse pulled the wheel-less carriage.

    Following the procession of 30 carriages, about 700 yers also moved, naturally dividing to escort the carriages on both sides, vignt for any monster attacks.

    Despite their appearance, these yers had survived up to the 7th round.

    The forest was beautiful, but they werent lost in appreciation, aware that anything could emerge in this otherworldly realm.

    However, Ryu Min was distinctly rxed, as if on a neighborhood stroll, already knowing when and what monsters would appear.

    Harpy, Lizardman, Werewolf. These three types will attack alternately, every 10 minutes.

    Like the Dwarf Guild, there would be 30 attacks, but with half the number of monsters, stronger than orcs.

    We should kill at least 10 per yer. It wont be easy for the others.

    Despite the medium difficulty, only Ryu Min knew the tough journey ahead.

    Its a monster! Everyone be careful!

    Squee!

    Squawk!

    Harpy attacks began, catching the yers off guard facing flying monsters for the first time.

    But soon, seeing Ryu Min effortlessly ying Harpies, they realized they could attack when the monsters descended.

    Since they use their beaks and ws to attack, you just need to slice them when they get close.

    Inspired by Ryu Mins prowess with his Death Scythe, yers wielded their weapons and skills to protect the elves.

    Heo Taeseok and Eom Jun-seok didnt idle either.

    Chains and ck arrows restrained and pierced the harpies, while Eom Jun-seoks sword cleanly sliced through them.

    Thank you, Jun-seok.

    Be careful, No Gay.

    By the way, have you considered my proposal?

    Lets finish this and talk.

    The harpy hunt ended smoothly.

    Though swift, they were manageablepared to orcs and even gave more experience points.

    yers sighed in relief after the unexpected flying monster attack.

    Whew, flying monsters, what a surprise.

    But they werent that tough, right?

    Experience points are so little though.

    With 740 of us, what can you expect?

    Discussions continued, including admiration for ck Scythes role.

    Did you see ck Scythe in action?

    He split them right in two.

    Its the first time I felt sorry for the monsters.

    Amidst the chatter, Ryu Min knew, This ease will soon turn to sighs.

    If they could wish, they would long for a rest, but a grueling journey awaited them.

    Soon theyll realize.

    About three minutes into the walk, Lizardmen ambushed like thieves.

    After battling them, and before they could rest, Werewolves attacked.

    Huff, puff

    After defeating them, Harpies and then Lizardmen struck again.

    Isnt this insane? So many monsters are attacking us?

    Must be like game respawns.

    Hunting was fine, but they needed breaks.

    Every 10 minutes, a new wave of monsters appeared, leaving no time to rest between battles and marches.

    yers only realized the relentless nature of the mission after five waves.

    Pant, pant. Are you alright, ck Scythe-nim?

    As you see.

    Ryu Min, unlike his exhausted followers, was energetically distributing stat points, not from leveling up, but from the beads of eternity.

    One stat point per 100 monsters. Is there a better item than this?

    Considering the slow leveling at higher ranks, it was a treasure.

    His stats from the beads were even surpassing his level-up stats.

    In any case, Ryu Min was pleased.

    With so many monsters and the ability to recover durability Ill be busy allocating stats.

    Ryu Min was evenly distributing the four types of stats, considering the Rune of Bnce.

    Even without the rune, bnced stats is the key.

    Through trial and error in his regresses, he found out that bnced stats were strongest.

    Just as Ryu Min finished allocating stats, Yugrito urged, We have a long way to go, warriors from the other world. The monsters seem cleared, lets move.

    Damn, no rest.

    Monsters will probably appear again soon.

    yers grudgingly stood up and resumed escorting the guild.

    Failing to protect the Elf Guild meant yer extinction.

    Despite their reluctance, they had no choice but to move.

    It wasnt just the escort group moving.

    The traitor group is starting to make their move too.

    Realizing they could be eliminated first, four traitors plotted to strike the Elf Guild amidst the monster chaos.

    It wont be easy. These arent ordinary elf merchants.

    The merchants driving the carriages were knights guarding the princess.

    Moreover, the carriage carrying the princess was protected by two spells.

    One spell creates wind des if the handle is touched, and the other throws intruders into the air.

    But what if they sessfully capture the princess?

    Thats game over.

    Threatening to kill her would be enough to make the elf knightsply.

    Capturing the princess would surely swing the victory to the traitors.

    Just threaten to kill her and you will stop the guild.

    Targeting the princess was the most efficient way.

    The traitors wont know shes inside, though.

    They suspected that the decorated carriage contained valuables.

    Well, the princess is valuable, so theyre on the right track.

    As long as you reach Seoul, the path doesnt matter.

    The traitors agreed to target the princesss carriage.

    And isnt the next monster to appear the Werewolf?

    Timing their attacks with the monsters appearance could create the desired situation.

    They might not seed, but I should be prepared.

    Ryu Min subtly moved to a spot out of sight.

    Then, shouts erupted.

    Monsters!

    Werewolves!

    As the Werewolves appeared, Ryu Min activated his skill.

    Night Death.

    Darkness swiftly enveloped the forest.

    yers initially flustered, calmly faced the monsters, knowing it was ck Scythes skill.

    Looks like ck Scythe used his skill, but it doesnt matter.

    I can see still fight, even in the dark.

    But they overlooked one thing.

    Werewolves be 30% stronger at night.

    Awwooo!

    Their eyes turned red, and their ws grew bigger.

    Uh?

    As they moved more agilely, the yers panicked.

    For the traitors, though, it was an opportunity.

    ck Scythe used his skill for us to operate in the dark.

    Youre the best ck Scythe!

    They rushed to the decorated carriage, suspecting valuables inside.

    It must contain something to threaten the elves!

    Approaching the carriage, they went unnoticed in the darkness.

    But that was short-lived when one of them touched the carriage handle.

    Whish! Swoosh!

    Ahh!

    His hand was sliced off by the wind de.

    Aaaaah!

    His scream alerted the elves, and Yugrito, the elf knight captain, rushed to the princesss carriage.

    Whats happening?

    A warrior dared to attack the carriage!

    Another traitor tried to open the carriage, triggering a reverse-gravity spell that threw him into the air.

    Wha?

    He plummeted to a gruesome death.

    Yet, two traitors remained.

    Opening the carriage, they found the princess, Eufinelcia, with rabbit-like eyes.

    We thought it was valuables, but

    Something better! Hehehe.

    With the princess captured, the game seemed over.

    The princess is in danger!

    Hearing themotion, Yugrito drew his sword and ran over.

    What are you doing! Protect the princess!

    He stopped mid-sentence, seeing the two traitors already lying on the ground.

    What happened?

    The darkness had lifted, and sunlight bathed the carriage.

    A man was kicking the traitors with his foot as if to check if they were unconscious.

    It was none other than ck Scythe.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 117: Elfs Reward (1)

    Chapter 117: Elf''s Reward (1)

    Ryu Min did not change his appearance.

    He knocked out the traitors in the form of ck Scythe as is.

    These guys are as good as dead anyway. I dont even need to kill them.

    The elves are more cold-hearted than one might think.

    Especially towards assassins targeting their princess, they show no mercy.

    This was why Ryu Min didnt hide his identity.

    After all, the only traitor who would survive would be himself.

    Tap, tap-

    He kicked the fainted ones to check on them.

    One had his wrist cut off, and the other two were unharmed.

    Theyre definitely out cold.

    After all, he had hit the back of their necks with a strength of 464.

    They wouldnt suddenly wake up and reveal Ryu Mins identity.

    Clump, clump-

    As Yugrito approached, Ryu Min raised his head.

    .

    He didnt ask who Ryu Min was.

    It was necessary to calmly assess the situation first.

    Yugritos gaze shifted to the new knight nearby.

    Jeriph.

    Yes!

    Did you see what happened?

    Yes! Four warriors from the other world suddenly attacked the prin no, the carriage with the goods. One of them died by the wind spell, and as you can see, the three were knocked out by this person here.

    Is the princess safe?

    The prin no, the goods are safe

    No need to hide it. It seems like this information has already been revealed.

    Oh! Yes, sir! The princess is safe. Shes currently taking a rest inside the carriage, quite shocked.

    So what you are saying is, this otherworldly warrior here saved the princess?

    Yes. If this person hadnt stepped in, the princess would have faced a grave danger.

    Hearing that, Yugrito bowed his head to Ryu Min without hesitation.

    Since the knight wouldnt lie, it was proven that the person before him was the savior.

    I am grateful to you for saving our princess. If its not too rude, may I know the name of our savior?

    Ryu Min thought about using a title but then decided against it.

    There were no other traitors standing; thus, unlike before with the dwarf merchants, there was no need to hide his name.

    I am ck Scythe.

    ck Scythe

    Despite the informal tone, Yugrito didnt mind.

    Rather, he repeated the name as if to remember it and bowed again.

    Thank you once again, ck Scythe. Sorry, but could you exin the situation? I cant understand why these otherworldly warriors targeted the princess.

    Ryu Min nodded and exined briefly.

    The werewolf attack wasing to an end, and the current situation was more important.

    It was an opportunity to build rtions with the elf tribe.

    Listening quietly, Yugritos eyes widened.

    Traitors? Are there traitors even among the warriors of the other world?

    Thats right.

    Dont tell me they joined hands with the Archduke of Demons, Flunictos?

    What demons? They joined hands with an angel.

    Ryu Min glossed over it.

    Im not sure about that, but I think its moreplicated.

    Aah Then, do you wish us to capture these men for you?

    No. Theyre nothing to do with me.

    Then may we deal with these men ording to ourw?

    Suit yourself.

    Yugrito looked down at the traitors and drew his sword.

    Swoosh- Swoosh- Swoosh-!

    He beheaded them in three strokes, separating their heads from their bodies.

    Ryu Min was surprised, and Yugrito, without being asked, exined.

    The penalty for targeting the princess is immediate execution.

    They could have interrogated them, but he mercilessly killed them instead.

    ording to the elfw, a word from an assassins mouth is not trustworthy.

    Elfw was indeed terrifying.

    Ryu Min already knew this, though.

    Thank you so much for saving the princess, ck Scythe.

    Thanks again. Just give me the reward already.

    He was grateful, but if he was that grateful, he should show some sincerity, right?

    He was worried about not receiving a reward, but that worry was unnecessary.

    Saving the princess was like a lifelong debt of gratitude for the elves.

    Kyaaaah!

    Then, thest remaining werewolf died, concluding the situation.

    Phew, all dead

    Look over there. ck Scythe is talking to an elf.

    yers who had blocked the attack were now paying attention to Ryu Min talking to the elf.

    Yeah? But arent those corpses over there yers?

    What happened?

    Did the elf kill them?

    Yes, I saw it! That elf suddenly cut their heads like this with a sword!

    Watching this, Yugrito sighed softly.

    Hoo, if we stay silent, misunderstandings will only grow. Given the situation, may I exin?

    As you wish.

    As soon as Ryu Min gave permission, Yugrito stepped forward.

    Warriors of the other world. Many of you must be curious about what happened.

    His voice reached the yers ears through the wind spirit.

    Let me introduce myself properly. I am Yugrito, the captain of the Knights of Elsorium. The people here are not merchants but knights of Elsorium.

    As he rified they were not merchants, the yers started murmuring.

    We were not transporting goods. The merchants identity was merely a smokescreen to escort the princess. I apologize for deceiving you, even for a moment. I cant exin in detail, but please understand now that I am telling the truth.

    The elves didnt want to damage their rtions with the warriors.

    Thats why the captain himself came to clear up any misunderstandings.

    Whether this is a setting made in this world or reality, I cant say.

    Yugrito continued to speak.

    Regrettably, a group targeting our princess took advantage of the monster attack. These dead humans were those assassins. ording to ck Scythe here, they were traitors.

    Traitors?

    Oh? The number of traitors really decreased!

    Looking at the personnel status, the number of traitors had decreased to one.

    They would never think that the only remaining traitor would be Ryu Min.

    I wont ask why there are traitors among you. Judging from your reactions, it seems you are also confused. Anyway, if not for ck Scythe, our princess might not have been safe. I use this opportunity to thank ck Scythe once again.

    No, stop thanking me.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 117: Elfs Reward (2)

    Chapter 117: Elf''s Reward (2)

    I wont ask why there are traitors among you. Judging from your reactions, it seems you are also confused. Anyway, if not for ck Scythe, our princess might not have been safe. I use this opportunity to thank ck Scythe once again.

    No, stop thanking me.

    As Ryu Min was being thanked again, Yugrito finally said what Ryu Min wanted to hear.

    ck Scythe. I have a gift I want to give you.

    Yugrito pulled something out of his pocket.

    Ryu Min eagerly took it, and a smile finally appeared on his face.

    [You have received Elixir of Ultra Regeneration as a reward from Yugrito, captain of the Elsorium Knights.]

    [Ryu Min received the Elixir of Ultra Regeneration as a reward from Yugrito, the Captain of the Elsorium Knights.]

    [Elixir of Ultra Regeneration]

    Category: Consumable

    Grade: Legendary

    Effect: Physical regeneration for 10 seconds

    Usage restriction: Master level and above

    Description: For 10 seconds, even if your body is torn apart, it will rapidly regenerate. However, the pain-induced mental breakdown is not covered.

    Finally, Ive obtained it. The Elixir of Ultra Regeneration.

    As the description implies, this elixir makes one virtually invincible for 10 seconds.

    If used at the right moment, even if I die dozens of times, I cane back to life.

    It was as if he had gained extra lives.

    It was an item that needed to be used in the 15th round, so he carefully stored it in his inventory.

    How generous to give such a precious item. Thank you.

    Is there anything more precious than the life of a princess? To us elves, its as if we owe ck Scythe a debt we can never repay.

    [ck Scythes reputation with the elves has risen from Neutral to Friendly.]

    Ryu Min grinned as he saw the reputation change notification.

    Anyway, thank you.

    Its us who should be thanking you.

    Just then, the knight waiting in front of the carriage approached Yugrito.

    Jeriph. How is the princess?

    She was startled, but shes much better now. However, she wants to personally thank her savior.

    The princess? Understood. ck Scythe, this way please.

    As Ryu Min and Yugrito approached the carriage, Eufinelcia, as if waiting, stepped down from it.

    The moment she descended, a fervent reaction burst from those around.

    Wow!

    Incredible

    Such beauty that would put even angels to shame.

    Hello, warrior from the other world. I am Eufinelcia of Elsorium.

    Call me ck Scythe.

    Ryu Min spoke informally to the princess.

    Yet, neither the princess nor the other elves seemed to mind.

    With my reputation already favorable, nothing I do should be a problem.

    As long as he doesnt betray them, he will be treated well by the elves for life.

    I heard you saved me. I dont know how I could ever repay this debt

    No need to repay. I only did what was right.

    Elves appreciate those who respect thew and have a great sense of duty.

    Ryu Min intentionally used such words to build favor.

    A strict impression in ordance with elves rules will be helpful in many ways.

    Sure enough, the way Yugrito and the other knights looked at Ryu Min subtly changed.

    Humans are humans, even if they are lifelong benefactors.

    But his current statement slightly blurred the line they had drawn between them.

    Its all about gradually increasing favorability. Especially gaining the princesss favor will be excellent.

    He was well aware of what the elf princess liked, so it wouldnt be too hard.

    Please stay inside. I will guard outside the carriage. Even if it costs me my life.

    Ah, th-thank you.

    Eufinelcia, far from feeling burdened by the statement of sacrificing his life, blushed and hurried back into the carriage with a faint smile on her lips.

    Yugrito approached Ryu Min with a surprised look.

    Ive never seen the princess smile like that before.

    Really?

    It seems she feels reassured by ck Scythes protection.

    Then, thats good.

    Ryu Min reassured Yugrito as well.

    The princess is under my protection, just focus on getting us to our destination.

    We are grateful for that.

    Yugrito smiled and reassuredly headed back to his formation, and the journey continued.

    Kyaaakt!

    Aaargh!

    The monsters continued to attack elves and humans, and Ryu Min umted experience points with his scythe each time.

    During the 30 waves, the monsters never once approached the princess, guarded by the immense wall that was ck Scythe.

    Truly a reliable sight; Yugrito approached to express his respect.

    I knew ck Scythe was no ordinary person, but I never imagined youd be this powerful.

    Is that so?

    Thanks to you, we could safely escort the princess. Thank you.

    Yugrito looked regretful as he thanked him.

    It was time to part ways with their benefactor.

    Eufinelcia seemed to know this too, as she peeked out of the carriage.

    Um ck Scythe?

    What? Is there something you want to say?

    Well no.

    She withdrew her head as if having second thoughts, then peeked out again.

    Will there be a day we meet again?

    Ryu Min spoke indifferently.

    Yes. Until then, dont forget about me.

    Eufinelcia, momentarily dazed, didnt respond and withdrew back into the carriage.

    Shes shy.

    The elf princess unexpectedly liked cheesy lines.

    Soon it was time.

    [Time to arrival at destination: 00:00:00]

    As the timer reached zero, Yugrito sharply bid farewell.

    Warriors of the other world. Thank you for your efforts. We wont forget the favor of escorting us safely to our destination. We hope to meet again with smiles.

    Clip-clop, clip-clop-

    The carriage caravan moved forward, and Yugrito gave a final eye greeting to Ryu Min.

    Eufinelcia, looking out of the carriage window, watched Ryu Mins departing figure with a shy, reddish face.

    [You have safely escorted the Elf Guild to its destination.]

    [You havepleted the Guard the Elf Guild quest.]

    [Shortly, experience points will be awarded as a sess reward for the escort.]

    [The amount of experience given is twice the number of monsters hunted by you and your party.]

    The experience reward came in as it concluded.

    Ive leveled up to 78.

    A satisfying level indeed.

    Above all, he had built a reputation with the elves and obtained the desired elixir.

    As the time for parting approached, Heo Taeseok wore a regretful expression.

    ck Scythe-nim, its a shame we have to part now.

    Whats there to regret? Well see each other again.

    Oh.

    That statement seemed to deeply move Heo Taeseok, his expression turned nk again, as if smitten.

    Will I will I also be able to see you again, ck Scythe-nim?

    Eom Jun-Seok, standing beside him, asked timidly, and Ryu Min nodded.

    That alone made him smile happily.

    That made him feel like a full-fledged follower, not just a candidate.

    Shall I go to the human guild now?

    Ryu Min disappeared.

    Thest Guild remained.

    Not one to protect, but one to destroy.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 118: Human Guild (1)

    Chapter 118: Human Guild (1)

    When Ryu Min arrived at the waiting area alone, the angel Ariel was startled.

    [You survived alone?]

    Yes.

    She hadnt expected the traitor group to be already dead.

    [To die without even reaching the human guild. Such useless creatures.]

    I thought theyd at least survive a bit longer to entertain the higher-ups.

    Ariel, hiding her true thoughts, shook her head in dismay.

    [Well, what can you do? Youll have toplete the mission alone. ck Scythe. You do know this is yourst chance, right?]

    Im aware.

    [If you fail toplete the traitor quest in the human guild, its instant annihtion. We dont show mercy just because youre ranked number one.]

    I know. Im fully aware that everything is systematically controlled.

    [For your information, there are 1,201 people in the human guild. In other words, its a battle between your survival or the survival of 1,201 people.]

    He knew that even without saying.

    As much as the quest is at odds, one of the groups is bound to be annihted.

    [If you win, 1,201 people will be annihted, but well, what can you do? You must survive, even if it means abandoning the majority, right?]

    [It would be interesting to see the top ranker annihted, but I hope you survive. It seems more amusing to see that many get obliterated, kehehe.]

    With those words from the angel, Ryu Mins surroundings changed.

    * * *

    Far away, mountains can be seen.

    Lush trees are also visible.

    A neatly maintained road for carriages is also in view.

    But more than those, what caught Ryu Mins attention was the yers.

    Over a thousand yers were buzzing with activity.

    The human guild is indeed the most popr.

    The reason for the crowd was no other than the fact that its easier to deal with humans than other races from different worlds.

    Familiarity feels morefortable and easier than novelty.

    But the human traders are the toughest.

    The yers will suffer from the appearance of strong monsters like trolls, gargoyles, skeletons, and minotaurs.

    The ratio might be one per person, but it wont be easy. They are not at the right level to handle these kinds of monsters alone yet.

    If they were over level 50, maybe, but for yers in their early to mid-30s, these monsters are a challenging level.

    But with their high numbers, theyll somehow manage it. Especially with the archbishop here.

    If the elf guild had a princess, the human guild had an archbishop.

    Although hecksbat ability, the archbishop will protect the merchants and the yers.

    The archbishops wide-ranging buff will increase the yersbat and survival abilities.

    Unlike other guilds, its a relief to be able to proceed with the help of a non-yer character.

    It means that this guild is the most difficult, but itsforting to have such help.

    Of course, to Ryu Min, all of this was irrelevant.

    Even though his stats were reduced by 20% twice, allowing him only to exert 64% of his original power; he was confident.

    Even with reduced power, the monsters here are still easy pickings for me.

    If they barely qualified as a post-meal workout before, now they would barely make him sweat, even at 64% of his strength.

    Without the stat debuff, it would have been even easier.

    While thinking this, Ryu Min turned his head.

    There was a sound of someone approaching.

    Excuse me, are you ck Scythe?

    As Ryu Min looked over, the other party covered their mouth in surprise.

    Oh my, its true! Youre ck Scythe!

    ck Scythe?

    ck Scythe came to the human guild?

    The murmuring grew louder, and soon people began to gather.

    It felt like being a monkey in a zoo with everyone peeking curiously.

    Ryu Min made a visibly displeased expression.

    ck Scythe-nim! Could I have your autograph?

    Me too, please! Im a real fan of ck Scythe-nim!

    Can I shake your hand just once?

    Theres always someone who doesnt read the room.

    Ryu Min had no choice but to draw his scythe.

    Donte any closer. Youll die.

    His threatening re made the approaching yers flinch.

    Get lost.

    At his word, the yers began to disperse, one by one.

    It was understood that there was nothing to gain from aggravating the ck Scythe.

    ck Scythe-nim.

    Despite being told to get lost, someone still approached him, prompting Ryu Min to turn around irritably.

    But it was a familiar face.

    An Sang-cheol?

    Ah, so it is you, ck Scythe-nim. I didnt expect us to choose the same guild. Its nice to meet you.

    Sure.

    An Sang-cheol was smiling, but Ryu Min didnt respond warmly.

    He remembered how An Sang-cheol had stabbed him in the back during the 7th round.

    Even if it was just an illusion.

    Ryu Min knowingly asked.

    Why are you alone?

    Seo Arin went to the dwarf guild. She said it seemed easier

    It wasnt just that it seemed easier; An Sang-cheol knew it was easier but kept quiet.

    He still couldnt reveal anything about the prophecy.

    He blurted it out without hesitation in the illusion. Is that just an illusion after all?

    Ryu Min felt a bit relieved.

    Unless An Sang-cheol had gone mad, he wouldnt betray him.

    Ryu Min needed him for the prophecy until thest round.

    If he betrays me, it must be the work of Ma Gyeong-rok. This guy is not the type to act on his own.

    Yet, it was strange that he chose the human guild, knowing it was the most difficult.

    He dug into An Sang-cheols true intentions to find out why.

    Ah. So thats why?

    He wants to be stronger.

    But the purpose of gaining strength wasnt for himself.

    Hes trying to get stronger because hes worried I might be an enemy to Ma Gyeong-rok.

    There cant be two kings under the heavens.

    An Sang-cheol, wanting to crown Ma Gyeong-rok as king, considered the possibility that ck Scythe might be an obstacle in the future.

    He wanted to be stronger to protect his lords side in preparation for that time.

    I didnt expect him to be on guard against me.

    The thought of catching up to him wasughable, but he decided to watch.

    To see how much An Sang-cheol could grow.

    Then, another person Ryu Min was acquainted with approached.

    Oh? ck Scythe-nim?

    It was the Mercenary King, Jo Yong-ho.

    Youre in the human guild as well.

    Yes. It seemed like a lot of people would gather here.

    Jo Yong-ho was surrounded by more people than before.

    About twenty in total.

    Last time, there were five. He increased the number of his mercenaries.

    Mercenaries receive bonus stats for contracting with the Mercenary King.

    There was no reason for them not to follow Jo Yong-ho.

    Do you remember what I said before? If you need help, Ill offer it.

    I remember.

    Do you need anything now?

    Not now. Lets postpone it.

    Haha, understood.

    Jo Yong-hosughter contained not a trace of wariness.

    Heres where An Sang-cheol and Jo Yong-ho differ in character.

    One internally guards against ck Scythe, while the other fully recognizes him as an ally.

    Despite both having received his help, their thoughts were so different.

    Then, I have things to do, so Ill be going. It was nice to see you.

    Sure.

    Jo Yong-ho blended into the crowd with his group.

    Seeing him talk to this and that person, he seemed to be looking for yers with the mercenary job.

    With so many people in the human guild, hell quickly expand his forces.

    Then, as if on cue, a message appeared before everyone.

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 Chapter 118: Human Guild (2)

    Chapter 118: Human Guild (2)

    Then, as if on cue, a message appeared before everyone.

    [Protect the Human Guild]

    Safely escort the human merchants to their destination.

    Upon sessful escort, all participants will receive experience rewards.

    The person who contributes most to defeating the traitor will receive a sub-quest reward.

    If the traitor group ispletely eliminated, all participants will receive an additional reward.

    [Current Participant Status]

    Participants: 1,202

    Traitors: 1

    Hearing the yer count, yers began to grumble.

    Only one traitor?

    I thought there were several.

    How are we supposed to find one among 1,202?

    The mission felt like finding a needle in a haystack, and yers lost their motivation.

    Still, we better start looking by attacking each other, right?

    Lets do that!

    As usual, the yers started attacking each other to weed out the traitor.

    However, none dared to approach the ck Scythe.

    Except for An Sang-cheol, who had some connection.

    ck Scythe-nim. My apologies in advance.

    Are you going to stab me?

    If youre not the traitor, you wont get hurt, right? Unless?

    An Sang-cheol was quick to notice.

    Ryu Min had intentionally made it obvious.

    Uh-hum, seems like well have to forget about the sub-quest. Given the difficulty of this guild.

    Thatll be the better choice.

    Realizing he was dealing with ck Scythe, An Sang-cheol quickly gave up.

    Hes not betraying like in the illusion.

    An Sang-cheol, not being foolish, couldnt publicly im that ck Scythe was the traitor.

    With the gratitude he owed, he couldnt do it.

    Also making the top ranker an enemy would do him no good.

    Ill keep your secret. Rest assured.

    I dont know what youre talking about.

    Ryu Min yed dumb, but An Sang-cheol just smiled, indicating he knew everything.

    Then, the carriage carrying the archbishop began to approach.

    Is that the carriage we need to escort?

    Wow, look at that carriage? There must be someone important inside?

    The carriage was too luxurious for a regr convoy, especially the one presumed to carry the archbishop, standing out significantly.

    Does the archbishops carriage always have to stand out like this?

    Monsters wouldnt specifically target a carriage based on its design, but such conspicuousness made it an easy target.

    Good for the traitor group, which is me.

    The convoy stopped, and a man who seemed to be in charge of the human guild cleared his throat and approached.

    Hmm, hello, warriors of the otherworld. I am Karlos, the captain of the Hormos Merchant Alliances escort.

    He greeted formally, looking strong as befits the captain of the escort.

    We are transporting goods at the request of the Holy Empire and are also in charge of escorting Archbishop Laver. However, the journey from the Lavteran Mountains to the Kingdom of Braham is perilous, so we had no choice but to seek help from the temple.

    The captain exined at length, but the yers were not interested.

    The archbishop?

    So someone high-ranking was inside?

    Is it that carriage?

    They only needed to know who to escort and protect.

    Before we depart, the archbishop has a few words.

    The mostvish and luxurious carriage door opened.

    A white-haired old man with a solemn expression spoke.

    Warriors of the otherworld, thank you for undertaking this escort. The journey to our destination may be perilous but do not worry. I wish light upon your path and will bestow a blessing upon you.

    No yer asked what the blessing was.

    A message soon appeared.

    [Archbishop Laver grants the blessing Holy Shield.]

    [A shield that blocks one basic attack from an enemy is created.]

    [Archbishop Laver grants the blessing Divine Touch.]

    [All stats increase by 5.]

    With the buffs applied, the yers faces lit up.

    Wow, even NPCs give buffs?

    Did you get the buff too? I got it.

    Me too!

    Did everyone here get it?

    That archbishop guy, quite useful, huh?

    The yers were ecstatic at receiving buffs for the first time, but it wasnt necessarily a good thing.

    The presence of the archbishops buffs meant that challenging monsters were expected to appear.

    Trolls, gargoyles, those arent the real danger. The real danger is the boss-level monsters.

    Exactly at wave 25, a boss monster will appear.

    By then, the yers would be exhausted, making it difficult to defeat the boss.

    What if I step in with overwhelming power at that time?

    He would catch the archbishops eye, and given his emphasis on ability, he could gain favor.

    And favor leads to items.

    Specifically, the opportunity to obtain the rune of the future.

    After obtaining that, Ill have to kill the archbishop and the other merchants.

    Killing the non-yers to prevent the traders from reaching their destination is necessary.

    That way, Ryu Min being considered a member of the traitor group can survive.

    Conversely, the escort group of 1,201 would fail their quest.

    But they wont be annihted.

    Theres a way.

    A way for neither the 1,201 nor Ryu Min to be annihted.

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 Chapter 119: The Last Time Regressor (1)

    Chapter 119: The Last Time Regressor (1)

    The regr groups quest was to escort the guild to their destination.

    The traitor groups quest was to hinder the guild from reaching their destination.

    Since the two quests werepletely opposite, only one group could survive.

    Its a scenario where 1,201 people die, or I die.

    Thats what one would normally think.

    However, Ryu Min knew a way for both groups to survive.

    A method where everyone seeds in their quests without anyone being annihted.

    Its not a difficult one too. Its simple if you exploit a loophole in the system.

    Thats why Ryu Min wasnt particrly worried.

    He had already seeded using the same method several times before.

    I cant just live while letting 1,201 people die.

    Among those 1,201, there was Jo Yong-ho above all.

    An Sang-cheol could die for all he cared, but Jo Yong-ho had to survive as the future Mercenary King.

    Such a talent would be a waste to kill.

    So, he nned to use the method where everyone survives.

    I dont have to worry about the annihtion part. The problem is whether I will be able to obtain the rune of the future.

    If everything goes ording to n, obtaining the rune is inevitable.

    But theres always a variable.

    Because theres a chance that the Archbishop wont acknowledge me.

    If he cant create an overwhelmingly impressive situation that makes the Archbishops eyes pop out, he wont be able to gain his favor.

    Without his favor, a private audience bes impossible, and then the reward would slip away.

    Guess Ill have to wait until the boss appears.

    Soon after, the convoy moved, and the official escort quest began.

    1,202 yers walked, guarding the carriage.

    Ryu Min positioned himself next to the carriage the Archbishop was in.

    Its better to stand out now if possible.

    Wouldnt fighting next to the Archbishop make him more recognizable?

    While walking with that thought, monsters appeared.

    Numerous gargoyles filled the sky.

    Ah, flying monsters?

    Damn it. How do we catch those?

    Kill them when theye down!

    Die! You damned birds!

    Though they looked more like demons than birds, the yers couldnt regain theirposure.

    The hit-and-run attacks of the gargoyles were enough to make their heads spin.

    These bastards are tougher than I thought!

    They dont die with one hit!

    Since they cant be killed with one hit, they often flee quickly after being attacked.

    We cant chase after them since they have wings. This is driving me crazy!

    The battle dragged on longer than expected on one side.

    Swoosh-!

    With one strike, a gargoyles head was cut off, and another was split in half by a subsequent attack.

    Death Night.

    Ryu Min, who darkened the space, moved faster, dropping gargoyle heads here and there.

    If he spotted one trying to escape, he didnt hesitate to use a skill.

    Moonlight sh.

    With a shing light, three gargoyles were sliced to pieces.

    The overwhelming disy belied any notion of a stat debuff.

    It was a one-man show by ck Scythe, leaving the yers astounded.

    Wow, look at ck Scythe.

    Crazy, so damn strong.

    Is it always a one-hit kill whenever he moves that scythe?

    Even amidst this, some were losing their minds watching.

    Not only the yers but the Archbishop was also watching Ryu Mins performance.

    ncing over, the Archbishop was seen looking out the carriage window at him.

    Although he couldnt read the thoughts, the fact that he couldnt take his eyes off indicated interest.

    I mustve made a strong first impression.

    After ughtering all the gargoyles, a short break followed, and then the second wave started.

    What are these things?

    They look like trolls from a fantasy world?

    Right, those are trolls.

    Ryu Min agreed, wielding his scythe.

    Trolls, standing at 2.5 meters tall, were not particrlyrge for monsters but were known for their rapid regeneration.

    However, they can only regenerate when its a light wound.

    Of course, for other yers, the trolls skin was too thick to be cut in one hit.

    But to Ryu Min, theyre not much different from a soft tofu.

    Swoosh- Swoosh-!

    As Ryu Min chopped up even the trolls, the yers were utterly dumbfounded.

    Crazy, just crazy.

    How can his damage be so high?

    No wonder hes ranked number 1.

    After managing to kill the trolls and walking a few steps, minotaurs appeared next.

    Minotaurs, really? Is this for real?

    How are we supposed to kill these monsters?

    Theres no break at all.

    Having experienced how strong the minotaurs were in the sixth round, the yers were scared even before the fight started.

    Shaking his head at their behavior, Ryu Min thought.

    Theres no need to be scared. Shouldnt they rather be d? At least its a monster theyve faced before.

    Moreover, the difference in levels between then and now is more than ten.

    It would be tough, but if a few of them worked together, they could manage it.

    It didnt take long for the yers to realize this fact.

    Nice! Got it!

    Its easier than before?

    This is doable, right?

    With regained confidence, Ryu Min also sliced through the monsters.

    Roarrrr!

    Despite killing dozens, no items dropped.

    In the sixth round, being a boss meant a high drop rate, but here, they were just regr mobs.

    After a grueling hunt, 4 hours passed, and the 25th wave approached.

    Its finally time for it to appear.

    Ryu Min was mentally prepared when the awaited boss monster appeared.

    Thump- Thump- Thump-

    Whats that?

    Whats this sound?

    The ground is shaking?

    The reason for the shaking was none other than.

    Roarrrr!

    An over 6-meter-tall monster, the strongest on the ground, an ogre.

    It was the appearance of the 8th-round boss monster.

    Despite itsrge frame, it moved agilely and swiped its hand like swatting a fly.

    Crunch-!

    A yer, unable to react in time, was squashed and died.

    Kill it!

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 Chapter 119: The Last Time Regressor (2)

    Chapter 119: The Last Time Regressor (2)

    Kill it!

    Several yers surrounded the ogre.

    Or rather, the ogre had allowed them to surround it.

    It was better for the ogre to take them all at once from its point of view.

    Puff puff puff-!

    Swinging a club as thick as a minotaur, the yers were knocked away without a chance to dodge.

    Bang-! Crunch-! Crack-!

    Stepping on them and smashing their heads with the club or palms.

    With every attack from the ogre, yers died hopelessly.

    Damn it! What is that?!

    The ogre is that strong?

    There must be an error, right?

    Already 30 bodiesy dead because of one ogre, and the number was increasing.

    If a thousand attacked at once, they might be able to stop it, but the extent of the damage was uncertain.

    Then, darkness engulfed the surroundings.

    What?

    ck Scythe?

    yers, looking around, saw Ryu Min extending the Death Scythe, calm as if waiting for this moment.

    It was time to try his newly learned skill.

    Crimson Moon.

    Ryu Mins eyes seemed to turn red and a sh of light appeared.

    Startled by the sudden darkness, the ogre noticed the beam of light.

    Swoosh-!

    Roaaaaaaaaaarrr!

    The club was sliced in half, and a long scar appeared across the ogres chest.

    The second beam of light cut even deeper across the chest.

    Roaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrr!

    The ogre raised its hand in pain, but the third light sliced off its forearm.

    The fourth sh cut through the neck, and the fifth sliced the falling body once more.

    Swoosh- Thump!

    What happened in just 10 seconds was clearly witnessed by the yers.

    ck Scythe was an opponent not even thousands of yers could defeat.

    As the darkness lifted and Ryu Min turned around, he saw the Archbishop staring with his mouth half open.

    Just as nned.

    Ryu Min now confirmed that the Archbishop was watching him ughtering the ogre.

    Surely, a strong impression had been made.

    Shouldnt you at least share your thoughts after watching the show?

    He was now waiting to be called, but he couldnt ignore the eyes around him that looked at him with great intensity.

    To use such an unbelievable skill five times in a row?

    Crazy. What kind of job is that?

    ck Scythe is truly legendary.

    It seemed Ryu Min had sessfully caught the attention of other yers as well.

    Among them was An Sang-cheol.

    I must be crazy to think of catching up with that monster

    Only now you realize?

    An Sang-cheol had btedly realized his ce after this incident.

    Ryu Min nced at the message that appeared.

    [You have defeated the ogre!]

    [Experience points triple buff is applied.]

    [Title effect increases experience points by 1.5 times.]

    [Experience+16.37%]

    [Gold+12,000]

    [Additional Gold+6,000]

    [You have obtained Ogres Gauntlet.]

    [You have obtained Ogres Heart.]

    Since it was designated as a boss, items that usually wouldnt appear did.

    [Ogres Gauntlet]

    Category: Gloves

    Grade: Unique

    Defense: 180

    Effect: Strength +30, additional strength +30 when facing ground monsters

    Durability: 3,000/3,000

    Usage Restriction: Expert rank or higher

    Description: The gauntlet of the ogre, known as the predator of ground monsters. It significantly increases strength.

    Ryu Min chuckled at the sight of the gauntlet.

    A unique item has appeared.

    Although unique, this item exhibited legendary-grade options against ground monsters.

    Since it was better than the shadow gloves he was currently wearing, he immediately equipped it.

    He also installed the highest-grade magic stone he had into the Ogres Gauntlet.

    [Ogres Heart]

    Category: Possession

    Description: A hard, dark red stone. Despite its appearance, its not a real heart, so no need to worry.

    The ogres heart is a legendary-grade material item.

    This too was an item Ryu Min needed.

    He stored it in his inventory.

    Ill have tobine some legendaries next time.

    While he was thinking this, the captain of the escort approached.

    Hello, warrior from the other world. I watched your battle just now. To kill that fearsome ogre in an instant. This is why people hire warriors from other worlds as escorts. Haha!

    You didnte here just to say something pointless, did you?

    That thought reached his throat, but Ryu Min held back and asked.

    What do you want?

    Oh, my. Its nothing else. The Archbishop wishes to see you.

    Me?

    Yes. It seems the Archbishop was deeply impressed by your battle.

    Understood. Where should I go?

    This way.

    Following the captain, Ryu Min stopped in front of the carriage the Archbishop was in.

    Please enter.

    As the door opened, the Archbishop gestured for him toe in.

    Sit.

    Sitting opposite, the door of the carriage closed.

    After a moment of silence, the Archbishop spoke first.

    To get straight to the point. Ive called you here to make an offer.

    An offer?

    As someone in a high position, Im subjected to various threats and am looking for a personal bodyguard to stay by my side for a long time.

    The Archbishop said with an arrogant voice.

    So what do you think? Would you be my bodyguard? Such an opportunity is rare.

    Indeed, such opportunities are rare.

    In this world, the Archbishop is an individual of the same stature as the Pope.

    In the Holy Empire, the Archbishops influence is second to none.

    But also turning down such a persons offer is truly rare.

    Ryu Min quickly replied.

    I refuse.

    I thought as much What did you say?

    The Archbishop, who expected eptance, was dumbfounded by the refusal.

    I appreciate the offer, but Im not confident in protecting someone. I apologize.

    Refusing to build a rtionship with the Archbishop when any connection would be beneficial.

    It was an action Ryu Min wouldnt normally take, but this time he had to refuse.

    To obtain the rune of the future, he couldnt afford to be seen as an underling of the Archbishop.

    Ha, youre different from the others. Everyone else tries to grovel at my feet.

    I havent heard your name yet?

    Instead of a name, Ryu Min had set his title to public.

    [The Last Time Regressor]

    He revealed a title he hadnt shown to anyone else to the Archbishop.

    Its all to obtain the rune of the future.

    After all, the Archbishop is as good as dead.

    The Archbishops eyes widened in shock.

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 Chapter 120: 8th Round Results (1)

    Chapter 120: 8th Round Results (1)

    As soon as the title The Last Time Regressor  appeared above Ryu Mins head, the Archbishops gaze changed.

    He didnt look up, so it wasnt the title he saw.

    It was something he felt instinctively.

    Indeed, theres a reaction.

    Is it because hes really an NPC?

    When titles change, those from the other worlds instinctively know.

    Who the person is and what kind of reputation they hold.

    It feels as if that setting applies to the worldview.

    What is your name?

    The name isnt important. Who I am is what matters.

    Did you really regress through time?

    Ryu Min nodded.

    There was no need to say more.

    The Archbishop already sees me as a transcendental being who traverses time.

    There was no need to read his thoughts.

    The change in his tone made it clear.

    Haha, to think that a Time Regressor really exists. Indeed, one lives and learns. Now I understand how you possess such great power.

    The Archbishop shook his head with a glint in his eyes.

    Then, are you an emissary of Chronos?

    Ryu Min nodded again.

    There was no reason to deny being seen as a divine emissary.

    The Archbishop took Ryu Mins words as gospel truth.

    The title of The Last Time Regressor alone was proof enough of his transcendent status.

    Ah, emissary of Chronos, meeting you is the fortune of my lifetime.

    That it is.

    Ryu Min said, with a somewhat blunt expression.

    Seeing this, the Archbishops mind raced.

    Did I say something wrong?

    As an Archbishop serving a deity, how should one behave upon meeting a divine emissary?

    Surely its important to make a good impression.

    Having thought this far, the Archbishop smiled slyly.

    I have a tribute to offer you.

    He pulled something out of his robes.

    As soon as Ryu Min epted it, a message appeared.

    [You have received The Rune Fragment of Future as a reward from the Grand Archbishop Laver.]

    [You use The Rune Fragment of Future.]

    [The rune automatically engraves itself onto the yers body!]

    A smile formed on Ryu Mins lips upon obtaining what he wanted.

    How is it? A fitting item for a divine emissary, wouldnt you say?

    Indeed. I am satisfied.

    Ryu Min smiled, and an information window appeared before him.

    [The Rune of Future]

    Effect: Sees the future of the target 7 seconds ahead. The future can change from time to time.

    Ryu Min immediately saw the Archbishops future.

    In 7 seconds, the Archbishop was already a cold corpse.

    It was a necessary action for Ryu Mins survival.

    How is it?

    I am satisfied. As a reward, I shall send you back to the gods.

    Really?

    Ryu Min nodded at the Archbishop, who was delighted, then moved his hand.

    He twisted the Archbishops head.

    Crack-

    The neck broke, killing him.

    I bear no ill will.

    Whether he was a real person from another world or a created NPC, he had to kill him to prevent his own demise.

    Ryu Min left the dead Archbishop sitting in the carriage and stepped outside.

    Did you finish talking?

    At the Captain of the Guards question, Ryu Min closed the door of the carriage and nodded.

    Yes. The Archbishop said he needs to think, so we shouldnt disturb him.

    The Archbishop said that?

    The Captain of the Guard epted the answer without suspicion and turned away.

    After obtaining what he wanted, the 26th wave began.

    Ryu Min asionally looked back at the Archbishops carriage while fighting off monsters.

    It was to make sure no one entered it.

    I must not let anyone discover that Ive killed the Archbishop until the 30th wave.

    Ryu Mins goal was to assassinate all the otherworlders in the carriages.

    Since there was one NPC per carriage, he had to kill a total of 50 people.

    Including the Captain of the Guard and the Archbishop, that makes 52.

    Since he had already killed the Archbishop, he needed to kill the rest as quickly and efficiently as possible.

    Ill move when thest 30th wave begins.

    As he waited, the 30th wave started.

    Its a Minotaur! Block it!

    These tough bastards! They never get tired.

    10 minutes left! Just a bit more!

    The yers encouraged each other, squeezing out theirst bit of strength.

    From the original 1,202, their numbers had dropped to around 1,000 due to the difficulty level.

    It wasnt surprising to have deaths.

    While they fought desperately, Ryu Min assassinated the NPCs.

    Crack-

    Five.

    Crack-

    Twenty.

    Crack-

    Forty-two.

    He moved silently from carriage to carriage, taking the lives of the NPCs without a sound.

    Thanks to his stealthy movements and the yers being too upied with the monster fight, no one noticed.

    Crack-

    That makes fifty.

    And thest remaining Captain of the Guard.

    Ryu Min approached him stealthily from behind and twisted his neck.

    Crack-!

    All the otherworlders were dead.

    At that moment.

    [The Holy Empires reputation towards the Last Time Regressor has dropped from Neutral to Hostile.]

    The temples reputation turned hostile.

    But on the flip side, there was also good news.

    [You have killed all the human guilds otherworlders.]

    [You havepleted the quest to hinder the guild from reaching its destination.]

    [Upon tallying the results, quest sess rewards will be given.]

    [Stat decrease debuffs will be removed.]

    [You will return to the waiting area shortly.]

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 Chapter 120: 8th Round Results (2)

    Chapter 120: 8th Round Results (2)

    Ryu Minpleted the traitor quest as he had wished.

    Then, what about the other regr group yers?

    Turning his gaze, they were still locked in a bloody battle with the Minotaurs.

    Just as I expected.

    The quest for the regr group was to escort the guild to its destination.

    That is, if the carriages are still moving when all the allotted time has been used up, its a sess.

    Conversely, the traitor groups quest was to hinder the guild from reaching its destination.

    Meaning, that the carriage must not be at the destination when the time is up for them to seed.

    But theres another condition for sess for the traitor group.

    That is when all the otherworldly beings are killed.

    Like now.

    If all the otherworldly beings in the caravan are killed, the system judges that the carriage can no longer move and determines the traitor group has seeded.

    The sess message that popped up a little while ago was proof of that.

    Then, did the regr group fail?

    Not yet.

    Since there were still a little over 5 minutes left, the system didnt consider it a failure.

    That means theres still a chance.

    If they can just get the carriage to the destination, the regr group can also seed in the quest.

    In other words, even if there are no NPCs, just getting the carriage to the destination fulfills the sess condition.

    For that to work, theres a very simple method.

    Ryu Min created a clone and ced it in the leading carriage.

    And he made the carriage move towards the destination.

    If the leading carriage moves, the other carriages will follow even if theyre empty.

    Having experimented in the past rounds, there was no doubt in his mind.

    It was a cunning use of a bug in the system.

    This way, both I and the regr group survive.

    If his clone leads the guild to the destination, even without Ryu Min, the regr group canplete their quest.

    A momentter.

    [You will be moved to the waiting ce.]

    With that message, Ryu Mins figure disappeared.

    He blinked once and arrived in the gray space where the traitors had gathered.

    [Oh, the ck Scythe? Seeing you here means youve seeded in the quest, right?]

    The corners of Angel Ariels mouth turned up unpleasantly.

    [Hehe, so youve chosen to save yourself by sacrificing the lives of 1,201 people? Well, theres nothing more important than ones own life. Its a natural choice.]

    It seemed the angel was clueless about the situation in the other world.

    [Dont feel guilty. It was a quest where one side had to die anyway.]

    [And its more fun when the minority wins over the majority, right? Youve provided enough entertainment]

    Suddenly, Ariels expression twisted as she stopped mid-sentence.

    [What? Is this an error?]

    Whats the matter?

    [Ive just been informed that the regr human group seeded in the quest. Something must have gone wrong. We need to check what happened.]

    After saying this, Ariel stared into space as if looking at a system message and remained silent for a while.

    The angel broke the silence after a few minutes had passed.

    [This is unbelievable. ck Scythe. What have you done?]

    What do you mean?

    [The recorded footage shows your clone moving the carriage. Even though all the otherworldly beings were dead. Because of that, the guild arrived at the destination, and the regr group seeded in the quest.]

    Is that so? Thats fortunate.

    [Fortunate? Are you saying you intentionally used your clone to make the carriage reach its destination? To save the regr group?]

    Yes. Isnt it better for us all to survive together? It would be more fun that way too.

    []

    Ariel was at a loss for words.

    He managed to keep both groups alive? Is that even possible?

    Even she, the guide, hadnt known such a method existed.

    Understanding and exploiting the systems conditions for sess and failure like this would otherwise be impossible.

    There wont be a problem, right? Since the system dered it a sess.

    [Yes. There wont be a problem.]

    Although Ariel was dumbfounded, she had no choice but to acknowledge it.

    ck Scythe had made both groups quests seed.

    [The quest is sessful. Ill send you back to your original ce.]

    No sooner had she finished speaking than Ryu Min was returned to the original colorless space.

    Looking around, many yers were blinking their eyes, waiting for the results.

    Among them were Jo Yong-hos party and An Sang-cheol.

    Min Juri and Seo Arin, Heo Taeseok, and Eom Jun-seok were also visible.

    Everyone survived.

    Only a very few had died, but the thousands he had seen at the start were all gathered in one ce.

    If he hadnt exploited the systems bugs, half of them would have disappeared by now.

    But the disappearance due to contribution is something I cant stop.

    Soon, Angel Ariel appeared in front of the crowd.

    [The escort quest has ended. Surprisingly, not many humans died. Thanks to someone.]

    Ariels gaze briefly, but pointedly, turned towards Ryu Min.

    [For your information, since there are traitors left, there are nopleters of the sub-quest. Shall we see the results now?]

    Round 8 Results Tally

    [All Areas]

    1st ce. ck Scythe (Lv80 Reaper) Contribution 281,283 points

    2nd ce. Krissy (Lv40 Priest) Contribution 86,331 points

    3rd ce. Democracy (Lv38 Buffer) Contribution 82,113 points

    [Area C2-ESKA003]

    1st ce. ck Scythe (Lv80 Reaper) Contribution 281,283 points

    2nd ce. Democracy (Lv38 Buffer) Contribution 82,113 points

    3rd ce. Jo Yong-ho (Lv39 Mercenary King) Contribution 74,213 points

    The contributions were converted into numbers.

    Once again, ck Scythe took an overwhelming lead in contribution.

    Unlike other yers, he alone swept through three guilds, collecting monsters, so it was naturally high.

    Once again securing 1st ce, yers clicked their tongues in amazement.

    But more than anything, the overwhelming level 80 stunned the yers into silence.

    Insane. How did he reach level 80 already?

    I havent even hit level 40 yet.

    Wow, I worked like a dog for 5 hours and still cant catch up to ck Scythe.

    I really want to know his leveling secret.

    Envy, jealousy, and awe were mixed in the gazes directed at Ryu Min.

    Regardless, Ryu Min focused solely on the reward that appeared before him.

    It was the reward forpleting the traitor quest, obscured by a question mark.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 121: Round 8 Ends (1)

    Chapter 121: Round 8 Ends (1)

    **[Traitor Group Quest]**

    Prevent the guild from reaching its destination

    Reward upon sess: Mandragoras Magic Stem

    [You havepleted the Traitor Group Quest!]

    [As a reward forpleting the Traitor Group Quest, you will receive Mandragoras Magic Stem.]

    [Mandragoras Magic Stem]

    Category: Possession

    Description: A stem containing the magic of the man-eating monster, Mandragora.

    Note that the reward for the traitor quest is the same as that for sub-quests.

    Therefore, if someone hadpleted a sub-quest, they would have said this upon receiving their reward:

    What am I supposed to do with this?

    Its a natural reaction to receive an item without knowing its use.

    Ryu Min had the same reaction when he first received it.

    I never expected to receive a material item as a quest reward. Usually, you get something you can use right away.

    But, on second thought, it means that its an item of great importance.

    I didnt know its value before, but now I do.

    Because the Mandragoras Magic Stem is none other than a God-tier material item.

    I had nned to create a God-tier item before the 11th round, but now I have all the materials needed.

    A smile spread across Ryu Mins face for this reason.

    Regardless, the angel was only concerned with its own tasks.

    [All rankings have been confirmed, right? Then, yers from 1st to 1,083rd ce will survive, and the rest will be annihted.]

    Ah, no!

    Please save me! Jeba!

    As always, half of the yers turned into a handful of ashes.

    Though it was unfortunate, Ryu Min had no time to care about the annihtion of others.

    Because the reward messages appeared one after another.

    [Congrattions! You have achieved 1st ce in the quest for this area!]

    [Congrattions! You have achieved 1st ce in the quest across all areas!]

    [Your current rank is 1st ce in all areas and 1st ce in this area.]

    [As a reward for ranking 1st in this areas ranking, you will receive a Reputation Increase Ticket.]

    [As a reward for ranking 1st in the overall areas ranking, you will receive a Special Reward Selection Box.]

    Normally, the reward for being 1st in an area would be equipment items, but this time it was different.

    A reputation increase ticket, huh Others might wonder what kind of reward this is.

    But it is indeed a reward.

    A great reward actually.

    Its an opportunity to increase reputation with other races without any effort.

    Its also a message to start working on reputation seriously.

    Until now, it hasnte up, but from now on, the fantasy world with NPCs will be the main stage.

    In that regard, reputation with races is important.

    Considering what you can gain from other races, the importance of reputation cannot be overstated.

    [You can choose one of the following races to increase your reputation with.]

    [Please touch the race you want.]

    1. Humans (The Last Time Regressor-Hostile)

    2. Elves (ck Scythe-Friendly)

    3. Dwarves (Ahead of The Pack-Friendly)

    The application of reputation varies by nickname and title.

    For example, if you meet a dwarf and youre not using the title Ahead of the Pack, you wont receive the same treatment.

    First of all, we need to raise Friendly to very Friendly.

    The decision was not difficult.

    Ryu Mins finger pointed towards the elves.

    [The reputation of ck Scythe with the elves has increased from Friendly to Very Friendly.]

    The reason for choosing elves was simple.

    Because it will lead to better rewards.

    If I had raised it with dwarves, I might haveid the groundwork for obtaining Legendary and God-tier materials.

    But, when you think about it, raising it with elves is better. Those who are proficient in magic have many rare rune fragments.

    Ryu Min valued the worth of runes more than items.

    Both are important, but if he had to choose, it would be the elves.

    Now, when I meet the elves under the name of ck Scythe, they will treat me as if I were royalty.

    Perhaps the elders who control the power in Elsorium will hand over the princess to me.

    To maintain a friendly rtionship.

    But that doesnt matter to me. I just want the rune fragments.

    There were a few rune fragments Ryu Min wanted from the elves.

    Looking forward to meeting the elves next time, he used the special reward selection box.

    [You can choose one of the following special rewards.]

    [Please touch the reward you want.]

    1. Material Item Selection Right

    2. 30,000 Gold

    3. Information about Round 9

    There was always a stat or experience buff in option 1, but not this time.

    Without hesitation, he chose the Material Item Selection Right.

    [Choose one of the following materials.]

    1. Broken Ironwood Branch

    8. Mage Skeletons Bone Dust

    9. Hard Magical Shell

    10. Behemoths Horn

    Most of the items that came up were unique materials.

    But only one of them is a Legendary material.

    Ryu Mins finger selected number 8.

    [Mage Skeletons Bone Dust]

    Category: Possession

    Description: An ominous magic power is felt from the powder.

    This makes the third Legendary material.

    Just two more to go.

    Materials are being collected steadily.

    ROUND 8 END

    [Overall Area]

    Survivors: 1,523,955

    [Specific Area C2-ESKA003]

    Survivors: 1,083

    [Your soul will be transferred back to your original body shortly.]

    [Round 9 will start at midnight on September 1, 2022. See you in the next round. Congrattions on surviving.]

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 121: Round 8 Ends (2)

    Chapter 121: Round 8 Ends (2)

    After Round 8 ended.

    Christine immediately went to see her father as soon as she opened her eyes.

    Father.

    Yourete.

    Jeffrey, the butler, was already by her fathers side.

    She felt disappointed, even though she thought she hade quickly.

    Have you heard?

    Yes, Jeffrey told me everything.

    Father Nathans eyes sparkled.

    That Ryu Mins prophecy was all true.

    Yes. I was honestly surprised. It was hard to believe.

    The information about the 8th round quest that she heard from Ma Kyug-rok turned out to be true.

    Unlike the vague information from the 7th round, it was specific information, making it undeniable.

    The existence of a profession called prophet is real.

    Your fianc has been preempting the next rounds information through prophecy, it seems.

    That seems to be the case.

    Christines lips curled slightly.

    She felt slighted that he had kept it from her.

    What will you do now?

    Excuse me?

    A prophet is working with your fianc. If handled well, you too can benefit from seeing the future. Shouldnt you seize that opportunity?

    Seize? The prophet?

    Of course. In these troubled times, a prophet is no different from a goose thatys golden eggs. If you can learn the strategies for the next round in advance, that would be great.

    With survival directly linked to each round, the value of information is immense.

    Be close to that person. Do not hesitate to use any means necessary.

    But

    Is there something bothering you? Do you still not believe in the prophecy?

    Thats not it. Its just I find it ufortable to deliberately approach someone with an ulterior motive

    Is this the time to be concerned about such things? Isnt he the one holding your life in his hand?

    Christine remembered.

    The prophets words about a dangerous incident in the 11th round.

    Go to Korea. Obtain more information from him. Find out more about how to survive the next round. Ensure that the 11th round does not bring the end of your life.

    Yes.

    Christine obediently answered her fathers words.

    One must look after their own interests.

    To survive, she needed more information.

    Then, Im tired, so Ill take my leave now.

    After Christine left, Jeffrey, as if waiting, asked.

    What should I do? Should I continue to monitor that prophet in Korea?

    No. Now that the existence of the prophet is confirmed, theres no need to secretly gather information. Besides, if our spying is discovered and offends the prophet, it could be troublesome.

    Then

    Follow Christine to Korea. Go as an attendant and observe what kind of person the prophet is from the sidelines, and report back to me.

    I will carry out yourmand in the name of God.

    After Jeffrey bowed and left the room, Nathan muttered to himself.

    A prophet, huh? Truly a being that could be called an apostle of God.

    The thought suddenly urred to him.

    If only my daughters fianc were not Mr. Ma but that prophet.

    A look of regret appeared on Nathans face.

    * * *

    The first thing Ryu Min did upon waking up in his room was to open the store.

    All the items in the store have been upgraded to Master grade.

    The store updates its items for sale ording to the yers grade.

    Having surpassed level 60, he could now purchase Master grade equipment.

    But theyre still unremarkable Common items.

    Most yers would outfit themselves with these Common items.

    If they had a bit of money, they might own a few Rare or Epic items from the daily item corner.

    But from now on, I wont deal with anything below Epic.

    Starting today, Ryu Min nned to outfit himself with Unique grade or higher equipment.

    He had purchased all the materials through the yer ce app, so he had enough to create three items.

    Where should I start?

    Ryu Min bought helmets, armor, shoes, and rings, each for 6,000 gold from the store.

    All were unimpressive Common items, but they were Master grade.

    Soon, theyll transform into Unique grade.

    Ryu Min filled the slot with the equipment and ordered Unique materials.

    [Main Material]

    Agile Boots

    [Sub Materials]

    Deerwood Root

    Orcs Tusk

    Trolls Spine

    Hard Magical Shell

    cksteel

    He put Unique materials in the sub-materials and the recently purchased Master grade equipment as the main material.

    Thisbination will transform the Normal equipment into Unique.

    He pressed the button, and a wee message appeared.

    [Combination Sessful!]

    [You have created Ghostwalk Boots.]

    [Ghostwalk Boots]

    Category: Shoes

    Grade: Unique

    Defense: 300

    Effect: All stats +15, Movement speed +15%, Footsteps are silent.

    Durability: 5,000/5,000

    Usage Restriction: Master grade or higher

    Description: Shoes that make your footsteps silent like a ghost. It really feels like bing a ghost.

    A Unique item was created.

    He continued to create other items.

    [Combination Sessful!]

    [You have created Demons Ring.]

    [Combination Sessful!]

    [You have created a Red-Eyed Skull Ring.]

    Having made 3 Unique items, he had used up all his collected materials.

    Now, whats left is the God tier item.

    Ryu Min had been contemting.

    Which should be the first God-tier item to make.

    Weapon, helmet, armor, etc., the performance would differ depending on the part.

    But the contemtion didntst long.

    Its best to start with what I can make right now.

    He couldnt choose material items for a reward, so he decided to make them as they came.

    Each part requires slightly different items.

    With the materials I currently have, I can make

    Ryu Min ced the God-tier material items on thebination window.

    [Main Material]

    Faded Coat

    [Sub Materials]

    Condensed Ether

    ck Iron Powder

    Shiny Horse Tail

    Angels Golden Dust

    Mandragoras Magic Stem

    An armor.

    He immediately pressed thebination button.

    Apanied by an unusual golden effect, the item was created.

    A God-tier item, no less.

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 Chapter 122: God Tier (1)

    Chapter 122: God Tier (1)

    God Tier.

    As the name suggests, items of this rank hold the highest value among all items.

    Especially weapons, helmets, armor, gloves, and shoes. If all five types are matched to God tier, they exert an immense set effect.

    One of these kinds hase into Ryu Mins hands.

    [You arebining God tier items.]

    [The item will be converted to one suitable for your current job.]

    [Combination sessful!]

    [You have created Thanatoss ck Armor.]

    Thanatoss ck Armor.

    Its an item that Ryu Min had made even in the previous regressions.

    He looked at the item information with a smile.

    [Thanatoss ck Armor]

    Category: Armor

    Rank: God

    Defense: 2,000

    Effect: +1 to all stats per level, 67% chance to deflect the enemys attack upon being hit.

    Durability: 20,000/20,000

    Usage Restriction: Master rank or higher

    Description: A cuirass made using the divine power of Thanatos, the god of death. Grants additional effects when worn as part of the set.

    Thanatoss Apparel Set Effect (1/5)

    2-set effect: ?????

    3-set effect: ?????

    4-set effect: ?????

    5-set effect: ?????

    An increase in all stats per level. As expected of a God-tier item.

    Moreover, theres a high chance of 67% to deflect attacks when hit.

    Its useful in critical situations where one must face either a significantly powerful enemy or multiple enemies at once.

    Truly an option befitting a divine item.

    Its only natural for Ryu Min to have a smile on his lips.

    Moreover, God tier items have set effects, making them synergize better the more you collect.

    He would have to gather materials again for the next God-tier item, but it wouldnt take too long.

    He couldnt guarantee exactly when though.

    At least, it wont take as long as 8 months this time.

    The reason can be understood from an additional message that came with making the God tier item.

    [You are the first yer tobine a God tier item.]

    [As a reward, you have obtained Condensed Ether.]

    Condensed Ether, a core material for God-tier items.

    A difficult-to-obtain item was easily given as a first-time reward.

    With this, making the second God tier item wont be difficult.

    Ryu Min wore the item with a satisfied smile and opened his equipment window.

    [Weapon  Death Scythe]

    [Helmet  Demons Ring]

    [Armor  Thanatoss ck Armor]

    [Gloves  Ogres Gauntlet]

    [Shoes  Phantom Step Boots]

    [Ne  Beads of Eternity]

    [Ring  Red-Eyed Skull Ring]

    Excluding the Bead of Eternity, all equipped items are of Unique rank or higher.

    Status.

    Name: Ryu Min

    Nickname: ck Scythe

    Rank: Master

    Titles: Last Time Regressor (Hidden), First Angel yer (Hidden), Challenger of Divine Punishment (Hidden), Ahead of the Pack (Hidden)

    Level: 80

    Job: Grim Reaper

    Strength: 566, Intelligence: 586

    Agility: 466, Luck: 444

    Common Skills: Tracking, Presence Detection, Trace Erasure, Emergency Treatment, Surroundings Scan, Basic Resistance, Dexterity

    Exclusive Skills: Seal of Death, Death Night, Moonlight sh, Crimson Moon

    Runes: Rune of ughter, Rune of the Reaper, Rune of Illumination, Rune of Inner Thoughts, Rune of Doppelganger, Rune of Bnce, Rune of Mental Barrier, Rune of Durability, Rune of Future

    Gold: 364,850

    Remaining Stat Points: 0

    [Shop: You can purchase items.]

    [Combination: You canbine items.]

    [Trade: You can trade items or gold.]

    [Duel Request: You can request a duel under mutual agreement.]

    [??? : Unlocks upon reaching Lv99]

    Even without the buff from the Rune of ughter, to exceed 500 in stats.

    That means, with the Rune of ughters buff, it could exceed the 1,000 mark.

    And with Min Juris Blessing, it could even surpass 1,600.

    To think its this much at level 80. Incredible.

    If he had received the Human Guild quest reward in the 8th round, he would have reached level 84.

    It must be because my clone, not the main body, arrived at the destination, so it wasnt recognized aspleting the escort.

    Thats why he didnt receive the experience points forpleting the Human Guild escort.

    Anyway, for level 80, this is a significant amount of stats, especiallypared to other yers.

    For other yers to reach level 80, they would need to surpass 15 rounds.

    But the 15th round is called the devils section due to its difficulty.

    Only fewer than 50 people will survive.

    And thats on a global scale.

    Before then, I should secure at least 3 God-tier items.

    But it might be possible to reach the max level before that.

    (T/N: Ohhh sh*t he said the thing xD)

    * * *

    As the round ends and yers wake from their daze, most go back to sleep.

    The mental exhaustion from traversing to the otherworld carries over to reality.

    However, theres always someone who moves as soon as the round ends.

    It was An Sang-cheol.

    Beep- Bang!

    President!

    As usual, he looked for Ma Kyung-roks hotel room as soon as he woke up in reality.

    Ma Kyung-rok narrowed his eyes at his appearance.

    A subordinate entering the presidents room at will?

    Without even being called?

    An Director? Whats the reason for alwaysing like this? I didnt give you the master key for this.

    Oh, Im sorry.

    Its nothing to apologize for, but what brings you here today?

    Unlike usual, Ma Kyung-rok was curious to see An Sang-cheols excited expression.

    What good news could it be?

    Has he finally started something with Seo Arin?

    That would be great.

    To grab and hold onto it this time.

    But contrary to expectations, what came out of An Sang-cheols mouth was disappointing news.

    Ive reached level 40! Ive finally advanced to Expert rank!

    Ah Is that so? Good for you, Director An. Youre killing your superior.

    Eh? A-Ah, Im sorry.

    Dont even say sorry. I know youre not doing this on purpose.

    Ma Kyung-rok turned away bitterly, and An Sang-cheol btedly realized his thoughtlessness.

    He really hadnt considered this.

    Im sorry. I was too happy and forgot to consider the presidents feelings.

    I wish I could quickly reach level 40 too. But Im only level 38, how is this possible?

    Ma Kyung-rok vented his frustrations.

    And recently, I even lost my rank for the first time. Well, lost isnt quite right since it sounds petty. I should say I didnt rise.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 122: God Tier (2)

    Chapter 122: God Tier (2)

    My condolences.

    I thought I could at least make it to the 2nd or 3rd ce, excluding the 1st ce held by a monster at level 80 hogging it all, but I was pushed down by a priest and a buffer One of them is my fiance, but still.

    Ma Kyung-rok chuckled bitterly and filled his whiskey ss.

    Not receiving the 2nd or 3rd ce rewards for once feels strange. I thought I was at the lead, but suddenly Im falling behind to even my employees in levels.

    Do-dont be disheartened, President. Its only a 2-level difference between us, and you have a special and strong job. Youll regain your rank soon.

    Is that so? If I join ck Scythes area will there really be a chance to take back even the 1st ce?

    An Sang-cheol held back his words.

    Now, whatever he would say wouldntfort him.

    It would only stir up more trouble.

    Whats Seo Arins level?

    I think I heard shes at 37.

    Is that so? At least Im higher than Seo Arin. Im not too pleased, though.

    After downing the whiskey in one go, Ma Kyung-rok sighed and put down his ss.

    The prophet is still alive, right?

    Yes. I confirmed it on the way here.

    Id like to know the information for the 9th round sooner. To analyze where I can quickly level up.

    Should I call now and ask him toe?

    What sphemy. I told you to treat the prophet like a god. If anything, think of him as a messenger delivering the divine oracle. He might be young, but hes more cunning and quick-witted than you think. Dont do anything to make him dislike us. Think and act in such a way that we can both win-win. Were the ones who need the prophet, not the way around.

    Ah, understood. Ill be careful with my words and actions from now on.

    Ma Kyung-rok was reminiscing.

    Ryu Min, who had praised him in front of his father.

    Is it humility, or does heck greed? Its hard to tell.

    Then, Ma Kyung-roks phone vibrated.

    Who could it be at this hour?

    He looked towards his phone in surprise and quickly answered in English.

    Christine. Whats up?

    -I just boarded a ne to Incheon Airport.

    Excuse me? Suddenly?

    -Ive confirmed that most of the information you gave me about the 8th round is true.

    Of course.

    Ryu Mins prophecies have never been wrong.

    Thanks to him, Ma Kyung-rok gained a lot of experience points in the Human Guild during the 8th round.

    Thats why he could guess what was going on.

    Youreing to Korea as soon as you wake up because

    -I want to meet your business partner as soon as possible.

    Ah.

    As expected.

    Anyone who hears the oracle must seek out the prophet.

    There are those who have never heard a prophecy, but no one who has heard it only once.

    That phrase seemed apt.

    Ryu Mins presence is indeed like light and salt to the yers.

    Understood, Christine. Ill arrange a meeting.

    -Thank you.

    It was the first time Ma Kyung-rok had received a thank you from his fiance.

    * * *

    yer ce.

    The growth of the so-called PP Market was rmingly steep.

    Looking at the number of members, almost every yer worldwide uses it.

    The problem is that its decreasing by half every month.

    The number of users drops by more than half each month.

    Yet, the growth of PP doesnt seem to slow down.

    How is that possible?

    Because theres a consignment system in PP.

    The consignment system means that PPpany sells items on behalf of the yers.

    In other words, if the seller sends the item to thepany via courier, PP sells it and gives the profit minus themission to the seller.

    If something happens to the seller, the proceeds are promised to be deposited into the familys ount.

    This way, even if the selling yer dies, the item can still be sold for profit.

    Sellers are satisfied as they can ensure their families receive the proceeds of the item in case of any mishap.

    A win-win system is the consignment selling system.

    Even if the number of users decreases, thepanys revenue will not fall.

    Youre asking why?

    As rounds progress, the level and value of items will naturally increase.

    Eventually, PP will be a site for VVIP users, even if only a handful remain.

    So, theres no need to worry about going bankrupt.

    Ha, I was worrying over nothing.

    Ma Kyung-rok felt somewhat relieved after hearing Ryu Mins exnation.

    He had invited Ryu Min to share his concerns about thepany possibly going bankrupt as the number of rounds decreased and users dropped.

    As it turns out, his worries were unfounded.

    The prophet understood thepany better than he did, a businessman.

    But eventually, itll crash and burn anyway.

    After the 15th round, the number of users will plummet.

    Not a gradual curve, but a cliff-like drop.

    When the number of users drops to two digits, bankruptcy is inevitable.

    By then, of course, Ill have to wash my hands of it. For now, milk it for all its worth.

    Ryu Min kept that fact to himself.

    There was no need to cause unnecessary worry.

    Indeed, it was wise to consult the prophet. Otherwise, I might have been fretting alone over various worries. Ha ha.

    Watching, Ryu Min noticed a slight change in Ma Kyung-roksughter.

    His pretense towards me has lessened somewhat.

    Ma Kyung-rok always wore a mask of business when dealing with him.

    But today, for some reason, he seemed to be lowering his guard.

    Perhaps me praising him in front of the chairman had an effect.

    Reading his inner thoughts, it seemed that was the moment he let down his guard.

    Well, he didnt call me here to ask about thepanys fate, Im sure.

    Ryu Min kept an eye on Ma Kyung-rok.

    Through the Rune of Future, he could see 7 seconds into the future.

    Um, prophet. The reason Ive invited you here today is actually for something else.

    I know.

    Excuse me?

    You dont need to say it. Guests will arrive soon.

    Right after Ryu Mins words, the office door opened.

    Two guests from the United States entered.

    It was Christine and Jeffrey.

    Ma Kyung-rok looked back and forth between Ryu Min and Christine in surprise.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 123: A Good Excuse (1)

    Chapter 123: A Good Excuse (1)

    Hello, Mr. Ryu Min. Or should I call you Prophet? Which do you prefer?

    At Christines words, Ryu Min shrugged his shoulders.

    Whichever yourefortable with.

    Do you have a moment to talk? Actually, not for a moment, but for a bit longer.

    Yes. Please have a seat, Christine.

    With Ryu Mins permission, Christine sat down opposite him.

    Jeffrey stood beside them as if guarding the spot.

    Ryu Mins gaze naturally turned towards him.

    Arent you going to sit as well?

    Im fine standing.

    Jeffrey spoke brusquely, but Christine raised an eyebrow and subtly hinted at him.

    Jeffrey? Didnt we agree not to make the Prophet ufortable?

    Reading the hint in her gaze, Jeffrey cleared his throat and corrected himself.

    If its alright, then Ill sit.

    Of course. Please make yourselffortable. Theres no need to be on guard.

    Ryu Min smiled reassuringly, though Jeffreys expression remained stiff.

    He was someone who naturally didnt smile much in front of others.

    Perhaps thinking the atmosphere had be awkward, Christine quickly introduced Jeffrey.

    This is Jeffrey, our synagogues deacon. Hes practically family, having been with my father since childhood.

    Is that so.

    Ryu Min had already recognized him.

    The assassin who had been tailing him on Nathans ordersst time.

    Nice to meet you for the first time. My name is Ryu Min.

    Technically, it wasnt their first meeting, but he extended his hand, mentioning it on purpose.

    It was to gauge the reaction, but Jeffrey, unexpectedly, shook his hand with an ufortable expression.

    Jeffrey.

    Seeing him ufortable, he must have some conscience.

    Upon probing his inner thoughts, he didnt seem like a bad person.

    More than anything, his feelings towards Christine were unexpected, but he didnt mention it.

    Ryu Min didnt want to ruin the mood here either.

    What brings you to Korea, Christine? A date with President Ma, perhaps?

    Well, that wouldnt be bad, but I came to see you, Ryu Min.

    Me?

    You mentioned before, right? That I would be in danger in the 11th round.

    Christine asked with a serious expression.

    I want to hear more about that. Can you tell me?

    Hmm.

    Ryu Min deliberately made a contemtive face.

    Right now, as the Prophet, he was practically in a position of absolute advantage.

    If he made them wait, they would only be more anxious.

    Sure enough, Christine looked at him anxiously and finally couldnt hold back.

    Im not saying Ill listen without offering anything in return. Ill pay enough for the prophecy

    No need for payment.

    Ryu Min hoped she would listen to the prophecy for free.

    It would be better for him if she carried that kind of debt in her heart.

    A matter concerning human life cant be bargained for.

    Ah Then

    Ill tell you. Specifically, what will happen. I hesitated to go into more detail before, thinking it might affect the future, but now I think its alright to share a bit.

    Ryu Min pointed out the details as Christine wished.

    I dont know about the 11th-round quest. However, based on the scenes Ive seen, Christine, a group that refuses to acknowledge your existence will try to harm you.

    In what way?

    Its difficult to say. Lets just say your life will be in danger.

    Does being in danger mean that theres a chance I would be saved?

    Yes. As Ive said before, a savior will appear to save you.

    Who is that?

    Ryu Min quietly shook his head.

    He couldnt say in front of Ma Kyung-rok that ck Scythe would save her.

    It was obvious he would be jealous.

    I cannot tell you. Just mentioning a name could change the future. You might not be saved and could die.

    The sure thing is that you must not negate the person who will save you then.

    Should I cling to him?

    If you put it negatively, yes. If positively, maintain that connection. If you miss that chance, the life you barely saved will end before the 15th round. Thats all I can tell you.

    Hmm

    Christine became thoughtful.

    To be attacked by a group that wont acknowledge me in the 11th round?

    Who could have imagined such a tragedy would unfold?

    Cant you tell me who the threatening group is?

    No. I cant tell based on the scenes Ive seen.

    Regret appeared on Christines face.

    It would be nice to know who the threatening group is

    Fortunately, someone wille to save her like a knight in shining armor, but it would be better to eliminate the danger beforehand if possible.

    Ah, or should I let the future flow as it will, so I can connect with that savior?

    To wait for a lifeline while intentionally facing danger?

    It would require considerable courage, knowing whats toe.

    Dont worry too much, Christine. Just let things take their course.

    But

    Worrying about the future that hasnt happened yet is as useless as it gets. Maybe my future prediction will be wrong. The future changes moment by moment based on the present.

    Thats why I dont worry too much. Just consider it a warning. Its more important to survive the next round than to worry about what danger the 11th round might bring.

    Christine nodded as if agreeing that worrying was foolish.

    Why fret over something that hasnt happened yet?

    For the time being.

    Since it came up, Ill tell you about the 9th round quest.

    At those words, Ma Kyung-rok, Christine, and Jeffreys attention was all focused on Ryu Min.

    Information about the next round was exactly what they wanted.

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 Chapter 123: A Good Excuse (2)

    Chapter 123: A Good Excuse (2)

    Since it came up, Ill tell you about the 9th round quest.

    At those words, Ma Kyung-rok, Christine, and Jeffreys attention was all focused on Ryu Min.

    Information about the next round was exactly what they wanted.

    Soon, the awaited information flowed from Ryu Mins mouth.

    All pretended not to care, but each of them listened intently, not wanting to miss a word.

    Hmm, the 9th round isnt that difficult.

    Looks like you can choose an easy path if you want.

    The 9th round allows you to choose the difficulty like the 8th round. The choice is yours.

    What about the sub-quests?

    Ryu Min shook his head as if he didnt know.

    Unfortunately, I couldnt see the future that far.

    Of course, it was a lie.

    The sub-quests were for him alone.

    However, someone doubted that part.

    You saw up to the 11th round but not the 9th rounds sub-quests?

    Jeffrey said that.

    His tone was full of skepticism, but Ryu Min didnt mind.

    He was in a superior position after all.

    Even if he started talking about the devil, they wouldnt have any choice but to believe him.

    The future isnt something I can see at will, just specific scenes or events up to the next round and some fragmented incidents beyond that.

    With such an exnation, Jeffrey had nothing to say.

    What could he do if he couldnt see the future?

    At that moment Christine shot a sharp look at Jeffrey.

    Did you really have to say that?

    Im sorry.

    Jeffrey blinked his eyes as a form of apology.

    I cant believe they still suspect me.

    Ryu Min felt that he needed to release more information.

    When ites to the 11th round, yers from all over the world will mix. Youll end up doing quests with yers from other countries.

    Ah with other countries?

    Then, we might all meet?

    Thats correct.

    Ryu Min didnt deny it.

    Not all regions would merge, but some countries would mix.

    Then, ll I meet that yer ck Scythe in the 11th round?

    Christines question was unexpected to Ryu Min.

    It was known that no one among the yers was unaware of the name ck Scythe, but he hadnt expected her to show interest.

    If I answer this wrongly, Ma Kyung-rok might get jealous.

    Reading Mas thoughts, it seemed he had no particr opinions yet.

    She only asked out of the interest of possibly seeing a celebrity.

    Of course. Youll be able to meet ck Scythe in the 11th round. As for Representative Ma, youll meet him even earlier.

    Me?

    Yes. When the next round starts, all regions in South Korea will integrate into one.

    Ma Kyung-roks eyes widened in surprise at the new information.

    Really?

    Yes. Due to theck of yers, South Korea will merge into one region. Youll be able to see everyone, including ck Scythe, Mr. An Sang-cheol, and Actress Seo Arin, all in one ce.

    Then, can we also see Prophet Ryu Min in the next round?

    That would be difficult. Since Im ck Scythe.

    The words almost reached his lips, but Ryu Min was not one to reveal such information.

    Of course, I might be there too. However, just because we are in the same region doesnt mean it would be appropriate for us to meet.

    Why not?

    You want those who received prophecies to gather up and act together?

    Ryu Min subtly shook his head, indicating that it was not a good idea.

    It could change the future if were not careful.

    It was a usible excuse.

    The word of the prophet isw.

    Especially if those prophecies have so far had a 100% sess rate.

    The basic assumption is that the next prophecy will alsoe true.

    Theres no room for doubt.

    You have no choice but to believe.

    Anyone who has heard the prophecies multiple times and benefited from them would feel the same.

    Meeting with those who have heard the prophecy could change the future. A good excuse.

    With the integration of regions in the 9th round, Ryu Min put forward such an excuse.

    It was imperative to avoid anyone seeking him out during the round.

    As long as I keep my mouth shut, they wont be able to find me since we look different.

    He had not revealed his nickname yet, thinking someone might ask to meet.

    After all, who would believe him if he said he was ck Scythe now?

    I shouldnt tell them, even if they would believe me. I need to make them thoroughly believe that theres a prophet ss.

    Seeing that no one was questioning his excuse, it seemed he had trained them well enough.

    Ryu Mins n was going as intended.

    There is no opponent as easy to deceive as a trustworthy ally.

    Eventually, when the number of people dwindles to a visible amount, his identity might be revealed.

    But by then, Ill have figured out a way to hide my nickname.

    He had ns, so there was nothing to worry about.

    All that was left was to put them into action when the time came.

    Just then, a message arrived on his LostYak phone.

    [A seller you follow on yer ce has listed an item.]

    Seeing the message, Ryu Mins lips curved into a smile.

    It looks like Ju Sung-taek has listed an item.

    Expecting to see what item it was, he opened the yer ce app.

    Entering the section for followed sellers, he clicked on Ju Sung-taeks ID, and the item he listed appeared.

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 Chapter 124: The Cleaner (1)

    Chapter 124: The Cleaner (1)

    [Top-grade Tough Leather]

    [Category: Possession]

    [Description: The tough and high-quality leather of a top-grade monster. Suitable for making items.]

    [Seller: dontgo95]

    [Price: 2,000,000 won]

    [Discount: Not avable]

    [Chat: Not avable]

    [Transaction Method: Delivery]

    Ju Sung-taek posted an item that made Ryu Min smile in satisfaction.

    It was a hot, freshly listed legendary material.

    He must have fetched it after taking down the Ogre of the 8th round.

    There must have been plenty of human corpses, so he could have used Corpse Explosion to his hearts content.

    It would have been impossible otherwise, but catching the Ogre was a fortunate event for Ryu Min.

    Even a psychopathic killer can be of use at times.

    With a frivolous thought, he pressed the purchase button.

    Since the phone belonged to someone else, the ID used was, of course, not Ryu Mins but LostYaks.

    The delivery address was also set to LostYaks studio apartment.

    Ryu Min smiled while lying down and looking at his phone.

    Ill make good use of the legendary material you secured. Dont feel bad since Im sending you living expenses in return.

    A guy missing limbs couldnt possibly find a part-time job anywhere.

    The sales proceeds were bound to go towards living expenses.

    Now, I just need to gather one more piece of legendary material.

    As Ryu Min was pondering whether to make a weapon or a ne, a call came to his phone, not LostYaks, but Ryu Mins own.

    Uh.

    -Lord, its Kim Ye-dam.

    I know. Dont use your real name; call yourself Yamti.

    -Ah, yes.

    It looks like youve finished what I asked?

    -Yes, Ive organized the list of yer Haven Caf members as you instructed and sent it via email just now.

    Got it. Lay low for now until further instructions. The National Assembly member Lee Seong-hyun is hot on your trail.

    -Understood.

    Make sure the chairman doesnt get any funny ideas.

    -Worry not master!

    Hey, dont try to act cute with me. How dare you flirt with your master. Tsk.

    -Sor, sorry. Ill correct it.

    Good. Keep up the good work.

    After ending the call, Ryu Min opened his email.

    An email from Yamti was waiting.

    [yer Haven Caf Death List.xlsx]

    Why would you save the file name like this? What if we get caught?

    He thought hed have to give her a stern talking-toter as he opened the file.

    The list of yers who joined the caf rolled down.

    [Nickname] [Real Name] [Age] [Join Date] [upation] [Crime] [Current Status]

    MintChocoLove / Park Sae-rom / 20 / April 11 / College Student / Aplice to Murder / Alive

    Koo Yeon-seung / Koo Yeon-seung / 29 / April 5 / Actor / Murder / Alive

    ChickenBeerIsTruth / Park Hyun-min / 28 / April 11 / Office Worker / Aplice to Murder, Rape / Alive

    From nicknames to real names, professions, and crimesmitted during the interview.

    Everything was neatly organized.

    Thanks to Yamtis work experience in apany, she handled such tasks well.

    So much trash to be dealt with, huh?

    The precise number was 1,031.

    A sigh naturally escaped him.

    I cant go out and set up a cafe with such people.

    yer Haven is now taking a different direction from before.

    Interviews were conducted solely based on character, and anyone with a criminal record was unequivocally rejected, a stark contrast to the past when criminals were actually weed.

    Even though the water change is in progress, the existing one is the problem.

    Its impossible to forcibly kick out those who have already joined.

    Forcing them out could lead to unpredictable actions outside.

    It would be like releasing criminals from prison back into society.

    So, its right to slowly sort out the existing members like this.

    To put it nicely, its sorting; to put it harshly, its a purge.

    Ill have to start by cleaning up this trash.

    For such arge-scale cleanup, an expert is indeed needed.

    And Ryu Min had the perfect trash cleaner in mind.

    Lets go ask for a favor?

    Ryu Mins lips twisted into a smile.

    ***

    In a shabby warehouse.

    Five yers gathered, smoking cigarettes.

    Haah, f*ck. How did ite to this?

    Tell me about it.

    Naturally, sighs and curses flowed with the smoke.

    They were, after all, looking at a wanted poster with their faces on it.

    F*ck, they put such a shitty photo up.

    Im not this ugly.

    No, youre ugly as hell. Its spot on.

    F*ck off! Its not like you look better.

    They chuckled but soon sighed again.

    They wereughing, but it was augh to relieve tension.

    They were fully aware of the seriousness of their situation.

    Were wanted and cant move freely, what do we do?

    Guess we have to get stic surgery or something.

    stic surgery, my ass. With the tracking skill, it seems like only a matter of time before we get caught.

    Ah, right. That damn thing.

    As if on cue, sighs apanied by cigarette smoke flowed from the mouths of the five.

    The National Assembly member Lee Seong-hyun or whatever, that bastard proposed thisw. Says hes making an organization against yers, but hes still using yers.

    Then they can easily find us with tracking, huh?

    Looks like were forced into a life on the run, damn it.

    F*ck, maybe changing our names would help us avoid being tracked?

    They pondered how they, as yers, ended up as wanted criminals.

    Along with their regrets, they could only think of one reason.

    Its all because we joined that cafe.

    Yeah, because of that, the first murder happened

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 Chapter 124: The Cleaner (2)

    Chapter 124: The Cleaner (2)

    Its all because we joined that cafe.

    Yeah, because of that, the first murder happened

    yers will change the world.

    Many were attracted by that phrase and joined, but none intended tomit murder.

    Those bastards trapped us.

    Yes, we were trapped.

    If we hadnt been driven into murder, things wouldnt havee to this.

    Hey, but honestly, it was fun at that time.

    Umm

    Keke, thinking about it now really

    Some had ecstatic expressions on their faces.

    When they heard they had to kill someone to join the cafe, they were all shocked.

    What kind of cafe was this?

    But the world operates strictly on power.

    yers will survive, and ordinary people will be weeded out.

    To ordinary people, yers are no different than livestock.

    Who would want to live being disregarded by such beings?

    Hearing the logic that yers must show their ferocity to ordinary people, made some sense.

    Moreover, after going through the 4th round, they felt no aversion to killing.

    Even if that wasnt the case, they all had a history marked in red.

    But in reality, Ive never murdered or raped before.

    Me neither.

    But it wasnt as bad as I thought. Keke.

    Others agreed, chuckling and curling their lips.

    Although they ended up being pursued, the memory of the first murder wasnt that bad.

    In fact, they kept thinking about the woman they had collectively raped at the time.

    Some even smiled slyly, recalling how fun it was.

    Were not the only ones wanted, right?

    Of course not. All the bastards who joined the cafemitted or abetted murder, right?

    Then we dont need to worry this much.

    The five found some sce.

    Knowing there were thousands in the same boat wasforting.

    If pushes to shove, theydpletely expose everything to the police and sink the ship.

    Thats why the cafe president called us. To send us to another country.

    They all received the same message from the yer Haven president today.

    [yer. Im the President of the cafe. Due to the murder youmitted during the interview on April 8th, the police have started an investigation. Unfortunately, you must flee to another country. We at yer Haven will cover all expenses. Pleasee to the location marked on the map by 23:00 for more details]

    It was too serious to be dismissed as a mere prank since the message included a photo of a wanted poster.

    And when they arrived at the promised location, the posters were scattered everywhere as if to show off.

    The reason the five were smoking one cigarette after another was because of this.

    Now I get it. The president rushed to call us because if we report, hed be in trouble too.

    Ha, suddenly having to flee the country.

    How is he nning to do so? Did he find a smugglers boat?

    They didnt bring any luggage because they were told it wasnt necessary.

    They were too rushed to even think about it.

    Its my first time living abroad.

    I wanted to escape this ce anyway, so this is good, but f*ck.

    They always cursed South Korea, but leaving it felt bittersweet.

    Theres no better country for criminals to live in than here

    That was the past, f*ck. Because of Lee Seong-hyun, all yers are screwed.

    The yers lit another cigarette, sighing deeply.

    But when is the president showing up?

    Exactly. Its almost time for the meeting.

    Maybe we should just call the police.

    Just as their frustration was reaching its peak,

    Drrrrrrr-

    The door to the warehouse opened, and a man appeared.

    Are you the president?

    They didnt know the presidents face, but they had no choice but to assume it was him.

    He appeared exactly at the time they were told to gather.

    Thump!

    The man closed the warehouse door and quietly looked at the yers.

    He was a clean-cut man, but his aura felt odd.

    Are you the president?

    Is it true youre sending us abroad?

    And youre covering all the expenses for living abroad?

    Is there really no problem with this?

    They each threw out questions, but silence was all that returned.

    Ah, f*ck, say something. Because of you, this happened

    Is this what you want?

    What?

    Fine. Ill send you.

    At that moment, the yers saw it.

    The mans entire body was instantly armed with equipment.

    A sword gripped in his hand, surging with ck energy.

    Tststststst-

    Ill send you. To hell.

    Ma Kyung-roks sword danced.

    With the sound of slicing, limbs flew through the air.

    Aaaaagh!

    Ack! This crazy bastard!

    In an instant, the scene was filled with screams and blood.

    There was nowhere to run.

    In just 10 seconds, five men were dismembered.

    Dont worry. I wont kill you. Not until you spit out all of your items.

    Dark aura flowed like a snake from Ma Kyung-roks sword.

    Devour them. But dont kill them.

    Following thatmand, the dark aura enveloped the yers.

    Crunchcrunchcrunch-!

    Aaaaagh!

    A wicked smile hung on Ma Kyung-roks lips.

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 Chapter 125: The Prophets Request (1)

    Chapter 125: The Prophet''s Request (1)

    Before going to the warehouse.

    Ma Kyung-rok was walking down the street at night.

    It was because of Ryu Mins call, asking him toe out to a secluded alley because he had something secret to say.

    What does he want to talk about in the middle of the night?

    Couldnt he just say it over the phone instead of calling someone out like this?

    And at such ate hour?

    Ma Kyung-rok found the Prophets behavior, uncharacteristic of his usual demeanor, puzzling.

    His puzzlement continued even after meeting Ryu Min.

    Ah, Prophet. Youre here.

    So, you said you had something to tell me?

    Ryu Min didnt respond.

    Whats so important that hes setting such a mood?

    His expression was as grave as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

    Mr. Chairman. Its a bit out of the blue, but I have a confession to make.

    A confession?

    At the word confession, Ma Kyung-rok thought of various things.

    Surely not.

    The worst assumptions came to mind but were quickly dismissed.

    Such a development would only happen in a melodrama.

    In fact, I know your secret.

    Secret?

    Suspicion immediately arose in Ma Kyung-roks eyes.

    As you know, I am a prophet. In doing so, I inadvertently saw your future. Thats when I saw the secret.

    A long sigh escaped from Ryu Mins mouth.

    Ma Kyung-rok did not know that it was a meticulously calcted act.

    In reality youve been hunting, havent you?

    I know. You choose only criminals to hunt. Thats why I dont think badly of you. Of course, I dont consider you an enemy either. Otherwise, we wouldnt have been in business together until now, right?

    However, I havent considered you aplete ally either. It would be a lie to say I wasnt on guard, knowing you murder as a hobby at night.

    Ma Kyung-rok understood what Ryu Min meant.

    Regardless of who the victim is, a murderer is a murderer.

    From the perspective of an observer, it could only be repelling.

    Thats the normal reaction.

    In fact, Ma Kyung-rok had anticipated this moment.

    He didnt expect such a direct confession, though.

    Prophet. Have you ever killed a bug?

    Of course, you have. Maybe not recently, but as a child, you might have torn off the limbs of bugs. Out of curiosity, a child who doesnt understand the pain it causes mightmit such cruel acts without knowing its cruel.

    I did that. I killed countless bugs when I was young. They were disgusting. There was a belief ingrained in me that disgusting and unpleasant things needed to be crushed. That belief persisted even as I grew up. To my eyes, many appeared not as people but as repulsive bugs swarming around.

    This time, Ryu Min was silent.

    I decided to start cleaning up these bugs during high school. There was this leech-like guy who clung to me because he knew I was from a wealthy family. I was so disgusted by him. I couldnt resist the impulse and just got rid of him. It was easy. There was nothing money couldnt solve.

    That was the beginning. It was then I started actively eliminating bugs. It might sound psychotic, but honestly, it felt exhrating.

    I havent counted how many Ive killed since then. Just know its more than fingers and toes can count.

    Ryu Min didnt know what face to make as he looked at Ma Kyung-rok.

    As if he still had more to say Ma Kyung-rok continued to speak

    Should I be called a psychopath? Whether thats urate, Im not sure. But one thing is for sure; I dont touch innocent people. Only those who emit a disgusting stench are what I deal with, as you well know.

    Prophet. When I first saw you, I somewhat expected this. If you could see the future, perhaps you could see my hobby too? If so, why have you left me alone until now? Why?

    I had my doubts but never asked. I didnt want to tarnish my image by exposing my own ws. But I never thought youd speak about it so frankly like this.

    Ma Kyung-roks face was more serious than ever as he spoke softly.

    You knew I was a murderer and overlooked it, right? Why? Why didnt you report me to the police?

    Ill be honest.

    Ryu Min said with a feigned tense expression.

    I was not confident. Not confident in fighting you and winning, nor in bearing the consequences that would follow.

    Besides, theres no remaining evidence, is there? Would the police believe me based on the future? Even if they did, could it serve as evidence?

    Then why are you telling me this now?

    It was time to get to the point, and Ryu Mins expression became more serious.

    I wanted to ask Mr. Ma to clean up more trash.

    What do you mean? Could it be?

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 Chapter 125: The Prophets Request (2)

    Chapter 125: The Prophet''s Request (2)

    I wanted to ask Mr. Ma to clean up more trash.

    What do you mean? Could it be?

    Yes. Exactly the kind of trash youre thinking of. Theres this ce I know that is overflowing with trash. I desperately need Mr. Mas help.

    Ryu Min was referring to Ma Kyung-rok as the cleaner.

    No one else was more suitable for cleaning that darkness from this world.

    Have you heard of yer Have?

    Yes. Isnt it a cafe that only yers can join?

    You know it. But you havent thought about joining?

    Im not interested in online gatherings. Even if I joined, I wouldnt have time to meet offline. But why suddenly bring up the cafe?

    Actually, if you look closely, this cafe is crawling with murderers.

    Excuse me?

    Ryu Min grinned and went on to exin in detail.

    About the cafs murder interviews and how they ensnare yers, among other things.

    Information that could not be known without joining firsthand.

    Such a cafe gued with vermin.

    Disgust appeared on Ma Kyung-roks face.

    He looked as if he wanted to kill those filthy beings right then and there.

    But how did youe to know all this, Prophet? You didnt join, did you?

    Ma Kyung-rok was not only skeptical about Ryu Min joining them but also suspected beyond that.

    Certainly, it was information that usually only high-ranking members could know.

    Do not worry. I have never joined. I happened to see the future of a high-ranking yer there and learned about it.

    Ah. If thats the case

    Suspicion faded from Ma Kyung-roks eyes.

    To summarize your words, Prophet, all yers who joined the yer Haven cafe passed the murder interview and should all be considered trash that needs to be cleaned. And youre asking me to take care of them now.

    Thats correct. Although the murder interview has beenpletely abolished with the change of the executive team, all existing members have been involved in or abetted murder. Considering both the present and the future, its a group that cannot be ignored.

    Do you have a reason for not reporting them and instead entrusting this to me?

    Even if reported, it would realistically be impossible to prosecute. Most of the evidence has been destroyed, and since they are yers, its not easy to confine them through force.

    Thats true.

    Thats why I need Mr. Mas help. Theres nothing better than killing people to umte dark magic for the Dark Knight ss, right?

    Ma Kyung-roks eyes widened in surprise.

    Youre well aware of my job too.

    Of course. Seeing prophecies allows me to learn various information.

    Ma Kyung-rok nodded and asked again for confirmation.

    Specifically, what do you want me to do?

    Kill all the trash of yer Haven. If we lure them to a quiet ce, Mr. Ma can go there, relieve some stress, and gain dark magic. It wont be possible to kill them in a day. It will take months given the number of people.

    How do you n to lure them?

    If we scare them with wanted posters featuring their faces and offer to help them escape abroad, that should do it. Ive made one of their officers on our side, so there wont be a problem with manpower.

    Hmm.

    Ma Kyung-rok was inwardly surprised by Ryu Mins proposal, though he didnt show it.

    Theres a concrete n already?

    He had somewhat thought it might be a joke.

    He was prepared tough it off with an Ahaha if the prophet suddenly said it was a surprise.

    Now I understand. The prophet is 100% serious.

    If its serious, the story changes.

    This is an opportunity. A chance to easily supply dark magic.

    The Dark Knight job demands a lot of dark magic.

    Like a foreign car thats great but expensive to fuel.

    Its overwhelmingly powerfulpared to other ordinary jobs, but the cost is indeed burdensome.

    So, the Prophet is offering to reduce that burden?

    All he had to do was add his spoon to a well-prepared meal.

    An offer too tempting to refuse.

    There was no reason to refuse.

    Yet, Ma Kyung-rok hesitated for a bit.

    There was something holding him back from readily epting.

    It was the burden of responsibility.

    Not the private murders he had conducted so far, but a joint operation with the prophet.

    Sharing the secret of murder added a different level of burden.

    Ryu Min was not unaware of this fact.

    A motive is needed.

    No need for a grand motive.

    Just a little push, and hell move on his own.

    Ryu Min took out an item from his inventory.

    Take this.

    Huh? This is

    Receiving something unexpectedly, Ma Kyung-rok was puzzled.

    A potion of dark magic. I thought you might need it.

    Ah.

    Only then did Ma Kyung-rok, who saw the items options, get surprised.

    It was indeed a potion meant for him.

    You can consider it a bribe if you want. Im not asking you to help me for free, so dont feel too pressured.

    Ah

    Feeling like he received an unexpected gift.

    The burden Ma Kyung-rok felt vanished at that moment.

    Youve prepared a meal and even given me such a gift

    It may be a meal, but its not an easy task.

    Ill use it well. Prophet. Leave the trash cleaning to me.

    Ma Kyung-rok and Ryu Min both smiled contentedly.

    * * *

    Guhhhhh

    The yer, gasping for breath as if dying, was tapped on the face by Ma Kyung-rok.

    Is this all of it?

    Guuuh.

    Answer me. Dont you have anything else?

    No, Ive emptied everything in my inventory

    Ma Kyung-rok looked at the itemsid out before him and asked again.

    Are you sure?

    Ye, yes. Please

    The yer trembled violently.

    Please get rid of this monster Sob!

    Dark aura, like leeches, clung to the mans lower body, slowly devouring his life force.

    The pain was unbearable, but the fear of being eaten alive by a beast was greater.

    Okay. A promise is a promise.

    Ma Kyung-rok gathered the dark energy.

    And then lifted his de.

    Ill kill you gently, as promised.

    Th, thank you

    Before the yer could finish speaking, his head fell to the ground.

    Ma Kyung-rok sheathed his sword back into the inventory.

    They were going to die anyway. Taking their items wont be a problem.

    A satisfied smile appeared on Ma Kyung-roks lips.

    He had collected more items than expected.

    Most of them were to be given to the prophet.

    If youre Korean, you should have the decency to return.

    Ma Kyung-rok grinned and used the trace-erasing skill.

    Five corpses disappeared as if everything was a dream.

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 Chapter 126: Unmanned Café (1)

    Chapter 126: Unmanned Caf�� (1)

    A dark night.

    Ryu Mins gaze was fixed on an abandoned warehouse.

    From inside, asional chilling screams could be heard, but Ryu Min justughed.

    After all, they were trash that deserved to die.

    The location is well chosen. This ce is perfect as a garbage incinerator.

    The area was surrounded by mountains and rarely visited by people, making it an ideal ce to dispose of bodies.

    Moreover, he has just hired the best cleaner in the town.

    To be honest, I was half in doubt whether Ma Kyung-rok would listen to my request, but to see him move exactly as I wanted

    Ryu Min had asked Ma Kyung-rok to take care of the trash cleaning.

    He took the risk of revealing that he knew his secret.

    It was a kind of gamble. The moment his secret was revealed, it wouldnt be strange for him to show hostility at any time.

    He even thought about fighting Ma Kyung-rok if necessary.

    No one would be happy to have their lifelong hidden disgrace uncovered, even if it meant being supplied with ck magic power by cleaning human trash.

    Thats why he decided to take a direct approach instead.

    Many people must have been hypocritical while dealing with Ma Kyung-rok, so he calcted that doing the opposite might work.

    But who knew that would actually work. Speaking openly and honestly was a stroke of genius. Strictly speaking, it was me pretending to open up to him.

    It was a relief that everything went smoothly.

    Well, it wouldnt have been a bad deal for Ma Kyung-rok either.

    Even if he couldnt win Ma Kyung-roks heart, he was confident in finding a solution.

    He could see 7 seconds into the future, so he could always change to a better direction.

    If it didnt work out, he might have ended up fighting Ma Kyung-rok.

    Anyway, the trash cleaning is resolved with this.

    Ryu Min immediately turned around.

    He didnt enter the warehouse even as the screams grew longer, not wanting to disturb Ma Kyung-roks private meal.

    He was satisfied just hearing the screams.

    Morning, afternoon, evening, dawn, five people each time. Having promised twenty people a day, Ma Kyung-rok should be able to gather enough dark magic energy.

    There were 28 days left until the 9th round.

    Even if he lured and killed people for all 28 days, he could only dispose of 560 people, but it couldnt be helped.

    Any more would be too risky.

    An excessive meal would also be burdensome for Ma Kyung-rok, so they agreed to keep it at that level.

    What to do with the remaining 471 people

    They were going to disappear in the next round anyway.

    It would be better to strip them of items before killing them.

    Maybe I should take care of those that Ma Kyung-rok cant handle?

    With that thought, Ryu Min picked up his phone as he returned home.

    He was looking at the murder list sent by Yamti, deciding whom to kill when a familiar name caught his eye.

    This person is?

    In the quiet night, Ryu Mins eyes shone coldly.

    * * *

    August.

    Its been 8 months since the world began to fall apart.

    Many things have happened in what could be considered a short time.

    The economy shook, leading to a financial crisis, and the stock prices of allpanies plummeted.

    Most of the people who were in their 20s, who were arge part of the economic activity, died, a natural consequence.

    Store owners hastily reced them with people in their 30s, but the reality was a shortage of both workers and customers.

    Now, part-time jobs can be obtained with just a text message.

    Consequently, unmanned convenience stores and even unmanned cafes have increased explosively.

    (T/N: An unmanned caf is a coffee shop that operates without the need for staff or employees to be present on-site for it to function.)

    Seo Arin and Hong Sun-ah visited one of these unmanned cafes.

    Here, Arin. A caramel mhiato with two extra shots, right?

    Yeah, thanks.

    The world has really improved. Now we can go to unmanned cafes.

    You sound like an 80-year-old, you know.

    Seo Arin grinned.

    Lately, there had been little to smile about.

    Just going out with a fellow actor to peacefully chat felt like happiness, given how much the world had changed.

    Hell wasnt far away.

    It was closer than they thought.

    Looking at it now, our main fan base has be the 30s. Since most of the 20s have died.

    Ah suddenly bringing up such a depressing topic.

    Seo Arin wished time and time again.

    That the reality she faced was a lie.

    That the survival game of killing and being killed was all just a dream.

    Even now, when I return from a round, I think. Could all of this be just a dream? Would the fellow actors I was close with contact me again, smiling as before?

    Seo Arin had always been sincere about acting.

    She loved her job and enjoyed the chemistry with fellow actors.

    She was fortunate to meet Ma Kyung-rok and received support in various ways, leading to a sessful career.

    A sessful life.

    But that life was no more.

    As the atmosphere quickly darkened, Hong Sun-ah apologized.

    Sorry. For bringing up something so gloomy.

    Its okay. Its just how things are.

    Its hard, isnt it? Wanna start smoking? Maybe even smoke together?

    Haha, you make meugh.

    She squeezed augh at that joke and sipped her caramel mhiato.

    The sweetness entering her mouth made her feel slightly better.

    But were better off, arent we? We survived. Because were yers.

    Thats true.

    Im still shocked about Gong seniors death. Who would have thought hed die in the 1st round? And a man at that.

    Stats are equal, it doesnt matter if its a man or a woman.

    Right, even middle schoolers can exert the same strength as grown-ups, so it doesnt mean much. Now that I think about it, goblins are just trash, right?

    Hearing her fellow actor curse, Seo Arin scolded her.

    Even if there are no people around, you must watch yournguage.

    What does it matter? Its part of my charm, isnt it? The fans wouldnt know anyway.

    Hong Sun-ah smirked, raising her nose.

    There was no one else around them in the unmanned cafe.

    Theres also this advantage since there are no people. We can walk around without hiding our faces.

    But our ie has decreased.

    Thats true. But in this situation, is ie really the problem? Survival is the top priority.

    She wasnt wrong, so Seo Arin listened in silence.

    What could be more important than survival in the current situation?

    Arin, youre lucky. You have a good job for surviving.

    Ah, you mean my summons?

    Yes. I heard its like a cheat job. Golems tank for you, fairies cast protective shields, and after level 20, fairies even help inbat. They jump in like ves to do everything for you. Im jealous, so jealous.

    Your job isnt bad either.

    Me? No. Im just a bit stronger, but assassination turned out to be amon job. Invisibility is a skill, but its useless.

    Why? It can be used duringbat, right?

    Thats true. But its not very useful in battle. One attack and its gone. The cooldown is long too. Its basically for survival when in danger.

    Thats good then. Theres nothing as important as survival.

    Thats true. But in reality, there arent many dangerous situations, right? Its awkward to use. Im not a stalker, and robbing a bank is useless nowadays because theyve taken measures.

    The cafe also has a sign that only card payments are allowed. Are they scared of yers stealing cash?

    Sun-ah, youre not seriously thinking about this, are you?

    You think Im an idiot? Why would I make such a ridiculous thought? Anyway, you cant even distinguish between a joke and seriousness.

    Despite the scolding, Seo Arin just smiled warmly.

    Considering their friendship from working on several projects together, even this chit-chat was enjoyable.

    After all, she was the only actor friend who had survived.

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 Chapter 126: Unmanned Café (2)

    Chapter 126: Unmanned Caf�� (2)

    Despite the scolding, Seo Arin just smiled warmly.

    Considering their friendship from working on several projects together, even this chit-chat was enjoyable.

    After all, she was the only actor friend who had survived.

    But were really amazing, arent we? Surviving until the 8th round.

    Thats true.

    Apparently, there are only a handful of people left in the entertainment industry who survived.

    Did that many die?

    Of course! You still dont know? Almost all seniors, juniors, singers, and idols have died. About 70% of celebrities are dead.

    Cant be. I didnt think it was that bad

    It seems that youve been attending too many funerals that you lost your mind.

    Hong Sun-ah clicked her tongue.

    So you didnt know this either? Our value has skyrocketed!

    Huh? Our value has increased?

    The entertainment industry, heavily popted by people in their 20s, was doomed to fail.

    But what about the yers who survived?

    They became elite celebrities, monopolizing public poprity.

    This was the current state of the entertainment industry after the cataclysm.

    When Hong Sun-ah mentioned this, Seo Arin looked as if she was hearing it for the first time.

    Our value has increased, and were more famous than before?

    Do you really not know? Havent you searched your name on the inte?

    I dont really do ego searching

    Try searching now.

    Seo Arin did as suggested, albeit reluctantly.

    Then she let out an unwittingly dumbfounded voice.

    Uh?

    There were more articles than she expected.

    [The list of the celebrities in their 20s who survived the 8th round: Seo Arin, Hong Sun-ah, Gu Yeon-seung, Jang Bok-chul, and a total of 19 people!]

    [In a gloomy situation, leading stars like Seo Arin, Hong Sun-ah, and others, celebrity yers! Inquiries from advertisers are pouring in.]

    [Jang Bok-chul, who appeared as an extra for 10 years, rises as a star following Seo Arin]

    [Jang Bok-chul, a nameless actor yer gaining fame, confesses his ideal type is Seo Arin.]

    [The advertising value of Seo Arin and other 8th-round surviving yers has risen by 2.8 times overall.]

    These were articles that came up when searching for Seo Arins name.

    She seemed unaware that her name had been mentioned so frequently.

    What, what is this? When did my value increase?

    As celebrities decreased, advertising revenue increased and our value went up. That Jang Bok-chul mentioned in the articles was a nameless actor, but by surviving the 8th round, he has rapidly gained recognition.

    You didnt know about this? Are you lying to me just to tease me?

    Seo Arin was genuinely startled and waved her hands.

    No, no. I really didnt know. I havent been on the inte for a while

    Even if you didnt go online, someone from the management or thepany must have mentioned it.

    Manager

    Seo Arin thought of An Sang-cheol, then shook her head.

    No one told me anything

    How could there be so many articles and no one said a word? Who is the head of your agency, exactly?

    Although it is not an official agency, the representative of thepany that provides support is Ma Kyung-rok

    She hadnt heard anything from him either.

    Seo Arin shook her head with a bitter expression.

    No one told me. What the situation is like now.

    Ha, can you believe it? A celebrity doesnt even know her own value.

    Seo Arin looked at Hong Sun-ah who was sighing.

    Somehow, she seemed to be smiling. Was it just her imagination?

    You should quit yourpany quickly. What a bunch of assholes, keeping information so tightly sealed just to suck up the signing bonus.

    The articles about the value increase were published 3 months ago. So they knew for at least 3 months but kept their mouths shut. How could they do that?

    Its hard to say this, but you didnt mention it either. You didnt contact me for months and suddenly called today.

    Hey! I thought you knew! Who doesnt look at inte articles? Especially a celebrity!

    Seo Arin became speechless.

    She regretted bringing it up, having not gained anything in return.

    Ive been busy. You know how dangerous the world has be, so Ive been avoiding all contact for a while

    Ugh, really! So dumb, so dumb!

    Hong Sun-ah, who had been harsh the entire time suddenly offered a favor.

    Why note to ourpany? Our CEO treats us really well. You, Arin, would definitely receive good treatment. You have some reputation among the new actors.

    No, its okay. Whats the use of moving now? Theres still time left on my contract.

    Break that damn contract. Should I talk to our CEO? I bet hed even pay the penalty for you.

    Its okay, I dont like moving around like a migratory bird.

    Hong Sun-ahs eyes suddenly turned cold.

    Are you saying that for me to hear?

    Huh? What do you mean?

    Never mind. Anyway, its a shame. It would be nice to work at the samepany.

    What work? The life of a celebrity is practically over. Even in the next round, we cant guarantee survival, let alone long-term projects like dramas.

    You only know one thing but not the other. Why would there be no work? Justnding a decent ad can earn you the equivalent of 10 years of an average office workers sry. Not just ads, right? Even if you cant film dramas or movies, you can still appear in variety shows and various programs.

    It made sense when she thought about it.

    But didnt yourpany bloc even those job opportunities? You didnt even work properly since the cataclysm!

    Seo Arin nodded cautiously, fearing she might get scolded.

    Uh-huh

    Sure enough, she was right, Hong Sun-ah pped her forehead in response.

    Really, thatpany is no good. What kind of stupid ce did you join

    Sun-ah, even so, thats a bit harsh

    Lets go!

    Huh?

    Out of nowhere, Hong Sun-ah stood up, grabbed Seo Arins wrist, and pulled her.

    Ill introduce you to someone, so lets go.

    Who?

    There is someone who will save you from this mess!

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 127: Actors (1)

    Chapter 127: Actors (1)

    People sometimes have moments of realization.

    Ah, this isnt right, is it?

    Feels like Ive ended up somewhere strange?

    That was exactly how Seo Arin felt at the moment.

    Doom-chit, doom-chit-

    Led by the hand of a fellow actor, she ended up in a club that was dark and gloomy, unlike the bright daylight outside.

    Though the thumping beats vibrated through the building, not a single dancer was in sight.

    What on earth are we doing here? Why did wee to a club?

    Just stop whining and follow me. Ill introduce you to someone nice.

    Despite feeling uneasy, Seo Arin had no choice but to follow Hong Sun-ah.

    She thought it might just be a feeling, and if worstes to worst, she could always leave, because:

    I have the power to do so.

    Being a level 37 Summoner gave her that confidence.

    Here we are.

    Hong Sun-ah led her to a VVIP-exclusive private room.

    Opening the door, a cloud of smoke made them squint their eyes.

    Guys, Ive brought her.

    Eh? Whos this? Isnt that the famous Seo Arin?

    Wow, you really brought her?

    Wow, shes even prettier in person than on screen!

    Scattered liquor bottles, and a messy table.

    People lying around smoking, others sprawled on the floor like drunkards.

    Isnt it said that people are left speechless when they are shocked?

    That was Seo Arin at that moment.

    I came here following Sun-ah, but

    She hadnt expected such chaos.

    But more bewildering than anything:

    Arent these all faces I know?

    All six people present were somewhat famous celebrities.

    Swoosh-

    Who came?

    At that moment, their eyes met with an actor who had juste out of the bathroom.

    Ku, Ku Yeon-seung senior?

    Making them seven.

    One more person added.

    Arent you Arin? I heard you wereing, but you really did?

    I told you Id bring her, Senior Ku.

    Behind, Hong Sun-ah smirked meaningfully.

    Bokchul would be thrilled if he knew, wouldnt he?

    Where is Bokchul?

    He said he was going to the toilet because he needed to take a shit.

    Standing dumbfounded, Seo Arin wondered what situation she had gotten herself into.

    Sit down. Now that youre here, lets have a drink at least.

    No, Im good.

    It might be dark inside, but it was clearly broad daylight outside, and yet theyre suggesting a drink.

    Especially since she felt something was off, Seo Arin drew the line.

    Sun-ah, have fun. Sorry, but Ill be leaving first.

    Hey, where do you think youre going?

    Come on, Arin. Youvee all this way, have a drink. Or would you prefer a joint?

    Excuse me?

    Seo Arin was taken aback but quickly regained herposure.

    No, I dont smoke.

    Its not tobo. Or maybe youd prefer wine

    I cant drink that either.

    You f*cking crazy b*tch. Senior Ku is offering, you should at least pretend to drink, damn.

    Seo Arin doubted her ears for a moment.

    What did she call me?

    Hong Sun-ah was always harsh with her words, but Seo Arin had never been directly insulted before.

    But now, Hong Sun-ah was different.

    It was as if revealing a true face, smirking at her.

    No, smirk is too pretty a word.

    It was a clear sneer.

    F*cking b*tch, youre looking down on me just because Im a bit nice, huh?

    Instead of responding, Seo Arin instinctively looked back.

    yers who had been crawling on the floor were now blocking the exit, havinge to their senses.

    What are you trying to do?

    Cant you see? Were keeping you from leaving.

    Why are you doing this?

    Why, you ask? Haha, everyone whoes here says the same thing. They dont realize theyve fallen into a trap. Oh, is it because Im such a killer of an actor?

    Now, it was clear from Hong Sun-ahs attitude.

    She was tricked.

    Seo Arin nced at the actors around her.

    Malice could be felt in their expressions and eyes.

    Theyre all in on it.

    Seo Arins gaze naturally shifted to Ku Yeon-seung.

    Among them, he was the eldest and a senior; if it was a trap, it was likely under his guidance.

    And sure enough.

    Haha, Miss Arin. Looking at me like that wont help. Youve probably realized by now that were all in it together.

    As if mistaking her gaze for a distress signal, he openly admitted it.

    At that moment, Seo Arin thought of a way to escape the crisis.

    Ah, maybe

    It might work, but she had to try.

    Seo Arins expression instantly turned into that of a frightened puppy.

    Why, why are you doing this to me?

    Ku Yeon-seungughed as if she was aroused by the look Seo Arins face.

    Its nothing personal. Just a survival strategy weve naturallye to learn, you know?

    What do you mean?

    yers number is reducing by half each round, right? Maybe even more. Havent you ever thought about it?

    Ku Yeon-seung smirked.

    The items held by those who vanish seem such a waste.

    Dont you think? I find it too wasteful. All the gold and items theyve umted, all disappearing into thin air. In a world where even shit can be used as fertilizer, the items these guys hold cant be used as anything and just disappear. Wouldnt it be better if they could be used for something, like fertilizer?

    Seo Arin btedly caught on to their intentions.

    So youre saying, if a yer is going to disappear anyway, why not loot their items? Is that it?

    Oh, youve got some brains, huh? You understood all that so quickly. Other actors didnt get it even after I exined.

    Other actors? Youve done this to other actors besides me?

    Of course. Sadly, Miss Seo Arin, youre just the 33rd victim. Already, 32 seniors, juniors, and fellow actors have given us their items before leaving.

    She had no idea.

    Seo Arin slumped onto the sofa.

    That, that means youve killed fellow actors?

    Thats right. Weve killed everyone. Dont worry, Miss Seo Arin. Youll soon follow.

    Ah

    Seo Arins expression was one of shock as she covered her face and crouched down.

    Meanwhile, she secretly summoned two fairies under the table.

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 Chapter 127: Actors (2)

    Chapter 127: Actors (2)

    Seo Arins expression was one of shock as she covered her face and crouched down.

    Meanwhile, she secretly summoned two fairies under the table.

    Unaware of the situation, the actorsughed maliciously.

    Just hand over your items willingly, and well let you go without pain. But if youre uncooperative, well have no choice but to use force.

    Why, why are you doing this? Why kill fellow actors just for

    Why, you ask? There are plenty of reasons. First, its easier to backstab actors in the same profession. Second, having good items increases your chances of surviving the next round. Third, as I said before, its a waste to let the items vanish. Fourth, to survive, weve realized you cant be picky about your methods. Fifth, its surprisingly fun.

    Have you ever had the chance to intimidate and kill someone? Always conscious of fans eyes and living under their scrutiny, could we ever engage in such thrilling acts?

    Theyre your colleagues not just anyone, but peers youve acted with

    Ah, Miss Seo Arin, youre so naive, not knowing what its like to start from the bottom.

    Ku Yeon-seungs smile vanished.

    Do you know what its like to climb up from the bottom? The uncertain future of someday making it big, while living in a shitty reality as a struggling actor? I know. Ive experienced it all and managed to make it big through hard work.

    But what if that hard-earned dream shatters in an instant? The world going to hell, unable to work on long-term projects like dramas or movies, and having to live as a clown on variety shows or survive onmercials? What if youre living a life counting down to the next round, wondering if youll make it through? It would be utterly despairing and empty, wouldnt it?

    Everyone here is in that situation. People who have lost the jobs they barely managed to secure. Actors who were sincere in their craft but betrayed by their efforts. What can we, in our position, do? Nothing but a struggle for survival. Trampling over others to survive is the only strategy left for the remaining yers.

    And then, a perfect stage for trampling over others is set, isnt it? You can even learn a scam skill like erasing traces. With this, how could we not kill? Reducing the number of actors increases the scarcity of celebrities, naturally boosting our value. Our worth in reality increases, and we secure items for use in the otherworld. What better two birds with one stone could there be? Hehe.

    There was much Seo Arin wanted to rebut, but she focused silently on acting instead.

    Pretending to be scared and trembling, she put all her acting skills into this moment, as if this was what she had been preparing for all along.

    So youre going to steal my items and kill me?

    Of course.

    Seo Arin then smiled resignedly.

    Is, is this a hidden camera prank? A new variety show, or maybe a YouTube video? Can someone please tell me this is just a joke?

    Hehe, this b*tch still hasnt snapped out of it?

    Hong Sun-ah taunted as she approached Seo Arin.

    p-

    A p followed immediately, blood sttering as her head turned.

    The force behind the palm strike was clearly no joke.

    Hey, you f*cking b*tch. Do you think were ying around? Should we cut off a finger or two to help you understand the situation?

    Ah, why bother with a finger? Theres a better way.

    As the men smirked maliciously, Hong Sun-ah grimaced.

    Men are all the same, huh? If a girls face is half-decent, thats all they think about? You think shes pretty? Its all thanks to stic surgery.

    stic surgery isnt for anyone, you know? You need a good base to start with.

    So what if its stic surgery? Hehe, as long as it tastes good, thats all that matters.

    Even amidst the mockingughter, Seo Arin curled up and endured.

    Her expression mixed with shame, anger, and fear, she waited for an opportunity.

    Ku Yeon-seung quieted the crowd with a sigh.

    You guys, why scare her already? Miss Arin? Dont worry. Just hand over all your items, and well let you die peacefully. Ill make sure these guys dont touch you.

    You dont like it, do you? By your expression. Wouldnt it be better to hand over your items and die peacefully rather than being treated like a rag and dying horribly?

    Do you really promise to let me go peacefully if I give you my items?

    Yes. Oh, but I forgot to tell you something.

    What is it

    You know Jang Bokchul, right? Hes really into you, Miss Arin. He even mentioned you as his ideal type in the media. So, when he heard Miss Arin wasing, he was really looking forward to it.

    So, just do what he wants, just once. You can do that much before dying, right?

    What do you mean

    Its pitiful, isnt it? A nobody who survived not because of acting but as a yer and finally made it big. And this guy picked you, Miss Seo Arin, as his ideal type, but you cant even do that much for him? It would feel good if you grant one persons wish before dying, right?

    If you dont answer, Ill take it as a yes. You dont have a choice anyway.

    Dont even think about resisting. You see how many of us are here, right? Including Bokchul, that makes nine of us. All above level 35. ording to Sun-ah, Miss Seo Arin is level 37, but you wont stand a chance against us.

    Please, spare me. I, I was wrong.

    Seo Arin showed tears and rubbed her hands together.

    Btedly facing reality.

    Bitterughter leaked from the actors mouths.

    Everyone ends up like this in the end, dont they? Please spare me, I wont do it again, I was wrong. But if youre begging for your life, shouldnt you start by handing over your items?

    Ill give them to you. Ill give them all to you.

    Seo Arin pretended to take items out of her inventory and sneakily looked around.

    Now was the time.

    They were off guard.

    Equip!

    At themand word, Seo Arins body was enveloped in her gear.

    Swooosh-

    Before the people could react to the sudden armament, the waiting fairies emerged from under the table.

    Then, those cute creatures fired beams of light straight at Ku Yeon-seung.

    Screeeeech-!

    Aaaargh!

    As the sound of burning flesh filled the air, Ku Yeon-seung screamed.

    He raised his arm in defense, and it was just in time; a momentter, and his eyes would have been burnt out.

    You f*cking b*tch! Catch her!

    Before Ku Yeon-seung could even shout, the actors were already donning their equipment.

    Seo Arin was inwardly surprised.

    Theyre quick to respond.

    It seemed they had anticipated her resistance.

    Quickly summoning a golem, Seo Arin pushed away the male actor standing by the door.

    Boom-!

    Ugh!

    When the 1.5m golem charged with its entire body, the man was mmed against the wall.

    Seo Arin grabbed the doorknob and flung the door open.

    She had never intended to confront them head-on.

    She was only looking for a chance to escape.

    Ive done it, now I just need to get out!

    But before she could step over the threshold.

    Ssshhhrrr-

    ck chains wrapped around Seo Arins body.

    F*cking b*tch, where do you think youre running to?

    The chains belonged to Ku Yeon-seung.

    No actor had ever escaped from the grasp of the ck magician.

    F*cking hell, I thought you were no different. I was fooled by a womans tears, I really got fooled, huh?

    !

    Seo Arin tried tomand her fairies, but it was toote; she realized they had already been destroyed by Ku Yeon-seungs ck arrows.

    Crashhhh-

    The golem, too, had been shattered by the yers, returning to a pile of rubble.

    Ah, what do I do now? All my summons are dead.

    To summon again, she had to wait for a 10-minute cooldown.

    In a situation where every second was critical, she couldnt afford to wait.

    Why not try summoning again? Oh, maybe you cant because of the cooldown?

    Then, can we have our fun with you now?

    Brother, you said wed leave her for Bokchul.

    I changed my mind. Who knows when shell summon again? We cant wait for Bokchul to arrive.

    Ku Yeon-seung ordered with a murderous gaze.

    Men, get ready. Lets show this f*cking b*tch what humiliation is.

    Hehe, dly.

    Ive been waiting for this.

    The men stepped forward with malicious smiles, and Hong Sun-ahughed bitterly, stepping back.

    As the men grabbed her arms and legs, Seo Arin was engulfed in despair.

    Ah, to end up like this

    Her escape n had failed.

    With no way out, darkness enveloped her vision.

    Then, someone entered through the open door.

    The actors attention shifted.

    A familiar face, Jang Bokchul, had arrived.

    Uh? Bokchul! Heres your favorite Seo Arin

    Their expressions brightened but quickly hardened.

    Behind him stood a masked stranger.

    Who

    Before they could finish asking, Jang Bokchuls head flopped lifelessly.

    It seems he was already dead.

    The masked man stepped forward while carrying Jang Bokchuls body with him.

    Jang Bokchul, this bastard, was your friend, right?

    Thud-

    As he let go, Jang Bokchuls body copsed lifelessly.

    Who, who are you?!

    It seems I was right.

    With a wave of his hand, the corpse vanished without a trace.

    Trace erasure.

    I smelled trash from afar. So it was gathered here.

    Who are you..

    Before Ku Yeon-seung could finish, he swallowed his words.

    The others did the same.

    Silence fell, as if time had stopped.

    There was no need to ask who he was.

    Because they could see arge ck scythe in the masked mans hand.

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 Chapter 128: The Inspection (1)

    Chapter 128: The Inspection (1)

    14 Hours Before the Assassination of Jang Bokchul.

    Ryu Min discovered a familiar name on the murder list.

    Ju Sung-taek? Did this guy join yer Haven too?

    The name and the age matched perfectly, but the nickname was slightly different.

    The nickname is slightly off?

    Seeing that the ranking written down was also different, it seemed he had slightly changed the information before he joined.

    That exins why Ju Sung-taek wasnt in the executive positions.

    Ju Sung-taek was a top yer, ranking second or third in the entire region.

    If he had been an executive, they would have met long before, but since he faked his information, it was natural they hadnt met until now.

    Looking at the date of joining, it seems he signed up a long time ago Did he just join and not participate?

    Searching the forum, there were no posts orments from him.

    It seemed he had quietly passed the murder interview and stayed silent.

    This guy obviously deserves to die, but theres still some use for him

    He decided to spare him from now.

    But he was as good as dead like the others.

    It was just that his time had been extended.

    Huh?

    ncing over the list again, Ryu Min saw a nickname that seemed familiar.

    Name: Hong Sun-ah. Nickname: Puffy Cheek Bun. Age: 22, upation: actress.

    Suddenly, Seo Arin came to mind.

    She was the same age and she was also an actress.

    If they worked on the same projects, they could have been close.

    Should I search for her?

    Typing in Hong Sun-ah on the inte brought up several articles.

    [Actress Hong Sun-ah, the survivor of Round 8, her charm of many colors!]

    [Hong Sun-ah, Seo Arin, Gu Yeon-seung, Jang Bokchul, among popr celebrity yers, survive this round too]

    [Actress Hong Sun-ah signs amercial contract with a major agency!!]

    [Hong Sun-ah confirmed to appear on the show yers! Excitement grows for what role she will y]

    It turned out she was a popr celebrity in her 20s, raising her stock alongside Seo Arin by surviving this far.

    To think she could boldly continue her entertainment activities even after passing yer Havens murder test She must have thrown her conscience into the trash.

    Only the executives knew about the murder test.

    As long as the executives kept their mouths shut, it wouldnt be public knowledge.

    yer Haven wouldnt expose it either, as it would be like spitting on their own face.

    Despite all of that, she dares to be active.

    Tsk-tsk,

    Ryu Min clicked his tongue as he looked up Hong Sun-ahs Instagram for some information.

    Among various photos, there was one with Seo Arin.

    Just looking at the photo, they seem quite close.

    Besides the two smiling women, there were many other photos.

    Mostly selfies of Hong Sun-ah trying to look pretty.

    The rest were photos with friends.

    Among them, Ryu Min paid special attention to one photo.

    It was a recent photo taken with male actors in front of a club, captioned:

    [A shot with close colleague actors at a club I frequently visit. From the left: Junior Ju Ji-seung, Senior Gu Yeon-seung, Senior Jang Bokchul, Junior Kang Su-hyun Had fun today as always!]

    Colleague actors?

    Names he had seen somewhere.

    Just in case, he reviewed the murder list again.

    Hepared the names of people whose upation was an actor.

    Sigh.

    Every single one of them was a yer Haven member.

    Birds of a feather flock together; so all the remaining famous actors are yer Haven members?

    Committing crimes such as murder, rape, and abetting, yet shamelessly living as if they were stars.

    And under the guise of celebrities, receiving the spotlight.

    Unable to hide his astonishment, Ryu Min checked each actors Instagram.

    They really were close, evidenced by numerous photos together.

    Theyre close actors and also yer Haven members? Something smells fishy.

    What could murderers gather together to do?

    Could they be conspiring for other crimes?

    Upon further investigation, he discovered amon link.

    They all have photos taken at the same club.

    Looking at the photos taken at the same club, Ryu Min grabbed his coat.

    There was definitely a stench.

    If he visited the club, more would surelye out.

    Hyung, where are you going?

    Just stepping out for a bit.

    At this hour?

    After nodding, he left his younger sibling behind and opened the front door.

    Go to bed first. I might get backte.

    The location of the club wasnt far.

    Driving his Lamborghini for 20 minutes, he arrived.

    It was past midnight, an ideal time to visit the club.

    Im not going for fun, but for investigation.

    He parked the car in a public parking lot and walked a bit.

    This is it.

    Finding the club seen on Instagram, Ryu Min was immediately disappointed.

    He had expected a bouncer checking attire like in the movies, but there was none.

    Not even a bouncer, the clubs door was locked.

    What? The club isnt open at this peak hour?

    It was definitely suspicious.

    Looking around the building, he found a back door, which was also locked.

    I can hear people inside despite the doors being locked front and back.

    Locked doors, yet there were people within 30 meters?

    Suspicious, very suspicious.

    If there had been a window, he would have broken in, but the club was underground.

    How to enter?

    Why overthink it?

    Crack-

    He simply forced the door open.

    Then, using invisibility, he entered unseen.

    Wearing the Ghostwalk Boots, his footsteps made no sound.

    The club was quiet, and not in operation.

    But there were definitely people inside.

    Ryu Min walked towards the presence detected by his skill.

    Huh?

    As if the person had a detection skill, they looked towards Ryu Min.

    Ryu Min immediately moved out of the 30m range.

    Strange. Is it my imagination?

    As no one was visible or felt, the man tilted his head and walked again.

    That actor must be Ju Ji-seung.

    Recognizing the face, Ryu Min frowned.

    This is frustrating. Everyone has detection skills now, making it hard to approach properly.

    He realized anew that invisibility wasnt a great skill.

    Until I get the Rune of Stealth, theres nothing I can do about this.

    He would fortunately obtain the Rune of Stealth in Round 9.

    Thinking this, he carefully followed Ju Ji-seung, maintaining a 31m distance to avoid detection.

    Walking down the corridor, they soon encountered three peopleing out of a room.

    Faces he had memorized.

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 Chapter 128: The Inspection (2)

    Chapter 128: The Inspection (2)

    Walking down the corridor, they soon encountered three peopleing out of a room.

    Faces he had memorized.

    Their names were Gu Yeon-seung, Jang Bokchul, Kang Su-hyun, right?

    Despite the distance of 30m, the conversation between the four could be heard due to how quiet the club was.

    Hey? Senior, where are you going?

    To grab some drinks. And some weed too.

    Already ran out?

    Yeah. I said Id go alone, but these juniors couldnt wait and insisted oning along.

    Laughing, the younger ones said to Gu Yeon-seung.

    Ah, how can we sit still when senior is working so hard?

    Hehe, definitely not because we wanted to smoke quickly.

    Theirughter indicated how addicted they were to marijuana.

    Youre barely able to stand and youre talking about that? Just rest. Ill bring both the drinks and weed.

    Um, could you really do that for us?

    Of course. Go inside and have fun. Ill bring everything.

    Ha, thank you! Senior!

    Jang Bokchul bowed deeply, and Gu Yeon-seung chuckled.

    You bow like that, you really look like a gangster.

    My face does have that gangster look, isnt it? Hehe.

    Gu senior, Jang Bokchul senior might look like that but hes really innocent. Hes never done it before. Kekeke.

    Ah, really? He looks like a gangster, this is really unexpected?

    Hehe, dont tease me, seniors.

    Jang Bokchul seemed shy, scratching his head.

    No wonder youve been calling Seo Arins name to the point of getting an earful. Is there a reason for your obsession?

    As Gu Yeon-seung mentioned Seo Arin, Ryu Mins gaze changed.

    Senior, is it really true that well see Seo Arin tomorrow?

    Yeah. Sun-ah contacted me. Said she arranged a meeting with her at a cafe for lunch.

    Then, am I really losing my virginity tomorrow?

    Of course. Our Bokchuls ideal woman well be visiting us. Ill let you have your turn first.

    Thank you, senior! Really, thank you!

    Jang Bokchul bowed several times.

    But after you, its our turn, right?

    Ah, of course! After Im done, seniors can have all the fun.

    This guy, always putting himself first, eh?

    Ha, ha, ha!

    Jang Bokchul seemed genuinely happy.

    Reading his thoughts, they were too filthy to utter.

    -Hehe, when Seo Arines tomorrow, Ill try everything, damn it I cant wait!

    Ryu Min turned away, feeling he had heard enough.

    Having read his mind, he had obtained the crucial information.

    These guys are nning to kill Seo Arin.

    He hadnt expected Seo Arin to be involved.

    Just curious investigation led to this. Were there only trash around Seo Arin?

    Seo Arin probably didnt know.

    That she would be backstabbed by an actress she considered a close friend, Hong Sun-ah.

    Shell find out tomorrow how foolish it is to trust such people.

    Even colleagues would stab you in the back for survival in this world.

    As a yer who had gone through 99 rounds, Ryu Min had seen such scenes countless times.

    Anyway, this is an opportunity. A chance to gain Seo Arins definite favor.

    What would happen if he saved Seo Arin under the guise of the ck Scythe?

    He couldpletely make her his own.

    Men can be controlled using Yamti, but that enchantment doesnt work on women.

    That was why he didnt kill these men and turned away.

    Its better to sweep them when theyre all together. Killing them now wont make Seo Arin appreciate my efforts.

    Of course, gaining Seo Arins favor might not always lead to positive oues.

    Its not guaranteed to only have positive effects.

    But he couldnt just ignore it.

    This opportunity was too precious to give to Ma Kyung-rok.

    Its better if I save her than Ma Kyung-rok.

    Currently, they were allies, but Ma Kyung-rok could be a stumbling block for Ryu Min.

    If Ma Kyung-rok and Seo Arin became close, it could be troublesometer.

    Creak- Click.

    Leaving the club, Ryu Min awaited the dawn.

    Tomorrow, if I tail that woman Hong Sun-ah, I can catch the perfect timing.

    It was time to directly undertake the trash cleaning.

    14 Hours Later, Present Time.

    In Ryu Mins hand was the corpse of that trash, Jang Bokchul.

    Having followed Hong Sun-ah into the club, he first killed Jang Bokchul, who was in themunal bathroom.

    If I take this guy and show him to the others, I can send a clear message.

    Holding the head of the man with a broken neck upright, he moved, wearing a white mask to dere himself as the ck Scythe.

    Intentionally making his footsteps heard, he changed from the Ghostwalk Boots to another pair of shoes.

    Thud, thud-

    He entered through the open door, and soon, Seo Arin, who was about to be raped, came into view.

    The eyes of the actors focused on Ryu Min.

    Or, to be precise, on the corpse he boldly presented.

    Ah? Bokchul! Heres your favorite Seo Arin

    Discovering him behind the corpse, the actors expressions uniformly hardened.

    Jang Bokchul, this bastard, is your friend, right?

    Who, who are you?!

    Seems so.

    He erased Jang Bokchuls corpse with a trace removal technique.

    Smelled trash from somewhere. So, you were all gathered here.

    You, what are you!

    Without a word, Ryu Min drew his Death Scythe.

    The crowd fell silent in unison.

    Anyone, not a fool would have understood enough from that alone.

    Is, is that

    A scythe?

    Could it be ck Scythe?

    Some actors shook their heads, denying reality.

    Nah, it cant be. Why would ck Scythe show up here?

    Yeah. Just because he has a scythe doesnt mean hes that guy.

    The two actors who were talking released Seo Arin, and stepped forward.

    These were Gu Yeon-seungs loyal dogs.

    Hey, you bastard. How did you get in here?

    Did you kill Bokchul? Huh?

    Ryu Min sighed and murmured.

    Seems you havent grasped the situation yet

    Son of a bitch, you dare to sigh in front of us? Youll die

    Swish-

    With a single movement in the darkness, Ryu Mins scythe flowed.

    The heads of the two actors slid off as if buttered.

    Cut as smoothly as tofu, there was no sound of slicing.

    Just like that, in a moment, the two were reduced to corpses.

    Thump, thump!

    Ah!

    The remaining actors recoiled in horror, panic written all over their faces.

    Seo Arin was no exception.

    Is, is that really ck Scythe? For real?

    His voice differed, making her skeptical, but Seo Arin couldnt deny it.

    The figure who appeared like a white knight was indeed the ck Scythe she knew.

    Ryu Min pointed his scythe at the remaining ones.

    This is really annoying, so juste at me all at once. And dont even think about ying tricks.

    A soft voice flowed from behind the mask.

    Anyway, not a single one of you will leave this ce alive.

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 Chapter 129: Advice (1)

    Chapter 129: Advice (1)

    Gulp-

    In the tense situation, Gu Yeon-seung gulped down his saliva.

    Damn, whats this situation?

    They killed numerous actors without any issues until now.

    Using Hong Sun-ah as bait was as easy as eating candy, and it was even easier to steal their items and kill them.

    Thanks to the trace erasing, evidence could be neatly concealed.

    If they just coordinated their stories, escaping police investigation would not be a difficult task.

    Thus, he had grown his value and gathered items by preying on his fellow celebrity yers.

    Gu Yeon-seung was proud of his high criminal intelligence, skilled enough to boast about setting traps and covering his tracks.

    He was someone who made no mistakes.

    But then,

    Where did it all go wrong, exactly!

    He had never faced such a crisis during his spree of killing 32 actors.

    But now hes facing ck Scythe?

    The monster who had topped the rankings in every zone throughout the 8 rounds and had just reached level 80 is suddenly in front of him?

    For Gu Yeon-seung, it was inconceivable.

    It was like throwing bait to catch a fish, only to hook a shark instead.

    Is it really ck Scythe? Just because he carries a scythe doesnt mean hes the ck Scythe, right?

    Doubt crossed his mind, but it was fleeting.

    Seeing the cleanly severed heads of two actors, Gu Yeon-seung thought that the man in front of him might really be ck Scythe.

    I didnt even see him swing. I didnt hear the sound of a neck being cut.

    This meant that the attackers agility stats were high enough to make his attack invisible and his damage was way superior.

    A single swing was enough to feel the gap between them.

    Its like heaven and earth. The level is just iprehensible.

    Realizing the extent of his opponents skills, Gu Yeon-seungs brain began to work rapidly.

    Thud-

    He immediately knelt down and began his act of begging for his life.

    Please, spare me. I didnt do anything!

    Gu Yeon-seung pointed his fingers at the other actors.

    It was all them! They made me do it!

    Caught off guard by this sudden betrayal, Hong Sun-ah and the other four male actors were dumbfounded.

    What are you talking about, Gu Senior?

    Why are you ming us!

    It was all because you told us to do it!

    ck Scythe! Dont believe this dirty bastard! We were just following orders, but this bastard is the real mastermind!

    Enraged by their words, Gu Yeon-seung abruptly stood up.

    What? What did you just say? Bastards? Is that how you speak to your senior, you little shit?

    The juniors red back, unwilling to back down.

    So, what about you? Selling out your juniors to save your own skin, is that what a senior does? You f*cking bastard?

    What? Youre really asking for death!

    Gu Yeon-seung raised his wand as if he were about to cast a spell.

    The other juniors also prepared to retaliate by wielding their weapons.

    The actors exchanged res as if they were about to kill each other.

    It was an utter mess.

    However, this was exactly what Gu Yeon-seung had intended.

    Good! This will make it look like a real internal conflict.

    This would make any onlookers let their guard down.

    ncing over, he saw the ck Scythe shaking his head at their petty squabbles as if it was pathetic.

    Now!

    Gu Yeon-seung raised his wand as if to attack a junior.

    F*cking hell, you bastards really want to die?

    Then, he suddenly changed direction, aiming a skill at ck Scythes face.

    ck Arrow!

    Normally, he would restrain his enemies with ck chains before shooting a ck arrow.

    But this was a surprise attack, leaving no time for binding.

    Even ck Scythe cant survive a headshot!

    The magic-infused ck arrow hit its target.

    Thwack-!

    Got it! It hit him right in!

    Gu Yeon-seungs face froze in a moment of triumph.

    The arrow he thought had hit had missed its target by a hairs breadth, striking the wall instead.

    To dodge it in that split second?

    It was an insane reflex.

    The actors, witnessing this, could only widen their eyes in disbelief.

    Ryu Min smirked from behind his mask.

    Put away your pathetic act. Did you think pretending to fight each other would make me let my guard down?

    Embarrassment shed across Gu Yeon-seungs face.

    The juniors widened their eyes.

    They truly believed Gu Yeon-seung was betraying them.

    Didnt I warn you not to have any funny ideas?

    Yo, you f*cking bastard!

    Gu Yeon-seung tantly aimed his wand.

    With things as they were, there was no turning back.

    Ssshhhh-

    The ck chains intended to bind ck Scythe were his chance to escape.

    But Ryu Min, who could read thoughts and see 7 seconds into the future, wouldnt just stand there and take it.

    Swoosh-

    Ryu Min, like a ghost, moved behind Gu Yeon-seung, already out of the chains reach.

    It was a good idea, but

    As he swung his scythe, Gu Yeon-seungs wand was cut off along with his forearm.

    Aaaargh!

    You picked the wrong opponent.

    To a mage, a wand is as crucial as a guns trigger.

    Now, even if he tried to use the ck arrow, he wouldnt be able to aim properly.

    Sh, shit, kill him!

    Feeling the crisis, the male actors charged at the ck Scythe.

    But they were no match for Ryu Min.

    Thudthudthudthud-

    With a single strike, the heads of four actors floated in the air, and their bodies dropped like cut strings.

    Thump-

    Overwhelmed by his power, Gu Yeon-seung copsed to the ground.

    Already crippled, he couldnt even dream of resisting.

    Ryu Min calmly surveyed the scene.

    Gu Yeon-seung was shivering with his arms trembling and the shocked eyes of Seo Arin were visible behind him.

    One was missing, but it was no problem.

    He had already sensed her through his ability to detect presence.

    Plop-!

    Aaah!

    As he struck the air behind him with his scythe, a sharp scream erupted.

    Hong Sun-ah, trembling with her legs, appeared as the invisibility skill wore off.

    Her thighs were pierced by Ryu Mins scythe like a fork.

    Ssshhhk-!

    With a forceful tug, blood spattered as both thighs were cleanly severed.

    Thud-!

    KKrrraahhhhhh

    Hong Sun-ahs eyes rolled back as she convulsed like a bug.

    Gu Yeon-seung couldnt bear to look at her suffering.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 129: Advice (2)

    Chapter 129: Advice (2)

    Seo Arin.

    Yes?

    Its our first time meeting in reality.

    Ah, em.

    Seo Arins eyes widened in surprise, then rounded in realization.

    Yes, nice to meet you, ck Scythe-nim.

    Gu Yeon-seung looked at her with a face that said he couldnt believe what he was seeing.

    Hong Sun-ah while groaning and also red at Seo Arin.

    Seo, Seo Arin knows ck Scythe?

    How could that b*tch know ck Scythe? Could it be?

    Amon assumption arose in both of their minds.

    Could it be that b*tch asked ck Scythe for support?

    If so, then the ones who actually fell into a trap are us?

    Although Ryu Min knew they were misunderstanding, he didnt care.

    They were going to die soon anyway.

    Of course, I wont be the one to kill them.

    Ryu Min intended to leave their judgment to Seo Arin.

    It would be more satisfactory for her that way.

    Seo Arin. Ill give you the opportunity to kill these two.

    If you choose to let them live, I wont stop you. So you can decide their fate.

    Surprised by the unexpected offer, Seo Arins eyes widened.

    Gu Yeon-seung and Hong Sun-ah felt the same.

    Realizing their lives hung on Seo Arins decision, they quickly pleaded.

    Ah, Arin. No, Miss Arin! Please save me. Im Gu Yeon-seung. We did projects together, remember? Please remember our past rtionship and spare me just this once

    Shut up, senior Gu! If were talking about projects, Ive done far more with Arin! Arin, its me, your lifelong friend Sun-ah! Think of the memories we shared together. Huh? Please save me. I dont want to die yet, sob sob.

    Look at that crazy b*tch, whining like that. Miss Arin, dont be fooled. Shes trash. Do you know how much she badmouthed you behind your back?

    When did I ever! Dont believe a word senior Gu says! Its all lies!

    Wow, such a shameless b*tch? To think such a person ims to be a friend. Im clearly the better choice.

    Hah, I cant believe this. Who was the one shaking their hips thinking about doing that stuff when Arines? Which animal was that?

    Me, when?! Dont make up things, you b*tch!

    The two raised their voices.

    Seo Arin, now holding the power of life and death, deliberated.

    But her deliberation didntst long.

    There was no need to think about trash.

    Both of you are eyesores.

    What?

    Ive made my decision.

    That, that means youll save us, right?

    Huh? Arin, we were close friends, right? Huh?

    Despite their desperate looks, Seo Arins gaze was cold.

    The cooldown was ready.

    Seo Arin summoned her fairies.

    Kill them both.

    Wai, wait!

    Arin!

    At their mastersmand, the fairies fired their beams.

    Chiieeeeeek-!

    Kuaaaak!

    Kyaaaaak!

    Without anybat ability, they had no power to resist.

    The beam aimed at their heads burned their faces beyond recognition.

    Ryu Min felt a sense of pride at the sight.

    Initially worried about the lives of those who tried to rape her, she has changed a lot.

    This was the second time he saved her since the first incident with Hwang Yong-mins group.

    Seo Arin seemed to know that fact as well, bowing her head towards Ryu Min.

    Thank you, ck Scythe-nim. You saved me again this time. I cant express my gratitude in words. Thank you so much.

    Do you believe I am the real ck Scythe?

    Of course. How could I not recognize the weapon wielded by ck Scythe? Although the outfit and voice are different

    But everything else, including the aura and physique, was simr to ck Scythes.

    That was why Seo Arin firmly believed he was the ck Scythe.

    Ryu Min felt relieved at her reaction.

    It was a good decision to transform. If it were my original physique, I might have been suspected.

    Ryu Min has transformed into a Lostyak, wearing a mask, hence hes taller and more muscr now.

    It was a measure taken in case his shorter height might lead to suspicions of being the prophet.

    I want to repay you, but I cant think of anything I could give. Ive thought about it a lot, but it seems I dont have much to offer.

    I didnt do it for the reward, so dont worry about it.

    I understand I feel bad for asking this, but how did youe here? Im really curious, so please dont take it the wrong way.

    Its understandable to be curious.

    Especially since he appeared right at the moment of crisis, and he was none other than the ck Scythe.

    Ryu Min, who had already thought of an excuse, replied without hesitation.

    It was a coincidence.

    Excuse me?

    I happened to see you entering this ce, I followed you in and wanted to say hi. Thats how I came to know about the situation.

    Oh

    It seems they were trash, preying on other yers.

    Thats right. And I was unaware

    Seo Arin lowered her head, looking at the bodies.

    Ryu Min, as if to help get rid of her gloomy thoughts, removed the bodies using the trace eraser.

    The scene with nine bodies returned to its original clean state.

    Forget what happened. Move forward, looking ahead. Think only of yourself. Dont mind others.

    While Im at it, let me give you some more advice: be wary of people. Enemies arent always far away; theyre often closer than you think. Never let your guard down, always be vignt and doubtful.

    It wasnt something someone seeking Seo Arins trust would say, but Ryu Min was confident.

    Advising her this way, he believed, would make her doubt others instead of him.

    Sure enough, Seo Arin was reminded of two people: An Sang-cheol and Ma Kyung-rok.

    Thank you for the advice thats both straight and valuable. I only receive help from you, ck Scythe. I dont know how I could ever repay you

    As I said before, theres no need to repay me. If I had wanted something from you, I would have asked when I first saved you.

    Seo Arins eyebrows twitched.

    Saying he wanted nothing from her might have struck her pride.

    This should be enough to achieve my goal.

    As if sensing the timing, Ryu Min turned around and left a parting message.

    If we leave together, it might raise suspicions, soe out after 5 minutes. Theres no evidence, so theres no need to call the police.

    Ah, ck Scythe

    With that, Ryu Min left the room.

    sir.

    Seo Arin stood still, looking in the direction where ck Scythe disappeared, nning to wait for 5 minutes as instructed.

    During that time, Seo Arin mulled over ck Scythes advice.

    ck Scythe is right. Ive been trusting Mr. Bodyguard and the CEO too much.

    She had already harbored negative feelings towards Ma Kyung-rok.

    Having tried to use her as a hostess before, it was inevitable.

    If thats the case with the CEO, then his loyal subordinate, the bodyguard

    He might act on hical orders without hesitation.

    That meant she could be backstabbed at any time, especially considering that An Sang-cheol had been assigned as a surveince agent in the first ce.

    Maybe Ive been too naive, trusting the people around me.

    Was it because she was almost betrayed by a fellow actor she trusted?

    Or was it because of ck Scythes advice?

    Doubt and wariness began to grow in Seo Arins heart.

    At the same time, she became certain of one thing.

    Her heart was pounding for ck Scythe.

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 Chapter 130: Sharing (1)

    Chapter 130: Sharing (1)

    Mid-August has passed.

    During this time, Ma Kyung-rok steadily took care of the trash as nned.

    Already, nearly 300 trash have been taken care of by Ma Kyung-rok.

    Yet, there were still many vermin left in yer Haven.

    Those who would surely harm ordinary people if left unchecked.

    Thats why Ryu Min had the chairman work hard to create a wanted flyer.

    Of course, it was a bait using Photoshop.

    Its easy to catch a fish because the fishs brain is the size of a pea.

    In a warehouse different from where Ma Kyung-rok operated,

    Ryu Min used a trace-erasing skill, and five corpses disappeared.

    Like Ma Kyung-rok, Ryu Min was also focused on cleaning up the trash.

    Although I cant gain dark magic, I can plunder items.

    On the floor where the bodies had vanished, items extorted through torture by Ryu Min were plentiful.

    Magic stones, unique material items, store equipment items, and various misceneous items.

    Even such filthy criminals had a lot of items, having survived up to the 8th round.

    I should create some unique equipment bybining these up.

    Currently, there are unique materials on the market but no unique equipment for sale.

    Because no one knows how to make them.

    Since not enough unique design blueprints have been released yet.

    The real drop of unique blueprints starts from the 9th round.

    No one has found a recipe yet.

    No fool would post unique equipment for sale, even if they dont know how to use it.

    Would anyone sell such precious unique equipment just to make some money?

    Ryu Min had no intention of making and selling unique items.

    He was wealthy enough, with PPs stock soaring, ensuring wealth for three generations.

    The reason Ryu Min was making unique equipment was one.

    To distribute them to potential future allies.

    Its better for me if they survive.

    He decided to make items for Min Juri and Christine first.

    Equipment with agility for Min Juri and intelligence-based unique items for Christine.

    Ah, I should also make something for Ma Kyung-rok so he doesnt feel left out.

    And for Russell, Seo Arin, Ahn Sang-choel, Heo Taeseok, Jo Yong-ho, and Yamti as well.

    There are so many people to take care of

    But then he realized it was impossible.

    There werent enough materials to take care of everyone.

    Ryu Min decided to only take care of those he would bring to the 20th round.

    I should at least take care of Min Juri and Christine for now. The rest Ill think about itter.

    Just thinking about it was exhausting.

    Then, a call came from Ma Kyung-rok.

    Yes, Mr. President.

    -Prophet, do you have time?

    Now?

    -Yes. I have something to give you.

    Something?

    -Ive been collecting items for you, Prophet.

    Items? Ah, did you extort them from criminals before killing them?

    -Of course. It would be a waste to just kill them without taking the items.

    It turns out Ma Kyung-rok was doing the same thing as Ryu Min.

    -Ive collected a lot of useful items, so you cane and choose.

    Ah, thank you. You could have kept them all for yourself, but to save some for me

    -We keep receiving invaluable information from you. Its only natural to have some give and take.

    Ma Kyung-rok spoke kindly, but Ryu Min knew there was another meaning behind it.

    He wants to keep me tied to him materially to continue receiving information about the next rounds.

    Its almost like a bribe.

    Anyway, it worked out.

    He had been in need of materials to make unique items.

    Considering how many Ma Kyung-rok had killed, there should be enough materials.

    Where is it? Ille right now.

    Ma Kyung-rok waited in a hotel room, sipping whiskey with the night view as hispanion.

    He nced at the floor, covered with items extorted over the fortnight.

    The Prophet would be surprised, wouldnt he? Or maybe he already knows through prophecy.

    He wasnt too surprised during the call, so its likely he already knew.

    Does he also know I n to give him all the items?

    Though he said toe and choose, he nned to give everything if the prophet wanted.

    That way, he could continue extracting information in the next rounds and beyond.

    Its like a debt.

    Ma Kyung-rok smirked, unaware that he was actually the one being yed by Ryu Min.

    Knock-knock-

    Who is it?

    Its me, Mr. President.

    Hearing Ryu Mins voice, Ma Kyung-rok hurriedly weed him.

    Wee, Prophet.

    Calling me to a hotel room at night, people might misunderstand.

    Ha-ha, what a joke. Please, this way.

    While Ma Kyung-rokughed, his lips twitched slightly.

    Hes grown a lot, hasnt he?

    Though he outwardly praised, Ma Kyung-rok somewhat still underestimated Ryu Min.

    If it werent for the prophecies, he would be a nobody, hisbat ability seemed negligible.

    Even he himself admitted he couldnt win against Me in a fight.

    How does the Prophet fight, anyway? Just barely surviving based on future information?

    He hadnt considered this before.

    Prophet, a sudden question How do you fight?

    Me?

    Ryu Min, who had been reading his mind, responded cheerfully without a hint of panic.

    Its a secret.

    A secret?

    I need to have at least one secret. If I spill everything, how will I make a living?

    Ah, you make a good point. Ha-ha.

    Ma Kyung-rok hadnt expected him not to answer.

    Even if hisbat ability is as such, I shouldnt underestimate his cunning nature.

    Though he mentally guarded himself, he was almost open-hearted.

    Letting him into his personal space was proof enough.

    Is this from the criminals you extorted?

    Yes. Quite a lot, right?

    Though Ma Kyung-rok smiled, he was unaware.

    Ryu Min had also extorted quite a collection.

    Choose anything you need from here. You can have it all, regardless of the number.

    Ha-ha, then

    Ryu Min confidently selected items, primarily unique material items.

    Hm? What do you n to use these for?

    Mr. Ma, havent I mentioned before? Seeing prophecies, Ie across various information.

    Yes, but what does that have to

    Instead of answering, Ryu Min demonstrated.

    Ryu Min opened the crafting window and ced the unique materials on it.

    Pressing thebine button with expert-level armor as the main ingredient,

    With a sh,

    The materials disappeared along with the light, and a splendid item was born.

    Ma Kyung-roks eyes widened in astonishment.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 130: Sharing (2)

    Chapter 130: Sharing (2)

    The materials disappeared along with the light, and a splendid item was born.

    Ma Kyung-roks eyes widened in astonishment.

    This, what is this?

    Its a gift.

    Upon receiving the armor and checking its options, Ma Kyung-rok was shocked.

    Expert to unique grade?

    The best equipment Ma Kyung-rok currently had was merely a regr epic grade bought from the store.

    Options that were a level above what he had were now right before his eyes.

    Ma Kyung-roks pupils darted around.

    How did you make this?

    I told you earlier. I inadvertentlye across various pieces of information.

    Did you see a unique crafting method in the future?

    Nodding his head, a sigh escaped from Ma Kyung-roks lips.

    I didnt expect this, to even know the crafting method

    The value of a prophet had risen a notch higher.

    It was also clear that he had to maintain a close rtionship with Ryu Min by any means necessary.

    Um Prophet. Are you really giving this to me?

    Yes. Since Mr. Ma thought of me and gave me an item, I should at least repay the favor. Also, I made this so you can quickly reach level 40 and wear it. And while I was at it, I also made one for your fiance.

    For Christine too?

    Please deliver it to her yourself.

    Oh, thank you. Really.

    Ma Kyung-rok couldnt take his eyes off the unique armor.

    He really liked it.

    Can I take the rest of the materials? I have a use for them.

    Of course. You can have all of them. If theres anything you dont need, just leave it. Ill sell it in the market and send you the money.

    You dont have to go that far but thank you.

    Ryu Min smiled, and Ma Kyung-rok smiled back.

    Would you like a ss of whiskey?

    No, thank you. I dont drink alcohol. Ill be heading home.

    Oh, is that so?

    Ma Kyung-rok looked regretfully.

    Should I ask Manager An to escort you if you didnt bring a car?

    Thats kind of you, but I brought my car.

    Ah, okay.

    Then, Ill see you next time.

    After Ryu Min left, Ma Kyung-rok smacked his lips.

    He thought he found a drinking buddy, leaving him alone felt a bit disappointed.

    * * *

    Ryu Min, having crafted unique items with the materials received from Ma Kyung-rok, went to find Min Juri.

    Take this.

    Huh? Whats this?

    I made it for you to wear.

    After taking one look at Ryu Min, Min Juri checked the items information and her pupils dted.

    This, this is unique?

    Ryu Min exined as he did to Ma Kyung-rok.

    Mentioning a prophecy seems to make everything okay.

    The information from round 9 and such a good item

    Min Juri seemed moved, but then she shook her head suddenly.

    I cant ept it. You should use it.

    I dont need this item. Ive already made mine.

    But I cant ept it. I owe you too much, and you help me every round, how could I possibly take this without feeling ashamed?

    Ive received a lot of help from you too.

    Min Juris buffs had greatly assisted Ryu Min in breaking records.

    She had already made up for it.

    But he couldnt reveal that fact to Min Juri.

    How could he say now that he was the ck Scythe?

    Still, take it.

    No, I cant.

    Seeing her firm stance, Ryu Min had no choice but to use a strong argument.

    Then lets do this. Consider it a debt. You can pay it back when youve grown more. That works, right?

    Its not a gift, but a loan.

    With that argument, Min Juri had no choice but to waver.

    You can pay it backter. To me, its an item with no immediate use.

    Sigh If you insist that much, alright. Ill borrow it gratefully. But, just so you know, I will repay this debt several times over in the future.

    Good. Pay me back big timeter.

    Ryu Min held it out, and Min Juri, with no choice, epted it.

    * * *

    After distributing unique items to hispanions, Ryu Min returned home.

    Hyung, if you havent eaten dinner yet, wanna eat together?

    Eat first. Ill eatter.

    Huh?

    Ryu Won tilted his head as he watched his brother skip dinner and enter his room.

    Whats going on?

    Ryu Min entered his room and flopped down on the bed.

    Now was not the time to leisurely eat.

    Rather, it was time to decide on the next steps.

    The overhaul of yer Haven will be finished this month. Transforming from a criminal force into a normal yer group.

    However, the problem was societys perception.

    The current view of yers by the citizens is like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

    If this perception isnt changed, it will be an obstacle to correcting the declining society.

    That cant happen. My goal is to make ck Scythe a powerful entity at the level of a head of state.

    In reality, the name value of the ck Scythe in the living world is not as big as in the otherworld.

    Although it is well-known among yers for always being at the top of the rankings, to ordinary people, its virtually unknown.

    The name ck Scythe must have influence in the real world as well. Only then can I unify and control the yers with just a word.

    Controlling the rebel yers can make the world less ruined.

    To achieve this, its necessary to wield substantial power both in the other world and in reality.

    The status of ck Scythe must be elevated to that of the president.

    Whats needed is Congressman Lee Seong-hyuns act.

    An act for forming a major yer organization to summarily execute criminal yers.

    Although the legition has already passed, it will take time to implement.

    We need to shorten that time.

    Ryu Min got up from the bed.

    He immediately picked up his phone and made a call.

    Hey, Yumti. I have an order for you.

    How to shorten that time?

    Theres someone you need to seduce for me. And its a big fish.

    If a person of high power could be controlled, like the police chief, that would do.

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 Chapter 131: Police Chief (1)

    Chapter 131: Police Chief (1)

    After giving orders to Yamti to track the Police Chiefs movements, the call was ended.

    To expedite the legition, cooperation from the Chief is necessary.

    But its not like hell easily agree just because I say so.

    Then, the solution is to control him.

    A simple matter.

    The only remaining issue is a matter of conscience.

    It involves exploiting innocent civilians, but its unavoidable if I want to establish the counter-yer unit as quickly as possible.

    Somewhere, even now, a crazed yer ismitting crimes.

    Establishing the unit quickly can alleviate the civilians anxiety.

    At the same time, it would also build up his reputation among civilians.

    What Ryu Min wants from the Police Chief is just that.

    After controlling him, he would only issue these orders and not interfere afterward with his life.

    He could continue living as usual.

    Just like the chairman of yer Haven.

    Dominating doesnt make one a puppet without any decision-making power.

    Only themanded tasks are to be faithfully executed.

    Yamtis second slot will be now upied by the Police Chief.

    The first is Song Jae-gyeom, the eldest son of the LC Group.

    Since he is the chairman of yer Haven, he cannot be eliminated.

    With the Police Chief being second, only three slots remain.

    One of the slots will be needed in Nigeria after establishing the unit, and he also needs to save another for emergencies

    Only one slot will remain.

    There were fewer slots than expected.

    Its better to save the slots, just in case.

    Ma Kyung-rok, An Sang-cheol, Heo Taeseok, Russell, Jo Yong-ho, etc.

    The reason he hasnt dominated the people around him is this.

    There arent enough slots to amodate them, and theres no actual need to dominate them.

    They are practically his people already.

    Theres also something that I need to ask Congressman Lee Sung-hyun to do, but theres no need to dominate him. Ive already made a good first impression.

    Whats stronger and better than saving someones life?

    After organizing his thoughts, Ryu Min grabbed his coat.

    Since it came up, he decided to visit Congressman Lee Sung-hyun.

    His cooperation is needed for the establishment of the unit.

    Ryu Min stepped outside again.

    * * *

    Congressman Lee Sung-hyun, who workedte at the National Assembly, got into his car.

    Where shall I take you, Congressman?

    Home, please.

    The bodyguard nodded and started the car.

    Usually, after experiencing something as traumatic as kidnapping, one would develop trauma.

    Despite that, Lee Sung-hyun employed bodyguards just like before.

    Of course, it was a differentpany, but the fact that it was a yer bodyguard remained the same.

    His acquaintances worriedly said,

    You were betrayed by a bodyguard, and you hired another?

    Arent you scared to employ a yer?

    But every time, Lee Sung-hyun exined,

    Not all yers are bad. Its just the ones causing trouble now who are to me.

    Those who know Lee Sung-hyun well would react with surprise.

    Is this really the Congressman Lee Sung-hyun I know?

    Of course, it is.

    Ive changed a bit since the kidnapping.

    Not just a bit.

    His perception had changed significantly from initially dering all yers as trash.

    After all, the one who saved him was the very yer he despised.

    ck Scythe, was it?

    He provided enlightenment.

    He helped Lee Sung-hyun break free from prejudice and face reality.

    Not all yers are the same. There are just yers like ck Scythe who are righteous.

    Holding a weapon doesnt make one a potential criminal.

    It depends on how one wields it, dividing good from evil.

    Ive been too narrow-minded.

    Anger over losing his son blinded him to view yers through a convenient lens.

    Its time for a change. I need to face reality and correct the world.

    The first step towards that goal is the counter-yerw.

    Fortunately, thew was passed, and a unit to suppress yers is nned to be established.

    Though it will take some time.

    Ive done what I can. Time will solve the problem.

    Lee Sung-hyun thought of ck Scythe.

    He had fulfilled his request to proceed with thew.

    Could this lighten the burden on his conscience?

    Lee Sung-hyun shook his head.

    What could possibly repay the debt of saving his life?

    He would be eternally grateful even if he thanked him for a lifetime.

    I regret not being able to properly repay him before parting.

    With a feeling of regret, Lee Sung-hyun also looked up the name ck Scythe.

    Unknown to the general public but extremely famous among yers.

    He has been maintaining the top rank without losing it and is the only one to reach level 80, a true master

    He also achieved first ce in this 8th round.

    That means hes still alive.

    If only I could meet him once more

    When asked by police and reporters about ck Scythes appearance, Lee Sung-hyun falsely testified that he only heard his voice.

    Even though he knew his appearance, he didnt disclose it.

    It seemed like the right thing to do for ck Scythe.

    Weve arrived, Congressman.

    Lee Sung-hyun got out of the car and took the elevator with the bodyguard.

    Even until then, Lee Sung-hyun had no particr thoughts but was shocked upon reaching the front door of his home.

    That person is!

    A tall man with tanned skin.

    ck Scythe was waiting at the front entrance of his home.

    Surprised by Lee Sung-hyuns reaction, the bodyguards eyes filled with wariness.

    Do you know this person?

    Ah, yes. Hes an acquaintance of mine. Dont worry and head home.

    Are you sure?

    Yes. Im sure.

    After reassuring the bodyguard to leave, the tanned man spoke.

    Im sorry, Congressman. Did I startle you bying suddenly?

    Ah, no, not much, just a little.

    Although it seemed like he was quite startled, Ryu Min didnt argue.

    May I speak with you quietly inside?

    Sure. Lets go in.

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 Chapter 131: Police Chief (2)

    Chapter 131: Police Chief (2)

    Lee Sung-hyun opened the door with his card key and let Ryu Min into the house.

    A house befitting a congressman seemed utterly ordinary, just like any other home, but Ryu Min knew.

    It was a home filled with precious memories of a man who had lost his family.

    Please, have a seat.

    As Ryu Min sat on the sofa, Lee Sung-hyun took a seat opposite him.

    I never expected to see my savior again. You left as if we would never meet again.

    I have a favor to ask of you, Congressman.

    A favor?

    Surprised, Lee Sung-hyun smiled and said,

    Ah, this might be an opportunity to repay my savior. Tell me, what is it?

    Ill get straight to the point. The police are nning to establish a counter-yer unit, right?

    Yes.

    Rmend me as themander of that unit.

    What?

    Lee Sung-hyun was taken aback.

    Rmend me as themander?

    He thought the request would be something simple like asking for money, but this was unexpected.

    That made him curious.

    Why? Why do you want to be themander? Is it for power?

    A direct, unfiltered question from Lee Sung-hyun.

    A sort of test.

    If he has ulterior motives, hell show signs of nervousness here.

    However, the man known as ck Scythe didnt even flinch.

    That meant he had apletely different, solid reason.

    So hes driven by belief, not personal greed?

    While he pondered this, Ryu Min spoke.

    Power, huh? Thats not bad either.

    Huh?

    Lee Sung-hyun was taken aback by the unexpected answer, but Ryu Min hadnt finished speaking yet.

    But more than that, its my personal desire that makes me want the position.

    Personal desire?

    Ryu Min paused, building the atmosphere.

    Perhaps for the same reason you proposed thew, Congressman Lee?

    I too despise criminal yers. I wont say why. It would only make the mood gloomy.

    Looking down as if harboring a sad story, Lee Sung-hyun realized.

    The reason ck Scythe had readily saved him.

    Whatever it is, he hates criminal yers just like me. Thats why he didnt ept anypensation. He was satisfied with just dealing with the criminals!

    Now he somewhat understood ck Scythes actions.

    Can you consider it?

    Hmm I can rmend you but dont get your hopes up. The authority to select the unit members lies with the Police Chief, so

    You mean I could be rejected?

    Thats right. Still, Ill do my best to advocate for you. You saved me, and youre a famous figure among yers, so youre more than qualified to be themander. But theres no guarantee. If the Police Chief, insists on forming the unit with only police officers, ignoring the yers skill, I cant do much

    Thats enough for me. If you officially rmended me, and the Police Chief epts the rmendation and appoints me as themander, that would be enough for me.

    But, what if the Police Chief rejects you?

    Then, it cant be helped. But please, make sure to rmend me.

    Alright, Ill do what I can.

    Ryu Min seemed to have finished his business and stood up.

    Leaving already? At least have a cup of tea

    No. Its not right to stay long in someone elses home. Ill see you again. Ah.

    As Ryu Min turned to leave, he seemed to remember something and turned back.

    Just one thing, please.

    Whats that?

    Is the Police Chief a man or a woman?

    * * *

    Among the highest ranks in the police force is the National Police Agency Commissioner.

    There are only two in South Korea: the Police Chief and the Coast Guard Chief.

    One of them, Police Chief Lee Cheong-ryong, threw documents on his desk with a sigh.

    Sigh, damn Congressmen. Drafting such pointlessws to annoy other people. Tch.

    What he threw was thew proposed by Lee Sung-hyun for the establishment of a counter-yer unit.

    Thisw, which involves drafting police yers under the age of 29, had already received approval from the President and, himself, the Police Chief.

    But that was just to appease public opinion.

    Lee Cheong-ryongs true feelings were filled with negative opinions.

    Aw for immediate execution in 21st-century South Korea? Does that make any sense?

    Thew allows for the immediate execution of criminal yers in emergency situations involving civilians lives, effectively exempting them from punishment for killing.

    In a country where the death penalty has been abolished, such aw is absurd.

    Who in their right mind would propose such aw? Ignoring judicial procedures and killing people is murder, right? Tch!

    Thats not the only absurd part.

    Gathering police yers under 29 to form a counter-yer unit? Most under 29 are junior officers. How do they n to catch yer criminals that even veteran detectives struggle with, with these greenhorns?

    Its likely to be aughingstock among the senior detective ranks.

    Comints about juniors getting promoted might arise.

    This is a total disaster. Aplete waste of time.

    And who would they pick as themander of such a unit?

    Theyre all rookies with no experience in catching a single criminal.

    Sigh.

    As he sighed,

    Choose me.

    The voice out of thin air startled Lee Cheong-ryong.

    Ah, f*ck! What the?!

    Turning his head, where there was just a wall, a person appeared.

    A tanned man was looking at him.

    A yer!

    Such impossible abilities belong only to yers.

    Lee Cheong-ryong reached for his security gun but was thwarted when the man swiftly approached and disarmed him.

    Come on, dont overreact. Its not a death sentence to sneak into the Police Chiefs office, right?

    You, what kind of monster How dare youe here?!

    Monster? Thats harsh for aw-abiding citizen.

    What are you? What do you want?!

    Shouting for help wont do you any good. Ive already taken care of everything outside.

    What?

    Click-

    The door to the Police Chiefs office opened, and a woman entered.

    Yamti. Is everything taken care of?

    Yes. Everything that happened here has been dealt with as if it never happened.

    What are you nning to do? Dont tell me

    Ah, Chief. Youre thinking of torture, but do you really think wed do something so inhumane?

    Then what?

    Just a few orders that need to be carried out. Yamti.

    As Yamti stepped forward, the Police Chiefs pupils swirled with pink.

    Looking into her eyes was the end of it.

    Falling under her charm was instantaneous.

    Yamti, convey my words exactly to the Police Chief.

    Understood, Master.

    Make sure the counter-yer unit is established and operational as soon as possible. And

    Ryu Min grinned.

    Appoint ck Scythe as themander of the counter-yer unit.

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 Chapter 132: The 9th Round Representative Selection Vote (1)

    Chapter 132: The 9th Round Representative Selection Vote (1)

    Time flew by, and it was midnight on September 1st.

    The yers no longer panicked.

    Even when the environment changed in the blink of an eye to a colorless space.

    Even when hundreds of people appeared out of thin air.

    Even when a mad angel shed with light from the sky.

    The yers, who had endured for eight long months, simply looked up at the angel with calm faces.

    Wee, humans! Seeing you like this every time, I feel like were getting attached. Dont you feel the same?

    .

    When the yers remained silent, the beautiful brows of Angel Ariel contorted without mercy.

    Whats with this cold reception? Do you think you can look down on an angel just because youve leveled up a bit? Arent you d to see me?

    Ha ha Y-Yes, were d.

    Right. Were d, really d.

    Forced smiles appeared on the yers faces.

    F*ck you, you abusive b*tch

    Anyone not a fool could tell it was merely polite lip service, but the angel seemed satisfied with that alone and smiled broadly.

    Kehehehe, good. Im also d to meet you, humans. But sadly, this round will be thest time youll see me. This round will involve a merge of regions!

    A merge of regions?

    Again?

    It feels like we do this quite oftentely.

    The remaining yers numbered just around 900.

    It was indeed time for a region merge.

    This will be thest region merge in Korea. From round 11, it will be merged with other countries.

    As if to confirm Ryu Mins words, the angel exined.

    Dontin about doing it often. This is thest region merge to be held within the country of Korea.

    Thest one?

    Due to the low number of people, we have to merge all 7 remaining regions in Korea.

    Merging all the remaining regions?

    So there will only be one region?

    Thats right. Everyone will be unified into a single region. Its an opportunity for all the scattered Korean yers to meet in one ce!

    The angel spoke as if reuniting a dispersed family.

    Then, well proceed with the merge immediately.

    The ground rumbled as the background shattered and merged.

    The scattered Korean yers gathered together.

    Their number was roughly 6,000.

    Looking at the new faces, the yers thought.

    Are all of us here the only remaining yers in Korea?

    Does that mean we have topete with each other again?

    What happens if the number decreases further?

    I guess surviving here would increase a yers value even more.

    Their thoughts toward each other varied.

    Some showed apetitive spirit, while othersmented the reduction ofrades.

    Finally, all Korean yers have gathered in one ce! The exact number is 6,008. The merged regions new code is C3-ESKA001.

    6,000 people?

    Thats all thats left of the yers in our country?

    The yer count that started at 9 million had dropped to just 6,000 in a mere eight months.

    And it was expected to decrease even further.

    Now that the district has been merged, well have to hold a selection for the region representatives as usual. We, the angels, will discuss this ande back, so in the meantime, greet each other or gather with friends to unwind!

    After the angel disappeared, the 6,000 yers, as if they had been waiting, began to voice theirints.

    In a situation where we have topete, are we supposed to just greet each other?

    What? Gather with friends to unwind?

    Do they think this is some kind of meeting za? Seriously.

    Even though the district was merged, there were no familiar faces to be seen.

    Friends or acquaintances had mostly been eliminated in the early rounds and turned to dust.

    However, not everyone was like that.

    Ry No, Lord ck Scythe!

    The first person to approach Ryu Min was Yamti.

    Having been tipped off about the district merger, Ryu Min had instructed Yamti toe to him immediately after the merger.

    I knew Id meet Yamti someday, so I couldnt pretend not to know her. Besides, Yamti is needed for the quests ahead.

    To make use of Yamti, it was necessary to appear acquainted with her from early on.

    Lord ck Scythe. Im d to meet you like this. Were acquainted, right?

    Enough. Theres no need for pretense when were alone.

    Oh, is that so? Hehe, Im really, really d to see you in this world, Master!

    Shh. Keep your voice down when speaking. Just in case, check for assassins using invisibility within a 30m radius.

    Oh, Im sorry.

    After saying that, Yamti immediately surveyed the surroundings and then whispered to Ryu Min.

    How was my acting at first? Good enough, right?

    Hmm. You seemed a bit over the top. It would be better to tone down the emotions a bit.

    Hehe, thank you for the advice, Master.

    Anyway, dont get too close. What if someone sees you?

    Ah, yes I understand.

    Yamti, feeling inwardly disappointed, backed away after whispering in his ear.

    At that moment, someone entered within a 30m radius.

    Sensing the presence of two people at once, they both turned their heads.

    Uh ck Scythe-nim?

    It was Min Juri.

    She had naturallye looking for ck Scythe as always but was surprised.

    Suddenly, she saw him being cozy with a woman she hadnt seen before.

    Who are you?

    Hello, Im Yamti.

    I didnt ask for your nickname, but whats your rtionship with ck Scythe-nim?

    Yamtis expression momentarily turned sullen at the prickly tone.

    Then, as if struck by an idea, she deliberately snorted and lifted one corner of her mouth.

    Hmm, well? Do I have an obligation to answer that?

    What did you say?

    And you, who came herete, whats your rtionship with Lord ck Scythe?

    You? I am ck Scythes.

    Min Juri began to speak but nced at ck Scythe for his reaction.

    Comrade? She wanted to say, but was ck Scythe of the same mind?

    They had met out of necessity, and the wordrade had never been uttered.

    rade

    What? I cant hear you.

    I, I am

    Stop it. Both of you.

    Ryu Min, finding it hard to watch the womens quarrel, intervened.

    And as previously agreed, he exined.

    Yamti here is a personal acquaintance of mine from the real world. And just to be clear, shes not my girlfriend, so dont get any weird ideas. And Min Juri is

    Ryu Min looked straight at Min Juri.

    Myrade. Weve partied together several times.

    Ah.

    Was it because she finally heard the wordrade she had longed to hear?

    Or was it because he drew a line saying that the woman wasnt his girlfriend?

    Min Juris lips formed a long curve.

    A feeling as if her heart had been cleared.

    An irresistible smile spread across her face.

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 Chapter 132: The 9th Round Representative Selection Vote (2)

    Chapter 132: The 9th Round Representative Selection Vote (2)

    Min Juris lips formed a long curve.

    A feeling as if her heart had been cleared.

    An irresistible smile spread across her face.

    So you were an acquaintance of Lord ck Scythe from the real world. Im sorry for being sensitive. I was on guard because you were a stranger.

    Min Juri apologized with a smile as if she had let go of the emotions from moments ago.

    With her stepping forward like this, Yamti had no choice but to apologize as well.

    Im sorry, too. I responded sharply, didnt I?

    Ryu Min was the one who answered her.

    Sharp doesnt begin to cover it. It was downright rude for a first encounter.

    He said this while secretly ring at Yamti.

    Dont unnecessarily pick fights with my acquaintances that if you dont want to be taught a lesson.

    Yamti, reading the intent in his eyes, lowered her gaze like a scolded puppy.

    At that moment, a group of familiar faces approached from afar.

    Seo Arin, An Sangcheol, and Ma Kyung-rok were among them.

    Hello, Lord ck Scythe.

    Hello!

    Excluding Ma Kyung-rok, the expressions of the two were brighter than usual.

    Seo Arin was pleased to meet ck Scythe again, whom she had seen in reality, and An Sangcheol was in a good mood having finally joined Ma Kyung-rok.

    And who is this?

    Ryu Min pretended not to know and turned his gaze to Ma Kyung-rok, prompting Ahn Sangcheol to introduce him as if he had been nning to.

    Let me introduce you, Lord ck Scythe. This person is the representative of ourpany, Ma Heavenly Demon.

    Maheaven Demon?

    No, no, its Heavenly Demon, Heavenly Demon.

    Ma Kyung-rok stepped forward and extended his hand.

    Its a pleasure to meet you, ck Scythe-nim.

    Ryu Min shook hands, feigning ignorance.

    Heavenly Demon I never thought Id meet a named rank 2 or 3 yer like this.

    Ha ha, named? Im not even in the top 3 anymore.

    Ma Kyung-rok was friendly despite it being their first meeting.

    He owed ck Scythe for past debts.

    Ive heard a lot from An Manager. You helped them from thugs during the 2nd round. And in the 6th round, you partied with them and helped them level up.

    Well, yes.

    As a representative, Im very grateful. Thank you for helping my employees.

    Thanks are unnecessary.

    Ryu Min maintained a casual tone.

    Fortunately, Ma Kyung-rok didnt seem to take offense.

    What could a level 38 do if a level 80 wanted to speak informally?

    Then Seo Arin cautiously joined the conversation.

    By the way, Lord ck Scythe. Who is sh?

    She was pointing at Yamti.

    When pointed out, Yamti raised her head with a sly look.

    Nice to meet you. Are you Lord ck Scythesrade? Im Yamti, a real-life acquaintance of Lord ck Scythe.

    Real-life acquaintance?

    Seo Arins pupils wavered.

    Wasnt she the only one who knew ck Scythe in real life?

    Well, a skilled yer like Lord ck Scythe would have many people around him.

    Even now, quite a few people were gathered, werent they?

    Wait, does that mean this Yamti person knows Lord ck Scythes real face?

    She had only seen him with a white mask, never his actual face.

    Seo Arin looked at Yamti with jealous eyes.

    She, too, wished to be called a real-life acquaintance of ck Scythe.

    [Have you had a good time chatting? Korean yers?]

    At that moment, Ariel returned after the angels had finished their discussion.

    Currently, with the merger of 7 regions, we have 7 region representatives. As I mentioned earlier, we need to select one person to be the representative. The one selected will effectively be the representative of all Korean yers.

    Ma Kyung-rok listened attentively to the angels words.

    Not surprisingly, he was one of the representatives.

    He was in a position topete with ck Scythe.

    So, how will the selection be conducted? We considered the basic method of a death match, but

    At the mention of a death match, Ma Kyung-rok flinched and looked at Ryu Min.

    Im not confident in a death match

    If he had to fight against a level 80, the oue was obvious.

    After discussing, weve decided to conduct this representative selection fairly through voting.

    Voting?

    Like the voting in round 2, you can nominate your desired representative yer from among the 7 candidates.

    Upon hearing it would be a vote, hope appeared on Ma Kyung-roks face.

    Perhaps this could be an opportunity for me?

    He was not confident in a death match, but voting gave him a sliver of possibility.

    Then, shall we proceed with the voting? Those who do not choose will be annihted on the spot, so please make to choose quickly.

    As soon as the angel fluttered its wings, a message appeared in front of the people.

    Please vote for one person to be the representative of the merged region.

    1. ck Scythe (Lv80 Reaper)

    2. Cheonma (Lv38 Dark Knight)

    7. Dumb Fools (Lv38 Shaman)

    Time remaining for voting: 00:00:59

    yers hesitated before touching their fingers to the screen.

    Since the choice appeared only to their eyes, there was no need to worry about being seen.

    [Note that the representatives are candidates and do not have the right to vote. Leave it to fate.]

    As the angel said, Ma Kyung-rok swallowed nervously, hoping for a good oue.

    Maybe I can be the representative, surpassing ck Scythe.

    He looked at ck Scythe with anticipation.

    He might not show it, but he must be nervous.

    This could be a moment where he might lose the position of region representative.

    After a minute passed, the angel announced the results.

    [Lets check the results, shall we?]

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 Chapter 133: Round 9 Begins (1)

    Chapter 133: Round 9 Begins (1)

    1st. ck Scythe (4,088 votes)

    2nd. Heavenly Demon (1,057 votes)

    3rd. Dumb Fools (529 votes)

    7th. Bird Chest (65 votes)

    Ma Kyung-rok was disappointed with the oue.

    Ah, I was a fool to have hoped.

    Contrary to his expectations, ck Scythe came in first with an overwhelming number of votes.

    He had thought there might be a chance for himself, but it turned out to be a vain hope.

    After all, in terms of recognition, I cannot match ck Scythe.

    Although he had ranked 2nd and 3rd in previous areas, thus considering himself among the named ranks, the gap to the 1st ce was bigger than he had anticipated.

    The current voting results were proof of that.

    The recognition and poprity of ck Scythe among the yers were almost quantifiable.

    Ma Kyung-rok looked enviously at ck Scythe.

    Despite bing the sole representative of South Korea, ck Scythe showed no particr change in expression, as if he had known this would happen.

    Hey, could it be?! No, no hes not a prophet. But why is he so calm?

    Perhaps he was just feigning indifference to hide his flustered feelings.

    Or maybe he really had predicted it.

    Considering ck Scythes reputation, anyone could have predicted the oue.

    But Ryu Min wasnt guessing; he truly knew the future, hence his calm demeanor.

    From the 21st to the 99th rounds, winning the vote 79 times, anyone would react the same way.

    As expected, Im first. The number of votes is a bit different, but.

    The votes had increased from the previous round.

    Perhaps because he had formed connections withrades like Ju Yong-ho, Min Juri, and Seo Arin?

    Without having to read their minds, he could guess that they had voted for him.

    [yer ck Scythe has be the new area representative of C3-ESKA001.]

    While viewing the message with an indifferent look, Ariel shouted.

    [ording to the vote results, ck Scythe has be Koreas area representative! Congrattions, ck Scythe! By the way, the former representativess authority skills have been revoked. Now ck Scythe is the sole ruling yer of Korea!]

    The angel continued.

    [Now that the representative has been decided, shall we check the 9th round quest?]

    A message window appeared in everyones eyes without fail.

    ROUND 9

    Join a mercenary group and exterminate monsters

    [All areas]

    Participants: 1,295,362

    Achievers: 0/647,681

    [Specific area C3-ESKA001]

    Participants: 6,008

    Achievers: 0/3,004

    Exterminate monsters?

    Whats a mercenary group?

    The yers murmured upon seeing the quest.

    However, the people around ck Scythe were calm.

    They already knew because of Ryu Mins prophecy.

    [In a moment, you will be transported to a fantasy world to carry out an extermination mission as mercenaries. Dont panic. As you can see, its a simple quest where you just have to exterminate monsters. You can choose the monsters to exterminate, so dont worry.]

    No yer was flustered by the mention of being dropped into a fantasy world.

    They had already experienced the existence of NPCs while escorting the guilds in the 8th round.

    Most expected this time to be simr.

    [Any questions?]

    Yes! Is it true thatpleting just one extermination means passing the quest?

    [Of course. Its a very simple quest.]

    The more she highlighted its simplicity, the more anxious the yers became.

    It had never been truly simple when said to be so.

    [Any other questions?]

    Is the extermination a party quest?

    [Youll act together, but its not a party. Each person must find and kill monsters on their own to im their share. So you better work hard for the experience points.]

    Main Quest is written here, so are there sub-quests too?

    [Thats a secret.]

    Of course, there are. What kind of question is that

    Everyone scolded the questioner with the same thought.

    If a Main Quest is listed, there are always Sub-Quests.

    Its a rule everyone knows from experience.

    Angel! How are the rankings determined?

    Before the angel could answer, a few shook their heads in disbelief.

    As if that damned angel would tell.

    The yers suspicions were confirmed.

    [Im not quite sure myself? The details will be revealed around the time the results are announced.]

    Almost no one believed the angels words.

    Thats how much the yers distrusted the existence of angels.

    But Ryu Min knew.

    The angel was telling the truth at the moment.

    Angels dont know everything about the quest. They only have limited information for each round.

    Whether its to prevent information leakage to humans or not, angels have limited knowledge about the rounds.

    This was confirmed through information obtained from torturing angels in previous regressions.

    Moreover, the reason Ryu Min was certain is different.

    The final reward obtainable through this rounds Sub-Quest. Just looking at the content, its clear the angels dont know about the quest.

    The final reward hidden in this round was detrimental to the angels.

    If the angels knew about the reward, it would cause an uproar.

    Thats also why Ryu Min didnt prophesize about the Sub-Quest.

    The reward, which only one person can im, must be his alone.

    [Lets stop the questions here and start the quest, shall we?]

    As soon as Ariel finished speaking, a selection window appeared before the yers.

    [Please touch the monster you wish to exterminate.]

    1. Lizardman

    2. Werewolf

    3. Skeleton

    4. Troll

    5. Minotaur

    [If you do not choose, you will be automatically assigned randomly.]

    [Remaining time: 00:00:59]

    Just like the previous selection, they would be transported immediately upon choosing.

    Hmm, which one should I choose?

    This is obviously going to be 1, it looks the easiest

    The difficulty was apparent just from the names of the monsters.

    As everyone expects, 1 is the easiest, and 5 is the hardest.

    Ryu Min knew what the best choice was, but the other yers were at a crossroads.

    When a seemingly obvious question is posed, they wonder if its a trap.

    Considering the difficulty, Lizardman seems the best choice

    Wouldnt everyone flock to Lizardman then?

    Should we go for a stronger monster for better rewards?

    Or is 1 actually the hardest and 5 the easiest?

    Ah, what to choose?

    With just one minute to decide, there wasnt enough time for such deliberations.

    Most had made their selections and disappeared, but about a quarter hesitated, spending their time in indecision.

    A few seemed intent on leaving it to randomness, closing their eyes and waiting for time to pass.

    It might seem like a trap, but its not. The difficulty is as it appears in order. Simply put, just exterminate the monster of your choice ording to your abilities.

    Ryu Min had already informed his acquaintances of this fact through prophecy.

    Thus, Ma Kyung-rok and Ryu Mins acquaintances had no dilemmas.

    They had already thought it through in the real world.

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 Chapter 133: Round 9 Begins (2)

    Chapter 133: Round 9 Begins (2)

    Ryu Min had already informed his acquaintances of this fact through prophecy.

    Thus, Ma Kyung-rok and Ryu Mins acquaintances had no dilemmas.

    They had already thought it through in the real world.

    Im going for number 2, ck Scythe-nim!

    Ill also go with 2. Thanks for the buff, Democracy!

    Seo Arin and An Sang-cheol disappeared first.

    Before moving, they didnt forget to receive Min Juris buff.

    They had learned from Ryu Mins prophecy that the buff would remain even after moving.

    Hearing this, Min Juri happily shared her buff with ck Scythe and others.

    It was nice meeting you, ck Scythe, Democracy. Ill be going ahead.

    After choosing, Ma Kyung-rok disappeared next.

    He didnt say what he chose, but Ryu Min knew he had selected 3.

    Ill go ahead too. Lets all meet alive.

    Once Yamti disappeared, only Ryu Min and Min Juri were left to make their choices.

    Where are you going, Mr. ck Scythe? Surely to number 5?

    Well, its a tough choice.

    Im going for 1. See youter, ck Scythe-nim!

    After Min Juri disappeared, Ryu Min was finally alone.

    The reason he had dyed his choice was different.

    He needed to change his appearance.

    My choice is

    Ryu Min cast invisibility.

    Transforming into an assassin masked as Lostyak, he became unnoticeable to others.

    Just before the remaining 5 seconds, Ryu Mins finger moved.

    As he chose a monster, his figurepletely vanished.

    * * *

    In the fantasy world, theres one rule.

    yers nicknames are not visible to each other.

    Last round, the angel said it was because there was a traitor group, but thats not the case.

    In the fantasy world, yers can only identify each other through faces or outfits because nicknames are hidden.

    Thats why Ryu Min changed his appearance to Lostyak.

    This way, I can proceed with the Sub-Quest without Min Juri knowing.

    Ryu Mins choice, like Min Juris, was number 1.

    The reason for choosing the weakest, Lizardman, was simple.

    The Sub-Quest was only avable there.

    There are no Sub-Quests in other monster exterminations. Ive verified this by choosing different options throughout the rounds.

    Transforming into Lostyak was also to undertake the Sub-Quest alone, without Min Juri following or suspecting anything.

    If he were ck Scythe, she would have insisted oning or given him suspicious looks.

    Even now, Min Juris back was visible ahead.

    Ryu Min approached her without dispelling his invisibility.

    Feeling someones presence, she nced at Ryu Min briefly but then looked away.

    She didnt recognize him as ck Scythe.

    With his face as Lostyak and no nickname visible, it was natural she couldnt recognize him.

    Ryu Min checked the quest progress window.

    [Lizardman Extermination Team Member Status]

    Participants: 602

    Fewer yers chose number 1 than expected.

    Seeing it as the easiest, many avoided it, thinking it was a trap.

    Pity. Theres no better ce to rank than here.

    The angel didnt mention how rankings were determined.

    It was based on the number of monsters killed.

    In other words, rankings depended on how many monsters one could exterminate.

    So, exterminating weaker monsters is undoubtedly advantageous.

    However, killing too weak monsters could result in experience point losses.

    So, its best to hunt monsters suitable for ones level.

    This way, one can gain a good amount of experience points and rank well.

    This was all disclosed through prophecy.

    His acquaintances chose 2 and 3 based on their levels.

    Min Juris choice of 1 was also based on herbat capabilities.

    With my current level, it would be natural to go for 5, the Minotaur, but the Sub-Quest is more important.

    The Sub-Quest reward is avable to only one person across all areas.

    Its essential for dealing with angels, so he couldnt miss it.

    Do you guys speak Korean? Since I cant see your nicknames, Im not sure if youre yers.

    Since youre speaking Korean, you must be.

    But why cant we see nicknames again?

    Is it because theyre hidden when we enter the fantasy world?

    Anyway, there are fewer people than I thought. Wasnt Lizardman supposed to be the easiest?

    Right. I thought there would be a huge crowd here.

    Maybe thats not the case?

    Im getting anxious

    While the yers chattered, an NPC-like bearded foreigner appeared.

    Have you all rested enough? Im Kalz Garcia, the leader of the Golden Eagle Mercenary Groups extermination team. Although youre renowned warriors from another world, since youre apprentices here, Ill speak informally. Understand.

    After saying this, Kalz shouted, Follow me, men! and turned around.

    The yers followed Kalz, thinking dangerous and curious thoughts like What if we kill this guy? Would the extermination fail, and we all perish?

    Some were tempted to actually try it, but no one dared.

    No one is insane enough to risk not only their life but the existence of an entire group of yers too.

    Otherwise, they wouldnt have struggled to survive until now.

    After walking for about 10 minutes, Kalz stopped at the gloomy entrance to a forest.

    Here we are, warriors from another world! This is the Magical Swamp where Lizardmen appear. You will join me in exterminating the Lizardman remnants here. Lets get going!

    Kalz led the way with enthusiasm, and the tense yers followed.

    Since it wasnt a party, Min Juri applied a buff to herself and gripped her sword tightly.

    She had never faced Lizardmen before, but she was somewhat reassured by the unique armor she received from Ryu Min.

    However, neither she, Captain Kalz, nor anyone else there knew one fact.

    That one person had left the group.

    None other than Ryu Min, Lostyak.

    [You havepleted the Sub-Quest!]

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 Chapter 134: Tower Of Trials (1)

    Chapter 134: Tower Of Trials (1)

    Before arriving at the swamp where the Lizardmen resided,

    Ryu Min had already detached from the main group early on.

    With therge number of people, it wasnt difficult to evade their eyes.

    No one will notice if its just one person missing.

    He stopped to check for any followers, just in case but found that he wasnt being tailed.

    Relieved, Ryu Min passed by the giant twin saplings and entered between the rocks.

    A suspicious-looking cave came into view.

    He entered the dark cave without hesitation and a message that suddenly appeared illuminated the darkness.

    [There is a hidden sub-quest!]

    Find the Hidden Portal

    Reward upon sess: Unyielding Resistance Potion

    [You havepleted the sub-quest!]

    As the message that the quest waspleted appeared, a flickering portal materialized in front of him.

    The corners of Ryu Mins mouth turned up in satisfaction.

    Found it. The hidden portal.

    The 9th round sub-quest was none other than finding the hidden portal.

    It was a sub-quest only avable to the lowest difficulty, the Lizardman hunting team.

    I chose the Lizardman for this reason. There are no sub-quests in the other groups.

    At first, Ryu Min didnt know the true nature of the sub-quest.

    Not until an angel told him after the 9th rounds results were tallied.

    Knowing that finding the hidden portal was the sub-quest, I scoured every nook and cranny in each regression, selecting all options.

    He found it by choosing options in reverse order, from five to one.

    Thats how he discovered this cave near the swamp of demons where the Lizardmen were.

    Here, he found the hidden portal andpleted the sub-quest.

    The reward, an Unyielding Resilience Potion, was not bad.

    [Unyielding Resistance Potion]

    -Category: Consumable

    -Grade: Legendary

    -Effect: For 4 hours, fire, ice, and wind resistance are fixed at 95%

    -Usage Restriction: Regr rank or above

    -Description: An incredible item that greatly enhances resistance against the three major elements. When consumed, one can sweat not even in the peak of summer, nor feel cold in winter even without an overcoat.

    It was indeed a legendary potion.

    Though the potion had a significant effect, why was it given as a reward?

    There was a reason for that.

    Its meant to be used in the Tower of Trials.

    Ryu Min looked at the flickering portal in front of him.

    He already knew what awaited him inside.

    Without hesitation, he stepped forward.

    Ryu Mins body was sucked into another dimension.

    [Wee to the Tower of Trials.]

    [The Tower of Trials is a tower that tests the limits of yers from the 1st to the 99th floor.]

    [The tower does not share the flow of time or dimensions with the outside world, so forget about worldly affairs and enjoy conquering the tower.]

    [Anyone can challenge it, but only one person can obtain the reward on each floor.]

    [If someone else has already obtained the reward for a floor, you will not receive a reward even if you conquer it.]

    [If you die in the tower, you will be ejected back to your original dimension and cannot challenge again.]

    [Now, then, please challenge your limits!]

    As the exnation suggested, this ce tests the limits of yers.

    Each floor is filled with various traps and tests, as well as rewards.

    Only one person can obtain the rewardsid out on each floor.

    Ryu Min had kept the existence of the sub-quest a secret for this reason.

    Because all the rewards will be mine.

    To obtain rewards up to the 99th floor, Ryu Min climbed the tower.

    As he ascended, he felt anew.

    I failed 58 times just trying to conquer the 99th floor.

    Failure meant death, but here, death only meant returning to the cave where the original portal was located.

    It was regrettable that one could not retry.

    But I had many chances to challenge. And finally, on the 59th try, I seeded in conquering the 99th floor.

    Since then, he had perfectly ascended to the 99th floor every time, securing the rewards.

    The reward was not the Rune of Stealth he had nned to obtain in the 9th round.

    The Rune of Stealth was just an incidental reward obtainable in the upperyers of the Tower of Trials.

    The reward of the 99th floor was something necessary to oppose the angels, a reward that one must have to stand against them.

    Thats why only one person can obtain it.

    There was a reason why he mentioned that the angels would be in an uproar if they knew about it.

    Ryu Min did not know why such a reward against the angels was provided.

    But whats good is good, isnt it?

    Ryu Min was going to im that reward this time, too.

    As he had always done.

    The door of the soaring tower opened with a click and a creak.

    [You have entered the 1st floor of the Tower of Trials.]

    [You will receive a reward if you ovee the prepared trial.]

    [Sess on the 1st floor: Strength +1]

    As the message indicated, there were rewards on each floor of the Tower of Trials.

    In essence, 99 rewards existed.

    For Ryu Min, it was no different from a treasure chest.

    But I cant be careless.

    The test on each floor was full of difficult traps.

    A first-time-challenging yer would have a tough time.

    Only darkness was visible in front of Ryu Min in the passage.

    Obviously, not knowing what to expect made it tense.

    But thats not applicable to me.

    Ryu Min dashed forward.

    Whoosh-whizz-

    Spikes shot out from the left wall, but he dodged them as if he had anticipated it.

    Immediately afterward, spikes thrust from the right wall, but he easily dodged those as well.

    Next were the spikes that sprung from the floor.

    He lightly jumped over them as if he had expected them.

    These life-threatening situations urred in just a few seconds.

    It might seem like a trap designed to kill, but it was easier than expected.

    If you proceed slowly, you might end up hearing the mechanisms operating and detect something amiss in advance.

    But for Ryu Min, who knew the location of every trap, there was no need to go slow.

    He simply rushed through.

    [You have cleared the 1st floor of the Tower of Trial.]

    [As a reward, your strength permanently increases by 1.]

    [You will move to the next floor in 10 seconds.]

    Ryu Min smiled as he looked at the message.

    For him, who had broken through the 99th floor, this was nothing.

    The next 2nd floor has arrow traps.

    Ryu Mins figure disappeared in an instant.

    * * *

    Whoosh-whizz-!

    nk-tter-!

    Chains and arrows simultaneously attacked Ryu Min.

    Dodging smoothly and spinning in the air, the ground suddenly opened, revealing a pit like an abyss.

    nk-

    Grabbing onto a swaying chain, Ryu Min caught the next chain and crossed over.

    Afternding on the ground past the pit, Ryu Min continued to run without a pause.

    Having conquered these trials numerous times, the locations of the traps were vivid in his mind.

    [You have cleared the 19th floor of the Tower of Trials.]

    [As a reward, your agility permanently increases by 2.]

    [You will move to the next floor in 10 seconds.]

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 Chapter 134: Tower Of Trials (2)

    Chapter 134: Tower Of Trials (2)

    During the ascent to the 19th floor, Ryu Min had permanently gained 7 strength, 7 intelligence, 7 agility, and 5 luck in stats.

    Even reaching this far was an incredible achievement.

    But a first-time climber would probably reach their limit around the 9th floor.

    The difficulty spikes with every ten floors, making it hard for ordinary yers to conquer past the 10th floor.

    Youd need at least 150 agility and be over level 50 to even consider reaching the 20th floor.

    Thus, for an ordinary yer, just reaching this point would be an extraordinary feat.

    Of course, Ryu Min was no ordinary yer.

    From the 20th to the 39th floor, monsters will appear.

    One needs to be over level 50 to ascend beyond the 20th floor, and the monsters that appear are far from easy.

    Minotaurs are the basic enemies, which says it all.

    For Ryu Min, theyre merely a source of good experience.

    Its also an opportunity to stack the Rune of ughter.

    He hasnt been able to kill any monsters yet, so his Rune of ughters stack is still at 0.

    He is eager to quickly get the buff that doubles all stats once it reaches 100.

    Grrrr.

    A monsters growl echoed through the dark passageway, but

    Ryu Min merely smiled.

    He ran forward, scythe in hand.

    ROAR!

    Thud-

    The body of an ogre, now headless, fell powerlessly to the ground.

    [You have in the ogre!]

    [Title effect: Experience increased by 1.5 times.]

    [Experience +5.7%]

    [Gold +12,000]

    [Current kill count: 200/100]

    [Effect of the Rune of ughter: All stats increased by 100%.]

    [Effect of the Demons Ring: Damage increased by 15%.]

    Having just cleared the 39th floor, Ryu Min opened his status window.

    His level had already risen to 85.

    He had umted the Rune of ughter buff and gained 2 stats from the Beads of Eternity.

    And Ive obtained the rewards from each floors conquest.

    From expert-level rare equipment to unique equipment, the variety was vast.

    [You have cleared the 39th floor of the Tower of Trials.]

    [As a reward, Ne of Ordeal is granted.]

    [You will move to the next floor in 10 seconds.]

    Ryu Min checked the reward he received.

    [Ne of Ordeal]

    -Category: Ne

    -Grade: Unique

    -Effect: Strength, Intelligence +39

    -Durability: 5,000/5,000

    -Usage Restriction: Master rank or above

    -Description: A ne that can only be obtained by conquering the Tower of Trials somewhere in the world. Obtaining this means youve cleared the 39th floor.

    This time, the reward was a Master-grade unique equipment.

    Ryu Min grinned.

    It seemed like a good piece to use in situations where he couldnt use the Beads of Eternity.

    Now its the 40th floor.

    Ryu Mins eyes filled with tension.

    If what came before was just a warm-up, now the real challenge begins.

    Upon reaching the 40th floor, Ryu Min took out the Unyielding Resistance Potion he received as a sub-quest reward.

    This potion was essential from here on out.

    Use.

    [You have used the Unyielding Resistance Potion.]

    [Fire resistance is fixed at 95%.]

    [Ice resistance is fixed at 95%.]

    [Wind resistance is fixed at 95%.]

    From now on, traps that cant be conquered without the potions help will appear.

    Traps that heat the entire passage like an oven, or gales so strong you cant walk through, or floors that test your mental limits with extreme frost, and so on.

    No matter how high your stats are, you cant withstand elemental attacks of this magnitude.

    The environment was designed to be reliant on potions from the start.

    Phew, shall we go once more?

    Ryu Min took a step forward with renewed determination.

    He must at least reach the 80th floor.

    As each floors concept of traps differs, so do the rewards.

    [As a reward, fire resistance permanently increases by 5%.]

    [As a reward, ice resistance permanently increases by 5%.]

    [As a reward, wind resistance permanently increases by 5%.]

    From the 40th to the 59th floors, the traps were rted to elements.

    Hence, rewards that permanently increased elemental resistances were given.

    By the time Ryu Min had finished the 59th floor, he checked the resistances he had umted.

    Fire resistance increased by 35%, ice resistance by 35%, wind resistance by 30%.

    There are two types of resistances.

    Normal resistance, which prevents status ailments, and elemental resistance, which protects you against elemental attacks like the above.

    A 50% resistance increase from the Rainbow Effect falls under normal resistance.

    This means the elemental resistance he obtained now is entirely different.

    Thus, Ryu Min was pleased.

    Elemental resistance isnt something you can easily increase.

    Items that increase elemental resistance are extremely rare.

    Usually, one would give up on finding them and rely on potions.

    Having it permanently increased was a tremendous privilege.

    Shall we start on the 60th floor?

    From here to the 79th floor, monsters will appear again.

    Theyre not necessarily stronger, but theye inbination with traps, so a bit of caution is needed.

    I cant run through it as I did initially.

    Ryu Min, holding his scythe, moved forward with caution.

    * * *

    There was a reason why Ryu Min set his minimum goal as the 80th floor.

    [You have cleared the 79th floor of the Tower of Trials.]

    [As a reward, The Rune of Stealth is granted.]

    [You will move to the next floor in 10 seconds.]

    The Rune of Stealth.

    Finally, the item he desired appeared.

    Ryu Min used it immediately, engraving it into his body.

    [Rune of Stealth]

    -Effect: When using invisibility, itpletely hides all traces including breathing, footsteps, and the sound of clothing.

    It is undetectable by any means of search or trace detection.

    After attacking while invisible, the cooldown of invisibility resets.

    A smile spread across Ryu Mins face.

    With the Rune of Stealth, perfect invisibility was now possible.

    But I shouldnt be satisfied with only this. The real challenge is still ahead.

    As Ryu Min reached the 80th floor, he took a moment to catch his breath before moving forward.

    Now, thebined challenges of all previous traps awaited him.

    Theres still about 2 hours left on the potion, so it should be enough to reach the 99th floor.

    It wasnt as easy as it sounded.

    Various monsters, storms, typhoons, frost, and pits of fire.

    He overcame all sorts of traps as he ascended the floors.

    [You have cleared the 83rd floor of the Tower of Ordeal.]

    [You have cleared the 87th floor of the Tower of Ordeal.]

    [You have cleared the 92nd floor of the Tower of Ordeal.]

    Phew. No matter how many times I climb, the path to the 99th floor is hard.

    Ryu Min, having reached the 98th floor, wiped the sweat from his forehead.

    The journey here was fraught with numerous obstacles.

    The previous floor, the 97th, even tested mental fortitude with hallucinations.

    Thanks to the Rune of Mental Barrier, he breezed through the hallucinations.

    The easiest floors were the 97th and 98th.

    The 98th floor had simr traps, so he simply walked through to pass.

    However, thest 99th floor was not so easily conquered.

    [You have cleared the 98th floor of the Tower of Trials.]

    [As a reward, your resistance permanently increases by 10%.]

    [You will move to thest floor in 10 seconds. Good luck.]

    Eventually, Ryu Min arrived at the 99th floor.

    The final challenge awaited him.

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 Chapter 135: The 99th Floor (1)

    Chapter 135: The 99th Floor (1)

    [You have entered the 99th floor of the Tower of Trials.]

    [A reward like no other awaits those who face the final trial.]

    [Sess in conquering the 99th floor will grant  ????]

    Ryu Min walked forward, paying little attention to the popping messages.

    A fighting arena with a single level and a diameter of 150 meters came into view.

    As he walked down the stairs towards the center, a message popped up.

    [Scanning the information of the entrant to the 99th floor.]

    [yer: ck Scythe (Lv89 Reaper)]

    [Please wait. Scanning and copying yer information.]

    [Scan and copyplete. The final trial will begin in 10 seconds.]

    Exactly 10 secondster,

    With a swish

    In front of Ryu Min, a man d in ck armor appeared, wielding a scythe.

    [Face the enemy before you.]

    The enemy before him.

    It was himself.

    A battle against myself. Thats thest trial of the 99th floor.

    Ryu Min, already aware, did not panic and raised his scythe.

    His opponent, an exact replica holding a Death Scythe, approached.

    The strongest yers, ranked number one in previous zones, shed at a single point.

    ng-! ng!

    The scythes collided in the air, making a clear metallic sound.

    Scratch- Scratch-!

    At times, the sound of scythes scraping against each other could be heard.

    Screech-

    When locked in a power struggle, a scream-like metallic sound could jolt one awake.

    After exchanging dozens of attacks in a short period, both stepped back.

    Its not just an illusion. Its a clone perfectly replicated to be exactly like me.

    Strength, agility, speed, there wasnt a single aspect that wasnt identical to himself.

    A perfect copy of himself.

    So simr it would be fair topare it to a mirror.

    Ryu Mins eyes filled with tension.

    Having the strongest yer before him was naturally intimidating.

    Then, the clone took a step back and positioned itself to swing the scythe.

    Whiz-

    Moonlight sh?

    Ryu Min immediately jumped.

    However,

    A secondter, as if anticipated, a Moonlight sh flew towards the direction he jumped.

    An unavoidable angle.

    Yet, Ryu Min was already positioned in mid-air.

    Moonlight sh.

    Two des imbued with moonlight collided.

    Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom!

    A chain explosion urred as the massive energies shed.

    Ryu Min was blown away by the air pressure.

    The distance between them widened, and the area was filled with dust.

    The clone, aiming to kill Ryu Min, hesitated for a moment.

    The sensation of Ryu Mins presence disappeared due to the Stealth Rune, allowing perfect invisibility, making him impossible to find.

    Eventually,

    Thud-!

    Ryu Mins scythe emerged through the dust and struck the clones head.

    Although the ambush was sessful, Ryu Min couldnt smile.

    The body melted away and disappeared.

    A clone!

    In a brief moment, the clone used a decoy and appeared behind Ryu Min.

    The scythe, filled with murderous intent, aimed for his waist.

    Slice-!

    Ryu Mins waist was split in two, but this too was a clone.

    Reversing the situation, Ryu Min, now behind the clone, swung his scythe.

    But the clone, as if expecting this, dodged by a hairs breadth and countered with its scythe.

    ng-! ng-! ng!

    After exchanging three blows in a brief moment, the clone disappeared.

    Swoosh-

    Ryu Min also used invisibility.

    Both vanished from sight.

    A serene silence engulfed the area.

    As expected, its not easy.

    Facing himself as the opponent, its not an ordinary challenge.

    The use of clones, invisibility, Moonlight sh, etc.

    Moreover, it can predict my movements since it also possesses the Rune of Foresight.

    I distanced myself after the Moonlight sh for this reason. To escape the range of the Rune of Foresight.

    Ryu Min didnt jump for no reason.

    He knew flying away due to the sh of Moonlight sh and using the dust to obscure visibility would make him unreadable by the Rune of Foresight.

    But this strategy also failed. It still has great reflexes.

    Titles, runes, stats, equipped items, items in possession,bat senseeverything was the same.

    Its like fighting a mirror.

    Its natural for Ryu Min to struggle.

    But I cant back down now.

    With the reward for the 99th floor at stake, how could he give up?

    Ryu Mins scythe moved towards where he guessed his opponent might be.

    * * *

    Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom!

    Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom!

    Explosions powerful enough to shake the ground erupted in session.

    shes of light illuminated the darkness here and there.

    Abo of Deaths Night, Crimson Moon, and Moonlight sh unfolded towards the opponent.

    Just being grazed by one could mean death.

    Ryu Min smirked at his opponent while deflecting Moonlight sh with his own.

    Five times. Used them all up, right?

    Same here.

    The clone, though a copy of himself, did not speak.

    It showed no emotion, just a mechanical face, rushing forward with its scythe.

    ng-! ng-!

    Knowing each others movements seven seconds in advance made their exchanges seem synchronized.

    With perfectly matched stats, overpowering each other was not an option.

    An hour has passed, and neither has a scratch.

    The mark of death revealed the opponents health bar, showing no fatigue or injury.

    The same was true for Ryu Min.

    Swoosh-

    Swoosh-

    As both used invisibility, silence returned.

    While invisibility prevented location detection, this moment offered Ryu Min his only chance to rest.

    It was also time to n his strategy.

    Phew, now how should I attack?

    He had tried every attack pattern, but nothing worked.

    Every movement was predicted by the Rune of Foresight, which was expected.

    Attempts to create unpredictable situations like kicking up dust were easily evaded as if the clone had already nned for such tactics.

    Hence, surprise attacks didnt work and often gave the clone a chance to counterattack.

    Of course, Ryu Min didnt just passively ept attacks; he always had a next card to y.

    But this leads to no progress.

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 Chapter 135: The 99th Floor (2)

    Chapter 135: The 99th Floor (2)

    With identical stats, skills, and abilities, how could one defeat such a mirror-like existence?

    Having attempted to conquer the 99th floor numerous times, Ryu Min already knew the answer.

    If I cant win, I endure. Thats the only option.

    This battle cannot go on forever.

    Although unseen, there is a time limit.

    A whopping 24 hours.

    The true strategy for the 99th floor is to endure against oneself for 24 hours.

    The system only said to face the enemy, not to kill it.

    Meaning, the main purpose of the 99th floor is to test ones mental strength against oneself.

    Defeating oneself is impossible.

    Despite numerous attempts, he had never once defeated his clone.

    Of course, winning would be great, but past experiences show that enduring is the answer.

    If winning is not an option, then endure.

    But losing is not eptable.

    If he shows even a moment of weakness, the clone will kill Ryu Min.

    That would mean instant disqualification.

    The reward for the 99th floor would be forever out of reach.

    That absolutely cannot happen.

    This is why Ryu Min gritted his teeth and endured.

    Of course, it wasnt hard yet.

    Only an hour has passed.

    Though the exact time isnt shown, by estimation, 23 hours remain.

    Its like a long marathon.

    The invisibility of time makes it tough, but Ryu Min found it rather fortunate.

    Seeing the time could make one waver. Better not to see it for peace of mind.

    Until now, he had checked the time but decided not to be conscious of it anymore.

    For the remaining 23 hours, he would exchange blows with the clone in front of him time and time again.

    By enduring and persisting,

    The time will end, and I will be able to clear the 99th floor.

    Reaffirming his resolve, he raised his scythe again.

    For the ultimate reward of the 99th floor.

    * * *

    ng- ng-!

    Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom!

    Crack-Crack-Crack-Crack!

    Using the sound of metal shing as his music, Ryu Min endured.

    He persisted waiting for the message indicating thepletion of the 99th floor appeared.

    How much time had passed, he didnt know.

    He hadnt counted since the first hour.

    In a state of brain absence, focusing solely on the opponent before him.

    The greatest enemy is oneself, as they say?

    It wasnt just a metaphor; it was literally true.

    The current greatest opponent was that.

    A crazy bastard wielding a scythe, identical in appearance to looking at oneself in a mirror.

    Cursing him is like spitting in my own face, isnt it? Well, it doesnt matter. Its true hes a crazy bastard.

    The crazy bastards mind was filled only with the thought of killing himself.

    He swung his scythe wildly, executing different attack patterns each time.

    If I were to face myself as an enemy, that would be the image.

    With the same high level and stats, neither seemed to tire.

    They hardly rested for more than five minutes.

    Im tired.

    He might not be physically tired, but mentally he was exhausted.

    Is there a reason to continue this fight?

    Now, Im not sure.

    I just want to let everything go.

    Its simple. Just allow his attack to hit me once, and its over.

    Giving up is easy.

    The damage from the ck Scythe, even a normal hit, would be fatal.

    Ah, maybe the ck Armor effect could defend it.

    With a 67% chance to deflect attacks, theres a slim chance I might not die from one hit.

    Should I let it hit me just once? I might not die, right?

    But what if I die?

    Then I just return to reality.

    Should I just give up everything and end this tiresome battle?

    Every time thesecent thoughts crossed his mind, Ryu Min remembered the experiences he had endured.

    People dying.

    Those he couldnt protect.

    Even his only sibling, left behind in reality.

    sh-!

    The opponents Moonlight sh loomed before him.

    Instinctively prepared, Ryu Min countered with the same skill.

    Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom!

    The explosion brought him back to his senses.

    I must protect them. If I dont want to see the world fall apart again, I must endure.

    If he dies here, the reward for the 99th floor is gone.

    Losing the means to oppose the angels, even if he conquers the 20th round, theres no hope.

    I must have been out of my mind.

    As if doused in cold water, Ryu Mins sanity returned.

    Crack-Crack-Crack-!

    Blocking the scythe aimed at his head, they engaged in a power struggle.

    Like a tug-of-war, neither gave in.

    Ryu Mins body staggered forward.

    Shimmer-

    The clone, which had been locked in a power struggle just moments ago, suddenly vanished like a mirage.

    [You have endured the 24-hour limit.]

    [You have cleared the 99th floor of the Tower of Trials.]

    [You are the first yer to clear the 99th floor of the Tower of Trials.]

    [You have set an unprecedented record in the history of the Tower of Trials!]

    [Your achievement will be recorded in the Akashic Records.]

    He had finally conquered the 99th floor he so desired.

    Now he could finally rx.

    Thump-

    As if all his energy was drained, Ryu Min sat down on the ground.

    Huff, huff.

    When he was catching his breath to the point of not seeing the messages,

    [The Tower of Trials admires the yers extraordinary mental strength.]

    [Your physical and mental strength have been fully restored.]

    [You have obtained the title Supreme Being.]

    As his physical and mental strength were restored, the message came into view.

    I finally got it. The title to oppose the angels.

    Ryu Min opened the titles information window.

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 Chapter 136: Supreme Being (1)

    Chapter 136: Supreme Being (1)

    [Title  Supreme Being]

    Acquisition Condition: Earned upon the firstpletion of the 99th floor of the Tower of Trials.

    Effect: Nullifies mental-type damage

    The title of The Supreme Being is essential for anyone who wishes to stand against angels.

    This is because it can block the angels fatal blow ability, Decimation.

    With this, the angels Decimation wont work at all. Decimation is a mental-type attack after all.

    Now, theres no reason to fear angels anymore.

    Angels, unable to use Decimation, are no different from ordinary humans to a yer.

    Of course, the seven Archangels are on a different level.

    The angels Ryu Min talks about are the ordinary ones responsible for guiding.

    Ryu Min stillcks the power to confront the seven Archangels.

    No, to be precise, I dont know. Ive never fought them. Its just a guess based on the atmosphere and intuition about their level.

    He might at least need to reach level 99 and equip a set of grade 5 gear to stand a chance against the weakest among them.

    It might be an overestimation, but to Ryu Min, the Archangels seemed that powerful.

    At least Im not afraid of Decimation now, so I can confront ordinary angels. And not just them, butbatant angels as well.

    There are two types of angels: ordinary angels andbatant angels.

    If ordinary angels with their one-shot kill skill, Decimation, seem insignificant,

    Combatant angels are quite strong. To the extent that they would be level 99 if they were yers.

    In fact, Ryu Min was more interested in these Combatant angels than the guiding ordinary angels.

    Catching them yields quite useful rewards. Not that they themselves know that fact.

    The title The Supreme Beinges in handy here.

    Some of thebatant angels attacks belong to the mental-type damage category.

    I obtained the title of The Supreme Being in the previous round and have fought against them, so its certain.

    Thats why he couldnt give up this title.

    The rewards for capturingbatant angels were too good.

    With this, a load is off my shoulders. Ive obtained the title thats crucial to thest round.

    He smiled pleasantly, but the rewards didnt end there.

    [You have been confirmed as the first yer to conquer the 99th floor.]

    [As a reward, you have obtained a Material Item Selection Right.]

    The title of The Supreme Being is a reward for conquering the 99th floor, and now, he received the first-to-clear reward.

    Well, its obvious Id be the first since the reward goes to only one person.

    As Ryu Min was smiling, another message appeared.

    [You have set an unbelievable record!]

    [Your achievement will be recorded in the Akashic Records.]

    [As a reward, Legendary Item Selection Right will be granted!]

    This was also an anticipated reward.

    Since conquering the 99th floor always resulted in rewards rted to the Akashic Records and such.

    However, he hadnt expected it when he defeated a high orc in just one second thest time.

    He hadnt thought the Akashic Records woulde up then.

    Last time it was a unique item selection right, but this time its legendary.

    Smiling, Ryu Min used the material item selection right first.

    [Please choose one of the following materials.]

    1. Immortals Skin Fragment

    2. Ogres Heart

    8. Mage Skeletons Bone Powder

    9. Supreme Quality Tough Leather

    10. Abyssal Orb

    To an ordinary person, it might not be clear, but Ryu Min could see how remarkable these materials listed were.

    As expected of a first-to-clear reward, nothing but legendary materials.

    Ryu Min chose one material he didnt have.

    [You have selected No. 10.]

    [The Abyssal Orb has been added to your inventory.]

    That settles it. With this, Ive collected all the legendary materials I need.

    Including what he already had, he could now craft an item.

    And with the legendary item selection right, Ill choose

    Ryu Min had already nned what to select as he used the Akashic Records reward.

    [You may choose one legendary item.]

    [Please touch the type of item first.]

    1. Weapon

    2. Shield

    3. Helmet

    8. Ring

    9. Consumable

    There it is. The consumables category.

    Upon selecting consumables, a new set of choices appeared.

    [Please touch one of the following consumables.]

    1. Potion of Life

    2. Elixir of Rapid Regeneration

    3. Potion of Indomitable Resistance

    9. Infinite Materials Pouch

    10. Golden Luck Pouch

    There it is again.

    Ryu Mins hand moved unhesitatingly to number 9.

    All the items were attractive, but if he had to choose one, this was unmatched.

    Its a means to obtain god-grade materials, after all.

    Ryu Min immediately checked the item information.

    [Infinite Materials Pouch]

    Category: Consumable

    Grade: Legendary

    Effect: Randomly obtains 1~5 higher-grade materials.

    Usage Limit: Until the next round, for expert grade and above

    Description: A pouch that randomly draws materials from infinite space. This item will self-destruct if kept to the next round. Influenced by Luck stat.

    Although it vaguely states higher grade, Ryu Min knew.

    Using this, theres a chance to obtain anything from unique to god-grade materials.

    Given his current Luck stat, at least legendary materials should appear.

    And maybe one or two god-grade materials in between.

    But with Min Juris buff, things could change.

    Thats why Ryu Min decided to hold off on using it.

    Min Juris buff ended with the tower climb, so using it now would be a loss.

    Once I return, Ill ask Min Juri to help me use it. But before that

    Ryu Min opened thebination window.

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 Chapter 136: Supreme Being (2)

    Chapter 136: Supreme Being (2)

    Once I return, Ill ask Min Juri to help me use it. But before that

    Ryu Min opened thebination window.

    Now that Ive gathered all the legendary materials, shall I try making an item?

    Thanks to the legendary material he had just acquired, he had everything he needed.

    Ryu Min opened the store window and bought a master-grade scythe called the Death Scythe.

    He nned to create a legendary weapon with this.

    Using the existing Death Side as a material would only produce an expert-grade legendary.

    What Ryu Min wanted was a master-grade legendary weapon.

    He bought a normal scythe for 6,000 gold from the store for this reason.

    [Main Ingredient]

    Death Scythe

    [Supplementary Ingredients]

    Immortals Skin Fragment

    Ogres Heart

    Mage Skeletons Bone Powder

    Supreme Quality Tough Leather

    Abyssal Orb

    Ryu Min would have liked to make a god-grade weapon, but he held back.

    Im notcking in damage yet, so its better to make other equipment first.

    Thus, the god-grade weapon was pushed to ater priority, but he couldnt keep using the unique weapon, Death Side, forever.

    Thats why he decided to create a legendary weapon.

    Shall we trybining them?

    Upon pressing thebination button, a bright light burst forth.

    [Combination Sessful!]

    [You have created Corrupted Gods w Scythe.]

    [Corrupted Gods w Scythe]

    Category: Weapon

    Grade: Legendary

    Attack Power: 666

    Effects: Attack speed +100%, the width and length of the scythe can be extended up to 5 times. However, damage is distributed among the number of monsters within range.

    Durability: 10,000/10,000

    Usage Restriction: Master grade and above

    Description: A scythe once favored by a fallen god. It earned its name for its ability to sweep up monsters like a w.

    As described, the w scythes length and range can be adjusted.

    Meaning, this scythe can be used as a ranged weapon.

    It can be extended while swinging and retracted as well.

    Its essentially a scythe that can be freely manipted like a whip.

    Plus, the size of the scythe increases, so does the attack range.

    With an increased range and area, its effective for ughtering multiple enemies.

    Almost to the extent of a Moonlight sh.

    An ordinary attack having the range of a Moonlight sh. In other words, its the perfect weapon for mob hunting.

    The downside is that damage is distributed ording to the number of monsters, but if its a group of low-level monsters, it can kill them in one hit.

    Its not weak against a single target either.

    If theres only one monster within the attack range, the damage isnt distributed and focuses solely on that one monster.

    Truly a weapon that benefits the user regardless of the number of enemies.

    Its no wonder Ryu Min couldnt wipe the smile off his face.

    With this, winning first ce in this round should be easy.

    As he was inserting the magic stones from the Death Side into the new weapon, the tower shook, and a message appeared.

    [All floors of the tower have been conquered, and no rewards remain.]

    [The Tower of Trials Copse Sequence willmence.]

    [yers will be returned to their original dimensions shortly.]

    [Congrattions on conquering the Tower of Trials once again.]

    * * *

    When Ryu Min opened his eyes, all he saw was pitch-ck darkness.

    He was back in the original cave, the site of the sub-quest discovery, but now there was no portal or anything visible.

    Since he had conquered it, no one else would find it now.

    I should proceed with the main quest.

    As he retraced his steps, Ryu Min reverted from his transformation.

    Having feasted to his hearts content, there was no longer any need to maintain the guise of a Lostyak.

    As he ran swiftly, he saw the extermination team still stationed at the entrance to the Forest.

    Fortunately, Im not toote.

    Ryu Min had been in the tower for nearly 28 hours, but for them, only a few minutes had passed.

    Since the flow of time wasnt shared, it was as if to say, Dont worry about the mundane world.

    Uh? Is that ck Scythe?

    Min Juri spotted Ryu Min and was visibly surprised.

    Although Ryu Min had seen her 28 hours ago, it was only a few minutes ago from Min Juris perspective.

    Is it really you, ck Scythe-nim??

    Yes. Cant you tell?

    I never thought Id see you here. I assumed youd definitely go to number 5.

    Didnt you say you were going to number 1?

    Uh? Oh

    Min Juris eyes widened even more than they already were.

    -Could it be that he followed me because I said I was going to number 1?

    Hearing her inner thoughts, Ryu Min felt a bit embarrassed.

    Ive unintentionally given her the wrong impression.

    To dispel Min Juris mistaken thoughts, Ryu Min added,

    I thought following you to get the buff would be more beneficial than choosing number 5. Ive be so reliant on the buff.

    Didnt I give you the buff before making the choice?

    Yes, but you never know, right? The quest might take longer than expected to need continuous buffs. And I somehow felt that number 1 might be a better choice than number 5.

    Oh.

    Convinced by his exnation, Min Juri nodded her head.

    Anyway, its good that you came. With ck Scythe here, the extermination is as good as done.

    Smiling, Min Juri reached out her hand.

    Speaking of which, let me apply the buff again.

    Thank you.

    Dont mention it. Compared to the help Ive received from you, this is nothing.

    As Min Juri was applying the buff, the extermination team slowly began to enter the forest.

    Most yers had tense expressions, but Min Juri walked as if on a leisurely stroll, chatting with the ck Scythe. Having the strongest yer of level 80 by her side, there was no need for her to feel nervous.

    Even though she was unaware that his level had risen to 89.

    Even if they find out about the level increaseter, they probably wont suspect anything.

    They would think it strange since he had power-leveled at the lowest level of difficulty, the Lizardman extermination, but thats about it.

    Most would just shrug it off.

    Have you ever fought a Lizardman before?

    No.

    Well, its my first time too.

    Although he had encountered them while roaming with the Elf guild during round 8, he pretended otherwise.

    Min Juri believed they had tackled the Dwarf guild together and passed.

    How strong are Lizardmen? Since number 1 is supposed to be the easiest, they shouldnt be too strong, right?

    Dont worry. Youre strong enough.

    Still, its a bit nerve-wracking since its my first time facing them.

    Then watch others fight them first. If its your first encounter, its not a bad idea to observe before engaging.

    That might be a good idea. Thanks for the advice. Ill learn by watching you fight.

    Well, watching me might not be that helpful.

    He spoke the truth, but it seemed Min Juri didnt hear him.

    In her mind, she was convinced that seeing the ck Scythe in action would be reassuring.

    Whats that scythe you have? I havent seen it before.

    Oh, this? I happened toe across an opportunity to get it.

    It looks even better than the previous one.

    As they continued their casual conversation, suddenly,

    Shiiiiik-!

    Shiiii-!

    Lizardmen burst forth from the forest as if they had been lying in wait.

    The extermination team leader, Kaltz, shouted with a tense expression.

    Everyone, prepare for battle!

    It was inevitable.

    The number of Lizardmen that sprung forth wasnt just one or two.

    Easily numbering in the hundreds.

    Since the number of monsters appearing was designed to match the number of participants, it was expected.

    There are too many Lizardmen! Warriors from the other world, dont separate from each other. Watch each others sides and exterminate the Lizardmen

    Suddenly, Kaltz stopped speaking.

    The yers were staring nkly in one direction, dumbfounded.

    What are you all doing during battle!

    It was perilously irresponsible to zone out duringbat.

    Before scolding them, Kaltz moved to see what they were staring at.

    Then, he too, stopped in his tracks.

    He, like the yers, could only stand there, staring.

    They witnessed the Grim Reaper, sweeping Lizardmen aside with his scythe.

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 Chapter 137: End of The Hunt (1)

    Chapter 137: End of The Hunt (1)

    Squeak!

    Kiik!

    Screams of lizardmen echoed from various ces.

    Screech-!

    Screech-screech-!

    The sound of something being massively sliced is also heard.

    The origin of this sound drew the yers attention.

    And without exception, they all wear bewildered expressions.

    Cr, crazy. Isnt that ck Scythe?

    ck Scythe chose to hunt lizardmen?

    What on earth is that weapon, anyway?

    Whats with it swinging once and like a dozen fall like sorghum?

    It was a strange scythe.

    It extended like a whip, slicing through the waists of a dozen creatures before retracting.

    Its attack speed was so fast that the swinging motion was invisible.

    Only the spectacle of lizardmen being chopped up could be seen every time one blinked.

    Truly a wed hand.

    It was like the hand of death mowing down monsters.

    But looking at the numbers, it seems like they appeared in ordance with our headcount

    ck Scythe is sweeping them all up

    A monster meant for each person to kill, all being swept away by one person?

    Rather than anger, it was a bewildering situation.

    NPCs, feeling the same, only watched in silence.

    Min Juri also nkly watched ck Scythes battle and suddenly realized.

    Ah, now I see why ck Scythe said watching him wouldnt be helpful.

    It was practically a massacre of themon folk; where would there be a moment to analyze the attack patterns and traits of lizardmen?

    It would be better to learn by watching other yers battles instead.

    Having made that decision, Min Juri moved a bit away.

    As expected, the yers were desperately hunting lizardmen, fearing their share would be taken by ck Scythe.

    Regardless, Ryu Min focused solely on ughtering lizardmen.

    I dont even need to use Moonlight sh, do I?

    Originally, he intended to go all out with Moonlight sh, but seeing the damage, it seemed unnecessary.

    I knew the scythe was suitable for mass ughter, but not to this extent.

    Thanks to Min Juris buff, it felt significantly faster and stronger.

    Kiieek-!

    After killing thest lizardman, Ryu Min finally looked behind.

    yers were watching him with resentful eyes.

    Did I catch too many?

    It wasnt strange to be resented, having swept away monsters as if he were in his own world.

    Ryu Mins gaze suddenly shifted to the corner of his vision.

    [Current kill count: 823/100]

    It was 402 when I came down from the tower, so did I kill 421?

    With 602 people, 602 monsters would have appeared.

    Out of them, Ryu Min monopolized about 70%, meaning the resentful res were understandable.

    Ryu Min didnt avoid their gazes.

    The yers, feeling inferior, averted their eyes first.

    It was regrettable, but for them, the weak, there was no other choice.

    If youre jealous, be strong like me.

    Being strong and catching many was also a skill.

    There was no reason to be seen unfairly just because one is skilled.

    It was the result of his own efforts, after all.

    Having lived in apetitive society, it was impossible not to understand this fact.

    This was why no one dared to speak against ck Scythe.

    Of course, there was also the fear of what could happen if they did.

    Its good that its not a party.

    If it were a party, knowing they couldnt attack each other, they might have brazenlyined to Ryu Min.

    No, not might; they definitely would haveined, asking me to hunt moderately.

    Of course, Ryu Min had no intention of continuing to monopolize lizardmen.

    Leaving some for other yers wouldnt increase the number of survivors, would it?

    While thinking this, Min Juri approached and gave a thumbs up.

    Wow, ck Scythe-nim. Thats really amazing. I didnt know the new weapon was that good. Ah, of course, it must be because of your skill.

    It was a hard-earned weapon, so naturally it would be this strong.

    Even with the praise, Ryu Min only asked indifferently.

    Have you fought any lizardmen?

    Yes. I managed to kill about two. They were easier than I thought. Easier than the first time I killed an orc.

    I told you. Youve be stronger.

    Hehe, I must have really be stronger. Maybe I can reach level 40 this round?

    She spoke cheerfully, but Min Juri was inwardly worried.

    -If ck Scythe-nim continues to monopolize monsters like this, it might be tough No, reaching level 40 isnt the problem; the real issue is whether I can rank

    It was a natural concern, given their lives were at stake.

    It was amon worry among other yers as well.

    I know. As if I would end up causing the death of everyone just for a bit of experience point. Dont worry.

    Originally, Ryu Min intended to stop hunting after reaching a thousand kills.

    A thousand should be enough to secure the top spot in every area.

    In the previous rounds, no other yer besides Ryu Min had managed to kill a thousand.

    Just a bit more to go. Not much left.

    Since monsters killed in the Tower of Trials also counted, he only needed to kill about 200 more to safely pass.

    Whats your current level?

    Me? Level 38.

    Just two more levels and youll be able to learn a new skill.

    Saying so, Ryu Min went back to hunting as lizardmen attacked again.

    Once again, sweeping the monsters with the wed scythe, the yers were dismayed, but that was momentary.

    After reaching his goal of 200 kills, Ryu Min stopped hunting, leaving people puzzled.

    Why did he suddenly stop hunting?

    Is he taking a break now?

    Anyway, this is our chance! We dont know when hell start again!

    But thereafter, Ryu Min didnt touch a single lizardman.

    While puzzled, yers were simultaneously relieved.

    ck Scythe-nim? Why arent you catching more?

    Answering Min Juris innocent question, Ryu Min responded like a magnanimous person.

    Ive caught enough. Theres no point in hunting these tiny XP creatures; it would only trouble the other yers.

    Ah so you deliberately did it for our sake?

    For our sake? If anything, its for of you.

    He almost said that but swallowed his words.

    Misunderstanding, Min Juri would turn red and start imagining things again.

    There are plenty more monsters to catch. Hurry up and reach level 40. Im curious what skill youll learn.

    Yes! Just wait a bit!

    With vigorous words, Min Juri eventually managed to reach level 40 after defeating 280 lizardmen.

    I finally became an expert!

    Congrattions. Whats the skill?

    Ill show you right away!

    Light flowed from Min Juris hands.

    As if to prove she was a buffer, the skill she learned this time was also a buff.

    [A Safety Barrier has been applied.]

    [You will be protected from one physical attack.]

    [Duration: 00:29:59]

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 Chapter 137: End of The Hunt (2)

    Chapter 137: End of The Hunt (2)

    [A Safety Barrier has been applied.]

    [You will be protected from one physical attack.]

    [Duration: 00:29:59]

    Safety Barrier.

    An absolute shield that defends against any physical attack, but only once.

    Normally, shields have a certain strength, but not this skill.

    Its a cheat skill that guarantees defense against any physical attack.

    Meaning, even a full-powered strike from Ryu Min could be blocked

    It was a valuable skill that could save a life from an unexpected attack.

    It seems like a skill that can block any physical attack once. To reuse it on the same target, you have to wait 30 minutes.

    Its a powerful skill, so that makes sense.

    Having a cooldown for each individual isnt strange for an absolute defense.

    Later, it even defends against magical attacks.

    When the skill reaches level 60, it will protect against both physical and magical attacks.

    I havent seen more of Min Juris capabilities, so I cant say beyond that.

    Bless and Swift have also been enhanced. Would you like to try them?

    Lets do that.

    With Min Juris buff, all stats, attack speed, and movement speed increased by 70%.

    This was due to the enhancement of the two skills.

    Its significantly improved. But dont be satisfied with just reaching level 40. Hunt more.

    Yes!

    The hunt continued.

    Voices of joy were heard from several yers who, like Min Juri, had reached level 40.

    After about three hours, the hunt was finally over.

    The hunt leader, Kaltz, looked around at the yers with a satisfied smile.

    Gentlemen, with this, the hunt in the swamp has ended. The lizardmen have been dealt with to the extent that their numbers will dry up for a while. For the time being, merchants of the neighboring Brahm Kingdom can safely travel their trade routes. Its all thanks to you! Hiring warriors from the other world wasnt in vain!

    Kaltz, who didnt skimp on his praise, suddenly fixed his gaze on one person.

    A man who hadnt caught a single one since his overwhelming performance at the beginning.

    It was Kaltz who sent an admiring look towards ck Scythe.

    Great work, everyone. The hunt is now concluded. Everyone is dismissed!

    No sooner had Kaltz finished speaking than a message popped up.

    [The lizardman hunt has concluded.]

    [As a reward for the hunt, 100,000 gold is awarded.]

    [Your contribution has been recorded by the mercenary band.]

    [Your mercenary band rank has risen from Apprentice to Experienced.]

    Oh, 100,000 gold?

    Wow, jackpot!

    This round, its more generous than I thought!

    yers cheered for the unexpected reward.

    On the other hand, Ryu Min was unimpressed by the gold.

    Not that it wasnt impressive, but because he already had 1.5 million gold in his possession.

    Earning 1 million gold from climbing the tower makes 100,000 seem insignificant.

    During his climb, he had gathered gold from monsters and received it as a reward for clearing floors.

    Thus, he had amassed 1 million gold just from the tower.

    Naturally, 100,000 gold was nothing to be excited about.

    Now that most yers have reached level 40, gold trading will be activated.

    Trading functionality would allow for gold transactions.

    Once returned, yers would start using gold features instead of cash.

    And there would be more traders willing to offer services in exchange for gold.

    Such as erasing traces by disposing of corpses, finding someone with tracking, or repairing equipment durability with the Repair skill for gold.

    The same goes for the yer market.

    People would prefer trading items for gold rather than cash.

    Anticipating this, Ryu Min had already asked Ma Kyung-rok to prepare a direct gold trading feature.

    Thus, with the round ending, gold trading was expected to be activated, but Ryu Min already had more than enough gold.

    Apart from buying legendary material items on yerce, theres hardly any use for gold.

    Then, where should all this gold be spent?

    On NPCs, of course.

    Gold is a currency that is also valid in the fantasy world.

    With the trading feature now avable, its possible to trade gold with NPCs.

    Although it seems like theres not much use for gold now, there will be various needs for itter.

    Gold might be needed for tithe to increase reputation with temples, or to purchase materials and items from cksmiths.

    It can also be used as a bribe for important figures, and many other uses.

    Hence, even if it seems useless now, more gold is better forter.

    [The hunt is concluded.]

    [You will be moved to the starting point shortly.]

    Soon after blinking, the space changed from the swamp to a colorless space.

    It was the starting location.

    As the hunt ended at the same time for everyone, yers appeared from everywhere.

    Like at the beginning, thousands of people gathered, and an angel appeared.

    [Did you have a good hunt? How was it? As expected, wasnt level 1 the easiest in terms of difficulty?]

    yers nodded.

    Having experienced it, the difficulty indeed followed the order.

    However, doesnt it seem like theres a lot less people?

    Hmm, now that you mention it, it does seem so

    [Unfortunately, all 571 who chose level 5 did not survive.]

    Wow

    The chosen monster for the level 5 hunt was the Minotaur.

    If one appeared for each person, it definitely would have been difficult to handle.

    [Although some humans have died in other hunts as well, dont be sad. Its actually a good thing, isnt it? It means there are fewerpetitors.]

    Truthfully, no yer was saddened.

    In an era where even blood rtives could turn against each other, who would mourn the death of strangers?

    [Okay then, lets see the results of the tally immediately!]

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 Chapter 138: Round 9 Ends (1)

    Chapter 138: Round 9 Ends (1)

    Round 9 Results

    [All Areas]

    1st ce: ck Scythe (Lv89 Reaper) 1,024 kills

    2nd ce: Heavenly Demon (Lv43 Dark Knight) 631 kills

    3rd ce: Dumb Fools (Lv42 Shaman) 574 kills

    [Specific Area C3-ESKA001]

    1st ce: ck Scythe (Lv89 Reaper) 1,024 kills

    2nd ce: Heavenly Demon (Lv43 Dark Knight) 631 kills

    3rd ce: Dumb Dummies (Lv42 Shaman) 574 kills

    Once again, ck Scythe took the first ce, but the yers were not interested in the obvious.

    Their interest was solely in the method of ranking.

    Seeing the number of kills Could it be

    [Yes, youre right. This rounds ranking was based on how many monsters were killed!]

    Ah So the first option was the best one?

    Sigh Shouldnt have chosen the third one.

    Im doomed. I didnt kill many

    As the yers grieved, the ranking message popped up.

    Some checked their rankings and held their heads in dismay.

    But those who made it into the top 3,004 burst into cheers of relief.

    Among them, Min Juri showed a relieved expression.

    It seems I luckily made it into the rankings.

    Ryu Min smiled as he looked at his own message.

    [Congrattions! You havepleted the quest as the first ce in this area!]

    [Congrattions! You havepleted the quest as the first ce in all areas!]

    [Currently, ck Scythe ranks first in all areas and in this specific area.]

    [As the first-ce ranking reward in this area, you will receive a Material Item Selection Right!]

    [As the first-ce ranking reward in all areas, you will receive a Special Reward Selection Box!]

    Ryu Min used the Material Item Selection Right.

    [Please choose one of the following materials.]

    1. Hard Magic Shell

    7. Supreme Quality Tough Leather

    8. Bubbling Solution

    9. Non-clumping Crystal

    10. Bulls Horn

    Most of the options were unique.

    Of course, Ryu Min could see which one was the best.

    Only number 7 is legendary.

    Having obtained one legendary material, Ryu Min then used the Special Reward Selection Box.

    [You can choose one of the following special rewards.]

    [Please touch the reward you want.]

    1. Double EXP Buff (Limited to the 10th round)

    2. 50% Stat Increase Buff (Limited to the 10th round)

    3. Information about Round 10

    Ryu Min didnt need the information about Round 10.

    So, which one between 1 and 2 was necessary?

    Without hesitation, Ryu Min chose the second option.

    Stats are more important in the next round.

    Would there be a need to further increase his already high stats? Yes.

    Because theres a phase in Round 10 where having higher stats is advantageous.

    Hence, it was also a round where Min Juris buff was necessary.

    Not that he necessarily needed to take Min Juri along.

    [By the way, this rounds sub-quest was about finding a hidden portal!]

    Hidden portal?

    Was there such a thing?

    Didnt anyone find it?

    [There was one sessful yer, but you probably arent interested. Youre about to disappear anyway. You must have checked the rankings. Then, goodbye to those ranked below 3,005!]

    No, please!

    Save meee!

    Despite their desperate cries, about 2,000 yers turned to dust and disappeared.

    Even though it was someone elses problem before, the yers who survived this time couldnt help but feel uneasy.

    It wasnt for no reason; they were thest yers of Korea.

    Only 3,000 of us are representing Koreas yers.

    Ryu Min sighed but didnt show it.

    Rather thanmenting, it was more important that they had managed to catch their breath for now.

    ROUND 9 Ends

    [All Areas]

    Survivors: 647,681

    [Specific Area C3-ESKA001]

    Survivors: 3,004

    [Soon, your soul will be transferred back to your original dimensions body.]

    [Round 10 will begin at midnight on October 1, 2022. See you in the next round. Congrattions on surviving.]

    As soon as Ryu Min returned home, the first thing he did was to send a text to Min Juri.

    [Ryu Min: Juri, did you survive?]

    [Min Juri: Yes! Thanks to choosing the first option, it was easy. It seems you also managed to survive, Min!]

    [Ryu Min: Yeah. How about we meet for lunch to give you the next round info?]

    [Min Juri: Okay, okay, that works for me.]

    [Ryu Min: Then, get a good sleep and see you at lunch!]

    Leaving only those words, Ryu Min fell onto his bed and slept as if he had fainted.

    It was only natural to be sleepy after staying awake for 28 hours without rest.

    When he woke up, it was already morning.

    At lunchtime, Ryu Min met Min Juri at the agreed ce.

    Juri.

    Hey, Min!

    Hungry? Lets go quickly.

    The two headed to their usual Korean traditional restaurant.

    In the quiet atmosphere, they talked about Round 9.

    Min, did you get the message too? After the extermination, my mercenary rank increased or something?

    Ah, from apprentice to skilled?

    Right, that! Not sure if its a good thing that the rank increased.

    Its a good thing. A higher rank means you can take on higher-level requestster.

    Ah, so we can get better rewards?

    Yes. The mercenary job has its perks in that regard. Well be a step higher in rank than others.

    Really? But how do you know all this? Did you find out through prophecy?

    Of course. Why else would I be a prophet? If I didnt know such things, I couldnt call myself a prophet.

    Haha, you always have a way with words.

    The mercenary rank story was not false.

    Later, when they experience an open-world fantasy setting, they will be taking on missions from the mercenary guild.

    They could increase their rank, hunt better monsters, and umte rewards and fame.

    Eventually, youll participate in territorial battles and sometimes be called to wars.

    But the best part about increasing your rank in the mercenary guild is dragon hunting.

    Dragon hunting is not for everyone. You have to be a master-rank mercenary to join the hunt.

    Dragon hunting is arguably the reason to raise your mercenary rank.

    Given that it involves the strongest monsters, the rewards are unsurprisingly substantial.

    Min, have you reached level 40?

    Not yet. You did?

    Yeah. I reached level 41 this time and got a protective buff. Ill cast it on you in case of danger. The world has be too dangerous now.

    No need, Ill be alright. Only 3,000 of us left now

    Still.

    Though he said so, buff was exactly what Ryu Min had hoped for.

    Well, she always casts buffs without being asked anyway.

    Whenever Ryu Min provided a prophecy for the next round, Min Juri would always apologize and say she would at least cast a buff on him as thanks.

    Thus, after giving the prophecy for Round 10 and parting with Min Juri, Ryu Min received the set of three buffs he desired.

    Thanks for the buffs!

    Thank you for the prophecy! I feel that Round 10 might be a tough one.

    There wont be any issues. Ive foreseen that youll make it through.

    Knowing that eases my mind. Do you need gold? Now that the trading function is avable, I can give you some.

    No, I have plenty of gold.

    Just let me know if you ever need some. I can give you as much as you need!

    Will do, if that ever happens.

    Ryu Min smiled and waved to Min Juri in front of the convenience store.

    Ill contact you again next time.

    Okay. Take care!

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 Chapter 138: Round 9 Ends (2)

    Chapter 138: Round 9 Ends (2)

    After receiving the buffs and returning home, Ryu Min killed 100 mealworms in the bathroom and secured the Rune of ughter buff.

    The preparations areplete.

    Ryu Min entered his room and equipped his gear.

    He switched his weapon to the Death Scythe with the extra stat options, maximizing his luck stat.

    My current luck stat is 1,638. Incredible.

    Was it because of Min Juris blessing enhanced to 70%?

    It felt significantly increased.

    Shall we start?

    Ryu Min took out an item from his inventory.

    It was the Infinite Materials Pouch he received as a reward from the Akashic Records.

    With this level of luck stat, getting 5 material items is guaranteed. The question is how many of them will be of God tier

    With the blessing applied, he expected more God-tier materials than before.

    Having received a maximum of 3 God tier materials before, Im hopeful for at least 4 this time.

    Even if only 3 out of 5 are of God tier, it would be a tremendous harvest.

    Use.

    The pouch in Ryu Mins hand disappeared with a bright light.

    [You have used the Infinite Materials Pouch.]

    [Congrattions! 5 material items have been produced!]

    [The items have been deposited into your inventory!]

    He had expected 5 items.

    The question was their quality.

    Ryu Min checked the items that had been added to his inventory.

    Uh?

    He couldnt help but be surprised.

    All 5 were of God tier.

    God tier materials, all 5 of them? Haha

    Moreover, none of the materials were duplicates.

    All unique.

    Of course, the core God tier material, Condensed Ether, did not appear.

    It had never appeared in previous rounds either.

    But thats okay. I have Condensed Ether already.

    It was the Condensed Ether he received as the first creation reward of God tier in a previous round.

    He hadnt expected to use it so soon.

    With all the materials gathered, its time to make something of God tier.

    He had decided to keep his legendary weapon, and other parts would be filled with God-tier items.

    Looking at the materials I have, the God tier item I can make is

    Ryu Min purchased a normal item from the shop.

    Then, he ced all the materials into the crafting window.

    [Main Material]

    Elegant Iron Helmet

    [Supplementary Materials]

    Condensed Ether

    ck Iron Powder

    Angels Gold Dust

    Bubbling Magical Solution

    Adamantium te

    The equipment Ryu Min could make with the materials he had was a helmet.

    Just like armor, helmets are crucial.

    Armor protects the heart, and helmets protect the head, so one is not necessarily better than the other.

    Ryu Min pressed thebine button without hesitation.

    A golden light shone brightly before his eyes.

    [Crafting a God tier item.]

    [The item will be transformed to suit your current profession.]

    [Crafting Sessful!]

    [Helmet of Thanatos has been created.]

    [Helmet of Thanatos]

    Category: Helmet

    Grade: God

    Defense: 1,600

    Effects: All stats +50, Can use the skill Reaper Transformation.

    Durability: 20,000/20,000

    Usage Restriction: Master rank or higher

    Description: A helmet made using the divinity of Thanatos, the god of death. Grants additional effects when worn as part of the set.

    The options on the helmet werent bad.

    All stats increased by 50.

    However, there was one unknown.

    The ability to use the Reaper Transformation skill.

    Anyone seeing this for the first time wouldnt know what this skill is. Theres no description, just that it can be used.

    To see the skill description, one must wear the helmet.

    Of course, Ryu Min knew without wearing it.

    Ive made God-tier items in previous rounds, after all.

    He knew how overpowered the Reaper Transformation skill was.

    Even if it were the only option, it would be satisfactory.

    Theres no other skill quite like it.

    Pleased, Ryu Min equipped the gear.

    Upon wearing both the God tier armor and helmet, the set effect was activated.

    -Thanatoss Garment Set Effect (2/5)

    -2 Set Effect: Resistance+20%

    -3 Set Effect: ?????

    -4 Set Effect: ?????

    -5 Set Effect: ?????

    Resistance, which is hard to increase, had risen.

    This was also satisfying for Ryu Min.

    With all the items equipped, the resistance will be quite high.

    In the Tower of Trials, the rewards for testing the mind on the 97th and 98th floors were a 10% increase in resistance.

    With a 50% rainbow effect, tower-acquired resistance being additive for 20%, general skill resistance of 15%, 2 set effect resistance of 20%, and when necessary, wearing the Ne for 35%, and the Ring of Resistance for 35%, the calction would be?

    0.5 x 0.8 x 0.85 x 0.8 x 0.65 x 0.65 = 0.115. This calctes to an 88.5% resistance to status effects.

    In other words, the chance of being stunned for 5 seconds is only 11.5%? And if it does happen, it would onlyst for approximately 0.57 seconds.

    The resistance has been sufficiently increased.

    Now, theres no need to worry about status effects anymore.

    Upon checking the skill window, the temporary skill Reaper Transformation had been added.

    Ryu Min immediately checked the skill information.

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 Chapter 139: Eating Out After A Long Time (1)

    Chapter 139: Eating Out After A Long Time (1)

    [Temporary Skill  Reaper Transformation]

    Effect: Increases all stats, damage, attack speed, and movement speed by 44%, and reduces all damage received from enemies by 44%.

    Additionally, reduces the chance of enemies detecting you by 44%.

    Lasts for 4 minutes and resets the duration upon killing an enemy.

    Can be deactivated upon reuse and has a cooldown of 44 minutes.

    This overpowered skill not only boosts all stats by 44% but also nearly halves the damage received.

    Should I give it a try now that Ive equipped it?

    Ryu Min uttered the activation word without hesitation.

    Reaper Transformation.

    At that moment, Ryu Mins body became translucent as a dark aura began to seep out.

    [You have entered the state of Reaper Transformation.]

    [All stats, damage, attack speed, and movement speed are increased by 44%.]

    [All damage received from enemies is reduced by 44%.]

    [The chance of enemies detecting you is reduced by 44%.]

    Everything is 44.

    It seems they chose the number 4 because it is often associated with death in Korea.

    Still, the effects are incredible. It even conceals my face as a bonus.

    To others, Ryu Min now appeared no different than a dark shadow.

    His body was covered in a smoke-like dark aura, and this effect applied to his equipment as well.

    I must look like a ck figure from head to toe, even the scythe included.

    Although one might guess it was him, ck Scythe, because he uses the same weapon, the face remains hidden.

    The durationsts for 4 minutes, but killing an enemy resets it.

    Meaning, as long as you continue killing something within 4 minutes, it can be maintained indefinitely.

    Thus, using Reaper Transformation in prolonged battles can potentially extend its duration significantly.

    Especially useful on the battlefield.

    In a battlefield rife with death, the skill couldst until the wars end, making it a perfect skill to utilize.

    Though it has a longer cooldown than expected, so its not a skill you can spam.

    44 minutes is a somewhat burdensome cooldown time.

    Therefore, Ryu Min didnt n to use Reaper Transformation unless it was necessary.

    Knock-knock-

    Hyung?

    Just then, Ryu Mins door opened, and his younger sibling entered.

    You were in your room?

    Yes.

    Ryu Min, having already sensed his siblings presence and deactivated Reaper Transformation, smiled in his normal attire.

    It was so quiet, I thought you went out again.

    Whats up?

    Its almost dinner time. How about we go out to eat for a change? Its been a while since we did something together

    We cant go out to eat. You know how dangerous it is outside these days.

    I know, but it feels suffocating to stay in all the time.

    That was understandable.

    For 8 months, Ryu Min had been insisting his sibling stay indoors, and heplied by ordering delivery food and following his brothers advice dutifully.

    We did eat out asionally, but those times were few and far between.

    Eating out had been limited to before yers began running rampant, happening only once or twice at most.

    Given the circumstances, my sibling must be feeling stifled.

    Having confined his sibling indoors while he himself went out frequently for work, it was likely his sibling felt neglected.

    Sure enough, reading his siblings thoughts revealed a considerable amount of resentment towards him.

    Trapped like a bird in a cage while the owner freely roamed outside  how frustrating that must be?

    I enforced the indoor rule because of the previous kidnapping incident Perhaps I was too focused on my own perspective.

    It was time to lighten his siblings mood.

    Although it was still risky to wander freely, the situation with yers had improved, so it should be fine.

    Besides, he wouldnt be going alone, right?

    Alright, weve been cooped up for too long. Lets go out to eat tonight.

    Really? Yay!

    Happier about getting some fresh air than the prospect of delicious food, Ryu Won was ecstatic like a child.

    Is it that exciting?

    Seeing such happiness, Ryu Min thought maybe they should dine out at least once a week.

    Then an idea struck Ryu Min on how to cheer up his sibling even more.

    Wouldnt he be delighted if I invited that person?

    Considering making a call to share a meal, Ryu Min made ns with his sibling for an evening out.

    During dinner time.

    Its such a mess out there in the world, and yet this ce is still bustling?

    Its a famous BBQ restaurant, after all.

    The siblings settled down at a well-known charcoal grill restaurant and started grilling meat.

    Sizzle-

    The sound was enough to make anyone salivate.

    Its been a long time since weve done something like this together.

    Yeah

    As Ryu Won hesitated, he mustered up the courage to speak.

    To be honest, I was feeling a bit overlooked. You were always out and about while telling me to stay home

    Im a yer, youre a civilian. Plus, you know how dangerous it is out there just by watching the news.

    I know, but it still felt unfair.

    His sibling, typically so obedient, expressing such feelings must mean the past months had been challenging.

    Ryu Min genuinely felt sorry.

    Ive been fighting tooth and nail for our survival, to return to our normal lives. But if I neglect the present in pursuit of my goals, whats the point?

    Ryu Min resolved to pay more attention to his sibling.

    Im sorry. I havent been very wary, have I? Just bear with me a little longer. Once this month is over, there wont be many yers left in Korea, so public safety will improve somewhat. We wont have to worry about criminals roaming free anymore.

    Really? Does that mean we can go out more next month?

    Yes, you can trust your prophetic brother.

    Ryu Mins words were true.

    Currently, there are only about 3,000 yers left in Korea.

    After the 10th round, only about 700 would remain.

    Only a quarter will survive the 10th round.

    Even if there were criminal yers among those 700, how many could there be?

    Even if present, theyd be few, unlikely tomit conspicuous crimes.

    In the end, criminals wont be able to act openly.

    Moreover, as the ck Scythes fame grows, the era of rampant looting will end.

    Of course, this assumes Ryu Min is selected as the captain of the elite yer squad.

    Yamtis been instructed, so shell call when its time.

    In any case, Koreas public safety will soon be of little concern.

    The real problem is that lunatics arent just in Korea.

    Expanding the scope globally, theres no shortage of vermin to exterminate.

    If such trash were to enter Korea, that would be a different issue.

    Thus, its crucial to enhance Koreas prestige and solidify the ck Scythes position.

    Holding quasi-state power and controlling yers is the best strategy for steering humanity away from dystopia.

    Alright, its ready. Eat up.

    Yeah, you too, Hyung!

    Ryu Min and Ryu Won each picked up pieces of meat, cing them on the wrap.

    They topped it with garlic, ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce), chili peppers, and sliced scallions in sequence, then wrapped it carefully in a leaf.

    Just as they were about to take a big bite,

    Bang-!

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 Chapter 140: Rude Customer (1)

    Chapter 140: Rude Customer (1)

    Who is that?

    Isnt that actress Seo Arin?

    Wow, amazing! Shes so pretty!

    The murmurs among the people grew louder with the arrival of Seo Arin.

    Even the man causing the scene was momentarily flustered by the sudden appearance of a celebrity.

    Are you okay, Ryu Min?

    Ah, yes Thank you.

    Please leave it to me and step back.

    Seo Arin, who had blocked the mans attack with a fairys protective shield, turned her gaze away.

    Ryu Min was internally surprised by this.

    Clear hostility.

    Even though it was their first meeting, Seo Arin was watching the opponent with sharp eyes.

    Shes showing hostility because hes a criminal yer.

    Was it because of the betrayal by the actors she trusted before?

    Just by looking into her eyes, it wasnt the Seo Arin he used to know.

    Seo Arin, who had also summoned a golem, warned the man.

    Will you continue, or will you willingly go to the police station?

    Why would I go to the police? I haventmitted a crime!

    The crime youve justmitted is clearly visible. Property damage.

    This table? I didnt do that!

    You did!

    Right. How many people saw it and youre trying to deny it?

    As voices rose around him, the mans face trembled.

    Are you crazy? How dare you, mere civilians

    Its not just property damage. Didnt you try to kill someone just now?

    Kill? Whos killing? It was just a threat!

    Pulling out an axe and calling it a threat? If I hadnt intervened, what would have happened? You might have ended up hurting someone if not killing him.

    Rather, that bastard would have been hurt, not me.

    Ryu Min wouldnt have taken a hit from such a lowlife.

    He wouldve avoided it on his own.

    But showing off his power wouldnt have been beneficial, so Ryu Min remained quiet.

    He intended to leave it to Seo Arin for now.

    What do you say? Isnt this enough reason to go to the police station?

    F*ck

    Unable to find a rebuttal, the man cursed.

    How did ite to this?

    I was just trying to get some money instead of robbery

    It was a sort of ckmail using hair as an excuse, its cheap, but that wasnt important.

    It was better than robbery, wasnt it?

    Compared to other yers who tantly loot, he considered himself rtively honorable.

    But things didnt go as nned.

    How did it get so twisted, f*ck.

    The mans hostile gaze turned towards Seo Arin.

    It didnt seem like she would back down with just words.

    Given the situation, Ill have to get rid of this woman and escape.

    Preparing for battle, he held an axe in each hand.

    Three pesky fairies and two golems seemed manageable.

    But then.

    He btedly noticed.

    Seo Arin had one more summon.

    Whats that?

    A knight in armor stood in front of him, wielding a sword.

    At first, he thought it was a human, but realizing that where there shouldve been eyes, there were only flickering blue mes, he recognized it as a summon.

    A Soul Knight, a new summon Seo Arin had obtained at level 40.

    F*ck, all these are her summons?

    Three Fairies, two Golems, and one Soul Knight.

    Even just by numbers, it seemed disadvantageous.

    His axe seemed pettypared to the challenges he had to ovee.

    I knew Seo Arin was a summoner from the articles, but I didnt expect her to have this many forces

    Three might be manageable, but frankly, six summons were overwhelming.

    Dont be scared. No matter how many summons there are, killing the summoner ends it all. Shes probably level 40 and an expert rank like me. She cant be that strong.

    nning to catch her off guard while talking seemed like a good idea.

    With that thought, the man asked.

    You want to get noticed as a celebrity, so why dont you mind your own business and carry on with your day?

    Im a regr customer here. How can I watch you ruin the owners business? I absolutely cant.

    Saying that Seo Arin raised three fingers.

    You have three choices. One, get arrested quietly by the police. Two, get caught by me quietly. Three, resist and still get caught.

    What kind of choices are those, all ending in getting caught?

    Its only natural to get caught when youve done wrong.

    You fcking btch, Ill kill you!

    Eventually, unable to hold back his anger, the man charged.

    Okay then, this is self-defense since you attacked first.

    The golems moved in front of Seo Arin.

    ng! nk!

    Though he tried to swing his axe at Seo Arin, it seemed as if his arm was maically drawn to the golems instead.

    F*ck, why does my attack keep going towards the golems?

    Unbeknownst to the man, the golems had a skill to draw the enemys aggression.

    F*ck, move, you bastards!

    While the golems drew aggro, three fairies flying behind sent beams of light towards the man.

    Ziiiing-!

    Aah, f*ck!

    The man screamed as the beam hit his back, swinging his axe.

    Whoosh- Whoosh!

    But only slicing through air, as the nimble fairies were not hit.

    You f*cking fairies!

    The man, now burned, red murderously at Seo Arin.

    What self-defense? You attacked me first, you fcking btch!

    Dont you know that thew has changed recently? Havent you heard of the Anti-yer Law?

    Who cares about that? Anyone who dares attack me gets fcked up, no matter who they are. Got it? Being a celebrity wont save you, you fcking b*tch!

    Oh? Were you being considerate all this time? Sorry, I didnt notice.

    Hearing Seo Arins sly words, Ryu Min thought.

    Shes an actress, so her acting is top-notch.

    On the other hand, the other guy was boiling with rage.

    Fcking btch, ying games with me! Fine. Im getting serious now!

    Activating the diator skill [Rage], red smoke rose from the mans body.

    Ziiiing-!

    Once again, the fairys beam scorched his body, but he seemed not to feel any pain as he charged towards Seo Arin.

    Despitemands to block, the golems taunts seemed ineffective.

    Huh?

    As Seo Arin wore a puzzled expression, the distance between them quickly closed.

    Die, you fcking btch!!!

    Just as the mans axe was about to reach Seo Arin.

    ng-!

    The Soul Knight stepped in, engaging the man in a one-on-one battle.

    ng- ng- Crash!

    Fighting in such a cramped restaurant caused great chaos; dishes shattered, and tables crashed.

    Seo Arin, though feeling like she would be unable to look into the owners faceter, prioritized subduing the man before her.

    Fortunately, it seemed that subduing him would be easy.

    The man, who had been blocking the knights attacks with his axe, was clearly being pushed back.

    Damn it, is this a summoned creature? Why is it so strong?

    The movements and swordsmanship of the soul knight were so advanced they could be mistaken for those of a yer.

    Swoosh-

    Eventually, as the knights sword touched the mans throat, he raised his hands in surrender.

    I give up. I admit defeat. Please dont kill me. Please.

    You admit you were at wrong?

    Yeah, I was at wrong. Illpensate for everything!

    Compensation is a given, but you must also obey thew.

    Seo Arin pointed towards the door with her chin.

    The police, having been called by the owner, were waiting at a distance for the situation to conclude.

    Officers, weve caught a criminal yer here.

    Oh, yes. Please keep him like that for a moment.

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 Chapter 140: Rude Customer (2)

    Chapter 140: Rude Customer (2)

    Seo Arin pointed towards the door with her chin.

    The police, having been called by the owner, were waiting at a distance for the situation to conclude.

    Officers, weve caught a criminal yer here.

    Oh, yes. Please keep him like that for a moment.

    With the soul knights sword still at his throat, the police awkwardly approached with handcuffs.

    Click-

    Handcuffs, specially made to resist even a tigers strength, were locked around the mans wrists.

    Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Seo Arin.

    Its nothing. Would you like me to apany you to the station, just in case?

    That would be appreciated. We need you for the report at the station anyway.

    Ah, then please give me 3 minutes. I have some things to wrap up here.

    Sure, well wait.

    Having received permission, Seo Arin approached Ryu Min.

    Mr. Ryu Min, Im sorry. As you can see, we wont be able to have our meal.

    No, Im the one who should apologize. Its my fault you got involved in this mess

    Theres no need for you to apologize. yers like him need to be taught a lesson. Theyre just tarnishing the image of all yers.

    Thats true.

    Then, the younger brother suddenly joined the conversation.

    Ms. Seo Arin, h-hello?

    Hello, youre Ryu Won, right?

    Ryu Won was so moved that she remembered his name.

    Yes, ah, hello. I received the autograph you gave mest time. I was so happy, I even framed it!

    Is that so? Im d you liked it.

    But howe youre here, Ms. Seo Arin?

    Mr. Ryu Min invited me for a meal.

    My brother?

    Ryu Min shrugged at Ryu Wons gaze.

    I called her beforeing. I thought we could have a meal together if she were free. I didnt expect this to happen.

    He truly didnt know.

    Even if he could foresee the future, it was only seven seconds ahead.

    Anyway, well have to postpone our meal.

    Seems so.

    Then, Ill be going ahead, Mr. Ryu Min. See you next time.

    Again, Im sorry for dragging you into this mess.

    Its okay.

    Seo Arin smiled lightly and got into the police car.

    On the way to the station, Seo Arin thought about Ryu Min, who, despite not being particrly strong inbat, stood up to the criminal.

    Hes braver than I thought.

    Seeing this unexpected side of him, Seo Arin saw Ryu Min in a new light.

    Unbeknownst to Ryu Min, of course.

    While the restaurant owner followed the police to give a statement, Ryu Won asked.

    Hyung, why did you call Ms. Seo Arin?

    You like Ms. Seo Arin, right? I thought it might cheer you up to be with her. I never really expected her toe, though.

    Oh

    Was it the feeling of his brother caring for him that touched him?

    Ryu Won looked at his brother with a moved expression.

    I didnt know youd go to such lengths for me. Thanks.

    Of course, Id do anything. Youre my only brother.

    The brothers smiled at each other.

    Their meal was ruined because of the troublemaker, but their mood was surprisingly uplifted.

    If it wasnt for Ms. Seo Arin, we might have been in danger, right?

    Yeah. I was a bit scared myself, but thankfully she appeared just in time.

    Ryu Min was actually worried, contemting how much strength to show since he was supposed to be a weak prophet.

    It was a relief Seo Arin appeared at the right moment, so he let her handle it.

    Its better to leave it to Seo Arin than to show my own strength.

    At level 40, Seo Arin had be stronger than expected, both mentally and physically.

    The soul knight skill she learned at level 40 is really strong.

    Seo Arin could now fend for herself without depending on anyone else.

    Then, people around them started murmuring.

    Did you get that on video?

    Yeah, I recorded the whole thing from start to finish.

    Isnt that amazing?

    Seo Arin was really cool.

    The star, Seo Arin teaching a lesson to a criminal yer.

    I was nning to upload it on Nutube and Inbyulgram.

    It was all about Seo Arin.

    The feedback was generally positive.

    If the video spreads, Seo Arins recognition and value will surely increase.

    It was a hassle to get involved, but looking at the response, it seemed beneficial for Seo Arin.

    At least Im d my brothers mood improved.

    Thinking of sending Seo Arin a thank-you message for willinglying out for a mealter, he left with his brother.

    They felt sorry for the restaurant owner but decided to dine elsewhere.

    *

    [Actress Seo Arin, gone viral, teaching a lesson to a criminal yer, surpasses 1 million views in a week]

    [Seo Arin, who detests criminal yers. An exclusive interview with her!]

    Ryu Min nodded as he read the articles about Seo Arin.

    As expected. The video spread and her poprity skyrocketed.

    Seo Arin, already popr among men for her pretty looks, often attracted jealousy from women.

    However, this incident made her a girl crush, attracting female fans too.

    Effectively, she became a popr star, beloved by both men and women.

    It wasnt intentional, but its all thanks to me, isnt it?

    If Ryu Min hadnt called her on that day, Seo Arin wouldnt have gained such poprity.

    Maybe its time to ride the wave and use Seo Arin as a promotional model for the yer Squad?

    Leveraging her current poprity to promote the yer Squad could create a positive effect and synergy for yers.

    And it would be a bonus to increase the reputation of the ck Scythe, the squad leader.

    Ill have to propose it to Seo Arinter.

    Of course, the proposal would have toe from the ck Scythe, not Ryu Min.

    But I need to get a call from Yamti first.

    Ryu Min was eager to travel to Nigeria to persuade the alchemist, but first, he needed to secure his position as the leader of the yer Squad.

    It was better to move after being officially appointed, to enhance ck Scythes reputation.

    When will the calle?

    As he waited eagerly, Ryu Mins phone vibrated.

    It was the call from Yamti he had been waiting for.

    Hello, yes. How did it go?

    -Ive taken care of everything you asked for, Master.

    Does that mean the establishment of the yer Squad isplete?

    -Yes, Master. You, as ck Scythe, have been appointed the squad leader, and arrangements have been made with the police chief and you will allowed to wear a mask. Recruitment for the squad members is alsoplete. I will send you the detailed schedule and location via text.

    Good. Well done.

    After finishing the call, Ryu Mins lips curved into a smile.

    The time hade to unveil the existence of the yer Squad to the world.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 141: CPF (1)

    Chapter 141: CPF (1)

    Everyone has dreams.

    There was a time when everyone poured their passion into achieving those dreams, sacrificing sleep and enduring hardship.

    Such was the case for Kang Si-hyuk, a junior police officer at Gangnam Police Station.

    In his youth, he scrimped on even his meal times, dedicating himself to passing the police officer examination.

    His unwavering determination, despite repeated failures, was rooted in his childhood dream of bing a detective.

    I dreamed of bing a righteous police officer who, like the cool detectives in movies, would go out to catch bad criminals.

    With such a dream, he finally passed the exam after two failures and climbed up to his current position.

    However, what awaited him was not the detective role he yearned for but a traffic division officer handling DUI checks.

    That was the norm.

    For amon junior officer who had only focused on studying.

    But my opportunity finally came.

    On January 1st, he was selected to participate in the Angels Game, referred to as either a great upheaval or disaster, leaving him with no choice but to despair.

    I thought it was all over.

    However, talent often shines in unexpected moments.

    Surprisingly adept at hunting monsters and utilizing skills and runes for strategizing, Kang Si-hyuk survived up to the 9th round.

    Now, he was selected as a member of the newly established CPF (Counter yer Force), under the governments initiative.

    A mere traffic officer, who used to shove breathalyzers at drivers.

    Its said that opportunitiese to those who dont give up. The disaster turned out to be a blessing in disguise for me.

    For Kang Si-hyuk, at least, this was the golden age.

    It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to realize his dream.

    Ding-

    Entering CPFs temporary gathering spot, Kang Si-hyuk saw five people sitting and looking at their phones.

    Ah, hello! Im Kang Si-hyuk, a 28-year-old junior officer transferred from Gangnam Police Station!

    You dont need to be so formal. Were all junior officers here.

    Is that so?

    Kang Si-hyuk awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

    Nice to meet you. Im Min Tae-su from Daegu Central Police Station. Im 29.

    Im Hwang Man-gi from Guri Inchang Police Station. Im 28.

    Im Ko Nam-chul from Busan Southern Police Station. 29, sir. Do we need to mention our levels and professions too?

    Wow, Busan?

    From the introductions, it was clear they came from all over the country.

    Some, having received a hasty transfer notice, were staying in hotels, unable to find amodations.

    Though it was urgent, no one expressed dissatisfaction.

    They werent content with just being junior officers.

    This is an opportunity for us. When else would we get to work in such a special unit?

    Exactly. I wasining when will I ever do some proper police work, and then this opportunity came out of nowhere.

    Its ironically fortunate to have be a yer, isnt it?

    Despite their sudden ascension, everyone was aware of what CPF represented.

    A unit to eliminate criminal yers. Wow, isnt that just cool?

    I heard we only kill when its dangerous, not outright elimination?

    Well, its practically the same.

    The world has changed so much. To think that conservative government officials would allow summary execution.

    That must mean the world has be extremely dangerous, right?

    But yers will be halved anyway, right? Why bother creating such a unit if theyre going to disappear on their own?

    Threat remains a threat, even if the number of yers decreases.

    Hey, you said your name was Kang Si-hyuk, right? Since were all the same rank, feel free to speak casually. Were basically of simr age in ourte 20s, after all.

    Ah, should I? Haha.

    The six police yers quickly bonded over theirmon ground and shared interest in catching criminals.

    Hello. Is this the CPF temporary gathering ce?

    Hello.

    More prospective members arrived.

    They, too, were among the few remaining police officer yers nationwide, with simr intentions and interests.

    Seems like were all on the same page? The desire to take down criminals.

    To be honest, as public officers, I shouldnt say this, but seeing those inhuman acts makes me, how should I say, feel a surge of murderous intent?

    You feel that way too? I saw victims wailing at the station, and it really made my blood boil.

    With those f*king yers acting like monsters, its no wonder this unit was formed.

    By the way, who will ourmander be?

    Anyone heard anything?

    Nothing.

    Do we even have amander?

    Well, there has to be, since were a unit.

    I thought we were going to elect one among us?

    How? By ying rock-paper-scissors? Chuckle.

    Probably amissioned officer from the police academy.

    Then it must be someone of inspector rank. But are there any survivingmissioned officers among the yers?

    The members were curious about who would lead them.

    They were only told to gather here by 8 p.m., without further details.

    I hope its not some old fart.

    It wont be. If its a yer, theyll be under 29, just like us.

    Ah, right.

    Why are you guys assuming themander is a yer? It could be a civilian.

    Nah, that doesnt make sense. The members are yers, but themander a civilian?

    How would they manage to control us then?

    While they correctly assumed theirmander would be a yer, they knew nothing beyond that.

    How many police yers have survived nationwide?

    Surely this cant be all of us?

    Nah, there must be more.

    As the 10 yers pondered this,

    You all are it.

    Heads turned at the voice of a neer.

    Swish-

    A man appeared out of thin air, wearing a white mask, and looked at them.

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 Chapter 141: CPF (2)

    Chapter 141: CPF (2)

    You all are it.

    Heads turned at the voice of a neer.

    Swish-

    A man appeared out of thin air, wearing a white mask, and looked at them.

    Gasp! What? Invisibility?

    I didnt sense him at all.

    Who are you?! What are you?!

    How long have you been there?

    Been here all along. Just observing what you were saying, for management purposes.

    Ryu Min approached with steady steps, responding to their shocked expressions.

    The yers couldnt take their eyes off the suddenly appeared Ryu Min, readying themselves to equip their gear at any moment.

    It was a natural reaction to a suspicious man covering his face with a white mask.

    Ryu Min looked around at the members and said,

    No need to be so guarded. Im themander youve been waiting for.

    -Commander?

    -This person?

    Though he revealed the truth, no one took his word for it at face value.

    Suspicion was their initial response.

    What kind ofmander hides his face behind a mask, unless hes out of his mind?

    Hmm, a rather unweing countenance. Well, appearing with a mask on is bound to look strange.

    Are you really our unitsmander?

    Why wear the mask?

    I dont want my face to be public. By the way, I have the police chiefs approval, so dont even think about making a fuss.

    The members inwardly sighed.

    Some of them were already internallymenting having such an oddmander.

    -Why does he feel the need to hide his face as if hes some kind of celebrity?

    -So, its okay for us to have our faces known?

    -This is just ridiculous.

    He managed to nt a not-so-favorable first impression.

    But, it didnt matter to him.

    What these guys think of me isnt important. What matters is how well they can do their job.

    Ryu Min was here merely to introduce himself and to train and instruct them briefly.

    He had no intention of spending all day here like he was on a standby duty.

    Those who dont listen will just have to be beaten into submission.

    Here, he was the highest authority, so whatever he did wouldnt be questioned.

    Especially with the supportive police chief backing him up.

    Moreover, Ryu Min could see 7 seconds into the future.

    He knew how they would react when he revealed his nickname, so he wasnt worried about his image.

    Let me formally introduce myself. In the other world, my nickname is ck Scythe. My profession is a Reaper, and Im level 89. As for my real-world identity, I cant reveal that, I hope you understand.

    B-ck Scythe?

    Could it be the ck Scythe?

    The yers were shocked and confused upon hearing the unexpected nickname.

    The name ck Scythe was always at the top of the rankings, known as a monstrous entity among yers for his unmatchable level.

    For such a famed person to im identity here was utterly surprising.

    Hence, there was skepticism.

    Ko Nam-chul from Busan was one of the skeptics.

    Commander, I know its impolite to ask on our first meeting, but can you prove it? Its a bit hard to believe.

    You should start fixing that dialect of yours. Youre in Seoul now; you should at least be able to speak standard Korean.

    Never mind dodging the question, sir.

    You want proof?

    It seemed everyone shared the same sentiment, doubting whether he was really impersonating ck Scythe.

    Proof Would this suffice?

    Ryu Mins hand manifested a scythe.

    The Reapers trademark, a scythe taller than an adult.

    Yet, the yers skepticism remained.

    Anyone can buy a scythe from the shop, cant they?

    Huh? There were scythes in the shop?

    Really? I never noticed before.

    It wasnt there originally, but it appeared once I reached expert rank.

    Oh, is that so?

    Then just holding a scythe doesnt prove anything.

    The members murmured among themselves, still eyeing Ryu Min with suspicion.

    So now even a weapon isnt enough for proof?

    Of course, handing over the scythe for them to check its stats could resolve the issue.

    It was a weapon that only those above level 60 could wield.

    That would at least convince them that Im a powerful being over level 60.

    However, Ryu Min had no intention of handing over his scythe.

    Not because he feared it being stolen, but because it didnt fit his image.

    After all, these guys are my subordinates. Theres no need to humiliate myself by handing over my scythe for validation.

    As the unitsmander, it was essential to demonstrate strong charisma.

    First impressions were crucial for establishing respect.

    I need to prove that I am ck Scythe and leave a strong impression.

    How could he catch two birds with one stone?

    There was a simple way.

    If you cant believe me, lets settle this with a duel.

    A duel?

    Once you reach level 60, you can attain master rank, unlocking the duel request feature. It allows you to challenge someone to a duel, staking something in the process. As I said, being level 89, only I can use this feature.

    But how does that prove youre ck Scythe?

    Well, if youve seen the ranking updates, youd know. The gap between the first and second ce in every region is huge. Currently, theres only me in the master rank worldwide. So, if someone can use the duel request feature, it must be me, the ck Scythe.

    Still, theres no guarantee the duel request feature unlocks at level 60, right?

    Well, youll know once you reach level 60. But if youre really doubtful, lets have a go. Honestly, youre not just curious whether Im ck Scythe. You want to know if Im qualified to be themander, whether Im stronger or weaker than you. Right?

    They remained silent with stern faces, but the members were internally astonished.

    They hadnt expected him to address the issue so directly.

    So, who wants to be the first challenger?

    No one? Dont worry. If we agree on conditions, no one dies in a duel. Thats the nature of the duel request feature. Of course, it only applies to the duel participants, so you could still die from someone elses attack.

    So, no takers? If no one steps up, Ill take it as you acknowledging me as ck Scythe

    Thats when the first challenger stepped forward.

    Ill take you on, sir.

    It was the Busan man, Ko Nam-chul.

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 Chapter 142: Duel (1)

    Chapter 142: Duel (1)

    Go Nam-cheol was frankly displeased with the ck Scythe.

    To trust and follow amander who wont even show his face. I cant abide by that.

    Whether its the real ck Scythe or not doesnt matter.

    Isnt the trustworthinesscking here?

    How do we proceed with the duel?

    First, lets move to a more spacious location.

    As Ryu Min stepped outside, the members followed him.

    Nam-cheol, good luck.

    Thanks.

    Make sure to tten his nose for us.

    Leave it to me.

    Some, seemingly already close to Go Nam-cheol, whispered words of encouragement.

    10 members gathered in the front yard of the assembly area.

    Everyones eyes sparkled with interest as they watched the two of them.

    A duel in the dead of night, illuminated by streetmps.

    Wouldve been nice to have some popcorn.

    Keke, indeed.

    Ryu Min chuckled, looking at theughing audience.

    Laugh all you want now. After this is over, its your turn.

    Ryu Min had no intention of dueling only with Go Nam-cheol from the start.

    He nned to duel with all 10 members present.

    Of course, it wasnt just for the sake of a power struggle.

    As amander, he wanted to assess the skills, talents, and perseverance of the guys.

    Come a bit closer. We need to apply for the duel.

    Understood.

    The two stood 10 meters apart.

    Ryu Min manipted something in the air, and a message visible only to Go Nam-cheol appeared.

    [The opponent in front of you, has requested a duel.]

    [Duel Type  Non-lethal Simple Duel]

    [Victory Condition  Inflict any damage]

    [If the opponent wins  Correct Busan Warriors dialect, Recognize asmander]

    [If Busan Warrior wins  The opponent resigns from themander position]

    [Penalty for the opponent  All equipment, skill usage prohibited]

    [Penalty for Busan Warrior  None]

    [Do you ept the duel under these conditions? Y/N]

    As Go Nam-cheol looked at the message in astonishment, Ryu Min spoke.

    If you ept, the duel will proceed under those conditions.

    Whats this penalty thing?

    Exactly what it says, penalties imposed only on me.

    Then

    Yes. As you can see, I n to face you after discarding all my items. I wont use skills either.

    Go Nam-cheols lips twitched.

    Themander was challenging his manhood.

    Dont take it as an underestimation. Its to bnce things out. An 89-level yer wearing gear cant seriously fight a level 40.

    Then, this victory condition?

    When you win, those are the conditions you must adhere to. Kind of like a bet? Of course, you cant break the promise. The system will force your actions as soon as you ept.

    Go Nam-cheol considered the scenario where he won.

    If I win, hell resign from themander position?

    Since actions are forced, he cant even break the promise.

    Of course, this is assuming he wins.

    Its doable. No matter how high his level, you cant ignore the advantage of equipment.

    Simply calcting stats, an 89 level without gear is simr to a fully equipped level 40.

    Actually, the level 40 might even be higher.

    If theyre equipped with good gear.

    Thus, Go Nam-cheol was confident.

    His equipment was second to none.

    Most of my equipment is rare. I even have a unique item.

    His survival up to level 40 wasrgely thanks to his items.

    Even if his level is high, without equipment, his stats will be significantly lower. Then, theres no way Ill lose.

    With that thought, Go Nam-cheol confidently epted.

    [The duel has been set.]

    [The duel between the two will start in 10 seconds.]

    This message was sent to everyone nearby.

    Go Nam-cheol distanced himself with a serious look.

    Ill make you regret imposing a penalty on yourself.

    However, he overlooked one fact.

    Even without equipment, each of Ryu Mins stats was nearing 300.

    [Beep-! The duel begins!]

    Tadadadat-

    Go Nam-cheol closed the distance as soon as it started.

    In the hands of the level 40 de Master was a sharp longsword.

    He was serious since it was a non-lethal duel.

    As the distance closed, he sequentially used three skills.

    Sword Qi, Swift de, de Dance!

    The longsword was coated in a blue sword qi, increasing weapon damage by 70%.

    The Swift de buff also increased his attack speed by 70%.

    Then, Go Nam-cheols body moved dazzlingly as if dancing with the sword, aiming to ughter his target.

    Tap tap tap tap tap-!

    Huh?

    However, right after using the skills, Go Nam-cheol could only wear a dumbfounded expression.

    Because he clearly saw the opponent deflecting the de with his palm.

    How, how is this possible? He deflected my de with his hand?

    It wasnt just a normal attack but a skill charged with five times the usual damage.

    Deflecting the skill with his palm required precisely reading the trajectory of the de and matching the exact speed, which was impossible.

    This cant be. It must be a fluke. If I try again, surely the oue will be different.

    Despite what he saw, Go Nam-cheol swung his longsword again, unable to ept it.

    Yet, as if Ryu Min knew every path of his attacks, he deflected them with his hand.

    This is insane.

    How could one deflect a sword with bare hands, even in movies this is a hard move to pull!

    Then, a wee notification appeared.

    [de Dance cooldown is over.]

    This time. Try blocking this!

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 Chapter 142: Duel (2)

    Chapter 142: Duel (2)

    How could one deflect a sword with bare hands, even in movies this is a hard move to pull!

    Then, a wee notification appeared.

    [de Dance cooldown is over.]

    This time. Try blocking this!

    Go Nam-cheols sword danced once more.

    His momentum was such that it seemed he would leave no flesh uncut, but.

    Tap tap tap tap tap tap-!

    All were deflected with the palm, leaving Go Nam-cheol with the same incredulous expression as before.

    To Ryu Min, this wasnt surprising at all.

    Bullet dodging is a piece of cake with Agility at 300.

    With agility at 300, dodging bullets was feasible.

    With the rune of foresight, blocking such swift attacks was not difficult.

    Mentally he looks already crashed, might as well finish this.

    After deflecting the second attempt, Go Nam-cheol no longer chalked it up to coincidence.

    As if stamped with defeat he meaninglessly swung his sword.

    Crack-!

    Kek!

    Dodging the sword and delivering a body blow, the sound of ribs breaking was heard.

    But the pain was momentary.

    [The duel has ended. You win.]

    [Nickname Busan Warrior has lost, thus initiating the correction of dialect and recognition as amander.]

    As soon as the message appeared, it was as if time rewound, and the pain vanished. The broken ribs were back in ce as if nothing had happened. Though the wounds healed, the mental scars did not.

    Feeling a profound difference in their capabilities, Go Nam-cheol hung his head in defeat.

    I lost. As promised, Ill recognize you as themander and correct my dialect.

    Good. I appreciate your acknowledgment.

    Ryu Min let out a smile, turning to the other squad members. All of them had their mouths agape, still processing the duel they had witnessed.

    Did I just see that right? He deflected all attacks with his hand?

    Insane. Is this the might of the ck Scythe weve heard about?

    How could he not have a single scratch on him?

    He didnt even wear any items and fought barehanded, and hes this powerful?

    Is this what being level 89 means?

    They internally marveled at the unbelievable feat of strength, but their moment of awe was brief.

    Hey, the one who said itd be nice to have popcorn?

    Yes? Me, you mean?

    Yes,e closer. Its your turn to duel.

    Ah, no thank you. Seeing your overwhelming power, its clear youre the ck Scythe. Haha

    Hmm, already disobeying yourmander?

    Uh?

    I dont like repeating myself.

    I, Ille.

    With a reluctant heart, the squad member approached Ryu Min.

    Everyone else, stand by. Youll all have to face me one-on-one after him.

    The faces of the squad members fell.

    *

    Ryu Min dueled with each of the 10 squad members, disying a ghost-like skill by deflecting attacks with his palm, just as he did with Go Nam-cheol.

    As a result, the squad members couldnt even look Ryu Min in the eye.

    No matter if they used skills, fakes, changed their attack patterns, whatever they did.

    He blocked everything with his bare hands, leaving them with a sense of helplessness beyond imagination.

    You all worked hard dueling. It must be tiring, so sit and rest.

    There was no physical exhaustion. It was all mental.

    The squad members looked at Ryu Min with eyes full of reverence.

    Though his face was hidden behind a mask, it was clear.

    Theirmander hadnt sweated a single drop.

    Hes a monster, really.

    Even without items, we stood no chance.

    The number 1 rank is truly beyond reach.

    The insurmountable gap made the squad members naturally bow their heads.

    A sense of defeat and powerlessness enveloped them. Some even resented the ck Scythe for toying with them as if bullying.

    Since I won the duels, you all recognize me as the ck Scythe, right? I suppose this proves my qualification as amander?

    Yes

    Although they acknowledged him, he still dampened their spirits and earned their resentment in the process.

    But it was too early for resentment.

    Now everyone, sit and listen to what I have to say. Starting with Go Nam-cheol.

    Me?

    Movement, judgment, momentum, everything is good, but your skill utilization iscking. de Masters skills arent meant to be used that way. You applied Sword Qi and Swift de buffs before using de Dance, but those buffs dont affect the skill. It only causes a dy in executing the skill. So, you shouldve used de Dance first, or applied the buffs and waited for the right timing to use the skill. Personally, I rmend changing your attack pattern to thetter. Using de Dance when retrieving the sword helps reduce dy.

    Next, Hwang Man-gi. As a diator, your movements are good, but you rely too much on rage skills and neglect defense. Lowering your weapon below your chest duringbat is like asking to be killed or surrendering. Its not just carelessness; its a habit that needs changing.

    Then, Kang Si-hyuk. In terms of skill utilization, judgment, andbat sense, youre superior among the squad members. You mix skills with fakes well. However, you give up too easily after gauging the opponents strength. I understand, but I wish youd show more perseverance at least until youve tried. Thats regrettable.

    Ah Thank you. I will correct it.

    Kang Si-hyuk responded sincerely.

    Meanwhile, the squad members were all stunned.

    He knew our names and jobs without us telling him?

    That wasnt the surprising part. It was expected for themander to know his squad members.

    What truly amazed them was something else.

    He didnt duel just to assert dominance but to provide feedback?

    Wasnt this all just to establish discipline?

    No wonder he didnt finish us quickly

    They hadnt expected the duels to carry such intentions. It felt like receiving an unexpected gift.

    At the same time, the squad members perceptions shifted.

    Until a moment ago, their eyes showed loss and resentment. Now, they looked at him with admiration and fondness.

    They realized the man known as the ck Scythe wasnt just about brute strength.

    This duel was to reflect on your shorings and learn Well, looking at your faces, it seems theres no need to worry. Shall we then move on to theory lessons?

    Yes! Commander!

    Please teach us!

    Ryu Min grinned.

    The squad members, now full of spirit unlike before, were ready to learn.

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 Chapter 143: Practice (1)

    Chapter 143: Practice (1)

    We are a five-minute standby team, waiting here and immediately deploying upon receiving a report. Our top priority is to quickly assess the situation and rescue citizens from threats.

    Ryu Min was conducting a theoretical training session, drawing on a whiteboard set up at the temporary gathering spot.

    Despite it being evening, the eyes of the members attending the training shone brightly with enthusiasm.

    It was hard to believe that these were the same individuals who, just a moment ago, had looked at him with eyes full of resentment, now so engrossed in the training.

    Criminal yers mostly feel that they are special beings while simultaneously harboring the fear of whether they can survive the next round. Therefore, they are in a mentally unstable and dangerous state, especially when cornered.

    The members nodded in agreement, as they too had experienced fear of the next round.

    When mentally exhausted, they are easily tempted to do whatever they desire before dying in the next round. Thats why they are unrestrained, acting on all the impulses theyve suppressed before their downfall.

    This exins the frequent urrence of crimes among yers.

    Therefore, theymit crimes like theft, looting, rape, and murder without hesitation. Having practiced murder in the fourth round, their rehearsal for killing isplete. These individuals are fearless. They look down on civilians and even mock the police. But now, its different.

    Ryu Mins eyes gleamed from behind his mask.

    We must instill fear in them. We also need to change the perception of citizens who distrust police and yers. Well start practical training now to learn about these aspects. Essentially, its a real-world application.

    The members swallowed nervously.

    The prospect of real-world application from the first day was nerve-wracking.

    Real-world operations will take ce in Seoul. ording to statistics, most yers residences are concentrated in Seoul. Shall we check if there have been any reports received?

    Ryu Min turned on the radio he had previously turned off.

    Chichik- Chichik-

    He turned the frequency to be ready to receive reports and checked theputer for any previously received reports.

    Lucky us. No reports havee in during the hours weve been training. Some might be disappointed about not getting a chance to practice, but its best if no incidents ur.

    Ah.

    Lets resume the training

    Just then, the previously quiet radio crackled to life.

    -Incident report, incident report, code zero one, code zero one, emergency bell report from a convenience store in Seongnae-dong, please verify the exact location. Over.

    Wiiiiiiing-

    An rm sounded from the notification system installed inside the temporary gathering spot.

    Ryu Min muttered softly.

    Unlucky.

    Indeed, it was unlucky.

    For the criminal yer.

    *

    Yongyongyong-

    Riding in a van marked with a police badge, the members listened to the squad leaders exnation.

    Three minutes ago, we received a report from a convenience store in Seongnae-dong. Since the yer-specific emergency bell was pressed, its highly likely that they are under threat from a yer. In other words, its an emergency situation.

    The word emergency tensed the members up.

    It was natural, considering this was their first time heading to a scene after only having conducted DUI checks.

    Criminal yers are like ticking time bombs. Thats why quick judgment is crucial. Since its our first day, Ill demonstrate. Just watch how its done.

    Yes!

    Soon after, two more minutes passed, and the reported convenience store came into view.

    The members arrived exactly five minutester and followed Ryu Min as they hurried inside.

    Or, that was the n, until Ryu Min came back out.

    Huh? Why are youing back out?

    Ive already assessed the situation. Go in and see for yourself.

    Entering for a mere five seconds and iming the situation was assessed?

    The members entered the convenience store with puzzled faces.

    Gasp!

    Ah!

    Sighs of dismay escaped the members upon seeing the scene.

    The store owner, presumed to be the reporter and in his 40s, was already dead.

    The clear knife marks on his neck and the blood-drenched counter presented a gruesome scene.

    Damn it. To harm an ordinary person who has no power

    Where did this bastard go?

    The infuriated members looked around, but no sign of anyone was evident in the convenience store.

    Judging by the opened cash register, it seemed the culprit had extorted money from the owner before killing him and fleeing.

    Grumbling, the members who stepped outside looked around and approached Ryu Min.

    Commander, weve checked the crime scene.

    Alright, have you assessed the situation?

    Yes. The person presumed to be the owner is dead, and the culprit seems to have disappeared. But how did you assess the situation so quickly?

    Upon entering, I saw a 40s civilian presumed to be the owner dead at the counter, and there were no signs of life detectable by presence detection. That alone was enough to conclude the culprit had killed and fled.

    Ah. Shouldnt we look for evidence about the criminal? Like checking the CCTV for their appearance

    The culprit isnt just any criminal; theyre a yer. A walking time bomb that fled in a critical situation. We dont have the luxury to leisurely collect evidence. Another victim could emerge at any moment.

    Ah

    There was no denying his words.

    Then what do we do now? We dont have any information on the criminal.

    We do have information. The situation indicates the culprit fled in haste. Probably their first time killing a civilian. Not a very clever individual either.

    How can you tell?

    Firstly, theres no cash in the cash register. It indicates money was the motive. Even after achieving their goal, the culprit killed the owner. Probably out of fear of being reported. But, even after killing to prevent a report, the culprit stupidly forgot to clear traces. Why do that?

    Well, I guess?

    Probably panicked after killing someone. Meaning, theyre not used to such actsa rookie. It was likely their first time killing a civilian.

    The members were astonished by the rapid judgment based on a brief observation.

    The more they learned about their squad leader, the more impressive he seemed.

    Where would a rookie criminal who killed a civilian run to?

    Well, I guess?

    My guess is

    Ryu Min walked towards the alleyway next to the convenience store.

    Rather than the open main road, its likely they fled into such alleyways. They would have wanted to escape into the dark to avoid being seen.

    Ah, so if we follow the alleyways, we might find them?

    Exactly. This is where area search skillse in handy. Shall we start with that?

    Ryu Min used one of themon skills, [Area Search].

    It disyed the surroundings within a 500m radius like a mini-map.

    A map window appeared in front of Ryu Mins eyes, visible to others as well.

    Many red dots, seemingly representing life forms, were visible on the map.

    And among them, one was uniquely moving.

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 Chapter 143: Practice (2)

    Chapter 143: Practice (2)

    Ryu Min used one of themon skills, [Area Search].

    It disyed the surroundings within a 500m radius like a mini-map.

    A map window appeared in front of Ryu Mins eyes, visible to others as well.

    Many red dots, seemingly representing life forms, were visible on the map.

    And among them, one was uniquely moving.

    Look. You can see someone running through the alleys on the map, cant you?

    Yes, really!

    As Ryu Min said, there was one dot selectively

    moving through the alleys, seemingly avoiding peoples eyes.

    This individual is likely the criminal.

    Ah!

    Lets catch them before they get away.

    Yes, understood!

    The members followed Ryu Min into the alley, but the distance quickly widened until Ryu Mins figure disappeared from sight.

    What, what? How can he be this fast?

    It was likeparing a car to a bicycle.

    Despite running at full speed, they couldnt catch up to Ryu Mins pace.

    Naturally.

    Ryu Min wasnt wearing any items during the duel, but now he was fully equipped.

    With a significant increase in agility stats, his speed was iparable to before.

    Unable to keep up with the squad leader, the members were amazed.

    We cant catch up at all.

    The more I see, the more impressive he is.

    Since they lost sight of him, they had no choice but to rely on the area search skill.

    Members with the skill followed the map, chasing ck Scythe.

    Soon, the members saw ck Scythe and the suspect in a standoff in the alley.

    But the suspect had a persons neck in his grip.

    Donte any closer! Damn it!

    Please, save me. Please.

    A woman in her mid-30s, presumably taken hostage by the suspect, was in his grasp.

    The yer was endangering the life of another civilian.

    That crazy bastard

    It seemed he had taken the woman hostage after running into her in the alley.

    Seeing the man holding a dagger to the womans neck, the members were certain.

    This was the bastard who killed the store owner and fled.

    What are you guys! Why are you following me! Come any closer, and Ill slit this b*tchs throat!

    The members hesitated.

    A wrong move could lead to a hole in the womans neck.

    Hey, listen, sir. Calm down and

    Sir, my ass! Do I look like a sir to you? Huh!?

    The criminal, spitting with excitement, seemed to be in a bad mental state.

    Whats with that guy wearing a mask? Why is he looking at me without saying anything? Are you their friend? No, I dont care! Put down your weapons, all of you!

    Please, save me

    Hey, you, b*tch, shut up! Keep nagging, and Ill stab you right now

    That was the moment.

    Thwack-!

    The mans head sted like a rocket.

    Ryu Mins scythe, extended like a whip, precisely cut the criminals head.

    Quickly, with no time to react.

    Thump-

    Save me Aaaah!

    The woman, terrified at the sight of the corpse, crawled away in horror.

    Ching-

    Ryu Min retrieved his scythe, showing no mercy in killing the criminal.

    His coldness left the members speechless.

    Are you okay?

    Yes Yes

    Dont worry. Youre safe now.

    Afterforting the trembling woman, Ryu Min turned to the members.

    Whats wrong?

    W-We didnt expect you to kill the criminal without attempting to arrest

    ording to the yer crimew, there are two cases where immediate execution of a criminal yer is allowed. One is for criminals who havemitted serious crimes like murder, robbery, and rape. The other is when they pose an imminent threat to civilians. He qualified for both. Killing the store owner is circumstantial, but matching the CCTV footage with his clothes would prove it. Even if not, he was already a target for immediate execution the moment he threatened a civilian.

    On the scene, quick judgment is crucial. The speed at which you apprehend criminals can prevent further victims. Its the same now. Had I not intervened, there could have been a second victim, right?

    The members couldnt argue.

    If Ryu Min hadnt pursued, the woman might have died simply for crossing paths in the alley.

    It was too dangerous to capture him alive. Immediate execution was necessary. Thats why wepare yers to time bombs. If you cant shield everyone from a time bomb, its wise to remove the fuse early.

    While it wasnt a fuse but the brain that was blown away, the members didnt see the action as too harsh.

    Having already witnessed a brutal murder scene, they couldnt sympathize with the criminal.

    Well, they were members who fluttered at the thought of criminals anyway.

    Squad leader, what about the body? Should we erase the traces?

    No. We cant destroy evidence. The regr police have been notified and are on their way here. We dealt with the threatening yer and only need to report the situation. Leave the rest to the regr police.

    Ah, got it.

    Now youve seen an example, you roughly know what to do, right? Quick judgment, criminal search, and rescuing people are key. Got it?

    Yes! We understand!

    Seeing the members newfound determination, Ryu Min smiled warmly from behind his mask.

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 Chapter 144: Preparing For Travel (1)

    Chapter 144: Preparing For Travel (1)

    Ryu Min spent several days conducting field training with CPF squad members.

    Whenever a report came in, theyd turn on the siren and rush to the scene as quickly as possible.

    Swiftly surveying the crime scene, theyd grasp the situation at a nce.

    Ideally, theyd confront the criminal on site, but most had already fled.

    In such cases, theyd utilize tracking skills to follow the criminals traces.

    If they were lucky enough to find the criminal, that was good, but if not?

    Theyd search for witnesses or visit stores for a more thorough investigation.

    Of course, if another report came in during the search, theyd hand it over to the regr police and move on.

    It was important to eliminate as many criminal yers as possible.

    If they found the criminal, theyd subdue and handcuff them.

    But these werent ordinary handcuffs.

    These are yer-specific handcuffs distributed to regr police. It takes roughly a strength of 150 in stats to break free.

    After capturing criminals with the handcuffs provided by the squad leader, theyd hand them over to the police for legal proceedings.

    Worried about handing yers over to regr police?

    The state had authorized the use of firearms against yers, so regr officers were fully capable of confronting criminal yers.

    After all, even yers cant dodge bullets.

    Well, not yet, anyway.

    Even with guns, yers not handcuffed remained a threat.

    But as police could use lethal force against threatening actions, armed officers could manage to some extent.

    This should be enough to conclude the training.

    Ryu Min was relieved as he looked at his squad members.

    After several days of actualbat, theyd be capable of resolving cases on their own without his intervention.

    Theyd killed several criminal yers.

    Though they seemed innocent people, having gone through four rounds made them less averse to killing.

    They became police due to their disdain for criminals, after all.

    None hesitated to make swift judgments.

    Youve worked hard this week. With this, both theoretical and practical training areplete. Now I can leave with confidence.

    Leave? What do you mean?

    You think Id always be here to cover your backs? Im quite busy myself.

    He had informed the Ministry, Infrastructure, and Transport a week ago that hed be leasing a flight to Nigeria.

    Currently, he was just waiting for the flight path approval.

    Hed even prepared passports under the name Lostyak.

    His mind was already set on the trip.

    Would there be problems catching criminal yers without me?

    No one spoke up.

    Though they didnt say it, the squad members had grown fond of him over the week.

    It was true they trusted, followed, and respected him as their squad leader.

    A pir of support.

    The thought of such a leader leaving left them feeling empty and bitter.

    Dont be too sad. Ill drop by from time to time to check on how youre doing.

    With that, Ryu Min left some parting words for each member.

    Ko Nam-choel. Youvepletely fixed your dialect in just a week. Anyone would think youre a native of Seoul now.

    Ha ha, you tter me, Squad Leader.

    Hwang Man-ki. Your recent performance has been impressive. Dont forget I always have high expectations.

    Thank you, ha ha.

    Kang Si-hyuk. Youve always been doing well. Just keep it up. Eh? Are your eyes welling up? Youre not crying because Im leaving, are you?

    Ah, n-no, of course not.

    Despite his words, Kang Si-hyuk turned away, dabbing his tears with his palm.

    Youve all worked hard. Stick to the shifts Ive arranged, 3 teams, 2 shifts each. Its tough to do such a job 24/7. Contact me anytime if theres a problem.

    Yes! Squad Leader! Thank you for your hard work!

    Its as if Im retiring or something.

    Ryu Min turned away with a smile hidden behind his mask.

    He had a dependable squad now.

    [This month marks the debut of the newly established anti-yer squad, CPF. Showing unexpected sess]

    [Newly established CPF squad has dealt with 52 yers in just a week! Easing the burden on police officers]

    [Is it the CPF effect? Crime rates have dropped 32%pared tost week]

    [Have you heard of the CPF squad? The newly established anti-yer squad!]

    [Theres a squad that executes criminal yers? Everything about CPF!]

    Is this the squad that hunts yers down? Can they execute on the spot?

    Definitely seems effective. The number of yersmitting crimes has plummeted.

    Of course, itd be effective. If youmit a crime, you get killed.

    Lmao, if I were a criminal, Id stay holed up at home too.

    Not just randomly killing but only the heinous criminals.

    The countrys gone mad. yers are people too, yet theyre killing them off like this.

    Look, a criminal sympathizer up there.

    If left alone, it would cause more harm. Better to eliminate them.

    Criminals deserve to die. Period.

    Shouldve done this sooner. Typical of the government to lock the stable door after the horse has bolted.

    Exactly. Anyway, it seems Congressman Lee Sung-hyun did something right.

    The squad leader is famous among yers, right? Ranked number one, nicknamed ck Scythe?

    ck Scythe? Is that the person who saved Congressman Lee Sung-hyun before?

    Then he got in with the congressmans backing, lol.

    Backed by the congressman? The decision for the squad lies with the chief of police.

    Heard that Congressman Lee Sung-hyun actually rmended him. Theres an article about it.

    No need to discuss his abilities; hes already proven himself by saving someone, so they mustve recruited him as a special case.

    So, its all about connections, huh. Tsk tsk.

    But considering the squads not causing trouble and is handling their duties well, seems the leaders position isnt just for show.

    Ryu Min put down his phone after reading thements.

    The general reaction to CPF is positive. Its showing notable effects, so maybe thats to be expected?

    He smiled contentedly, but his own reputation as ck Scythe hadnt improved much.

    Naturally.

    No matter how active a unit is, its seen as merely fulfilling its duty.

    Unless something big happens, the squad leaders name wont make headlines.

    Thats why hes heading to Nigeria.

    To make something big happen.

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 Chapter 144: Preparing For Travel (2)

    Chapter 144: Preparing For Travel (2)

    Thats why hes heading to Nigeria.

    To make something big happen.

    What if ck Scythe captures a public enemy? My reputation would skyrocket, at least more than now.

    And if he then asked Seo Arin, who was gaining poprity, for promotion?

    The squads recognition and status would undoubtedly increase.

    And that would significantly reduce the frequency of criminal yers acting out.

    It seems Ill need Seo Arins help.

    Ryu Min dialed Seo Arin using Lostyaks phone, even taking the meticulous step of morphing his face for voice modtion.

    But.

    Shes not picking up?

    Perhaps because it was an unknown number, she didnt answer.

    After several attempts with the same result, he decided to send a text.

    [Seo Arin? Its ck Scythe. I have something to discuss, so call me back when you see this.]

    Not even 10 seconds passed before Seo Arin called back.

    Seems she really didnt answer unknown numbers.

    -Are you really ck Scythe?

    Yes, its me. Youll recognize my voice.

    -Ah, yes, its really you, ck Scythe.

    Seo Arin remembered the voice of ck Scythe she met in reality.

    Wearing a mask had made him even more memorable.

    -How did you get my number? I never gave it to you

    I have my ways.

    -Ah, right. Youre the CPF squad leader?

    Looks like youve seen the news.

    -Of course. I wouldnt miss an article with your name in it

    -Oh, dont misunderstand. Its just a habit of surfing the inte and I happened toe across it.

    Im not misunderstanding.

    -Then, why did you call?

    I was thinking of making a public service announcement to get our squad known, and youd be the perfect model for it.

    -Me? A model?

    Seo Arin was flustered, but only for a moment.

    -Ill do it. I want to.

    She epted so readily, it was surprising.

    Youre deciding this easily? Dont you want to think it over?

    -Whats there to think about? If its something that can help you, ck Scythe, I shouldnt even question it.

    Then its decided youll be the model.

    He had been worried she might refuse, but her enthusiastic eptance was a relief.

    Ill contact you once the schedule is set.

    -Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

    Opportunity? I should be the one thanking you.

    -Um, if youre grateful, may I ask for a favor? Ah, is it too presumptuous?

    Ryu Min blinked at the sudden request.

    A favor? What is it?

    -Could we maybe have a meal together? If youre not too busy, that is. If you are, its okay

    Having a meal with a mask on That might be difficult.

    -Oh, right, the mask.

    Even transformed into Lostyak, he couldnt reveal his face to Seo Arin.

    And I have to go somewhere for a while, so I wont have the time.

    -Is that so? Where to

    Id rather not say.

    -Oh, Im sorry

    Seo Arin, who had seemed so cool-headed at the barbecue, was now flustered, a stark contrast to before.

    Then Ill contact you again when the advertisement schedule is ready.

    -Yes, I understand. ck Scythe.

    After ending the call, Ryu Min smirked.

    Ive secured a model for the promotion, and CPF is running well without me.

    Everything was proceeding ording to n.

    Hows yer ce doing?

    With that thought, he called Yamti, hearing her excited voice.

    -Master! Whats up?

    Are you at home?

    -Yes, at home. Are you thinking ofing over

    Cut the nonsense. Hows the management of yer ce going? Everything okay?

    -Yes. Ive given detailed instructions to the chairman, so were smoothly epting new members.

    All the new members passed the personalitytest, right?

    -Right. Thanks to you handling the thousand membersst month, weve cleared out the mud and reced it with fresh water.

    Thats good to hear.

    After Ryu Min and Ma Kyung-roks efforts, yer ce had beenpletely cleansed of its garbage.

    Now, tell the chairman: Make sure you manage the cafe members well so that you can move them at any time with just a word.

    -Dont worry, Ive already given the instructions.

    And the flight? No issues with booking?

    -Of course. Ive booked the flight to Nigeria as you requestedst week. Weve received approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport and the airports.

    The flight Ryu Min was nning to take was prepared by yer ces chairman, Song Jae-kyum.

    Despite being overshadowed by Ma Kyung-rok, he was also a prominent chaebol.

    As the eldest son of the LC Group, owning a private jet was within expectations.

    So, I can leave tomorrow as nned?

    -Yes. But why are you going to Nigeria?

    Thats not something to discuss over the phone. Ill tell you in person tomorrow.

    -Haaah, a trip alone with Master. Ive been longing for this moment. I cant believe how happy I am!

    Dont exaggerate it. Just make sure your luggage and passport are ready. Were leaving tomorrow morning.

    -Understood, Master! Teehee!

    After hanging up, Ryu Min shook his head.

    Maybe I shouldve just told her over the phone?

    He hoped she hadnt misunderstood anything.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 145: To Nigeria (1)

    Chapter 145: To Nigeria (1)

    Now that Round 9 has ended.

    There are about 650,000 yers left worldwide.

    ording to the calctions that one in five people is trash, there are still 130,000 trash out there in the world.

    It means that just because weve dealt with the trash of yer ce, the world hasnt be a safer ce.

    yers who contribute to the destruction of the world like criminals are like pests.

    To exterminate such vermins and to recruit an alchemist, Im heading to Nigeria.

    In Nigeria, there is an alchemist of a unique ss.

    If he can turn him into an ally, it would be of great help in breaking through Round 20.

    Its not just about acquiring an alchemist.

    There are runes to be gained in the real world, and going there would fulfill the conditions.

    Various items can be obtained, and it could raise the brand value of ck Scythe.

    Done.

    Ryu Min, having packed his carrier bag, stood up from his seat.

    Thinking it would take up to a week, he packed clothes and necessities.

    Hyung, Hyung!

    With a quick knock, the door burst open.

    His younger brother looked at Ryu Mins luggage with surprised eyes.

    Are, are you leaving already?

    Yeah. Ill be back soon.

    Ryu Won had heard about the sudden trip the night before, but he hadnt expected him to leave so early in the morning.

    Are you really going to Japan?

    Yeah. Ive been so tiredtely, Im going to take a week-long hot spring trip.

    A person whos been a shut-in all of his life suddenly going on a trip?

    Naturally, Ryu Won couldnt help but suspect his brother.

    Hyung, do you have a girlfriend? If its something like that, just tell me. Theres nothing wrong with going on a trip as a couple.

    What are you talking about? Im just going to rx.

    Really?

    Yeah.

    Then take me with you.

    Ryu Min slowly shook his head.

    Its hard enough keeping one life safe. It could be dangerous if youe along.

    Are you really going alone?

    I am.

    Ryu Won could not ask any more questions.

    If his brother says so, he has to believe it.

    Im sorry, but Ill be back. Stay well at home until I return. Make sure to eat well.

    Dont worry. Delivery food is pretty good these days.

    If youre running low on allowance, tell me now.

    No need. Juste back safely.

    Alright, take care. Im off.

    Ryu Won watched his brother, who was pulling his carrier, leave with envious eyes.

    Clunk- Thud.

    Ryu Wons expression turned gloomy as he watched the door close without taking his eyes off.

    I want to go on a hot spring trip too

    He murmured softly but understood.

    Its still a dangerous world for ordinary people.

    Didnt the recent barbecue restaurant incident prove it?

    Cant help it. Hyung is right.

    He might be envious of his brother, who can go on trips and even to hot springs, but he didnt feel it was unfair.

    After all, his brother had fed him while juggling school and being the head of the household.

    If you work, you need to recharge.

    If it wasnt for Hyung, I wouldnt be living in such a luxurious house.

    Just 9 months ago, it was a burden even to order a bowl of jjajangmyeon while living in a shabby one-room apartment.

    It wasnt the time to grumble about eating delivery food.

    Im grateful, very grateful!

    Ryu Won smacked his head, reflecting on himself, and smacked his lips.

    Ah, now that I think about it, I want some jjajangmyeon.

    I should order it for lunch.

    Jjajangmyeon never gets boring, no matter how much you eat.

    *

    Upon reaching the parking lot, Yamti was waiting in front of the Lamborghini.

    Have you arrived? , no, Mr. Ryu Min?

    Youre here? Lets go right away.

    The two loaded their luggage into the trunk and set off immediately.

    On the way to Incheon Airport.

    As they entered the highway, Ryu Min broke the silence.

    You asked yesterday why we are going to Nigeria.

    Yes.

    Nigeria is rife with various crimes. The public enemy, KF, is also stationed there.

    KF? Are you referring to that terrorist group?

    Thats right. Among those kidnapped by them, theres an alchemist I want to make into an ally. My goal is to rescue that alchemist.

    Ryu Min openly shared his objective.

    Yamti is essentially a ve who absolutely obeys his words.

    There was no reason to keep it a secret.

    She would keep the secret even if it meant death.

    Ah, so youre taking me with you to use the Rune of Charm on the alchemist.

    No. While its true Im taking you because of the Rune of Charm, I wont use it on the alchemist. If possible, I should leave that slot open.

    What about after that?

    We have to exterminate the trash and build up the reputation of ck Scythe. Thats why I also took on the title of CPFsmander.

    If themander of CPF goes to Nigeria and smashes the public enemy IS organization.

    It was obvious that the name ck Scythe would be famous.

    Ah, so thats why you needed the police chiefs endorsement? To leave a record of ck Scythes departure.

    Thats right.

    Nigeria is a dangerous country as mentioned.

    Its ssified as a Level 3 travel advisory due to its poor public safety.

    Naturally, they dont let you in for simple tourism purposes.

    Unless theres business or another purpose.

    But if you can prove youre strong enough to protect yourself?

    Entry and exit are possible.

    Thats why he moved after obtaining the title of CPFsmander.

    To easily pass through immigration.

    And to leave a record of ck Scythes visit to Nigeria.

    Then, who would guarantee for ck Scythe?

    Ive already arranged with the police chief.

    Thus, Ryu Min wasnt worried about the departure inspection.

    Phew. It sounds like a tough journey.

    If you find this tough, it wont do.

    Upon arrival at the airport, Ryu Min transformed his appearance.

    Gurgling-

    As he transformed into Lostyak, Yamtis eyes widened in surprise.

    Wow, you even got taller? Its my first time seeing you transform, master.

    Forget the admiration, call me ck Scythe from now on.

    Yes, ck Scythe.

    The two retrieved their luggage and headed for the charter airline counter.

    Wee. Are you here for a flight?

    Yes. Heres my ID.

    Naturally, Ryu Min presented Lostyaks ID.

    He was traveling under the identity of ck Scythe, so identity forgery was essential.

    A flight is currently on standby. The destination is confirmed as Nigerias Murt International Airport Just a moment, please.

    After checking something, the staff handed over the tickets.

    Confirmed. Here are your tickets. The direct flight to Nigeria will take about 17 hours. Please proceed to the security checkpoint for boarding and passport inspection.

    Thank you.

    Ryu Min boarded yer ces chairmans private flight for one reason.

    To save time with a direct flight.

    Usually, you can only go to Nigeria with a transfer, which takes about 25 hours on average.

    Rather than wasting so much time in the sky, it was better to take a private flight for a quicker journey.

    After checking in their luggage and receiving the tickets, Ryu Min and Yamti went through the boarding process and passport inspection.

    Are you going to Nigeria?

    Yes.

    The immigration officer looked at them disdainfully.

    Nigeria is currently a dangerous area. Are you aware?

    Its fine. Im the CPFmander. Ive received all the necessary approvals, so please check with the chief of police.

    CPFsmander? Just a moment.

    The officer left and returned a few minutester.

    Confirmed. The chief of police vouched that you are indeed the CPFsmander. Theres no problem here, so youre both cleared to go.

    Is that so?

    Heres your passport. Have a pleasant trip.

    Ryu Min smiled and passed the checkpoint with Yamti.

    Having the backing of the chief of police made it smooth to pass through even dangerous areas.

    Shortly after, the two boarded the flight without any wait.

    There were only two passengers: Ryu Min and Yamti.

    The captains voice came over the speaker.

    [Wee. Im Captain Seo Tae-seok. Our flight will go directly to Lagos, Nigeriasrgest city, at Murt International Airport, and it will take a total of 17 hours. I hope you have afortable and pleasant flight.]

    Ryu Minid down in the first-ss seat,fortably stretching his legs.

    Yamti.

    Yes, master.

    Try to get some sleep. There wont be time to rest once we arrive.

    Okay, I will.

    Ryu Min closed his eyes, organizing the tasks to be done in Nigeria in his mind.

    Sleep gradually enveloped him.

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 Chapter 145: To Nigeria (2)

    Chapter 145: To Nigeria (2)

    Nigeria is located in West Africa and is considered one of the most dangerous regions in Africa.

    The level of public safety is poor, with frequent daylight robberies and endless criminal activities between organizations.

    Murder, kidnapping, rape, and human trafficking ur as part of daily life in apletely different world.

    Who thought that the alchemist is in such a ce?

    After 17 hours, Ryu Mins group arrived at Murt International Airport and went through immigration.

    Just by looking at their age, it was obvious they were yers, so they passed without any problems.

    After retrieving their luggage, Ryu Min recalled the captains advice as they disembarked from the flight.

    I dont know the purpose of your visit to Nigeria, but please be careful. Especially, you must absolutely not take airport taxis. There are countless tourists who were threatened and robbed after boarding one without knowing. Well, you look young, so I doubt there will be scammers targeting yers, but its still better to be cautious.

    It wasnt a joke or meant to scare them without reason.

    Its a dangerous country enough to genuinely worry even if they knew you were a yer.

    Master. Where shall we go now?

    First, lets disguise ourselves. Wait here.

    Ryu Min, having packed the necessary tools in his luggage, enteredthe airport bathroom.

    When he came out, his face waspletely changed.

    By sticking a beard on Lostyaks slightly aged face, he became a perfect 40-something man.

    This way, they wont know were yers.

    What about me?

    You look fine as you are.

    Yamti had already applied makeup to look older.

    There seemed no need to tamper further.

    To foreign eyes, youll appear at least in your 30s.

    Hmph, thats mean.

    Ignoring Yamtis grumbling, Ryu Min looked around for a taxi.

    Despite being obviously tourists, there were taxi drivers hawking from everywhere, but Ryu Min didnt just hop into any.

    This ones not it, that ones not it either.

    He read the taxi drivers minds before moving on to find another.

    Finally.

    Found it.

    Ryu Min knocked on the trunk of a taxi.

    Please open.

    Okay, okay!

    The taxi driver, a man in his 40s, cheerfully opened the trunk after replying in English.

    After loading their luggage, they got into the back seat.

    The taxi driver, with a bright face, asked.

    Speaking English, I see youre tourists? Where to?

    To Ibadan, please.

    Okay. Itll take 2 hours.

    As the taxi driver drove, he asionally nced at them through the rearview mirror.

    When their eyes met, he smiled warmly and started a conversation in English.

    Youre Asian, right? Which country are you from? China?

    No, Korea.

    What brings you to Nigeria?

    Business-rted.

    Whatpany do you work for?

    Just apany that sells cleaning products. A smallpany.

    Well, our country does need cleaning.

    Just turning your head towards the window, you can see dpidated slum viges.

    From the outdated infrastructure, swarms of people, traffic jams, people armed with rifles, slums, and more.

    Lagos, home to more than 20 million people, is Nigeriasrgest city but also consistently ranks high in pollution levels.

    Is the beautifuldy next to you your lover?

    Shes a colleague.

    Eh, but looking at thedys eyes, it doesnt seem so?

    After an exchange of trivial conversation, 2 hours passed.

    Yamti asked Ryu Min with a nervous face.

    When will we arrive?

    Were almost there.

    But even after 3 hours, the car continued to move.

    The taxi driver, knowing this, started a conversation without being asked.

    Sorry. There was heavy traffic, so I took a detour, and it took longer? Ill speed up as much as I can.

    However, it was ultimately after 2 more hours that the car stopped.

    Weve arrived.

    It took 5 hours to reach the destination.

    Or so they thought.

    Looking outside, they saw a decrepit vige.

    It was a different ce from their intended destination.

    Is this Ibadan?

    Just get out.

    Before Ryu Min could argue about not receiving the taxi fare, the driver had already gotten out.

    Following him, Ryu Min saw the taxi driver making contact with an armed thug.

    Got them here.

    Two people?

    Yeah. One man, one woman. Isnt it perfect?

    No backstabbing, right?

    Do I look like Im doing this for the first time? Just pay up. Im going out to eat. Driving for 5 hours made me hungry.

    The thug, with a cloth over his face, flipped his automatic rifle behind him and pulled out a bundle of bills from his pocket.

    Good job.

    Hehe, thanks.

    Counting the money and then smiling slyly at them, the taxi drivers behavior gave Yamti the chills.

    Though she didnt understand the English conversation, she wasnt foolish enough not to realize.

    She had been sold to a human trafficking ring.

    The armed thug, flicking the guns barrel, said.

    You understand English, right? Both of you,e here. Unless you want to die.

    What are you hesitating for? You f***ers. Havent you grasped the situation yet?

    It seems youre the one who hasnt grasped the situation.

    What?

    Ryu Min smirked and peeled off the fake beard on his lips.

    The thugs eyes changed.

    Though his face was covered by cloth, making it impossible to see his expression, his thoughts were clear.

    He was panicking, seeing a younger face than expected.

    The taxi driver was equally surprised.

    As expected, brought to a human trafficking ring.

    It might seem like they were captured, but they had allowed themselves to be captured.

    It didnt take long for the man with the rifle to realize this fact.

    Crack-!

    The taxi drivers head burst open like a smashed watermelon.

    Slurp- ck!

    After retrieving his scythe, Ryu Min warned the armed thug.

    Come closer. Unless you want to die.

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 Chapter 146: Human Trafficking (1)

    Chapter 146: Human Trafficking (1)

    Um Bako, a member of the human trafficking organization, was taken aback.

    I didnt even see the attacking.

    His gaze shifted slightly downwards.

    The taxi driver who had been regrly dealing with the organization had turned into a corpse in an instant.

    A scythe? Was he killed by that scythe?

    How the scythe extended was not important.

    What mattered was the speed at which it happened, too fast for him to react.

    Gulp-

    Even though he was holding an automatic rifle, Um Bako became tense.

    Speed surpassing superhumans, weapons beyondmon sense, a youthful face.

    All things considered, it was clear that these were the rumored yers.

    A yer To think I would face a yer in my lifetime, damn it.

    He had mistaken him for a middle-aged civilian due to his bushy beard, but it seemed he had disguised himself as a civilian to find their location.

    You What are you? Are you from the police?

    Um Bako spoke thoughtlessly, then corrected himself internally.

    No, that cant be. We have all the local police in our pocket. Besides, that guy is Asian, right?

    Um Bako aimed his rifle again without taking his eyes off his opponent.

    Though the opponent was said to be a yer, there was no need to be afraid with the invincible automatic rifle in hand.

    If necessary, he could just shoot.

    Even if his a yer, hes just a human in the end.

    Wouldnt a human die then?

    Who are you? Which organization are you from!

    If I told you, would you understand? Juste over here quietly.

    Would youe if you were me?

    Um Bako swallowed the words that reached his throat.

    There was no need to provoke the yer unnecessarily.

    Noting? If you wont, I will.

    As Ryu Min took a step forward, Um Bako made up his mind.

    Regardless of the opponents identity, he decided to just kill him.

    Die! Motherf***er!

    Ta-ta-ta-ta-tang!

    Before pulling the trigger, Um Bako had pictured it in his mind.

    Soon, the opponent would be riddled with bullets and bleed to death.

    After all, even a yer is human in the end.

    No human can survive against bullets.

    However, something unexpected happened.

    Hes, hes unharmed?

    Despite aiming urately and shooting, the opponent stood there unharmed.

    Blinking as if he had seen a ghost, Um Bako fired again.

    Ta-ta-ta-ta-tang!

    This time, he could clearly see it.

    The man dodging bullets by moving swiftly.

    dodging, dodging all those bullets?

    In the span of 2 seconds, thirteen bullets were fired, yet not a single one hit the target.

    Seeing was believing, yet it was unbelievable.

    Ryu Min sneered at the surprised opponent.

    Trusting only in your gun, huh? No chance.

    With the runes of Bnce and ughter, Ryu Mins agility was at 1,176.

    Even against an automatic rifle which was faster than a pistol, dodging was not difficult.

    Especially with the Rune of Foresight.

    With a sneer, Ryu Min took another step forward.

    Donte! Donte any closer! You monster!

    Another round of bullets was fired, but

    Tick- Tick-

    Before long, the magazine was empty, used up more quickly than the trigger could be pulled.

    Re-reloading

    As he tried to rece the magazine from the ammo belt with trembling hands, he saw the opponent hade right up to him.

    Gasp!

    Um Bako, startled by the proximity, backed away.

    Out of bullets, I see?

    Eek!

    Um, Bako stumbled backward and fell on his bottom.

    Ryu Min didnt do anything.

    He just watched as the guy trembled in fear.

    Yamti.

    Yamti, who had been hiding behind, peeked out her head.

    Yes, Master.

    Dominate this guy. Then order him to lead us to the organizations boss.

    *

    Step-step-

    As Um Bako walked, his colleagues armed with automatic rifles ran up to him.

    Um Bako! There you were?

    We heard gunfire suddenly, what happened?

    To their question, Um Bako shrugged as if it was nothing.

    The humans we caught for trafficking fought back. Just sprayed the floor with bullets to scare them a bit.

    By the humans you caught, do you mean those behind you?

    Um Bako nced back.

    Behind him were Ryu Min and Yamti.

    Yeah, thats right.

    Even though Um Bako acknowledged it, his colleagues couldnt shake off their doubts.

    Who keeps the people they kidnapped right behind them?

    What if they were ambushed or ran away?

    Somethings off.

    More crucially, their expressions, devoid of fear despite being kidnapped, were telling.

    Are those two the ones you kidnapped? Really?

    Thats what I said.

    But thats odd

    The colleagues couldnt finish their sentences.

    Ryu Mins scythe mercilessly cut off their heads.

    Thuk- Thuk- Thuk-

    Looking at the heads falling in the order they were cut, Ryu Min said coldly.

    Keep going. To where your boss is.

    It was time to start cleaning up the trash.

    *

    In a dank basement where not even sunlight could reach, Subina, an ordinary woman in her 30s, cried within the bars.

    If I was born just two monthster, I could have been a yer. Then I wouldnt have ended up in this hellish ce

    Usually, bing a yer is seen as being sentenced to a short life, but Subina felt different.

    Missing out on being a yer by a few months left her with a lifetime of regret, especially being caught in this hellish ce because she was powerless.

    How much time has passed?

    She didnt know how many days it had been since she was kidnapped, but she had seen a lot in this ce.

    Beaten like livestock for not liking ones gaze, or organization members greedily taking women away.

    And when those women returned, their eyes were vacant as if screws hade loose.

    It was obvious what had been done to them.

    asionally, a stranger would appear, pick someone out as if shopping in a market, and take them away.

    None who were picked ever returned.

    Maybe Im better off than others? I havent been harmed yet

    Subina remembered what the boss, who seemed to be in charge, said when she first arrived.

    Your face and body are totally my type. Hey guys. Dont touch this one. Once Im done with my business, Ill start with her.

    Got it, boss. Well take good care of her until then. Hehe.

    Being favored by the boss for her looks was why she hadnt been harmed yet.

    I definitely heard it. He said he would rape me.

    Subina hugged her knees, burying her head.

    Was this what a cow feels knowing its about to be ughtered?

    Knowing the terrible things that would happen made every moment filled with anxiety, jumping at every sound.

    Wondering if it was her turn this time.

    If I was a yer, I wouldnt have ended up like this

    The feeling of powerlessness ate away at Subinas mind.

    Maybe, maybe it would be better to just bite my tongue and die

    She thought of suicide many times, but the associated pain was too terrifying.

    Yet considering the pain she would endure, suicide seemed right.

    What should I do

    At that moment, footsteps echoed in the quiet basement, not giving her time to think, fast as if determined.

    Ah, ah. Its, its here. It must be the boss.

    However, what reached her ears was an unfamiliar female voice.

    Oh? Theres someone here too?

    With her eyes closed in fear, Subina opened them slightly at the foreignnguage.

    It was a woman.

    Moreover, an Asian woman in a ridiculous outfit.

    That outfit could it be a yer?

    Crack-!

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 146: Human Trafficking (2)

    Chapter 146: Human Trafficking (2)

    It was a woman.

    Moreover, an Asian woman in a ridiculous outfit.

    That outfit could it be a yer?

    Crack-!

    Breaking the padlock on the cell with a dagger, Subina realized.

    The strength beyond that of an ordinary person.

    This woman was a yer.

    But why break the lock?

    Having thought herself without hope, Subina didnt realize she had been rescued.

    Come out. Hurry up.

    As Yamti gestured, Subina, looking puzzled, stepped out.

    Where, where are you taking me?

    What do you mean? Just follow me.

    ?

    Despite being told to follow, Subina just stood there until Yamti eventually dragged her by the hand.

    Emerging from the dank basement into the open air, the two made their way outside the building.

    Sparse forests and a space that seemed like an open field were visible.

    Under the streetlight, a crowd of people was gathering.

    What, what is this? Its scary.

    Although Subina was still on guard, her expression softened a bit upon seeing the faces of the people gathered under the light.

    They were the women she had seen kidnapped and brought here.

    What are you all doing here.

    Subinas words trailed off as she noticed something at their feet, startling her.

    It was a human corpse.

    The smell of blood rising up made her nauseous, but that feeling disappeared strangely fast when she saw the face of the organizations boss among the corpses.

    Not only his corpse was there.

    Looking up, she saw numerous corpses, presumably of organization members, strewn about.

    How, how did this happen.

    At that moment, a suspicious man wearing a white mask approached the Asian woman.

    Yamti. Have you released all the kidnapped people?

    Yes. Ive thoroughly searched with presence detection, and these are all the people here.

    Is that so?

    Ryu Min looked at the people gathered. They were all women, exactly 12 in number, who had been confined in cages arranged throughout the building.

    Hello everyone.

    Ryu Min greeted them in English, attracting their attention.

    Since English wasmonly used even in Nigeria, there was no one who didnt understand him. However, possibly due to the mask he wore, they all looked at him with wary eyes.

    Theres no need to be so guarded. As you can see, we are yers who havee to rescue you. I think most of you have confirmed this, havent you?

    Ryu Min pointed to the ground, and the women nodded. The men who had been brutalizing and sneering at them had turned into mere lumps of meat.

    Ryu Min had deliberately not usedhis skill to erase the traces to show the women.

    As you can see, the boss of this organization has been killed. All 21 members present here have been killed as well. The immediate threat is gone, so you can rest easy. In a sense, you are free now. You can go home.

    Is, is that true?

    Were really free?

    To their disbelieving questions, Ryu Min pulled out a set of keys from his pocket.

    These are the car keys I took from the organization members. Those who can drive can take them and go home. Here you go.

    As Ryu Min handed over the keys, the reality of their situation seemed to sink in, and the women, with tears in their eyes, became emotional.

    Oh my, thank goodness. Its really over.

    I can finally go home.

    Ryu Min was aware of the painful days these women must have endured in this ce, having heard from the organizations boss about their atrocities.

    These guys kidnapped travelers and civilians over 30 who looked vulnerable, imprisoned them like livestock, and then sold them off to other organizations for a high price. In other words, they were primary suppliers.

    During that process, verbal abuse, physical assault, threats, and rape weremonce.

    Although they would sometimes restrain themselves from raping virgins needed for certain clients, the womens testimonies spoke of the same despair.

    Anyway, this organization is just a human trafficking ring, not KF.

    Ryu Min, who had earned a high reputation by targeting KF in a previous regression, didnt exactly know where the KF base was. The organization changed locations frequently and he hadnt felt the need to remember it.

    After all, if you start from the bottom and work your way up, youll eventually find KF.

    Since KF had many affiliated groups, gathering information by targeting a few organizations was rtively easy. Ryu Min had found the leader of KF this way in a previous cycle. With Yamtis assistance, gathering information and luring them out would be even easier.

    There are too many cars to take, so just take two. Theres a risk of being tracked, so ditch the car after driving away.

    Thank you, thank you so much.

    Thank you for saving us.

    You are my savior.

    The women expressed their gratitude to Ryu Min, weeping.

    Subina, who was also among the women thanking him, then asked something that seemed crucial.

    But, may I know the name of our savior?

    Waiting for this question, Ryu Min smiled behind his mask and replied.

    ck Scythe. Just remember that.

    ck Scythe

    I will remember it forever.

    Ill never forget this.

    Ryu Min had no qualms about revealing his nickname. Even the story of rescuing women from a human trafficking organization would contribute to the legend of the ck Scythe. Thats also why he wore the mask.

    Please go now. Its gettingte.

    As Ryu Min waved his hand, Subina asked,

    Arent you leaving, Mr. ck Scythe?

    I have some things to take care of here. Please go ahead.

    Oh, then well be going ahead.

    We wont forget this kindness.

    Thank you so much.

    The women showed their first genuine smiles since being captured as they got into a van and drove off, leaving only Ryu Min and Yamti behind.

    Ryu Min then used his skill to erase the traces of the many corpses.

    He reached out his hand to Yamti.

    Did you get his phone?

    Yes. Here it is.

    Taking the deceased bosss phone, Ryu Min sent a text in English.

    [Three women, one man, 20% discount for a quick sale. Contact me.]

    He sent the message to a contact listed as a trading partner in the organizations phone. Soon after, a reply came.

    [Okay. Coming now.]

    They took the bait.

    Ryu Min smiled, lifting the corners of his mouth.

    Shall we prepare to wee our guests?

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 147: KF (1)

    Chapter 147: KF (1)

    Ryu Min activated the Red Moon and unleashed a barrage with the Moonlight sh.

    With each swing, fifty yers turned to dust and vanished.

    After decimating half of the enemy forces in five strikes, he grasped the scythe.

    Screeeech-!

    The scythe, extending like the grasp of a giant, swept away everything without exception.

    The night enhanced his attack speed and the damage of Moonlight sh even without needing to activate any other skill.

    It was one-sided.

    The absence of their equipment only made it easier.

    For Ryu Min, they were walking targets.

    Victor and Yamti, witnessing the massacre unfold in real time, were speechless.

    They felt neither sympathy nor joy.

    They simply waited for the inevitable end, as if observing a natural disaster.

    Almost there, when Ryu Min was about to finish off the enemies, a wee notification appeared before him.

    [yer confirmed to have killed 1,000 yers.]

    [You have acquired the title yer.]

    A slight smile crept up Ryu Mins lips behind his mask.

    It was the title he had been waiting for.

    [Title  yer]

    -Acquisition Condition: Kill 1,000 yers.

    -Effect: Damage dealt to yers increased by 50%. Inflicts the abnormal state Fear on all yers who witness a killing for 3 seconds.

    The number of yers Ryu Min had killed before and during this encounterbined reached 1,000.

    A title perfect for massive battles had appeared.

    Increases damage, making it easier to kill, and then spreads fear around after the deed.

    Sure enough.

    In front of him stood fifty test subjects, whom he immediately slew with the scythe.

    Snick-

    After killing one, the others froze in ce like toys with depleted batteries, losing their will to fight and unable to move from fear.

    The abnormal state Fear was sessfully applied.

    The duration of fear is only 3 seconds.

    It seemed short, but it was significantly long enough if it kept being applied.

    Scratch- Scratch-

    As another fell, fear reset with each death.

    Kill and reset, kill and reset.

    As Ryu Min continued his massacre, the rest were immobilized by fear, trembling in ce.

    Thats why its such an overpowered title in battles, especially against many enemies.

    The downside was its applicability only to yers, making it less versatile.

    Still, better than nothing.

    Initially, Ryu Min was unaware such a title existed.

    It was only after noticing the actions of Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol that he realized something was up.

    Whenever those guys ughtered yers, I saw them being affected by fear and realized there was something to it.

    Later, after destroying KF, he finally learned about the title.

    If someone saw this, theyd say, isnt it crazy to kill a thousand yers?

    Yes, its possible.

    Specifically, in the 11th round.

    When the countries merged and the number of yers increased, Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheolmitted massacres.

    Indiscriminately killing yers from other countries.

    All for the cursed points.

    Assumably, theyll obtain the yer title in the process.

    Ryu Min didnt mind others obtaining the title.

    However, he disliked the idea of anyone having the power to oppose him.

    And being affected by fear is unpleasant.

    Even if affected for just 3 seconds, his high resistance would shorten it to 0.3 seconds, but he still disliked the notion.

    More importantly, with so many people dying, the number of survivors for future rounds would decrease.

    Thus, Ryu Min aimed to deny them the chance to obtain the title.

    I must be the only one to obtain the yer title.

    As long as he did as in previous rounds, there shouldnt be an issue.

    Though the 11th round was still some time away.

    ng! Thunk!

    Having retrieved his extended scythe to its original state, Ryu Min deactivated his skills.

    There were no enemies left standing.

    Smells as trash.

    Looking up, he saw heaps of bodies forming hills.

    Half were obliterated without a trace due to unbearable damage.

    It was an approximate 500 to 1 battle.

    The result of the fight was the overwhelming victory of the one.

    Ryu Min grimaced as he erased the remnants, turning the bodies to ashes.

    With so many, even erasing them was a task.

    After a while, when the gruesome scene was cleared, Ryu Min turned his attention.

    Items were scattered everywhere, relinquished by the dead.

    Lucky the inventory has infinite capacity. All these items are mine for the taking.

    Starting with the Nigerian human traffickers, climbing up to KF, rescuing the alchemist, and using Odion to farm items.

    And now, having killed 1,000 unarmed yers and obtained the title as well.

    Everything went ording to n.

    All thats left is to win over the alchemists heart.

    Hehe, I wonder what kind of fresh faces have arrived today?

    Montai, a member of the organization, was always in his best mood when it was time to receive the goods.

    There was the anticipation of meeting new faces daily, but above all, he relished the fact that he could be the first to assault them.

    This is why I cant quit this organization work. Its just so suited to me, you know?

    The joy of choosing and having his way with new women every day made him forget that he was a monster.

    Looks like they were pretty desperate. Even that picky guy agreed to drop the price by 20%.

    Right? Mustve taken a bullet to the head or something.

    Well, whatever.

    Before transporting the goods, he could just pick out a woman he wanted, assault her, and then it was just a matter of taking her to the organization.

    Bro, were here. Lets get off.

    Yeah, alright.

    Sade, his subordinate who came as an assistant, asked with a smile.

    Are you nning to pick one today as well?

    Of course. When have you ever seen me rest?

    Did they say it was three women and one man?

    Yeah. Well tie up the man tight and choose among the women. I go first, obviously.

    Of course. When have I ever not given way to you?

    Right, thanks, you bastard. Keke.

    With sly smiles, the two armed with automatic rifles entered the domain of the human traffickers.

    Huh? Where is everyone? No onesing out to greet their guests?

    Not a single gatekeeper in sight, huh?

    Maybe they went to the restroom?

    They thought little of it and continued walking when suddenly,

    Huh? Whats that?

    They spotted someone standing in the middle of the area.

    It was an East Asian with tanned skin.

    Who the hell is that guy?

    Before they could even ask, Ryu Min summoned his scythe.

    The two immediately aimed their rifles at him, on high alert.

    That, that bastard is a yer!

    Damn, no wonder it was so quiet Did they get taken out by him?

    It was impossible for an East Asian to be among the traffickers.

    It could only mean that the trafficking group had been taken out by him.

    Kill him!

    Ratatatatatat!

    The sound of gunfire tore through the air as their rifles spat mes.

    Ryu Min, who didnt even have a chance to react, was showered in bullets and fell with a thud.

    Damn, whats happening?

    Did we get him?

    Just then, a voice came from behind them.

    Tsksk, whats the point of wasting bullets like this?

    !

    Startled, they turned around only to see,

    The East Asian they had just unloaded bullets into standing there like a ghost.

    And an East Asian woman staring at them.

    The traffickers, who seemed ready to aim their guns again, soon let their arms hang loose.

    Are they controlled?

    Yes, Master.

    Good. It was worth attracting their attention.

    The decoy, who had taken the bullets, had vanished.

    Then Ryu Min, signaling with his eyes, had Yamti ask the traffickers,

    Spill everything about what your organization does.

    The men are harvested for organs which are then sold, and the remaining carcasses are used as meat. Women are repeatedly raped by eight members of the organization, forcibly impregnated, and then the babies are sold off

    Stop, thats enough!

    At Yamtismand, the traffickers shut their mouths.

    Why stop?

    I cant listen anymore.

    Yamti turned her head away as if just hearing about it was making her nauseous.

    Ryu Min gave her a moment to calm down before ordering,

    Lets use these guys to get into the organization first.

    Yes, Im sorry for interrupting you, Master.

    Its okay. I understand.

    Thank you. Im lucky to have met such a generous Master. Ill serve you for life.

    As you should.

    Ryu Min believed, that climbing up these organizations would eventually lead him to KF.

    After all, these were offshoots derived from KF.

    *

    Medical facilities in Northern Nigeria are poor with a starkck of doctors being a harsh reality. In some states, there are only 2 or 3 proper doctors avable.

    Perhaps thats why, someone like me, from Lagos in the southern part of Nigeria, ended up so far north, masquerading as a medical officer.

    All done.

    After treating the wound with an emergency care skill, Viktor Zaphiel looked at his patient, a typically armed organization member.

    As a yer, Viktor could have killed the man and attempted to escape.

    But the aftermath is the problem.

    Sworn to KF, the terrorist organization.

    Its branches spread far and wide, with the exact location of its headquarters unknown.

    But what is known is that many, including young children from a school in the remote vige of Zamfara State, have been kidnapped and brought here.

    The purpose of their kidnapping is unclear, but as a medic, Viktor couldnt bear to abandon them and escape on his own.

    He had grown too attached to them.

    You could just kill all the organization members and escape with them, right?

    I wish it were so simple.

    But KF isnt just made up of regr people.

    There are as many yers among them as there are civilians.

    Just within this area, there are thirty yers standing guard.

    This was why Viktor had not attempted to escape.

    Hey, Viktor. Lost in thought?

    Eh? No, not really.

    Seeing Viktor zoned out, one could assume life had been toofortable for himtely. Have we been too forgiving with youtely, treating you like some sort of doctor? Do you look down on us now?

    No, not at all.

    Viktor hastily denied, swallowing his true feelings of contempt.

    You insignificant bug

    He had no choice but to endure.

    Even with his ability to sense presences, he could detect five yers nearby, and a scan of the surroundings revealed dozens more.

    More importantly, as previously mentioned, he couldnt abandon the kidnapped children and people just to escape alone.

    You should behave yourself, Doctor. Even without you, any yer could now receive emergency treatment.

    Then, you might wonder, why keep you alive? Any guesses?

    Well, Im not sure

    Its because of the bond weve shared.

    Viktor almost burst outughing.

    Bond? What a joke. These monsters

    During his year-long imprisonment by KF, Viktor knew full well the atrocities these peoplemitted against their captives.

    A bond, they say? As if. Theyre keeping me alive for my abilities.

    They knew his ss was an Alchemist.

    It wasnt something he revealed willingly, but he had to use a healing potion to save a dying woman, thats when they found out.

    Since then, they incessantly prodded about his runes, skills, and abilities, forcing him daily to concoct potions.

    What they did with those potions, he didnt know.

    Perhaps they traded them on the ck market to fatten their wallets or stockpiled them for their use.

    Luckily, I lied that I could only make one potion a day and that it was random, or else the market would be flooded with potions

    So, the im about their bond was nonsense.

    The only reason they hadnt killed him was that he was an Alchemist.

    You dont ughter the goose thatys golden eggs, do you?

    Just make sure to watch your back. You dont want to end up dead.

    Yes Ill keep that in mind.

    As the organization member smirked and walked away with his colleagues, Viktor, despite being a yer, felt humiliated for being looked down upon by a regr member.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 147: KF (1)

    Chapter 147: KF (1)

    ��Hehe, I wonder what kind of fresh faces have arrived today?��

    Montai, a member of the organization, was always in his best mood when it was time to receive the ��goods.��

    There was the anticipation of meeting new faces daily, but above all, he relished the fact that he could be the first to assault them.

    ��This is why I can��t quit this organization work. It��s just so suited to me, you know?��

    The joy of choosing and having his way with new women every day made him forget that he was a monster.

    ��Looks like they were pretty desperate. Even that picky guy agreed to drop the price by 20%.��

    ��Right? Must��ve taken a bullet to the head or something.��

    Well, whatever.

    Before transporting the goods, he could just pick out a woman he wanted, assault her, and then it was just a matter of taking her to the organization.

    ��Bro, we��re here. Let��s get off.��

    ��Yeah, alright.��

    Sade, his subordinate who came as an assistant, asked with a smile.

    ��Are you nning to pick one today as well?��

    ��Of course. When have you ever seen me rest?��

    ��Did they say it was three women and one man?��

    ��Yeah. We��ll tie up the man tight and choose among the women. I go first, obviously.��

    ��Of course. When have I ever not given way to you?��

    ��Right, thanks, you bastard. Keke.��

    With sly smiles, the two armed with automatic rifles entered the domain of the human traffickers.

    ��Huh? Where is everyone? No one��sing out to greet their guests?��

    ��Not a single gatekeeper in sight, huh?��

    Maybe they went to the restroom?

    They thought little of it and continued walking when suddenly,

    ��Huh? What��s that?��

    They spotted someone standing in the middle of the area.

    It was an East Asian with tanned skin.

    ��Who the hell is that guy?��

    Before they could even ask, Ryu Min summoned his scythe.

    The two immediately aimed their rifles at him, on high alert.

    ��That, that bastard is a yer!��

    ��Damn, no wonder it was so quiet�� Did they get taken out by him?��

    It was impossible for an East Asian to be among the traffickers.

    It could only mean that the trafficking group had been taken out by him.

    ��Kill him!��

    Ratatatatatat!

    The sound of gunfire tore through the air as their rifles spat mes.

    Ryu Min, who didn��t even have a chance to react, was showered in bullets and fell with a thud.

    ��Damn, what��s happening?��

    ��Did we get him?��

    Just then, a voice came from behind them.

    ��Tsksk, what��s the point of wasting bullets like this?��

    ����!��

    Startled, they turned around only to see,

    The East Asian they had just unloaded bullets into standing there like a ghost.

    And an East Asian woman staring at them.

    The traffickers, who seemed ready to aim their guns again, soon let their arms hang loose.

    ��Are they controlled?��

    ��Yes, Master.��

    ��Good. It was worth attracting their attention.��

    The decoy, who had taken the bullets, had vanished.

    Then Ryu Min, signaling with his eyes, had Yamti ask the traffickers,

    ��Spill everything about what your organization does.��

    ��The men are harvested for organs which are then sold, and the remaining carcasses are used as meat. Women are repeatedly raped by eight members of the organization, forcibly impregnated, and then the babies are sold off����

    ��Stop, that��s enough!��

    At Yamti��smand, the traffickers shut their mouths.

    ��Why stop?��

    ��I can��t listen anymore.��

    Yamti turned her head away as if just hearing about it was making her nauseous.

    Ryu Min gave her a moment to calm down before ordering,

    ��Let��s use these guys to get into the organization first.��

    ��Yes, I��m sorry for interrupting you, Master.��

    ��It��s okay. I understand.��

    ��Thank you. I��m lucky to have met such a generous Master. I��ll serve you for life.��

    ��As you should.��

    Ryu Min believed, that climbing up these organizations would eventually lead him to KF.

    After all, these were offshoots derived from KF.

    *

    Medical facilities in Northern Nigeria are poor with a starkck of doctors being a harsh reality. In some states, there are only 2 or 3 proper doctors avable.

    Perhaps that��s why, someone like me, from Lagos in the southern part of Nigeria, ended up so far north, masquerading as a medical officer.

    ��All done.��

    After treating the wound with an emergency care skill, Viktor Zaphiel looked at his patient, a typically armed organization member.

    As a yer, Viktor could have killed the man and attempted to escape.

    ��But the aftermath is the problem.��

    Sworn to KF, the terrorist organization.

    Its branches spread far and wide, with the exact location of its headquarters unknown.

    But what is known is that many, including young children from a school in the remote vige of Zamfara State, have been kidnapped and brought here.

    The purpose of their kidnapping is unclear, but as a medic, Viktor couldn��t bear to abandon them and escape on his own.

    He had grown too attached to them.

    ��You could just kill all the organization members and escape with them, right?��

    ��I wish it were so simple.��

    But KF isn��t just made up of regr people.

    There are as many yers among them as there are civilians.

    Just within this area, there are thirty yers standing guard.

    This was why Viktor had not attempted to escape.

    ��Hey, Viktor. Lost in thought?��

    ��Eh? No, not really.��

    Seeing Viktor zoned out, one could assume life had been toofortable for himtely. ��Have we been too forgiving with youtely, treating you like some sort of doctor? Do you look down on us now?��

    ��No, not at all.��

    Viktor hastily denied, swallowing his true feelings of contempt.

    ��You insignificant bug����

    He had no choice but to endure.

    Even with his ability to sense presences, he could detect five yers nearby, and a scan of the surroundings revealed dozens more.

    More importantly, as previously mentioned, he couldn��t abandon the kidnapped children and people just to escape alone.

    ��You should behave yourself, Doctor. Even without you, any yer could now receive emergency treatment.��

    ������

    ��Then, you might wonder, why keep you alive? Any guesses?��

    ��Well, I��m not sure����

    ��It��s because of the bond we��ve shared.��

    Viktor almost burst outughing.

    ��Bond? What a joke. These monsters����

    During his year-long imprisonment by KF, Viktor knew full well the atrocities these peoplemitted against their captives.

    ��A bond, they say? As if. They��re keeping me alive for my abilities.��

    They knew his ss was an Alchemist.

    It wasn��t something he revealed willingly, but he had to use a healing potion to save a dying woman, that��s when they found out.

    Since then, they incessantly prodded about his runes, skills, and abilities, forcing him daily to concoct potions.

    What they did with those potions, he didn��t know.

    Perhaps they traded them on the ck market to fatten their wallets or stockpiled them for their use.

    ��Luckily, I lied that I could only make one potion a day and that it was random, or else the market would be flooded with potions����

    So, the im about their bond was nonsense.

    The only reason they hadn��t killed him was that he was an Alchemist.

    You don��t ughter the goose thatys golden eggs, do you?

    ��Just make sure to watch your back. You don��t want to end up dead.��

    ��Yes�� I��ll keep that in mind.��

    As the organization member smirked and walked away with his colleagues, Viktor, despite being a yer, felt humiliated for being looked down upon by a regr member.

 Chapter 148: Daren (1)

    Chapter 148: Daren (1)

    Daren, the leader of KF, blinked several times.

    He wondered if he was seeing a ghost.

    Where the hell did this guye from? He didnt even trigger my perception.

    Considering his sudden appearance, it seemed like he had used the skillInvisibility, but he wasnt detected by perception skills.

    You, what the hell are youdoi

    Before Daren could finish shouting, he shut his mouth.

    Without warning, the neer had cut the throat of an organization member who had grabbed the child named Riki.

    The deed was done cleanly, without a drop of blood being spared, and then he even had the leisure to hand the child over to Victor.

    In contrast, Daren couldnt afford such leisure.

    He was so tense that sweat beads formed on his forehead.

    It was onlyter that he noticed the man was wielding a scythe.

    A yer who uses a scythe as a weapon

    There was one figure who came to mind almost synonymously.

    ck Scythe?

    His nationality is unknown, but always topping the global rankings.

    Among yers worldwide, he was known as a monster.

    Could it be that ck Scythe?

    Just because the nickname and the ssisReaper, and hes known to wield a scythe, doesnt guarantee its him.

    He hadnt seen it himself, and whether ck Scythe used a scythe wasnt certain.

    It was merely spection.

    No, but that movement

    It was extraordinary.

    Not the skills of an ordinary yer.

    He wanted to check again.

    Upon seeing a corpse, Daren looked at Victor, who was trying to cover the childrens eyes and raised his hand.

    Tssssss-

    The dagger that had left his hand returned to its masters grip.

    The assassins skill [Throwing Dagger] was ready again.

    Whish-!

    The dagger, flying at almost bullet speed, was aimed directly at the childs head.

    However, the white masks scythe blocked the dagger once again.

    Ting-!

    This time, heclearlysaw it.

    It wasnt a coincidence?

    Predicting the trajectory of the flying dagger and urately blocking it with the scythe?

    He had suspected, but this was no ordinary fighter.

    Blocking my attack twice, youre no ordinary guy, huh? But no matter where you came from, youve chosen the wrong opponent.

    He had blocked the dagger aimed at the children twice.

    It was clear now.

    This guy couldnt beat him.

    Fighting while protecting someone like in the movies is nearly impossible.

    It seems he woke up today and decided to y the role of the hero of justice But reality is different.

    At hismand, all his subordinates here would turn the hostages into sieves with their gunfire.

    How could he block a hail of bullets alone?

    Lets see if you can protect the children.

    With a devilish smile, he was about tomand his subordinates when

    Darens eyebrows twitched.

    Swoosh-

    The opponent vanished conspicuously.

    What? Didnt he use invisibility just now?

    There should be a cooldown, but he used itagain?

    Moreover, the astounding part was that using invisibility made him disappear from perception.

    Impressive. But that doesnt mean I cant give themand

    Daren couldnt even continue his thought.

    Crack-!

    A tremendous force from behind crashed his face into the ground.

    Kuueek

    It seemed his front teeth and nose were broken.

    Bo, Boss!

    The white mask, who had appeared behind him, tightened his grip on Darens neck.

    Ughhhhhh

    His mouth filled with dirt, he couldnt move.

    He wanted to issue amand but was unable to.

    But his subordinates wouldnt just stand by and watch their boss be subdued.

    That bastard!

    Save the Boss!

    Thirty yers, each armed with a weapon,chargedto kill the white mask.

    The remaining ordinary members of the organization hesitated to aim their guns.

    A wrong move could put holes in their boss as well.

    But they didnt know.

    The man subduing their boss was smiling under the mask.

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 Chapter 148: Daren (2)

    Chapter 148: Daren (2)

    How did this happen

    Victor couldnt close his mouth.

    His heart sank when he realized the children were being targeted because of him.

    When a dagger flew towards Riki, all he saw was darkness.

    But then, like a miracle, a savior appeared, wearing a white mask.

    The moment he blocked the dagger, Victor was amazed, but more than that, he was relieved that a childs life was saved.

    Now, he was even more astonished.

    Hes taking on so many by himself

    But it wasntreallya fight.

    It was too one-sided to be considered a fight.

    The yers were being sliced apart like moths to a me, thirty of them were no match for the overwhelming power of this masked guy.

    This spectacle was observed by everyone present, their faces frozen in horror, except for Victor.

    Everyone, close your eyes! Dont watch this!

    But, why? I want to see too.

    Lets run! This is not the right time to watch.

    Just a little longer.

    Argh! Just listen to me, okay?

    Victor, who had been frantically worried about the children getting hurt, had no choice but to seek help from others as they kept hesitating.

    Marcus! What are you standing there for? Hurry up and get the kids to safety!

    Eh? Oh, alright. Come on, kids, lets go!

    Perhaps Victors voice snapped them out of it?

    Others who had been dumbly watching the massacre also began to evacuate with the children, albeit btedly.

    But their movement might have caught the attention of the ordinary members of the organization, and aiming their guns at them was the next logical step.

    Where do you think youre running offto!Come here if you dont want to be turned into a beehive, you ves!

    Ah

    The fleeing people halted in their tracks.

    A sigh escaped Victors lips.

    He had wanted to evacuate the children quietly, but it had all gone wrong.

    Ratatatatat-!

    Suddenly, gunfire rang out, and the shouting member copsed.

    Ratatata- Ratatatatat!

    Not just one, but dozens of members were shot down like reeds.

    What was happening? It appeared that three of the organizations members had turned on their own, firing at them.

    Whats going on? Why are they betraying each other all of a sudden?

    Victor, puzzled by the friendly fire, almost fainted at the sudden appearance of a woman.

    Nows the time. Hurry up and get these kids to safety.

    A woman of East Asian descent said something, but Victor couldnt understand her words.

    However, he could grasp the meaning through her gestures.

    Ah, shes telling us to run away quickly.

    Victor nodded at the woman, expressed his thanks, and led the people away.

    As far as possible from the scene.

    <em></em>*

    Scream!

    Gurk!

    Kuh!

    Blood was sprayed everywhere at the scene.

    Daren, having witnessed this hell, decided to make a run for it first.

    F$ck, its over. Im no match for that guy.

    The realization that he was doomed dawned on him the moment his face hit the ground.

    The moment he felt the overwhelming force pressing on his neck, he knew he was dealing with an entity beyond his reach.

    Its the ck Scythe. That guyreallyis the ck Scythe.

    Fittingly for his ss as a Reaper, he was ughtering thirty yers without batting an eye.

    These were carefully selected members of the organization, and he had never expected them to die so miserably.

    Todayreallyis a shitty day. Damn it all.

    The immediate n was to escape while the guy was busy fighting.

    His subordinates lives be damned. Nothing was more important than his own life.

    Oh heaven, why are you testing me like this?

    He resented his luck today of all days but felt it was all due to his own unworthiness.

    Ah, escaping is one thing, but first

    After running non-stop, Daren ducked behind a building wall and took out his phone.

    Tap tap tap-

    After quickly sending a message, he peeked out again.

    Motherf$cker!

    One person appeared in his perception.

    It wasobviouslythe Reaper, that guy.

    Damn it, maybe I wont be detected if I use invisibility

    He vanished and started running, but soon his neck was grabbed from behind.

    Crack-!

    Gah!

    His head smashed into the building wall, and his invisibility was dispelled.

    Dust from the bricks fell like rain below his forehead.

    Whoosh-

    Tossed into the air, he spun six times before hitting the ground with a thud.

    Trying to run away?

    Crunch-

    Gah!

    Daren with his ankle crushed under Ryu Mins foot, couldnt even think of retaliating against the overwhelming force.

    This one too.

    Crunch-

    Aaah!

    With his ankle shattered and unable to move, he was lifted like a rag doll by the scruff of his neck.

    Come with me. Unless you want to die.

    Ryu Min took the semi-conscious man to Yumti.

    Yumti. Control this guy. We need to lure out the other one like weve done so far.

    Yes, Master.

    Ryu Min looked towards Victor, who was with the children in a safe ce.

    Victor Zapile, the Alchemist.

    While breaking through numerous organizations to reach him had taken only two days, fulfilling the mission to rescue him, there was still work to be done.

    Ryu Min was aware that this man under Yumtis control was not the real leader of KF.

    Hes merely a mid-boss. Its time to draw out the real one.

    Ryu Min smirked behind his mask.

    <em></em>*

    The KF has been on the decline since 2017.

    Now, it was almost reduced to remnants.

    Therefore, Odion the current supreme leader of KF, was desperate for the organizations revival.

    Once again, to expand our influence to the point where just hearing the name KF would make an entire country tremble.

    More terror attacks needed to be carried out, and more children kidnapped.

    Then, through indoctrination, transform them into true warriors.

    Thats why they kidnapped children.

    To invest in the future, for the glory of reconstruction.

    On the other hand, the yers were an investment for the present.

    Though its a declining investment every month.

    Currently, about 800 yers operate under the name KF in Nigeria.

    Originally, there were more, but their numbers halved every month.

    A few more months, and there might be none left.

    That was the biggest drawback of yers.

    This was also why Odion, a non-yer, disdained them.

    Theyre like expendable goods with a shelf life, and they arent even strong enough to dodge bullets

    Their advantage was being able to enter other countries without guns and easilymit terror attacks

    But these days, people dont go outside because theyre afraid of yers.

    Even the environment for terror attacks wascking.

    Useless yers. Tsk.

    He scoffed, but the one thing he acknowledged was the potions made by the Alchemist, Victor.

    Potions are helpful. They can be sold on the ck market and hoarded for the future.

    For now, he was hoarding them, selling only a little on the yer ce market when funds were low.

    Of course, non-yers couldnt use potions, but if a yer ingested it on their behalf, they worked.

    Potion mules.

    That was the extent of a yers value, at least to Odion.

    Before the yers diminish further, we need to elerate the terror attacks.

    He was already preparing to execute a n.

    The ordinary members and yer members of the organization would coborate to create a masterpiece.

    If wemit a terror attack that shocks the world, we can regain the fame of KF.

    While reviewing the n once more, Odion received a text message on his phone.

    [Daren: Emergency. Were being attacked by someone presumed to be the ck Scythe.]

    ck Scythe?

    Even Odion, not a yer, had heard of the ck Scythe.

    His subordinates had praised him highly.

    A level 89 yer who never lost the number 1 ranking?

    Considering most yers are around level 40, its somewhat clear how strong he is.

    What if we could recruit this guy to KF?

    It might even make the annihtion of the White House, the dream of KF, possible.

    Finally, a useful yer.

    Odions eyes narrowed into crescent moons.

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 Chapter 149: Odion (1)

    Chapter 149: Odion (1)

    Thud!Victor doubted his own eyes.Daren was shivering underfoot, a wreck of his former self.This was the boss of KF who had tormented him for a whole year.Ahhhh, ahoooVictor felt no sympathy for him, despite his teeth being knocked out and blood pouring down his mouth.On the contrary, he felt a surge of murderous intent, as if now was his chance. After all the suffering he had endured while captured, even tearing him apart would not be enough.Lets not kill him just yet.The savior in the white mask spoke in English.His voice sounded male, but his nationality was unclear.Victor thanked him first and foremost.Thank you so much. Because of you, Riki and the kids are safe. Riki, say thank you.Thank you, thank you.Seeing Riki shyly express his gratitude, Ryu Min thought,This child, seeing him for the first time, he must have been destined to die otherwise.If he hadnt intervened, the child would have been killed without a doubt.As Victor and the kids expressed their gratitude, did it ease the tension?People who had kept their distance just a moment ago slowly approached Ryu Min to express their gratitude.Thank you, Masked Sir.Thank you for saving our lives.Thank you for taking care of those trash.They clearly recognized him as aplete ally.He had not only killed all the members of KF but also captured their boss.Who wouldnt consider him an ally after witnessing this?The looks people gave Ryu Min were filled with deep respect and affection.Then, Victor, representing everyone, asked a question they were all curious about.Masked Sir, may I ask your name?Ah, I understand it must be difficult to reveal. That must be why you wear the mask. But please consider our position. It would be a lifelong regret not to know the name of our savior. If its too difficult, could you at least tell us your nickname?ck Scythe. Thats my nickname.Ah!Others might not know, but Victor immediately recognized the name.Are you really the ck Scythe?Do I look like someone who lies?Its not that its just so unbelievable.To think a celebrity known to all yers was right in front of him, and that celebrity had saved his life?It was natural for Victor to be incredulous.To meet the top-ranked ck Scythe its an honor. My name is Victor Zaphiel. Im a yer and a Level 40 alchemist.Is that so?Ryu Min responded nonchntly, though he already knew all about him.But what did you mean earlier? About not killing him yet?It means hes still of use. We need to lure out the leader of KF through this guy.The leader?Victor, having been captured by KF for a year, did not know who the real leader was.The organization was decentralized with many members, making it hard to find their base, and the leader was well-hidden.How do you n to do that?Im thinking of sending a message. With a picture of this guy. Now that its mentioned, lets throw the bait right away.Ryu Min took a picture of the battered Daren and found the KF leaders contact to send a text.He knew who the leader was from previous regressions.I had already sent a text saying this guy was being attacked.Pleased with how things were turning out, he sent the text along with the picture.[Daren: The guy has lost. If you want him alive,e here now.]Victor tilted his head upon reading the message.This person is the KF leader?Thats right.How do youI just know.But, sending this would he reallye? Wouldnt he rather note?The rational KF leader wouldnt be swayed by such threats.A boss of KF could easily be reced, after all.That was the reasoning behind Victors question, and Ryu Min agreed.However, he was confident.He will respond. Definitely. He might even find it interesting.He had managed to draw out leader Odion in a simr manner in previous regressions.Sure enough.A text came flying in.[Odion: Wait there.]He must have been intrigued upon hearing the name ck Scythe and became even more interested upon learning that the organization was being dismantled by a single person.Wow, he really did respond.Victor was surprised to see the text.But his expression soon turned worried.Youre not nning to wage a war against KF, are you?Now that weve started, we must uproot all members of KF.Isnt that too dangerous?For me? Or them?Victor chuckled at Ryu Mins confidence.It didnt feel like bravado or arrogance.He was a man with the strength and qualifications to back it up.I was worried for nothing.Victor, what will you do now?At Ryu Mins question, Victor spoke softly.I have to return to Lagos. It has been a whole year since Ive seen my family.Ryu Min nodded and waved his hand towards the outside.Hurry on then. Leave this ce to me.As if he was ready to let go without any regrets.Of course, Ryu Min, having read his mind, knew Victor wouldnt leave.Why arent you going?Ill stay and watch.Victor had already made up his mind.I need to see the end of the demons that tormented me.What about the others? Do you all feel the same as Victor?At Ryu Mins question, people hesitated before nodding.To be honest, we dont want to stay here even for a moment, but if Victor is staying, we will too.Well stay to see what bes of KF.Ryu Min appreciated their resolve and courage, but he shook his head quietly.Considering the uing battle, they would only be a burden.Victor might be okay since hes a yer, but you are all civilians. Just a graze from a bullet could send you to deaths door, and you want to stay in KFs stronghold? Its too dangerous, so please leave immediately. Youll hear about the results on the news.UmThey couldnt argue with that.Truth be told, they didnt want to stay in such a dangerous ce.Especially with the KF leader expected toe?They wanted to run down the hill as fast as possible.Only hesitating because of their loyalty to Victor.Realizing this, Victor smiled and said,ck Scythe is right. You shouldnt be here. Its too dangerous. Before KF arrives, please return to your homes now. Dont you have to take care of the kids here too?Um, if you put it that way, okay.Victor, thank you for healing and protecting us all this time.Its nothing, really.Not at all. We could endure because you were here.Thank you for saying that. Ah, Mr. Marcus! You live in Lagos, right? Could you take care of the kids with you too? Its just until I return. Many have lost their parents and have nowhere to go.Dont worry about that. Ill take responsibility for sending the kids to their parents. Those without parents, Ill take care of them.Thank you, Mr. Marcus. There are many cars down there; you can take any to leave.Got it. Lets meet again alive.Haha, sure.So, well be going now.Well find out what happens to KF through the news. I hope for a good ouePlease take care of yourselves, everyone.Lets go, kids.14 adults and 10 children began to leave the base.Riki, who had been ncing back frequently, finally couldnt hold back and ran to hug Victor.Sob sob, Uncle. Well meet again, right?Kid. Of course. Wait at Mr. Marcuss house. Ille to find you as soon as this is over.Okay. You muste.Victor patted Rikis head and sent him off.Riki looked back numerous times until he was no longer visible.Riki, I hope you go back safely.

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 Chapter 149: Odion (2)

    Chapter 149: Odion (2)

    Victor patted Rikis head and sent him off.Riki looked back numerous times until he was no longer visible.Riki, I hope you go back safely.There were plenty of organization cars below, so escaping wouldnt be a problem.Victor turned to look at Ryu Min and Yamti.Do we stand a chance?Of course.Ryu Min replied confidently, but Victor couldnt shake off his anxiety.The KF leader wouldnt appear unarmed, after all.My profession is an alchemist.Victor suddenly took out various potion bottles from his inventory and offered them to Ryu Min.Take these. They will help in the fight.Thank you, but Ill decline. Theres no need for such measures.But having a bit more powerTrust me. If I thought wed be overwhelmed by KF, I wouldnt have started this.Seeing Ryu Min so adamant, Victor had no choice but to put the potions back.With an unresolved expression of anxiety.Thus, Ryu Min, Yamti, Victor, and the battered Daren entered the building to wait for the enemy to show themselves.Night fell, and dawn broke with stars twinkling, but still, the KF leader did not appear.Did they manage to escape safely?As Victor, tired from waiting, thought of the people who had left,Tap tap-Feeling a tap on his shoulder, he turned around.Theyre here.They are?Regaining his senses, he heard the sound of numerous vehicle engines.Looking out from the building, he saw people disembarking from dozens of trucks.Ryu Min activated the scanning skill and observed the increasing number of red dots.Theyve gathered quite a number.Seeing the swarm of organization members heading towards their location, Victor paled.How many people are there?At a nce, there were over three hundred members entering the base.Ryu Min signaled Yamti with a nod.Take shelter in the building with Victor. Leave Daren outside.Yes, ck Scythe.Following the instructions, Yamti brought out the tied-up hostage, closed the door with Victor, and headed to arge open space with Daren.Meanwhile, Victor watched the situation from the window.Ryu Min was surrounded by organization members.This is bad. There are too many.Victor hadnt expected so many to appear and looked to the side with a pale face.Will ck Scythe be okay? There are too manyI dont know what theyre saying. This is frustrating; maybe I should learn English or something.Yamti grumbled, then looked back out the window.Nearly the entire force seemed to have been mobilized, with countless members surrounding Ryu Min.Thud thud-Among them, a man with a beard stepped forward.Are you ck Scythe?Yes, its me.Ryu Min, wearing a white mask, spoke confidently.So youre ck Scythe?Yes.Pleased to meet you. I am the leader of KF, Odion.Is that so?Now, since you called me here, release Daren.But you didnte alone?When did I say I woulde alone?I thought you woulde alone since I have your subordinate.You think Id sacrifice myself for a mere subordinate?Crossing swords with KF means you shouldve been prepared for this. Are you scared seeing these troops?Scared by these guys? Hardly.Ryu Min smirked.Of course, he had expected them to gather up like this.You must be scared the one, not me. Fake Odion.At those words, the opponents shoulders flinched momentarily.Though he didnt show it, it was clear.He was internally panicked and confused.Naturally, because this guy was pretending to be Odion.He wasnt the real one.If youre going to deceive, pick your targets better. Did you think I called you here without knowing your face? Did you think that if you bring a bunch of underlings and a stand-in, Id just go along with it?What nonsenseStop hiding behind them ande out. Ill listen to what you have to say.Are you insane? I am the leader of KFThats when.Enough. Stop acting!A middle-aged man walked out from among the crowd.Seeing him, Ryu Mins expression changed.This man was the true leader of KF, the real Odion.

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 Chapter 150: This Is My Answer (1)

    Chapter 150: This Is My Answer (1)

    How did you know my face?

    Odion was curious.

    How could they know his face when they hadnt even met, let alone had any information about each other?

    I made sure that not even Daren, let alone anyone else, could take a picture of me.

    He was very curious and patient, but the answer he got was ridiculously simple.

    Just because.

    What?

    I just can.

    The response would have made the younger him start shooting, but Odion had patience.

    Youre trying to provoke me, but its useless. Im not so inexperienced that

    Cut the crap and say what you want to say. Ill give you the chance to speak.

    Though it was insolent, he still held back.

    He was the leader of KF.

    He wasnt someone to be easily fooled by the opponents tricks.

    Your audacity is impressive. To be so bold in front of so many people.

    Is that all you have to say?

    The truth is, I responded to your call because I have a proposal for you.

    Lets hear it.

    Odion spoke straightforwardly, not caring about the yers around him.

    Join me. Devote yourself to KF. Then you wont need to worry about anything in life.

    Unlike Ryu Min, who had no reaction, Victor, who was hiding in a building listening to the conversation, had to cover his mouth in shock.

    Did I just hear that, right? Hes asking him to join KF?

    In other words, Odion was making a recruitment offer to the ck Scythe.

    How about it? Dedicate yourself to me and we will rule the world.

    A tiger cant follow a cat, can it?

    A tiger, huh Do you really think youre of that caliber?

    Well, maybe not. But one things for sure. The so-called leader of KF is nothing but a mouse, even less than a cat, hiding behind others and avoiding the front lines. Anyone would think that.

    Ha. I have to give you credit for your way with words.

    Unable to hold back any longer, Odion frowned.

    Do you really have no intention of joining me?

    How many times do I have to say it? Cant you understand words? Shall I show you through actions?

    Ryu Mins scythe shed for a moment and then decapitated Daren.

    Thud-

    Daren was sent on his way to the afterlife in an instant.

    This is my answer. You rat.

    So you had no intention of using him as a hostage from the beginning.

    As if there was no more value in talking, Odion turned his body around and said,

    Lets see if your skills are as good as your mouth.

    As he entered the crowd, the yers surrounded him as if to protect him.

    Kill him. Leave not a single piece of his flesh behind.

    As soon as themand was given, hundreds of yers rushed towards Ryu Min.

    Seeing the members armed with weapons, Ryu Min smiled from behind his mask.

    As expected, he only brought yers?

    If they were ordinary members, he would have killed them without hesitation, but knowing they were yers, he decided to go easy on them.

    After all, they were holding items. Itd be a waste to kill them.

    The yers were lucky.

    Ryu Min had decided to go easy on them.

    *

    Hiding in a building and watching the situation unfold, Victor clenched and unclenched his hands.

    His palms were sweaty.

    Is it finally starting? Im getting nervous.

    He trusted the skills of the ck Scythe, but anything could happen.

    Variables could arise.

    Wait, somethings odd.

    One thing was strange.

    Among the gathered members, none were carrying guns.

    All were dressed in archaic clothing and used melee weapons.

    Realizing this btedly, Victors eyes widened.

    Could it be that theyre all yers?

    Though not certain, the number seemed to be around 500.

    So many yers have devoted themselves to KF?

    His skin wriggled at the thought.

    He could barely handle one or two, but 500?

    Will ck Scythe be alright against this many yers?

    He could hear the sound of weapons shing, but due to the angle, he couldnt see if the fight was going well.

    Victor turned his head to the woman who seemed to be an ally of the ck Scythe.

    Whats Whats your name?

    Yamti, understanding the simple English, answered.

    Me? Im Yamti. My name is Yamti.

    Yamti? Okay. Yamti. Do you think the ck Scythe can win? What do you think?

    What are you saying? Haah

    When the conversation quickly stalled, Yamti sighed.

    Listen well, Alchemist sir. You might not understand, but Ill try my best. You seem anxious but trust ck Scythe. Theres nothing we can do to help. All we can do is wait here quietly for the KF leader.

    What? KF? You think KF might win?

    Hearing the word KF, Victor pressed Yamti for more information, and she babbled on.

    The ck Scythe said to wait, and hell deliver the KF leader to us. So dont worry. If we capture the KF leader, therell be no problem.

    Despite her reassuring words, Victors expression seemed darker than before.

    *

    Chang-Chang-Chang-!

    Kang-Kang-Kang!

    All sorts of skills were poured towards one target.

    No matter how high his level is, it was thought impossible to dodge this many skillsing from all directions.

    That was until they saw it with their own eyes.

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 Chapter 150: This Is My Answer (2)

    Chapter 150: This Is My Answer (2)

    All sorts of skills were poured towards one target.

    No matter how high his level is, it was thought impossible to dodge this many skillsing from all directions.

    That was until they saw it with their own eyes.

    Is he still holding on?

    Odion checked the time, surprised.

    5 minutes had passed.

    Normally, one would be dead by now.

    But not only was there no corpse, he was still fighting vigorously.

    Not the top ranker for nothing, eh?

    Odion had brought 800 members, 500 of whom were yers.

    yers should be dealt with by yers.

    Even if they died, it was better for the time-limited yers to die than ordinary soldiers, he thought.

    At that time, he believed it would be enough to kill him.

    But now, he thought differently.

    Even with all these forces, its not enough?

    He knew there was arge level gap, as most were around level 40.

    But he hadnt expected that hundreds couldnt even scratch one person.

    I intended to kill him if I couldnt have him. But that seems not so easy now.

    It was risky to let him live.

    He must be torn to pieces here, even if it meant the death of all the other yers.

    At least it seems hes struggling somewhat.

    The opponent was only defending with his scythe, not counterattacking at all.

    He seemed to be barely managing to block and dodge.

    As time passes, the tide will turn. After all, hes human, hell get tired.

    But as the battle dragged on, there seemed to be no sign of improvement.

    It was surprising that there were no casualties yet.

    Of course, even though it was 500 against 1, the number of people one could fight at a time was limited.

    But still, its impressive. To cleanly block and evade attacks from dozens at the same time.

    With such skills, he could probably dodge bullets too.

    A yer who could dodge bullets bing his subordinate?

    It was too tempting.

    If he had sworn loyalty to me, I would have immediately offered him Darens position What a pity.

    He might have been an asset even for attacking the White House, but now he had no choice but to kill him here.

    Now what? Hes really a tough guy.

    Watching the ck Scythe still fighting, Odion suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

    He had made eye contact with him midway.

    He has the leisure to look at me?

    In that moment of internal surprise.

    Thuk- Thuk-Thuk!

    Sounds of flesh being torn and weapons piercing through came.

    Indeed, ck Scythe was stabbed like a skewer by other yers and died.

    We killed the ck Scythe!

    The victorious yers shouted in jubtion.

    Odions eyes bulged.

    Was he killed in a moment of distraction?

    He looked at me and died like that?

    His surprise soon turned into a smile.

    Fortunately, the potential threat that might have been problematic in the future was gone.

    Kukuk, so much for being the top ranker. To die so foolishly just because he got distracted.

    Suddenly,

    Ugh!

    Someone grabbed him by the nape of his neck.

    Pulled by a strong force, Odion was lifted into the air.

    Crash-!

    He crashed through a window of a building, holding his waist and groaning.

    Aigo

    It was as if someone had grabbed by the neck and thrown him into the building.

    Ugh, what the

    That moment.

    Swoosh-

    Seeing the being that appeared out of thin air, Odions expression hardened instantly.

    It was none other than the ck Scythe, who he thought had died like a rat.

    ck Scythe!

    Victor and Yamti rejoiced upon seeing Ryu Min, who smiled back.

    Didnt I say? Id deliver him to you.

    Pointing at Odion, Ryu Min gave themand.

    Subdue him.

    *

    As the yersughed mockingly, watching the ck Scythe get pierced by dozens of des and bleeding out, they celebrated.

    We did it, we finally killed him.

    We, we have killed the ck Scythe!

    Having sworn loyalty to KF even before the world turned to chaos, they were reborn as even stronger warriors as yers.

    And now, they had killed the ck Scythe, KFs greatest enemy.

    A bloom of smiles spread across the faces of the members.

    But that was only for a moment.

    Huh?

    Like a mirage, the body of the ck Scythe disappeared.

    Unaware that it had been a decoy, they looked around, perplexed, trying to find the body.

    What happened?

    Did someone identally use a trace erasure skill?

    If someone did,e clean now!

    They were all busy looking for the body when it wasnt the time to be doing so, considering they should have been looking for Odions whereabouts instead.

    Since everyone was too focused on the ck Scythe, they hadnt seen Odion being whisked away.

    Then, Odion reappeared from somewhere.

    Whats all thismotion?

    Oh, Leader.

    As the leader of KF walked towards them, the yers lowered their weapons and parted like the Red Sea to make way.

    Whats with all this buzzing?

    We just killed the ck Scythe, but somehow, the body disappeared.

    And what of it?

    What?

    The disappearance of the body is not whats important. The important thing is that we killed the ck Scythe.

    Odion dered victory with a wide smile.

    You have eliminated the biggest obstacle to our organization!

    Wow!

    Thank you, leader!

    Weve taken another step towards our goal, ruling the world!

    As if giving them permission to celebrate to their hearts content, Odion smiled benevolently and raised his hand to quiet the crowd.

    Now that the ck Scythe is gone, all thats left is to carry out our cause. But first, we need to redistribute the items. So everyoney down your equipped gear and the items in your inventory on the ground. Everything, without missing a single one!

    Yes!

    Themand of the KF leader was absolute.

    If he ordered death, they would die; if he ordered life, they would live; if he demanded surrender, they would surrender.

    Since they were collecting items for redistribution in preparation for an uing terror attack, it made sense.

    Thus, the yersplied.

    Theyid down not only their equipped gear but also scraped everything from their inventories.

    Soon, the scene turned into a sea of items.

    With over 500 yersying down their gear, the number easily exceeded 3000 items.

    Those who haveid down their items, move to the side!

    After bing empty-handed, Odion directed the members to move to an adjacent clearing to prevent them from retrieving their items again.

    Because

    Well done. Now you can die.

    What?

    They had to die by the hands of the ck Scythe.

    While Odion was smirking, a sound was heard from somewhere.

    Kiiiiing-

    It was a clear and piercing sound.

    At the same time, a bright light enveloped the yers one after another.

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 Chapter 151: Reunion (1)

    Chapter 151: Reunion (1)

    Ryu Min activated the Red Moon and unleashed a barrage with the Moonlight sh.

    With each swing, fifty yers turned to dust and vanished.

    After decimating half of the enemy forces in five strikes, he grasped the scythe.

    Screeeech-!

    The scythe, extending like the grasp of a giant, swept away everything without exception.

    The night enhanced his attack speed and the damage of Moonlight sh even without needing to activate any other skill.

    It was one-sided.

    The absence of their equipment only made it easier.

    For Ryu Min, they were walking targets.

    Victor and Yamti, witnessing the massacre unfold in real time, were speechless.

    They felt neither sympathy nor joy.

    They simply waited for the inevitable end, as if observing a natural disaster.

    Almost there, when Ryu Min was about to finish off the enemies, a wee notification appeared before him.

    [yer confirmed to have killed 1,000 yers.]

    [You have acquired the title yer.]

    A slight smile crept up Ryu Mins lips behind his mask.

    It was the title he had been waiting for.

    [Title  yer]

    -Acquisition Condition: Kill 1,000 yers.

    -Effect: Damage dealt to yers increased by 50%. Inflicts the abnormal state Fear on all yers who witness a killing for 3 seconds.

    The number of yers Ryu Min had killed before and during this encounterbined reached 1,000.

    A title perfect for massive battles had appeared.

    Increases damage, making it easier to kill, and then spreads fear around after the deed.

    Sure enough.

    In front of him stood fifty test subjects, whom he immediately slew with the scythe.

    Snick-

    After killing one, the others froze in ce like toys with depleted batteries, losing their will to fight and unable to move from fear.

    The abnormal state Fear was sessfully applied.

    The duration of fear is only 3 seconds.

    It seemed short, but it was significantly long enough if it kept being applied.

    Scratch- Scratch-

    As another fell, fear reset with each death.

    Kill and reset, kill and reset.

    As Ryu Min continued his massacre, the rest were immobilized by fear, trembling in ce.

    Thats why its such an overpowered title in battles, especially against many enemies.

    The downside was its applicability only to yers, making it less versatile.

    Still, better than nothing.

    Initially, Ryu Min was unaware such a title existed.

    It was only after noticing the actions of Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol that he realized something was up.

    Whenever those guys ughtered yers, I saw them being affected by fear and realized there was something to it.

    Later, after destroying KF, he finally learned about the title.

    If someone saw this, theyd say, isnt it crazy to kill a thousand yers?

    Yes, its possible.

    Specifically, in the 11th round.

    When the countries merged and the number of yers increased, Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheolmitted massacres.

    Indiscriminately killing yers from other countries.

    All for the cursed points.

    Assumably, theyll obtain the yer title in the process.

    Ryu Min didnt mind others obtaining the title.

    However, he disliked the idea of anyone having the power to oppose him.

    And being affected by fear is unpleasant.

    Even if affected for just 3 seconds, his high resistance would shorten it to 0.3 seconds, but he still disliked the notion.

    More importantly, with so many people dying, the number of survivors for future rounds would decrease.

    Thus, Ryu Min aimed to deny them the chance to obtain the title.

    I must be the only one to obtain the yer title.

    As long as he did as in previous rounds, there shouldnt be an issue.

    Though the 11th round was still some time away.

    ng! Thunk!

    Having retrieved his extended scythe to its original state, Ryu Min deactivated his skills.

    There were no enemies left standing.

    Smells as trash.

    Looking up, he saw heaps of bodies forming hills.

    Half were obliterated without a trace due to unbearable damage.

    It was an approximate 500 to 1 battle.

    The result of the fight was the overwhelming victory of the one.

    Ryu Min grimaced as he erased the remnants, turning the bodies to ashes.

    With so many, even erasing them was a task.

    After a while, when the gruesome scene was cleared, Ryu Min turned his attention.

    Items were scattered everywhere, relinquished by the dead.

    Lucky the inventory has infinite capacity. All these items are mine for the taking.

    Starting with the Nigerian human traffickers, climbing up to KF, rescuing the alchemist, and using Odion to farm items.

    And now, having killed 1,000 unarmed yers and obtained the title as well.

    Everything went ording to n.

    All thats left is to win over the alchemists heart.

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 Chapter 151: Reunion (2)

    Chapter 151: Reunion (2)

    Everything went ording to n.

    All thats left is to win over the alchemists heart.

    Turning his gaze, he saw Victor and Yamti emerging from a building.

    Victor, having witnessed the ughter of hundreds, was initially shocked, but soon regained hisposure and asked Ryu Min.

    Is it all over?

    Ive dealt with the vermin here. Though one remains.

    Ryu Mins gaze shifted towards Odion.

    Yamtis puppet, stood still as instructed, like a wooden doll.

    How did you manage to turn the leader of KF against them?

    It was thanks to this yer, Yamti. She has the ability to control minds, turning them into puppets.

    Ah.

    Realizing such a terrifying woman was by his side, Victor momentarily felt a chill, worried he might be next.

    Sensing his thoughts, Ryu Min chuckled behind his mask.

    Dont worry. Her ability doesnt work on yers. It has many restrictions.

    Ah I see.

    It was a lie, but Victor believed it wholeheartedly.

    At that moment, the only person he could trust was Ryu Min, the ck Scythe, his savior.

    Thank you, ck Scythe. When you said youd confront KF, I had my doubts, but seeing you fulfill your promise When I was captured by KF, I had lost all hope. Its all thanks to you, ck Scythe.

    Its nothing, really.

    Ryu Min had certainly won Victors favor.

    Reading his mind, he could see it filled with awe and gratitude.

    But Victor no longer wishes to fight.

    Reading Victors mind, Ryu Min knew.

    Victor wanted to retire, to go back home and spend the rest of his life in peace, having let go of everything.

    Victor must apany me until the 20th round. But with such a weak mind, he wontst.

    It was a problem.

    However, Ryu Min already knew the solution.

    He remained silent for this reason.

    What will you do with this leader of KF now? Kill him?

    We cant do that. Not while KF hasnt beenpletely eradicated.

    Then

    Well use him to the end, then kill him. Well use him to gather the remnants and put a final end to this vermin infestation. Dont worry. KF will vanish into history.

    Ah then thats a relief. Youre very thorough in your work Oh!

    Victor, who had just shown a relieved smile, suddenly opened his inventory.

    Take this.

    Isnt that the potion you were going to give me earlier?

    Yes. These are potions of various types I made. Please ept them as a token of my sincerity.

    Unable to refuse twice, Ryu Min epted the potions.

    Thank you. Ill make good use of them.

    Inspecting the items, he found healing potions, stat potions, resistance potions, and more.

    Is this what a level 40 alchemist can make?

    Not legendary, but still quite useful.

    Its not enough for saving my life, but if you ever need potions, pleasee and tell me. Oh, my address is

    After giving his address, Victor smiled warmly.

    It was time to part ways.

    Dont hesitate to visit. Ill provide them for free to you, ck Scythe, both in this world and the other. Of course, thats if I survive the rounds

    Thank you.

    Well then, Ill be going now. I cant wait to see Riki and the kids. And my family too.

    Do so. You can take one of those trucks over there.

    Thank you. Take care, ck Scythe, and Yamti. I owe you a lot.

    Waving his hand, Ryu Min let Victor go without any reluctance.

    As Victor got some distance, Yamti asked.

    Are we just letting the alchemist go, Master?

    Yes. He promised to provide me potions anytime.

    So, youve achieved your goal?

    Not yet.

    Ryu Min shook his head as he watched Victors departing figure.

    What I want is to have Victor with me until the 20th round. But hes not willing yet. Hes tired. Having achieved his goal of seeing his family before dying, he doesnt care about what happens next.

    Surviving with a yer whocks the will to live?

    It was impossible, and Ryu Min knew best.

    So, what will you do now?

    What else? I need to change the alchemists mind.

    Vroom-

    As Ryu Min watched the truck drive away, he instructed Yamti.

    Tell Odion to lead us to the ce where hes hidden the alchemists potions. Meanwhile, Ill

    Ryu Min removed his mask and said.

    Pick up some items.

    *

    Marcus was a simple gentleman who had been captured by KF alongside Victor. As a schoolteacher in Lagos, he was the second most trustworthy person after ck Scythe.

    Mr. Marcus!

    Oh, Victor. Youre safe!

    Arriving at Marcuss house, Victor saw them.

    Riki and the children running towards him.

    Uncle!

    Riki! Have you been well?

    You really came!

    Of course. I said I woulde for you.

    But what happened next? What about KF?

    Victor, sharing smiles during their reunion, exined everything to Marcus.

    KF brought nearly 500 yers, but ck Scythe took them all down. You dont have to worry anymore.

    Really? He won against 500 alone?

    Marcus, surprised by ck Scythes power, asked Victor, who nodded.

    Marcus gupled helplessly and then asked again.

    What will you do now?

    What else? Im going home.

    Arent you leaving too soon, uncle?

    Riki, teary-eyed, seemed sad.

    I have to. I came to make sure you were safe, after all.

    Sigh

    Dont worry. Marcuss house and ours are close. Ill visit often while youre here. Stay well until then.

    Okay.

    Smiling, Victor prepared to leave.

    Mr. Marcus, please take care of the children until their parents are found. If you need anything, just let me know. You remember my address, right?

    Yes. Dont worry, go quickly. Your family must be worried.

    Thank you. Then, Ill be going.

    Waving his hand, Victor drove back to his own house.

    Has it really been a year since Ist was home?

    A year ago.

    Victor, living with his parents and his sister who was five years younger, was unfortunately kidnapped by KF.

    Simply because he was a doctor.

    They threatened me, saying if I didnt treat their wounded members, theyd kill my family.

    ckmailed, Victor spent a year as KFs medic, witnessing unspeakable horrors. His family was his only reason to endure.

    Dreaming of the moment he would reunite with them, he persevered.

    And soon, that moment would be reality.

    Phew. Finally here.

    Arriving near his house, Victor walked the rest of the way.

    The familiar scenery quickened his heartbeat as he approached.

    And finally.

    Creak-

    Opening the front door, Victor saw them.

    His dearly missed family.

    Vi, Vi, Victor?

    Mother.

    Tears flowed as mother and son embraced without a word.

    Victor? Did Victor reallye?

    Even his stern father joined the tearful reunion,ing out from his room.

    Parents and son hugged tightly, affirming each others survival.

    You were alive. Thank goodness, truly.

    I thought you were dead.

    Sob, Im here, alive and well, dad, mom.

    Lets not stand here. Come in. Lets talk about what happened.

    Yes. But where is Sophia?

    Sophia was Victors younger sister.

    Her absence naturally led him to ask, but his parents faces suddenly turned awkward.

    Ah that is

    Upon hearing the situation, Victor was utterly shocked.

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 Chapter 152: Victors Dilemma (1)

    Chapter 152: Victor''s Dilemma (1)

    Victor wanted to tell his family everything.

    How he had been held captive by KF for a year, the brutal humiliations he endured, and the countless atrocities he witnessed.

    He wanted to share all that he had experienced with his family without holding anything back.

    But he couldnt do that now.

    Sophia has, you know, ranked first in her district again.

    How proud I am. She even has a rare job as a Guardian.

    The sister he had worried might fall behind was actually living better than he expected.

    No, not just better; shes totally nailing life, isnt she?

    She was achieving district rankings with ease, something he had never managed.

    Its not a lie, right? Sophia always hates lying.

    Despite his worries, the fact that she was doing well brought both relief and a sense of emptiness.

    He looked up at his parents, noticing their faces brighten.

    How could they not be delighted to hear about their daughter thriving in the other world?

    They look so happy, how can I say I was captured by KF and went through hell

    It felt like throwing ashes into already cooked rice, so he couldnt bring himself to say it.

    Then his parents asked him directly.

    Victor, what happened to you? Why havent we heard from you for a whole year?

    Ah well, that is

    As Victor debated whether to share his grim story, he finally decided.

    Better not to spoil the mood.

    I, uh, took a trip abroad.

    What? A trip?

    Shocked by his unexpected response, his parents eximed.

    Is that true? I thought you had been kidnapped by KF and were dead!

    Ha, ha KF? What time do you think this is

    So you just went on a nice trip?

    And why didnt you call?

    I lost my phone

    How can you just not contact us? We were worried!

    Victor bowed his head deeply.

    Im sorry. I had so much on my mind, wondering whether I should continue being a doctor and other concerns, I just wanted to get away. You know, just drop everything and leave.

    The parents faces immediately showed concern.

    Depression, or something?

    Yes Ive been feeling quite troubled. Its embarrassing at my age,te twenties.

    So you went traveling here and there?

    Yes. I just wandered wherever my feet took me. When I ran out of money, Id get a job and start working. Once I had money again, Id travel

    Once he started, the lies flowed easily.

    Initially shocked, his parents seemed to ept his words as he borated.

    Yes, its better to say I traveled because of depression than to admit being kidnapped by KF.

    It was a white lie, hoping his family would worry less.

    Thats good then. Have you sorted out your feelings now?

    Yes. Now, Ill never leave again. After all, theres no ce like home.

    Its good you realize that now.

    Sophia is also doing well as a yer, so you should focus and do your best too.

    Yes, I will.

    Victor replied with a bittersweet feeling.

    By the way, where did Sophia go?

    She got amercial deal and went off to shoot.

    Ah really?

    How happy shell be to know youre back, huhu.

    Seeing his parents smile so broadly made Victor feel reassured about his decision.

    Ill go check out my room; its been a while.

    Go ahead.

    Returning to his room after a year, Victor closed the door and sighed.

    It worked out. My sister and family arent suffering as much as I worried.

    He had wanted to see his family at least once before dying, and now his wish was fulfilled.

    Now, there were no regrets left in his heart.

    Rather, it turned out for the better.

    Free of regrets, ready to leave.

    Im sick of endless survival games. I just want to rest now.

    Better to end his life surrounded by family than keep struggling to survive.

    That year of captivity had left Victor physically and spiritually weakened.

    Son, you must be hungry; Ive made food. Eat.

    Yes!

    Enjoying a decent meal for the first time in a long time, they shared the stories they hadnt been able to.

    And in the evening, Victor was able to reunite with his sister who returnedte at night.

    Oh, brother!

    Sophia!

    They hugged each other, tears welling up in their eyes.

    It was rare, but they had always gotten along well, hardly ever fighting.

    Where have you been, brother! Ive been looking everywhere!

    Ahaha, well, thats

    Sweating profusely, Victor again resorted to a white lie.

    What an unusual excuse! You just vanished on a trip without leaving a single message!

    Uh, the sameint from you and our parents, huh?

    We were worried! We thought you were surely dead! Especially with all the upheavals!

    I thought you were gone too. Who wouldve thought youd survive up to Round 9

    Brother, didnt you hear? I ranked first from Round 1. Of course, just in my district. The overall district is dominated by that yer called ck Scythe. You know, if youre a yer, ck Scythe.

    Oh? Oh

    Did I know?

    Ive spoken with ck Scythe, saved by his terrifying force, and seen his formidable strength up close.

    Dont you think that the yer called ck Scythe is really something? I heard his level is incredibly high.

    Yes, impressive indeed.

    I heard hes a yer from Korea. Have you been there?

    Ha, Korea? ck Scythe is a Korean yer?

    Yes. Didnt you know? Its all over the news. Hes working there as the captain of a squad called CPF, catching criminal yers.

    Oh, is that so.

    I didnt know.

    Having been in a ce where I couldnt even see a cellphone for a year.

    So hes been exterminating criminals there too?

    A new respect emerged for ck Scythe, who continued his efforts to eliminate crime in his own country.

    What about you, how did you survive all this time? Whats your job?

    Me? Im an Alchemist.

    An Alchemist? Theres such a job?

    Id like to ask the same. What exactly does a Guardian do?

    As they inquired about the things they didnt know about each other, time flew by.

    Having already been close siblings, their bond deepened with themon ground of being yers.

    As the happy time passed and midnight approached, Victory in bed, deep in thought about his future.

    From our talk, it seems Sophia doesnt need to be worried about. Shes managing fine on her own.

    She was receiving respect in both the real world and the other realm.

    While he was struggling desperately while captured by KF.

    Riki has been taken care of by Mr. Marcus, and the other kids are safe too. ck Scythe has wiped out all the KFS monsters tormenting me.

    Everything seemed to be falling into ce.

    There was nothing left to worry about.

    Then why does my heart feel so empty?

    Is it because of the harsh treatment under KF?

    Or because my soul has worn out from watching the acts of those monsters every day?

    Lost in thought, Victor stared nkly at the ceiling.

    So engrossed that he didnt notice the tapping at his window.

    Thump-thump-thump-

    Huh?

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 Chapter 152: Victors Dilemma (2)

    Chapter 152: Victor''s Dilemma (2)

    Lost in thought, Victor stared nkly at the ceiling.

    Soengrossed that hedidntnotice the tapping at his window.

    Thump-thump-thump-

    Huh?

    Hearing the noise btedly, Victor looked at the window and was startled.

    ck Scythe?

    Following the gesture toe out, he hurried outside and there indeed was ck Scythe standing.

    Hello. What brings you to our home Oh! Perhaps you need a potion

    As he fumbled through his inventory, ck Scythe shook his head with his mask on.

    No. I have something to tell you.

    Something to tell? Not about KF, I hope

    Dont worry about KF. Its already taken care of. Youll hear good news through the media tomorrow.

    Oh, thats a relief. Then the message is

    Victor Zaphiel.

    ck Scythe captured the mood with a serious tone.

    Dont give up.

    Pardon? I didnt catch that?

    Dont give up on life.

    I know what you went through with KF. You must have endured terrible suffering. But.

    Pausing for a moment, Ryu Min looked around the house and continued.

    Dont you have a family to protect?

    I dont know why youre saying this all of a sudden but theres no problem with my family. My sister too, theyre living just fine without me. Ive achieved my purpose, and now I have no regrets

    Thats arrogant.

    Pardon?

    Achieved your purpose? Do you think life is a simple game that ends once you clear a mission?

    Life is a game that doesnt end until you die. Like the survival game were ying. It doesnt end until you eitherplete the 20th round or die. You have to keep moving until then. And you say youre done because you met a small goal? That you have no more regrets? How lightly do you take life to say such things? Isnt that the height of arrogance?

    Victor just listened silently.

    There was nothing incorrect about those words.

    Dont give up on life. If you give up the survival game, what do you think will happen to the family that remains?

    Who knows. They might live just fine without me

    Do you really think your family was fine without knowing whether you were dead or alive? Dont you think they spent every day waiting anxiously at the door, wondering when you would return?

    They could bear it because they had the hope and expectation that you, Victor, could return. If you die in the next round, that hope is gone. What about your family then? Can they live normally?

    Sensing it was time to conclude, Ryu Min drove the point home.

    Victor. You just want to rest. After a year of hardship, you now want to rest in peace through death.

    The impact hit Victor like a hammer.

    I understand. But thats not the way to look out for your family. In fact, its the exact opposite. Its a selfish decision that only serves yourself.

    I hope you keep fighting until the 20th round. Your sister, Sophia. You know shes a famous ranker in Nigeria. But do you really think she can make it through 20 rounds without you?

    Seeing Victors heart waver like a leaf, Ryu Min believed the persuasion was nearlyplete.

    Protect Sophia. As an Alchemist, a ss specialized in support, youre unique in this world. If youre with her, she wont drop out before the 20th round. Ill help you with missions if I can. Lets call it fate. So, survive.

    Thank you for your words, but Im not sure if someone like me can protect her

    You can. Let me show you this as proof.

    Ryu Min pulled an item from his inventory.

    Victor was shocked to see the item information.

    A legendary item, a Life Potion, capable of reviving dead yers.

    I obtained this item by chance. It means you can protect Sophia if you use this. It says an Alchemist can make any potion, right? But, as you can see from the usage restrictions, you need to be at least level 60 to craft this potion. That means you need to reach at least level 60 to qualify to make it.

    Ah

    It was as ck Scythe said.

    If he reached level 60, he might be able to create a Life Potion.

    Then, even if Sophia died, he could protect her.

    If you want to protect Sophia from death, reach level 60. If you dont have a goal, find a new one. Dont give up on life like an old man who has seen everything. Because you didnt.

    Victors eyes lit up with a new purpose as he looked at the potion.

    Thank you. Ive been feeling confused and unclear, but now it feels like things are in order. No one but you, ck Scythe, has said such things to me. Im truly grateful.

    Im d to hear that.

    How do you understand my feelings so well?

    I have a knack for understanding people. Call it insight, if you will.

    Insight?

    Such a simple word hardly seemed sufficient.

    It felt like finding light in the darkness.

    Like being rescued from a mire.

    ck Scythe is truly a remarkable person.

    Ive said what I came to say. Its heartbreaking to see someone I saved disappear without motivation.

    Im sorry for showing you my worst side. Dont worry anymore. I have a new goal now.

    Thats good to hear. Ill trust your word.

    As Ryu Min saw Victors mindpletely change, he smiled behind his mask.

    Before I leave, onest piece of advice: be open and honest with your family. It will resolve any feelings of suffocation.

    Victors eyes widened.

    You even knew I hadnt told my family How exactly?

    Just then.

    Brother!

    Sophia suddenly appeared, armed with a sword and shield.

    Who are you talking to at this hour?

    Oh, this person is Huh?

    Victor turned his head, but ck Scythe had already disappeared.

    Brother, who was it? You were just with a suspicious person wearing a mask.

    Pondering Sophias question, Victor whispered softly.

    Scythe.

    Huh?

    It was ck Scythe.

    What?

    Seeing Sophias surprised face, Victor made up his mind.

    He would take ck Scythes advice.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon! <ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 153: Return To Korea (1)

    Chapter 153: Return To Korea (1)

    [Our ne will arrive at Incheon Airport in 10 minutes.]

    Ryu Min, who had been sleeping with an eye mask on, slightly lifted it off.

    Have we arrived?

    He nced at his side to see Yamtis head awkwardly bent like a ghosts.

    She waspletely knocked out.

    No wonder shes exhausted.

    During the four days in Nigeria, they had aplished quite a bit.

    They had annihted dozens of organizations, including a human trafficking ring, and had located and wiped out the main base of KF.

    In the process, they received thanks from many who had been kidnapped, and Ryu Min even earned the title of yer.

    He had collected thousands of items and stowed away hundreds of potions that the KF leader had hoarded in his inventory.

    Most importantly, I managed topletely win over the alchemist on my side, without even using Yamtis charm.

    After his advice, Victor hadpletely opened his heart to the ck Scythe.

    Reading his true feelings made it all the more certain.

    The gains from Nigeria were not just here.

    Once its known that the ck Scythe wiped out KF, my reputation will soar iparably.

    He had already set things in motion, now it was just a matter of waiting.

    Everything was perfect and satisfying.

    Ryu Min smirked and shook Yamti in the seat next to him.

    Wake up.

    Mmm, just a little longer, dude.

    Speaking informally to your master? Are you out of your mind?

    Huh? Ah, Ma-, Master?

    Yamti was startled upon seeing the stern Ryu Min.

    Seems like your training iscking?

    So-, Sorry. I thought I was dreaming.

    Ill let it slide this time.

    Th-, Thank you. As magnanimous as the ocean, Master!

    Wipe your drool before you tter.

    Gulp.

    Were about tond. Start packing your bags.

    Understood!

    Soon, the two arrived at the airport.

    Including the flight time, the journey took exactly one week.

    It would have taken longer if not for the private jet provided by Chairman yer Haven.

    Yamti, you did well in Nigeria.

    You too, Master.

    Lets part ways here. You can manage on your own to home, right?

    Hmm It would be nice if Master could drop me off.

    You can do it by yourself, right? Go ahead then.

    Sniff. Then Ill go first. Take care, Master.

    Ryu Min nodded and changed his appearance in the car in the parking lot.

    Swirling

    He reverted to his original form, Ryu Min.

    He then drove his Lamborghini home and opened the front door.

    Im home.

    Hyung? Hyung!

    His younger brother, who had been watching TV at home, greeted him with an excited expression.

    Youre back safe! I was worried!

    Of course. Who do you think I am?

    The world is dangerous!

    Ah.

    Come to think of it, he only knows him as the fragile Prophet yer.

    He doesnt know that his true identity is themander of the CPF, the ck Scythe.

    Advising Victor to spill his secrets while Im hiding things from my brother.

    Isnt this a ssic case of the pot calling the kettle ck?

    Ryu Min looked at his brother with a self-deprecating smile.

    Was everything okay while I was gone? No problems?

    It was! I wish something had happened, it was so boring.

    Even joking about that is bad. Boring is better than being in danger. Thats what peace is.

    If he had been born in crime-ridden Nigeria, such words would nevere from his mouth.

    Well, hes still in middle school, so I guess its understandable.

    Hes still too young to be worldly-wise.

    But hyung.

    Yeah?

    Did you buy anything in Japan? Like souvenirs

    No.

    Ryu Min sighed secretly.

    Surely his brother was still too young.

    *

    The yers inventory is indeed convenient.

    You can infinitely store items without any limit, and find any desired item just by thinking about it.

    This is why Ryu Min could immediately pull out any item he needed for crafting.

    Ive snatched thousands of items from those KF bastards, including 105 unique materials. With this, I could make dozens of unique equipments and still have leftovers.

    It seems that the organization members hadnt sold them on the yer ce Market, and kept them to themselves instead.

    Even though he could start crafting right away, Ryu Min didnt need any unique gear.

    He had already fully equipped himself with unique and even legendary-grade items.

    Hmm, I have so many unique materials, but no use for them.

    Strictly speaking, there was a use.

    He didnt need them himself, but his friends would go crazy over just one unique item.

    I should make a few and hand them out. Ill share the other gears I have too.

    It was almost like a charity event, but the survival of his friends was directly linked to Ryu Mins own survival.

    Tap tap tap

    Ryu Mins fingers busied themselves.

    He was setting up an appointment with someone over text.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon! <ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 153 (Part 2)

    Chapter 153: Return To Korea (Part 2)

    ��Prophet?��

    Startled, Ma Kyung-rok opened his eyes wide upon Ryu Min��s call at the rendezvous.

    ��What is all this?��

    ��Unique items.��

    ��Oh, no. I see that, but why��?��

    ��Disappointed? Mr. Representative.��

    ��What?��

    Surprised by Ryu Min��s unexpected remark, Ma Kyung-rok tried to soothe him.

    ��Weren��t we a fate-sharingmunity? Especially since I know about Mr. Ma��s secret hobbies. Isn��t it strange to question why we would share items between us? You seem too distant, it��s rather bitter.��

    ��Oh�� no, that��s not what I meant. I was just wondering if there was another meaning. Don��t get me wrong, Prophet.��

    Sweating profusely, Ma Kyung-rok found himself in an awkward situation.

    As the difficulty of the game increased, falling out with the Prophet could reduce his chances of surviving the next round.

    ��Why are you so nervous? It was a joke. Just a joke.��

    ��Eh? Ha ha, so it was? I thought not����

    Relieved, Ma Kyung-rok watched Ryu Min carefully.

    If An Sang-cheol had seen this, he would have been shocked.

    For Ryu Min, it was amusing to see Ma Kyung-rok so careful with every emotion he showed.

    ��It means that my prophecies hold a significant ce for Ma Kyung-rok. Now he can��t do without them.��

    Seeing him react to every single emotion was proof that the taming wasplete.

    Ma Kyung-rok, having tasted the prophecy, could no longer escape Ryu Min��s grasp.

    ��It��s like I��ve reached the stage where I can control Ma Kyung-rok at will.��

    Even if the prophecy was a lie, Ma Kyung-rok would have no choice but to believe it as the absolute truth.

    To him, the prophecy was hisst lifeline.

    ��He wouldn��t see whether that lifeline was rotten or sturdy. He��s that desperate.��

    Ryu Min continued to watch Ma Kyung-rok, who was still cautious and decided to throw him a bone.

    He still needed him by his side.

    ��I��ll give you the information for Round 10.��

    ��Oh, I��ve been waiting for this. Please.��

    Ryu Min selectively shared the essential tips for conquering Round 10.

    ��The difficulty increases every five rounds. This uing Round 10, like the previous Round 5, will only allow a quarter to survive.��

    ��Huh�� A quarter?��

    ��Yes. After Round 10, the number of yers worldwide will drastically decrease. Although it reduces the number of criminals, it��s not good news for Mr. Ma.��

    ��That��s true�� yers are ourpany��s clients.��

    A reduction in yer numbers meant fewer users for the Plpl Market.

    This was contrary to Ma Kyung-rok��s goal of aiming for a KOSPI listing.

    ��Don��t worry too much. Didn��t I tell you to prepare for such times?��

    ��The VVIP system?��

    As the number of yers decreased, thepany��s limitations were clear.

    However, a decrease in customers didn��t necessarily doom apany.

    Thepany��s survival depended solely on sales.

    ��Upgrade existing members to VVIP and new traders to VIP, change the site��s atmosphere from being a free marketce, make it feel special, enhance the existing benefits, and shift towards an auction-based system to somewhat counter the drop in sales. Additionally, I can also release arge amount of items I��ve collected to expand the market pool.��

    ��Wait a minute. I didn��t hear about releasing arge amount of items����

    ��I��ve gathered quite a lot of items during this time. I��ve prepared some for you too. Now that it��s mentioned, I��ll give them to you.��

    Ryu Min pulled out dozens of unique gears from his inventory.

    Ma Kyung-rok gulped down his saliva at the sight of such luxurious equipment.

    ��Where did all thise from����

    ��I made them. I knew the form because I could see the future.��

    ��And the materials?��

    ��How else? You��ve been cutting down criminals day and night, providing materials, haven��t you? I made them from those. I had some materials too.��

    ��Oh����

    In reality, the materials Ma Kyung-rok provided were nowhere near enough, but he didn��t need to know that.

    Nor did he have any interest in knowing.

    At the moment, Ma Kyung-rok��s attention was solely on the unique gears.

    ��I��ve prepared everything for Mr. Ma to use, as well as for Mr. An, actress Seo Arin, and your fianc��e.��

    ��To go to such lengths�� Thank you so much. Should I give you gold through the trade feature����

    ��Don��t make promises you don��t intend to keep.�� Ryu Min wanted to retort, but he restrained himself.

    Instead, he simply waved his hand with a benevolent smile like Gandhi.

    ��Take it all. I want nothing in return.��

    ��Oh�� Thank you so much, Prophet.��

    Though he felt like he had hit the jackpot, he wasn��t displeased.

    At least his gratitude was sincere.

    *

    ��Min! I��ve saved you a seat!��

    Ryu Min smiled as he approached Min Juri, who was waving at him from the cafe.

    ��It��s been a while. Huh? You already ordered for me?��

    ��Yes. Double espresso with an extra shot, right?��

    ��Keke, correct.��

    Now that they met regrly every month, they knew almost everything about each other.

    ��But that doesn��t mean our rtionship should progress.��

    Ryu Min knew Min Juri��s feelings, but he had no intention of dating in this situation.

    ��Besides, I��ve never felt more than friendship for her.��

    However, Min Juri probably felt butterflies every time she saw him.

    To think she felt this way about someone as short and not particrly handsome as him.

    ��First love is indeed magical. But it��s just a crush.��

    It was probably for the best.

    He couldn��t control her with a charm rune, so avoidingplications with her was necessary.

    ��Did you call me here to give me another prophecy, Prophet-nim?��

    ��What else could it be, Buffer?��

    The two chuckled and drank their coffee as they conversed.

    ��Thepetition will be fierce. Only a quarter will make it, so everyone will be desperate toplete quests during the limited time.��

    ��That sounds intense.��

    ��I know a few low-difficulty quests, so memorize them. Prioritizing these can easily get you into the ranks.��

    Ryu Min took special care to ensure Min Juri could pass through by sharing tips on the uing round that she couldn��t find anywhere else.

    Round 10 required everyone to act individually.

    ��I got it. Really, these tips are priceless. Thanks!��

    ��It��s nothing really.��

    ��Should I give you some gold? Now that there��s a trading feature.��

    ��No need. You sound like that guy.��

    ��Huh? Who?��

    ��Never mind. Just focus on the round����

    At that moment, Ryu Min��s phone buzzed.

    A notification for a news article had popped up.

    ��Huh? What��s this?��

    ��Oh. It��s just a notification for an article that came up����

    Ryu Min feigned surprise as he looked at his smartphone.

    ��This is a huge scoop?��

    ��What is it?��

    ��Check the news. It��s all over it.��

    Curious, Min Juri also checked her phone.

    She couldn��t help but be shocked.

    The headline read that the leader of KF hadmitted suicide.

 Chapter 154 (Part 1)

    Chapter 154: Start of Round 10 (Part 1)

    [Breaking! The leader of KF, Odion, uploads a suicide video on YouTube��]

    [KF leader��s suicide? The shocking video causes a stir around the world.]

    [A video iming to be from the KF leader spread rapidly but was taken down after 15 minutes��]

    Despite the provocative headlines, Ryu Min knew the truth.

    ��It��s a fact without a shred of falsehood.��

    ��Min, Min! Could this really be true? That the KF leader has died?��

    ��I don��t know.��

    ��What about a suicide video?��

    ��I��m curious too, but I can��t seem to find it?��

    The video that Odion was directed to upload on YouTube had already been deleted.

    However, it had been exposed for 15 minutes, and with ten thousand clicks during that brief time, its existence was undeniable.

    ��Look at this. Someone��s made a blog post summarizing the situation.��

    As Min Juri said, someone had indeed captured the video and neatly summarized the situation.

    The post, up for only 30 minutes, already had over a hundredments.

    ��Is this real? KF leadermitted suicide?

    ��How can we believe that it��s really the KF leader? Isn��t this just fake news?

    ��LOL, did the journalists collectively take drugs? Organized fake news?

    ��I live in the US, and it��s true. It��s chaos here, even CNM is reporting it.

    ��Doesn��t seem like fake news. Foreign articles are easily searchable on Google.

    ��So it��s real? The KF leadermitted suicide?

    ��I can��t tell even from the video screenshot.

    ��Guys, I��ve checked around and got the video; it��s real. A man iming to be the KF leader says he��s in Nigeria, showing proof, then what was it? He and his followers were all killed by ck Scythe or something? Says he can��t face reality anymore and then slits his throat. Really shocking.

    ��Is the above real?

    ��Where can I see the video? Please email it to me. [email protected]

    ��I want it too. My email is [email protected]

    ��Me too, please. Email [email protected]

    ��Writing fiction, huh? Did KF��s leader go mad and kill himself? Idiots.

    ��Right? This blog is just trying to increase views by pretending they��ve seen the video, and the above person is acting like he��s seen it for real, but naively believing it.

    ��There are two fools above. The video was viewed by ten thousand, and articles are being published worldwide.

    ��LOL, you believe it? People are so naive these days.

    ��But is it true that the KF leader mentioned the ck Scythe before dying?

    ��Apparently, ck Scythe killed all his men and organization and he killed himself because of remorse.

    ��LOL, that doesn��t make sense?

    ��Who��s ck Scythe? Am I the only one who doesn��t know?

    ��The newly appointed deputymander of the CPF. Known among yers as a monster due to his strength.

    ��If it��s true, isn��t he a serial killer? They say he killed dozens to hundreds.

    ��Killing terrorists and still being treated as a murderer, the typical hypocritical South Koreans.

    ��Well, there��s aw against yers killing.

    ��It��s a crime in Nigeria, so should follow theirw.

    ��Nigeria would be happy about it. d someone exterminated the vermin for them LOL

    ��You funny guys. Believing there��s proof ck Scythe did it without any evidence LOL

    ��Check if ck Scythe flew to Nigeria that day; you��ll find out.

    ��ck Scythe is��?��

    Having read thements, Min Juri resolved to ask ck Scythe herself if she ever met him in the other world.

    Whether this news article iming KF has been eradicated was true or not.

    ��It��s happening.��

    Some people were skeptical, but time would reveal the whole truth.

    ��Just looking at the immigration records and the evidence in Nigeria, it will be clear.��

    Ryu Min had saved hundreds that day.

    Even if just one or two of them verified it to the media, ck Scythe��s reputation would be solidified.

    ��Media interviews areing, too.��

    He hadn��t checked yet, but LostYak��s phone was ringing off the hook.

    Sure enough.

    While Min Juri was in the bathroom, he peeked at his phone to find dozens of missed calls and messages.

    As expected, there were requests for interviews.

    ��Good thing I had it on silent, or Min Juri would��ve caught me.��

    It was a good move to have Odion record a suicide video instead of just killing him.

    ��FBI and Interpol wouldn��t be unaware of Odion��s face. Moreover, the evidence he left will quickly confirm his identity as the boss of KF.��

    Eventually, a proper announcement and articles would appear from both the US and Nigerian governments.

    Soon, the whole world would know that ck Scythe had dismantled the KF organization.

    ��Really, it��s hard to find any remaining forces of KF. I had Odion gather all remaining forces and kill them.��

    There might still be followers, but this was as much as Ryu Min could do for world peace.

    Although, it was more about building the reputation of the ck Scythe than about peace.

    ��ck Scythe is amazing�� When did he go abroad to do this?��

    ��Yeah, really.��

    ��Min, didn��t you know about this? Since you can see the future.��

    ��I didn��t know. The future isn��t something I can see whenever I want.��

    ��Ah, I see.��

    Min Juri left it at that.

    After all, being a prophet is a great excuse.

 Chapter 154 (Part 2)

    Chapter 154: Start of Round 10 (Part 2)

    Despite the uproar about the eradication of KF, time continued to pass.

    October 1st, midnight.

    Approximately 2,700 yers had gathered.

    These were thest remaining yers in South Korea.

    ��After today, only 25% of them will survive.��

    It was a dire situation, but even Ryu Min couldn��t change the system��sws.

    ��If I can��t save everyone, I��d better save those who can be useful to me.��

    Those useful individuals approached Ryu Min.

    Min Juri, Ma Kyung-rok, An Sang-cheol, Seo Arin, Heo Taeseok, Jo Yong-ho, and Yamti were among them.

    ��ck Scythe, uh��?��

    As they found each other in search of ck Scythe, they exchanged wary nces.

    -Why are there so many people here?

    -Did everyonee to talk to ck Scythe?

    -Why are they sticking to ck Scythe? Hoping to get some scraps?

    Although they harbored negative feelings towards each other, no one showed it openly.

    It was not the ce to show an unsightly side in front of an absolute figure like ck Scythe.

    ��Hello, ck Scythe.��

    ��Hello.��

    ��Hello����

    While they rushed to greet him, Ryu Min did not respond to anyone.

    These were all indispensable forces for Ryu Min.

    Therefore, he asked everyone.

    ��What brings you all to me?��

    ��Ah. Who should speak first?��

    ��I heard that you annihted KF.��

    Min Juri was the first to ask.

    ��I wanted to verify if it��s true.��

    ��It is.��

    With a straightforward acknowledgment, everyone looked at him in amazement.

    ��Really, you destroyed KF����

    ��Truly, ck Scythe�� You are indeed the deputymander of the CPF.��

    ��Going to another country and working towards world peace, I��m impressed!��

    The usually shy Heo Taeseok suddenly spoke exaggeratedly.

    Reading his thoughts, it seemed like an attempt to draw attention.

    ��Got something to say to me?��

    ��Ah, yes, exactly, ck Scythe.��

    ��Answer the question.��

    ��Ah, it��s not something I should share here, but I wanted to inform you that I��ve started a cult.��

    ��A cult?��

    ��Whom does it worship����

    Slowly spreading his arms, Heo Taeseok then dramatically pointed at one person.

    None other than Ryu Min.

    ��A cult that venerates ck Scythe as a god!��

    ��I��m not a god, though.��

    ��That��s up to people to decide. In our Death God Cult, ck Scythe is a god!��

    ��Death God Cult?��

    The name was somewhat cringeworthy, but Heo Taeseok appeared quite proud of it.

    ��Yes! Isn��t it cool? Death God Cult! We��ve already gathered six followers. Of course, I��m the high priest. Here is Archbishop Eom Jun-seok.��

    ��Hmm����

    Eom Jun-seok, who appeared out of nowhere next to Heo Tae-seok, seemed embarrassed by his title, unable to raise his head.

    ��If anyone is interested, please join our Death God Cult. We wee anyone who loves ck Scythe with open arms!��

    In the midst of this unexpected event, Ryu Min was about to say something but stopped.

    Some yers seemed interested, after all.

    ��Min Juri, Seo Arin, Yamti�� and even Jo Yong-ho?��

    Although they did not show it, they seemed eager to join the Death God cult.

    That was when.

    ��Ah! There they are!��

    Another group had arrived in search of ck Scythe.

    ��Commander!��

    These were CPF squad members Ryu Min had seen in reality.

    Of course, their customized faces were different, but he recognized them by their nicknames.

    ��You guys.��

    ��Commander, we��re disappointed! You went to Nigeria alone!��

    ��If you were going to hunt down those KF vermin, you should��ve taken us too!��

    Their tone was yful, but Ryu Min responded seriously.

    ��You need to protect Korea. Where are you nning to go?��

    ��Please share some of the glorious stories of taking down KF with us.��

    ��Hey, do you think it was that easy? There are hundreds of suspected KF yers.��

    ��That��s right. You��d just be in the way if you��re not up to my level.��

    ��Bullshit. You��re not even as skilled as I am.��

    ��Hey, I��ve dealt with more criminals than you have.��

    ��That��s a different matter.��

    ��Everyone stop. None of us can handle hundreds of KF members. It��s impossible without themander.��

    ��That��s true.��

    Nodding in agreement, the squad members�� conversation continued while Ryu Min secretly sighed.

    ��How did it get so busy around here?��

    In the previous regressions, he had been a loner, surviving and acting solely for his own benefit.

    Yet now, suddenly, there were so many people around him.

    ��It won��t be like before when we ran out of manpower and everyone disappeared.��

    Of course, that��s assuming he sessfully leads the people around him through the 20 rounds ahead.

    Just then, a being with wings unfolded in the sky appeared.

    [Hello, humans? I��m the angel Nel, in charge of guiding you in the 10th round. I��ll exin the round to you, so please pay attention. You wouldn��t want your heads to explode, would you?]

    With a creepy statement, the angel smiled and addressed everyone.

    [First, congrattions on reaching the 10th round. It��s heartwarming that you��ve made it this far. Impressive! But today, it would be wise to shed any arrogance. Only a quarter will survive this tough round.]

    ��What? Only a quarter?��

    ��Uh����

    The yers were visibly frightened as Nel smirked.

    [Scared, are we? Well, let��s look at the next round��s details then.]

 Chapter 155

    Chapter 155: The Holy Empire

    ? ROUND 10 ?

    Main Quest

    ��Complete at least one sub-quest within 10 hours in the other world.

    Sub Quests

    ��Multiple ????

    [All Areas]

    ��Participants: 550,528

    ��Achievers: 0/137,632

    [Specific Area C3-ESKA001]

    ��Participants: 2,760

    ��Achievers: 0/690

    yers tense up upon reviewing the quests.

    ��Complete at least one sub-quest?��

    ��In the other world we visited before?��

    ��Given that it says more than one, there must be several avable?��

    ��So,pleting just one out of many counts aspleting the quest?��

    ��Then isn��t that too easy?��

    Such thoughts of ease were fleeting.

    People quickly corrected their thoughts.

    ��It can��t be this easy.��

    Especially since the angels had made it sound challenging.

    ��Each sub-quest must be incredibly difficult then.��

    Perhaps it was this muttering that she overheard.

    Angel Nel let out aughter that bordered on scorn.

    [The sub-quests aren��t difficult, humans. While there are variations in difficulty, most are easy enough to tackle alone. Don��t be too scared.]

    ��Then, what part is supposed to be difficult��?��

    [What I meant wasn��t that the quest itself is hard. Passing the round won��t be easy because the achievers�� positions will be filled based on whopletes the most quests.]

    ��Ah����

    People started to wonder how many quests they could finish.

    Such a statement was nothing short of instigatingpetition.

    No one knew how many would need to bepleted to be safe.

    Of course, not everyone was in the dark.

    At least those who had heard Ryu Min��s prophecy were not visibly anxious.

    ��You need toplete at least four sub-quests to be in the top 25%. To be within the top three in this area, you need seven.��

    To be sure of securing first ce,pleting ten quests was considered safe.

    Ryu Min intended toplete ten quests this round.

    [You might have guessed, but let me exin. This round allows you to roam freely in the other world for ten hours, finishing sub-quests located in various ces. As you can see,pleting at least one sub-quest counts as seeding in the main quest, and you canplete as many more as you like until time is up.]

    ��Ten hours is quite a long mission, isn��t it?��

    [You need to keep moving. While there��s a ten-hour limit, your passage will depend on how many quests youplete. Make sure toplete at least one. Of course, if you don��tplete any, you��ll simply vanish.]

    ��This is going to be fierce, huh?��

    ��We��ll have to tackle the quests intensely.��

    There��s a time limit, but no limit on how many quests can be achieved?

    Naturally,petition was inevitable.

    ��You��d feel anxious not knowing how many quests you need toplete. It will be stressful and tough. But tough is different from difficult.��

    Ryu Min said this tenth round was difficult not just because thepetition was fierce.

    ��Really, the level of sub-quests is difficult.��

    Just as the angel said, there are easy quests.

    But only about one in ten is easy.

    Five out of ten are difficult toplete alone.

    The rest can barely bepleted.

    The angel��s im of ease was a lie.

    ��So, managing toplete four in ten hours is actually impressive, given the yers�� current level.��

    Ryu Min wasn��t worried about the difficulty.

    ��It��s a walk in the parkpared to the Tower of Trials.��

    Completing ten sub-quests in ten hours might even be easier than breaking through the 60th floor of the Tower of Trials.

    [Once you��vepleted a quest, you can��t retry it. Of course, other yers can attempt it, though. Just so you know and n ordingly. If you have any questions, now��s the time to ask.]

    ��Can you tell us the difficulty level of each quest?��

    I boldly raised my hand with the question, but the response was dismissive.

    [That��s such a foolish first question. Makes me want to explode your head.]

    ������.��

    [It wouldn��t be fun if I told you that. Any other questions, human?]

    ��Can we give up on a quest if it gets too hard during the progress?��

    [A good question. You can give up. There��s a quit button in the quest progress window. Just press that, and you can retry as long as you haven��t seeded in the quest yet.]

    ��Oh, then it sounds doable?��

    ��If a quest is too hard, we can just give up.��

    [But keep in mind, we won��t give you back your time. And you can only quit once per quest. You only get one chance to retry the same quest.]

    ��Ah������

    yers who had thought they could try multiple times stopped in their tracks.

    [Now that the briefing is over, let��s proceed with the round!]

    As Nel spread her wings, the same message appeared before everyone.

    [Please touch the area you wish to start in.]

    �� 1. Albitz Kingdom

    �� 2. Braham Kingdom

    �� 3. The Holy Empire

    �� 4. Elsorium

    [If you do not choose within the time limit, a random selection will be made.]

    [Time remaining until selection ends: 00:00:59]

    yers were flustered by the sudden prompt to choose a starting region.

    A yer with decision paralysis swung their finger back and forth in the air, panicking.

    Yet, not everyone was flustered.

    Ryu Min��s group, who had been forewarned through a prophecy, wasposed.

    ��1, 2, and 3 are human cities, and 4 is an Elf city.��

    Given Ryu Min��s favorable reputation among the elves, he would receive great treatment if he went to Elsorium.

    But he excluded option 4.

    ��It��s not time yet. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet the elvester.��

    Above all, Ryu Min��s focus was elsewhere in this round.

    Not on the sub-quests.

    ��I��m going to the Holy Empire, number 3.��

    Before selecting, Ryu Min looked at Min Juri.

    He wanted a buff, and she was already hastily distributing them among the people.

    ��Get your buffs before we leave! ck Scythe, you too!��

    ��Thank you.��

    ��I don��t know where everyone will be, but let��s all do our best!��

    Still, Min Juri was distributing buffs and cheering, having be somewhat acquainted.

    ��Shall we go then?��

    Ryu Min��s finger tapped the air.

    *

    The fantasy continent has five kingdoms and one empire.

    Of these, two kingdoms are Albitz and Braham, previously mentioned.

    The rest are minor kingdoms, not even considered starting points.

    And fittingly named the Empire, the Holy Empire is a vast city.

    ��It��s not called an empire for nothing.��

    With walls so tall they could make one dizzy and numerous buildings and temples within, bustling with activity, it was almost too lifelike to distinguish from reality.

    ��I��ve turned hostile here after killing the archbishop in round 8, but there��s no worry if I don��t show my title.��

    Ryu Min admired the surroundings without any title disyed.

    If he did, the guards would try to arrest him.

    ��If they arrest me, it��s the least of it. They might just kill me on the spot.��

    But Ryu Min wouldn��t just die to such trash, though he found the nuisance of flies bothersome.

    That��s why he avoided showing his title.

    As Ryu Min looked around, he noticed people in familiar attire.

    They were yers.

    Whether it was a feature of being in the fantasy world or not, their nicknames were not visible.

    ��Good that nicknames aren��t visible. It��s easier to act alone.��

    Ryu Min transformed into a LostYak in a secluded spot, just in case he ran into someone he knew.

    [Starting Location: The Holy Empire]

    [Ongoing Sub Quests: None]

    [Completed Sub Quests: None]

    [Time Remaining Until Round Ends: 09:58:21]

    The quest progress window indicated that time was ticking away.

    The real round was beginning.

    Ordinarily, one might rush about seeking quests, but Ryu Min was rxed.

    He was confident he could easily achieve the ten quests.

    ��Right now, sub-quests aren��t what��s important.��

    Ryu Min��s steps led him to the central square of the Holy Empire.

    He waited by a statue engraved with angels, soon to meet a familiar face.

    ��Master!��

    Yamti, who knew the face of LostYak, ran up happily.

    ��A bitte.��

    ��Sorry. It��s so big here I needed to know where the central square was.��

    ��You could��ve simply asked a guard.��

    ��Oh! Would they have answered?��

    ��They would, unless your reputation is hostile.��

    Ryu Min had arranged to meet Yamti here in the Holy Empire.

    Not for any trivial reason but because her charm skill was needed to enter the temple.

    ��Let��s go.��

    ��Where to?��

    ��The temple.��

    ��Why the temple?��

    ��You ask too many questions.��

    ��Sorry.��

    Yamti looked down, dejected.

    Being a ve who executed orders without question, Ryu Min hadn��t felt the need to exin, but it seemed right to at least tell her their purpose.

    ��There��s only one reason why you��re here.��

    ��Because you need me to charm someone?��

    ��Right. Thergest temple in the Holy Empire has an altar where oracles are given. Normally, it��s not essible to just anyone. But with the Rune of Charm, it��s a different story.��

    ��Oh, so you need me to get to the altar where the oracle is given.��

    ��That��s right.��

    ��But can NPCs be charmed too? I��ve never tried it����

    ��They can.��

    And not just that.

    ��Thoughts can be read too. Like they��re real people.��

    They might even be real people.

    Existing in another dimension, just like us.

    But he couldn��t dismiss the assumption they were NPCs.

    ��What if each entity is an AI whose thoughts are well-programmed?��

    It can be seen as a virtual human, or NPC created for this game.

    ��If they can transfer 1.8 billion human souls to the other world, they must have the technology to create such AI.��

    Thus, Ryu Min stopped specting.

    He acted solely for growth and survival up to round 20.

    Now was the foundation for that.

    ��But what are we going to do at the altar with the oracle?��

    ��What do you think?��

    Ryu Min��s lips twisted into a smirk.

    ��To kill an angel.��

 Chapter 156 (Part 1)

    The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer �C RMLP Chapter 156: The Oracle (Part 1)

    Yamti inadvertently opened her mouth in shock.

    The notion of killing an angel was that shocking.

    It was something she had never even imagined.

    ��Why kill an angel?�� she asked, bewildered.

    ��Why not? Don��t you feel like killing one?��

    ��No, I know angels are bad but����

    ��You mean, what��s the benefit of killing them?��

    ��Yes.��

    Ryu Min chuckled lightly.

    ��There is, indeed, a benefit.��

    If it was a matter of benefit, he had already received it during the first round.

    He was the first to kill an angel, earning a title and runes for it.

    Bing a Grim Reaper was possible only because he had killed an angel.

    The reason he hadn��t killed any angels since then was purely because there were no benefits left to gain, not out of fear of punishment.

    ��Of course, I��m only talking about the regr angels.��

    Killing regr angels now yielded no rewards.

    But battle angels were a different story.

    The battle angel Ryu Min was aiming to bring down was in this ce.

    ��You just need to stand by and act when I tell you to control it. Got it?��

    ��Yes, Master.��

    ��Hurry up. We need to do this before Min Juri��s buff runs out.��

    The first time he killed a battle angel, the rewards scaled with his stats.

    That��s why he wanted to do it before the buff expired.

    Leading the way, Yamti scurried after him.

    They soon arrived at thergest temple of Rubahi in the Holy Empire.

    Ryu Min wasn��t interested in the setting that this was where the god Rubahi was worshipped.

    Whether it was real or fake, Ryu Min��s interest was solely in summoning the angel.

    Before even opening the temple doors, they were blocked by the waiting Holy Knights.

    ��What brings you here, strangers?.��

    If they said they were here for a sub-quest, the NPCs would be puzzled.

    To them, yers were warriors from another realm, and terms like systems or quests were unknown.

    ��We��vee in search of peace.��

    ��Is that so?��

    The knight withdrew his spear and cleared the way.

    ��May you find the path you seek at Rubahi��s sanctuary.��

    ��Thank you.��

    The knight, unaware of what Ryu Min might do, stared straight ahead again.

    Yamti followed quietly behind Ryu Min like a puppy.

    Before entering the sanctuary, a priest approached them.

    ��Wee, brother. Is this your first visit?��

    ��Yes.��

    ��Then you��ll need to register at the temple first.��

    ��No, we��re just passing through.��

    ��Perhaps you��d like to attend a service����

    ��No, thanks. However, I��d like to make an offering.��

    ��An offering?��

    Ryu Min looked at the priest and suddenly activated the trade feature.

    A trade window popped up.

    [Please freely imagine the items or gold you will give to the other party.]

    ��Item to be traded: none

    ��Gold to be traded: 1,000,000G

    ?Trade?

    ��Item to be traded: none

    ��Gold to be traded: 0 G

    ?Trade?

    [After cing items, press the ��Trade�� button.]

    [A trade can only bepleted with the consent of both parties.]

    ��You��d expect this only to work with yers����

    But he could use the trading feature with NPCs too.

    Initially, Ryu Min wasn��t sure if it would work on NPCs, but he found out after trying.

    Ryu Min thought of 1 million gold internally, and it was automatically entered.

    Without hesitation, he pressed the trade button.

    [The trade has beenpleted.]

    [You have given Priest Valrus 1,000,000 gold.]

    His status screen now showed that his total gold had decreased from 1.7 million to 700,000.

    The priest��s eyes widened in astonishment at the unexpectedrge sum.

    ��Are you really offering this much?��

    ��Yes.��

    While the priest was initially shocked, he couldn��t hide his greed as the corners of his mouth twitched.

    You could tell by his greedy gaze just how worldly his thoughts were.

    He wasn��t quick to ept, though, perhaps to maintain his dignity.

    ��1 million gold�� I cannot ept such arge amount.��

    ��You��ve already taken it, but now you say you can��t ept it.��

    Suppressing a scoff, Ryu Min gave a smile like a phnthropist.

    ��If it��s an offering to the mighty Rubahi, it needs to be substantial. Besides, it��s not that much money for me. Don��t feel pressured.��

    ��You are indeed wealthy. Hahaha.��

    Deciding not to return the money, the priestughed heartily for a while.

    Of course, Ryu Min had a reason for offering such arge sum.

    ��The easiest sub-quest I canplete right now is [Making an Offering].��

    Sure enough, the expected message appeared in front of him.

    ��Condition?Make an offering of at least 1 million gold to the temple

    [You havepleted the sub-quest!]

    [Human reputation of ck Scythe has risen from ��Neutral�� to ��Friendly.��]

    There are countless sub-quests in this fantasy world.

    Just in the Holy Empire alone, there are about 30.

    ��Using the ability to regress dozens of times, I searched and strategized each sub-quest.��

    As a result, he established the most optimal quests and routes, one of which was this one.

    ��If you have enough money, you canplete the quest in one second.��

    However, it was impossible for other yers at this time due to therge amount of 1 million gold.

    Ryu Min��s reputation had risen for this reason.

    ��Thank you so much for your generous donation. May Rubahi��s grace always be with you. Hahaha!��

    ��Thank you. But I don��t like to speak in vain. I��d rather receive the blessing directly from the deity.��

    ��Directly?��

    Ryu Min spoke in a suggestive tone.

    ��An oracle.��

    ������

    ��The Rubahi temple is known tomunicate with the deity through oracles. It would be an honor to receive a blessing directly from the deity.��

    It was a well-known fact that one could receive an oracle at the temple.

    However, no one except the highest leader of the Holy Empire, the Emperor, was entitled to receive an oracle.

    This perhaps exined the troubled smile on the priest��s face.

    ��You may not know this since it��s your first visit, but only the Emperor can receive an oracle. Faithless believers cannot.��

    ��Even though I��ve made an offering of 1 million gold?��

    ��Even so, it��s impossible. An outsider like you seeking contact with the deity�� The Emperor would be furious if he heard.��

    ��Then return the gold I gave.��

    Asking for the money back seemed petty, but Ryu Min brazenly held out his hand.

    However, the priest was not easily intimidated.

    ��It��s a principle not to return offerings that have been received.��

    ��I��m asking for it back.��

    ��If you have aint, talk to the temple knights outside. They��ll kindly escort you to jail.��

    Threatened not to push any further, Ryu Min gave up.

    ��Can��t help it then.��

    His attempt at persuasion ended there.

    ��Yamti. Take control.��

    Hyung_Otaku

    I��m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

 Chapter 156 (Part 2)

    Chapter 156: The Oracle (Part 2)

    After taking control of the priest, Ryu Min easily entered further inside.

    He also got his 1 million gold back.

    Click-

    Pressing a hidden button in the bookcase, a secret passage opened with a rolling sound.

    ��From here, it��s dark, so follow me carefully.��

    The priest spoke emotionlessly as he led the way.

    Despite only being instructed to guide to the altar, he was surprisingly amodating.

    ��This is the ce.��

    They passed through a secretive underground passage to arrive at a dimly lit cavern.

    Fitting for a ce where an oracle would be given, a faint light lingered, creating quite an atmosphere.

    Well, without the light, it could have passed for a ce where a necromancer would offer sacrifices.

    ��Please wait here. I will bring His Majesty the Emperor.��

    ��Hurry up. Tell him that the representative of Chronos asked you toe alone.��

    The priest merely nced and ignored Ryu Min��smand.

    His master was only Yamti after all.

    ��Do as he said! Hurry!��

    ��Understood.��

    After Yamti spoke, the priest finally left the cavern.

    ��Yamti.��

    ��Yes, Master.��

    ��Make sure your equipment is properly worn. It could be dangerous otherwise.��

    ��Oh, are you worried about me? That��s so kind����

    ��Not you, I��m worried about losing the Rune of Charm.��

    ��Hey!��

    Yamti pouted like a duck as Ryu Min equipped himself.

    Legendary weapon, top-grade armor, top-grade helmet, etc.

    He armed himself with items that could maximize his stats.

    That way, the rewards when capturing the battle angel would be maximized.

    Then.

    Thud, thud-

    Footsteps echoed in the darkness.

    Judging by the approaching steps and presence detection, there were two people.

    One was the priest he had sent earlier, and the other was the Emperor of the Holy Empire.

    ��Is it true that the representative of the deity is waiting here?�� the Emperor asked.

    ��Yes, that person over there,�� the priest pointed at Ryu Min as the Emperor looked at him with eyes like an old tiger.

    ��That person is Chronos��s representative? Are you joking with me now? I can��t feel a trace of divine power.��

    ��Ah, you can��t feel it?��

    Ryu Min smirked and revealed a hidden title.

    A title that could be considered hostile to human reputation, [The Last Time Regressor].

    The moment he switched the title to ��public,�� the Emperor��s eyes widened enormously.

    ��How about now? Do you feel it?��

    ��Yes, yes, by the gods! How dare youe here! You who impersonate a deity��s representative and have killed an archbishop!��

    The Emperor, who had been emitting a murderous aura, unleashed his divine power all over the ce.

    Any ordinary person would have been crushed by his presence, but Ryu Min scoffed.

    NPCs, no matter how strong, were just NPCs.

    They couldn��t bepared to a battle angel.

    ��But the effect of the reputation is significant. He started to unleash killing intent and tried to kill me as soon as he saw that title.��

    After all, having killed an archbishop, he was a public enemy to all human NPCs.

    ��However.��

    Ryu Min quickly closed the distance and delivered a punch to the Emperor��s abdomen.

    ��Kuheuk!��

    The Emperor��s divine power, which seemed ready to explode, shrank instantly.

    ��It won��t work on me.��

    Then, grabbing the back of the Emperor��s head, he pressed it to the ground.

    A dull impact was transmitted to the Emperor��s head.

    Keeping his hand on the back of the head, he pressed down with force.

    It was like turning off a faucet, preventing any divine power from leaking out.

    ��With this mere power, you��re trying topete with a level 89?��

    ��Kuueuk!��

    The Emperor was strong, but only to the level of an NPC.

    To any other yer, he might pose a threat, but not to Ryu Min.

    ��Yamti. Take control of this one too.��

    ��Yes, Master.��

    After taking control of the Emperor following the priest, Ryu Min removed his hand from the back of the head.

    ��Just give the order.��

    The Emperor looked at Yamti, and Yamti looked back at Ryu Min.

    ��Master. What should I instruct?��

    ��Send the priest back and tell the Emperor I want to receive an oracle.��

    ��Understood.��

    Oracle.

    It meant a deity conveying its will to the world through humans.

    In essence, amunication channel between gods and humans.

    This was something only the Emperor of the Holy Empire could do.

    ��But in reality, you��re just talking to an angel, not a god.��

    Ryu Min raised his eyes to look at the Emperor.

    In front of the grand altar, the Emperor unleashed his divine power.

    It was the procedure to summon an angel.

    ��Soon, an angel will respond to the call.��

    The angel that would appear here was a regr angel.

    Not a battle angel, so there was no need for Ryu Min to be tense.

    Of course, ordinary yers might fear retribution, but Ryu Min had no reason to.

    He had a title from the Tower of Trials, the Supreme Being.

    ��I��ll intimidate the regr angel to summon a battle angel.��

    That was Ryu Min��s simple n as a sh of light appeared before him.

    Fluttering-

    Spreading its wings and disying its beautiful form, the angel looked down at the groveling Emperor.

    [Why have you summoned me, old human?]

    ��Ah, well����

    ��It��s not him who has business with you.��

    Ryu Min cut in, drawing the angel��s attention.

    [Who are you? A yer?]

    ��Do angels see yers differently?��

    The angel��s beautiful brows furrowed deeply.

    [Impudent insect. You seem to wish for death.]

    The angel��s eyes filled with murderous intent.

    Ryu Min scoffed and threw out a challenge.

    ��Try and kill me then, angel.��

 Chapter 157 (Part 1)

    Chapter 157: Battle Angel (Part 1)

    Calren, the ordinary angel, couldn��t hide her confusion.

    ��What, what did he just call me? What did that human just say?��

    She thought she might have misheard, but the human��s expression told her otherwise.

    A clear sneer.

    An inferior insect was smirking at her disdainfully.

    [Such an insectile human�� What��s wrong with your head?]

    ��My head��s fine, you b*tch.��

    [What? Ha, ha, ha��]

    Calren, who had beenughing mechanically, suddenly scrunched up her face in anger.

    [This damn human bastard! That��s it. You just need to die.]

    Without hesitation, Calren used hef one-time special ability, [Sishal], intended exclusively to affect and control humans.

    But.

    [Huh? Why isn��t this working? What?]

    Calren was truly flustered, muttering to herself without realizing it.

    [Why isn��t it working?]

    No matter how many times she tried, it failed.

    [I should still use Sishal? I didn��t use it before?]

    She had never needed to use it on a human before, as humans were usually groveling at her feet.

    [But why isn��t it working? Why?]

    She wanted to explode that arrogant human��s head like a firework, but nothing happened.

    [Die! Just die, you insect bastard!]

    Even as she red murderously and cursed internally, there was no effect.

    All she could hear was not the sound of a head exploding, but the mockingughter of that annoying human.

    ��What are you waiting for? Try killing me. Why are just watching? Can��t you do it?��

    [This, barstard�� �� !]

    ��It won��t work. Because Sishal targets the mind.��

    [How could you��?]

    ��That��s not for you to know.��

    Ryu Min approached with a devilish smile.

    ��There��s only one thing you need to know. Who��s the superior here, and who��s the inferior.��

    [Obviously, I am the superior��]

    ��Ever though you��ve been pped by the one you called an insect before?��

    [What? I wasn��t��]

    Ryu Min��s hand shed.

    p!

    The angel��s head turned sideways, and she copsed tragically like a heroine in a melodrama.

    Soon, her cheek reddened painfully.

    Ryu Min��s hand moved again.

    p! p! p!

    The angel couldn��t even see Ryu Min��s arm move, let alone respond.

    No, she was too shocked by an impact she had never experienced to even think of responding.

    Who would have thought she��d be pped by the human she had been dismissing as an insect?

    p! p! p!

    With each p, the angel��s lips swelled, and blood sttered.

    Without Sishal, the angel was no different from a regr human.

    She couldn��t handle yers�� strength.

    It looked like merciless pping, but Ryu Min was actually concentrating hard to control his strength.

    It��s not just because of his high level, but also because all his stats had doubled due to the title effect of [The First Angel yer], which boosted his stats against divine beings.

    ��I can��t identally kill her. I need to hit her just enough to hurt her pride.��

    After ten ps, Ryu Min stopped.

    ��That should do it.��

    The angel��s cheeks, once pale, were now red as heated metal, and her lips were split, bleeding.

    ��How does it feel to be hit by an insect?��

    ������

    ��Now do you understand the situation? Who��s the superior, and who��s the inferior?��

    Instead of answering, Calren red at him with venomous eyes.

    She nned to use Sishal again, but it failed again.

    [Why isn��t it working? Whyyyy!]

    Inwardly screaming, Calren caught sight of another human.

    [��Could it be that I don��t have Sishal?��]

    She tried her ability on that human as a test.

    Pop!

    The head of that human behind Ryu Min exploded like a firework.

    She had used her remaining Sishal ability on the wrong human.

    [��It works perfectly, so why doesn��t it affect him!��]

    It was ridiculous, but now that she had used Sishal, her means of retaliation were gone.

    [��No, it��s not over yet.��]

    Hidden within her feathers was a feathered dagger.

    Perhaps she could still kill that damned human with it.

    But Calren only thought about it.

    Shecked confidence.

    And certainty.

    Could she really subdue this human, who toyed with her with overwhelming power, with just a dagger?

    [��I need to ask what this guy wants.��]

    Grinding her teeth, she decided to wait for another opportunity and asked in a frustrated voice.

    [What do you want from me, human?]

    ��What do I want? That��s obvious.��

    The human, speaking casually like a thug, extended his hand.

    ��Hand over your item.��

    [What?]

 Chapter 157 (Part 2)

    Chapter 157: Battle Angel (Part 2)

    [What do you want from me, human?]

    ��What do I want? That��s obvious.��

    The human, speaking casually like a thug, extended his hand.

    ��Hand over your item.��

    [What?]

    ��I��m not making unreasonable demands like excluding me from the survival game or keeping me alive until the 20th round. It seems impossible for you angels to change the system.��

    [��]

    ��But I��m making a reasonable request. If you have something like an item, hand it over.��

    [Oh, item?]

    ��You made this system, so there must be something. If not an item, then something else.��

    The human demand was simple.

    He wasn��t asking for something big enough to tamper with the system.

    Just something beneficial.

    [��It��s impossible! I��m just a 9th-ss angel who sometimes acts as a substitute guide!��]

    Calren��s role was to receive oracles or asionally fill in as a guide.

    She couldn��t just hand over items.

    The system was designed that way from the start.

    [��Not just me. Not even a higher-ranking angel has the authority to give out items.��]

    Everything ran on a system in this world.

    Humans might think the angels dragged them into this survival game, but it was entirely different.

    They were just ordinary angels acting as guides.

    [��What should I do? If I tell him the truth, this goddamn human won��t leave it at that����]

    As Calren remained silent, Ryu Min scowled and pped her again.

    p!

    ��Aren��t you going to hand it over? Won��t you speak?��

    [Uhuh��]

    Though he didn��t hit her as hard as before, Calren still felt pain because her cheek was swollen to the point of pain from just a light touch.

    [��That damn human bastard!��]

    It was more about her wounded pride than the pain.

    In a sh of inspiration driven by her desire for revenge, she thought of deceiving this stupid human and trapping him.

    [��Yeah, I��ll trick this dumb human into falling into a trap. After all, he��s an idiot for believing I could give him an item.��]

    As Ryu Min was about to p her again, Calren quickly yelled out, hiding his true intentions.

    [Stop, I��ll give it! The item!]

    ��Now we��re talking. Hurry up and hand it over.��

    [Wait, I don��t have the authority, but another angel can give it. I��ll call them.]

    ��Another angel?��

    Ryu Min tilted his head and then nodded as if to say, do as you please.

    ��Call them. It doesn��t matter if you bring another winged birdbrain; they��re no threat anyway. Just don��t move from here. You can do that, right? Angels have means ofmunication, don��t they?��

    [Alright, just wait 3 minutes. I��ll call an angel who can give the reward��]

    As Ryu Min crossed his arms and waited, Calren secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

    At the same time, he had to forcibly suppress theughter that threatened to burst forth.

    [��Hehehe, you insect-like human. You��re as good as dead. Dare to belittle an angel?��]

    The angel Calren was calling was a battle angel.

    Unlike ordinary angels, these were created solely for destruction and ughter.

    [��When the battle angel arrives, you��re as good as dead.��]

    Unbeknownst to the human, Calren was deliberately dying to draw in the battle angel.

    Ryu Min, who could read thoughts, surely knew.

    What the angel was scheming.

    ��She thinks she has a chance with a battle angel. What a joke.��

    From the start, Ryu Min��s goal was to kill the battle angel and receive the initial reward.

    Calling the battle angel was precisely what he wanted.

    ��I threatened her just so she��d call the battle angel out of hurt pride.��

    If she had outright demanded the battle angel from the start, it would have likely led to resistance due to pride.

    Angels are a proud race, after all.

    ��That��s why I acted like a thug and threatened her.��

    Fortunately, this angel was ying right into his hands.

    The battle angel would soon arrive, and he��d receive the initial kill reward.

    Ryu Min nced at Yumti, who was hiding behind him.

    He gave a signal, and understanding, Yumti stayed out of sight.

    Unless the charm rune was effective, there was no need for Yumti to step in.

    Dealing with the angels was entirely Ryu Min��s domain.

    ��Come on. Whatever kind of angel you are, I��ll rip you to shreds.��

    Like a predator, Ryu Min��s eyes shone as he awaited his prey.

    ��

    The hierarchy of angels is divided from 9th to 1st ss.

    9th to 7th ss are ordinary angels.

    6th to 4th ss aremon battle angels.

    3rd to 1st ss are among the highest-ranking battle angels.

    And the unssified, the seven Archangels.

    That was the well-known hierarchy of the celestial realm.

    Knowing the ranks, many dreamed of achieving deeds and bing higher-ranking angels.

    However, for 6th ss battle angel Baiel, such deeds were of little concern.

    She was so sleepy she felt like she could go insane.

    [I wish I could sleep even for an hour.]

    Having pulled an all-nighter on duty since yesterday, Baiel kept yawning.

    Angels, like humans, have physical bodies.

    They live in a different, but to relieve the fatigue of the day they need to sleep like humans do.

    However, they do not feel hunger, so they don��t eat.

    [Why do angels need to sleep�� I wonder why God made us this way. Wouldn��t it be better to make us purely spiritual beings without any desires?]

    Certainly, it��s better than humans, who need to eat, sleep, and take care of various bodily functions.

    [I don��t understand how humans can keep up with such bothersome tasks. Ah, maybe it��s because it��s a natural urge?]

    Baiel was aware.

    Angels possess strength and mental prowess far surpassing humans.

    She was dissatisfied with her weak physical form that couldn��t ovee drowsiness, but overall, she was content.

    However, she was not pleased with her current position, which required him to be on alert for emergency signals.

    [I��m sick of this. It��d be good if something happened.]

    As she muttered, trying to fight off sleep, something really did happen.

    [Huh? An emergency signal?]

    A signal came in.

    She immediately tuned in and heard the message from a 9th-ss angel.

    [I��m being threatened by a human who appears to be a yer. Please help, battle angel.]

    [A human, threatening an angel?]

    It was unthinkable, but not entirely impossible.

    If caught without Sishal, an ordinary angel couldn��t resist.

    That��s why ordinary angels should never get close to yers.

    [Stupid woman. What��s the use of having wings then?]

    Baiel shook her head in disdain.

    The prestige of angels was at stake.

    However, contrary to her annoyed tone, her lips curled up in excitement.

    [This is just what I needed.]

    It was an opportunity to relieve some stress.

    If a yer dared to confront an angel, they should executed on the spot.

    In other words, there would be no issues with dismantling and toying with that human.

    Although minor, it could also be recognized as a meritorious deed.

    [I don��t care what kind of human it is, they��ve messed with the wrong one. I��ll go and take care of it immediately.]

    Knowing the location through the transmitted signal, Baiel disappeared in a sh of light.

 Chapter 158 (Part 1)

    Chapter 158: The Akashic Records (Part 1)

    As soon as Baiel arrived on the surface, she looked around.

    [So this was where the signal came from?]

    The ce she arrived at was the secret chamber of the Holy Empire, the most confidential location.

    It was the altar where oracles were made.

    Crouching on the ground, overwhelmed by Ryu Min��s aura, Carlen suddenly raised her head in overjoyed.

    [Oh, Angel of Battle!]

    Baiel frowned as Carlen, who ran up and clung to her wings, attached herself.

    [Was it you who sent the distress signal?]

    [Yes, it was me!]

    Thump!

    Baiel pushed Carlen away with her wing.

    [It��s displeasing, so don��t cling so close. How pathetic, getting captured by humans and making me go through such trouble.]

    [I��m, I��m sorry.]

    Carlen had no choice but to bow her head.

    The Celestial realm is a society that is organized hierarchically in a vertical manner.

    A 9th rank calling a 6th rank for help was a situation fraught with tension.

    In the human world, it was like a private calling a sergeant.

    [Tsk tsk, really pathetic, getting beaten up by mere humans.]

    [I have no face to show��]

    [It��s alright.]

    [What?]

    Baiel grinned slyly.

    [Thanks to you, I get to toy with humans. I was dying of boredom anyway.]

    Baiel��s gaze shifted to the center of the chamber.

    A human stood there, holding a scythe, motionless.

    [Is that the human?]

    [Yes, yes! That��s right. Please, just tear him limb from limb!]

    [Is that all you can think of? You should pull out his guts and wrap them around his neck, kekeke.]

    Baielughed bizarrely, already looking forward to it.

    Imagining the human��s screams and the blood and guts flowing like juice made her feel better.

    She had long since stopped feeling sleepy.

    ��I��ll start by slowly slicing off his limbs and ying with him.��

    Inferior humans are not a match for a Battle Angel.

    No matter how much power a yer has received from the system, the fact remains unchanged.

    ��He has about 40 levels by now, right?��

    40 levels dare to challenge her?

    A snort of derision escaped Baiel��s nose.

    ��A level 99 might be worth my time, but anything less isn��t worth facing.��

    He seemed to have the situation under control, but he didn��t look very strong.

    Swoosh-

    Baiel sheathed her sword, from which divine golden power began to emanate.

    The Battle Angel��s technique, [Holy Aura], could slice through steel as if it were tofu.

    [Hey, human. Is life not entertaining for you anymore?]

    ��������

    [Not knowing your ce and meddling with an angel. You must wish for death right away, right?]

    Instead of answering, Ryu Min took out four potions from his inventory.

    These were the intermediate strength, agility, intelligence, and luck potions he had received from Victor.

    With themand ��use��, the contents of the potions seeped into Ryu Min��s mouth.

    Though he felt no taste or change, the message was clear.

    [Strength increases by 8 for 24 hours.]

    [Agility increases by 8 for 24 hours.]

    [Intelligence increases by 8 for 24 hours.]

    [Luck increases by 8 for 24 hours.]

    All his stats had increased.

    Crack-

    It seemed like somewhere, the string of sanity had snapped.

    Apparently, Baiel was trembling with rage.

    [You dare drink potions in front of me��]

    It seemed the leisure of Ryu Min was irritating to her.

    A sigh involuntarily escaped Ryu Min��s lips.

    [Sighing now?]

    More than just a sigh?

    Ryu Min tapped his own head.

    ��These damn angels, always have a problem up here.��

    [What?]

    ��What do they teach you in the Celestial Realm? Looking down on humans like that. Did you get brainwashed or something?��

    [����]

    Dumbfounded, Baiel saw no further value in talking and raised her sword.

    She intended to sever the limbs of this human one by one with his swift sword technique.

    ��I��ll tear open his abdomen and pull out the organs one by one to show them to this wretch.��

    She had no intention of killing him mercifully.

    She would slowly torture and kill him, making his screams into music.

    [Human. You will regret meeting me even after death *��]

    Baiel paused as she was about to strike.

    Suddenly, the human��s body turned semi-transparent, and dark energy flowed and wrapped around his entire body.

    It looked like he was surrounded by ck smoke, his face indistinguishable.

    ��What is that?��

    Though it was an embodiment of death, Baiel, not well-versed about yers, was simply baffled.

    ��The atmosphere��s not ordinary.��

    An instinctive sense of crisis gripped Baiel, and she closed the distance as if spring-loaded.

    In situations like this, striking first was the right answer.

    Shushushushushushush!

    Her swift sword, imbued with aura, embroidered the darkness with streaks of light.

    However, there was no sensation of contact at the end of her sword.

    The widening of Baiel��s pupils happened momentster.

    ��He dodged all of it?��

    In a mere 2 seconds, she had aimed six thrusts at him, but all were evaded.

    ��It must be a coincidence. It has to be. It��s just a coincidence.��

    She felt she needed to verify it once more to be satisfied.

    Baiel��s sword tip left a trail of golden afterimages as it moved again.

    Shushushushush!

    ��He, he dodged it again?��

    Confident in her speed, which wasparable even to a 5th-rank angel, she was left dumbfounded.

    Why can��t I touch him?

    ��Don��t you really know why?��

    [What?]

    ��It��s simple.��

    Ryu Min��s scythe shed diagonally.

    Changgang.

    Baiel dropped her sword as she knelt.

    [Cough, cough��]

    Golden blood flowed endlessly from a deep gash across her chest.

    Thud-

    Just one strike.

    It was all that was needed to take down a 6th rank angel.

    The scene was unbelievable to Carlen.

    ��A battle angel, not being able to do anything and just dying����

    As far as Carlen knew, even the weakest battle angel could handle a level 99 yer.

    Such a being was taken down so effortlessly.

    ��Could this human possibly be level 99 already?��

    Carlen immediately shook her head to correct her thoughts.

    ��No, that can��t be. There hasn��t been a single yer in history who reached max level by the 10th round����

    ��Hey.��

    [��Yes?]

    Carlen found herself responding politely without realizing it.

    ��Bring more.��

    [More, more?]

    ��Yes, if you don��t want to die, hurry. I��m itching for a fight.��

    [Ah�� Yes.]

 Chapter 158 (Part 2)

    Chapter 158: The Akashic Records (Part 2)

    ��Bring more.��

    [More, more?]

    ��Yes, if you don��t want to die, hurry. I��m itching for a fight.��

    [Ah�� Yes.]

    Carlen did as told, sending another distress signal.

    The message was clear: maximum reinforcements were needed.

    ��Please, just kill this damn human this time!��

    With that desperate hope, she waited, and soon reinforcements appeared.

    Five 6th-rank battle angels.

    Carlen��s face brightened as if nothing had happened.

    ��Good! With this many, we can definitely kill that arrogant human����

    [Aaaagh!]

    [Cough cough ack!]

    [Kyaaah!]

    Screams erupted suddenly.

    She hadn��t even seen how many times the scythe was swung.

    Just the sight of angels copsing while spraying golden blood was all that was visible.

    ��Are you kidding? Call stronger ones. Now.��

    Upon hearing Ryu Min��s words, Carlen swallowed hard.

    He was clearly no ordinary human.

    *

    The Akashic Records.

    A hyperdimensionalpendium of all events in the universe.

    One angel had opened the doors to this vast library.

    Kurururung-

    Although not just anyone could enter, he had the credentials to do so.

    After all, he was one of the seven Archangels.

    [Remiel, you��ve arrived?]

    [Luvaiah.]

    Luvaiah was the sentient entity guarding and managing the Akashic Records.

    Comparable to a librarian.

    Thud-

    Only after the door closed did Remiel spread his wings and fly to the center.

    This infinite library, filled with records from across the universe, served as a good ce for Remiel to pass the time.

    [Have youe to peek at records from other worlds today, Lord Remiel?]

    [Yes. Do you have any interesting stories to rmend?]

    [I have a good one.]

    No sooner had Luvaiah finished speaking that a book gently floated down.

    [This should pique your interest.]

    [Oh? Let��s see then.]

    Remiel smiled as he perused the book��s title.

    [Hm? A record about someone called the ck Scythe��]

    Though he didn��t know who it was, if Luvaiah found it interesting, he turned the page to find out more.

    [This person is currently participating in a survival game on Earth, isn��t he?]

    [That��s correct.]

    [Why would I find the story of such a human interesting?]

    [Read a little more, and you may find it engaging.]

    Remiel trusted Luvaiah��s word, as it had never been wrong, and turned the page.

    Soon enough, he couldn��t help but be amazed.

    [Quite an impressive human. Only in the 10th round and already at level 89. Other yers haven��t even reached the master rank yet.]

    [And there��s more. Keep reading.]

    As he read the records written in the book, Remiel continued to be astonished.

    [Maintaining the top rank in every zone from the first round to now. And what��s this? He��s broken records in the Akashic Records twice?]

    The book disyed records such as the 1-second time attack and a breakthrough to the 99th floor of the Tower of Trials, inscribed in golden runic script.

    [I��ve seen many humans, but never one like this before.]

    [See? I told you you��d find it interesting.]

    Indeed, Remiel was intrigued.

    However, it was only a mild interest.

    [If this is all, it��s somewhat disappointing. Indeed, he��s an interesting human, but the storycks amusement.]

    Remiel fluttered his wings as he turned the next page.

    The ck Scythe��s journey and growth were detailed, but he flipped through them nonchntly.

    [It appears he has already reached level 89 with an incredible growth rate. At this rate, he might be a strong candidate to finish the 20th round.]

    [You seem more interested than you let on.]

    [Hardly. Whether the oue of the survival game affects me or not, I have no reason to care. Luvaiah, you should know my tastes better than this. I��d be more interested in the lovemaking of goblins and humans than this.]

    [I know. But would you please turn to thest page?]

    [I see no need.]

    [You might find it more engaging than you expect.]

    Upon repeated insistence, Remiel reluctantly turned the page.

    [Huh?]

    Soon, he looked as though he had seen something he shouldn��t have.

    [What��s this? The fellow has killed 15 battle angels?]

    [Yes. He��s the only yer to have taken up a sword against angels.]

    [Ha, such an insignificant human acting so high and mighty. It��s ludicrous.]

    Just then, new text appeared on the page he was holding.

    [Another angel has just been added to the count.]

    [Are you saying he��s currently in battle?]

    [It appears so.]

    His forces were currently being ughtered by a mere human?

    He was unaware because he was inside the Akashic Records, where connections to other worlds are cut off.

    [Ha ha, what an amusing human.]

    Interest was piqued more by amusement than anger.

    The audacity of a human intending to kill angels.

    He might be more entertaining than Remiel initially thought. With this new insight, Remiel stirred his wings.

    p-

    [Are you leaving?]

    [I must. I can��t just sit by as an Archangel while my forces are treated like this, can I?]

    Kurururung-

    Remiel exited through the doors.

    An Archangel going out to meet a human who could normally be handled by a mere first-rank battle angel?

    It was an unprecedented event.

    [See? I told you you��d be intrigued.]

    In the now empty library, Luvaiah murmured alone.

 Chapter 159 (Part 1)

    Chapter 159: The Devil��s Blessing (Part 1)

    Before Baiel��s arrival.

    Ryu Min called for Yamti.

    ��Yamti, didn��t I ask you before to tame 100 mealworms? Have you done it?��

    ��Of course, Master. Just 100? I��ve brought back 1,000.��

    Yamti��s profession was a Tamer.

    She could dominate and handle animals, insects, and monsters, excluding humans.

    Of course, it wasn��t always guaranteed, and the probability of sess increased as the intelligence and rank of the target decreased.

    Therefore, taming 100 mealworms was not a difficult task for Yamti.

    ��Out of curiosity, aside from the mealworms, what else have you sessfully dominated so far?��

    ��Starting with goblins, I��ve tamed every type of monster I��ve seen so far. I couldn��t tame boss mobs like minotaurs because they��re of a higher level.��

    ��You��ll be able to do it eventually. It��s just because your level is still low.��

    There was no limit to the number of monsters Yamti could tame.

    Like cing an infinite number of items in an inventory, she could collect monsters and insects indefinitely.

    However, there was a limit to the number she could summon at once.

    It meant that she couldn��t bring out hundreds of tamed monsters at the same time.

    ��Bring out just 100 of them.��

    ��Yes!��

    When Yamti used his skill, 100 mealworms were summoned to the ground.

    Even real-world insects could be brought to this otherworld if they were tamed by Yamti.

    Crack!

    [Current Kill Count: 100/100]

    [With the effect of the Rune of ughter, all stats increase by 100%.]

    Crushing 100 mealworms at once, the buff from the Rune of ughter filled up instantly.

    Ryu Min smirked, and just then, a light shed before his eyes.

    A guardian angel sent by Calren appeared.

    ��Hmm.��

    Ryu Min watched the creature silently.

    The strength of an angel could be determined by its wings.

    ��The more numerous or longer the wings, the stronger the being.��

    However, the battle angel before Ryu Min clearly had shorter wings.

    Of course, they were longer than those of a typical angel like Calren.

    ��Four wings, and judging by the length, about a 6th-grade angel.��

    It was only natural for Ryu Min to know the angel��s rank, thanks to his previous experiences.

    He had tortured angels before and learned quite a lot.

    Although he didn��t know the high-level information, he was well-acquainted with the basic knowledge of the celestial realm.

    Therefore, Ryu Min no longer felt the need to torture these kinds of angels.

    ��I just need to kill them.��

    Since he could read thoughts with the Rune of Innerthoughts, he didn��t need to ask for information.

    He knew the name of the angel before him, Baiel, and that he was confident with his quick de, all without a single word being exchanged.

    ��Maybe I should try the potion first.��

    Baiel was saying something, but Ryu Min ignored him and pulled out a potion.

    It was a mid-level potion, so all stats increased by 8.

    Although it didn��t have a great effect, to gain the first reward, even a slight increase in stats was necessary.

    Filling the Rune of ughter��s buff and using Reaper Transformation against the battle angel was for this reason.

    [Reaper Transformation state has been activated.]

    [All stats, damage, attack speed, and movement speed increase by 44%.]

    [All damage received from enemies decreases by 44%.]

    [The probability of enemies detecting you decreases by 44%.]

    ��It��s like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, but it can��t be helped.��

    After provoking a bit, the battle angel rushed in swinging his de.

    Shushushushushush-

    It was rtively fast but ineffective against Ryu Min.

    Not surprisingly, given his agility was already over 8,800.

    ��With the round buff, the Rune of Bnce, the Rune of ughter, the first yer of an angel title, and the buff from Min Juri, allbined.��

    The increase was tremendous.

    With Reaper Transformation also in effect, his stats were through the roof.

    [Cough, cough����]

    With a single swing of his scythe, Baiel spewed blood and fell.

    Ryu Minmanded more to be summoned as he looked toward the pale-faced Calren.

    In the meantime, Ryu Min checked the messages that had popped up.

    [You have in a battle angel.]

    [You are confirmed as the first yer to y a battle angel.]

    [As a reward for the first y of a battle angel, the ��Devil��s Blessing�� buff has been applied.]

    [As a reward for the first y of a battle angel, the ��Devil��s Rune�� has been awarded.]

    [The acquired rune is automatically engraved onto the yer��s body!]

    Having in just one battle angel, a series of messages popped up.

    The first reward was sweet indeed.

    ��But the best part is the Devil��s Blessing buff.��

    Ryu Min��s gaze moved to the next message.

    [You have been afflicted with Devil��s Blessing.]

    [Based on the current total of your stats (40,890), the following effects are applied.]

    [When ying an angel, you gain gold equal to 1 times the base value (40,890). Depending on the level of the angel, this can increase up to 1,000 times (40,890,000).]

    [When ying an angel, you gain stat points equal to 0.01% (4) of the base value. Depending on the level of the angel, this can increase up to 10% (4,089).]

    [When ying an angel, the reputation with the demonic faction slightly increases.]

    [The buffsts until the end of the current round.]

    Devil��s Blessing is a cheat-like buff that grants stats and gold every time you kill an angel.

    Depending on the level of the opposing angel, rewards can increase up to a thousand times.

    ��Even at the minimum value, you can see how much of a cheat it is.��

    Based on the current standards, you gain 4 stat points and 40,890 gold per angel in.

    Gaining 4 stat points per angel kill?

    ��Absolutely honeyed.��

    It��s practically like leveling up with each kill.

    ��And that��s just the minimum value. Stronger angels yield even more.��

    Certainly, no one else would have received such benefits.

    Thanks to various buffs boosting his stats, he was able to receive such rewards.

    The rewards are determined based on the stats at the time the blessing was received.

    ��That��s why I��ve been trying to raise my stats.��

    The downside is that the buff onlysts until the end of this round��

    ��No problem. I have the Devil��s Rune.��

    [Devil��s Rune]

    -Effect: Enables the use of the ��Devil��s Blessing�� buff after ying 100 angels.

    Even after the round passes, as long as the Devil��s Rune is present, the blessing can be received again.

    Though it requires the ying of angels.

    ��I can��t just kill one angel and be done with it. I need to kill at least 100. To receive the rewards of the blessing and to use the Devil��s Blessing again in the future.��

    Calcting the remaining time, there was at least an hour left to hunt angels.

    The rest of the time would be spent breaking sub-quests.

    ��Hey.��

    [��Yes?]

    ��Bring more.��

 Chapter 159 (Part 2)

    Chapter 159: The Devil��s Blessing (Part 2)

    ��Hey.��

    [��Yes?]

    ��Bring more.��

    Ryu Minmanded Calren to summon more angels.

    Initially, five appeared, and then ten.

    The oue was predictable.

    [You have in the 5th-grade angel ��Lapir��!]

    [Stat Points+8]

    [Gold+81,780]

    [Number of angels in: 15/100]

    [You have in the 5th-grade angel ��Belry��!]

    [Stat Points+8]

    [Gold+81,780]

    [Number of angels in: 16/100]

    ��These are all 5th and 6th-grade angels. Send stronger ones.��

    This time ten more angels appeared.

    Judging by their wings, they seemed like 4th-grade angels.

    [So you are the human who was ughtering angels.]

    [How reckless to create such mayhem. You must be painfully killed.]

    [Such a pitiful human. Unlucky.]

    However, the truly unlucky one was not Ryu Min but the angels.

    Given his heavily inted stats, a few swings of his scythe could do the job.

    [You have in the 4th-grade angel ��Volua��!]

    [Stat Points+16]

    [Gold+163,560]

    [Number of angels in: 26/100]

    ��It would be nice if even 2nd or 3rd-grade ones came. Send stronger ones.��

    There wasn��t much time left, so he hoped for stronger adversaries.

    It wasn��t likely that the Seven Archangels would hear of a few foot soldiers�� deaths.

    ��High-ranking nobles wouldn��t appear just because of this.��

    Moreover, it��s more likely that self-centered celestial beings would act out of boredom.

    ��Just kill 100 and then go break a sub-quest.��

    Had he in about 50?

    While ughtering up to 4th-grade angels and his stats continuously rising.

    A variable appeared.

    [Hmm, so you were the one killing angels?]

    Unlike before, an angel with long, borate wings appeared, causing Ryu Min to fall silent.

    ��Is this one of the Seven Archangels?��

    The angel before him undoubtedly possessed extraordinary power, as indicated by his wings.

    If spread out, they seemed to span over 20 meters.

    Appearing to have at least eight wings in total.

    ��Surely one of the Seven Archangels.��

    He knew firsthand about 1st-grade angels.

    Their wings did not exceed six.

    ��But this face�� I haven��t met this one in previous regressions.��

    Though not as overwhelmingly imposing as the angel Ryu Min had met before, this one still felt formidable.

    ��What��s going on? Why would one of the Seven Archangels show up all of a sudden?��

    Normally, just filling up 100 angels and returning wouldn��t have triggered such an event.

    Nothing was supposed to happen.

    It was the same in the previous regression, and the one before that, and the one before that.

    Therefore he wasn��t worried, but now an unfamiliar one had boldly appeared.

    Especially at such an early stage.

    ��Has the future changed?��

    Ryu Min cautiously watched what the angel would say next.

    [Are you ck scythe?]

    ��He knows my nickname?��

    [Seeing you wield a scythe, I guess it��s true. After all, the Akashic Records can��t be wrong.]

    ��Akashic Records?��

    He had heard that term before.

    When he killed a high orc in one second, and when he cleared the 99th floor of the Tower of Trials.

    Each time, a message appeared stating his feats were recorded in the Akashic Records.

    [You piqued my curiosity after you set two new records. I also heard you were killing my soldiers.]

    ��Ah.��

    Only then did Ryu Min somewhat deduce the source of the variable.

    ��Normally, by this time, there should have only been one entry in the Akashic Records due to clearing the Tower of Trials. But I��ve set two records in this regression.��

    Killing the high orc in one second was a first in this regression.

    That��s why he had been listed in the Akashic Records twice by this point.

    It seemed that had created the variable.

    ��What should I do? Should I fight? It doesn��t seem hostile yet����

    He could tell by reading its thoughts.

    The angel appeared out of mere curiosity.

    But underneath that curiosity was a disdain for humans.

    And looking deeper, he could tell.

    No matter what, it nned to kill him and erase his existence.

    ��This is turning problematic. What now? Do I have a chance if I fight?��

    In a brief moment, Ryu Min desperately gathered information about his opponent.

    He also learned that the angel��s name was Remiel.

    One of the Seven Archangels, ranking lowest, and possessing the authority of lightning.

    ��Like other angels, his thoughts are readable, and I can see 7 seconds into the future. Maybe there��s a chance.��

    He had always wanted to challenge one of the Seven Archangels.

    He was curious about what rewards woulde if he killed one.

    Since even killing ordinary angels yielded hidden rewards, it was likely the system had set rewards for the Seven Archangels too.

    ��The regrettable part is that there��s no more time to ponder.��

    If he was going to fight, it had to be now.

    Soon the Reaper Transformation would end.

    ��I can reset the time by killing Yamti��s monsters.��

    However, Ryu Min didn��t even nce at Yamti.

    He hadn��t even turned his eyes either.

    She had hidden in a corner of the cave early on.

    If he carelessly called her out, revealing her presence, Yamti might be put in danger.

    ��Yamti��s ability needs to be utilized continuously in the future. I can��t just let her die here to maintain the Reaper Transformation buff.��

    Time was pressing.

    Only 10 seconds remained until the Reaper Transformation ended.

    He had to kill someone to reset the time.

    If he was to fight one of the Seven Archangels.

    ��Then����

    Ryu Min��s gaze shifted to Calren, who was beside Remiel.

    His scythe stretched out swiftly.

    At the same moment, Remiel began to speak.

    [Why are you silent? At least have a conversation��]

    Crunch!

    Calren��s head shattered into pieces, blood sttering towards Remiel.

    At the same time, Ryu Min��s Reaper Transformation timer was reset.

    ��It��s done!��

    Fortunately, he was able to maintain Reaper Transformation, but the expression suggested that he had angered the Archangel.

    [A conversation is unnecessary, is that it?]

    Trembling with rage, sparks flew over Remiel��s entire body.

    [I��ll grant your wish then. Die, human.]

 Chapter 160 (Part 1)

    Chapter 160: Remiel (Part 1)

    Initially, Remiel had no intention of killing the human.

    Had he intended to kill, he would have exploded their heads instantly upon sight.

    ��At least I thought to have a conversation to see what kind of human it was before killing them.��

    No yer had ever set a record in the Akashic Records twice in history.

    He was sufficiently intriguing to warrant a conversation to learn more.

    He had wanted to hear how such rapid growth was possible.

    ��But then.��

    Sparks crackled from Remiel��s eyes as he red at Ryu Min.

    ��How dare you kill my subordinates right before me?��

    Such action without a word was nothing short of a deration of war.

    It was absurd and infuriating that an insignificant bug dared to provoke an archangel.

    ��After killing my subordinates, I cannot just sit idly by. The only option is to eliminate them.��

    Remiel, wiping the golden blood on his face, did not move an inch.

    He just red at the human.

    [Die, human.]

    He used Sishal.

    The angelic authority capable of blowing a human��s head off in an instant.

    But for some reason, there was no reaction.

    ��What? Why?��

    He noticed that the power of Sishal was not interfering with the human��s spirit.

    [What is going on��?]

    He didn��t know why, but it didn��t matter.

    ��If Sishal doesn��t work, I��ll have to burn him to death.��

    He pointed his index finger at the human.

    Crackling-!

    High-powered lightning condensed at his fingertip.

    ��Even if he��s Level 89 it should be enough.��

    He thought the human would fry like a frog.

    He believed this until his finger was about to get severed.

    [What the��!]

    The scythe extended like a whip and grew asrge as a giant��s hand in an instant.

    It all happened so swiftly.

    Had he not reflexively pulled his hand back, his forearm would have flown off.

    ��I knew the weapon could extend, but I didn��t expect it to transform in size.��

    It was so ridiculous it was almostughable, but there was no time for anger.

    The scythe curved like a snake, aiming at him again.

    While Remiel realized its power, he had no intention of running away disgracefully.

    He merely folded his wings to block.

    He believed he could block it sufficiently.

    It was out of pride and misjudgment.

    Creak-creak-!

    His wings were severed, and his eyes bulged with surprise.

    The damage was beyond blocking.

    As soon as he realized this, he retreated instead of defending.

    But battle is about momentum and spirit.

    Ryu Min would not miss even the slightest chance of advantage.

    Creak- creak!

    He tenaciously followed and swung his scythe.

    Remiel, trying to escape, struggled to block with his wings.

    ��The damage is beyond imagination.��

    An angel��s wings be a sturdy shield the moment they are endowed with holy power.

    The defense is determined by the amount of holy power, and naturally, he thought he could block an attack of merely a level 89 yer.

    But it was a clear misjudgment.

    ��Is this really the power of a level 89 yer?��

    Both the damage and movement seemed worthy of level 99.

    It had been proven already when he killed several battle angels.

    ��Damn it. I didn��t realize this simple fact and the situation ended up like this.��

    He had been careless.

    Just because he was a level 89 yer.

    Tap tap tap-

    His feet, which had been as still as stone, now moved desperately to preserve his life.

    ��It��s ridiculous that one of the Seven Archangels is running away from a mere human.��

    If other archangels saw this, they would be ridiculed.

    Crackle-crackle-

    [This is the end of ying.]

    Remiel stopped running, and electricity surged through his entire body.

    If he released it all around, the bug-like human would be roasted.

    No better technique to peel off a clinging enemy.

    Unaware of this, the human with the ck scythe charged like a moth to a me.

    [This is the end.]

    Crackle-crackle-crackle!

    He released the electricity at maximum output.

    There was no escape, nor was there space to escape.

    That was when it happened.

    Boom-

    Darkness suddenly swallowed the light.

    Like a candle snuffed out by the wind, the emitted lights were extinguished all at once.

    [What��?]

    There was no time to be surprised.

    The threatening sound of cutting through the wind was heard close by.

    Creak!

    [Cough!]

    He moved back, but perhaps it was toote as one of his wings was severed.

    If he hadn��t twisted his body just so, his head might have been severed.

    He didn��t have time to curse as the second sh of light flew in.

    Losing one wing, he staggered, unable to maintain bnce.

    [This damned bug that not even worth killing!!]

    Enraged, Remiel decided to stop ying around.

    This darkness was no issue for him.

    Crackle- Crackle- Crackling-!

    As if resisting the darkness, sparks flew violently.

    Though light is weak against darkness, the darkness now was an artificially created barrier.

    An archangel��s light would not be devoured by such triviality.

    [Die, human!]

    Crackling-!

    He released currents in all directions, attempting to kill the human.

    But the one who had been shing with the scythe was nowhere to be seen.

    No sign of him either.

    ��Where has this bastard gone����

    Just as Remiel was looking around, a red glow appeared from the distance.

    ��You don��t even know what you just said, do you?��

    Squealing-

    ��That��s a death g, buddy.��

    The human, making iprehensible noises, suddenly glowed.

    No, it was the sh wielded by the human that engulfed Remiel.

    ��Ah.��

    He instinctively felt it.

    That was unstoppable.

    To block it meant death.

    He had to dodge.

    After making a quick judgment, Remiel tried to move his wings but staggered.

    ��Damn it. Now that I think about it, my wings����

    He cursed silently as he leaped.

    But the sh predicted even that, flying slightly upward.

    Creak-!

    One wing was severed.

    He barely twisted his body, otherwise his head would have been cut off.

    He had no time to curse as a second sh came flying in.

    One arm and a wing fell simultaneously.

    In the staggering moment, the sound came again.

    Squealing-

    Creak-!

    Squealing-

    Creak-!

    Squealing-

    The series of five shes cut off Remiel��s limbs.

    [Ugh����]

    One wing waspletely gone, and both his forearm and lower thigh were severed, leaving only his torso.

    Wriggling.

    He could only squirm like a bug, unable to move.

    Though he was in burning pain, he kept his consciousness with electric shocks.

    Then, the human with surging dark energy approached.

    ��Even the Seven Archangels are nothing special.��

    [����]

    ��The power of lightning, the lowest of the Seven Archangels, Remiel, right?��

    It wasn��t the fact that his identity was known that angered him, but rather that an insignificant human looked down on him.

    Defeated by a mere human.

    Shown his disgraceful state by a mere human.

    That fact touched Remiel��s pride.

    [You worthless human��]

    Crackling-!

    ��nning to self-destruct?��

    As his intentions were read, Remiel��s output momentarily decreased.

    ��I was going to let you live if you followed my orders, but since you chose death, that��s unfortunate.��

    [You were going to let me live?]

    ��Yes, if you just follow my proposal.��

    Remiel��s currentspletely died down.

    He would rather die with this human than beg for his life, but he hadn��t expected the offer toe voluntarily.

    [I��ll listen.]

    ��Call the other angels. No need for many. Just bring fifty more. Preferably battle angels above the third rank.��

    [What are you going to do with them?]

    ��What else, kill them.��

    [You are insane.]

 Chapter 160 (Part 2)

    Chapter 160: Remiel (Part 2)

    [What are you going to do with them?]

    ��What else, kill them.��

    [You are insane.]

    Remiel snorted in disdain.

    [Telling me to betray my subordinates. You are thoroughly insane.]

    ��I promise I won��t kill you, though.��

    [Hmph, do you think I would believe that?]

    ��If you can��t trust, then you just have to die, right?��

    Seeing the human speak so dismissively, Remiel agonized.

    He had lost.

    Using sparks, he could prevent further bloodshed, but that didn��t mean the crisis was over.

    If the human simply decided to drive the scythe into his head, he would be dead.

    ��Damn it. What should I do? Should I ept the proposal?��

    His pride was hurt, but it was better than dying.

    If he could save his life by sacrificing his soldiers now, he might recover and n for the future.

    He could save his life and seek revenge.

    But if he didn��t ept the proposal?

    He would just die.

    ��Whether I self-destruct or whatever, I might harm the bastard, but����

    He would surely die.

    To die fighting a human.

    He would be mocked across the heavens forever.

    ��What are you going to do? Decide quickly. Live or die.��

    [Fine, I ept the proposal.]

    ��Acting so high and mighty. You��re trying to keep your pride high despite the circumstances. Tsk.��

    Remiel disliked the human��s sneering but kept silent.

    Reluctantly, he had to admit his defeat.

    He had no other choice.

    ��What are you doing? Call them now.��

    [Aren��t you going to let me go first?]

    ��Why should I trust you? If I let you go and you break the promise, then what?��

    Ryu Min threatened Remiel with the scythe at his throat.

    He looked ready to kill if he saw any hint of escape.

    ��First, call them. After theye, I��ll send you back quietly as promised.��

    [I��m the one asking. Why should I believe that you will let me leave after calling them?]

    ��You have to trust me. If you want to live.��

    [����]

    He wasn��t wrong.

    With a de at his throat, Remiel had limited options.

    [Alright. Just keep your promise.]

    ��Of course.��

    Remiel sent a signal to summon the angels.

    Soon, the angels appeared with light, filling the enclosure.

    [Archangel, where are you?]

    [We came hastily because you called��]

    [Ah! Over there!]

    The angels were shocked.

    A limbless torso resembling Remiel was there.

    [I am here.]

    [Gasp! Archangel, sir!]

    [What happened to��]

    [Could that be what I think it is?]

    The angels btedly realized.

    They saw the ck figure holding the scythe to Remiel��s neck.

    Remiel, swallowing his shame, spoke to Ryu Min.

    [These are the third-ranked battle angels on standby. Keep your promise.]

    ��Isn��t there a higher-ranked angel avable?��

    [First and second-ranked angels are busy. The highest avable now are third-ranked.]

    ��Then, it can��t be helped.��

    [Now, let me go.]

    ��Alright. A promise is a promise.��

    Ryu Min sheathed his scythe and signaled one of the battle angels.

    ��Hey, one of you,e take your superior. He can��t move on his own since he has no legs.��

    The battle angels approached with shocked eyes.

    The Archangel was defeated by a human?

    Up close, it was a dreadful sight.

    [Archangel, sir. We apologize for the intrusion.]

    An angel carefully picked up Remiel.

    Since he was just a torso and a head, he was as light as a baby.

    ��Damn. To think I have to escape with the help of my subordinates.��

    It was humiliating, but Remiel endured for the future.

    ��When I regenerate my limbs and wings and fully recover my strength, you will see hell.��

    Even if it means getting help from other Archangels.

    Even if it means mobilizing his own direct forces.

    Even if it means joining hands with demons.

    He would stop at nothing to kill the yer called ck scythe.

    Remiel made this vow.

    [Let��s go.]

    [Yes! Archangel, sir!]

    The battle angel carrying Remiel chanted the spell for returning.

    The other angels naturally prepared to follow the Archangel back.

    But then Remiel stopped the other angels.

    [You all stay here. Deal with this human.]

    [Us?]

    [Yes. Only the angel carrying me and I will return.]

    [����]

    Though they didn��t understand why, the angels obeyed the Archangel��s order.

    [We willply.]

    [Good.]

    Remiel nced at ck Scythe and then at the battle angel holding him.

    [Let��s leave now����]

    Thud-!

    Crackling-

    The sound of golden blood being spilled as Remiel fell to the ground was heard.

    Swoosh- nk!

    The sight of ck Scythe retrieving the thrown scythe was seen.

    Thump-

    A headless corpse theny on the ground.

    It was the angel who had been holding Remiel just moments ago.

    Remiel��s fine brow furrowed mercilessly.

    [You bastard! What is this? Didn��t you promise?]

    ��There��s this saying in the human world.��

    Ryu Min muttered brazenly.

    ��Promises are made to be broken.��

    [What?]

    ��You really thought I��d let you go?��

    Ryu Min who reset the Reaper Transformation approached with his scythe.

    ��You all won��t make it out of here alive. Not a single one.��

 Chapter 161 (Part 1)

    Chapter 161: Incredible Rewards (Part 1)

    Ryu Min first encountered the seven archangels during his 68th regression.

    ��It was when I was massacring the angels in the 16th round after oveing the devil��s 15th round.��

    Unable to contain his anger, Ryu Min, who was killing the angels, was left speechless by the sudden appearance of another angel.

    He was utterly overwhelmed.

    This one was on apletely different level from any battle angel he had seen before.

    ��Was his name Michael?��

    He hadn��t even dared to think about attacking him.

    At that time, Ryu Min was so weak that he couldn��t even break through the 99th floor of the Tower of Trials.

    ��I��ve encountered him several times after breaking through the 99th floor, but I just let it go. There was no need to take unnecessary risks.��

    However, the angel who appeared today was a disappointment.

    His skills did not meet the expectations.

    ��Is it because he��s the lowest of the seven? He seems weaker than I thought. Or am I just too strong?��

    He had to take the initiative early on, so he pressed on without mercy.

    But it was only after observing the creature��s movements several times that he realized:

    Remiel was considerably slower and weaker than himself.

    ��It would be a waste to kill him now.��

    With that thought, Ryu Min used his skillbo, Crescent Moon and Moonlight sh, to sever the creature��s limbs.

    He could have killed him, but deliberately left him alive.

    He wanted to lure the other angels in.

    [Grrr��]

    [Grrrgh��]

    The result was as seen now.

    Fifty third-rank battle angelsy scattered on the ground.

    Their limbs were torn, and most were dead, rolling on the floor.

    There were some who were not yet dead.

    [You have in the third-rank angel ��Roychel��!]

    [Stat Points +32]

    [Gold +327,120]

    [Number of angels in: 100/100]

    [Conditions met for using ��Devil��s Blessing��.]

    [You may activate ��Devil��s Blessing�� by saying the enchantment when you wish.]

    He had just killed thest surviving angel.

    All but Remiel.

    Now that he had in 100 angels, he could use the Devil��s Blessing again.

    ��I��ll use it next time I need to kill an angel.��

    Ryu Min looked at Remiel, who was left alone.

    The figure,cking limbs, was so pitiful that one might think it was just a corpse.

    ��Ah, your subordinates are all dead, aren��t they? What will you do?��

    [You bastard��]

    Even in this situation, his eyes, which red as if they would kill, sparkled.

    Despite everything, his gaze was still fierce.

    ��Even in this situation, your pride knows no bounds. Well, isn��t that expected after reigning as one of the seven archangels for so long?��

    [Who exactly are you? How do you possess such power? Why doesn��t execution work on you? What is your reason for killing angels?]

    Despite the barrage of questions, Ryu Min merely twisted his lips into a smile.

    Why kill angels?

    Simply because there are rewards.

    ��Don��t the seven archangels know that killing angels yields items?��

    It was truly a ludicrous situation.

    Even the angels, who were thought to be the game��s hosts, were actually being used by someone else.

    ��Are they being used by the system? If so, the one who created the system might be the true mastermind.��

    Whoever that mastermind was, Ryu Min couldn��t help but be thankful.

    After all, it made him strong enough to oppose the angels.

    ��Why do I do it?��

    Ryu Min��s footsteps moved toward Remiel.

    It seemed better not to mention that rewards were involved.

    ��Even after knowing what you angels have done to humanity, you still spout such nonsense?��

    [*..]

    ��Think about it from our perspective. 1.8 billion humans have died. Those who survived are still participating in this survival game. And the hosts are the angels. Wouldn��t you want to kill them?��

    Remiel remained silent, but Ryu Min knew.

    He wasn��t listening at all.

    -Damn it. What should I do? If he sees any hint of a return spell, he��ll just kill me��-

    Trying to read the situation, he thought hard with the few brain cells he had left.

    -How do I resolve this situation? Should I just blow up all the remaining holy power as nned? That would save me some face�� but then I wouldn��t be able to see this human die. Damn it.-

    Despitecking limbs, he was still trying to figure out how to survive.

    He really didn��t want to die at the hands of a human.

    ��Why no response? Do you want to die?��

    [..I understand. The hearts of you humans. Yes, in your eyes, we must seem like demons. But it can��t be helped.]

    ��So it can��t be helped?��

    [There are too many humans. The natural ecosystem is being destroyed, and resources are being depleted because of you.]

    ��So what? Has humanity ever harmed you, angels? No, right?��

    [Why not? Your very existence is unpleasant to us angels, it��s as if you were pests. It��s our duty as a higher race to keep your numbers in check.]

    [��]

    Remiel��s words were not new to Ryu Min.

    He had heard the reason why angels disliked humans before.

    It was the same reason humans dislike pests.

    ��Still, this is the first I��ve heard of them doing such things to reduce the human poption.��

    He had gained some sort of information.

    Though it would change nothing.

    ��In all this mess, you still haven��t said a word about wanting to be spared? Do you really want to die that badly?��

    [Who broke their promise first? How shameless.]

    ��If that��s what you think, there��s nothing I can do. Farewell.��

    [Wait, just a��]

    Thunk!

    He stabbed the heart.

    It seems angels have their hearts in the same ce as humans, given the sound of air escaping.

    [Kehoheugh��]

    Schlick!

    With a swing of his scythe, he decapitated the head.

    Reading its final thoughts, it seemed frustrated at not being able to self-destruct.

    ��No need to feel frustrated. I wouldn��t have died from your little self-destruction.��

 Chapter 161 (Part 2)

    Chapter 161: Incredible Rewards (Part 2)

    With a swing of his scythe, he decapitated the head.

    Reading its final thoughts, it seemed frustrated at not being able to self-destruct.

    ��No need to feel frustrated. I wouldn��t have died from your little self-destruction.��

    He had a title that reduced damage from holy sources by 80%.

    He also had a title that nullified mental-type damage.

    Since half of their holy-powered attacks consisted of mental-type damage, it further reduced the damage he took.

    ��And even if I die, I have a title that allows me to resurrect.��

    Soon, Ryu Min��s gaze turned to the message that appeared in the air.

    [You have in the archangel ��Remiel��!]

    [*Stat Points +817*]

    [*Gold +8,178,000*]

    The stat points and gold were iparable to those from a regr angel.

    All thanks to the Devil��s Blessing.

    ��They said the maximum stat points could be 10%, but I only got 2%. Gold could have been up to 1,000 times, but I only got 200 times.��

    Expecting the maximum, Ryu Min was disappointed.

    It seemed that being the lowest among the archangels meant his value was much less.

    ��Still, thanks to him, I��ve umted a massive amount of stats and gold.��

    From the 100 battle angels and the archangel, he had gained 3,049 stat points and over 30 million gold.

    In terms of levels, it was not an exaggeration to say he had gained around 1,500 levels worth of stats.

    But that was not all.

    [As a reward for ying the archangel Remiel, ��Condensed Ether�� has been obtained.]

    [As a reward for ying the archangel Remiel, ��Rune of Lightning�� has been obtained.]

    [The acquired rune automatically inscribes itself onto your body!]

    With god-tier materials and a rune reward, it was quite a haul.

    [Rune of Lightning]

    �C Effect: Summons lightning from your hands that can be used in various ways. Magical damage is proportional to intelligence.

    �� Emission ? Shoots like aser, dealing magic damage equal to 1,200% of intelligence.

    �� Charging ? Deals 800% magic damage and pushes enemies more than 15m away.

    �� Area Release ? Releases currents within a 30m radius, dealing 400% area damage.

    �� Amplification ? Stores electricity in the body, increasing attack and movement speed by 100%.

    �� Self-Destruct ? Releases all currents within a 100m radius, dealing 3,600% area damage. This damage also applies to oneself.

    It was a rune reflecting the abilities used by Remiel.

    Of course, it was also the first time he had seen such a rune.

    ��The effects are amazing.��

    He liked the damage, but the additional effects were more appealing.

    ��Using currents to push enemies away or increase attack speed and movement speed are things I don��t have.��

    Ryu Min opened his status window.

    �C Name: Ryu Min

    �C Nickname: ck Scythe

    �C Rank: Master

    �C Title: Last Time Regressor (Public), First Angel yer (Hidden), Challenger of Heavenly Punishment (Hidden), Ahead of the Pack (Hidden), Supreme Being (Hidden), yer (Hidden)

    �C Level: 89

    �C Job: Grim Reaper

    �C Strength: 5,743, Intelligence: 6,022

    �C Agility: 4,435, Luck: 4,244

    �C Common Skills: Tracking, Sensing Presence, Erasing Traces, Emergency Treatment, Environmental Scanning, Dynamic Visual Acuity Enhancement, Basic Resistance, Dexterity

    �C Exclusive Skills: Seal of Death, Night of Death, Moonlight sh, Crimson Moon

    �C Runes: Rune of ughter, Rune of the Reaper, Rune of Illuminations, Rune of Innerthoughts, Rune of Doppelganger, Rune of Bnce, Rune of Mental Barrier, Rune of Durability, Rune of Foresight, Rune of Stealth, Rune of Devil, Rune of Lightning

    �C Gold: 32,687,000

    �C Remaining Stat Points: 3,049

    Even though he had not invested much in intelligence, it was his highest stat.

    ��If I get tired of using the scythe, I could fight like a wizard without any issues.��

    His intelligence was overwhelmingly highpared to his level.

    Even high-level monsters could be easily taken down with electric shock.

    More messages for Ryu Min appeared.

    [Reputation with the Demon Faction has greatly increased.]

    [Reputation of ck Scythe with demons has risen from ��Neutral�� to ��Friendly��.]

    Killing Remiel had significantly boosted his reputation, quickly turning it friendly.

    ��Thinking about being favored by demons feels strange.��

    Of course, since this world had angels it also had demons.

    He had met them personally.

    ��The 18th round was a quest to fight demons.��

    It was then he realized.

    Demons, as depicted in media, weren��t necessarily evil.

    ��It��s just a difference in species.��

    Just like humans, they looked different and had different ideologies.

    There was no real difference between them and humans.

    His bias against angels and demons broke at that time.

    ��As far as I know, the demons have a hierarchy up to the 72nd rank����

    Beyond that, he didn��t know much.

    He felt no need to gather information about the demon side.

    After all, Ryu Min��s real opponents were not demons, but angels.

    ��Stats, gold, god-tier materials, runes, and even reputation.��

    He had gained a lot.

    ��Is this the end of the rewards?��

    That was when it happened.

    [A hidden Soul Binding Quest has appeared!]

    ��A Soul Binding Quest?��

    A new quest message had appeared.

 Chapter 162 (Part 1)

    Chapter 162: Testing The Rune Of Lightning (Part 1)

    ��y the Seven Archangels

    ��Number of Archangels in (1/7)

    ��Sess Leads To ? ?????

    ��A soulbinding quest? Was there such a quest before?��

    I had only seen main and subquests before, this is the first time I��ve encountered such a quest.

    ��It clearly looks like a quest that started because I killed an archangel����

    The reward is unknown and the difficulty is high.

    It was a quest that required the ying of all seven archangels.

    ��If I interpret the term ��soulbinding,�� could it mean that the quest persists even after the round ends?��

    Usually, quests expire at the end of the round.

    They don��t carry on into the next round.

    But considering the term ��soulbinding�� and the difficulty that makes it impossible toplete in one round��

    ��It seems like a quest that continues until death.��

    I couldn��t think otherwise.

    ��Essentially, I have to kill all seven archangels before round 20, though now there are only six left.��

    The difficulty was indeed absurd.

    I chuckled to myself when Yamti approached.

    ��Master.��

    Ryu Min��s transformation had just ended, revealing his face.

    ��Is it all over?��

    ��Yes, I��ve finished what I needed to do.��

    ��Thest angel you caught seemed quite strong����

    ��He��s one of the Seven Archangels, they are the highest rank among the angels.��

    ��Gasp, you killed such a strong being?��

    ��Impressive indeed. But once I faced him, he wasn��t much after all.��

    Ryu Min smiled wryly as he cleaned up the corpses.

    ��Let��s go. We have subquests to do.��

    *

    Ryu Min hid his ��Last Time Regressor�� title as he left the temple.

    [Reputation with the Holy Empire of the Last Time Regressor has decreased from ��Hostile�� to ��Arch-Enemy��.]

    Because he had killed not just the angels but the Holy Emperor as well, he had incurred the wrath of the temple.

    ��If you think about it the emperor was killed by the angel��

    Although hiding the title meant less trouble, the bitterness was hard to hide.

    ��Just when I did something good, I ended up being hated or cursed by my fellow humans.��

    Well, it was nothing more than murmuring without real concern, and frankly, he didn��t care at all.

    Whether seen as an enemy or not, with NPCs or real people from other worlds, who cared about such things?

    ��Reputation doesn��t matter as long as I get the rewards.��

    Titles were plentiful, so there were many others to use.

    ��Master. Do we have to part ways now?��

    ��Yes. As I told you, start from here and you should be able toplete four within the time limit. That should safely get you on the list of achievers.��

    ��Whine, I don��t want to part����

    ��Stop acting cute and hurry up. Dally around and fail the quest, and I��lle to the ends of hell to scold you.��

    ��Ah, understood! I��ll definitely survive!��

    Yamti had to survive.

    Her abilities would be useful in the future.

    Having parted with Yamti, Ryu Min quickly moved on.

    ��I��ve alreadypleted one subquest, and I have nine hours left toplete nine more.��

    He had already nned which quests to tackle first, optimizing his route based on past experiences.

    ��First stop is here.��

    Ryu Min entered an alley where street vendors gathered.

    ��I came to buy some stuff.��

    ��Wee! What would you like?��

    ��Everything from here to here, give them all.��

    ��Huh?��

    The second subquest was ��Flexing at the Street Stall��.

    *

    Finding subquests in the tenth round wasn��t difficult.

    As he roamed around, Ryu Min could easily stumble upon various kinds. Tasks ranged from delivering items, running errands, doing favors, exterminating monsters, to escort missions. There were even jobs like part-time work, where you literally watched a store for a few hours.

    ��Though those are too time-consuming and inefficient.��

    For subquests, the quicker, the better.

    The fastest were making offerings at the temple and sweeping up goods from street vendors.

    ��Besides these two, other quests take at least thirty minutes to finish.��

    After buying the items, Ryu Min sought out the fastest avable quest at a mercenary band.

    ��Wee. What brings you to the Golden Eagle Mercenaries?��

    ��I��d like to take on a subjugation mission.��

    Monster subjugation took some time, but if one was skilled, it could be done in under thirty minutes.

    The desk attendant looked at Ryu Min and cheerily said:

    ��Oh, I see you��re a skilled mercenary. We happen to have a suitable subjugation mission for you.��

    [Touch the monster you want to subjugate.]

    �� 1. Lizardman

    �� 2. Werewolf

    �� 3. Skeleton

    �� 4. Sandworm

    [To cancel, indicate refusal.]

    Ryu Min chose the strongest, the sandworm.

    ��The subjugation times are all simr, so might as well earn some experience points by taking down the toughest one.��

    After being told to wait a minute, the doors of the mercenary band opened, and a group approached Ryu Min.

    ��Are you the ck Scythe? Nice to meet you. I��m Hawk Berman, the third subjugation team leader of the Golden Eagle Mercenaries. Shall we depart immediately?��

    ��Of course.��

    The ce the subjugation team leader led him to was a futuristic-looking huge machine.

    It was known as a ��warp device,�� which could teleport people instantly to various ces.

    ��Come this way.��

    Ryu Min stood on the warp device with the subjugation team leader and his mercenaries.

    Tssst-tssst-

    In the blink of an eye, they arrived at a desert where sandworms periodically appeared.

 Chapter 162 (Part 2)

    Chapter 162: Testing The Rune Of Lightning (Part 2)

    Ryu Min stood on the warp device with the subjugation team leader and his mercenaries.

    Tssst-tssst-

    In the blink of an eye, they arrived at a desert where sandworms periodically appeared.

    ��From here, we have to walk. Shall we go?��

    ��Condition ? Subjugate 100 sandworms

    ��Currently Subjugated Sandworms (0/100)

    Seeing the message, Ryu Min chuckled.

    ��For others, this quest might take two hours.��

    For Ryu Min, it would take less than thirty minutes.

    As long as there were enough monsters, he could even shorten it, but given the sandworms�� emergence frequency, thirty minutes was the limit.

    Ryu Min followed the ten-member subjugation team.

    All were NPCs, and none seemed interested in talking to Ryu Min.

    Given the settings, it wasn��t a party but rather a business-like gathering of mercenaries.

    ��I don��t need to worry about them stealing my share.��

    The skills of the mercenaries present were nothing special.

    If they were yers, they��d be around level 30, just managing to kill a sandworm together.

    ��In essence, the NPCs are just there to distract the monster, and the real task of killing it falls to the challenger, the yer.��

    Well, Ryu Min didn��t need them to distract the monster.

    Before they could even engage, the sandworms would already be corpses.

    ��There it is!��

    A mercenary shouted as something wriggling emerged from beneath the sand.

    Though not visible, Ryu Min had already sensed it through his detection skills.

    It was a sandworm.

    As he was about to draw his scythe, Ryu Min put it back into his inventory.

    ��Shall I test the rune I acquired?��

    The Rune of Lightning hadn��t been used yet, and he was curious about its effects.

    He needed to get a feel for it to use it effectivelyter.

    Crackle-crackle-

    Sparks flew from Ryu Min��s hand.

    ��So this is the sensation. Lightning magic isn��t the best against sandworms, considering their earth attribute, but will it be enough?��

    Magic was a powerful tool, but each type had its own attributepatibility.

    Moving under the sand, the earth-attributed sandworm would halve the damage from electric (lightning) attributed magic.

    In simpler terms, the damage would be reduced by half.

    ��Well, damage will still be inflicted since my intelligence stat is high.��

    ��It��s here!��

    As the sandworm emerged, showing its giant, old-tree-like size, Ryu Min acted.

    ��Fire.��

    The lightning from the tip of Ryu Min��s finger struck the sandworm directly.

    Crackle-crackle-crackle-

    The creature, anticlimactically, turned into a grilled worm.

    Thud-

    The sandworm died in one hit, charred ck, leaving the mercenaries speechless.

    ��Are you a mage?��

    ��To kill that terrifying sandworm in one hit, impressive indeed!��

    ��Truly, a great mage has joined our subjugation team!��

    Despite the praises pouring in from all sides, Ryu Min didn��t respond.

    He was slightly taken aback himself.

    ��Given my high intelligence, I expected some effect, but to kill it in one hit was something else.��

    The damage was so overwhelming that it disregarded any attributepatibility.

    ��If anyone questions how I fight as a prophet, I��ll just show them this.��

    Crackle-crackle-

    Watching the sparks burst in his grasp, Ryu Min moved on.

    The subjugation turned out to be easier than anticipated.

    *

    You can only undertake subjugations up to three times at the mercenary band.

    Ryu Min was able toplete all three within the minimum time of thirty minutes.

    It was the result of using the Rune of Lightning.

    ��Though, even with a scythe, I could havepleted them within 30 minutes.��

    However, Ryu Min used only the Rune of Lightning throughout the subjugations.

    He hadn��t even drawn his scythe.

    It was part of getting used to the rune��s capabilities, but��

    ��It��s more convenient this way.��

    Standing still and casting magic was definitely easier than running around with a scythe.

    It was easier to kill as they died with one hit.

    Possibly due to themon skill of ��dexterity,�� hitting the target wasn��t too difficult.

    ��Fire, charge, area st, amplify��I think I��ve tried everything?��

    Of course, he hadn��t dared to use self-destruction.

    The damage was too high, and a mistake could cost him his life.

    ��I should only use self-destruction as ast resort. I��m not sure if I��ll ever need it, though.��

    Being a mage certainly had its conveniences with many area skills, but it wasn��t without downsides.

    ��When all the cooldowns are active, there��s nothing to do.��

    Using the Rune of Lightning, Ryu Min discovered that each ability had a cooldown.

    ��The shortest was ��fire�� at 6 seconds����

    In a battlefield where lives were at stake, a six-second gap was a significant penalty.

    ��That��s why magic-using professions manage their skills and cooldowns so carefully.��

    But as a hybrid, Ryu Min wasn��t too worried.

    If he ran out of magic to cast, he could always resort to using his scythe.

    [Subjugationpleted.]

    [Your actions have been recorded by the mercenary band.]

    [Your mercenary band grade has risen from ��Skilled�� to ��Professional��.]

    Having sessfullypleted consecutive subjugations, Ryu Min��s rank in the mercenary band had increased.

    ��I��ll be able to take on tougher missions next time.��

    Though he was still far from hunting dragons.

    ��Now, to the next destination����

    Leaving the mercenary band, Ryu Min checked the time as he moved.

    It looked like he couldfortably finish ten subquests.

    *

    Ten hours.

    It was a long time, but as hepleted quests, it flew by unnoticed.

    ��Ah, no. There��s not much time left!��

    ��Ha, I need toplete at least one more����

    The yers shouting suddenly noticed the change and looked up.

    Before they knew it, they were back in the colorless space where they started.

    ��Is it already ten hours?��

    ��Argh! I was almost done with that quest!��

    Since the ranking method was based on the number of questspleted, people had been relentlessly questing.

    Many had arrived midway, and unfortunately, any missions in progress were considered abandoned.

    [Human beings? This is Nel. Did you all manage toplete your quests well? Now��]

    ��Angel! I was just about to finish a mission! If I had just 10 more seconds, I would��vepleted it. Can you count it as a sess����

    [Such an insufferable human!]

    Nel��s gaze turned chilling, causing the yer to shut his mouth.

    [How dare a lowly human interrupt an angel? And when did I say you could ask questions? Are you begging to be killed?]

    ��I��m, I��m sorry����

    [Don��t even answer. I don��t want to hear it.]

    It was obvious that the angel was angrier than usual.

    [We should be showing the tally results, but before that, I have a question for all of you.]

    The reason for Nel��s bad mood was clear.

    [Is there anyone here who has received an oracle?]

    The upheaval in the heavenly realms due to the death of the Archangels�� Remiel was the cause.

 Chapter 163 (Part 1)

    Chapter 163: Conclusion Of Round 10 (Part 1)

    ��Oracle?��

    ��What are you talking about?��

    Confused by the angel��s question, the yers looked perplexed.

    They had no idea what the question meant, and it was their first time hearing about the possibility of receiving an oracle.

    [Ahem. Never mind then. Forget I asked.]

    Although the angel retracted the question as if it was asked in vain, Ryu Min was certain about something after seeing its reaction.

    ��It seems they also don��t know who killed Remiel.��

    Or rather, they might be thinking that Remiel is missing, not dead.

    After all, no bodies of Remiel or any other angels were found.

    ��But they must know it was the work of a yer.��

    Sending distress signals and mobilizing several angels must have at least spread the word that a yer had attacked one of them.

    They just don��t know who exactly, and since thebat angels were deployed at the Altar, that��s why she asked.

    ��To ask so directly�� Did they think the culprit would just raise their hand and confess?��

    It was a foolish question, but the angel probably had its suspicions.

    To confront abat angel, the yer must possess significant power.

    And the most likely suspect was none other than ck Scythe.

    Sure enough.

    The angel��s gaze, flickering towards this direction, was palpable.

    Too afraid to look outright.

    ��Well, a yer who ughters angels must be frightening.��

    They always belittle them as mere bugs, but these were the lowest of the low, ninth-rank angels.

    Minus the ability of Sishal, they��re as fragile as humans.

    The angels knew this too, hence they didn��t descend from the heavens and maintained their distance.

    Because deep down, they feared the yers.

    ��They might suspect, but there��s no evidence that I��m the culprit. They can��t even imagine that one of the mighty archangels could be dead.��

    Even if it��s a disappearance, it would still be a big deal for them.

    An archangel has vanished, after all.

    ��But I��ve got nothing to worry about. As long as there��s no evidence, I won��t suffer any harm.��

    It was the same in previous regressions.

    I called thebat angels through the oracle and killed them, but suffered no repercussions.

    Because there was no evidence.

    And without solid evidence, they couldn��t act.

    The Angels have a rule against meddling with yers without a reason.

    ��Initially, they used that skill to intimidate them, but afterwards, there must be a valid reason to use Sishal.��

    They might threaten to blow up heads, but they really can��t.

    Even if they could still use Sishal, they can��t kill a yer for trivial reasons.

    It would ruin the game their masters created.

    So Ryu Min was relieved.

    He might be suspected, but they can��t just harm him on a whim.

    ��The problem is, after receiving the Devil��s Blessing and the Soul Binding quest, I need to keep killing angels����

    A long tail risks being stepped on; I might get caught eventually.

    ��I��ll have to be more careful from now on.��

    When Ryu Min turned his gaze, the angel hastily averted its eyes and stuttered.

    [So, shall we check the results of the tally?]

    It seems she still suspects the ck Scythe.

    �� Round 10 Results Tally ��

    [All Zones]

    ��1st ce: ck Scythe (Lv89 Death God) 10pletions 09:48:01

    ��2nd ce: Heavenly Demon (Lv44 Dark Knight) 7pletions 09:37:39

    ��3rd ce: Dumb Idiots (Lv43 Shaman) 7pletions 09:49:01

    [Zone C3-ESKA001]

    ��1st ce: ck Scythe (Lv89 Death God) 10pletions 09:48:01

    ��2nd ce: Heavenly Demon (Lv44 Dark Knight) 7pletions 09:37:39

    ��3rd ce: Dumb Idiots (Lv43 Shaman) 7pletions 09:49:01

    The results were as expected.

    ��As expected, I��m first, and the others are Ma Kyung-rok and that guy.��

    They probably managed their time better during the monster subjugation quests.

    Theirbat power is rated next only to the ck Scythe worldwide.

    ��The Dark Knight is that strong. The Shaman ss is also broken.��

    And those in the top three get various rewards and privileges.

    These rewards make them stronger, and those who ranked high initially tend to keep their spots.

    That��s why the two of them monopolized the second and third ces from the beginning.

    [Have you all checked your rankings? Only the top 690 survive, and the rest will vanish. Let��s see�� most with less than three questspleted will vanish?]

    ��Angel, Ipleted three quests but I��m still in the ranking!��

    [That��s possible. If the number of questspleted is the same, ranking is determined by who finished first. Even with just threepletions, you can rank.]

    ��Phew, that��s a relief.��

    ��Fourpletions are safe, then.��

    ��Damn it, I should have just done one more!��

    ��No way. I don��t want to die, dammit!��

    [There��s nothing I can do about the system. Well, goodbye to those who are eliminated.]

    With the angel��s words, ashes fluttered away.

    As three-quarters of the people vanished, the once bustling space looked emptily silent.

    Ryu Min, however, was only focused on checking his reward message.

    [Congrattions! You have achieved 1st ce in this zone!]

    [Congrattions! You have achieved 1st ce in all zones!]

    [You are currently ranked 1st in all zones and in this specific zone.]

    [As the ranking 1st in this zone, you will receive a ��Lucky Package��.]

    [As the ranking 1st in all zones, you will receive a ��Special Reward Selection Box��.]

    Ryu Min first used the Lucky Package.

    [Please touch the reward you desire.]

    �� 1. Gold Package

    �� 2. Rune Package

    �� 3. Materials Package

    �� 4. Equipment Package

    ��The rewards for round 10 are generous.��

    The Lucky Package isn��t something that is easily given.

    Especially since it offered a chance to obtain runes for free.

    ��There are many choices, but I need nothing but the runes.��

    Having tried all the options in previous regressions, nothing had the value of the runes.

    [You have selected option 2. Rune Package.]

    [The Rune Package has been added to your inventory.]

    [Rune Package]

    �C Category: Consumable

    �C Grade: Legendary

    �C Effect: Obtain random rune.

    �C Usage Restriction: Expert grade and above

    �C Description: An item that allows you to randomly obtain a rune. Runes are not graded, so luck stats do not influence the oue.

    ��Since luck doesn��t affect it, shall I draw it now?��

    Ryu Min decided to dy the draw.

    There��s no rush, and if something undesirablees out, it would only spoil his mood.

    ��I��ll use thister and first utilize the other reward.��

    Ryu Min used the Special Reward Selection Box.

    [You can choose one of the following special rewards.]

    [Please touch the reward you desire.]

    �� 1. Temporary Skill �C irvoyance (limited to round 11)

    �� 2. 1.5x Point Increase Buff (limited to round 11)

    �� 3. Information about round 11

    Unlike the usual experience or stat buffs, different options appeared.

    If someone didn��t know about round 11, they might agonize over what��s best.

    ��I don��t need to worry, though.��

    Round 11 is about gaining points.

 Chapter 163 (Part 2)

    Chapter 163: Conclusion Of Round 10 (Part 2)

    ��I don��t need to worry, though.��

    Round 11 is about gaining points.

    Option 2 might seem attractive, but Ryu Min chose the first one.

    ��Getting points isn��t a problem. Controlling the situation is what��s important.��

    For that, a transcendent ability like irvoyance would be a big help.

    Especially since it��s limited to this round, there��s no other opportunity to use it.

    [Congrattions to the 690 survivors! We will provide experience points as a clearance reward. It will be distributed ording to the number of sub-questspleted.]

    Soon after, a message about the distribution of experience points came, apanied by the yers�� cheers.

    ��Wow, I went up three levels.��

    ��I went up four.��

    ��I��m d Ipleted a lot of quests!��

    Some had reached level 50, but Ryu Min had only gone up one level.

    Still, it didn��t bother him.

    He had umted a vast amount of stat points.

    ��With over 3,000 points, leveling up doesn��t even matter to me.��

    As he was considering evenly distributing themter, his consciousness faded along with a message.

    ? ROUND 10 CONCLUDED ?

    [All Zones]

    �� Survivors: 137,632

    [Zone C3-ESKA001]

    �� Survivors: 690

    [Your soul will soon transfer back to your original body in the existing dimension.]

    [Round 11 will begin at midnight on November 1, 2022. We��ll see you in the next round. Congrattions on surviving.]

    *

    Days after returning home.

    Ryu Min��s phone vibrated.

    An article from a subscribed newspaper popped up.

    [CPF Vice-Captain ck Scythe, revealed to have actually annihted KF��..]

    [FBI, Interpol confirm, the man in the decapitation video is indeed KF leader Odion����]

    [Nigerian President Muhammadu, grateful to ck Scythe for doing our job����]

    [Airport staff confirmed, ck Scythe really did depart for Nigeria?!]

    [President Yoon expresses desire to award ck Scythe for defeating the public enemy KF and enhancing national prestige����]

    Though presidents from various countries expressed their gratitude in print, Ryu Min heard none of it personally.

    He had set his Lostyak phone to silent and threw it away.

    ��Presidents, journalists, advertisers, squad members, police chiefs, etc. I must have received contacts from various ces.��

    He knew this but chose not to look at his phone, not out ofziness but because he was waiting for the right timing.

    ��Now is not a good time to step into the public eye. Just looking at thesements shows why.��

    Ryu Min checked thements under one article.

    [ck Scythe, is he a hero who gonna save us from troubled times, or a murderer who killed thousands?]

    Beneath the somewhat grandiose title, countlessments were attached.

    ��Heroes, my ass. He��s just a serial killer.

    ��Even if you kill a criminal, you��re treated like a serial killer in Korea! Better leave this hellish ce. Spit!

    ��Don��t be sarcastic, idiot. Why do you think we have human rights? Why is there a presumption of innocence? Aren��t criminals human too?

    ��Nah, they��re not human. Those bastards are worse than livestock.

    ��But that doesn��t justify murder.

    ��Right. Nothing is scarier than legitimizing murder. If everyone goes around killing, what��s the point of havingws? Does that even make sense in aw-abiding country?

    ��The guys above are funny. There��s already aw that says it��s okay to kill dangerous yers. Don��t you know about the Anti-yer Act?

    ��The ignorant one is you. The APA is only for real threats, and what ck Scythe did was practically a massacre of innocents. Does thatpare? And he killed civilians too, not just yers.

    ��Why would members of KF be considered civilians? They��re all the same, criminal terrorists.

    ��LOL, first time seeing someone defend KF.

    ��Agree. Desperately defending them probably means he��s one of them.

    ��Even if I state facts, you call it shielding or whatever and im victory in your mind. Idiots. ck Scythe is nothing more or less than a murderer.

    ��I agree with the murderer part. No matter what, killing thousands? Can��t consider him human. Just a demon.

    ��The presidents of Nigeria and South Korea said they were grateful. Doesn��t that settle it?

    ��Right. Basically, the president acknowledged it. It means they didn��t see ck Scythe��s actions as illegal.

    ��So, ck Scythe did good?

    ��Did he?

    ��KF is the worst terrorist group opposed by all countries. Killing them seems like a good thing?

    ��I disagree. Crossing the line with murder.

    ��Looks like a few are whining about killing during a war LOL

    ��Everyone��s noisy. Instead of typing here, go wash your feet and sleep.

    Thement section was aze.

    The debate about whether he is a hero or not seemed endless.

    ��Shootingmercials, receiving awards from the president, and giving interviews in this climate?��

    Ryu Min shook his head.

    ��It might backfire.��

    Pouring oil on a zing fire could potentially reverse the intentions of elevating ck Scythe��s status.

    So, Ryu Min waited.

    Until the firewood cooled down.

    But it cooled sooner than expected.

    An article that ended the controversy was published.

 Chapter 164 (Part 1)

    Chapter 164: A Global Public Topic (Part 1)

    [Women abducted in Nigeria state their position on the ck Scythe����]

    It has been revealed that the Korean yer known by the nickname ck Scythe, who is notorious for driving the KF leader to suicide and ughtering his followers, has also wiped out a human trafficking ring.

    In Nigeria, various organized crimes such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, prostitution, organ trading, and baby factories were rampant, but that is now a thing of the past.

    ording to the Nigerian government, 22 organizations that were being monitored have disappeared without a trace in just a few days.

    How could this have happened?

    It turns out, it was thanks to the good deeds of someone iming to be ck Scythe.

    One of the women who was actually abducted by the human trafficking organization, Subina (30), testified:

    She had to endure every day in a tiny iron cage, like livestock waiting to be ughtered, inplete darkness.

    She survived the sexual harassment from the demonic-like members of the organization by eating gruel not even fit for pigs, because shecked the courage to take her own life.

    The ray of light that finally shone into her dark prison was none other than ck Scythe.

    He swept through the organization��s members and freed all the captured women without demanding anything in return.

    The women who reported the kidnapping unanimously stated that if it weren��t for ck Scythe and his partner, who appeared to be an Asian woman, they would still be trapped in that horrific prison.

    The author is neither a human rights activist nor a humanitarian, but after hearing the stories of the many women saved by ck Scythe, one thing is certain:

    ck Scythe��s actions should not be condemned but rightly praised.

    (This article is a direct trantion of an article from Nigeria.)

    ��Wow���� I��m speechless.

    ��He saved dozens of abducted people.

    ��He saved them without asking for anything in return and then disappeared quietly.

    ��Impressive����

    ��Truly a righteous person.

    ��If it��s true, he really has made our country proud.

    ��It��s true. I looked it up on Google and found the original article.

    ��But thements here are different. In other articles, there were many people having fits, saying ck Scythe should be punished as a murderer.

    ��???? The people ranting about him being a murderer have quieted down, haven��t they?

    ��Idiots. If you still talk about criminal rights after seeing this, you��re not human, for real.

    ��The real non-humans are the traffickers. I��m so angry.

    ��ck Scythe did a hundred, no, a thousand times the right thing~

    ��(Thisment has been deleted following a report.)

    ��But who was the woman who appeared to be his partner?

    ��Isn��t she ck Scythe��s girlfriend?

    ��???? Did ck Scythe go crazy and take his girlfriend to a dangerous ce?

    ��Literally a partner, I guess.

    ��God! I believed in you. Truly a savior of this era. God! Lord! Savior!

    Ryu Min smiled contently as he read the article.

    ��The tide has turned.��

    Thanks to the women he saved in Nigeria speaking out, ck Scythe was transformed from a serial killer to a hero who saved people.

    With the publication of an article representing the victims�� perspectives, more people started empathizing and siding with ck Scythe.

    ��Good. Now it��s safe for me to step forward.��

    Ryu Min picked up Lostyak��s smartphone.

    As expected, he had received hundreds of calls.

    ��Interviews, public service ads, presidentialmendations, I��ll ept them all.��

    Ryu Min decided to promote himself as a celebrity at this opportunity.

    He nned to use every means possible to raise ck Scythe��s reputation.

    To make ck Scythe a figure akin to a head of state, he first needed to be famous.

    So that the average person would recognize the name ck Scythe.

    ��Now that I��m feeling good, maybe I��ll use it?��

    Ryu Min took out an item from his inventory.

    It was the rune bundle he received as a reward for the 10th round.

    Thinking that he wouldn��t feel as bad about getting a poor rune when he was in a good mood, he decided to use it.

    ��Use.��

    With a sh of light, the bundle vanished from his grasp.

    At the same time, an unknown rune appeared and a message that it had been engraved on his body lit up before his eyes.

    *

    Nine months had passed since the world had changed.

    Of the initial 1.8 billion people aged 15 to 29, only 130,000 remained.

    Among them, less than 700 were Korean yers.

    Globally, more than 22% of the poption had been reduced.

    It was a poption decline that was more than enough to shake the economy.

    -We��re doomed. Ourpany is doomed.

    Ma Kyung-rok had often seenpany presidents mourning their fate.

    He understood.

    He himself was a businessman and could rte to the pain.

    However, he didn��t empathize.

    ��I��m eating well and living well.��

    As long as hispany was doing well, that��s all that mattered.

    ��No, as long as ourpany is doing well.��

    That was the prevailing mindset of Ma Kyung-rok, so while he understood thements of others intellectually, he did not empathize emotionally.

    Hispany had not failed like the others.

    ��Just like the prophet said. When we switched off to a VVIP site, sales really didn��t decrease.��

    After returning from the round, Palyer ce Market had preemptively revamped its site to cater exclusively to VVIPs.

    They ensured their existing customers remained by stuffing the site with events and increasing the volume of auctions.

    ��Many of the items given by the prophet helped maintain the market.��

    A week after returning from the round.

    Although the number of customers had dropped to a quarter, the volume of transactions had increased, and the fluctuation in revenue was minimal.

    yers feeling the crisis of survival were pouring their entire fortunes into aggressive trading to find better items.

    The decision to edit the site specifically for VVIPs also yed a part.

    ��Listening to the prophet was the right decision. Hehe.��

    Ma Kyung-rok smirked proudly at his own choice.

    Of course, the prophet��s advice yed a significant role.

    But the prophet only showed the way.

    The choice was ultimately his own.

    ��I was right to discern and ept the prophet��s advice. Well, I admit that the prophet is my lucky charm.��

    Now, he no longer worried about hispany failing.

    He was confident he could manage without the prophet��s advice.

    The issue now was whether he could achieve the kind of sess that would merit listing on the KOSPI.

    ��It��s time to start preparing for the listing. To earn my father��s recognition, there��s nothing more substantial than a KOSPI listing.��

    Ma Kyung-rok shelved hispany worries and turned his thoughts to another concern.

    ��It��s finally the 11th round, huh?��

    He was not worried about himself.

    He was concerned about his fianc��e, who might die in the 11th round.

    ��I hope she remains unharmed.��

    There was no affectionate emotion.

    It was merely sympathy out of obligation.

    Ma Kyung-rok, who had never been interested in romance, was entangled in a business rtionship due to his father��s insistence.

    Outwardly, they were lovers, but they had not even kissed once.

    Some might misunderstand and think he preferred men, but truly, Ma Kyung-rok cared only about himself and hispany.

    Even so, he couldn��t help but be concerned now.

    ��What if Christine dies as the prophecy says? Surely, I��ll be med too?��

    If he couldn��t prevent the danger he knew about, he couldn��t escape me.

    It would certainly be a loss for his image if his fianc��e died after all the engagement.

    ��I should protect Christine myself. Besides, in the 11th round, all zones will be merged.��

    He could get more details from the prophet, Ryu Min.

    ��He should being soon������

 Chapter 164 (Part 2)

    Chapter 164: A Global Public Topic (Part 2)

    He could get more details from the prophet, Ryu Min.

    ��He should being soon������

    Just then, a knock sounded and the door to the CEO��s office opened.

    To his surprise, the person who entered was not Ryu Min.

    It was a blonde Caucasian woman, Christine.

    ��You��re here, Christine.��

    ��I��m sorry for dropping by so suddenly.��

    ��Haha, what��s there to be sorry about? You��re not anyone, you��re my lover. It��s always good to see each other more often, right?��

    Ma Kyung-rok always put on a friendly smile in front of Christine.

    Christine, unaware of his guarded stance, simply fell for it.

    ��You know why I came, don��t you?��

    ��Of course. It��s the meeting day today, so I was expecting you. Would you like some coffee?��

    ��That sounds good.��

    Ma Kyung-rok went to the pantry to make coffee and engaged in various conversations with Christine.

    Talk about the weather, any difort she experienced on her way here, how her father was doing��typical conversation.

    Or, how high her level was, whether the 10th round was tough, and how miraculous the prophecies seemed��typical yer talk.

    The sweetness expected of a typical couple was nowhere to be found in their conversation.

    During this, Ma Kyung-rok received a call from a subordinate.

    ��Ah, really? Understood.��

    ��What��s that about?��

    ��He��s here.��

    ��Ah.��

    Ma Kyung-rok got up from his seat and went outside to prepare to meet him.

    Shortly thereafter, a short man entered the office.

    The prophet.

    He was the reason Christine hade to Korea.

    ��Mr. Ma, hello.��

    ��Major shareholder, have you arrived?��

    Ryu Min greeted and then noticed Christine standing next to him.

    ��Your fianc��e is here too?��

    ��Hello, Mr. Ryu Min.��

    ��Hello, Christine.��

    ��It��s good to see you remember my name.��

    ��Of course. I know why you came.��

    Christine looked at Ma Kyung-rok with eyes wide as a startled rabbit.

    Her gaze seemed to ask if he had already mentioned the reason behind her visit, but Ma Kyung-rok simply shook his head.

    ��Mr. Ma hasn��t said a word to me. I foresaw it myself. Shall we find a quiet ce to talk?��

    ��That would be good.��

    As Ryu Min and Christine prepared to leave, she stopped Ma Kyung-rok from following.

    ��I��m sorry, but I��ll listen alone.��

    ��Alright, I��ll wait here. Have a good time.��

    ��Thank you.��

    Ryu Min and Christine sat down on a bench outside thepany.

    ��This ce seems good. But why did you tell Mr. Ma not toe?��

    ��It seems easier to talk that way. Especially since my life is at stake, more people knowing about what will happen might change the future, right?��

    ��Well, you��re not wrong.��

    Ryu Min suddenly asked directly.

    ��You came to Korea because you��re worried about the 11th round, right?��

    ��Yes. Exactly. I came to see you, the prophet, for advice.��

    ��Advice���� I thought I had already told you everything.��

    ��That��s not how I feel. You know something but you��re keeping it hidden. Who will save me, who will threaten me.��

    ��������

    ��Please, it��s shameless of me, but tell me. You said there are people who don��t like me, who are they exactly?��

    ��I don��t know. I told you before.��

    ��I know. But please give me any small clue. You saw the scene, right? It would be better to prevent it if possible. It might help in a crisis.��

    ��I don��t remember now. I��ve forgotten everything.��

    ��������

    At that, Christine was at a loss for words.

    With Ryu Min remaining evasive, she had no way to proceed.

    ��What about the person who will save me? You saw their face, right? You remember, right?��

    ��I know but I can��t tell you.��

    ��Because it might change the future?��

    ��You understand well.��

    ��Could you still tell me? I��ll be careful not to change the future.��

    ��How can you guarantee that? What if you die? How am I supposed to face Mr. Ma then?��

    ��������

    ��Although you��re curious and anxious, there��s nothing I can do. There��s a limit to the information I can give you.��

    ��Sigh������

    There was no wall harder than this.

    Christine felt frustrated but understood.

    It was natural for the prophet��s credibility to be damaged if the future changed.

    ��I��m sorry. I got too carried away because I was agitated.��

    ��It��s fine.��

    ��Since something is going to happen in the next round, I guess I was more sensitive. I apologize again.��

    Christine spoke politely and then checked.

    ��So, there��s nothing I can do except wait to be saved by someone?��

    ��Yes. For now, that��s best.��

    ��Sigh������

    ��Don��t worry too much, Christine. Everything will be alright.��

    Reassured by Ryu Min��s straightforward and warm constion, Christine was able to alleviate some of her anxiety.

    ��Thank you, prophet. I believe in you.��

    ��Thank you. Well, since Mr. Ma is waiting, shall we go back up? You should as well hear the prophecy for the 11th round since you��re here.��

    ��Alright.��

    The two got up from the bench and entered thepany.

    Unaware that someone was ring at them as if they wished them dead.

 Chapter 165 (Part 1)

    Chapter 165: Jeffrey Bishop (Part 1)

    Jeffrey Bishop, who grew up in an ordinary family, became an orphan at the age of eleven.

    He lost his parents due to a shooting incident by a deranged neighbor.

    With no rtives, he endured severe stress as he approached youth and drifted into homelessness.

    He lost his will to live and survived by scavenging food left by customers at various establishments.

    ��There is no god in this world.��

    He med god for taking his parents away.

    He thought it was because the world was not perfect.

    Angry at god, he went to the most famous temple nearby and challenged with a question.

    ��Why do I have to suffer like this? Why did god take my parents?��

    The answer from the clergyman, Nathan, was clear.

    ��We are the ones who think god is right. How can I know god��s will? If you really want to know, go and ask god yourself.��

    Though the statement was baffling, Jeffrey mulled over thest part.

    ��Question god? If I��m curious, I should ask directly?��

    He was indeed curious.

    What answer would god give?

    It felt like finding a path in the vast ocean.

    From that day on, Jeffrey sought refuge in the temple.

    Under Nathan, he studied the scriptures and hoped to meet and question god.

    ��I will definitely meet god and ask him.��

    For the first time, he felt a drive in life.

    He used his anger as a driving force to continue living.

    Throughout this journey, Nathan, who nurtured and cared for him, became a father figure, a mentor, and a guiding light in his life.

    This was why 28-year-old Jeffrey still obeyed Nathan��smands unconditionally.

    He owed him a debt of gratitude that he could never repay.

    Therefore, he treated Nathan��s daughter, Christine, with utmost respect.

    However, the human heart is indeed deceitful.

    Was it because his life had be morefortable?

    Christine, whom he had known for over 17 years, suddenly began to appear as a woman to him.

    ��I shouldn��t, I must not����

    Despite self-reproach and even pping himself, he couldn��t help his feelings.

    He merely kept them deeply hidden.

    ��I must never reveal my feelings for Christine. It would be a betrayal to Nathan, who is like a father to me.��

    Even as the world fell into chaos and angels appeared, Jeffrey continued to conceal his unrequited love.

    Even now, under Nathan��smand, it was the same.

    ��Christine is going to Korea to meet her fianc��. I told her that you would apany her, but she firmly declined.��

    ��She probably feels it would be awkward with me there.��

    ��Do you think Christine likes her fianc��? She��s not going there to meet him. She wants to meet a prophet.��

    ��Now that you mention it�� It��s the fateful 11th round.��

    Jeffrey muttered as if he just remembered.

    He had decided to protect Christine at all costs during the 11th round.

    ��Yes. She wants to meet the prophet for that reason. So, Jeffrey, you should also go to Korea. Of course, keep it a secret from Christine.��

    ��You want me to follow her secretly?��

    ��Yes. Keep an eye on Christine from a distance and report everything to me, including her conversation with the prophet.��

    ��By god��s name, I shall carry out yourmand.��

    *

    Later, Jeffrey followed Christine to Korea.

    He listened to their conversation from a bench, maintaining a distance of about 30 meters to avoid detection.

    Despite the distance, the quiet surroundings made it easy to overhear their conversation.

    But should he have listened?

    Watching the prophet repeatedly refuse Christine��s requests filled Jeffrey with rage.

    ��Just how much can a single word change the future that he keeps such information hidden?��

    His emotions were particrly intense because it involved his unrequited love.

    ��Whew. I must calm down. And think of something I can do to help.��

    How could he assist Christine?

    He intended to protect her life during the 11th round, but that alone was not enough.

    Information about the attacker would be beneficial, but the prophet was unyieldingly secretive.

    ��Forgot? He must be lying not to give information.��

    Why, really?

    Is he afraid that the future might change?

    ��Well, he would lose the trust of those who believed in him if the future turned out differently.��

    Now that he thought about it, it was infuriating.

    With murderous intent in his eyes, Jeffrey red at the prophet entering thepany.

    Then he made up his mind.

    He would extract the information from the prophet, even if it meant using force.

    *

    ��Thank you for the information about the 11th round.��

    ��Thank you, prophet.��

    Ma Kyung-rok and Christine, the couple, expressed their gratitude to Ryu Min.

    ��Let��s all survive the 11th round.��

    Ryu Min waved back as he left thepany.

    He was supposed to attend a meeting but decided to take the day off.

    ��I��m being followed.��

    He didn��t look directly, but Ryu Min was well aware of the tail behind him.

    ��The guy following me now is the same one who was watching Christine and me from the bench.��

    Thanks to a rune from his rune bundle, he could avoid detection.

    [Rune of Sensibility]

    �C Effect: Doubles the range of presence detection, allowing the user to hear and smell everything within that range.

    What he picked out of the rune bandle was a rune he had never seen before called the rune of sensibility.

    A rune-enhancing presence detection had emerged from the rune bundle.

    ��It��s a very useful rune.��

    With the range doubled, there was no way he could miss the follower.

    Moreover, he could even hear the follower muttering in English.

    �C How can he keep such information hidden? How can one word change the future so much?

    Ryu Min realized that he was the one being followed

    ��From his muttering, it��s clear he has aint against me.��

    He spoke English and seemed to harbor ill will towards him as a prophet.

    ��I have a rough idea who it might be, but I need to draw him out to be sure.��

    Even though he drove there, Ryu Min deliberately walked.

    He then lured the follower into a deserted alley.

    Once they reached a secluded ce, the follower took the bait.

    ��Prophet sir.��

    As Ryu Min turned around at the sound of an English man behind him.

    Thump!

    The follower grabbed his throat and mmed him against the wall.

 Chapter 165 (Part 2)

    Chapter 165: Jeffrey Bishop (Part 2)

    As Ryu Min turned around at the sound of an English man behind him.

    Thump!

    The follower grabbed his throat and mmed him against the wall.

    ��Kuh��! Je, Jeffrey?��

    Recognizing the follower��s identity, Ryu Min first acted in pain but internally assessed the situation calmly.

    ��So it was him? Why does he bear malice towards me? Maybe I should read his thoughts?��

    Seeing the killing intent in the eyes of the man choking him, Ryu Min quickly understood.

    ��He��s angry because I didn��t provide information to Christine.��

    It reminded him that the man was raised by Nathan and was practically family.

    ��And he��s secretly in love with Christine. Could it be rted to her?��

    Further reading his thoughts revealed that it was an independent action unrted to Christine.

    ��Shall I y along for now?��

    Ryu Min acted even more pained than before.

    ��Kugh, Je, Jeffrey! I can��t breathe. Let, let go!��

    His acting was so convincing that Jeffrey unwittingly released his grip.

    ��He doesn��t really intend to kill, then.��

    Having read his intentions, Ryu Min knew what the man was up to.

    He just wanted to extract information that he hadn��t given to Christine.

    Coughing and rubbing his neck, Ryu Min yelled with a victim��s face.

    ��What is this all about?��

    ��Prophet. I don��t like you. I��ve been suspicious from the start. iming to see the future. Sounds like a scam.��

    ��A scam? Haven��t I proven my abilities?��

    ��Of course, I believe you now. But that doesn��t change my dislike.��

    Jeffrey red threateningly.

    He was now holding a dagger in his hand.

    Ryu Min swallowed nervously as he nced around.

    ��What exactly do you want?��

    ��Information.��

    ��What?��

    ��I want information about the person harming Christine.��

    ��I��ve heard your conversation. You refused to mention the culprit.��

    ��You heard, so you know. It was unavoidable. The future must not be altered����

    ��Yes, it would be inconvenient. If the future changes, you��ll lose trust as a prophet. It would be very awkward for you.��

    The cold touch of the dagger reached Ryu Min��s throat.

    ��No more words. Tell me everything you��ve seen. Who is harming Christine, and who is saving her?��

    ��What if I refuse?��

    ��Then this dagger will pierce through your neck.��

    It was a terrifying threat, but Ryu Min, who could read the inner thoughts, knew.

    Even if he spoke harshly, he had no intention of actually causing harm.

    ��Still, this is too reckless.��

    What he was doing was clear intimidation, and backing down now would be akin to attempted murder.

    ��Is he so blinded by love that he can��t think straight?��

    Thinking he needed to correct this behavior, Ryu Min reached into his pocket.

    Seeing Ryu Min fidgeting with something, Jeffrey quickly grabbed his hand.

    A cellphone was pulled out from Ryu Min��s hand.

    ��What do you think you��re doing with the cellphone?��

    He checked and saw that the recording function was on.

    Jeffrey immediately pressed the power button and turned off the cellphone.

    ��Why? What were you going to do with the recording?��

    ��I was going to submit it to the police as evidence. This is clearly ckmail and attempted murder.��

    ��Ha, a yer reporting to the police? That��s really funny.��

    ��Or I will tell Christine and her family what you have done.��

    ��Go ahead and try. I��m not sure if a corpse can talk.��

    ��Ha�� Why are you doing this? What grudge do you have against me?��

    ��I don��t particrly have a grudge. But it might develop if you don��t disclose the information.��

    ��I told you I don��t know who��s targeting Christine.��

    ��You think I��m a fool? It��s obvious you know but won��t tell.��

    ��Do you think I will just talk easily? I can��t do something that will change the future.��

    ��If you don��t talk now, you won��t have a future. You��re going to die.��

    Despite Jeffrey��s threats, Ryu Min did not cower or show fear; instead, he looked back defiantly.

    ��Even with a knife to my throat, I can��t do it. The moment I start spreading future information to everyone, the future changes. The future I knew disappears, and I be a mere quack, not a prophet.��

    ������

    ��You need to handle tangled futures carefully. You won��t get it by threatening. The moment you act on the information, the future could change again. Why can��t you see that it might hurt Christine more?��

    Ryu Min��s persuasion seemed to take effect.

    After a long silence, the dagger disappeared from Jeffrey��s hand.

    ��I was short-sighted. Hearing you out, you make some sense.��

    ��You��re not calling that an apology, are you?��

    ��Look, Mr. Prophet. Do you expect an apology from me? Don��t get cocky just because I��ve put away the knife. Don��t forget I can draw it again at any time.��

    ������

    Jeffrey left with those words, without a single apology.

    *

    ��Damn, he didn��t fall for the threat.��

    On the ne back home, Jeffrey recalled the defiant attitude of the prophet.

    ��How can he remain so calm even with a knife to his throat?��

    At first, he seemed scared, but his expression changedpletely when they started talking about prophecies.

    He must have some kind of mission or firm belief.

    I thought he��d spill everything once I brandished a de, but it was unexpected.

    ��So, certain future information is not something you can reveal easily, even at the risk of your life?��

    While Jeffrey could not know the prophet��s heart, one thing was certain.

    ��At least he won��t b unnecessary information to others.��

    A person with a tight lip can be trusted.

    This incident increased the prophet��s credibility, but that didn��t make him entirely favorable.

    ��Hecks flexibility. A little hint wouldn��t hurt, would it?��

    To put it nicely, he��s upright and just, but to put it badly, hecks flexibility.

    ��No choice. From now on, I��ll have to protect Christine with my own hands.��

    Unaware that there were many others willing to protect her, Jeffrey returned to the temple with Christine.

    Of course, he followed her secretly, so he entered a bitter after giving her some time.

    ��Hello, Mr. Jeffrey.��

    As he entered the office, Christine greeted him while talking with Nathan.

    ��Good Morning. Ms. Christine.��

    ��Not so ��good�� because of someone.��

    ����?��

    Confused by her chilly response, Jeffrey nced at the phone Nathan was holding out.

    ��What is this?��

    ��It��s a file sent by the prophet to me and Christine. Press y.��

    As he pressed what seemed to be a recording, a familiar voice flowed out.

    �C Why? What were you going to do with the recording?

    �C I��ll submit it to the police as evidence. This is definitely ckmail and attempted murder.

    �C Go ahead and try. I��m not sure if a corpse can speak.

    �C You know I said I don��t know who��s targeting Christine.

    �C You think I��m a fool? It��s obvious you know but won��t tell.

    �C Do you think I��ll just talk because you do this? I can��t do something that will change the future.

    �C If you don��t speak now, you won��t have a future. You��re going to die.

    Listening to the recording, Jeffrey panicked.

    There was no need to listen further, it was clearly his own voice.

    ��How? How did this happen? I made sure to turn off his phone.��

    A theory suddenly shed through his mind.

    ��Could it be there were two phones?��

    His mind went nk as only one thought remained.

    ����I��ve been yed.��

    Swallowing hard, he lifted his head.

    Nathan and Christine were staring at him with terrifying eyes.

 Chapter 166 (Part 1)

    Chapter 166: Grim Reaper Cult (Part 1)

    Jeffrey couldn��t even properly meet the eyes of the two people staring at him.

    Reddening with embarrassment, his neck turned bright red.

    ��Did you really threaten the prophet?�� one of them asked sharply.

    ��Th-that is��,�� Jeffrey stuttered.

    ��Just a simple answer, did you or did you not?��

    Jeffrey, lips quivering, finally hung his head low.

    ��Yes, I did. I am sorry.��

    ��Haah.��

    ��Hah.��

    Both uttered a sigh of exasperation at the same time.

    ��There��s a reason for it. I can exin everything��,�� Jeffrey hurriedly added.

    ��Didn��t we just listen to the recording? You said it was for my daughter.��

    ��That��s right. I did it with the intention of providing Christine with information����

    ��To threaten the prophet is crossing the line,�� Nathan rebuked, his voice firm, disappointing Jeffrey who had expected some support.

    ��Didn��t I repeatedly tell you? The prophet is like the goose thatys golden eggs. If you try to slit its belly, you��ll lose the gold.��

    ������

    ��And you resorted to threats to squeeze information out of such a figure? Were you really going to ruin our rtionship with him?��

    ��It was a matter of life and death for Christine. If it could prevent such a tragedy, what better could there be����

    ��The prophet already told Christine that sharing more could change the future. You knew that because you overheard the conversation.��

    ������

    ��Yet, you still decided to threaten. It was a reckless and ignorant decision.��

    ��I have no excuses. I am truly sorry��.��

    ��Apologies should be made to the prophet, not me,�� Christine interjected with a cold voice.

    ��What were you thinking, Mr. Jeffrey?��

    ��I��m sorry��.��

    ��My father hasn��t done anythingmendable either.��

    ��What? Me? You mean me?��

    Nathan was taken aback as the me suddenly shifted to him.

    ��You ordered Jeffrey to follow me, which led to this mess.��

    ��I did that to protect you����

    ��Do you think I��m a fool? It wasn��t to protect me. You had him follow me because you didn��t trust me. It��s not like Korea is as dangerous as Nigeria. What danger could possibly be there? And I told you clearly, didn��t I? That I would go alone. But you didn��t listen, and look where that got us. Am I wrong?��

    ������

    Nathan had no rebuttal and, like Jeffrey, could only remain silent.

    ��Haah�� We are better prepared, thanks to the prophecy. Heck, we wouldn��t even know about this if it weren��t for the prophet. How can we face the prophet now? Even if we get past the 11th round, what about the next one? How can we strategize if we can��t hear the prophecies?��

    ��Don��t worry too much about this. I will personally apologize to the prophet.��

    ��Jeffrey should be the one to apologize first!��

    ��Yes, yes. I will apologize. Mr. Christine. So please calm down. I��m really sorry, it��s all my fault��.��

    ��Then do it quickly. And don��t talk to me anymore. I don��t want to hear it.��

    With that, a clearly upset Christine left the scene.

    Behind Jeffrey, who was dumbstruck by her departure, a clucking sound could be heard.

    ��Tsk tsk, why did you mess with the prophet? You shouldn��t have touched him.��

    ��I didn��t realize it woulde to this. I am sorry.��

    ��It��s not something I should apologize to you about.��

    ��I will call the prophet right now.��

    ��Is a call going to fix this? Really?��

    As Nathan stood up from his seat, he said,

    ��You need to go and personally apologize. Buy a gift to soothe the situation as well.��

    ��In person?��

    Startled, Jeffrey watched as Nathan opened the door.

    ��What are you doing? Pack your bags. We��re going to Korea together.��

    ��

    Back at home, Ryu Min thought about Jeffrey.

    ��What could he be doing now? Given Christine��s reaction, she won��t let him off easy.��

    When he was threatened with a dagger, Ryu Min had two phones in his pocket. He turned one on to record and threw the other as a decoy, ensuring the existence of the other was not discovered.

    Later he asked Ma Kyung-rok to give him Christine and Nathan��s phone numbers to send the recording.

    ��It must be a bitter pill to swallow. Falling out of favor with the one you secretly love.��

    Jeffrey would now surely understand.

    What happens when you mess with the prophet.

    Tsk tsk, Ryu Min rubbed his neck.

    The first yer to have ever held the neck of the top-ranked yer.

    ��An assassin, huh? Not that strong, though. Was he really thinking he could protect Christine with that kind of strength? Tsk.��

    It wasn��t painful.

    Just disgusting.

    Still, he was somewhat satisfied as it was an opportunity to demonstrate the prophet��s authority.

    ��Nothing is as foolish as being blinded by love.��

    At that moment, a text message arrived on Ryu Min��s phone.

    From another love-blinded person.

    [Min Juri: Min, do you follow any cults?]

    ��Why ask about cults all of a sudden? Could it be?��

    Ryu Min pretended not to know and continued the conversation.

    [Ryu Min: None. Why?]

    [Min Juri: Good. Thene with me somewhere. Can you make some time?]

    [Ryu Min: Where?]

    [Min Juri: If I were going to tell you that, I would have told you already! Lol. It��s a secret!]

    [Ryu Min: Alright. I��ll see you at the convenience store in 10 minutes.]

    [Min Juri: Okie dokie.]

    ��Something feels off����

    Though she didn��t specify which cult, he had a hunch.

    ��It��s that ce����

    Still, he thought it might not be too bad to check it out once.

    He was curious about how it was set up.

    As Ryu Min prepared to leave, his younger sibling approached him.

    ��Hyung, where are you going?��

    ��To meet a friend.��

    ��Can I go meet a friend too?��

    The word ��friend�� shifted Ryu Min into alert mode.

    ��Which friend?��

    ��A friend I met in an online game. He lives in Seoul. He suggested we meet up and hang out at a PC caf��, but I kept making excuses.��

    ��So it was a gaming friend.��

    Recently, having been cooped up at home, he got into gaming and apparently, he made a friend.

    Though Ryu Min had known about the gaming hobby in previous regressions, he hadn��t heard about this friend before.

    Seeing Ryu Min��s contemtive look, Ryu Won added,

    ��We nned to hang out at a PC caf��. Okay? It��s safer now, and you said I could go out.��

    After some thought, Ryu Min nodded, seeing no reason to refuse.

    ��Alright. I��ll allow it.��

    ��Really? Oooh yeah!��

    ��Just don��t stay out toote.��

    ��Got it.��

    ��Read my texts right away when I send them.��

    ��Got it. Hehe! I better contact them to meet today. Thanks, bro! Have a good trip!��

    As his sibling excitedly made ns, Ryu Min smiled.

    ��Does it make him that happy?��

    But then, his expression turned serious for a moment.

    ��Hmm. Just in case.��

    Tap, tap, tap��

    Ryu Min quickly typed out a text message.

 Chapter 166 (Part 2)

    Chapter 166: Grim Reaper Cult (Part 2)

    Arriving at the meeting ce, Ryu Min was slightly taken aback.

    Min Juri, already in the passenger seat, gestured for him to get moving.

    ��Where are we going?��

    ��Yangpyeong.��

    ��Why there?��

    ��There��s the cult based there. I��m scared to go alone�� You��lle with me, right?��

    Looking at him with puppy-dog eyes, he couldn��t say no.

    ��What cult is it?��

    ��Let��s go first. I��ll tell you when we get there.��

    She was obviously hiding something, but he already knew what it was.

    ��As expected, it��s the Grim Reaper Cult.��

    The Grim Reaper Cult, created by Heo Tae-seok, was located in Gyeonggi Province, Yangpyeong.

    He hadn��t visited yet but remembered seeing a promotional post on the yer Haven caf��.

    ��Last time in the other world, Min Juri seemed interested, so he slyly gave her the address.��

    He wasn��t particrly busy, and it was just an hour��s drive from Seoul, so time wasn��t an issue.

    ��Spending some time with Min Juri isn��t a bad idea, considering there aren��t many months left for us to hang out.��

    With a bit of excitement, Ryu Min silently drove them there.

    Min Juri was grateful to him.

    ��Thanks foring with me. I don��t have anything to give you�� but here��s a buff for strength!��

    ��Ha, ha�� that does give me strength.��

    While it had nothing to do with driving, it really helped calm him down.

    ��We��re here.��

    After an hour��s drive, they arrived at a small vige.

    One wouldn��t typically imagine a cult in such a ce, but there it was.

    The building looked like a run-down vige hall.

    ��Min. Is this the ce?��

    ��Yeah. ording to the address he gave me, this should be it.��

    As they approached, the first thing they noticed was a wooden signboard with Chinese characters carved into it.

    ��Grim Reaper Cult (����)? You wanted toe here?��

    At Ryu Min��s question, Min Juri nodded shyly.

    ��Yeah�� what the Grim Reaper Cult is��.��

    ��I know. It��s the group that idolizes the ck scythe.��

    ��Ah? You knew about it?��

    ��I saw a promotional post on the yer Haven.��

    With that, Ryu Min asked seriously,

    ��So, you��re thinking of joining?��

    ��No, I just wanted to see what it��s like.��

    ��Lies. You��re nning to join.��

    Ryu Min was curious, too.

    He knew of the existence of the cult but had never visited its headquarters.

    At one point, its presence had seemed to vanish.

    ��Heo Tae-seok was famous as the cult��s leader until round 15.��

    The infamous 15th round was so brutal that even the cult leader had vanished.

    ��This time might turn out differently.��

    While the cultish vibe was strong, there was no denying the allure of being revered.

    Moreover, in round 12, the cult started to amass followers from other countries, quietly growing in power.

    ��Maybe I could scout and develop some useful talents from here?��

    It could be beneficial for Ryu Min in the future.

    ��Shall we go in and see how it��s set up?��

    With a slight sense of anticipation, they entered the cult��s interior, which was underwhelming.

    The gloomy atmosphere was only matched by mats and straw mats on the floor.

    Amon vige hall, no, even less impressive than that.

    And there weren��t many people gathered.

    ��Is this all there is��?��

    Besides Ryu Min and Min Juri, there were only about five other people, all strangers except for two.

    ��Wee. New followers.��

    As Heo Tae-seok pushed someone forward, a man approached them with a smiling face.

    ��Eom Jun-seok?��

    Both Heo Tae-seok and Eom Jun-seok hadn��t customized their avatars, as their in-game and real-life appearances matched.

    ��Wee to the Grim Reaper Cult. Did youe to join?��

    ��No, just looking around��.��

    ��You seem like a yer, huh? Do I know you?��

    Eom Jun-seok tilted his head curiously at Min Juri.

    ��Have we met before?��

    ��I was introduced to you in the other world.��

    ��Oh? Are you, by any chance, the Buffer? Is your nickname ��Democracy��?��

    ��Yes, that��s me.��

    As Min Juri revealed her role as a buffer, Eom Jun-seok couldn��t hide his surprise.

    ��Heo Tae, I mean, Cult Leader? Cult Leader!��

    ��What is it, Eom Cardinal?��

    Their internal titles of Cult Leader and Cult Cardinal elicited a snort from Ryu Min, but he held back.

    Right now, their influence might be minimal, but in a few months, it would grow significantly.

    The cult was not to be underestimated.

    ��Here is the partner of ck Scythe, Democracy!��

    ��Oh, really?��

    Heo Tae-seok brightened up and approached Min Juri.

    ��Partner?��

    That word caught his attention, but it wasn��t entirely incorrect.

    ��Really, you��re Democracy?��

    ��Yes. And you are�� Mr. Aged Man?��

    ��Ha, ha, yes. I am Aged Man No Gay. You seemed mature in the other world, but you��re actually a young college student? Early 20s?��

    ��Yes. I��m 20.��

    Heo Taeseok naturally turned his attention to Ryu Min.

    ��So who might this be, if not ck Scythe��?��

    ��Just a friend.��

    ��And your nickname is��?��

    After a moment of hesitation, Ryu Min revealed the nickname he had not even shared with Min Juri.

 Chapter 167 (Part 1)

    Chapter 167: Why Is That Guy Here (Part 1)

    ��LostYak.��

    Min Juri looked surprised.

    ��Your nickname is LostYak?��

    ��Yeah.��

    ��I had no idea.��

    At this point, it was time to reveal his nickname.

    He couldn��t keep hiding it forever.

    ��Of course, it��s not my real nickname either.��

    It was still too early to reveal that he was ck Scythe.

    There was no benefit to drawing unnecessary attention.

    ��There might be people who hold a grudge against ck Scythe, so revealing my identity is dangerous.��

    If he was not careful, his younger brother could be a target.

    There was absolutely no advantage in revealing his identity.

    ��So, the longer I keep my identity as ck Scythe a secret, the better.��

    Instead, he decided to use the name LostYak.

    Revealing his nickname wouldn��t help anyone find him in this world anyway.

    ��To track me down, they would need to know my customized appearance too.��

    In any case, they wouldn��t be able to find the nickname of a dead person.

    ��Ms. Min Juri, Mr. LostYak. Wee. Please have a seat. Let��s talk slowly before the other believers arrive.��

    ��Who else ising?��

    ��Of course. Many people are interested in our Grim Reaper Cult.��

    The four of them sat down and started chatting.

    ��You live in Seoul?��

    ��Yes. It took exactly one hour to get here.��

    ��I see. Thank you foring such a long way. You both must have a great love and respect for Mr. ck Scythe to have made the trip.��

    ��Ah, not quite love��.��

    The conversation was mainly between Heo Tae-seok and Min Juri.

    Ryu Min just listened quietly.

    No one seemed particrly interested in him, nor did he have much to say.

    ��Ms. Min Juri, there was something I wanted to ask if I ever met you.��

    ��What is it?��

    ��Are you, by any chance, involved in any romantic rtionship with Mr. ck Scythe?��

    ��W-what?��

    ��Are you?��

    ��N-no! There��s no way!��

    Min Juri, who was shouting, nced at Ryu Min.

    ��Why is she looking at me like that?��

    Heo Tae-seok scratched his head and asked again.

    ��Really? You��re not?��

    ��Of course not!��

    ��And you don��t have any contact with Mr. ck Scythe?��

    ��No, I don��t. Mr. ck Scythe is someone I met in the other world.��

    As she waved her hands in a flustered manner, Heo Tae-seok finally believed her.

    ��Haha, I��m sorry. From the first time I saw you, you always seemed to be with Mr. ck Scythe, so I thought you two were a couple�� I��m d that��s not the case.��

    Min Juri��s expression turned subtle at the word ��d��, but Heo Tae-seok didn��t seem to notice.

    ��Then the partner who went to Nigeria with Mr. ck Scythe wasn��t you?��

    ��I��ve never been to Nigeria in my life.��

    ��I see. That��s a relief��.��

    ��But why is the house so old? I was expecting a grand cult building��.��

    Seemingly upset by the ��d��ment, Min Juri started criticizing the building.

    ��This house belonged to myte grandmother. We demolished some walls to make it more spacious inside.��

    ��Oh�� I see.��

    As Min Juri looked for something to say, feeling awkward, people starteding in one by one.

    They were all unfamiliar faces, but their appearance made it clear they were yers.

    Soon, the room filled with over ten people.

    Then, arge group entered all at once.

    It was none other than Jo Yong Ho��s gang.

    ��Hello! We��ve alle to join the Grim Reaper Cult!��

    ��Oh, wee!��

    With Jo Yong-ho��s group entering, the previously empty space suddenly became crowded.

    ��Jo Yong-ho��s real face is the same.��

    As Ryu Min was thinking that, he encountered an unexpected acquaintance.

    ��Isn��t that celebrity Seo Arin?��

    ��Wow, I never thought I��d see Seo Arin in person.��

    It was Seo Arin who hade in.

    Being a rising star, many people recognized her immediately.

    ��Oh, Ms. Seo Arin, you came?��

    ��Mr. Aged Man?��

    ��Yes, I look just like the one in the other world, right? You said you��d definitelye, and here you are! I believed you!��

    ��A promise is a promise.��

    Seo Arin, who was answering shyly, suddenly looked in Ryu Min��s direction.

    ��Oh? Um�� Mr. Ryu Min?��

    Seo Arin was about to say ��Prophet�� but quickly corrected herself. Ryu Min gave her an awkward smile.

    ��Haha�� hello.��

    ��What brings you here? Are you interested in Mr. ck Scythe too?��

    ��No, I just came to have a look around.��

    ��I never thought I��d see you here.��

    ��Me neither.��

    ��But the person next to you looks very familiar��.��

    When she murmured that while looking at Min Juri, Eom Jun-seok interrupted.

    ��That��s Mr. Min Juri.��

    ��Min Juri? The buffer?��

    ��Yes, I��m Min Juri.��

    ��Ah, nice to meet you. No wonder. Your face in the other world looks quite simr.��

    Seo Arin, who said that subtly approached Min Juri and whispered.

    ��Um, I have a question��.��

    ��Yes?��

    ��Do you keep in touch with Mr. ck Scythe in real life?��

    ��No, I��ve never met him.��

    ��Oh, really?��

    Seo Arin��s face turned disappointed.

    To change the mood, Ryu Min asked.

    ��Ms. Arin, where are Manager An and President Ma? Didn��t theye with you?��

    ��I suggested it, but they weren��t interested, so I came alone.��

    Ryu Min nodded at her response.

    ��Of course, they see ck Scythe as a rival and are wary of him. No wonder they didn��te.��

    Then Min Juri asked in surprise.

    ��How do you know actress Seo Arin?��

    ��She��s my neighbor. She lives upstairs from me. She��s also an artist with thepany I invested in.��

    ��Oh, really?��

    Min Juri stared at Seo Arin silently for a while.

    Reading her thoughts, Ryu Min sensed she was slightly wary.

    ��Don��t worry, Juri. I��m too old to date anyone else.��

 Chapter 167 (Part 2)

    Chapter 167: Why Is That Guy Here (Part 2)

    ��Oh, really?��

    Min Juri stared at Seo Arin silently for a while.

    Reading her thoughts, Ryu Min sensed she was slightly wary.

    ��Don��t worry, Juri. I��m too old to date anyone else.��

    Looking around, he noticed there were now close to thirty people gathered, all chatting away.

    ��A lot of people have gathered.��

    The Grim Reaper Cult was not something grand.

    It was simply a social gathering for fans of ck Scythe.

    ��The purpose of this gathering is probably just to attract more believers.��

    Since it was a group idolizing a person, not a real god, there wasn��t much they could do except talk.

    Tick-tock-

    When he checked the wall clock, the agreed meeting time had long passed.

    Feeling it was time to start, Heo Tae-seok stepped onto a makeshift tform.

    ��Hmm, hmm, hello. I am Heo Tae-seok, the founder and leader of the Grim Reaper Cult. My nickname is Aged Man No Gay, and I am currently a level 45 Warlock.��

    As he began to speak, the murmurs died down and a calm silence fell over the room.

    ��Thank you foring to our first meeting as a Cult. As you all know, this Cult is a group that idolizes Mr. ck Scythe. First, let me tell you how I came to admire Mr. ck Scythe��.��

    Though his story was long, no one took their eyes off Heo Tae-seok.

    Despite his lengthy tale of family hardships and school bullying, no one seemed bored.

    His voice had a maic quality and sincerity.

    Ryu Min was quietly impressed by this new side of Heo Tae-seok.

    ��He��s unexpectedly good at preaching.��

    He thought Heo Tae-seok was an introvert, but that was not the case.

    When it came to ck Scythe, he spoke fluently, transforming into a different person.

    ��Mr. ck Scythe has bestowed many insights into my life. I firmly believe he is the savior who will end the despair of this world and the only light. I discovered that many people share this belief. That is why I founded the Grim Reaper Cult��.��

    It was then.

    Tap- Tap- Tap-

    In the middle of his sermon, an annoying sound drew everyone��s attention to a man on crutches entering the room.

    ��Huh? That guy��.��

    Ryu Min��s eyes widened at the unexpected figure.

    ��Ju Seong-tak?��

    The serial killer Ju Seong-tak, whopeted for the 2nd and 3rd rankings with Ma Kyung-rok.

    A guy who had lost his limbs and was now wearing prosthetic arms and legs.

    ��Why is he here?��

    Ju Seong-tak might have seen the promotional post ande, being a yer Haven member.

    ��But I don��t think he��s the type to follow ck Scythe.��

    Ryu Min read his thoughts, suspecting he had another motive.

    Sure enough.

    ��That bastard. He��s here to find me.��

    More precisely, he was here to find Hwang Yong-min.

    He wanted to take revenge on Hwang Yong-min, who had made him a cripple.

    ��He came here thinking he might find him at this yer gathering.��

    Indeed, he had no interest in ck Scythe at all.

    ��A new believer has joined us. Wee. I am Heo Tae-seok, the leader of the Grim Reaper Cult��

    ������.��

    Ju Seong-tak scanned the room with cold eyes, not responding.

    His mind was upied with one thought.

    -One of these people might be the bastard who did this to me.

    Revenge.

    Ju Seong-tak��s rage was solely directed at Hwang Yong-min.

    ��Are you alright? You don��t look well.��

    Eom Jun-seok, worried about his hostile demeanor, ced a warm hand on his back, but-

    Smack-

    ��Don��t touch me. I��ll kill you.��

    Joo Seong-tak��s harsh reaction left Eom Jun-seok with an awkward smile, and he had to back off.

    People reacted differently to his behavior.

    Some clicked their tongues in disapproval, while others looked at him with pity, thinking he must be going through a hard time.

    Reading the looks and atmosphere, Ju Seong-tak��s anger grew stronger, like adding logs to a fire.

    -Damn bastards, do they see me as a pitiful person? Am I pathetic to them? I��m already pissed off, should I just kill them all?

    He had every right to be angry.

    In such a situation, one could feel like killing someone.

    ��The problem is, that guy is a serial killer who easily kills people.��

    He might not just think it but actually act on it.

    ��If he uses Corpse Explosion in this cramped ce, there will be a lot of casualties.��

    Everyone could die in an instant.

    Corpse Explosion was that powerful of a skill.

    ��This is dangerous��.��

    Should he just leave this time bomb-like guy alone?

    Or should he stop him?

    The decision didn��t take long.

    Ryu Min sensed the warped thoughts in his mind.

    -Damn it, he��s not here. I checked every face, but the bastard who did this to me isn��t here. It was a waste of time, damn it. Should I just kill these annoying bastards and leave?

    Judging by his tone, he was serious.

    ��It��s dangerous to fight in here.��

    Ryu Min decided to lure him outside.

    He whispered to Min Juri.

    ��I��m going to the bathroom for a bit.��

    ��Okay, hurry back.��

    Everyone else was focused on Heo Tae-seok��s sermon, unaware of Ju Seong-tak��s intentions.

    ��If I quickly kill three people to secure the corpses, then use the [Soul Storage] skill I recently learned to enhance Corpse Explosion I could kill everyone here.��

    Even though there were many people, they were only of a simr level to him.

    They wouldn��t have the time or ability to react to a sudden ambush.

    ��If I do it right, I can kill them all and leave cleanly.��

    Ju Seong-tak had little to gain from killing people.

    At best, he could store souls and use the enhanced skill without searching for souls separately.

    Despite the risk of facing many, Joo Seong-tak was leaning toward killing everyone, just because he didn��t like the pitiful looks they gave him.

    ��Bastards. Do they think I��m pathetic because I��m crippled? Wait and see. You��ll all regret underestimating this so disabled person. Hehe.��

    Thinking about the horrified expressions people would make after Corpse Explosion, he couldn��t help but smile grimly.

    As he was grinning and deciding who to kill first, his face suddenly froze.

    ��You, you bastard!��

    It was none other than the man he had been searching for, standing at the gate in full gear.

 Chapter 168 (Part 1)

    Chapter 168: See You Again? (Part 1)

    Ryu Min, pretending to head to the restroom, quickly transformed into Hwang Yong-min. He disguised himself with low-level equipment, ensuring no one would suspect it was actually him.

    ��That bastard Ju Seong-tak, will throw his crutches ande running the moment he sees me.��

    Having finished his preparations, Ryu Min lingered near the main gate. Soon, he locked eyes with Ju Seong-tak.

    ��You! You bastard!��

    Ju Seong-tak��s face contorted with rage as he charged towards Ryu Min with murderous intent. As expected, though he didn��t throw away his crutches.

    ��Finally, you bastard! I can��t wait to grind you to dust!��

    Ju Seong-tak, equipping his gear as he ran, threw his crutches. But Ryu Min, using his Rune of Foresight, had already foreseen this move.

    ��He��ll throw the crutch, then stab with a dagger while casting the Curse of Fear.��

    His n was to paralyze Ryu Min with fear and then stab him through the neck.

    ��Not a bad strategy, but I��m not falling for it.��

    Ryu Min didn��t dodge the crutch but lightly deflected it. The crutch flew away, obstructing Ju Seong-tak��s vision. Taking advantage of this, Ryu Min closed the distance and punched Ju Seong-tak in the face.

    Bam!

    ��Ugh!��

    Ju Seong-tak crumpled to the ground, a few teeth broken. Ryu Min lightly kicked him in the side.

    Crunch��

    ��Aaagh!��

    As Ju Seong-tak writhed in pain, Ryu Min grabbed his hair and mmed his head into the ground repeatedly. One, two, three times. Ju Seong-tak��s forehead split open, blood flowing, leaving him barely conscious.

    ��Hey, Ju Seong-tak.��

    ��Ugh����

    ��Get it together. Or do you want me to smash your head even more?��

    �CYou bastard, you��ll regret this.

    ��Good, he��s conscious enough to think.��

    Ryu Min pressed down on Ju Seong-tak��s head to prevent him from casting the Curse of Fear.

    ��You bastard, I crippled you to make you think straight, and you stille at me like this? Do you have a death wish? Still not learned your lesson?��

    ��������

    ��Why do you keeping at me when you clearly can��t win? Do you think you��ll suddenly get stronger if you charge at me again? Huh? Can��t even use a single skill before getting knocked down.��

    ��������

    ��You think reckless charging will make you stronger? Know your ce, idiot. Or do you miss my beatings that much? Want me to grant your wish? Where should I cut next? Want me to gouge out an eye this time?��

    Even without reading his mind, Ryu Min could see Ju Seong-tak trembling with rage.

    ��It��s humiliating, huh? He��s got a lot of pride.��

    Just a bit more taunting, and he��d likely get rid of him as intended.

    ��Come on, say something. What should I do? Start the surgery as I see fit?��

    ��������

    ��Not saying anything, huh? Boring. Just get lost, you bum.��

    Ju Seong-tak silently got up, grabbed his crutches, and limped away.

    Tap-tap-tap.

    ��Jeez, look at him move quickly when told to get lost. Guess he wants to live after all?��

    Ryu Min taunted him as he walked away, but Ju Seong-tak didn��t look back. He just kept walking like a defeated soldier.

    ��If I see you in front of me again, I��ll kill you for real. Got it?��

    Ju Seong-tak left the gate and soon disappeared from sight.

    ��Humiliated in front of people like that, he won��t show up for a while.��

    Ryu Min chuckled, then noticed the sharp res from the members of the Grim Reaper Cult aimed at him.

    ��Ahem, sorry for fighting suddenly in your sacred ce. As you can see, that guy attacked first.��

    ��Do you know him?��

    At Eom Jun-seok��s question, Ryu Min nodded vaguely.

    ��I know him but don��t worry. He��s just a crazy guy.��

    Ryu Min then locked eyes with Seo Arin, who was ring at him with sudden anger. He realized his mistake.

    ��Oh right, I��m still in Hwang Yong-min��s form.��

    Hwang Yong-min had ambushed Seo Arin early on, so they had a bad rtionship.

    ��I shouldn��t stay here long.��

    He never intended to stay in this form anyway, so he turned around, grumbling.

    ��Carry on with your business. Sorry for causing trouble.��

    ��Weren��t you here to join our cult?��

    ��Yes, but I��ll join next time.��

    Leaving that with Eom Jun-seok, Ryu Min moved to a secluded area out of sight and reverted to his original form. After removing his equipment and using invisibility, he snuck up behind Min Juri and tapped her shoulder.

    ��Ah! You scared me! When did you get here?��

    ��Just now.��

    ��Where were you?��

    ��Watching the fight from over there.��

    ��You saw it too? The fight between those two.��

    ��Calling it a fight is a bit much. It was one-sided.��

    ��True, it was a one-sided beating. I was seriously debating whether to intervene or not, seeing someone with injured limbs getting beaten like that.��

    ��From an outsider��s perspective, it must have looked like I was mercilessly beating up a defenseless cripple.��

    But some might understand. Ju Seong-tak had been the one to draw his weapon first.

    Ryu Min nced at Seo Arin. She looked troubled, probably due to seeing Hwang Yong-min earlier.

    ��She��s debating whether to go after Hwang Yong-min for revenge.��

    Summoners only shine in the mid tote game when they have many summoned creatures. Seo Arin, now, could probably fight anyone without fear.

    Taking revenge on Hwang Yong-min should be a piece of cake for her.

    If he were still alive, that is.

    ��Anyway, Ju Seong-tak. That guy seems like he��ll cause trouble����

    Though he had seeded in sending him out, the threat wasn��t eliminated. Ju Seong-tak might control his anger in front of the strong, but he��d likely take it out on the weak without hesitation.

    ��Knowing Ju Seong-tak��s nature, that��s probably what he��ll do.��

    As he pondered the danger, Heo Tae-seok led everyone inside.

    ��All right, everyone, the show��s over. Let��s go back inside and finish our discussion.��

    Following Heo Tae-seok, Ryu Min nced back. He couldn��t help but feel uneasy about the ticking time bomb Ju Seong-tak had be.

 Chapter 168 (Part 2)

    Chapter 168: See You Again? (Part 2)

    Tap-tap-tap.

    Ju Seong-tak, limping, returned home in a sorry state.

    Beep beep beep��ding dong��

    Living on the top floor of a four-story multiplex, Ju Seong-tak threw his crutches aside.

    ��Damn it, damn it!��

    As he fumed, he suddenly felt the pain in his ribs. Although he had used emergency treatment on the way, it seemed it wasn��t enough to mend the bones. His head was throbbing and his jaw ached��all reminders of the beating he had received.

    ��Damn it.��

    Ju Seong-tak pulled a beer can from the fridge and sat down.

    Pop��crack!

    Gulp, gulp��he downed the can in one go and threw it away.

    ��Bastard�� I��ll make sure to repay today��s humiliation.��

    Naturally, he had no intention of letting it go. He was the type who couldn��t rest until he avenged a wrong. Ever since he killed his parents, he had resolved to live a life unrestrained by anything.

    ��I shouldn��t have rushed in so recklessly����

    Uncharacteristically, he had been too impulsive. Even with a n, it would have been tough to win. He should haveid a trap with a corpse, like before.

    ��I got too excited the moment I saw him.��

    The memory of thest four months of pain hade flooding back. He had spent all his living expenses on attaching fake limbs like a robot, living a wretched life. Though he managed to fund himself by selling items in the yer ce Market, being crippled remained unchanged.

    ��I became a cripple, unable to even control my own body.��

    His mind had been boiling with rage. He endured each day, driven by the thought of finding and killing that nameless bastard.

    So, when he saw him today, he lost control.

    ��Damn it, the more I think about it, the angrier I get!��

    Bam!

    Punching the wall, he left a dent. Though hecked limbs, he was still a yer who had surpassed humans. He had enough confidence to win, and the odds were in his favor.

    ��If only I could have used my skills, it would��ve been over��!��

    His original n was to cast the Curse of Fear and then stab with a dagger. But Ryu Min had struck his face first, giving him no chance to use his skills.

    ��This taught me a lesson. Engaging him in closebat is dangerous.��

    Clearly, Ryu Min had a warrior ss with increased strength, while Ju Seong-tak was more of a mage. It wasmon knowledge that mages should keep their distance from warriors.

    ��Instead of the Curse of Fear, I should have used Corpse Explosion. That would have been more effective.��

    Last time, Ryu Min had resisted the Curse of Fear. He now realized that using Corpse Explosion had a better chance of sess.

    ��I won��t lose next time. I��ll prepare thoroughly and kill him.��

    He didn��t know the bastard��s name or username, but he could find a way. Knowing that he was interested in the Grim Reaper Cult, he could visit the cult again to gather information about him.

    ��If I find out his real name, I can track him with [Trace].��

    If the leader refused to reveal this information due to privacy concerns, he��d torture him until he did.

    As he chuckled to himself, the doorbell rang.

    Ding dong��ding dong��

    ��Damn it, who the hell is it now? Can��t they be reasonable?��

    Limping to the door, Ju Seong-tak opened it to find a burly, tattooed man in his 40s with a scornful expression.

    ��What?��

    ��Hey, is that how you greet someone? Is this for real?��

    ��What��s the matter?��

    ��Geez, a young punk speaking so rudely.��

    Though the 40-year-old gangster, Kim Jong-seon, felt like punching him, he held back. ��Youngsters nowadays think they own the world just because they��re yers.�� He assumed the cripple in front of him was likely a yer too.

    ��Damn brat.��

    Though he smirked disdainfully, Kim Jong-seon knew it wasn��t wise to provoke a yer. It wasmon knowledge that ordinary people couldn��t stand up to yers. So, he decided to hold his temper.

    ��What��s the matter?��

    ��Phew, I live downstairs. Earlier, I heard noises like someone banging the wall. Can you keep it down? I was napping, and it woke me up.��

    ��What? Napping?��

    Ju Seong-tak stared at him in disbelief, but Kim Jong-seon turned and left, having said his piece.

    ��Anyway, keep it down.��

    Hearing the door shut downstairs, Ju Seong-tak couldn��t close his own door out of sheer disbelief.

    ��Damn it, did that pig just mock me?��

    Being disrespected by a non-yer was infuriating.

    Bam��

    Shutting the door, Ju Seong-tak returned to the living room, sighing in frustration.

    ��What? I disturbed your nap? Do I have to cater to your nap schedule, you bastard?��

    Infuriated, Ju Seong-tak retrieved his crutches from the hallway.

    ��Fine, since you��re awake, let me help you stay awake.��

    He then began stomping the floor repeatedly.

    Bam-bam-bam-bam-bam! Bam-bam-bam-bam-bam!

    ��How��s that? Bastard! Awake yet?��

    Bam-bam-bam-bam-bam! Bam-bam-bam-bam-bam!

    Ju Seong-tak, causing a racket, threw his crutches away in irritation. Then the doorbell rang again.

    Ding dong��

    ��That bastard again?��

    Hearing the doorbell, his anger peaked.

    ��Do they think I��m an easy target because I��m disabled? Fine, I��ll tear your guts out.��

    Equipping his gear, Ju Seong-tak grabbed his dagger and limped to the door. But the person ringing the bell wasn��t the downstairs neighbor.

    ��Hey, long time no see.��

    The guy who had humiliated him at the cult was now at his door smiling and waving.

 Chapter 169 (Part 1)

    Chapter 169: Gaming Friends (Part 1)

    Using Hwang Yong-min��s face, Ryu Min went to find Ju Seong-tak.

    Thanks to the tracking skill it wasn��t hard to pursue him.

    ��We meet again?��

    ��You, you f$king bastard�� Ugh!��

    Ju Seong-tak, who rolled into the house from Ryu Min��s kick, hurriedly steadied himself.

    ��Curse of Fear!��

    With eyes wide open, he cast the fear spell.

    [The opponent has resisted the fear.]

    [Failed to cast the Curse of Fear.]

    Just like before, it was useless.

    ��Don��t be so scared. I only came to talk.��

    Thud-

    Ryu Min closed the front door with a smirk.

    But to Ju Seong-tak, it felt like a sneer and ridicule, and he couldn��t help but get angry.

    ��Bullshit! Talk? You said you��d kill me if we met again, and now you want to talk!��

    ��Oh, did my words hurt you that much? Sorry. But in the cult, you attacked first without warning. Can��t you at least admit it?��

    ��That��s because you�� Ugh!��

    Another kick sent Ju Seong-tak sprawling across the living room floor.

    ��ming others like usual. Even after what happened at the cult, you still haven��te to your senses.��

    Ju Seong-tak was hopeless.

    Expecting anything from a murderer who had killed dozens even before bing a yer was too much.

    ��I kept him alive because his traits were useful, but it seems I need to eliminate any potential threats.��

    Seeing Ju Seong-tak re at him as if he wanted to kill him, Ryu Min felt reassured that he had followed him.

    ��Alright. I��ll give you a chance for revenge.��

    ��What?��

    Without responding further, Ryu Min manipted the system window in the air.

    Soon, an unfamiliar message appeared before Ju Seong-tak��s eyes.

    [The opponent has challenged the yer with the nickname ��Dumb Fools�� to a duel.]

    [Duel type ? Non-lethal simple sparring]

    [Opponent��s victory condition ? Touching the opponent 100 times]

    [Dumb Fools�� victory condition ? Touching even a single hair of the opponent]

    [Victory Reward ? The loser bes the winner��s ve for life and obeys allmands.]

    [Opponent��s penalty ? All equipment and skill usage prohibited]

    [Dumb Fools�� penalty ? None]

    [Do you ept the duel under the above conditions? Y/N]

    ��What��s this?��

    As Ju Seong-tak, who had never received a duel request before, looked confused, Ryu Min kindly exined.

    He needed the guy to ept the challenge to force his actions.

    ��It��s a duel function, but it��s simple. If you touch me even once, you win. Conversely, if I touch you 100 times, I win. The loser bes the ve of the winner. How about it? Simple, right?��

    ��If I touch you even once, I win?��

    ��Yes. But I won��t use any equipment or skills.��

    Ju Seong-tak examined the system window again and pondered.

    ��Even if it��s just a hair, if I touch him, I can make him my ve?��

    It was a bet too good to pass up.

    The problem was whether to proceed with the bet.

    ��Are you really going to duel with these conditions?��

    ��Can��t you see?��

    ��How can I trust you? You could break your promise.��

    ��How could I break it, you idiot? The system forces actions just like it does with dominion.��

    ��������

    Ju Seong-tak was silent.

    Judging by the system window, it seemed trustworthy.

    And he seemed to have a chance.

    ��Even though I��m a mage type, could I not touch him once while he touches me 100 times?��

    If he could cast fear once, the game would be over.

    Of course, he��d never sessfully cast it on him before, but��

    ��If ites to it, I can use corpse explosion, and there are many other methods.��

    Even though his job was a mage, he hadn��t just increased his intelligence.

    There were many asions where he needed to fight in close quarters or run away, so he had put some points into strength and agility as well.

    No matter how fast the guy was, he was confident he could touch him once.

    ��So, are you in or not?��

    ��What��s the reason for this sudden proposal?��

    ��What else?��

    Ryu Min chuckled.

    ��I feel sorry for you.��

    ��What?��

    ��It��s pitiful seeing you struggle despite yourck of skills, so I��m giving you a chance. Even giving myself a penalty. Didn��t you realize?��

    ��������

    ��A guy who ims to have put points into intelligence can��t even think this through. Your head isn��t just for decoration, you know.��

    ��This bastard����

    It was humiliating for someone ranked 2nd or 3rd in the entire district to beughed at like this.

    ��So, are you in or not?��

    ��Let��s do it, you bastard.��

    [The duel has been established.]

    [The duel between the two will begin in 10 seconds.]

    An enraged Ju Seong-tak took the bait without realizing it was a fight he had almost no chance of winning.

    ��That��s another ve for me.��

    Ryu Min��s lips curled into a cruel smile.

 Chapter 169 (Part 2)

    Chapter 169: Gaming Friends (Part 2)

    With 22% of the world��s poption gone, the economy was shaken.

    It became scary to go outside because of the yers.

    The streets were deserted, and small business ownersined about their decreased sales.

    But the biggest hit was on the gaming industry.

    The main users of games were in the 15 to 29 age group.

    ��Still, it seems popr games aren��t dying. They continue their service.��

    Even with more than half of the users gone and other games facing severe downturns, the famous AOS game maintained its unshakable first ce.

    For Ryu Won, who had nothing else to do at home, it was a fortunate thing.

    He could finally y the games he always wanted to try as much as he wanted.

    ��But even games get boring after ying for several months.��

    After staying home for over nine months, not going out at all and only ying games like a recluse, he was now sick of it.

    ��I know it��s a luxurypared to before. But it��s really hard����

    Even the initial excitement of eating delivery food for every meal wore off quickly.

    What kept him going was his brother and his gaming friends.

    ��Since I can��t make friends in reality, I should at least make friends in games.��

    He got along well with his gaming friends.

    No matter what he did, they responded positively, never got angry, and were good at games.

    Even on days when he felt down and stressed, ying games with those friends lifted his spirits.

    Unlike the ssmates who bullied and ostracized him, they were true friends to him.

    At least, until he met them offline.

    ��Are you Ryu Won?��

    ��Yeah, are you Tae Wan?��

    ��Finally, we meet. Nice to meet you, you bastard.��

    Before he could react to the sudden profanity, Tae Wan put his arm around his shoulders.

    The typical scent of a bully filled the air.

    ��Why, why are you doing this, Tae Wan����

    ��Don��t use informal speech, you bastard. I��m two years older than you, you idiot.��

    ��What? But in the game, you said we were the same age����

    ��I lied to get close to you. Now, follow me. Let��s go somewhere quiet.��

    With a fishy smile, Tae Wan led Ryu Won away.

    He tried to resist, but it was impossible.

    The force was like having a boulder on his shoulder.

    ��Now that I think about it, if he��s two years older�� Could he be a yer?��

    A yer.

    And a veteran who survived up to the 10th round.

    Gulp-

    His anxious thoughts were reced by tension.

    yers were more dangerous than regr criminals.

    Judging by his actions, he seemed to have bad intentions.

    ��Ah�� I should have stayed home as my brother advised.��

    It was toote for regrets.

    Ryu Won was dragged away by someone he thought was a friend.

    Even though he looked around the street, there was no one to ask for help, even in broad daylight.

    ��Get in there, bastard.��

    Instead of a PC room, Ryu Won found himself in a dead-end alley.

    A ce where thugs might smoke. What was he nning to do here?

    He didn��t even want to think about it.

    ��Why, why are you doing this, Tae, Tae Wan.��

    ��Bastard, I told you not to use informal speech. And don��t call my name so casually. It��s disgusting.��

    ��Why, why are you doing this����

    p-!

    His vision shed, and his head snapped to the side.

    His cheek swelled, and blood dripped from his nose.

    ��You bastard, are you trying to die? Do you still think we��re friends because I treated you nicely?��

    ��������

    ��Why am I doing this? Don��t you know? Well, I guess you wouldn��t. I acted pretty well, enduring my urge to tear you and your brother apart.��

    ��My�� brother?��

    He had mentioned having a brother in the game but hadn��t gone into details.

    Naturally, he had never introduced him to his brother.

    There was no connection, so there shouldn��t be any reason for a grudge.

    ��What did my brother do����

    ��Heh, you still don��t get it.��

    Tae Wan��s mouth was smiling, but his eyes were fierce.

    The eyes of someone who genuinely wanted to kill.

    ��Hey, you know Taegyu, right?��

    ��Tae Gyu? Who is that����

    ��Bong Taegyu, you bastard. Don��t you remember? He was in your ss, the one who ended up in the hospital after your brother beat him up 9 months ago.��

    ��Oh.��

    He remembered now.

    Even though it hadn��t been long, he had forgotten.

    The bully who made his school life a nightmare.

    His name was Bong Taegyu.

    ��Judging by your eyes, you remember now. I��m Bong Taegyu��s brother, Bong Tae Wan.��

    ��������

    ��Do you know how hard it was to find you? I even hired private detectives and went through all sorts of trouble, but I couldn��t find you. If I had at least a photo, I could��ve used the tracking skill, but there wasn��t a single one. Luckily, I managed to find your game ID. And now we meet like this.��

    ��Then, being friendly to me was all����

    ��It was all an act, you bastard. To meet you offline. But every time I suggested meeting up, you always chickened out, saying it was too dangerous to leave the house. Idiot.��

    Now he understood.

    The guy wasn��t a gaming friend or anything.

    He was just a thug who approached him with a n to take revenge on his brother.

    ��Your brother��s name is Ryu Min, right? Is that bastard doing well? After breaking my brother��s fingers and arms?��

    ��������

    ��He didn��t die already, did he? I waited so long for my chance at revenge. Answer me, you bastard.��

    ��������

    Ryu Won zipped his lips shut tightly.

    ��There��s no way I can tell him about my brother����

    p-!

    His jaw snapped, and blood sttered before he could react.

    ��Hey.��

    Bong Tae Wan red at him with a terrifying look.

    ��Are you going to talk or not? Do you think I��m joking?��

    p-!

    His head snapped to the other side.

    Blood trickled from his bitten lip.

    ��Answer me. Is your brother alive? If you don��t talk, I��ll hit you again.��

    ��He�� he��s dead����

    ��Dead?��

    Ryu Won nodded with a pained expression, acting.

    Saying his brother was dead was the only way to avoid bringing harm to him.

    ��So he��s dead, huh? There��s no way he��d have survived to the 10th round without being as talented as me.��

    Bong Tae Wan nodded as if it made sense and then looked conflicted.

    ��Then what do I do now? I nned to lure him out and kill him using you, but if he��s dead�� Revenge is impossible?��

    He seemed to give up on revenge, and Ryu Won felt relieved.

    But only for a moment.

    ��There��s no choice. If your brother��s not here, I have to kill you.��

    ��Wh-what?��

    ��Why are you surprised? When an elder brothermits a crime, the younger brother must pay the price. Haven��t you heard of guilt by association?��

    As he turned his target to him, Ryu Won was shocked.

    ��Even if you��re lying, now��s the time toe clean. Is your brother alive? Did you lie to protect him?��

    ��������

    ��Still not talking? Then I��ll have to break your fingers and arms just like my brother and then snap your neck. Understand?��

    ��������

    ��So, speak. Where��s your brother, Ryu Min?��

    ��M-my brother is����

    As Ryu Won��s trembling lips let out a small sigh.

    ��H-he��s already dead����

    ��You stubborn bastard, still lying.��

    Bong Tae Wan��s face twisted in rage.

    ��Still not talking? Fine. I��ll start by breaking your fingers and then ask again.��

    ��No, please��!��

    Just as Bong Tae Wan was about to grab his finger.

    ��What are you doing here?��

    A young woman��s voice made Bong Tae Wan turn his head.

    A woman with a nasty grin was looking at them.

    ��Mind your own business, b$tch.��

    ��I wasn��t talking to you, bastard.��

    ��What?��

    Just as Bong Tae Wan, shocked, was about to get angry.

    The woman��s eyes glowed pink.

    Then, like a lifeless doll, Bong Tae Wan��s arms dropped.

    ��What��s happening?��

    Ryu Won was puzzled, but the woman��s question confused him even more.

    ��Are you okay, young master?��

    ��Y-young master?��

    She was speaking as if she knew him.

 Chapter 170 (Part 1)

    Chapter 170: Bong Tae Wan (Part 1)

    ��You, you! What happened to you?��

    Bong Tae Wan was horrified to see his brother lying in the hospital bed.

    His face was bruised as if he had been beaten, and his arm and fingers were broken, necessitating surgery.

    ��Which bastard did this to you? Who beat you up like this?��

    ��N-no one did it. I-I fell down the stairs by ident����

    ��What do you mean no one did it? Anyone can see these are signs of a beating!��

    ������

    ��Tell me who it is?! I��m going to kill him right now!��

    At his brother��s shout, Bong Taegyu remembered Ryu Min��s warning.

    If he sought revenge or reported to the police, Ryu Min would track him down to the ends of the earth and break his other arm.

    ��I-I can��t say. If he finds out, he��ll really kill me.��

    Seeing his brother trembling in fear, Bong Tae Wan couldn��t continue pressing him.

    ��Alright, let��s talkter when you��re calmer.��

    He knew his brother was a bully. Despite being in the second year of middle school, his brother was well-built and could take on high school students.

    ��Even my brother got beaten like this?��

    What kind of crime could he havemitted to end up in such a state?

    Looking at his brother trembling in fear like he had PTSD, Bong Tae Wan vowed.

    ��I��ll make that bastard payback for what he did.��

    Even if his brother kept his mouth shut, finding out who it was wouldn��t be difficult.

    ��Is it true that it was Ryu Won��s older brother?��

    ��Yes. I heard his name is Ryu Min.��

    ��Why did they fight?��

    ��Well����

    He learned the whole story from the close friends who hung out with his brother.

    It was a typical revenge story. His brother had been using Ryu Won as ackey, and when his older brother found out, he came to confront him in a rage.

    ��Damn it, even so, this is too much! He beat him up like this just for making him run chores?��

    Though it was a preventive measure by Ryu Min to stop bigger idents, Bong Tae Wan had no way of knowing that.

    All he knew was that his brother hade home beaten like a dog.

    ��I��ll kill him.��

    Revenge.

    With that thought in mind, Bong Tae Wan started looking for the Ryu brothers�� whereabouts.

    However, they had already moved, and in the end, he had to spend arge sum to hire a private investigator.

    But the result was disheartening.

    ��He doesn��t seem to use social media, and there are no records. There��s no way to find him. In our ten years in this field, we��ve never seen someone leave so few traces.��

    ��Then how am I supposed to find him? Refund my money if you can��t find him!��

    ��Don��t worry, sir. It��s not a total loss. We did find the ID that Ryu Won frequently uses. Try searching for that ID on various tforms daily. If he creates a new social media ount or a game ID, you��ll be able to find him.��

    *

    ��So, you found out his game ID and tracked him down to this ce?��

    ��Yes, that��s right.��

    Listening to the story from Bong Tae Wan, Yamti clicked her tongue.

    ��Wow, he��s persistent. Pretending to be a gaming friend for months just for revenge.��

    Ryu Won, who was listening beside her, couldn��t help but be shocked.

    ��No wonder he kept asking about my home address and my brother while we were ying games��.��

    But more shocking was the presence of a woman calling him ��young master.��

    ��Uh, what��s your name?��

    ��Oh, I haven��t introduced myself yet. You can call me Yamti, young master.��

    ��Yam�� ti?��

    ��That��s my nickname. As you can see, I��m a yer. Don��t I look like one?��

    ��Oh, yes��.��

    ��How old do I look?��

    ��Sorry?��

    ��Don��t I look like I��m in my early twenties?��

    ��Yes, you do.��

    ��See, young master, you have a good eye. I��ve been taking care of myself. It��s not stic surgery, though.��

    ��So, have we met before? Why do you keep calling me young master��?��

    ��Oh? Didn��t I say? I��m an acquaintance of Ryu Min.��

    ��My brother��s��?��

    Ryu Won��s eyes widened at the mention of his brother.

    ��Did my brother have such an acquaintance?��

    Just as he made friends in the game, it seemed his brother had built awork of yers in the other world.

    Nine months was a long time, after all.

    ��Well, I don��t know about all of my brother��s connections.��

    Yamti exined how she came to be here with a friendly smile.

    ��Ryu Min was worried when you said you were meeting a friend, so he asked me to follow you. That shows how much Ryu Min trusts me. Hohoho.��

    ��Oh, I see.��

    Knowing she was his brother��s acquaintance finally put Ryu Won at ease.

    ��Did my brother foresee this situation?��

    Anyway, thanks to his brother��s foresight as a prophet, he was safe.

    ��Thank you, Yam�� ti. You saved me.��

    ��Hey, I didn��t do anything. It was all thanks to Ryu Min telling me toe here in advance.��

    ��I should thank my brother, too.��

    Ryu Won, who had been grinning, looked at Bong Tae Wan standing there dumbfounded.

    ��So, how did you do it? He��s not the type to listen so easily��.��

    ��It��s my ability. I can charm people and make them my subordinates in an instant.��

    ��Oh, I see��.��

    Realizing the situation, Ryu Won nodded and then asked,

    ��Are you really just my brother��s acquaintance? You��re not in a rtionship with him?��

    ��Ah? Does it look that way?��

    ��No, it��s just that you keep treating me in this weird way even though you��re not married to him��.��

    ��Hmm, whether we get married or not is uncertain. Future young brother.��

    ��Sorry?��

    ��I��m kidding. By the way, young master?��

    Yamti pushed the mind-controlled Bong Tae Wan forward.

    ��What do you want to do with this trash? Should I give you a knife? You need to vent your anger.��

    ��Uh, that��s a bit too��.��

    ��Don��t worry about consequences. We can clean up easily, and no one will care if a piece of trash like this dies. Are you just going to let him go after he tried to kill you? At least use him as a punching bag.��

    ��Well�� I��m scared to hit someone��.��

    Ryu Won had never hit anyone in his life.

    He had never felt anger or held a grudge against anyone.

    When he was hit, he just cowered and lowered his head.

    Naturally, he was scared.

    ��Even though they��re brothers, the young master��s personality ispletely different from the master��s?��

    While she didn��t understand why he didn��t want to punish him, Yamti decided to respect his wish.

    He was the future young brother, after all.

    ��I��ll respect your decision, young master. But we can��t let him go. We need to inform Ryu Min and ask for his opinion.��

    ��Oh, yes. Do that.��

    ��Trash. Stay quiet while I make a call.��

    ��Yes, master.��

    Ryu Won, who was curiously watching Bong Tae Wan behave like an obedient doll, nced at Yamti who was looking at her phone.

    ��Charming people and making them subordinates�� This is why they say yers are dangerous.��

    While he was thinking about how scary the ability was, Yamti suddenly looked up.

    ��Young master?��

    ��Yes?��

    ��How old do you really think I am?��

 Chapter 170 (Part 2)

    Chapter 170: Bong Tae Wan (Part 2)

    ��Huff, huff.��

    He was breathing heavily after moving non-stop.

    He didn��t even know how many minutes had passed.

    Ju Seong-tak��s mind was filled with only one thought: to hit the bastard.

    But.

    Swish- Swish-

    ��That damn bastard! Not getting caught even once��!��

    No matter how he swung his arms, kicked, faked, and tried everything, the guy dodged like a ghost.

    He had long abandoned the heavy dagger.

    If he could touch that guy just once with his bare hands, it would be his victory.

    Then, the system would make the guy his ve.

    ��Once he bes my ve, I��ll make him beg for forgiveness and then kill him painfully.��

    But things weren��t going as he thought.

    ��Why are you so slow? Move faster.��

    ��You damn bastard��!��

    ��Oh, you still have the energy to curse? If you have the strength to swear, save it and focus on hitting me. Tsk tsk.��

    ��You son of a��!��

    Ryu Min deliberately taunted him to drain his stamina further.

    Even though their stat difference was enormous, Ryu Min was still in danger whenever Ju Seong-tak used the Curse of Fear.

    ��If I get hit by it, I won��t be able to move for 3.4 seconds.��

    Due to the penalty of not being able to wear equipment, his resistance was very low.

    With a base resistance of 15% and an additional 20% from the tower, the total effective resistance was only 32%.

    ��So, there��s a 68% chance I��ll be affected by the Curse of Fear, and if it happens, I��ll be unable to move for 3.4 seconds.��

    In a duel where a single mistake could mean defeat, not being able to move for 3.4 seconds was fatal.

    Therefore, whenever Ju Seong-tak attempted to cast the curse, Ryu Min would keep his distance.

    ��It��s about time to end this.��

    Tap tap tap tap-

    Avoiding Ju Seong-tak��s punches, Ryu Min increased his touch count.

    Head, back, shoulders, arms.

    As he dodged, he touched Ju Seong-tak��s body mockingly.

    ��Why isn��t it hitting? Why!��

    The guy was frantic, but Ryu Min��s touch count was almostplete, reaching 99.

    ��One more touch and I win.��

    ��Damn it!��

    Just then.

    Boom boom boom boom boom boom!

    There was a loud banging on the front door, followed by voices from outside.

    It was the gangsters from the floor below.

    ��Hey, you disabled bastard! Come out! Because of you, I can��t take a nap, damn it!��

    They hade up, unable to tolerate the noise anymore.

    ��Come out! Why aren��t youing out? What the hell are you doing, making all that noise, you legless cripple! Come ouuuut! I don��t care if you��re a yer, I��ll kill you!��

    Despite the gangster��s shouting, Ju Seong-tak smiled.

    Their presence was a glimmer of hope in his dire situation.

    Whoosh!

    Ju Seong-tak quickly dashed to the front door to open it.

    Ryu Min, having anticipated his move, followed swiftly, but as soon as Ju Seong-tak looked at him.

    [You are now under the status effect ��Fear��.]

    Unfortunately, Ju Seong-tak��s Curse of Fear hit him at that moment.

    However, thanks to the distance he had kept, Ju Seong-tak couldn��t touch him immediately.

    Click-

    Ju Seong-tak opened the front door in the meantime.

    ��Finally opening the door, damn you. I told you to be quiet�� guh!��

    A swiftly swung dagger pierced the throat of the gangster, Kim Jong-seon, and then was pulled out.

    Thud-

    Securing the corpse in an instant, Ju Seong-tak stepped into the hallway.

    Now, he and Ryu Min were facing each other with the corpse between them.

    ��Heh heh,e here, bastard. The moment you get close, I��ll explode this corpse.��

    ��This is annoying. But you know what?��

    Crackle crackle-

    Electric currents flowed through Ryu Min��s body.

    ��Even if you explode the corpse, I can just dodge it.��

    ��Damn it! Didn��t you say you were not allowed to use skills because of the penalty!��

    ��This is a rune.��

    With the Rune of Lightning, Ryu Min boosted his movement speed and closed the distance in an instant.

    Panicked, Ju Seong-tak tried to utter the activation words.

    ��Corpse exp��.��

    Smack!

    There was no time for that.

    With a powerful punch, Ju Seong-tak��s face was crushed, and he was mmed into the wall, killed instantly.

    [The duel has ended. The victor is ��ck Scythe��.]

    [The loser is now a ve who will serve ��ck Scythe�� for life.]

    Ignoring the messages, Ryu Min looked at Ju Seong-tak.

    Though thought to be dead, his face was restored.

    Since it wasn��t a life-or-death duel, he was revived.

    Though still unconscious.

    ��Well, I won. Even though there were casualties.��

    Although he had prevented the corpse explosion, he couldn��t stop the gangster��s death.

    Putting aside his regret, Ryu Min erased the traces and disposed of the body.

    Just then, his phone rang.

    It was a call from Yamti.

    ��What��s the matter? What? My brother?��

    Hearing that something had happened to his brother but was fortunately prevented, Ryu Min asked for the details.

    ��Really? You didn��t kill him yet?��

    -Yes. What should we do, master?

    Regarding Bong Tae Wan��s fate, Ryu Min gave a simple answer.

    ��I��ll send you the address, bring him here.��

    He hung up and woke Ju Seong-tak immediately.

    ��Hey, Ju Seong-tak.��

    ��Ugh?��

    As soon as he saw Ryu Min, the guy, who seemed like he would attack, bowed like a submissivemb.

    ��I greet my master. Please give me your orders.��

    ��Alright. Here��s your first order.��

    Ryu Min said with a cruel smile.

    ��In a little while, a guy named Bong Tae Wan wille here. Kill him.��

 Chapter 171 (Part 1)

    Chapter 171: In Front Of The House (Part 1)

    ��Hyung! Over here!��

    Ryu Min��s younger brother waved with a delighted expression as soon as he saw him.

    ��You��re here? Ryu Min-ssi?��

    Yamti slyly winked behind his brother��s back, Ryu Min clicked his tongue inwardly and turned his head.

    ��Are you okay, Won-ah? Are you hurt anywhere?��

    ��I got pped on the cheek, but I��m fine.��

    ��It doesn��t look like just a little. Come here.��

    As Ryu Min ced his hand on his reddened cheek, a warm light began to flow.

    ��Huh? It doesn��t hurt anymore. What did you do?��

    ��It��s a simple healing skill.��

    ��Wow, we don��t need to go to the hospital. It��s really effective.��

    ��Let��s go home now.��

    ��Hyung.��

    Ryu Min, who was about to move, turned his head at his brother��s call.

    ��What is it?��

    ��Why aren��t you scolding me? You could be saying, ��See, I told you so,�� ��If you had stayed home, this wouldn��t have happened,�� or ��Do you understand how dangerous being out now?�� Why aren��t you saying anything?��

    ��What��s the point of saying what you already know?��

    ��What?��

    ��You��ve realized it too, haven��t you? The reason why it��s dangerous outside. The fear of yers.��

    Ryu Won quietly nodded.

    This experience had clearly shown him.

    It��s still a dangerous world to wander around in.

    ��Knowing that there��s no point in me nagging. It would just be useless scolding.��

    ��������

    ��I��m just relieved that you��re safe. If something had happened to you����

    Ryu Min turned his head as if he didn��t want to imagine it.

    Swallowing the words left unsaid.

    ��Let��s go home.��

    ��Okay.��

    Following behind, Ryu Min nced at Yamti.

    He nodded as if to tell her to go first.

    ��Hyung, why isn��t Yamti-niming with us?��

    ��Her house is in the opposite direction. She��ll go on her own.��

    ��That��s right, Ryu Won-ssi. You go ahead.��

    Yamti waved, but Ryu Won kept feeling concerned about her.

    ��Hyung, can��t we invite Yamti-nim to our house?��

    ��Why?��

    ��Well, like you, she also saved my life. It wouldn��t be right to part ways without offering something in return.��

    Indeed, it was Yamti who actually saved Ryu Won.

    It made sense that he wanted to show gratitude to his lifesaver.

    ��But even if we invite her over, we don��t have much to offer.��

    ��I know how to cook. I��ve had a lot of time recently, so I��ve been practicing by watching YouTube videos. We have all the ingredients at home.��

    ��You want to cook dinner for her?��

    ��Yes. Yamti-nim, how about having dinner at our ce? I��m not a perfect cooker, but I can manage.��

    ��Oh�� really?��

    Though touched, Yamti looked at Ryu Min, seeking his approval.

    She wanted to go, but she needed the master��s permission.

    Ryu Min sighed quietly and spoke dryly.

    ��Fine. Yamtti, my brother wants it, so stay for dinner.��

    Upon getting the green light, Yamti��s face lit up.

    ��Great!��

    *

    Beep, beep, beep��

    Seo Arin let out a sigh as she slumped onto the sofa after returning home.

    Her mind was in turmoil.

    A face she had tried hard to forget had surfaced.

    ��Hwang Yong-min. I never expected to see that bastard there����

    Thest time she saw him was in the fourth round of death.

    She hadn��t seen or heard about him since then.

    She wanted to forget.

    She was afraid to remember.

    But she never imagined they��d meet by chance in reality.

    ��His face was the same as in the other world, just less muscr.��

    A brief but undeniable ill-fated rtionship.

    It seemed he had also recognized her.

    ��After all, I look the same in both the other world and reality����

    Recently, she had been in a public service announcement for the CPF unit and had be somewhat of a celebrity, so it wasn��t surprising he recognized her.

    ��Why did hee to the Grim Reaper Cult? Didn��t the ck Scythe deal with him harshly?��

    More than harshly.

    Hwang Yong-min had his arms cut off and was continuously tormented afterward.

    Seo Arin didn��t know the exact details of his torment.

    ��That scumbag wouldn��t havee to the Grim Reaper Cult for any good reason. He must be here for revenge against the ck Scythe.��

    He must have been lurking around looking for the ck Scythe and got into a fight with a man he held a grudge against, then fled under the watchful eyes of bystanders.

    Given the circumstances, that seemed likely.

    ��I can��t let anything happen to the ck Scythe. I have to eliminate him.��

    Though it was surprising he survived until the tenth round, the important thing was that he could be an obstacle in the future.

    ��I have to kill him.��

    The ck Scythe spared him, but considering he might be a future hindrance, it was better to kill him.

    She was confident.

    ��I��m apletely different person nowpared to back then.��

    After being betrayed by her trusted fellow actors and receiving advice from the ck Scythe to trust no one, Seo Arin was reborn.

    She wouldn��t just sit back and take it anymore.

    She would strike first before being struck.

    As shey on the sofa looking at the ceiling, lost in such thoughts, a face suddenly appeared.

    It was An Sang-cheol.

    ��Oh, you startled me!��

    ��Did I scare you?��

    ��Of course! Wouldn��t you be?��

    Seo Arin, annoyed, sat up.

    She thought no one was home because it was quiet, but it seemed An Sang-cheol had let himself in.

    ��Didn��t you know I was here? You could tell by the shoes.��

    ��I didn��t have time to check that.��

    ��Why? What happened?��

    Seo Arin hesitated to answer An Sang-cheol��s question.

    ��Can I trust the bodyguard?��

    Ever since receiving the ck Scythe��s advice, she had been wary.

    ��President Ma could discard me at any time. The bodyguard is his right-hand man, so it goes without saying.��

    Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol were a set.

    Both were untrustworthy.

    ��Why are you hesitating? What��s going on?��

    ��������

    Not wanting to share information, Seo Arin eventually opened her mouth.

    After all, they had been through life-and-death situations together.

    ��Do you remember Hwang Yong-min?����Hyung! Over here!��

    Ryu Min��s younger brother waved with a delighted expression as soon as he saw him.

    ��You��re here? Ryu Min-ssi?��

    Yamti slyly winked behind his brother��s back, Ryu Min clicked his tongue inwardly and turned his head.

    ��Are you okay, Won-ah? Are you hurt anywhere?��

    ��I got pped on the cheek, but I��m fine.��

    ��It doesn��t look like just a little. Come here.��

    As Ryu Min ced his hand on his reddened cheek, a warm light began to flow.

    ��Huh? It doesn��t hurt anymore. What did you do?��

    ��It��s a simple healing skill.��

    ��Wow, we don��t need to go to the hospital. It��s really effective.��

    ��Let��s go home now.��

    ��Hyung.��

    Ryu Min, who was about to move, turned his head at his brother��s call.

    ��What is it?��

    ��Why aren��t you scolding me? You could be saying, ��See, I told you so,�� ��If you had stayed home, this wouldn��t have happened,�� or ��Do you understand how dangerous being out now?�� Why aren��t you saying anything?��

    ��What��s the point of saying what you already know?��

    ��What?��

    ��You��ve realized it too, haven��t you? The reason why it��s dangerous outside. The fear of yers.��

    Ryu Won quietly nodded.

    This experience had clearly shown him.

    It��s still a dangerous world to wander around in.

    ��Knowing that there��s no point in me nagging. It would just be useless scolding.��

    ��������

    ��I��m just relieved that you��re safe. If something had happened to you����

    Ryu Min turned his head as if he didn��t want to imagine it.

    Swallowing the words left unsaid.

    ��Let��s go home.��

    ��Okay.��

    Following behind, Ryu Min nced at Yamti.

    He nodded as if to tell her to go first.

    ��Hyung, why isn��t Yamti-niming with us?��

    ��Her house is in the opposite direction. She��ll go on her own.��

    ��That��s right, Ryu Won-ssi. You go ahead.��

    Yamti waved, but Ryu Won kept feeling concerned about her.

    ��Hyung, can��t we invite Yamti-nim to our house?��

    ��Why?��

    ��Well, like you, she also saved my life. It wouldn��t be right to part ways without offering something in return.��

    Indeed, it was Yamti who actually saved Ryu Won.

    It made sense that he wanted to show gratitude to his lifesaver.

    ��But even if we invite her over, we don��t have much to offer.��

    ��I know how to cook. I��ve had a lot of time recently, so I��ve been practicing by watching YouTube videos. We have all the ingredients at home.��

    ��You want to cook dinner for her?��

    ��Yes. Yamti-nim, how about having dinner at our ce? I��m not a perfect cooker, but I can manage.��

    ��Oh�� really?��

    Though touched, Yamti looked at Ryu Min, seeking his approval.

    She wanted to go, but she needed the master��s permission.

    Ryu Min sighed quietly and spoke dryly.

    ��Fine. Yamtti, my brother wants it, so stay for dinner.��

    Upon getting the green light, Yamti��s face lit up.

    ��Great!��

    *

    Beep, beep, beep��

    Seo Arin let out a sigh as she slumped onto the sofa after returning home.

    Her mind was in turmoil.

    A face she had tried hard to forget had surfaced.

    ��Hwang Yong-min. I never expected to see that bastard there����

    Thest time she saw him was in the fourth round of death.

    She hadn��t seen or heard about him since then.

    She wanted to forget.

    She was afraid to remember.

    But she never imagined they��d meet by chance in reality.

    ��His face was the same as in the other world, just less muscr.��

    A brief but undeniable ill-fated rtionship.

    It seemed he had also recognized her.

    ��After all, I look the same in both the other world and reality����

    Recently, she had been in a public service announcement for the CPF unit and had be somewhat of a celebrity, so it wasn��t surprising he recognized her.

    ��Why did hee to the Grim Reaper Cult? Didn��t the ck Scythe deal with him harshly?��

    More than harshly.

    Hwang Yong-min had his arms cut off and was continuously tormented afterward.

    Seo Arin didn��t know the exact details of his torment.

    ��That scumbag wouldn��t havee to the Grim Reaper Cult for any good reason. He must be here for revenge against the ck Scythe.��

    He must have been lurking around looking for the ck Scythe and got into a fight with a man he held a grudge against, then fled under the watchful eyes of bystanders.

    Given the circumstances, that seemed likely.

    ��I can��t let anything happen to the ck Scythe. I have to eliminate him.��

    Though it was surprising he survived until the tenth round, the important thing was that he could be an obstacle in the future.

    ��I have to kill him.��

    The ck Scythe spared him, but considering he might be a future hindrance, it was better to kill him.

    She was confident.

    ��I��m apletely different person nowpared to back then.��

    After being betrayed by her trusted fellow actors and receiving advice from the ck Scythe to trust no one, Seo Arin was reborn.

    She wouldn��t just sit back and take it anymore.

    She would strike first before being struck.

    As shey on the sofa looking at the ceiling, lost in such thoughts, a face suddenly appeared.

    It was An Sang-cheol.

    ��Oh, you startled me!��

    ��Did I scare you?��

    ��Of course! Wouldn��t you be?��

    Seo Arin, annoyed, sat up.

    She thought no one was home because it was quiet, but it seemed An Sang-cheol had let himself in.

    ��Didn��t you know I was here? You could tell by the shoes.��

    ��I didn��t have time to check that.��

    ��Why? What happened?��

    Seo Arin hesitated to answer An Sang-cheol��s question.

    ��Can I trust the bodyguard?��

    Ever since receiving the ck Scythe��s advice, she had been wary.

    ��President Ma could discard me at any time. The bodyguard is his right-hand man, so it goes without saying.��

    Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol were a set.

    Both were untrustworthy.

    ��Why are you hesitating? What��s going on?��

    ��������

    Not wanting to share information, Seo Arin eventually opened her mouth.

    After all, they had been through life-and-death situations together.

    ��Do you remember Hwang Yong-min?��

 Chapter 171 (Part 2)

    Chapter 171: In Front Of The House (Part 2)

    Not wanting to share information, Seo Arin eventually opened her mouth.

    After all, they had been through life-and-death situations together.

    ��Do you remember Hwang Yong-min?��

    ��Hwang Yong-min�� the one who chased us in the forest during the second round?��

    ��Yes. I ran into him by chance today.��

    ��That bastard is still alive?��

    Not seeing or hearing about him during the missions, An Sang-cheol was also unaware.

    ��He��s alive.��

    ��He��s a tenacious guy. I thought he��d been eliminated before the tenth round.��

    ��His nasty personality hasn��t changed. He was beating up a disabled person.��

    ��������

    An Sang-cheol was surprised not by the news but by Seo Arin��s eyes, which showed a cold glint despite her pretty face.

    ��I have to kill him.��

    ��������

    ��If we leave him be, he��ll just cause more trouble. Hwang Yong-min needs to be eliminated.��

    An Sang-cheol blinked, stunned by her chilling words.

    ��Is this the same Seo Arin I know?��

    In the second round, she questioned whether they really needed to kill, even when she was almost assaulted. She worried about the perpetrator��s life like a saint.

    ��But now she��s changed so drastically?��

    Though she had experienced many hardships, this was the first time he saw such a visible transformation.

    ��Did something specific trigger this change?��

    The betrayal by her fellow actors and the advice from the ck Scythe was known only to the ck Scythe and Seo Arin, so An Sang-cheol had every reason to be puzzled.

    ��You��re right. It would be better to kill him, as you said.��

    ��Isn��t it?��

    ��But the ck Scythe spared him. The Prophet also warned against pursuing him.��

    ��The Prophet?��

    Seo Arin asked, puzzled.

    ��Why?��

    ��He said that meddling with Hwang Yong-min would bring great disaster.��

    ��Is that all?��

    ��Yes, he wouldn��t borate further.��

    ��������

    Seo Arin didn��t know that.

    ��Why would the Prophet protect Hwang Yong-min?��

    It was baffling, but there was nothing she could do.

    ��If the Prophet said so, there must be a reason. I��ll have to let it go.��

    Seo Arin decided to abandon her thoughts of revenge.

    ��I guess we have no choice. Let��s hope he won��t cause any more trouble.��

    ��Don��t worry. He might have survived this long, but he��ll be dead soon enough.��

    ��I��m more worried about him seeking revenge on the ck Scythe.��

    ��Is that so?��

    An Sang-cheol noticed her worry.

    It was clear she had some feelings for the ck Scythe.

    Though a hint of jealousy stirred within him, An Sang-cheol smiled nonchntly.

    ��Did you know? The most unnecessary worry in the world is worrying about the ck Scythe.��

    ��Bodyguard-nim. Can��t I worry if I want to? The ck Scythe is also human. He can be in danger anytime.��

    ��������

    He didn��t expect her to take his joke so seriously.

    An Sang-cheol was momentarily at a loss for words.

    Just then, Seo Arin looked up at the air, tilting her head.

    It seemed like she was checking a message.

    ��What��s wrong, Arin-ssi?��

    ��I searched for Hwang Yong-min to track him, but something��s strange.��

    ��What��s strange?��

    ��It says he doesn��t exist.��

    ��What?��

    Tracking, which can be used in reality if one knows the face and name, should work if the conditions are met.

    ��Are you sure you saw Hwang Yong-min?��

    ��Of course.��

    ��You��re not mistaken?��

    ��Do I look like I have a bad memory? It was definitely Hwang Yong-min.��

    ��Then could it be a false name?��

    ��If it were a false name, it would say the face and name don��t match. But it says he doesn��t exist at all����

    ��Hm, that��s odd.��

    An Sang-cheol found it strange too.

    ��Wait a moment. I��ll try with another name.��

    Seo Arin, thinking it might be an error, searched for Hong Sun-ah.

    And she realized.

    [The person does not exist.]

    ��Ah.��

    The message wasn��t lying.

    ��What��s wrong, Arin-ssi?��

    ��I searched for the name of a dead person, and it says they don��t exist.��

    ��Really? Then that means Hwang Yong-min is already dead.��

    ��Oh��? Yes, it does.��

    ��Then who did you see? A ghost?��

    ��������

    Seo Arin couldn��t respond, feeling a chill down her spine.

    ��What did I see?��

    The thought of it being a ghost gave her goosebumps.

    ��I��ll search for someone else. Just to make sure.��

    Though it seemed imusible for the system to be broken, she needed to try something to avoid believing she had seen a ghost.

    ��Who should I search for? Ah, I��ll try the Prophet.��

    Seo Arin visualized Ryu Min��s face and called his name.

    [Face and name match. Tracking the target��s location.]

    [The target ��Ryu Min�� is 125 meters away.]

    [Follow the arrow in front of you to track the target.]

    ��I tried searching for the Prophet, and it works. He��s pretty close by.��

    ��Oh, really?��

    ��His distance is decreasing, so he must be heading home.��

    ��Should we ask the Prophet about Hwang Yong-min��s status?��

    ��Do you think he knows?��

    ��Since he warned us not to touch Hwang Yong-min, he might know if he��s alive.��

    ��Alright.��

    The two went outside and took the stairs to the lower floor.

    Waiting in front of Ryu Min��s house, they would soon meet him.

    Ding��

    As the elevator door opened, they found Ryu Min as expected.

    ��Hello, Mr. Ryu Min.��

    ��Hm? Seo Actress? An Manager?��

    They also saw his younger brother, Ryu Won.

    But there was an unfamiliar woman standing between them.

    Seo Arin squinted at Yamti.

    ��She looks familiar�� Where have I seen her?��

    Seo Arin thought deeply and soon remembered.

    ��You�� you��re����

    She was the woman said to be a real-life acquaintance of the ck Scythe.

 Chapter 172 (Part 1)

    Chapter 172: Meal (Part 1)

    ��Isn��t that Yamti?��

    Yamti was quite surprised at Seo Arin��s question.

    ��How did she recognize me after I changed my appearance?��

    She thought that the customization would make her unrecognizable, but someone had identified her.

    It seemed she hadn��t changed enough.

    ��It is, right? Yamti?��

    ��������

    Yamti neither confirmed nor denied, merely ncing at Ryu Min for a cue.

    However, Ryu Min interjected as if there was no need to be cautious.

    ��Oh? You two know each other?��

    ��We met in the other world. At that time, she introduced herself as a real-life acquaintance of the ck Scythe��.��

    ��Yes, Yamti knows the ck Scythe even in real life.��

    ��Don��t tell me, Ryu Min, you too��?��

    ��No, I��ve never met him. He��s quite a secretive person��.��

    ��Then it really is Yamti?��

    Finally, Yamti felt she could rx and answer.

    Because her master had acknowledged it.

    ��Haha, yes, it��s me, Yamti.��

    ��I thought you looked familiar. Nice to meet you.��

    ��Nice to meet you too. Meeting Seo Arin in real life is surprising.��

    ��I��m more surprised that you��re a real-life acquaintance of the ck Scythe.��

    Seo Arin, smiling, lowered her voice and revealed her desire.

    ��Um, Yamti. If it��s not too much to ask, could you give me the ck Scythe��s contact information��.��

    ��That��s not appropriate. Moreover, it would be a huge disrespect to the ck Scythe. He doesn��t want to reveal his identity to anyone.��

    ��Ah��.��

    Yamti��s serious tone made Seo Arin feel awkward.

    ��Then, could you at least let me talk to him on the phone? I have something to say��.��

    ��I��m sorry. Even though I know him in real life, I don��t have his contact information. He always calls me with a restricted number. That shows how cautious he is. He even hides his face in the CPF unit.��

    ��Ah��.��

    Seo Arin was simultaneously convinced and disappointed.

    -I wanted to meet him in person just once more��.

    Reading her thoughts, Ryu Min shook off his worries.

    ��She just wants to meet him, not find out my identity.��

    He had been worried that Seo Arin might persistently ask about the ck Scythe��s identity, but there was no need for that.

    ��Even if she did, there��s no way my identity would be discovered.��

    In anticipation of such situations, he had told Yamti how to respond if asked about the ck Scythe in real life.

    ��Thankfully, she handled it well as instructed.��

    Upon reading Seo Arin��s thoughts, she wasn��t suspicious of Yamti.

    She was just envious that she couldmunicate with the ck Scythe in real life.

    ��By the way, what brings you both to my house��?��

    ��Oh, I wanted to ask Ryu Min about something personal.��

    ��Really? Well,e on in then. While you��re here, join us for a meal.��

    ��A meal?��

    ��You haven��t had dinner yet, right?��

    ��Well, no����

    ��Thene on in.��

    With a grin, Ryu Min opened the front door and looked at his younger brother.

    ��Is it okay if we have a few more guests?��

    ��Huh? Oh, sure����

    Ryu Won was pleased to have the chance to serve dinner to Seo Arin, whom he liked, but he also felt a bit pressured.

    *

    Bubble, bubble��

    When the kimchi stew was boiling vigorously, Ryu Won ced it in the center of the table.

    ��There��s not much prepared, but please help yourselves.��

    ��Not much? This is a feast!��

    As Seo Arin said, there were plenty of side dishes on the table.

    Rolled omelette, stir-fried sausage and vegetables, japchae, stir-fried fish cake, and kimchi stew.

    It was a lot to prepare alone, but Ryu Won had done it.

    It had taken him an hour and a half to prepare the meal, but Ryu Min had helped, otherwise, it would have taken three hours.

    ��Let��s eat.��

    ��Let��s see how it tastes.��

    Slurp��

    Seo Arin��s eyes sparkled as she tasted the kimchi stew.

    ��You said you followed a YouTube recipe?��

    ��Yes�� is it not good?��

    ��Not good? It��s delicious!��

    ��Phew, I was worried it might not taste good.��

    Ryu Won finally felt relieved at Seo Arin��s radiant smile.

    ��I didn��t know my brother was this good at cooking.��

    ��Haha, I just don��t do it often, but when I do, I can manage.��

    ��You should consider getting a Korean cooking certificate. Stop ying games.��

    ��Ugh�� Okay, fine.��

    Ryu Min, Ryu Won, Seo Arin, An Sang-cheol, and Yamti finished their meal in a warm atmosphere.

    ��Thanks for the meal, Won-ah.��

    ��Thank you, nuna.��

    Ryu Min, who was watching Yamti and Ryu Won, asked in surprise.

    ��What? When did you two start speaking casually?��

    ��When Ryu Min went to the bathroom. Hehe.��

    ��There��s quite an age gap, so it felt awkward to keep being formal, hyung.��

    ��Are you dissing me for being older, Won-ah?��

    ��No way, nuna.��

    As Ryu Won chuckled and went to do the dishes, Yamti stood up as well.

    ��Are you going to do the dishes? Let me help.��

    ��I��ll help too.��

    When Seo Arin tried to stand up, Ryu Min stopped her.

    ��Let them handle the cleanup. We have something to discuss, right?��

    ��Oh, right.��

 Chapter 172 (Part 2)

    Chapter 172: Meal (Part 2)

    ��Let them handle the cleanup. We have something to discuss, right?��

    ��Oh, right.��

    Following Ryu Min, Seo Arin, and An Sang-cheol went to the living room and sat on the sofa.

    ��So, what did you want to talk about?��

    ��Prophet, today I met a thug named Hwang Yong-min����

    Ryu Min listened calmly to Seo Arin��s story.

    ��So, Hwang Yong-min doesn��t show up in searches?��

    ��Yes. He��s listed as a nonexistent person. Do you know anything about this��?��

    ��It��s as it says. He doesn��t exist in this world.��

    ��What? So, the person I saw was really a ghost��?��

    ��There are no ghosts in this world. Besides, it wasn��t just you who saw him, but dozens of people.��

    ��That��s right. What��s going on?��

    ��Hmm.��

    Pretending to be in deep thought, Ryu Min shared an excuse he had made up during dinner.

    ��I guess I have no choice but to reveal the truth.��

    ��What��?��

    ��Hwang Yong-min is dead. But he was resurrected as an undead by someone.��

    ��What? Undead?��

    ��������

    Their reactions differed, but both were equally shocked.

    Not because they didn��t understand the term undead, but because they were astonished by the reality of it.

    ��There are yers who can even resurrect corpses. Hwang Yong-min was resurrected as an undead. That��s why I told you not to mess with him����

    ��Reviving as an undead�� Who would do such a thing��?��

    ��I don��t know. I saw it in a prophecy, but I only saw the back of the person.��

    Although it was a lie, there was a bit of truth in Ryu Min��s words.

    There indeed exists a necromancer profession that can control the undead.

    While dark wizards also handle undead, it��s more about summoning rather than raising corpses like necromancers.

    Shamans, on the other hand, tend to blow up corpses.

    ��Only necromancers can make corpses move like real people. But they can��t make them speak like Hwang Yong-min did.��

    But it didn��t matter.

    The important thing now was to convince Seo Arin.

    Fortunately, Seo Arin believed Ryu Min��s lie without a doubt.

    ��So, I encountered a sort of zombie?��

    ��You could say that.��

    ��Ugh, that��s creepy.��

    While Seo Arin rubbed her arms, An Sang-cheol asked with a curious expression.

    ��Prophet, is that necromancer a Korean yer? What level are they?��

    ��I don��t know the details.��

    ��Could that person be a threat to uster?��

    ��Well, if they��re an enemy, wouldn��t they be dangerous?��

    Though he spoke as if he didn��t know, Ryu Min was aware.

    The necromancer��s existence would be an obstacle in the future.

    ��To the Grim Reaper Cult, specifically.��

    Even knowing this, Ryu Min hadn��t eliminated the necromancer.

    He intended to use even that obstacle.

    ��Darkness makes the light shine brighter.��

    No one noticed Ryu Min��s slight smile.

    *

    After Seo Arin and the others left, Ryu Min approached his brother and patted his shoulder.

    ��Good job.��

    ��Haha, it was nothing.��

    ��Your cooking skills are impressive.��

    ��I��m thinking of getting a certificate like you suggested. Cooking is fun, and I might have a knack for it.��

    Ryu Min smiled along with his chuckling brother, but it wasn��t out of joy.

    It was to hide his bitterness.

    ��A certificate, huh��? It��s a luxury for me right now.��

    No matter how impressive a yer is, their life is always at stake.

    Fail to pass the 20th round, and life is over.

    nning for the future is a luxury for a yer.

    ��Sure, it doesn��t matter what happens to my life. But I want to create a world where my brother can live normally. That is my goal in this final regression.��

    To achieve that, all variables must be eliminated, and the n must be executed precisely.

    Clink��

    Returning to his room, Ryu Miny on his bed, deep in thought.

    He reviewed his ns and examined potential obstacles.

    ��Could Seo Arin be a variable? No. She��s too involved now. Removing her would be a bigger variable.��

    Even if she knew Yamti and Ryu Min were close, it wouldn��t change anything.

    As long as they maintained that they couldn��t contact the ck Scythe directly, she wouldn��t pry or doubt.

    That was clear from her thoughts.

    ��Then, what about An Sang-cheol and Jeffrey?��

    An Sang-cheol was always around Ma Kyung-rok or Seo Arin, so reading his thoughts was easy.

    In other words, it was easy to handle him if needed.

    ��But not Jeffrey.��

    He was unpredictable, especially concerning matters rted to Christine, acting impulsively and thoughtlessly.

    ��Hmm, I detest troublesome flies.��

    As he was reviewing potential threats, Ma Kyung-rok called.

    -Prophet, it��s President Ma.

    ��Yes, what��s the matter?��

    -Do you have time tomorrow afternoon? Jeffrey and my future father-inw want to meet you. They��reing to Korea to apologize for Jeffrey��s previous threat.

    ��Jeffrey and Nathan areing?��

    Seeing their effort to apologize in person showed they understood the seriousness of the situation.

    ��Alright. What time do they arrive?��

    -They��ll arrive at Incheon Airport at 3 PM.

    ��Then let��s meet at a nearby cafe at 4 PM. I��ll send you the location.��

    -Okay, I��ll inform them.

    After the call, Ryu Min immediately contacted Yamti.

    ��Yamti, how many people can we control currently?��

    -With the chairman of yer Haven and the police chief controlled, we have three spots left.

    ��Good. One spot should be enough.��

    -What��s going on?

    ��I��m meeting Jeffrey and Nathan tomorrow.��

    -To apologize?

    ��We��ll see. So����

    Ryu Min��s lips curled into a sly smile.

    ��Just in case, be ready to join me.��

 Chapter 173 (Part 1)

    Chapter 173: Bribery (Part 1)

    Rattle-

    Two foreigners entered the cafe, looking around the interior.

    It was a moderately popted cafe, good for having a conversation.

    ��Jeffrey, where is the Prophet?��

    ��Well, he��s not here yet, so it seems he hasn��t arrived.��

    ��Well, there are still 30 minutes until the appointment.��

    Nathan and Jeffrey headed straight to the cafe the Prophet mentioned as soon as they arrived in Korea.

    Although Nathan couldn��t drink coffee, he didn��t mind sitting in the cafe today.

    Today, he intended to appease the Prophet, to whom he came to apologize.

    ��Sit here.��

    ��Yes. Shall I order some drinks?��

    ��I��m fine. Go and order your coffee.��

    ��No. If you don��t drink, I won��t either.��

    Nathan smiled satisfactorily, but only for a moment.

    ��I can��t believe such a polite guy lost his temper and escted the situation like this.��

    Just thinking about the recording of him threatening the Prophet wiped the smile off his face.

    ��Why did you do it?��

    ��Pardon? What do you mean��?��

    ��I thought you were a cold-hearted assassin. But you lost your temper. Why?��

    ��I told you, sir. To help Christine����

    ��So you used such a barbaric method? You sounded more like a raging beast than a cold-blooded one.��

    ������

    ��Were you perhaps in love with my daughter?��

    Jeffrey��s heart sank, but he tried to remain calm.

    ����There��s no such thing.��

    ��Then why did you lose your reason? Like a fool blinded by love.��

    ��I have no excuse����

    Jeffrey could only lower his head.

    He knew that exining further would only sound like excuses.

    Rattle-

    Hearing the door open, Jeffrey looked up indifferently and opened his mouth in surprise.

    ��He��s here.��

    Nathan turned his head to see a small-framed Asian walking towards them.

    ��Not much of a first impression.��

    Short and seeminglycking muscles, an ordinary-looking weak Asian.

    That was Nathan��s assessment, but he didn��t care much.

    Why would the appearance matter?

    He was the Nostradamus of this era who could see the future.

    ��Hello, Prophet.��

    Nathan greeted first with a kind face, and Ryu Min nodded in response.

    ��You must be Nathan Craig, Christine��s father.��

    ��Yes, that��s correct. Please, have a seat.��

    ��Nice to see you, Prophet.��

    Ryu Min nced at Jeffrey who greeted him and responded curtly.

    ��I��m not particrly pleased.��

    ��I apologize for what happened back then. I havemitted a grave sin against you.��

    Jeffrey immediately apologized to try to soothe the Prophet��s mood.

    He bowed deeply enough to show his sincerity.

    ��They say bowing like this helps to calm the other person��s anger in Korea.��

    It was information he got from K-dramas.

    But it wouldn��t work on Ryu Min who could read minds.

    ��Then die.��

    ��Pardon?��

    ��You said youmitted a grave sin. Go and die.��

    ��Prophet, your words are too harsh����

    ��Too harsh? That��s odd. It hasn��t even been a few days, and you��ve already forgotten? You threatened me with a knife, saying you��d kill me. Isn��t that harsher? Don��t you remember? Should I y the recording loudly here?��

    ������

    Jeffrey��s expression hardened at the unexpectedly harsh response.

    He thought after bowing this deeply, the Prophet wouldugh it off saying, ��It��s okay, it��s all in the past.��

    Nathan, too, seemed surprised by the Prophet raising his voice, unlike his appearance.

    ��Um, I apologize�� I am very, very sorry.��

    ��Why do you keep apologizing? I don��t even feel your sincerity.��

    ������

    That was a provocation, a kind of test.

    To easily read Jeffrey��s true feelings.

    Sure enough.

    -This little prophet is annoying. But I can��t kill him.

    Jeffrey showed no sign of remorse.

    Of course, he was pretending to be calm because Nathan was there.

    ��Tsk, this is why you can��t easily trust a yellow-haired beast.��

    It wasn��t surprising.

    He had already expected there would be lingering resentment.

    ��I can��t leave such an unpredictable variable.��

    He had already decided to eliminate the variable.

    Apologies were never his real intention.

    Unaware of this, Nathan tried to lighten the mood with a forced smile.

    ��Ha ha�� It seems the Prophet is very angry. Rightfully so. Even I was furious when I heard the recording�� But wouldn��t it be better for both of us to let it go now? I��ve scolded him harshly and made him swear never to do it again. As a man of God, you should know the weight of a vow����

    Nathan��s long-winded speech didn��t reach Ryu Min��s ears.

    Ryu Min, knowing there was a bribe, wanted him to get to the point quickly.

    Fortunately, Nathan seemed to realize Ryu Min��s uninterested expression and hurriedly took something out of his bag.

    ��A 5-carat diamond. Worth about 300 million won. Please ept it.��

    ��What for?��

    ��As a token of apology.��

 Chapter 173 (Part 2)

    Chapter 173: Bribery (Part 2)

    Ryu Min, knowing there was a bribe, wanted him to get to the point quickly.

    Fortunately, Nathan seemed to realize Ryu Min��s uninterested expression and hurriedly took something out of his bag.

    ��A 5-carat diamond. Worth about 300 million won. Please ept it.��

    ��What for?��

    ��As a token of apology.��

    ��But the mistake wasn��t yours, Nathan.��

    ��No, it��s my fault. Jeffrey is like a son to me, having raised him since he was young. It��s the parents�� fault if the child is poorly raised, isn��t it?��

    Ryu Min looked at the diamond quietly.

    It wasn��t a huge bribe for someone overflowing with money, but it was excessive, even beyond excessive for others.

    ��No reason not to ept it. I��ll give it to Min Juri.��

    If he gave it to Min Juri, she would likely see it as a debt and be more loyal to him.

    If he could win her heart with just 300 million won, it wasn��t a waste.

    ��Alright. I ept your apology.��

    Ryu Min smiled as he epted the diamond.

    He might look materialistic, but he didn��t care.

    Nathan wasn��t just apologizing but also asking him to take good care of his daughter.

    ��It��s a deal, a transaction.��

    He epted the bribe, but there was still one more thing to receive.

    ��I need to use the restroom.��

    As Ryu Min left the table, Jeffrey��s expression quickly turned disgruntled.

    ��What��s so great about that Prophet that he��s so hard to please?��

    ��Don��t say such things. Without the Prophet, Christine wouldn��t be alive.��

    ��He��s withholding crucial information, so how can she����

    ��Jeffrey.��

    Nathan red at him fiercely.

    ��I don��t care if you haveints. But keep your mouth shut in front of the Prophet. Don��t ruin the rtionship we barely restored. Got it?��

    ��Yes. Don��t worry.��

    Jeffrey said not to worry, but he still harbored resentment inside.

    At least until the intruder appeared.

    ��Hello.��

    ��What is it?��

    ��Sorry to interrupt, but it��s a bit noisy. Could you please be quieter? Please.��

    She appeared and disappeared quickly, but it was enough.

    To bring Jeffrey under her control.

    ��Who was that? Someone you know?��

    Jeffrey looked at her and shook his head as she subtly signaled.

    ��I don��t know her.��

    ��I couldn��t understand a word.��

    At that moment, Ryu Min returned from the restroom.

    He met Jeffrey��s eyes, but the previous hostility was gone.

    ��So, she has taken control.��

    The variable was eliminated.

    Detailed orders could be given over the phone.

    Ryu Min smiled and spoke cheerfully.

    ��Well, shall we have some coffee as a gesture of reconciliation? It will be my treat.��

    ��Yes, of course.��

    Only Nathan, who couldn��t drink coffee, had a bitter expression.

    *

    After the 10th round, the Celestial Realm was in an uproar.

    Because one of the Seven Archangels, Remiel, was missing.

    [Speak truthfully. Is it true?]

    [Yes. I clearly saw him entering the Akashic Records.]

    [And that was thest you saw of him?]

    [Yes.]

    Hearing the soldier��s testimony, Michael, one of the Seven Archangels, furrowed his fine brow slightly.

    [I see. You may go.]

    [Yes!]

    Michael folded his wings and stood lost in thought.

    He had gathered all the information he could from the soldiers�� testimonies.

    ��I��ve heard rumors about a yer calling angels to the Oracle Altar and killing them. But����

    Coincidentally, Remiel went missing at that time.

    The soldiersst saw him emerging from the Akashic Records and heading somewhere.

    ��Did he really go down to the Oracle Altar after hearing about the angels being killed?��

    If so, why hadn��t he returned to the Celestial Realm after several days?

    Why hadn��t he responded to Michael��s calls, who held absolute power among the Seven Archangels?

    There was only one hypothesis left after all these questions.

    ��Is he dead? Remiel?��

    Did he die fighting that yer who killed angels?

    ��It��s hard to believe. That a member of the Seven Archangels was killed by a yer who had only progressed through 10 rounds?��

    But there was no other hypothesis.

    ��The only option left is to go to the Akashic Records.��

    He already knew Remiel frequently visited the Akashic Records.

    He often said he was bored and would go listen to stories from other dimensions.

    ��He left the Akashic Records and went down to the Oracle Altar as if he had heard about the angels being killed.��

    There��s only one way to get news in the Akashic Records, which cuts off external connections.

    ��He must have heard something from Luvaiah.��

    That entity loved to gossip and might have told Remiel about the events on Earth.

    sh-

    In an instant, Michael teleported to the entrance of the Akashic Records and opened the door.

    Rumble- Bang!

    Upon entering, he saw Luvaiah standing there as if waiting.

    [Greetings, Archangel of Archangels, Michael.]

    [You knew I wasing?]

    [Yes. The Akashic Records, the unparalleled hyperdimensional information repository, tells us many things.]

    [Then you know why I��m here.]

    [It��s about Remiel.]

    [Indeed. As you know, he��s missing. Tell me honestly what happened.]

    [Have you heard of the ck Scythe?]

    Michael��s eyebrow twitched at the unexpected remark.

    [What is that?]

    [You haven��t heard. It��s the current number-one ranked yer.]

    [Is he the one killing the soldiers?]

    [Yes.]

    [Insolent wretch. How dare he think of killing angels.]

    [Not just soldiers. Remiel fell to him as well.]

    [��!]

    Though expected, hearing it directly was shocking.

    [That a member of the Seven Archangels, capable of handling a hundred first-ss angels, was killed by a mere human. Is that possible?]

    [Whether it��s possible or not, it has already happened.]

    [��!]

    Luvaiah wouldn��t lie.

    ��ck Scythe�� A remarkable human.��

    To grow enough to kill an Archangel in just ten rounds.

    ��An extraordinary human. But it ends today.��

    Michael couldn��t ignore this since it wasn��t just soldiers but an Archangel who died.

    [Before he grows further, I must kill him immediately.]

    [ck Scythe is still on Earth. The 11th round starts in a few days.]

    [Then I��ll target him at the start of the 11th round. Opening the dimensional door and manifesting now will imply a very heavy penalty.]

    [That��s wise. But I rmend waiting longer than the 11th round.]

    [Why?]

    Luvaiah paused briefly before speaking.

    [Because it will better serve your greater cause.]

 Chapter 174 (Part 1)

    Chapter 174: The Start Of 11th Round (Part 1)

    The day before the 11th round began, Ryu Min met with Min Juri.

    ��What is it that you wanted to give me?��

    ��Here, this.��

    When Ryu Min handed over a ratherrge ringcase, Min Juri��s eyes widened like a rabbit��s.

    ��W-what is this?��

    ��Open it.��

    Min Juri opened the case with a pounding heart, and she couldn��t help but gasp.

    Arge, 5-carat diamond was shimmering brilliantly.

    Thump thump thump thump-

    -What should I say? I��m not ready for this!

    Seeing her obvious misunderstanding, Ryu Min quickly set things straight.

    ��Don��t get the wrong idea. I got this as a gift from an acquaintance, but I don��t need it, so I��m giving it to you.��

    ��You don��t need this?��

    ��What would a guy do with a jewel? You can sell it or use it however you like.��

    ��How much is it worth?��

    ��The appraisal said 300 million won.��

    ��Th-three hundred million?��

    ��It could be more.��

    ������.��

    Min Juri couldn��t even think of closing her mouth.

    ��Why are you giving this to me?��

    ��I told you, I don��t need it.��

    ��You could sell it.��

    ��Too much hassle. Even if I sell it, it��s just pocket change for me.��

    ��You know that sounded really arrogant just now, right?��

    ��But it��s true.��

    Thepany owned by Ma Kyung-rok, which had a market cap of 900 billion won, had doubled in value in just eight months.

    Naturally, Ryu Min��s investments had also doubled.

    Effectively, he now possessed wealth close to 600 billion won.

    In that context, what use was 300 million won to him?

    ��It��s literally pocket change to me. But it��s not the same for you, right? It��s more useful for someone who needs it.��

    ��But����.��

    ��Use it to help your father and be a good daughter. The convenience store business isn��t doing well these days, is it?��

    ��That��s true, but you didn��t have to do this. I already owe you a lot.��

    ��Don��t think of it as a debt. Friends help each other out. If it feels too burdensome, just think of it as a gift.��

    ��Who gives a gift worth 300 million won?��

    ��Rich people do.��

    ������.��

    He wouldn��t back down or yield an inch.

    Min Juri was left wondering how to refuse him.

    ��Just say thank you. No need to feel burdened.��

    ��I really don��t need this kind of help����.��

    Though she said that, Min Juri was tempted.

    She worked at the convenience store with her father, but sales were declining day by day.

    She even had to confess to her father that she had used up the 10 million won she got from Ryu Min on living expenses and had to take out a loan.

    Just the other day, she was considering selling her equipment to raise some quick cash.

    In this desperate situation, the jewel was an irresistible temptation.

    ��Really���� Can I have this?��

    ��Yes.��

    ��Thank you����. But I��m not just taking it. I��m borrowing it. I��ll pay you back with interest.��

    ��Sure. Do that.��

    Min Juri took the diamond and hugged it to her chest, thinking of her gratitude towards Ryu Min.

    ��Really, thank you. But let��s make one thing clear.��

    ��What?��

    ��I��m naturally a good daughter, you know?��

    *

    November 1st, 00:00:00.

    The time to travel to the otherworld was always precise.

    At the stroke of midnight on the first of every month, one would copse into a deep sleep.

    Though the mind would be wandering the meadows of the otherworld.

    [Hello! 690 humans? For once, all of you have returned without anyone dying?]

    No one died?

    It made sense.

    ��Most of them are yer Haven members.��

    Out of 690 people, 489 were remaining yer Haven members.

    yer Haven members were chosen through a rigorous character test, so there was no internal fighting.

    ��It seems the other 201 didn��t fight either.��

    It might be thanks to the CPF unit led by ck Scythe that no onemitted any crimes in October.

    Seo Arin��s CPF public service ads also seemed to help.

    ��Anyone with half a brain would know. With so few people, fighting each other would only cause loss.��

    The more murdersmitted, the fewer achievement slots avable.

    It would just narrow the gap for one��s own advancement.

    [Before exining the 11th round, since there are fewer people, we need to merge the zones first, right?]

    As the angel pped its wings, the ground rumbled and the meadows were restructured.

    By now, it was already the fourth zone merge, so people weren��t as shocked as before.

    It was only when the merge wasplete that they were taken aback.

    [Are you surprised by the increase in people? That��s because we merged all zones worldwide.]

    ��A-all zones?��

 Chapter 174 (Part 2)

    Chapter 174: The Start Of 11th Round (Part 2)

    [Are you surprised by the increase in people? That��s because we merged all zones worldwide.]

    ��A-all zones?��

    No wonder the meadow was filled with people endlessly.

    They thought the game would proceed in units of 5,000 as before, but the scale had grown.

    [The zone name is CA-EA001. As I mentioned, we merged all 190 zones worldwide, and the exact number of participants is 132,126. In terms of countries, it��s 195, but countries with many people were split into several zones. Conversely, countries with fewer people were merged with others.]

    ��Indeed, countries withrge poptions like India or China would be split into several zones. Unlike ours, which ended up with one zone.��

    The yers nodded as they listened to the exnation.

    Because all countries had gathered, there were this many people in the meadow.

    There were also many angels.

    There seemed to be about 190 angels floating in the sky, each exining to the people from their respective zones.

    [We will continue in one zone from now on. So, shall we reveal the 11th-round quest?]

    ? ROUND 11 ?

    <main>

    �� umte points in the fantasy world for 24 hours

    ��???? Multiple

    [Unified Zone CA-EA001]

    �� Participating Zones: 190

    �� Achieving Zones: 0/95

    ��Huh? What��s this?��

    ��Participating zones? Achieving zones?��

    ��Not participants or achievers?��

    As the yers murmured at the different quest screen, the angel exined.

    [Youpleted the sub-quest count in the fantasy worldst round, right? This time, it��s a simr mission. The difference is that the zone that umtes the most points wins.]

    ��A zonepetition����?��

    [Correct. Unlike the previous rounds based on individual performance, this time, you proceed as a team by zone.]

    ��By zone����?��

    ��The zones were just merged.��

    [Of course, it��s the zones before the merge. Each zone forms a team of roughly 700 people. You won��t be sharing experience points, it��s just a team sharing victory and defeat. You could call it a joint fate.]

    ��Oh����.��

    The yers nodded, understanding.

    [The quest is simple. Travel around the fantasy world andplete sub-quests to earn points. The points you earn individually are added to your team��s total, and the team with the most points wins.]

    ��Oh����.��

    ��It��s really a teampetition����.��

    ��Even if you don��t earn many points, you might survive if your team ranks high?��

    [That��s right. Even if someone cks off, as long as the team ranks high, that person also passes. The top 95 teams pass, from first ce to ny-fifth.]

    ��Oh, so that��s why it��s participants and achieving zones, not participants and achievers.��

    Korean yers looked at each other.

    They were no longerpetitors to eliminate, but teammates sharing the same boat.

    [Just because you��re a team doesn��t mean you share the rewards. The rank rewards are still based on individual performance.]

    ��So there are individual rankings, huh.��

    ��If you don��t get in the top three, you don��t get the rewards, right?��

    ��Yeah.��

    [Since the zones are merged, the rewards from this round on are slightly enhanced. You��ll have to work hard to get into the rankings.]

    Despite the angel��s words, people remained indifferent.

    They didn��t expect to receive the ranking rewards, limited to just three individuals.

    Surviving by earning as many points as possible was their primary goal.

    [Since the zones are merged, we also need to reduce the number of zone representatives to one. We��ll select the yer with the highest individual points as the unified zone representative.]

    ��The yer with the highest individual points?��

    ��Guess we can��t aim to be the zone representative.��

    No one said it, but they all thought the same thing.

    ck Scythe will take first ce again.

    [You should strive for survival, but there��s another reason to earn points. If you survive this round, a special shop will open where you can use the points you��ve earned.]

    ��A special shop?��

    [There, you can use your points to acquire special buffs and items. Think of points as the currency for the special shop.]

    Hearing that points could be used as currency, a spark of enthusiasm appeared on the yers�� faces.

    ��Whatever it is, earning lots of points is crucial.��

    ��In that case, let��s all do our best. Complete those sub-quests like crazy to rack up points!��

    The Korean yers steeled their resolve and looked at the other yers.

    They saw many foreign yers they hadn��t seen before.

    Since most people didn��t change their appearance drastically during customization, it was easy to distinguish yers from other countries.

    ��This round is like a nationalpetition of sorts.��

    Thus, everyone seemed motivated, but there was a fact the angel hadn��t mentioned.

    Another way to earn points.

    [There are various ways to earn points. During the 24-hour limit,pleting sub-quests scattered across the area grants points based on difficulty. Killing monsters in the field also gives points along with experience.]

    ��Simple enough.��

    ��Just like before, we should focus onpleting sub-quests.��

    People were confidentlyughing and talking, but they fell silent as the angel continued.

    [Oh, and killing other yers also grants points.]

    ������.��

    [I��m not telling you how many points. Find out for yourself. It��ll be more than you expect. Hohoho.]

    The angelughed brightly, but no one could follow suit.

    -You get points for killing people?

    -So, if you kill someone from your own team����?

    -No. Killing someone from your team is a loss. You lose someone who could be earning points.

    -If you��re going to kill, target yers from other countries.

    As people��s thoughts became clear, Ryu Min sighed and shook his head.

    ��Just as the angel intended. They��ll see each other as enemies and fight.��

    The rule about earning points for killing others was there to incite people to kill and distrust each other.

    ��After dividing them by country, they��ll probably give a cooperative quest in the 12th round.��

    Whoever designed this had a twisted sense of humor.

    While inwardly clicking his tongue, Ryu Min observed the yers.

    They quickly broke the silence and started cheering again.

    ��Since it��s like this, let��s work hard on the sub-quests!��

    ��If we stick together, there��s nothing to fear!��

    ��Right. We have the top-ranked yer, ck Scythe, on our side!��

    ��Earning points is no big deal! Let��s all survive together!��

    Their cheers, however, were short-lived.

    [Now that the exnation is over, we will immediately transport you to the fantasy world. Oh, by the way, the starting location is random.]

    ��R-random?��

    [Starting all in the same ce would be boring, isn��t right?]

    Realizing they would be scattered, everyone fell silent again.

    </main>

 Chapter 175 (Part 1)

    Chapter 175: irvoyance (Part 1)

    Despite the start of the long-awaited 11th round, Christine was feeling down.

    This round might very well be herst.

    ��There��s nothing to worry about. I have the power of dominion.��

    She had an absolute power called the power of dominion.

    In case of emergency, she could use it to block anyone trying to ambush her.

    But how do you think she, who wasn��t particrly strong, became the representative of the district?

    The reason was the people who steadily gathered around her.

    ��You��ve arrived? Lord Berber.��

    ��Greetings, Lady Chrissy.��

    ��Hello, Lord Lupin.��

    ��Greetings, Lady Chrissy.��

    yers approached and greeted her using their tracking skills.

    They wererades and party members who had been with her since the 2nd round.

    They were also followers of the only priest job.

    ��With them, I have nothing to fear.��

    The rune Christine acquired tomemorate her priest advancement was the [Rune of Life].

    Since it was a rune that gave experience points and stats the more she healed or saved lives, she had no choice but to help others, whether she liked it or not.

    ��But thanks to that, so many people have gathered.��

    By voluntarily helping people, she gained their trust.

    Who would refuse free healing in this world?

    It wasn��t like she was stealing monsters.

    ��Although I used healing to gain experience points and stats, they don��t need to know that.��

    No matter the hidden truth, people saw her as a Nightingale volunteering for free.

    She became the district representative by emphasizing that she was the only healer.

    ��Even the voters who were initially skeptical believed in meter. They even said they chose the right representative.��

    Thanks to that, she maintained her position as the representative from the 2nd round until now and could lead many followers under the title of Saint.

    They relied on each other and overcame many challenges.

    ��I��ll solve this one too, no matter what obstaclees.��

    Soon, the number of people gathered around Christine reached about a hundred.

    A reliable human shield surrounded Christine.

    ��As long as they��re around, I don��t have to worry about ambushes.��

    She felt relieved but couldn��t afford to rx.

    Since she didn��t know who might ambush her, she kept a vignt eye like a meerkat.

    ��Are you alright, Chrissy? You seem tense today.��

    ��I��m fine. Thanks for worrying, Dous.��

    ��If anything happens, let me know. I, as the Saint��s right-hand man, will definitely protect you.��

    ��Phew, that��s reassuring.��

    Christine smiled but didn��t neglect her surroundings.

    She had even learned the presence detection skill, so even if someone approached while invisible, it wouldn��t be a problem.

    As she thought of an assassin, she remembered Jeffrey from the other district.

    ��Even if it was for me, threatening to kill the powerless prophet is disappointing����

    Since the districts had merged, she would meet him eventually, but she decided not to think about it.

    Although she knew his nickname, she didn��t know his face due to customization.

    She didn��t want to find him anyway.

    ��Come to think of it, since the districts are merged, I can meet Prophet and Ma Kyung-rok too.��

    She wasn��t close to Prophet, but could she trust her fianc��, Ma Kyung-rok?

    At least he seemed better than Jeffrey.

    He was a contender for the top 2, and 3 ranks in the previous district.

    ��Maybe he is the prince on a white horse who will save me����

    She shouldn��t rely on it, but she was curious about who would save her.

    [Now that the exnation is over, I will send you all to the fantasy world.]

    Hearing the angel��s words, it seemed like it was about to start in earnest.

    ��I must survive.��

    She already knew the strategy for the 11th round from the prophet.

    Survival was more important than attacking for now.

    ��I��m confident. With these people����

    Christine smiled confidently.

    Until the angel smirked and spoke.

    [Oh, by the way, the starting location will be randomly assigned. Good luck.]

    ��Huh? Random?��

    Before she could react, a bright light shed and disappeared.

    As Christine blinked, a lush forest appeared instead of a meadow.

    ��Where is this?��

    She was curious about her location, but more than that, she was confused.

    The people who were with her had all disappeared.

    ��Ah����

    Her mind went nk, making her earlier confidence meaningless, but she quickly regained herposure and used her surrounding detection skill.

    ��Huh? There��s one person nearby.��

    She saw a red dot close by and immediately headed in that direction.

    Whether it was an enemy or an ally, she couldn��t do anything alone with her job.

    ��Huh? Lord Dous?��

    ��Lady Chrissy!��

    Luckily, the person nearby was the pdin she had just parted from.

    ��I was worried after everyone got separated, but to meet Lady Chrissy right away! This is fate!��

    ��Haha, it seems so.��

    Christine smiled with relief.

    ��What if it had been someone I didn��t know�� it��s a relief.��

    Since Dous had been with her since the 2nd round, he could be trusted.

    ��Lord Berber is nearby too.��

    ��Oh, really?��

    ��He left to explore the surroundings for a moment. He��ll be back soon.��

    Using the surrounding detection skill, she confirmed that there was indeed a movement.

    Soon, Berber returned and brightened at the sight of Christine.

    ��Oh? Lady Chrissy, you��re here too?��

    ��Yes. Nice to see you, Lord Berber.��

    ��What a coincidence! With Lady Chrissy here, we don��t have to worry about dying now.��

    ��Haha, yes����

    They didn��t ask for permission to apany her.

    Dous and Berber naturally stood beside Christine.

    ��Well, it��s fine. I can��t manage alone anyway.��

    With these two reliable people, she felt reassured.

    Though it was less so than when she had a hundred people.

    ��Since we have plenty of time, let��s wait here for now. Other people mighte looking for Lady Chrissy.��

    ��That��s true. Let��s wait here for a while. Those who got separated will probably use tracking to find Lady Chrissy.��

    ��Hmm, then let��s wait a bit?��

    Christine preferred moving with a group rather than alone.

    Efficiency aside, it was much safer.

    However, she didn��t know.

    At the moment she decided to wait, someone behind her was smiling slyly.

 Chapter 175 (Part 2)

    Chapter 175: irvoyance (Part 2)

    A deserted alley.

    A man with a scythe appeared silently.

    ��Where is this?��

    Ryu Min emerged from the alley and saw a peaceful vige, solving his question.

    ��This is the Albiz Kingdom.��

    Unlike the clean Holy Empire, this city had a rough but somehow peaceful feel.

    ��Howe the starting location is different every time����

    There were so many starting points that, out of the 67 times he had experienced the 11th round, only a handful of ces ovepped.

    Isn��t it natural since it��s random?

    ��Then why did I always get the same random rune fragment every time?��

    While some random elements were different each time, others remained the same.

    He couldn��t understand the system for that reason.

    ��It doesn��t matter. Being in the Albiz Kingdom isn��t bad. Rather, it��s good.��

    Ryu Min��s first quest target was the Forest of Labyrinth.

    Fortunately, it wasn��t far from the Albiz Kingdom.

    ��Shall I check people��s locations with irvoyance first?��

    Ryu Min had a skill he received as a special reward in thest round.

    [Temporary Skill �C irvoyance]

    �C Effect: Close your eyes and say the activation word to activate. A virtual eye appears, allowing you to see from a third-person perspective.

    By thinking of the yer��s nickname and face, you can immediately switch viewpoints.

    ��irvoyance.��

    Closing his eyes, he used the skill and saw himself from a third-person perspective.

    Ryu Min, in third-person mode, thought of a person.

    ��Min Juri.��

    The viewpoint changed, showing Min Juri.

    ��Min Juri ended up in the Holy Empire.��

    She was quite far away.

    It didn��t look like they��d meet easily.

    ��Yamti.��

    Thinking of her nickname and face, the viewpoint immediately shifted to above Yamti.

    ��She��s also in the Holy Empire. Well, it doesn��t matter if she��s not avable for this round.��

    He considered using her if she was close, but it was too far.

    Next, he checked Seo Arin, Heo Taeseok, Ma Kyung-rok, and An Sang-cheol��s locations one by one.

    It wasn��t just curiosity about where they were.

    He needed to read their positions and actions to assess if they would be variables in this round.

    They might interfere with his quest in the Forest of Labyrinth.

    ��Seo Arin and Heo Tae-seok are far away, so no worries, but Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol are close.��

    Not only were they close, but they also seemed intent on tracking him down.

    How did he know?

    Because he could read their thoughts through irvoyance.

    ��irvoyance is like another version of me. My rune also applies to the irvoyant perspective.��

    He didn��t choose irvoyance over the point buff for nothing.

    He chose it because it was easy to read the opponent��s inner thoughts remotely and prepare in advance.

    ��Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol n to find me. They think they can gain something by sticking to me.��

    That��s fine by him.

    He had business with Ma Kyung-rok anyway.

    ��He��s going tomit atrocities by massacring foreign yers in this round. I need to deal with him in advance.��

    Next, he checked the location of Jeffrey, who was controlled by Yamti.

    As expected, he was far away and useless.

    ��Is Ju Seong-tak doing well?��

    He had instructed Ju Seong-tak, who became a ve due to a duel, to find him no matter where hended.

    Since he knew the face of the ck Scythe from before bing a ve, tracking was not an issue.

    It seemed he had observed him from afar.

    ��Fortunately, he��sing as well.��

    Seeing Ju Seong-tak running toward him, Ryu Min smiled.

    To obtain an item in the Forest of Labyrinth, he needed Ju Seong-tak��s help.

    Finally, Ryu Min turned his view to Christine.

    He knew her nickname, and having seen her customized face before, finding her was not difficult.

    ��She��s already in contact with two people.��

    Christine was with two people who seemed to be her followers.

    They must have been close by at the starting point.

    But you shouldn��t becent.

    ��Those two are why he said Christine was in danger.��

    The threats wereing from a cult called ��Despair Church.��

    The leader of Despair Church was America��s only necromancer, John Delgado.

    Under his lead, Despair Church aimed to kill Christine.

    ��Reading their thoughts, one is from Despair Church, and the other is a traitor colluding with him.��

    The most trusted ones were spies and traitors.

    That��s why Christine will die in the 11th round.

    ��The story would be different if I intervened.��

    He knew who the enemies were, but there was no need to act right away.

    The order to kill hadn��t been given yet, and the Despair Church would act once they gathered their forces.

    ��That means there��s still time.��

    During that time, Ryu Min nned to proceed with the quest with Ju Seong-tak.

    He had to obtain an essential item from the Forest of Labyrinth.

    It was an item that allowed him to conceal his nickname.

 Chapter 176 (Part 1)

    Chapter 176: The People Chasing the ck Scythe (Part 1)

    Since the beginning of the 11th round, Ma Kyung-rok looked more flustered than ever.

    ��Damn it, we��re all scattered?��

    He thought they would move together because it was a group mission, but they were scattered like it was an individual mission.

    It was an unexpected situation that even the prophet had not mentioned, making him more bewildered.

    ��What��s going on? Did the prophet forget to mention it? Or could it be��?��

    Ma Kyung-rok shook his head.

    There��s no way the prophet would deliberately withhold information.

    There wouldn��t be any benefit to that.

    ��He must not have known we would scatter.��

    Even the seemingly perfect prophet sometimes misses out on important information like this.

    ��Damn, how am I supposed to find Christine like this?��

    Ma Kyung-rok intended to protect his fianc��e, Christine.

    At least he needed to act like he was trying to avoid any suspicion.

    ��Honestly, I don��t love her. How could I have such feelings for a foreigner after just a few months?��

    He hardly considers her his fianc��e.

    But that didn��t mean he wanted anything bad to happen to her.

    No businessman wants their business rtionship to break down.

    ��I wanted to protect her�� but now I can��t even track her.��

    He knew her nickname was Chrissy, but he had never met her in this otherworld, so he didn��t know her face.

    This made tracking impossible under the current conditions.

    He had no idea where to find Christine.

    ��Should I just focus onpleting quests and earning points?��

    No matter how he thought about it, there was no way to help Christine.

    The only thing he could do was earn points and keep the group alive.

    ��There��s no need to worry. The prophet said, right? A lifesaver will appear to save Christine.��

    If everything goes as the prophet said, it means she won��t die, so there��s no need for him to step in.

    Even if he wanted to, he couldn��t.

    ��Let��s focus on earning points. Now where should I go to find a quest?��

    Just then, a well-paved road where carriages might travel appeared before him.

    At the end of the road was arge city surrounded by walls.

    ��Is that a kingdom? There must be many quests there.��

    As Ma Kyung-rok walked, a thought crossed his mind.

    ��What if I run into other yers while wandering around?��

    He would greet a Korean yer with a smile, but what about yers from other countries?

    ��There��s no benefit in being with yers from other countries ording to the rules.��

    Theye from different areas and aren��t on the same team.

    They can��t share points, and they don��t speak the samenguage.

    They are the onlypetitors that need to be eliminated.

    ��Didn��t they say you get points for killing other yers? A lot of points.��

    In that sense, yers from other countries were good targets.

    You could even say they were walking points.

    ��If I don��t kill them first, they��lle after me. Surely I��m not the only one thinking this way.��

    After thinking it over, Ma Kyung-rok decided.

    He would kill yers from other countries after assessing the situation.

    It was a necessary action for survival.

    ��Wait. Perhaps it��s more efficient to hunt foreign yers than toplete quests for points?��

    If things went well, he might even take the top spot in the rankings and be the zone representative.

    ��No, there��s no benefit in bing the zone representative. ck Scythe will kill me and take the position immediately.��

    High-level yers couldn��t be controlled by the zone representative, so the ck Scythe couldn��t be stopped.

    ��For now, aiming for second ce is the best. The first ce will always be the ck Scythe anyway.��

    First, he needed toplete a side quest and see which method was better for umting points.

    Was it faster to kill yers orplete quests?

    ��Let��s see if there are any people around.��

    Using his surrounding detection skill, he checked for red dots.

    ��Huh? Behind me��?��

    Seeing the red dot approaching him from behind, Ma Kyung-rok drew his sword and turned around.

    ��What kind of�� Director An?��

    ��SEO!��

    The person running towards him with the joy of a puppy meeting its owner was none other than An Sang-cheol.

    ��What happened, Manager An? Were you tracking me?��

    ��Of course. As soon as we were dropped into this strange ce, I tracked you down. It��s better to move together since we��re on the same team, right?��

    Ma Kyung-rok nodded.

    He felt uneasy traveling alone but having his right-hand man beside him was reassuring.

    ��Shall we go on a quest together?��

    ��Yes, SEO. But����

    ����?��

    ��Wouldn��t it be better to move with the help of the buffer?��

    ��Do you mean Min Juri?��

    ��Yes. Without receiving her buffs, I feel empty and somehow like I��m losing out.��

    It made sense.

    With a single buff, stats could increase by 70%, so the difference between receiving it and not was significant.

    Without it now, it even felt like they were under a debuff.

    ��That��s true. If we receive her Bless buff, it��llst for three hours.��

    ��Then I��ll track down Min Juri.��

    Ma Kyung-rok stopped An Sang-cheol, who was about to use the tracking skill.

    ��No, let��s go to the ck Scythe instead.��

    ��Huh? The ck Scythe?��

    ��Min Juri will surely try to move with the ck Scythe. If we approach Min Juri, who isn��t close to us, it��ll only make her more wary. Instead, if we attach ourselves to the ck Scythe, who we have some familiarity with, we can naturally receive Min Juri��s buffs and see how he umtes points.��

    ��Indeed, the ck Scythe has consistently maintained top performance in every round. Let��s do as you say, SEO.��

    The twoughed and changed their direction.

    Their target was none other than the ck Scythe.

 Chapter 176 (Part 2)

    Chapter 176: The People Chasing the ck Scythe (Part 2)

    At the same time.

    There were many people in other countries thinking the same as Ma Kyung-rok.

    ��Didn��t the angel clearly say? You get points for killing other yers.��

    ��Yes, that��s correct.��

    Chinese yer [Shizhikang] had a sinister smile.

    Ordinary people might hesitate to kill, but not him.

    Having ascended to a high-ranking position in the underworld in histe 20s thanks to his unusual talent, killing was easy for him.

    ��Earning points is damn easy. Just kill every bastard you see, right?��

    ��Yes, boss. But you must not kill Chinese yers.��

    ��Do you think I don��t know that, you bastard? You think I��m stupid damn it!��

    He pretended to strike, and his subordinate immediately apologized.

    ��I spoke out of turn. I��m sorry.��

    Even in this otherworld, his subordinate acted subserviently withoutint.

    After all, Shizhikang��s skill in killing was well recognized.

    ��Listen carefully if you don��t want to die. We need to survive to the end and take over the high-ranking positions.��

    ��Sorry!��

    ��We will follow you, Shizhikang!��

    With nine subordinates bowing their heads, Shizhikang smiled contentedly.

    ��That��s what I like to hear. I��ll make sure we all survive.��

    A world led by yers woulde.

    Ordinary people would be ves, and only the yers who survived to the end would reign as kings.

    ��The same goes for the underworld. As long as we survive, we can eliminate allpetitors.��

    Currently, the underworld is dominated by yers.

    Older, ordinary executives had long been purged.

    The members now in power were naturally in their 20s, and Shizhikang was one of them, having quickly risen to an executive position by proving his abilities.

    Shizhikang also dreamed of rising to a higher ranking.

    To achieve that dream, he will kill yers from other countries as much as needed.

    Killing was his specialty as a berserker job.

    ��From now on, we hunt yers from other countries. Think of them as monsters. Kill them without showing any mercy as soon as you see them. That��s how we survive.��

    ��But Shizhikang, how do we distinguish yers from other countries? We can��t see their nicknames, and their appearances are probably customized.��

    ��You idiot. You can tell by talking to them. We don��t speak the samenguage.��

    ��Ah, I see.��

    ��Now that you understand, let��s move. Use your detection skills and kill any bastards you find.��

    ��Hehehe, got it.��

    Shizhikang, smiling with his subordinates, immediately put his n into action.

    There were two red dots nearby.

    ��Let��s go!��

    With swords drawn, they quickly closed the distance.

    Judging by their appearance, they seemed to be Western yers.

    ��What the��?��

    The Western yer sensed them approaching but it was toote.

    ��Hey, you guys aren��t Chinese, right?��

    ��What��?��

    ��I knew it. White bastards.��

    Without hesitation, Shizhikang used his skill.

    ��Crimson Grip.��

    Out of nowhere, a giant red hand appeared and grabbed one of the Western yers.

    Dragged right in front of him, a red sword fell on the Western yer��s head.

    Swish-!

    ��Ho, holy shit!!!��

    The remaining Western yer, panicked, tried to run without looking back.

    He would have if he hadn��t been stabbed by Shizhikang��s subordinates.

    Stab- Stab- Stab-!

    ��Gah����

    Looking at the Western yer who died skewered, Shizhikang asked his subordinates.

    ��Who got thest hit?��

    ��I think I did.��

    ��How many points did you get?��

    ��I got 290 points.��

    ��Really? I got 350 points. That��s strange.��

    Regardless of the highs and lows, why did the points vary from person to person?

    Staring at the corpse, Shizhikang pondered.

    Then he came to one conclusion.

    ��Could it be that the points vary based on level?��

    If the level was low, fewer points were awarded; if the level was high, more points were given.

    ��Then the higher the level, the more points we get?��

    Suddenly, one person came to mind.

    The yer who held the top level among all, the world��s number one ranked yer, ck Scythe.

    ��His level was 90, right?��

    If he could just kill the ck Scythe, he might earn an unimaginable amount of points.

    ��It��s well known that he��s a Korean yer. If I kill him, I can shoot straight to the top spot. Being the zone representative would be a bonus.��

    He smirked, but the problem was how to kill him.

    While thinking, Shizhikang��s gaze slowly shifted to his subordinates.

    ��Should I use them as bait? Moreover, I can speak a little Korean.��

    Pretending to be a Korean, he could approach while using his subordinates as shields to deliver a fatal blow.

    This n seemed feasible.

    ��I need to keep this secret from them. Just hearing the name ck Scythe might scare some of these idiots.��

    Just then, one of his subordinates dragged in an Asian man.

    ��Shizhikang! We caught someone trying to escape nearby. You can kill him yourself for points.��

    ��W-why are you doing this? I have no intention of fighting. I was just passing by!��

    ��Wait a moment.��

    Listening to the man��s words, Shizhikang��s eyes gleamed.

    ��Are you Korean?��

    ��Huh? Oh, y-yes, you speak Korean?��

    ��A little.��

    ��Oh, thank goodness. P-please, tell them to let me go. Please����

    ��Before that, let me ask you something. Have you ever seen ck Scythe?��

    ��The ck Scythe? Yes, I have. We were in the same zone.��

    ��Really?��

    Shizhikang grinned and ced his sword against the Korean��s neck.

    ��Eek!��

    ��Do you have the tracking skill?��

    ��I-I have it!��

    ��Then guide us to ck Scythe right now if you don��t want to die.��At the same time.

    There were many people in other countries thinking the same as Ma Kyung-rok.

    ��Didn��t the angel clearly say? You get points for killing other yers.��

    ��Yes, that��s correct.��

    Chinese yer [Shizhikang] had a sinister smile.

    Ordinary people might hesitate to kill, but not him.

    Having ascended to a high-ranking position in the underworld in histe 20s thanks to his unusual talent, killing was easy for him.

    ��Earning points is damn easy. Just kill every bastard you see, right?��

    ��Yes, boss. But you must not kill Chinese yers.��

    ��Do you think I don��t know that, you bastard? You think I��m stupid damn it!��

    He pretended to strike, and his subordinate immediately apologized.

    ��I spoke out of turn. I��m sorry.��

    Even in this otherworld, his subordinate acted subserviently withoutint.

    After all, Shizhikang��s skill in killing was well recognized.

    ��Listen carefully if you don��t want to die. We need to survive to the end and take over the high-ranking positions.��

    ��Sorry!��

    ��We will follow you, Shizhikang!��

    With nine subordinates bowing their heads, Shizhikang smiled contentedly.

    ��That��s what I like to hear. I��ll make sure we all survive.��

    A world led by yers woulde.

    Ordinary people would be ves, and only the yers who survived to the end would reign as kings.

    ��The same goes for the underworld. As long as we survive, we can eliminate allpetitors.��

    Currently, the underworld is dominated by yers.

    Older, ordinary executives had long been purged.

    The members now in power were naturally in their 20s, and Shizhikang was one of them, having quickly risen to an executive position by proving his abilities.

    Shizhikang also dreamed of rising to a higher ranking.

    To achieve that dream, he will kill yers from other countries as much as needed.

    Killing was his specialty as a berserker job.

    ��From now on, we hunt yers from other countries. Think of them as monsters. Kill them without showing any mercy as soon as you see them. That��s how we survive.��

    ��But Shizhikang, how do we distinguish yers from other countries? We can��t see their nicknames, and their appearances are probably customized.��

    ��You idiot. You can tell by talking to them. We don��t speak the samenguage.��

    ��Ah, I see.��

    ��Now that you understand, let��s move. Use your detection skills and kill any bastards you find.��

    ��Hehehe, got it.��

    Shizhikang, smiling with his subordinates, immediately put his n into action.

    There were two red dots nearby.

    ��Let��s go!��

    With swords drawn, they quickly closed the distance.

    Judging by their appearance, they seemed to be Western yers.

    ��What the��?��

    The Western yer sensed them approaching but it was toote.

    ��Hey, you guys aren��t Chinese, right?��

    ��What��?��

    ��I knew it. White bastards.��

    Without hesitation, Shizhikang used his skill.

    ��Crimson Grip.��

    Out of nowhere, a giant red hand appeared and grabbed one of the Western yers.

    Dragged right in front of him, a red sword fell on the Western yer��s head.

    Swish-!

    ��Ho, holy shit!!!��

    The remaining Western yer, panicked, tried to run without looking back.

    He would have if he hadn��t been stabbed by Shizhikang��s subordinates.

    Stab- Stab- Stab-!

    ��Gah����

    Looking at the Western yer who died skewered, Shizhikang asked his subordinates.

    ��Who got thest hit?��

    ��I think I did.��

    ��How many points did you get?��

    ��I got 290 points.��

    ��Really? I got 350 points. That��s strange.��

    Regardless of the highs and lows, why did the points vary from person to person?

    Staring at the corpse, Shizhikang pondered.

    Then he came to one conclusion.

    ��Could it be that the points vary based on level?��

    If the level was low, fewer points were awarded; if the level was high, more points were given.

    ��Then the higher the level, the more points we get?��

    Suddenly, one person came to mind.

    The yer who held the top level among all, the world��s number one ranked yer, ck Scythe.

    ��His level was 90, right?��

    If he could just kill the ck Scythe, he might earn an unimaginable amount of points.

    ��It��s well known that he��s a Korean yer. If I kill him, I can shoot straight to the top spot. Being the zone representative would be a bonus.��

    He smirked, but the problem was how to kill him.

    While thinking, Shizhikang��s gaze slowly shifted to his subordinates.

    ��Should I use them as bait? Moreover, I can speak a little Korean.��

    Pretending to be a Korean, he could approach while using his subordinates as shields to deliver a fatal blow.

    This n seemed feasible.

    ��I need to keep this secret from them. Just hearing the name ck Scythe might scare some of these idiots.��

    Just then, one of his subordinates dragged in an Asian man.

    ��Shizhikang! We caught someone trying to escape nearby. You can kill him yourself for points.��

    ��W-why are you doing this? I have no intention of fighting. I was just passing by!��

    ��Wait a moment.��

    Listening to the man��s words, Shizhikang��s eyes gleamed.

    ��Are you Korean?��

    ��Huh? Oh, y-yes, you speak Korean?��

    ��A little.��

    ��Oh, thank goodness. P-please, tell them to let me go. Please����

    ��Before that, let me ask you something. Have you ever seen ck Scythe?��

    ��The ck Scythe? Yes, I have. We were in the same zone.��

    ��Really?��

    Shizhikang grinned and ced his sword against the Korean��s neck.

    ��Eek!��

    ��Do you have the tracking skill?��

    ��I-I have it!��

    ��Then guide us to ck Scythe right now if you don��t want to die.��

 Chapter 177 (Part 1)

    Chapter 177: The Forest Of The Labyrinth (Part 1)

    ��ck Scythe-nim!��

    As Ju Seong-tak waved his hand and approached, Ryu Min gave him a sharp look.

    ��Be quiet. Even if there aren��t many people around, don��t be so obvious.��

    ��I��m, I��m sorry.��

    Ju Seong-tak, who always looked at him with fierce eyes, lowered his gaze like a meek puppy.

    Reading his thoughts revealed absolute loyalty to his master.

    ��This is why I like the duel system. Just a duel and you practically have control over them.��

    Although a male ve wasn��t part of the original n, looking at Ju Seong-tak made him think it was a good idea.

    At least he wasn��t like some others who harbor hidden intentions or cling persistently to their master.

    ��Ju Seong-tak.��

    ��Yes, Master.��

    ��Follow closely so you don��t get lost. From here, we��re entering thebyrinth.��

    ��Thebyrinth?��

    Currently, Ryu Min was at the entrance of the Forest of the Labyrinth.

    He nned to capture the boss of this forest, Doppelganger, and obtain the Doppelg?nger��s Ring, which allows nickname changes.

    ��For that, I definitely need Ju Seong-tak��s rune, which increases boss-level drop rates by ten times. Getting the Doppelg?nger��s Ring isn��t easy.��

    This was why Ryu Min had summoned Ju Seong-tak.

    He needed his help to defeat the boss.

    ��Thebyrinth? You mean this forest?��

    ��Yes. We��re going to capture the boss here. I need your help with that.��

    ��The boss? What boss?��

    ��I take back what I said about a male ve being better.��

    Talking to Ju Seong-tak had its downside: he asked too many questions.

    ��Just shut up and follow me.��

    ��I��m, I��m sorry. I��ll follow quietly.��

    Entering the forest, Ryu Min didn��t look back.

    He didn��t need to see to know who was following him, thanks to his irvoyance.

    *

    ��Did he go in?��

    ��Yes, he went in. With some guy.��

    Seeing ck Scythe entering the forest with another man, Shizukan tilted his head.

    (T/N: Shizhikang is now Shizukan.)

    ��What��s in there that he just went in without hesitation?��

    Even though the forest was eerie enough to make anyone hesitate, ck Scythe entered as soon as he had apanion.

    As if he knew what was waiting inside.

    ��This seems suspicious. Should we follow?��

    ��Do you think we came all this way to turn back? Of course, we��re following. Hey, Punk.��

    ��Yes?��

    The Korean yer, who had been captured, looked at them with a scared expression.

    ��Why are you just standing there? Lead the way.��

    ��O-okay. This way����

    ��If you think of doing anything funny, you��re dead. Got it?��

    ��Eik. Y-yes����

    As the Korean yer led the way, Shizukan��s sneer pierced his back.

    ��A man crying like a baby. Tch.��

    ��Um�� Mr. Shizukan. Are you really nning to go up against ck Scythe? Isn��t it dangerous?��

    ��Who do you think I am? I��m Shizukan, the leader of the underground.��

    Originally, the n was to keep the target a secret, but since he had a Korean guide, he had to reveal it.

    Of course, he kept the part about using his subordinates as bait hidden, mixing some truth with lies.

    ��If I talk to him in Korean, he��ll surely have to lower his guard. Then we can strike from behind.��

    ��The n is good, but ck Scythe is infamous����

    ��To catch a tiger, you have to enter the tiger��s den. If you stay in the well, you��ll never get out. A man should live in the big world, don��t you think?��

    ��You��re right.��

    ��So shut up and trust me. If the n works, we��ll make a big haul.��

    ��Understood. I trust you, boss.��

    Having convinced his subordinates, Shizukan pursued ck Scythe with a sinister smile.

    Unaware of who was following behind them.

    *

    ��Mr. An, are we going the right way?��

    ��Yes. ck Scythe went this way.��

    In front of Ma Kyung-rok was a huge forest.

    It looked ominous, with a dark aura seeping out, clearly a dangerous ce.

    ��So ck Scythe went in here.��

    ��ording to our tracking skill, yes.��

    ��But did you see? It seemed like there were others who entered this forest too.��

    ��Yes. There seemed to be a group of about ten.��

    They saw yers entering the forest in a group.

    Whether they were allies or enemies was uncertain from the distance, but it was clear they hesitated before entering the forest.

    ��Could there be others chasing ck Scythe?��

    Considering his famous face and nickname, it wouldn��t be strange for him to be pursued.

    The problem was they might encounter others while tracking him.

    ��Are they like me, trying to get a piece of the action from ck Scythe?��

    He would find out if he followed more closely.

    But it could be foreign yers.

    ��If they��re foreign yers, I��ll kill them if necessary.��

    To prepare for such a situation, Ma Kyung-rok instructed An Sang-cheol.

    ��Mr. An. If we encounter foreign yers, kill them if the opportunity arises.��

    ��What? Kill them?��

    ��They probably think the same as us. By the rules, we��re enemies. The one who strikes first survives.��

    ��I understand.��

    ��Also, keep your presence-detecting skill active. Just in case.��

    ��Understood.��

    The two entered the Forest of the Labyrinth.

    Unaware that it would be difficult to escape.

 Chapter 177 (Part 2)

    Chapter 177: The Forest Of The Labyrinth (Part 2)

    The Forest of the Labyrinth, located between the Albitz and Braham Kingdoms.

    It was an unknown area even untouched by the kingdoms.

    No one who entered had ever returned.

    ��When I first heard the NPC��s exnation, I was a bit scared. I wondered if I might lose a round by going in.��

    But even then, Ryu Min, who was still growing, managed to escape the forest safely.

    ��Though I wandered in the forest for a good five hours.��

    The Forest of the Labyrinth was as difficult to escape as its reputation suggested.

    At first nce, it seemed like a straight path, but it changed every five minutes like a cube, splitting paths depending on where you walked.

    In other words, it was a ce designed to separate those who entered with numerous possibilities and patterns.

    ��Even if someone follows you closely, after five minutes, they can lose you in an instant.��

    Therefore, Ryu Min instructed Ju Seong-tak to stick closely.

    ��Don��te next to me, just follow behind. Don��t let the distance between us exceed 5 meters.��

    ��Yes, Master.��

    Knowing the path, there was no chance of getting separated if Ju Seong-tak followed well.

    ��Escaping will only take 15 minutes.��

    What took five hours the first time was reduced with each repeated attempt, reaching his current level.

    He memorized all the paths and patterns of thebyrinth after 25 attempts.

    ��So, can those who are entering for the first time even hope to escape?��

    Ryu Min smirked as he observed the group following him.

    They could enter as they pleased, but exiting wouldn��t be as easy.

    ��They might be stuck for at least five hours like I was.��

    Or they might be trapped for 24 hours if they were unlucky.

    At that point, the only option was to pray they had collected enough points inside thebyrinth.

    ��I understand why you��re following me, Chinese and Ma Kyung-rok��s group.��

    But he had no intention of letting them go easily.

    ��You should never leave thisbyrinth.��

    To them, the yers were just walking points.

    If let loose, they��d go on a rampage,mitting murders everywhere.

    ��That��s why I lured them into thebyrinth.��

    It might seem like they were following him, but Ryu Min had led them here.

    ��I also told Min Juri. This round, stay away from ck Scythe.��

    The reason was simple.

    He couldn��t let Min Juri get involved.

    He couldn��t let her get lost in thebyrinth.

    ��Try and follow me if you can. Let��s see if you can find me in thisbyrinth.��

    With a smirk, Ryu Min moved deeper into the forest.

    *

    The members of the ck Society, led by Shizukan, entered thebyrinth��s depths.

    Despite entering deeper into the forest, they moved confidently, trusting in their reliable leader, Shizukan.

    However, this trust didn��tst long.

    Five minutes into the forest, the Korean guide suddenly stopped.

    ��Huh?��

    ��What��s wrong, Punk?��

    ��Um, the, the tracking is acting strange.��

    ��What do you mean by strange?��

    ��The tracking�� it says it��s impossible.��

    ��What?��

    Shizukan��s face twisted in anger.

    ��What kind of bullshit is this?��

    ��It��s true. Please believe me!��

    The Korean yer trembled as he spoke.

    His fear seemed genuine, not an act.

    ��Is this for real?��

    Like Shizukan, the subordinates also had doubts.

    ��What��s the matter, boss? Is there a problem?��

    ��Well, it��s����

    In a moment, Shizukan debated whether to reveal the truth.

    The decision didn��t take long.

    ��This idiot says we should rest for a bit.��

    ��What?��

    ��Punk, are you out of your mind?��

    ��Telling us what to do after getting captured?��

    ��Seems like he��s got a death wish.��

    The subordinates red at the Korean yer, raising their voices.

    Not understanding theirnguage, the guide cowered in fear.

    ��If I tell them the truth, I��ll look like a fool for suggesting we should follow ck Scythe. Good thing I lied.��

    Shizukan secretly smiled and shouted in Korean.

    ��Just go!��

    ��Huh?��

    ��Even if tracking doesn��t work, just lead the way!��

    ��O-okay.��

    Even with the message saying tracking was impossible, the Korean yer walked on.

    What else could he do?

    If they told him to walk, he had to walk.

    ��Damn it, what the hell is going on? Why is tracking suddenly not working?��

    Shizukan thought it over and decided to try tracking someone else.

    [Signal not found. Tracking is impossible.]

    The person Shizukan tried to track was right next to him, one of his subordinates.

    ��Tracking is impossible even though they��re right beside me?��

    Just to be sure, he used his search skill.

    [Signal not found. Search impossible.]

    ��What the hell?��

    All his skills were failing him.

    Just a moment ago, they were working fine.

    ��Damn it. What kind of ce have we stepped into��?��

    Following ck Scythe had led them into a strange ce where neither tracking nor searching worked.

    Had they fallen into a trap?

    ��No, it can��t be.��

    He shook off the thought.

    How could ck Scythe have known they were following?

    They had kept a distance of over 500 meters to avoid detection by the detecting skill.

    ��The situation is bad, but there��s no need to panic. As long as we stick to the path, we��ll eventually find him.��

    But Shizukan��s thoughts were soon shattered within five minutes.

    ��Huh? Where did he go?��

    The Korean yer, who had been walking just five meters ahead, suddenly vanished.

    Shizukan hurried to catch up, but the guide was nowhere to be found.

    ��Where did he go? That bastard!��

    ��Boss. Where did the guide go?��

    ��That��s what I want to know, damn it!��

    Despite using his sense detection, he couldn��t sense anything.

    His subordinates, seeing their leader��s frustration, began to panic.

    ��Dammit.��

    A sigh escaped Shizukan��s lips.

    In their attempt to follow ck Scythe, the Chinese yers had ended up lost in thebyrinth.

 Chapter 178 (Part 1)

    Chapter 178: Doppelg?nger (Part 1)

    In the Forest of the Labyrinth, there resides a boss called the Doppelg?nger.

    Its attack power is not that strong, but it��s a troublesome opponent.

    ��Of course, only for those who are encountering it for the first time.��

    However, Ryu Min had faced and killed the Doppelg?nger countless times.

    It was so weak that he didn��t even need to remember how many times he had killed it.

    ��With thebo of Crimson Moon and Moonlight sh, it��s an easy target.��

    But Ryu Min had no intention of killing the Doppelg?nger himself.

    ��You should be the one to kill the Doppelg?nger.��

    ��M-me?��

    He instructed Ju Seong-tak, who was following behind him, on the strategy to defeat the Doppelg?nger.

    It was a simple strategy, so Ju Seong-tak could easily nod in agreement.

    ��Got it? Just do as I said, and you��ll capture it without any problems.��

    ��Yes. Don��t worry. I won��t disappoint you, master.��

    ��I hope so.��

    At that moment, a monster appeared before Ryu Min for the first time.

    Wriggle, wriggle��

    It was a venomous slime,monly found in the Forest of the Labyrinth.

    This was also a sign that they were getting closer to the Doppelg?nger��s habitat.

    ��I��ll handle this one since I��m giving up the boss.��

    To gain even a little bit of points, Ryu Min stepped forward with his scythe.

    sh��!

    He cut it in half before it could spread its venom.

    Wriggle, wriggle��

    Instead, the slime doubled in number.

    ��As expected, physical attacks don��t work.��

    The more you cut slimes, the more they multiply.

    Annoying as it was, he had no choice but to use magic.

    Crackle, crackle��

    Holding a scythe in one hand, he generated an electric current with the other.

    ��Shoot.��

    Crackle, crackle, sizzle��!

    The slime that was directly hit by the electric current burned away without a trace.

    Slimes were immune to physical attacks but took critical damage from magic attacks.

    However, no message appeared for killing just one.

    [You have killed a Venomous Slime!]

    [EXP +0.09%]

    [Gold +300]

    [Points +30]

    It was only after killing both that he received any reward.

    ��Even when they multiply, the experience doesn��t.��

    If it were possible, he would have stayed in one spot, splitting slimes to milk the rewards endlessly.

    ��Let��s go. We should be there soon.��

    ��Yes, master.��

    While killing slimes, Ryu Min asionally used his irvoyance to monitor the pursuing group.

    The first group he checked on was the Chinese.

    ��They��re all flustered since tracking and detecting skills don��t work here.��

    Once inside thebyrinth, all connections to the outside world are cut off.

    If you take the wrong path all signals will be lost.

    ��Looks like they lost the Korean guide and now they��re stuck.��

    If you��re not within 5 meters of each other, you can quickly be separated.

    Since all paths are connected like a cube, you might meet again, but it could take a long time.

    ��I need to remember their location. I might need the Chinese��s help to catch the Doppelg?nger.��

    Smirking, Ryu Min shifted his perspective.

    It wasn��t just the Chinese who were lost and confused.

    Ma Kyung-rok��s group was in the same situation.

    An Sang-cheol looked panicked after entering to track ck Scythe, only to lose the signal.

    ��You shouldn��t follow blindly into unknown ces.��

    Despite chiding them, Ryu Min smiled, satisfied that everything was going ording to n.

    ��But I wonder if Christine is okay.��

    He checked and saw that she was still at the initial location, waiting for the others.

    As a result, her group of two had grown to ten.

    ��She seems to think more people mean more safety�� but it��s useless. The Church of Despair will gather that many forces too.��

    From the perspective of necromancer John Delgado, it was clear.

    He had decided to kill Christine.

    ��While Christine waits for her followers, he gathers his cultists to ambush them.��

    That would be Ryu Min��s cue to step in.

    Intervening in a non-threatening situation wouldn��t provide a good pretext and would make him look crazy.

    ��But first, we need to deal with the Doppelg?nger and get out of here.��

    The appearance of slimes had decreased, indicating they were almost there.

    That��s when��

    ��Is anyone there? Please help!��

    A thin, high-pitched voice called from beyond the forest.

    Following the sound, they found a woman leaning against a tree, gasping for breath.

    ��Huff, huff�� someone, please�� ah!��

    Seeing Ryu Min and Ju Seong-tak, the woman brightened.

    ��T-Thanks God! I��m S-saved! I��m not the only one here!��

    The woman, dressed like a yer, tried to stand up in relief but fell back with a groan.

    ��Ugh�� excuse me, can you help me? I can��t get up. I hurt my ankle����

    ��What happened?��

    ��I was attacked by a slime. My foot hurts so much I can��t move.��

    Her swollen, blue ankle looked like it had been poisoned.

    ��Hm. Looks like you can��t move.��

    ��It hurts so much, sob.��

    ��What do you want me to do?��

    Sensing Ryu Min��s indifferent response, the woman became desperate.

    ��Please, help me get out of here. I��ll do anything. Please.��

    ��Anything?��

    ��Yes! Anything. I-I��m embarrassed to say, but if you have desires�� I can satisfy them����

    ��No need for that. Can you give me all your items?��

    ��Items? Of course!��

    The woman opened her inventory and pulled out some items.

    There were a few unique materials and a high-grade magic stone.

    ��I��ll give you these for now. I��ll give you the rest once I��m saved. How about that?��

    ��Fine.��

    Though he agreed, Ryu Min didn��t even look at the items.

    He simply approached her with his scythe.

    ��What are you��?��

    And before she could react, he beheaded her.

    Thud��!

    Her head, with a shocked expression, rolled on the ground.

 Chapter 178 (Part 2)

    Chapter 178: Doppelg?nger (Part 2)

    He simply approached her with his scythe.

    ��What are you��?��

    And before she could react, he beheaded her.

    Thud��!

    Her head, with a shocked expression, rolled on the ground.

    Though it was a sudden killing, Ju Seong-tak remained unfazed.

    Ryu Min had already briefed him.

    -The Doppelg?nger steals the appearance and memories of those it kills to deceive other humans in thebyrinth. It usually pretends to be a slime victim asking for help, then kills you once possessed.

    Having heard this beforehand, Ju Seong-tak immediately realized the woman was the boss, the Doppelg?nger.

    Swish��

    Her body disintegrated into powder and vanished.

    The items on the ground disappeared too.

    All of it had been fake.

    Only the appearance and memories of the yer were real.

    Swoosh��

    ck smoke rose from the spot where the body had disappeared, forming a human shape.

    [How did you know? My disguise was perfect.]

    Ryu Minughed openly at the creature speaking fluent Korean.

    ��A monster trying to talk to humans. Ridiculous.��

    [Monster? You humans who invade my territory are the real monsters.]

    ��Shut up and fight, monster scum.��

    [You have a bad mouth, human.]

    At that moment, a quest window popped up before Ryu Min.

    ��Condition ? Break the Doppelg?nger��s trap and face its true form

    [You havepleted the sub-quest!]

    [Points +2,000]

    ��Condition ? Watch the Doppelg?nger kill other prey

    ��Current prey killed by the Doppelg?nger (0/10)

    ��Condition ? Kill the Doppelg?nger yourself

    The sub-quest also appeared for Ju Seong-tak, who stared at it in the air.

    ��Ju Seong-tak.��

    ��Yes?��

    ��Run.��

    With that, Ryu Min sprang into action.

    Realizing the n, Ju Seong-tak quickly followed his master.

    [Where do you think you��re going, humans!]

    The Doppelg?nger��s form flew through the air, pursuing them.

    Seeing them flee suddenly, it mocked them.

    [Did you have a change of heart? Where did your act go? Filthy humans!]

    Ryu Min focused on running through thebyrinth.

    [You think you can escape my domain?]

    ��Yes.��

    Ryu Min wanted to say but held back.

    He needed to lure the Doppelg?nger properly.

    ��To be honest, the Doppelg?nger is slow. Really slow.��

    Though it floated, it wasn��t fast enough to catch up with a running yer.

    He could easily shake it off if he wanted.

    But he kept a tantalizingly close pace on purpose.

    He had toplete the quest and feed the Doppelg?nger.

    ��Thebyrinth will shift soon. I need to lure it to that spot.��

    Ryu Min checked their position and stopped at a specific tree with Ju Seong-tak.

    [What now? Have you given up after running like rats?]

    As the Doppelg?nger sneered,ing within 5 meters��

    ��What?��

    ��What the��?��

    Thebyrinth shifted.

    In an instant, they were facing new people.

    It was none other than the ck Society group.

    Amidst the confusion, only the Doppelg?nger��s form lengthened its mouth into a grin.

    [Oh? What��s this? More prey? Delightful.]

    As expected, the Doppelg?nger was pleased to find itself amidst the Chinese group.

    [Then, let��s dig in!]

    *

    Shizukan was taken aback.

    It was fortunate that two Asians suddenly appeared in front of him, but the problem was��

    ��Aaah! Save me!��

    Crunch�� Crack�� Snap!

    His subordinates were dying.

    To a mysterious ck figure.

    ��Shizukan!��

    The ck figure seeped into one of his subordinates, and a sickening sound of bones breaking filled the air.

    Snap�� Crack��

    ��Gaaah! Aaaaagh!��

    The screams didn��tst long.

    Within five seconds, the subordinate��s limbs twisted grotesquely, and the ck figure exited his body like a ghost.

    Then it quicklytched onto another subordinate, repeating the process.

    Snap�� Snap��

    ��Guh�� Guh!��

    ��Dammit.��

    In an instant, three of his subordinates were dead.

    It was clear that the ck figure was the cause.

    ��What the hell is that thing?��

    Although he wasn��t sure, it seemed to be a ghost-like entity.

    For now, he needed to deal with this urgent situation.

    ��What are you all standing around for? That ck figure is the cause! Kill it!��

    Following Shizukan��s order, his subordinates snapped out of their daze and pointed their swords at the ck figure attached to theirrade.

    But��

    ��Guys! What are you doing? It��s me! Chen Fu!��

    Seeing the familiar face of theirrade frantically waving his hands, they hesitated to swing their swords.

    But that brief hesitation determined life and death.

    Thwack! Thwack!

    ��Gah����

    ��Ugh��!��

    Chen Fu, now with a sinister smile, had impaled their throats without hesitation.

    ��Heh, idiots. Falling for such a simple trick. Humans are all so weak.��

    ��W-what is that thing?��

    ��A m-monster?��

    ��Die, monster!��

    The others thrust their swords at the true form of Chen Fu.

    His body became a skewer, but the doppelg?nger didn��t die and simply moved to another body.

    ��Kekeke, you think you can kill me? Go ahead and try.��

    With each shift to a new body, the doppelg?nger continued to kill Shizukan��s subordinates, turning them into grotesque corpses.

    Shizukan��s face turned pale.

    ��How are we supposed to kill this thing? It doesn��t take any damage!��

    Realizing they had no chance of winning, Shizukan attempted to flee.

    ��Where do you think you��re going?��

    Ryu Min stood in his way, wielding his scythe.

    ��Who the hell are you? Move aside!��

    ��Aren��t you here looking for me?��

    ��And who are you?��

    ��Can��t you tell?��

    Ryu Min smirked, casually swinging his scythe over his shoulder.

    ��It��s me. ck Scythe.��

 Chapter 179 (Part 1)

    Chapter 179: Doppelganger��s Reward (Part 1)

    ��ck�� Scythe?��

    Shizukan carefully observed the opponent who imed to be the ck Scythe.

    ��He��s a Korean yer carrying a scythe, just like his nickname.��

    However, he had never seen him in person before, so he couldn��t help but be skeptical.

    ��Are you really the ck Scythe?��

    ��Yeah. You followed me all the way here, didn��t you? Isn��t that right?��

    ��How do you know that��?��

    Shizukan abruptly turned his head.

    ��Shizukan-nim! Aaaaargh!��

    Right behind him, his subordinates were dying in desperate agony.

    ��Hey, you bastard! Move out of the way!��

    ��Why don��t you stop talking ande at me? Why just stand there? Are you scared?��

    Though his opponent was taunting him, Shizukan couldn��t recklessly charge forward.

    ��If that guy is really the ck Scythe����

    Could he take him on in a one-on-one fight?

    Against the level 90 ck Scythe?

    Because of this thought, he couldn��t act rashly.

    Crack-

    The sound of a neck snapping brought silence to the surroundings.

    When Shizukan turned around, he saw that all his subordinates were dead, and the ck figure was smiling like a human.

    ��Damn it. I��ve wasted time because of this��!��

    It��s all because of that bastard.

    Shizukan��s gaze turned to the man blocking his path.

    Now, he had no choice.

    There was no retreat.

    With enemies in front and behind, he had to break through one side.

    He had to make a decisive move.

    ��If I have to bet on one side, I��ll target that bastard who ims to be the ck Scythe.��

    He might not really be the ck Scythe.

    He might be surprisingly weak.

    Shizukan��s eyes gleamed with determination.

    He had to kill this so-called ck Scythe and break through this crisis.

    ��Blood Grasp!��

    When he stretched out his hand, a giant hand stained with blood grasped the ck Scythe.

    ��Got him! It��s over!��

    He thought the enemy would dodge, but he was caught.

    ��If I can just pull him in, I��ll crush his head����

    Just as Shizukan was about to finish his thought, he was stunned.

    The Blood Grasp held the enemy firmly but wasn��t pulling him in.

    ��What��s this? Why isn��t it working��?��

    Upon closer inspection, it wasn��t that the hand was still.

    The grasping hand was trembling, straining to pull the enemy in.

    Despite the skill��s description stating it would draw the enemy in, it was ineffective.

    ��What��s going on? Why isn��t the skill working�� Ah!��

    He recalled there were times before when he couldn��t pull an enemy in.

    Opponents with high strength stats could resist and break free with their strength.

    ��Is that bastard resisting my skill with pure strength?��

    Seeing the ck Scythe held by the giant hand without moving an inch, Shizukan was shocked.

    ��How high is his strength��?��

    As the grasp naturally dissolved due to the time limit, the ck Scythe let out a smallugh.

    ��Why are you so surprised? Of course, it won��t work even though I don��t have the Blessing.��

    ��Blessing? What nonsense are you talking about?��

    ��Not important.��

    The ck Scythe, sneering, put his scythe into his inventory.

    ��What are you doing?��

    ��Giving you some hope.��

    ��What?��

    ��I won��t use any weapons or skills. Come at me with everything you��ve got.��

    ��This bastard����

    It wasn��t enough that he blocked his escape; now he was mocking him.

    In this situation, if he didn��t feel humiliated, he wasn��t a man.

    ��Fine, I��ll grant your wish and kill you.��

    The sword��s body was stained red.

    The berserker��s level 40 skill, Blood Aura.

    The more blood scattered around, the darker and stronger the aura became, capable of cutting through steel like tofu.

    It was a powerful buff skill that ignored the enemy��s defense.

    But.

    Swoosh-! Swoosh-!

    It was only useful if he could hit his opponent.

    ��Damn it, why can��t I hit him? Why!��

    Though he swung his sword like a madman, the ck Scythe dodged everything.

    It was as if he read the sword��s path in advance, moving fluidly like water.

    ��Blood Aura is good. It��s the inferior version of the Dark Knight��s Aura, but it��s still useful. But if you can��t hit, it��s useless, isn��t it?��

    ��Shut up and die, you bastard!��

    ��You should be the one to shut up.��

    The ck Scythe attacked only once.

    Smack-!

    It was a simple jab.

    But it was faster than a bullet, impossible to avoid, a strike beyond human ability.

    ��Gahh!��

    Shizukan, spitting blood, tumbled on the ground in a disgraceful manner.

    His jaw dislocated, and he felt as if he had been hit dozens of times, his mind in a haze.

    ��What kind of jab����

    It was hard to believe that one jab could cause such devastation.

    ��You bastard����

    ��Even with all your teeth knocked out, you still have the strength to curse?��

    ��I��ll kill you����

    Though he realized the difference in power, his pride wouldn��t let him yield.

    He was a leader and the face of the underworld.

    Yielding meant bringing shame to the underworld.

    ��This isn��t the time for pride.��

    ��What?��

    [Bon app��tit. Kihihik.]

    As Shizukan turned, a doppelganger seeped into his body.

    He realized his mistake toote.

    ��Gah, gah!��

    Choking himself involuntarily, Shizukan died with a cracking sound in less than 10 seconds.

    ��Condition: Watch the doppelganger kill another prey

    ��Current doppelganger��s kills (10/10)

    [You havepleted the sub-quest!]

    [Points +10,000]

    Ryu Min smirked as he confirmed the reward.

    A considerable amount of points have been added.

    It was twice the amount he would have gotten from directly killing the Chinese yers.

    ��Ju Seong-tak must have received the reward too.��

    All that remained now was to kill the doppelganger.

    [Kihihik! Human memories are so delicious!]

    The doppelganger, now in a ck form, stared at Ryu Min.

    [You. You fed me on purpose, didn��t you?]

    ������

    [Why did you do it? Did you think I��d spare you if I felt good?]

    ��You seem mistaken.��

    Crackle-

    Ryu Min sneered, gathering electricity at his fingertip.

    ��You��re the one who should be begging for your life.��

    [Hmph, you��re still keeping that act, huh?]

    ��Charging.��

    Zap-!

    The released electricity struck the doppelganger.

    [Kyaaaaah!]

 Chapter 179 (Part 2)

    Chapter 179: Doppelganger��s Reward (Part 2)

    ��You��re the one who should be begging for your life.��

    [Hmph, you��re still keeping that act, huh?]

    ��Charging.��

    Zap-!

    The released electricity struck the doppelganger.

    [Kyaaaaah!]

    The doppelganger, flung several meters back by the terrible pain, rolled on the ground like a piece of tissue.

    ��Did you think I didn��t know? Magic damage is a bane to spiritual monsters like you.��

    [Kieeeeeek��]

    ��Or did you underestimate me, thinking I had no magic? Whatever, it doesn��t matter. You��re going to die soon.��

    [Kieeeeeek��]

    ��Judging by its state, it looks like it��s about to die.��

    He deliberately avoided hitting directly to avoid killing it, yet it was in this condition.

    ��I thought the damage would be lower without Min Juri��s buff, but surprisingly, it��s not.��

    Anyway, he couldn��t let it die by his hand.

    It had to be Ju Seong-tak.

    ��Go.��

    ��Yes, master.��

    At Ryu Min��smand, Ju Seong-tak used Corpse Explosion.

    Though it required corpses, there was no problem.

    There were ten corpses around where the doppelganger was thrown.

    *

    Boom! Boom! Boom!

    The sudden explosion startled Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol.

    ��What was that?��

    ��Sounds like something exploded����

    The force of the explosion was enough to set the entire forest on fire.

    ��Shouldn��t we see mes by now?��

    ��Yes. But it��s just dark, nothing visible.��

    It was indeed a strange forest.

    They couldn��t track or explore properly and felt like they were walking in circles.

    Like a M?bius strip.

    ��An Manager. Where do you think the sound came from?��

    ��It felt as if it was right next to us.��

    ��Right? I felt the same.��

    So why could they see nothing but trees?

    ��Sigh. We have no choice but to keep walking. Stay close so you don��t get lost.��

    ��Yes, boss.��

    With a sigh, they continued their aimless walk through thebyrinth.

    *

    The effect of Corpse Explosion was overwhelming.

    The doppelganger waspletely obliterated by the simultaneous explosion of ten corpses.

    Normally, a reward message would pop up��

    ��Unfortunately, I didn��t deliver the final blow.��

    Ju Seong-tak, who delivered the final hit, received the reward, leaving Ryu Min with nothing.

    He only got the 12,000 points from the sub-quests for revealing the doppelganger and feeding it.

    ��Ju Seong-tak must have received 20,000 points for killing the doppelganger.��

    Though his subordinate now had more points than him, it didn��t matter.

    ��What matters now is not the points but the dropped item.��

    Moreover, he knew more ways to earn points and was confident he��de out on top.

    Ju Seong-tak��s lead was temporary.

    ��With 23 hours left, there��s plenty of time.��

    The 11th round was more of a marathon than a 100m sprint, so there was no need to worry.

    ��There is always a twist at the end.��

    Ju Seong-tak was staring into the air, clearly distracted.

    It looked like he was checking his messages.

    Reading his thoughts briefly, Ryu Min confirmed that the item he wanted had dropped.

    ��Good, the ring dropped as expected.��

    Even though Ju Seong-tak had taken the boss��s experience and points, it was fine.

    As his subordinate, Ju Seong-tak��s growth was synonymous with his own.

    ��It��s like raising a secondary character.��

    Given that he needed to bring as many allies as possible into the 20th round, growing together wasn��t a bad thing.

    ��I��ve dealt with the pursuing Chinese yers�� now let��s see what��s next.��

    Using irvoyance, Ryu Min turned his attention to Ma Kyung-rok��s group.

    They appeared flustered by the explosion.

    ��The sound of the Corpse Explosion reached them.��

    Though in different locations, thebyrinthine forest was interconnected.

    It was as if there was only a wall between them.

    An explosion this loud wasn��t surprising to hear beyond the wall.

    ��I should check the items first before meeting them.��

    While he nned to lose them in thebyrinth, he couldn��t let them wander too long or they might waste a few hours.

    ��They��ll likely attempt to kill other yers to umte points, given the time wasted in thebyrinth.��

    Ma Kyung-rok in the 11th round was always like that.

    He needed to be stopped.

    Only Ryu Min, with knowledge of the future, could prevent it.

    ��No need to kill them, I just need to immobilize them for a while.��

    With a devilish smile, Ju Seong-tak approached.

    ��Master. Here are the items obtained from the boss.��

    Without being prompted, Ju Seong-tak willingly handed over the items.

    [Doppelganger��s Ring]

    -Category: Ring

    -Grade: Legendary

    -Effect: Change nickname (usable only in the Otherworld)

    -Durability: 6,000/6,000

    -Usage Restriction: Expert grade or higher

    -Description: An item allowing the user to change their nickname at will in the Otherworld. Removing the ring reverts to the original nickname.

    ��This is exactly what I wanted.��

    As the description stated, it was an item to change his nickname.

    With this, he no longer had to worry about being tracked by others.

    ��Not only can I act as someone other than ck Scythe, but I can also change my nickname freely.��

    It was essentially granting him the power to disguise himself perfectly.

    ��Not just my face, but even my nickname can be altered now.��

    Aplete disguise was now possible.

    ��And I also got a god-tier material.��

    Ryu Min grinned with satisfaction at the additional material he obtained.

    He was d he kept Ju Seong-tak alive.

    Thanks to Ju Seong-tak��s [Rune of Drop], he obtained the desired item.

    But his satisfaction was short-lived.

    Ryu Min��s expression changed to one of surprise as Ju Seong-tak retrieved another item from his inventory.

    ��What��s that?��

    ��This is another item from the doppelganger.��

    Was there another item besides the ring and the god-tier material?

    Ryu Min took the item, his eyes widening in astonishment.

 Chapter 180

    Chapter 180: VS Ma Kyung-rok

    [Memory Erasure Potion]

    �C Category: Consumable

    �C Grade: Legendary

    �C Effect: Reads and erases desired parts of the target��s memory.

    �C Usage Restriction: Master level and above.

    �C Description: Allows the user to read and erase desired parts of the target��s memory. It can even turn someone into an idiot if desired.

    Ryu Min��s astonishment was not unwarranted.

    The Memory Erasure Potion is an item with an extremely low drop rate.

    ��It only appeared once when I used Ju Seong-tak to capture the Doppelganger����

    He was lucky to have it appear again.

    Ryu Min��s lips curled up in satisfaction as he secured the potion.

    ��There will be a time when I��ll need this.��

    Previously, he had used it to erase Min Juri��s memory when she was shocked by his true identity.

    ��I wonder what I��ll use it for this time.��

    He would need to wait and see where it would be needed.

    ��Master, now that your goal is aplished, will you be leaving thebyrinth?��

    ��No, there��s still something left to do.��

    ��Something to do? What��?��

    ��It��s not your concern. It��s something I must handle.��

    Ryu Min avoided answering precisely what it was and gestured with a nod for Ju Seong-tak to follow.

    ��Let��s go. You just need to watch from a distance.��

    ��Yes.��

    *

    As Ma Kyung-rok walked through thebyrinth, he asked An Sang-cheol.

    ��Still no trace of ck Scythe?��

    ��No�� Tracking still doesn��t work, and the presence-detecting skill doesn��t yield anything either. It seems this forest blocks external signals.��

    ��That seems to be the case.��

    Ma Kyung-rok spoke with a bitter smile.

    ��I��m sorry, Manager An. It was my fault for insisting on following ck Scythe.��

    ��No, it��s rather my fault. I shouldn��t have insisted on getting the buff from Min Juri����

    ��We should have tracked Min Juri instead. If we had, we wouldn��t be in this situation.��

    ��No, your decision was not wrong, Sir. We were just unlucky.��

    ��Unlucky, huh����

    Ma Kyung-rok wondered if it was really just luck that led them into thisbyrinthine forest.

    ��Could the Prophet have known this would happen when I followed ck Scythe?��

    He couldn��t know the truth, but even if the Prophet knew, he couldn��t me him.

    The Prophet had provided invaluable assistance so far, and it would be unwise to cut ties over withheld information.

    ��The Prophet holds all the power. We who listen to the prophecies are at his mercy.��

    There was no way to uncover the truth anyway.

    The Prophet could simply im they didn��t see the prophecy.

    Ultimately, it was clear that his own choices led to this oue.

    ��Sigh, I wonder what happened to Christine.��

    ��Are you worried?��

    ��Of course. She��s my fianc��e.��

    While it was a business rtionship, his concern was genuine.

    ��Let��s find a way out of this damn forest first. There must be a way.��

    ��We keeping across the same path though����

    ��But we can��t just stay here. We heard an explosion earlier too.��

    Hearing an explosion in the otherwise quiet forest meant someone else was there.

    For them, feeling like they were navigating a boundless ocean without a light, this was a significant reassurance.

    ��We have time, so let��s keep going without giving up.��

    ��But what if we don��t have much time left when we get out?��

    ��It can��t take that long, can it? As long as we don��t lose hope, we��ll find a way.��

    It was a hopeful tale butcked concrete evidence.

    Ma Kyung-rok couldn��t guarantee how long it would take to escape the forest.

    ��It could take up to 24 hours, but let��s keep going. We have nothing else to do anyway.��

    ��Yes, sir.��

    ��And if we have some time left after getting out, find foreign yers. Kill them indiscriminately, regardless of nationality.��

    Killing people on sight.

    It was an order reminiscent of the Zionists, but it was necessary.

    Killing foreign yers would grant kill points and reduce their points.

    Lowering the enemy country��s score while increasing their own?

    There was no reason not to kill.

    ��Other countries are likely thinking the same. There might be a war of killing and being killed for points somewhere.��

    An Sang-cheol nodded in agreement.

    He had grown numb to killing by the fourth round and had aided Ma Kyung-rok��s hobbies even before bing a yer.

    Killing others was no obstacle for either of them.

    As they walked down a single path, promising a massacre, they suddenly stopped.

    ��Hmm?��

    In the distance, someone was blocking the path.

    ��A person?��

    ��There��s a person?��

    Seeing someone was a rare urrence, and their faces brightened.

    Seeing a person was as wee as finding a light in the endless ocean.

    ��Hello there, it��s good to meet someone here����

    An Sang-cheol smiled and approached.

    But his smile disappeared as he got close enough to see the person��s face.

    With a serious expression, An Sang-cheol grabbed Ma Kyung-rok��s shoulder.

    ��Sir, wait.��

    ��Huh? What is it?��

    Looking, An Sang-cheol��s face was extremely serious.

    His eyes even showed a hint of anger.

    ��That guy, it��s him.��

    ��Who? Someone you know?��

    ��Yes, it��s Hwang Yong-min.��

    Hearing that name, Ma Kyung-rok��s expression also hardened.

    He hadn��t seen him before, but he knew the name well from An Sang-cheol��s stories.

    ��The punk who attacked you and Seo Actor in the second round?��

    ��Yes.��

    ��Are you sure? Wasn��t he supposed to be dead?��

    ��ording to Seo Arin, yes. The Prophet also confirmed it.��

    ��Then, as you mentioned before, is he an undead?��

    ��That��s how it appears.��

    Ma Kyung-rok had heard of Seo Arin encountering Hwang Yong-min and that there was a job capable of reviving corpses.

    ��I didn��t take it seriously, but to meet him here����

    Ma Kyung-rok looked again, incredulous.

    The figure appeared fully human, clean, and normal.

    ��Sir, could Seo Arin have lied? He looks genuinely human����

    ��I don��t know. What��s certain is����

    Ma Kyung-rok drew his sword, dripped in dark aura.

    ��He��s not here just to talk.��

    Hwang Yong-min, standing silently, looked at them with a malicious re and raised his fist.

    ��Fighting with his bare hands? He must be underestimating us.��

    With a slightugh, Ma Kyung-rok decided to kill him and take his points.

    Undead or zombie, what mattered was he appeared as an enemy.

    ��Now��s the time to strike first.��

    His thoughts were brief, his actions swift.

    ��Devour him.��

    The dark aura surrounding his sword transformed into a giant hand and lunged forward.

    If caught by that dark hand, Hwang Yong-min would be drained of his life force to fuel Ma Kyung-rok��s dark magic.

    But Hwang Yong-min was quicker than expected.

    Whoosh-!

    Dodging the aura like a trained boxer, he closed the distance rapidly.

    But Ma Kyung-rok was also closing in on him.

    ��I anticipated a dodge.��

    As he raised his sword above his head, the dark aura retracted to envelop the de.

    ��Destructive sh.��

    The level 40 skill of the Dark Knight came crashing down towards Hwang Yong-min.

    The timing and angle were perfect.

    Unavoidable.

    It seemed like his head would split open.

    ������!?��

    That��s what Ma Kyung-rok thought until Hwang Yong-min narrowly dodged the skill.

    BOOM-!

    The explosion was louder than anything heard in the forest before.

    The spot where Hwang Yong-min was standing looked like a meteor had struck it.

    ��Damn it. I poured a third of my dark magic into that.��

    Destructive sh was a skill where the amount of dark magic used could be adjusted.

    He had poured a third of his magic to ensure a kill, but the enemy had dodged.

    ��Lucky bastard.��

    There was no time to curse.

    Hwang Yong-min��s fist was already inches away.

    ��Dark Armor.��

    Whoosh-

    Dark aura instantly wrapped around Ma Kyung-rok, forming a protective barrier.

    It was weaker against magical damage but boasted top-tier defense against physical damage��

    Or so he thought until Hwang Yong-min��s punchnded.

    Crack!

    ��Gah!��

    ��Sir!��

    With a cracking sound, Ma Kyung-rok was sent flying.

    He quickly regained his stance but felt intense pain in his ribs.

    ��Damn, my Dark Armor that withstood a Minotaur��s blow����

    Dark Armor could absorb up to 70% of iing damage.

    Given the chunks of dark magic depleted, the damage must have exceeded the maximum.

    ��Is he really just an undead? How strong is he?��

    The damage was shocking for an undead.

    He looked like an ordinary human.

    ��You bastard!��

    Enraged at Ma Kyung-rok��s injury, An Sang-cheol charged, swinging his sword.

    But despite his ferocity, he didn��t even graze Hwang Yong-min.

    Crack-!

    ��Ugh!��

    Instead, he took a punch to the face, stumbling.

    ��Urgh, Sir, get behind me! I��ll protect you.��

    Despite his helmet being dented and his nose broken, An Sang-cheol raised his shield.

    Whirr-

    Activating the shield��s skill, ��Knight��s Protection,�� created a wide barrier centered around the shield.

    ��It slows my movements but protects against 80% of physical damage. Stay behind me, Sir, and you��ll be safe����

    At that moment.

    Hwang Yong-min, who had closed the distance, struck.

    Wham-!

    ��Ugh!��

    The barrier, which had never failed, wavered from a single punch.

    Bam-! Wham-!

    ��Ugh, urk!��

    With the second and third strikes, An Sang-cheol spat blood.

    The punches prated the barrier and damaged him directly.

    Seeing hisrade suffering, Ma Kyung-rok took advantage of the opening to counterattack.

    ��Destructive sh.��

    BOOM-!

    He used half of his remaining dark magic.

    He timed it perfectly as Hwang Yong-min was pounding the shield.

    It was a guaranteed hit.

    But.

    ����Monsterous bastard.��

    Hwang Yong-min dodged even that.

    His reflexes were astounding.

    Missing was unfortunate, but Ma Kyung-rok had anticipated such a scenario.

    ��Devour him.��

    The dark aura spread out like a predatory slime, targeting Hwang Yong-min again.

    The timing was impable, and Hwang Yong-min couldn��t avoid it.

    ��Got him!��

    He was caught.

    Now it was time to drain his life force.

    ��What?��

    But an unbelievable scene unfolded.

 Chapter 181 (Part 1)

    Chapter 181: Dous (Part 1)

    ��What the��?��

    Ma Kyung-rok inadvertently voiced his confusion out loud.

    A perplexing situation was unfolding before him.

    ��His vitality�� isn��t being absorbed?��

    The Dark Aura that had enveloped Hwang Yong-min oddly refused to stick to his body.

    No, it seemed incapable of sticking.

    It was as if an invisible barrier was blocking it, keeping it at a distance.

    ��What��s going on? Is he immune to the Dark Aura?��

    No matter how much hemanded it, the aura couldn��t envelop Hwang Yong-min.

    It couldn��t drain his life force.

    Instead, it recoiled with every step Hwang Yong-min took, retreating reluctantly.

    Ma Kyung-rok could only be baffled.

    He had never encountered a target the Dark Aura couldn��t affect.

    ��Could it be because he��s undead, with no life to drain?��

    The thought crossed his mind that it might be because Hwang Ryong-min was already dead.

    ��Damn it, an opponent immune to Dark Aura.��

    A look of frustration spread across Ma Kyung-rok��s face.

    His foolproof n failed, leaving him at a loss.

    In an instant, the distance between them closed as if space itself had folded.

    ��Hup!��

    Hwang Yong-min, who had suddenly approached to within inches, threw a straight punch.

    Smack��

    The moment Ma Kyung-rok was hit on the chin, he lost consciousness and rolled ten meters away.

    ��S-Sir!��

    An Sang-cheol, whose guard had been lowered, quickly swung his sword.

    Ting��!

    Hwang Yong-min easily deflected it with his palm and simrly knocked out An Sang-cheol with a blow to the chin.

    ��Phew.��

    Having knocked out both men, Ryu Min casually dusted off his hands.

    ��Controlling my strength was a bit tough.��

    He had subdued both men within a minute.

    It was far more difficult to subdue than to kill.

    ��He probably intended to drain my life force with the Dark Aura, but that��s impossible. A Grim Reaper is a higher ss than a Dark Knight.��

    Just as light is weak to darkness, there are ss advantages and disadvantages among yers.

    There are instances where specific skills have no effect on certain sses.

    Just like now.

    ��Dark Knights and Grim Reapers both deal with darkness, but in truth, they are different kinds. You could say a Grim Reaper deals with a higher level of darkness.��

    Even within darkness, there are different levels.

    This was why the Dark Aura couldn��t touch Ryu Min.

    ��You cane out now.��

    At Ryu Min��s nod, Ju Seong-tak, who had been hiding in the forest, emerged.

    ��Is it over, master?��

    ��Yes. These guys will be out for at least half a day.��

    ��Wouldn��t it be better to just kill them?��

    At Ju Seong-tak��s suggestion, Ryu Min red briefly.

    ��If that were my intention, I��d have killed them right away instead of knocking them out.��

    ��I-I��m sorry. I didn��t think straight.��

    ��These guys were willing to kill innocent people for points. They deserve to die. But they still have some use. To secure Christine��s cooperation, we need them alive.��

    Even though Christine had no feelings for Ma Kyung-rok, his sudden death would be a psychological blow.

    ��Unless she��spletely over Ma Kyung-rok.��

    For now, killing Ma Kyung-rok was not part of the n.

    Since he was linked to a key asset, the Priest, he was a card he couldn��t easily discard.

    An Sang-cheol was Ma Kyung-rok��s right-hand man, so he had to take him along too.

    ��For now, tie them to a tree. Use those dark, thin tree vines. They��re tough enough that most yers can��t easily rip them.��

    ��Understood.��

    Ju Seong-tak tied the unconscious men to a tree as instructed.

    ��This should dy them enough to keep them from getting any points for quite some time.��

    At best, they mightplete the round without scoring any points.

    ��Though they won��t be eliminated since it��s a group mission.��

    Ryu Min was confident he could keep the Korean group alive in this round.

    He had ast-minute turnaround and a farsight skill to ensure it.

    ��If everything goes ording to n, there��s no way we��ll lose. First ce in the whole zone is practically guaranteed.��

    With the business in the Forest concluded, there would be no massacre by Ma Kyung-rok, who was supposed to kill 1,000 people and earn the title of Butcher.

    ��One tragedy has been averted. Now, I need to stop another.��

    With irvoyance, he looked at Christine.

    The forces of the Despair Church were almost all gathered.

    A storm seemed imminent, as if the calm before the storm was about to break.

    ��I need to hurry. I can��t let Christine die.��

    Ryu Min quickened his pace with Ju Seong-tak.

    Leaving Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol behind in the Forest.

    ��

    Dous counted the bustling heads of people.

    ��101 in total�� Everyone��s here.��

    They were all followers who hade to see the only Saintess and Priestess.

    ��In reality, they��re just leeches trying to cling to her.��

    He kept a smile despite his disdain for hispanions.

    As a Pdin favored by the Priestess since the second round, he couldn��t afford to show his true feelings.

    ��I mustn��t reveal my true nature until the Saintess is dead.��

    Dous didn��t know why the Church of Despair wanted to kill Christine.

    But Dous had abandoned the Saintess for the Church of Despair.

    The reason for his betrayal was simple.

    ��The Church of Despair offers more benefits.��

    Most of the people here were clinging to Christine for survival rather than genuine devotion.

    ��Traveling with a Priest naturally increases your survival rate.��

    The basic skill of a Priest, Heal, could mend most wounds.

    Even severed limbs could be reattached and functional with a well-ced Heal.

    Additionally, the ��Blessing of the Saint�� buff increases resistance to status effects and debuffs by 50%.

    Beyond level 40, Priests could even use area-of-effect heal over time.

    ��Priests are optimized for saving lives.��

    Of course, there had to be some benefit for the Priest to help people, but no one disliked free healing.

    That��s why a hundred leeches gathered around the Saintess.

    ��But I hate it. Staying with Christine might increase survival chances, but that��s all. There��s no internal growth.��

    Priest skills focused on endurance.

    Endurance alone wouldn��t conquer the 20th round.

    Just as the best defense is a good offense, growing stronger increases survival chances.

    Having realized this early, Dous decided to betray Christine.

    The Church of Despair focused on growth unlike Christine.

    ��The Church provides many items like potions that help with growth. After this, we��ll also share the loot from the spoils.��

    But what about the followers of the Saintess?

 Chapter 181 (Part 2)

    Chapter 181: Dous (Part 2)

    They simply gathered around her to received healing, making no effort to grow.

    They just kept surviving round by round.

    ��They��ll copse soon enough. Luck won��tst forever.��

    It��s better to cut ties early.

    Switching to a more promising religion was more hopeful and wise.

    But that alone wouldn��t have swayed Dous.

    The real reason for his betrayal wasn��t items.

    The Church of Despair had promised something.

    ��They said I could have my way with Christine before killing her.��

    With a wicked grin, Dous looked at Christine.

    An elegant, radiant flower.

    He was extremely curious about the pleasure of plucking that flower.

    ��I��ve wanted you for so long.��

    He had harbored impure thoughts while by her side but never had the chance.

    She seemed uninterested in men, which made her more alluring.

    People are drawn to untouched, pristine things rather than used goods.

    ��Love? Loyalty? Who needs that? Pleasure is what matters.��

    Whether Christine lived or died didn��t matter as long as he could satisfy his desires.

    At that moment, he saw Berber gesturing to him.

    ��Berber, did you call?��

    Berber was an agent sent by the Church of Despair to monitor the Saintess.

    He was also the one who had brought Dous into the church.

    Out of the 101 people here, he was the only ally Dous had.

    ��I just received a message from a brother. Preparations areplete.��

    ��Are all the people gathered?��

    ��Yes. About 200 brothers are waiting 500 meters away. We can strike at any moment.��

    ��Oh, finally����

    Preparations were finished.

    It was time to sweep away these beggarly followers and kidnap Christine.

    ��You��ll give her to me as promised, right?��

    ��Give her to you?��

    ��You know�� Heh heh.��

    ��Oh, that? Of course. The leader has granted you a special 30 minutes in recognition of your contribution.��

    ��Oh, 30 minutes�� Thank you!��

    That was more than enough time to enjoy himself.

    ��What should I do now?��

    ��I��m going to get the brothers. Keep Christine distracted so she doesn��t use her detection skills or notice anything. Keep talking to her. Once it starts, subdue her immediately.��

    ��Understood.��

    The so-called Pdin, known as the Saintess�� knight, smirked sinisterly.

    ��

    Christine looked at the gathered people with admiration.

    ��So many people trust and rely on me.��

    Despite only waiting an hour, over a hundred followers had gathered.

    This was reassuring against any potential ambush.

    It was like having a thick wall of human shields.

    ��Everyone?��

    At Christine��s word, the murmuring died down.

    A profound silence fell, quiet enough to hear a pin drop.

    ��Thank you all for believing in me and following me. Despite not asking you to gather, you��vee. I can only do one thing in return.��

    After a brief pause, Christine spoke with a determined look in her eyes.

    ��To protect and stay with you until the end. That��s my way of repaying you. Let��s survive together until the 20th round.��

    ��Waaah!!!��

    ��Chrisy! Chrisy!��

    The yers cheered, raising their fists to the sky.

    They seemed like devout followers, almost fanatical.

    p, p, p��

    Dous, watching, approached while pping.

    ��You��re truly amazing, Chrisy. Your words are noble and inspiring.��

    ��That can��t be. I��m just an ordinary woman in her twenties. You all see me in a better light.��

    ��How can you call yourself ordinary when you��re saving lives? The many people who trust and follow you are proof of your goodness.��

    ��Thank you for saying so. Having someone as kind as you by my side is a blessing.��

    As Christine smiled gently, Dous mirrored her smile.

    ��Such a waste of a woman. Too good to kill.��

    He wanted to keep her imprisoned for his pleasure.

    Would she ever know his true feelings?

    ��Heh heh, I can��t wait to see the expression on your face when you��re under me.��

    As Dous swallowed his dry saliva, he followed the n and engaged Christine in conversation.

    ��Now that we��re all here, are we heading to the quest?��

    ��Yes. We��ve been dyed, so we need to gather points quickly.��

    ��Is there even a quest requiring such arge group?��

    ��I��m not sure, but it��s better to move together. We��ve always done that.��

    ��That��s true. But we should n our strategy first. I have a n in mind. Would you like to hear it?��

    Dous began spouting pre-prepared lines to draw her attention.

    Christine found his sudden verbosity strange.

    ��Why is the normally quiet Pdin talking so much today?��

    Though he imed to have a strategy, nothing seemed to register.

    His words were long-winded and irrelevant.

    ��Strange? This isn��t like him����

    Dous had been with her since the second round.

    She knew his character well.

    ��Very strange. Really.��

    Being tipped off by the Prophet had made her extremely wary of ambushes.

    Thus, Christine habitually checked her detection skill.

    Even now.

    ��Huh?��

    Red dots appeared on the skill she had activated by chance.

    Dous��s expression hardened for a moment, but Christine didn��t notice.

    She was focused on the approaching red dots.

    ��L-Look! There are peopleing this way��!��

    Before Christine could even scream, Dous grabbed her forcefully and dragged her away.

 Chapter 182 (Part 1)

    Chapter 182: Christine in Crisis (Part 1)

    Christine shouted at Dous, who grabbed her wrist and started dragging her without warning.

    ��Let go of me! What��s going on?��

    ��It��s dangerous! Quickly, this way!��

    Dous��s urgent voice left Christine momentarily confused.

    ��He wasn��t trying to betray me?��

    When a typically quiet person suddenly acts out of character, it��s natural to be suspicious.

    She had thought Dous was in cahoots with these people and nned to betray her, but it was a misunderstanding.

    ��He��s actually trying to save me.��

    Just the fact that they were distancing themselves from the approaching group made it clear.

    ��Hurry, follow me! We��ll get caught otherwise!��

    ��Okay, I understand.��

    Christine mustered all her strength to run, being led by Dous.

    She ran without looking back, focusing only on moving forward.

    She wanted to ask what was happening but had no time.

    They were busy getting as far away as possible from the mysterious group.

    After about ten minutes, Dous finally stopped.

    ��Phew, we��ve gotten far enough. They shouldn��t be able to follow us.��

    ��Huff, huff.��

    Christine, too exhausted to respond, just bent over, gasping for breath.

    Finally, she had a moment to look around.

    ��Where are we?��

    They were in an unknown forest.

    Having run frantically, she couldn��t tell which direction they hade from.

    ��I��ve used the detection skill; it seems we��ve sessfully shaken them off. We��re lucky, Chrissy.��

    ��Dous, you know who those people are, don��t you?��

    After a brief silence, Dous nodded.

    ��Yes. They��re from the Church of Despair.��

    ��The Church of Despair?��

    ��It��s a cult born from the ideology of plunging the world into despair. It��s a new religion with a strong negative perception of the world, based in America, with over 200 yer members. The leader goes by the nickname John Delgado, a necromancer.��

    Christine��s jaw dropped as she listened to the exnation.

    ��How do you know so much?��

    ��That��s because����

    Dous hesitated, then revealed as if in a confessional.

    ��They approached me to join them.��

    ��What? Really?��

    ��Yes. Do you remember a neer from a few months ago named Berber?��

    ��Berber? Yes, of course, I know him well. I greeted him today.��

    ��He��s a high-ranking cardinal in the Church of Despair. He infiltrated our group as a spy to monitor you, Chrissy.��

    ��What?��

    Christine was stunned by this revtion.

    ��Berber is�� a spy for the Church of Despair?��

    She had never even heard of the Church of Despair, let alone imagined there was a spy among her group.

    Christine��s eyes filled with suspicion.

    Could she trust the pdin before her?

    Even though he said he was approached by the Church of Despair?

    Noticing her change in demeanor, Dous smiled reassuringly.

    ��Don��t worry. I only pretended to ept their offer to gather information on who was targeting you, Chrissy.��

    ��Oh�� they��re targeting me? Why?��

    ��I couldn��t find out the exact reason since I��m still a low-ranking member. But it��s clear they n to kill you. The fact that they��ve mobilized 200 followers today proves it.��

    ��So, all those people gathered�� to kill me����

    ��They��re probably also aiming to eliminate your followers. They��re likely fighting fiercely right now.��

    Christine snapped to attention at those words.

    ��We need to go back.��

    ��What?��

    ��You said myrades are in danger. If I intervene, I can save them.��

    ��No, it��s too dangerous. The enemy��s numbers are twice ours.��

    ��But��!��

    ��If you step in, you might turn the tide of the battle. But do you think they don��t know that?��

    ������

    ��The enemies aren��t fools. The moment they see you, they��ll target you first. It��s too dangerous to go out now.��

    ��I have the dominion skill. I can����

    ��The dominion doesn��t work on higher-level opponents. And you can only use it ten times, how will you handle 200 people?��

    ������

    ��Waiting here safely and monitoring the situation is the only way for you to survive, Chrissy. Do you think I would have taken you and run away for no reason? Going out now is just ying into their hands.��

    ��Ha����

    Christine couldn��t argue with Dous��s logical reasoning.

    ��Why are they targeting me? What did I do wrong����

    Christine clutched her head in herplex emotions.

    She couldn��t think of any reason why they would want to kill her.

    She had never evene into contact with the Church of Despair.

    ��A necromancer as their leader? I��ve never seen such a ss on the rankings.��

    ��At least now I know there are enemies who want to kill me.��

    Everything was as the prophet had foretold.

    ��Then, the one who will save me from this crisis is����

    Christine looked at Dous nkly.

    The pdin, praised as the knight of the saintess among herrades.

    He was the prince on the white horse from the prophecy who would save her.

    ��Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?��

    ��Oh, no. I��m just grateful.��

    She was sure she could trust him.

    He pretended to join the Chruch of Despair, acting as a double agent.

    Thanks to him, she had escaped danger.

    ��Thank you once again. You saved my life.��

    ��I just did what I had to. By the way, is your wrist okay? Did I pull too hard?��

    ��You were trying to get me out of there quickly. It��s fine.��

    ��Still, let me see. We don��t want any scars on your beautiful wrist.��

    Dous took Christine��s hand and examined her wrist carefully.

    As he fiddled with her hand, Christine��s brow furrowed slightly.

    ��What is he doing? At a time like this?��

    There was a strange tension.

    She could see he was trying to create a particr mood.

    ��I-I��m fine.��

    Christine, not wanting this awkward atmosphere, pulled her wrist away.

    ������

    ������

    An awkward silence fell between them.

    Christine had never been interested in men.

    Even though he had saved her life, she didn��t feel interested in him romantically.

    ��Thank you for saving me, Pdin.��

    ��Pdin, huh����

    Dous��s demeanor shifted.

 Chapter 182 (Part 2)

    Chapter 182: Christine in Crisis (Part 2)

    ��Thank you for saving me, Pdin.��

    ��Pdin, huh����

    Dous��s demeanor shifted.

    ��Why are you calling me by my job instead of my nickname?��

    ��Huh? That��s����

    ��Are you drawing a line? Do you hate me that much, even after I saved your life?��

    ������

    ��You really hate the idea of being with me romantically, huh?��

    Dous shouted and pushed Christine.

    ��Kya!��

    She couldn��t help but fall due to the difference in strength.

    And she couldn��t stop him from pouncing on her like a beast.

    ��What are you doing!��

    ��What do you think? I��m done with this pretentious act of yours.��

    ��What are you talking����

    Smack-!

    He pped her, supposedly to bring her to her senses, but Christine was too shocked toprehend.

    ��Hey, you b$tch. I saved your life, betrayed the Church of Despair, and you still put up a wall? You hate me that much?��

    His tonepletely changed, and his once-gentle expression turned into that of a thug.

    The holy knight, the pdin, now spoke in a crude and vulgar manner.

    ��Answer me.��

    p-!

    ��You won��t answer? Is it your pride? Huh?��

    Christine was too stunned to even cry.

    She just red at him with venomous eyes.

    ��Hah, so you can make that face too?��

    Dous grinned, his eyes filled with lust.

    ��Good, I like it. A little resistance makes it more fun.��

    ��What did you say?��

    Dous didn��t answer; he used a skill.

    Shhhh-

    The pdin��s skill, ��Holy Restraint��.

    Golden chains emerged from the air, binding Christine��s limbs.

    Shey there, unable to move.

    ��Let me go!��

    ��That��s not a request, it��s an order�� Let��s see how long that pridests.��

    Dous grinned lecherously and buried his face in her chest.

    ��Why are you doing this? We��re like family!��

    ��Family?��

    Dous scoffed and lifted his face.

    ��Are you joking? Do you really think those people who follow you are family?��

    ������

    ��Saintess, you��ve lost touch with reality because everyone worships you. We��re together for mutual benefit. You too, right? You must have some rune that gives you experience in exchange for helping others. That��s why you provide free heals. Isn��t that right?��

    ����You knew?��

    ��Of course. How else could a nonbatant like you level up? Anyone with half a brain can figure it out. So, family? We��re just allies of convenience. That��s all.��

    ��But�� we��ve ovee hardships together. We��ve fought through difficult situations.��

    ��True, but people are colder than you think. Even if we��ve faced life and death together, if there��s no benefit, they��ll stab you in the back. Just like me.��

    Dous chuckled as he brought his face close to her neck.

    Christine shuddered, but Dous seemed to enjoy her reaction.

    ��Sniff, you smell nice.��

    ��Stop this.��

    ��Why stop? Do you know how long I��ve waited for this moment? It��s been hard pretending all this time.��

    ������

    Christine couldn��t believe the holy pdin harbored such filthy thoughts.

    Seeing him scan her body with lustful eyes, Christine��s face grew desperate.

    She had already tried using her dominion, but it didn��t work, likely due to the level difference.

    ��Stop! This won��t end well for either of us.��

    ��Won��t end well? Just wait. I��ll make you feel like you��re in heaven.��

    ��Do you think you��ll get away with this? The Church of Despair won��t let you off for taking me from them.��

    ��Don��t worry. After I��m done, I��ll pretend I caught youter and hand you over to the Church Despair. They won��t suspect a thing.��

    ��Do you think that lying will work? If I��m caught, I��ll tell them everything. So let me go now, and I��ll forget this happened����

    Christine trailed off, realizing he wasn��t listening.

    ��He��s not paying attention to my words.��

    His eyes were zed over, focused solely on her body.

    The hot breath he exhaled indicated he was not in his right mind.

    Christine felt a sense of despair.

    She had tried to persuade him, but it seemed no words would reach him now.

    His instincts had taken over, overwhelming his reason.

    ��Just stay still. I��ll make you feel good.��

    At that moment, Dous��s head snapped to the side.

    His radar had detected a third party approaching.

    ��Who��s there? Who��s the bastard����

    Dous stood up, ready to kill the intruder, but fell silent.

    His expression froze, and goosebumps rose on his back.

    ��A-Ah����

    Before him stood the leader of the Church of Despair.

    ��There you are, you little rat.��

    John Delgado, the necromancer, approached with a terrifying gaze.

    ��Damn, I��m totally screwed.��

    Dous cursed internally but bowed as he moved closer.

    He was ready to slit the leader��s throat if given a chance.

    ��Master, you��re here?��

    ��What are you doing here? Didn��t I order you to bring the saintess?��

    ��Well, I����

    Dous didn��t get to finish his sentence.

    Thunk-!

    An undead, appearing out of nowhere, grabbed Dous��s head from behind.

    ��There��s no need to answer. The punishment for disobeying my orders is death.��

    Snap-

    Dous��s head twisted 360 degrees, and his body copsed.

    The golden chains vanished, freeing Christine, but she couldn��t move hastily.

    Another undead, resembling a skeleton, was holding a sword to her neck.

    ��What��s going on? I didn��t detect anything����

    As if reading her thoughts, John Delgado spoke softly.

    ��My minions have no physical form. They don��t appear on detection skills.��

    ��You��re�� the necromancer John Delgado����

    ��That traitor must have told you everything.��

    John Delgado was a thin American man.

    He wore a robe and carried a staff, the typical appearance of a mage ss.

    He looked weak, but his summoned creatures had an intimidating aura.

    ��Each of his summons feels as strong as a yer.��

    Hadn��t he just killed Dous with ease?

    ��It doesn��t matter if you know who I am. You��re going to die now, saintess.��

    ��Why are you����

    ��You can ponder that in the afterlife.��

    Snap-

    At the snap of his fingers, the undead raised its sword.

    ��I��m really going to die? Just as the prophecy said��?��

    Christine��s vision went white, and it wasn��t a hallucination.

    Zap-!

    A bolt of white-blue lightning struck the undead, causing it to vanish.

    The sudden death of his minion made John Delgado frown and turn his head.

    Christine also looked in the direction the lightning hade from.

    And she saw him.

    The true prince on a white horse who would save her.

    ��Is it him��?��

    A man with a massive scythe was walking towards them.

 Chapter 183 (Part 1)

    Chapter 183: Justification (Part 1)

    John Delgado was a man with many grievances against the world.

    In histe twenties, he was physically healthy, yet he had neither a job nor a spouse, nor had he aplished anything of significance.

    ��This is all the world��s fault. The world deserves to perish.��

    That phrase, which he repeated out of habit, came true in 2022 as if by a lie.

    The Angels�� Survival Game.

    Within it, John obtained the formidable ss of Necromancer.

    ��I canmand the souls of corpses?��

    A ss that collected souls and reanimated them as spiritual undead.

    The spiritual undead were only vulnerable to magical damage, making them hard to kill.

    In short, it was an ultimate cheat.

    To begin with, it was rare to encounter monsters that used magic.

    ��And I canmand not just monsters, but yers too.��

    Even though an undead��s power was only half of its original strength, it was still significant.

    ��I canmand dozens of them.��

    The number of undead a necromancer couldmand was equal to their level.

    In other words, a level 40 necromancer could summon 40 undead, and a level 99 necromancer could summon 99.

    ��This is insane. It��s like a mob boss necromancer!��

    Though he wasn��t confident in physicalbat, John excelled at leading from the rear and quickly imed the top rank in his district.

    stThough he never made it to the overall ranking across all districts.

    ��Dammit, I��m the top in my district, so why can��t I make it to the overall ranking even once?��

    John always hovered at fourth ce in the overall ranking.

    He couldn��tprehend it.

    Despite bing a powerful yer who could decimate battlefields with dozens of summoned creatures, there were three people stronger than him?

    The most iprehensible was the entity known as ��ck Scythe,�� who consistently held the number one spot in the overall ranking.

    ��What the hell is this guy doing to have such a high level? And what��s with that ss called ��Reaper��?��

    His own ss was rare, but he��d never seen a nickname that fit a ss so well.

    ��I need to be stronger. I need stronger minions.��

    Instead of filling numbers with monsters, he needed to form his army entirely with yers.

    Ideally, he would like to use only boss monsters, but since bosses couldn��t be turned into minions, there was no choice.

    ��I should create a religion. A religion of despair to gather yers.��

    That way, he could turn them into minions in emergencies and find valuable talents.

    Thus, John founded the Church of Despair and sought out followers.

    He managed to gather a few from his district, but it wasn��t enough.

    ��I need to find them not only in the otherworld, but in real world too.��

    He preached the idea of overthrowing the old world and creating a new one, saying that yers would be the new elite in this world.

    As a result, he was often treated as a cultist or scammer and faced rejection.

    Sometimes, he had tomit murder when conflicts arose.

    Yet John didn��t give up.

    Whenever he heard of a promising yer, he traveled across districts to recruit them.

    Then he heard about the existence of a Saintess from another district.

    ��In our district, we have a priest named Chrissy. She��s called the Saintess and has over 50 followers.��

    A Saintess.

    John found it absurd.

    ��You��re saying she��s building up her power using religion like me?��

    Heter found out it wasn��t actually a religion, but it didn��t matter.

    The fact remained that apetitor had appeared.

    ��I need to disassemble that faction. Plus, I want that priest as a minion.��

    John granted the man who provided this information a high rank within the Church of Despair, simr to a cardinal.

    He then gave him a mission.

    ��Go undercover as one of the Saintess��s followers and act as a spy.��

    ��I will obey, my lord.��

    Berber was an excellent spy.

    He gathered information about the Saintess, Chrissy, in each round without getting caught.

    Sometimes he brought back valuable intel.

    ��There is a pdin named Dous among her followers. He admires the Saintess but seems to be growing discontent. If we can manipte him well, we might turn him to our side.��

    ��A traitor would be useful. Persuade him to join us.��

    Thus, they brought Dous to their side and waited for the right chance to kill Chrissy.

    Although they couldn��t meet due to being in different districts, the opportunity woulde.

    Since they were both Americans, they would eventually meet when the districts merged.

    After gathering 200 followers and waiting for the right moment, the 11th round arrived.

    And the districts were merged.

    The seven separate districts in America werebined into one.

    ��Finally, the time hase.��

    John decided to kill the Saintess and dismantle her faction.

    There was no need to spare her followers either.

    ��Each one of them is valuable, so I need to kill them all.��

    Although they were all Americans, they were from different districts.

    Given that district battles were group-based, they were merelypetitors to be trampled over.

    So, there was no reason not to kill them.

    ��The Saintess must be killed and turned into my minion.��

    Thus, the n was set in motion. Though they had turned Dous into a traitor, it ended up backfiring��

    ��That damned pdin betrayed us and ran off with the Saintess.��

    Fortunately, they managed to track and kill him before it was toote, but another obstacle appeared.

    ��Who is that guy?��

    A man with arge scythe slung over his shoulder.

    ��A scythe?��

    The nickname that came to mind was unavoidable.

    ��Could it be�� him? No way.��

    What were the chances of encountering the overall ranking number one at such a critical moment?

    The possibility that it wasn��t ck Scythe was higher.

    Scythes could bemonly purchased in stores, and it wasn��t exclusive to Reapers.

    ��Even so, he��s not ordinary. He killed my undead in one blow.��

    Whether it was due to knowing their vulnerability to magic, it was clear he wasn��t someone to take lightly.

    ��Who are you?��

    ��Just a passerby.��

    He looked Asian but spoke English.

    If one closed their eyes, his pronunciation was good enough to pass for an American.

    ��Was ck Scythe Asian?��

    John didn��t know for sure, but he couldn��t allow the man to interfere.

    ��If you��re just passing by, don��t meddle in others�� affairs and continue on your way.��

    John gave the man he suspected to be ck Scythe a chance.

    He didn��t want an unnecessary fight with a third party.

    ��Honestly, he looks strong. I don��t want to fight him if I can avoid it.��

    However, the man seemed to have no intention of just passing by.

    ��That woman looks like she��s in danger. Am I wrong?��

    ��I told you not to interfere.��

    ��How can I stand by when someone is in trouble?��

    ��I won��t hold you ountable for killing my minions. Just go. This is yourst warning.��

    John red at the man, ready to summon more minions to kill him if necessary.

    ��He��s not an ordinary person. I can��t let my guard down.��

    If a fight broke out, he would use all his power to kill him.

    That was his resolve as he waited for the man��s response.

    The answer was predictable.

    ��He won��t just pass by. He��ll act like a hero and try to save her.��

    The man��s sudden interference already hinted at his intentions.

    He probably already nned to save her in his mind.

    But then, an unexpected situation urred.

    ��Alright. It seems I was unnecessarily meddling. I��ll be on my way.��

    The man, who was presumed to be ck Scythe, surprisingly said he would leave.

    Even Christine, who had been watching, was taken aback by his unexpected statement.

    ��Weren��t you going to save me?��

 Chapter 183 (Part 2)

    Chapter 183: Justification (Part 2)

    Even Christine, who had been watching, was taken aback by his unexpected statement.

    ��Weren��t you going to save me?��

    As if he wasn��t joking, the man nonchntly turned his back.

    Desperate, Christine shouted after him.

    ��Please, help me! That man is trying to kill me!��

    ��Shut up, you b$tch!��

    Before the man could change his mind, John ordered his remaining undead to kill the Saintess.

    But.

    Crackle-!

    The undead��s attack failed.

    Ryu Min once again released electricity, destroying the undead.

    ��What are you doing? Didn��t you say you wouldn��t interfere?��

    ��No matter what, I don��t want to see someone die right in front of me. Could you do it after I leave?��

    ������

    He was asking to kill her after he left?

    ��The arrogant bastard!��

    It was a humiliating statement, but John endured it.

    He had confirmed one thing from the disy of power just now.

    ��This guy is a magic-based ss with high magical damage. I can tell from how he killed my minions in one blow.��

    Whether he was ck Scythe or not, it was clear he was a strong opponent.

    Moreover, the speed of his electrical attacks was too fast to react to with the naked eye.

    If it had been directed at him, he wouldn��t have survived.

    ��I��m leaving now.��

    Although Ryu Min pretended to be indifferent, he was actually monitoring the entire situation with his irvoyance.

    He needed to protect Christine.

    ��But I can��t openly help her.��

    Ryu Min didn��t step in because hecked justification.

    There was no justification for saving Christine.

    ��It might seem like a coincidence that I appeared at a dangerous moment. But why would I save a stranger? Without knowing the circumstances or having any connection?��

    He could im to be a person who couldn��t overlook injustice.

    He had already established an image of being righteous by eradicating KF in Nigeria.

    ��But how can I know if this situation is unjust or not?��

    As a third party, Ryu Min had no way of knowing if Christine hadmitted a grave sin.

    Saving her without knowing the context was meddlesome and intrusive.

    ��That��s why I need justification. A reason to save her.��

    Without justification, helping her could lead to suspicion.

    Since it was his first encounter with Christine, an awkward rescue might actually ruin their rtionship.

    ��Please save me! That man is trying to kill me for no reason!��

    Christine pleaded desperately, but Ryu Min remained unmoved.

    ��That��s not enough. If you want me to help, that won��t do.��

    She needed to offer something tangible, like an item, to give him a reason to help her.

    However, Christine seemed too flustered to think of that.

    ��Just keep going. Don��t mind the words of that crazy woman.��

    The necromancer urged Ryu Min to leave.

    ��Fine.��

    ��Please, wait. Just a moment�� Just����

    ��I told you to shut up, you damn b$tch! I��ll kill you����

    The necromancer nced at Ryu Min, unable to finish his sentence.

    He couldn��t say he would kill her while Ryu Min was still there.

    ��He wants me to leave quickly.��

    So he could kill Christine as soon as he left.

    ��Hmm, without justification, it��s tricky����

    As Ryu Min pondered, a good idea suddenly struck him.

    He stopped walking and looked back at the necromancer.

    The necromancer widened his eyes in surprise.

    ��What is it now?��

    Ryu Min furrowed his brows and spoke.

    ��Hey, you.��

    ����?��

    ��Your tone is pretty rude, don��t you think?��

    In English, there��s no formal or informal speech distinction, but there are respectful and disrespectful ways of speaking.

    Judging by their conversation, it was clear the necromancer��s tone fell into thetter category.

    ��Who do you think you are to tell me to go, stay, or give orders? Are you my boss or something?��

    ������

    Picking a fight like a neighborhood thug, Ryu Min��s approach was petty but effective.

    The necromancer visibly flinched.

    ��Well? Why aren��t you answering? Do you want to die?��

    ����If I sounded rude, I apologize.��

    Did he understand Ryu Min��s intentions?

    The necromancer swallowed his pride and lowered his head.

    He was eager to get rid of Ryu Min so he could kill Christine.

    ��I can��t let this one pass.��

    Ryu Min brazenly held out his hand.

    ��What is this��?��

    ��If you��re sorry, show some sincerity.��

    He tantly demanded an item.

    Though it was essentially extortion, the necromancer handed over an item withoutint.

    ��Is this enough?��

    ��Are you kidding me? A random material item? What do you expect me to do with this? Are you trying to give me trash and get rid of me? My mood just soured.��

    ��Shit!��

    ��What? What did you say?��

    Unable to endure Ryu Min��s provocations, the necromancer finally snapped.

    ��Die.��

    Thirty undead appeared and attacked Ryu Min simultaneously.

    A perfect ambush from all directions.

    But how could Ryu Min, with his mind-reading and future vision rune, not foresee the ambush?

    ��Area discharge.��

    Crackle��!

    Electricity spread out in a hemispherical shape, instantly destroying everything within a 30-meter radius.

    ������

    John Delgado stared nkly at Ryu Min after losing all thirty of his summoned undead in an instant.

    ��Who are you?��

    ������

    ��You just attacked me, didn��t you?��

    As Ryu Min approached, John Delgado was too stunned to speak.

    The overwhelming killing intent made it impossible for him to think straight.

    ��I was going to let this slide, but I can��t now. You��re trying to kill an innocent passerby now?��

    With a twisted smile, Ryu Min looked down at him.

    ��Do you want to die?��

    Finally, a perfect justification for killing him had appeared.

 Chapter 184 (Part 1)

    Chapter 184: The Savior (Part 1)

    When asked if he wanted to die, the necromancer couldn��t answer.

    He waspletely frozen, overwhelmed by the killing intent.

    ��Or is he just in shock because his ambush failed?��

    Well, it was understandable. After all, I had just wiped out thirty undead in one go.

    Although he now had a justifiable reason to kill him, Ryu Min didn��t n to do so right away.

    ��The necromancer still has value. It would be a waste to kill him now.��

    After the eleventh round, someone will approach the necromancer with a proposal.

    They��ll want to form a coalition organization called ��Messiah.��

    ��To make connections with those guys, I need to keep the necromancer alive.��

    Besides, there will be times in the twelfth round when the necromancer��s summoning skills will be necessary.

    Using him then would make clearing the round much easier.

    Not knowing that Ryu Min had no intention of killing him, the necromancer was extremely tense.

    �C I must kill him. If I stay still, I��ll die.

    Although he could read his thoughts, Ryu Min pretended not to notice and continued to threaten him.

    ��Why aren��t you answering? Do you really want to die����

    At that moment, the necromancer pointed his staff at Ryu Min.

    Instead of answering, he used the ��Corpse Resurrection�� skill.

    ��Graaaah����

    When he turned his head, Dous, who had been lying like a corpse, was standing as if he had never died.

    Snap!

    The zombie-like figure reset his broken neck to its original position, startling Christine.

    It wasn��t a mere spiritual undead.

    It was a true undead with a physical form.

    Unlike spiritual undead, true undead are immune to magical damage.

    ��Does he think that because I��m a mage, summoning that thing will help?��

    Ryu Min chuckled at the thought.

    It seemed like the necromancer intended to deal with him using just one undead, but it was a futile effort.

    ��Dawn��s Break����

    Smack!

    Dous was trying to use a skill, but his head burst before he could finish.

    Swoosh! Thud!

    Ryu Min��s scythe, which had extended, returned to its original position.

    ������

    The necromancer��s face was filled with shock, as he hadn��t expected the scythe to extend.

    ��You thought you could defeat me with just that? Even if you summoned dozens more, the result would be the same.��

    ��Who the hell are you�� Argh!��

    The necromancer screamed as Ryu Min mercilessly cut off one of his arms.

    ��You��re off bnce. Let me cut the other one.��

    Before he could say anything, his other arm was also severed.

    ��Argh! Argh!��

    Next was his left leg.

    Thud!

    ��You��re off bnce again? Then����

    He neatly cut off the right leg as well.

    ��Argh!��

    With his limbs severed, the necromancer looked like he was about to die.

    As Ryu Min moved his scythe threateningly again,

    ��Wait! Please, don��t kill him!��

    Christine��s plea made Ryu Min halt his scythe.

    He didn��t intend to kill him in the first ce.

    ��Why are you stopping me?��

    ��His subordinates are fighting ourrades nearby. If we take him alive, it might stop the fight.��

    ��So you want to use him as a hostage to end the fight?��

    ��Please. I��m worried about myrades.��

    Seeing her earnest plea, Ryu Min had no choice but to lower his scythe.

    ��The fight is already over, though.��

    With his irvoyance, Ryu Min had already assessed the situation on the other side.

    The followers of the saintess had been defeated.

    They were all killed, leaving only about 170 of the necromancer��s followers.

    Unaware of this, Christine still believed she could save them.

    ��Since I wasn��t nning to kill him anyway.��

    Ryu Min nodded, pretending to grant her request.

    ��If you insist.��

    A warm light emanated from his hand, enveloping the necromancer��s severed stumps.

    The blood that was gushing out like a faucet stopped, and the necromancer��splexion, which was at the brink of death, eased.

    The emergency treatment saved the necromancer.

    ��I��ll show mercy and spare your life.��

    ������

    ��Next time, you better watch your mouth when you meet someone new. You might run into a psycho like me.��

    Even though he had regained consciousness, the necromancer didn��t think of responding.

    He was only thinking about reattaching his limbs when he got the chance.

    ��You won��t need this anymore, right?��

    Crackle!

    To prevent any useless thoughts, Ryu Min burned the remaining severed limbs.

    Seeing his chance fly away, the necromancer��s face turned pale.

    Unable to gain any points, he could only desperately hope for his team��s victory.

    Well, as long as he survives this round, his body will return to normal.

    ��Is this enough? I didn��t kill him, right?��

    When Ryu Min looked back and asked, Christine bowed her head.

    ��Thank you.��

    Then she red at the necromancer with a hostile look.

    ��I��m taking you to where your followers are. When we get there, tell them to stop fighting immediately.��

    ��Why would I do that?��

    ��Because if you don��t, I��ll kill you.��

    ��Hmph����

    Although he scoffed, the necromancer couldn��t take Christine��s words lightly.

    With no limbs, he couldn��t defend himself against even a child��s attack.

    Besides, Christine��s eyes didn��t seem to be joking.

    She seemed determined.

    ��What will you do? Will you die by my hand now, or will you go to stop the fight?��

    ��I��ll�� stop the fight.��

    As Christine got the necromancer��s agreement and tried to lift him,

    ��Wait.��

    Ryu Min pulled Christine toward him.

    He sensed a presence, thanks to his perception skill.

    Using his irvoyance, he saw a group of thirty people approaching.

    They were the church of despair��s followers.

    ��Get behind me.��

    ��Huh? What��s going on all of a sudden����

    Christine soon saw the approaching group and quietly hid behind Ryu Min.

    ��Master! Master�� Ah!��

    The approaching followers were horrified to see their master with severed limbs.

    They all red at Ryu Min and Christine.

 Chapter 184 (Part 2)

    Chapter 184: The Savior (Part 2)

    Christine soon saw the approaching group and quietly hid behind Ryu Min.

    ��Master! Master�� Ah!��

    The approaching followers were horrified to see their master with severed limbs.

    They all red at Ryu Min and Christine.

    ��Did you do this to our master?��

    ��You bastards!��

    Two of them drew their swords and rushed at them.

    Seeing them charging without hesitation, Ryu Min didn��t hold back.

    Swoosh!

    With one swing of his scythe, he decapitated the two men.

    The remaining 28 followers hesitated and stopped in their tracks.

    ��Why are you stopping? Come at me. If you want to die.��

    ������

    Finally realizing they were facing an insurmountable opponent, the followers retreated.

    ��Fools! Stop. Do you know who you��re up against? That man is the ck Scythe.��

    ��Bl-ck Scythe?��

    Hearing their master��s words, the followers widened their eyes and looked at Ryu Min again.

    As his nickname suggested, he was holding a scythe.

    His aura was menacing, fitting for someone at level 90.

    Realizing they had poked a ho��s nest, the followers broke into a cold sweat.

    ��You,e and carry me.��

    ��Yes.��

    One of the followers carefully lifted the necromancer��s torso.

    ��Why are you here?��

    ��We came to inform you that the battle has ended.��

    ��The battle has ended? What do you mean?��

    Christine interjected, and the necromancer answered on her behalf.

    ��It means yourrades are all dead.��

    ��Ah����

    Christine opened her mouth in shock.

    The hundred followers had been killed by the church?

    ��What about our casualties?��

    ��About 45 injured and 30 dead.��

    Considering they had faced a hundred, their losses were surprisingly small.

    Although he was tempted to praise his followers, the necromancer held back his words.

    If the ck Scythe suddenly got offended, he might change his mind.

    ��One wrong word and I could be dead.��

    Gulping, the necromancer cautiously spoke while watching Ryu Min��s reaction.

    ��As you can see, it��s over. There��s nothing more I can do. So, please let me����

    ��Just get lost already.��

    Turning his head slightly, Ryu Min saw the saintess, dejected by the loss of herrades.

    ��Even though I didn��t kill the saintess, I seeded in dismantling her faction.��

    Having achieved his goal, this was a satisfactory oue.

    ����Let��s go.��

    Following the necromancer��s orders, they left without hesitation.

    No one foolishly suggested revenge.

    Seeing their master reduced to such a state, how could they even think of revenge?

    Everyone knew they couldn��t defeat the ck Scythe even if they all attacked at once.

    ������

    ������

    After they left, silence fell between Ryu Min and Christine.

    Christine, still in shock from the loss of herrades, couldn��t snap out of it.

    ��Because of me�� Everyone died because of me.��

    Although they were her followers, she never treated them as subordinates.

    She treated them as equals, asrades.

    As Dous described it; it was a rtionship for mutual benefit, but they had faced life and death together.

    ��But now�� just because of me����

    She wanted to cry, but no tears came out.

    ��Hey, what��s your nickname?��

    ��Chrissy����

    ��Right, Chrissy. I can guess what��s going on. Losingrades who followed you must be tough. You might even feel like it��s all your fault.��

    ��It��s not that I feel like it. It *is* my fault. If it weren��t for me, none of this would��ve happened.��

    ��If you look at it that way, there��s no end to it. What if that necromancer guy wasn��t there in the first ce? Or what if this survival game didn��t exist at all?��

    Christine listened attentively to Ryu Min��s calm voice.

    ��So, it��s not my fault��?��

    ��Exactly. Did you forcibly gather those people to follow you?��

    Christine shook her head.

    ��No, right? They approached you first. If you look at it that way, it��s not your fault at all.��

    ��But����

    ��They chose their own path by deciding to follow you. So don��t get too emotional and don��t me yourself.��

    ������

    ��There��s nothing as foolish as driving yourself into a corner by worrying about the past. So����

    Ryu Min paused for a moment before continuing.

    ��Don��t me yourself and just let go of the burdens on your shoulders. You��re not obligated to carry the weight of everyone��s lives alone.��

    ������

    Christine was not originally a sentimental person. She didn��t feel anything even when watching romantic or emotional movies. The only time she teared up was when she yawned.

    But now��

    ��What��?��

    Tears began to fall uncontrobly from her eyes.

    Startled by her own tears, Christine noticed Ryu Min pretending not to see as he looked away.

    ��Was I�� beingforted?��

    Christine had been leading many people without anyone to rely on. She had no one to share her burdens with, but this man in front of her understood andforted her.

    It was both surprising and reassuring to find someone who understood her feelings.

    ��Was it unnecessary interference on my part?��

    ��No, it��s not that. I��m sorry for showing you such an unsightly side����

    Christine wiped her tears and forced a smile.

    ��Thank you for saving me. I��m Christine. You��re the ck Scythe, right?��

    Ryu Min didn��t deny it.

    ��Yes. Do you believe though?��

    ��Of course. How could I not believe it after seeing your skills?��

    This man had dealt with thirty spiritual undead, each as powerful as a yer, with a single spell.

    Who could believe that he was only at level 40? Only someone at level 90 like the ck Scythe could pull that off.

    ��But his ss is supposed to be a Reaper, yet he uses magic?��

    Christine didn��t know the Reaper��s skills, but one thing was certain: the man in front of her was her lifesaver.

    He was the only one she could rely on in this world.

    ��Thank you so much for saving me, ck Scythe. I don��t know how I can repay you����

    ��When did I ever save your life?��

    ��What?��

    ��All I did was correct the attitude of a disrespectful person.��

    ��Ah, haha.��

    Despite his words, Christine could sense it. The ck Scythe had purposely intervened to save her.

    No matter what he said, she knew he was kind-hearted inside.

    And this man��

    ��I��m sure of it. The ck Scythe is�� the savior I need to follow.��

    Just as the prophecy had foretold, he was the lifeline she needed to hold on to.

    ��Hey, ck Scythe.��

    ��What is it?��

    Christine, feeling a bit embarrassed, lowered her head and mustered the courage to speak.

    ��Can I stay with you for the remaining time?��

    ��Why?��

    ��Because you saved my life. I want to repay you somehow.��

    ��I refuse.��

    ��What��?��

    Christine was stunned by his blunt refusal.

    ��I didn��t expect to be rejected so quickly����

 Chapter 185 (Part 1)

    Chapter 185: TOP 10 (Part 1)

    The Prophet spoke.

    ��You must hold on to the one who saves your life in the 11th round.��

    ��If you miss him, you won��t make it past the 15th round and you��ll die.��

    ��No, no way. How will I survive?��

    Christine quickly began to appeal for herself.

    ��You don��t know how useful I am, do you? Ha ha, if you get hurt, I can heal you, and I can also apply buffs to prevent status ailments and debuffs and also����

    ��None of that is necessary for me.��

    ��Excuse me?��

    ��I don��t get hurt, and my resistance to status ailments is already high. There��s no reason for me to travel with a priest.��

    ����.��

    Certainly, a priest is an excellent partner for survival.

    Healing is different from emergency treatment, and as the rounds progress, there is nothing scarier than status ailments and debuffs.

    Even Ryu Min acknowledges the necessity of a healer.

    ��But only in theter stages.��

    At level 60, priests learn the resurrection skill.

    Only then is it worth taking a healer along as insurance.

    ��But right now, it��s useless. Just baggage.��

    Christine, seemingly recognizing this, hung her head in silence.

    No, reading her thoughts, she was desperately searching for another way.

    Because of Ryu Min��s prophecy that she must stay with the ck Scythe.

    ��Don��t worry, Christine. I have no reason to reject you.��

    Not knowing how strong the final boss battle would be, a priest who can offer an additional resurrection is essential.

    However, for now, it was necessary to keep some distance under a reasonable pretext.

    ��This round is a team battle where you earn points by killing the opposing team. You and I arepetitors from different zones. Do you think we can cooperate in such a situation? Why would I trust you?��

    ��You saved me.��

    ��So if I save you again, you��ll ask to marry me?��

    ������

    ��Do you trust me that much? Even though you just met me?��

    In truth, Christine trusted the prophecy.

    She clung to the ck Scythe because it said she would survive if she held onto him.

    But after listening to the ck Scythe��s advice, her thoughts changed.

    ��If it��s this person, I can trust him.��

    Even though they just met, he understood her situation and concerns and gave advice.

    A man with both strength and insight.

    He was a sturdy rope to hold onto.

    ��Yes, I trust you. I trust you.��

    ��Whew, this is troublesome.��

    Ryu Min sighed inwardly as he watched Christine desperately trying to cling to him.

    ��I like having a priest on my side. But����

    She��s unnecessary for now.

    Ryu Min could handle most rounds alone.

    He even felt morefortable being alone.

    ��I never thought the skeptical Christine would trust the prophecy so firmly.��

    Saving her life contributed, but his advice and first impression seemed to have been significant.

    The problem is that she would only be useful by the 15th round.

    ��As I��ve said before, we��re from different zones, so cooperation is impossible. There��s no way to help each other gain points. If you want to help me, survive this round first and think about itter.��

    ��Then can I follow you from the next round?��

    ��Persistent. She��s really persistent.��

    Although he felt a chill inside, he understood her desperation to cling to him.

    ��Yes. So survive this round first. Instead of following me, you should earn points in ce of those who died to rank high.��

    Christine nodded at the reasonable words.

    ��Thank you for the advice. And for saving my life.��

    ��Then, I��ll be going.��

    Ryu Min turned and left as if saying thanks was enough.

    Leaving Christine��s regretful gaze behind.

    *

    ��I finally shook her off.��

    Ryu Min sighed as if he had shaken off an obsessive ex-girlfriend.

    He opened the quest progress window to check his points and remaining time.

    [Korean Group��s Points: 733,270]

    [ck Scythe��s Points: 13,240]

    [Time Remaining Until Round Ends: 22:21:59]

    The group had umted 700,000 points.

    ��About 700 people, so each person must have earned 1,000 points.��

    In almost 2 hours, they had only earned 1,000 points.

    ��Considering thatpleting a normal quest of an hour can earn 1,000 points����

    The team��s performance was rather poor.

    ��Well, there are still 22 hours left.��

    Ryu Min knew that the survival cutoff for the 11th round was 13 million.

    Each person needed to earn 20,000 points in 24 hours to survive.

    But Ryu Min was not content with just surviving.

    ��Exceeding 13 million is no problem.��

    He aimed to make both the group and his individual score number one.

    He was confident.

    When there was only an hour left, the final surge would begin.

    ��Until then, I need to focus on earning points.��

    He couldn��t let obstacles like Ma Kyung-rok or the ck Society get in the way.

    To do that, Ryu Min wore the Doppelganger��s Ring.

    [Please state the nickname you wish to change to.]

    [Existing nicknames cannot be used.]

    [However, the nicknames of deceased persons are avable.]

    Ryu Min chose a nickname that his acquaintances wouldn��t recognize.

    ��Lostyak.��

    [The nickname will be changed from ��ck Scythe�� to ��Lostyak��.]

    He also wore the Assassin��s Mask to change his face.

    ��In case someone recognizes me.��

    Both the nickname and appearance.

    He hadpletely turned into Lostyak.

    No one would be able to trace him now.

    They would have to think of Lostyak instead of ck Scythe.

    ��If they try to track ck Scythe, it will show as non-existent.��

    He didn��t care if they thought he was dead.

    He could just im that he obtained a rune that cancels tracking.

    ��No one will chase me now, so let��s start earning points in earnest.��

    He had already nned in his head the most efficient quests and routes to take.

    ��Amplification.��

    Crackle-

    He filled his body with electricity, doubling his movement speed.

    Swish-!

    Ryu Min disappeared in a sh of light.

 Chapter 185 (Part 2)

    Chapter 185: TOP 10 (Part 2)

    ��Ha, this is exhausting.��

    The previous roundssted a maximum of 10 hours.

    It was manageable without issues like sleepiness or hunger.

    But the 24-hour 11th round was hard to endure.

    ��How many hours are left?��

    ��Four hours.��

    ��Wow�� still four hours left?��

    ��I��m starving to death.��

    ��I��m going crazy, I��m so tired, I want to sleep.��

    Jo Yong-ho��s mercenaries were at their limit.

    After running around for nearly 20 hours earning points, they were exhausted.

    ��Why are we out of stamina even though we��re over level 45?��

    ��That��s right. Aren��t we superhuman, surpassing humans?��

    ��How should I know?��

    Even superhumans who could break walls and dodge bullets were no match for hunger and sleepiness.

    It was natural for beings with flesh, but they had forgotten this, intoxicated by their power.

    ��Boss! Can we rest for a bit? We��re going to die at this rate.��

    ��That��s right. Let��s rest our eyes for just 30 minutes.��

    Jo Yong-ho shouted as if to dismiss their nonsense.

    ��Can you sleep when survival is at stake? Your real body is probably sleeping already. Are you nning to sleep in the other world as well? You might never wake up.��

    ��But we��re humans, we need to sleep.��

    ��Endure for four more hours. It��s not much longer. We must give our best until the end for us and the team to survive.��

    ��Haven��t we done enough?��

    ��Haven��t we earned an average of 20,000 points each?��

    Thanks to their relentless questing, Jo Yong-ho��s team earned 20,000 points each in 20 hours.

    It was a considerable amount, but they couldn��t becent.

    ��We have no benchmarks. We don��t know if we��ve earned a lot or a little.��

    ��I think we might be first. We��ve really given our all.��

    ��That��s right. If we��re not first, it would be strange.��

    ��We don��t know. We have to keep moving.��

    Though hispanions sighed, Jo Yong-ho was confident they would at least be mid-ranking.

    They had worked hard.

    His 30 mercenaries had tirelessly earned points.

    ��If only we could know the midterm results����

    At that moment.

    When exactly four hours were left, a message appeared.

    [There are 4 hours remaining until the end of the current round.]

    [The rankings and TOP 10 of this zone will now be revealed.]

    1st. C3-ECHNA003 China (28,031,020 points)

    2nd. C3-EBRA004 Brazil (27,712,410 points)

    3rd. C3-EMXA003 Mexico (27,444,030 points)

    4th. C3-EINDA001 India (26,991,150 points)

    5th. C3-ECHNA005 China (26,896,020 points)

    ������������

    ��������

    10th. C3-EJPNA002 Japan (25,558,180 points)

    It was shocking to see two Chinese teams in the TOP 10, but even more surprising was this.

    [Your team (C3-ESKA001 Korea) has 11,219,170 points, ranking 92nd out of 190 zones.]

    ��What?��

    ��We��re only 92nd?��

    To survive, they needed to be within the top 95.

    Otherwise, they risked falling below the cutoff.

    ��This can��t be right. We worked so hard.��

    It seemed someone must have been cking off; the team points were lower than expected.

    ��Why are neighboring countries China and Japan so high?��

    ��The team sizes should be simr, around 700 each.��

    ��Damn, they must be killing other teams. It��s more efficient that way.��

    ��That��s right. Look at China in first ce. If they��ve gathered 28 million points, it means each person earned 40,000, which doesn��t make sense.��

    ��They probably ignored quests and killed everyone they met.��

    Killing people earned more points thanpleting quests.

    The mercenaries felt their efforts were in vain.

    ��Guys. Survival is still possible. Let��s try a bit more. If we don��t, we might fall out of the cutoff.��

    Jo Yong-ho calmed his disappointed team, saying they had no choice but to keep trying.

    ��If we don��t earn points, everyone here, including ck Scythe, will die.��

    Jo Yong-ho and his mercenaries started moving again, determined to make a final push.

    *

    ��How frustrating.��

    Seeing the Korean team��s ranking, Ryu Min murmured discontentedly.

    ��Barely scraping by. What would they do without me?��

    Even though the Korean team had top-ranking yers, the points were too low.

    ��It shouldn��t be this low initially. We should be at least mid-tier.��

    But since Ryu Min stopped Ma Kyung-rok and Ju Seong-tak from killing, the team points dropped significantly.

    ��I know why, but it��s still frustrating. The fact that without killing, the ranking plummets.��

    No matter how fairly they did quests, they earned only small amounts.

    That��s why angels wanted humans tomit murders, watching them destroy each other.

    But points can be earned without killing.

    Ast-minuteeback is still possible.

    ��I��ll push us to first ce with one move. Both individual and group scores.��

    Ryu Min��s confidence came from one thing.

    Thest chance for the lower ranks was ��gambling.��

    ��And the way to win at gambling is with irvoyance.��

    When there��s an hour left, a message would appear.

    Until then, he would earn points steadily.

    While thinking this, a message appeared before Ryu Min.

    The time hade.

    [There is 1 hour remaining until the end of the current round.]

    [A special event, ��Casino,�� is now open.]

    [In the casino, you can increase your points up to 200 times.]

    [The location of the casino is confidential.]

 Chapter 186 (Part 1)

    Chapter 186: The Gambling Den (Part 1)

    How should one quickly earn points?

    It��s not aboutpleting many quests or going on a brutal rampage.

    ��Hitting it big at the gambling den is the fastest shortcut.��

    That��s why Ryu Min spent 23 hours gathering points.

    To bet his entire fortune at the gambling den.

    Ryu Min opened the status window to check his points.

    [Korean Team��s Total Points: 12,775,330]

    [ck Scythe��s Points: 103,020]

    [Time Remaining Until End of Round: 00:59:39]

    ��A hundred thousand points isn��t bad.��

    Gathering a hundred thousand points solely through quests?

    ��It��s possible for me since I know which quests have the best efficiency, but it��s impossible for the average yer withoutmitting murder.��

    Of course, the other top 10 killers from different countries probably surpassed a hundred thousand points by ughtering everything in sight.

    Maybe not as extreme as Ma Kyung-rok or Ju Seong-tak, who killed up to a thousand people.

    ��They must have killed at least 500 in the previous regression. The yers below me had around 200,000 points.��

    Two hundred thousand is extremely high, but even that is a drop in the bucketpared to what Ryu Min ns to do.

    He ns to multiply his points by 200 times at the gambling den.

    That way, achieving the number one ranking and making his team the top team bes possible.

    ��With my irvoyance, there��s nothing to worry about. It��s as good as won already.��

    As long as he knows the location of the gambling den, there��s no issue.

    Having gone through dozens of regresssions there��s no way he could forget its location.

    ��I need to head there before it��s toote.��

    Ryu Min began to move towards the gambling den for his final chance.

    *

    When the message announcing the gambling den��s opening appeared, everyone��s eyes lit up as they desperately tried to find its location.

    But with only one hour left and this vast continent to search, finding the gambling den was like finding a needle in a haystack.

    ��Not revealing the location was a smart move. If tens of thousands of people swarmed the only gambling den, that would be a problem.��

    Though everyone had to find it on their own, the gambling den was actually in a surprisingly easy location.

    Creak��

    In an inn within the Holy Empire, which could be considered the center of the continent.

    Ryu Min headed towards the kitchen storeroom inside the inn.

    ��Hey, what are you doing in the kitchen?�� asked an NPC who appeared to be the innkeeper.

    ��I��m looking for the gambling den,�� Ryu Min answered honestly.

    ��Hmm, so you��re one of the otherworldly warriors.��

    The innkeeper, after ncing around cautiously, moved a sack of rice and opened a door on the floor.

    nk��

    A set of stairs leading underground was revealed.

    ��Go on in.��

    Descending the stairs, Ryu Min found a dimly lit secret passageway.

    It was the path leading to the gambling den.

    As he walked through the passage, a wide chamber came into view along with a message.

    [You havepleted the side quest!]

    [Points +1,000]

    Even those with no points would receive 1,000 points just for finding it.

    ��It��s bait to get people hooked on gambling.��

    It might seem like free money, but it��s a trap designed to lure people into gambling.

    If you get excited about receiving free points, you should turn back immediately.

    Even just stepping into the gambling den is a shortcut to ruin.

    Without irvoyance, Ryu Min wouldn��t havee here either.

    [Wee to the gambling den!]

    [PK is prohibited in the gambling den. Attacking others will not inflict damage.]

    [Interfering with others�� gambling will result in automatic expulsion.]

    [The door will close and the game will begin once the allotted time has passed. Please wait patiently until then.]

    [Time Remaining Until Event Starts: 00:13:49]

    While reading the message, Ryu Min observed the chamber.

    Already, dozens of people had entered the gambling den.

    These were the yers who were lucky enough to find it.

    ��Well, not necessarily lucky. Losing everything and leaving would be the worst oue.��

    Looking around, he saw both Asians and Westerners.

    Everyone was waiting for the game to start.

    ��Hey, isn��t that��?��

    ��ck Scythe?��

    Before entering, Ryu Min had removed the Doppelganger��s Ring and reverted to his original appearance as ck Scythe.

    This allowed a few Korean yers to recognize him..

    ��With little time left, there��s no need to hide my identity.��

    Even if he wins big at the gambling den, his identity will be revealed during the tally anyway.

    Hiding his identity would serve no purpose.

    ��Everyone��s just watching each other silently.��

    As the message stated, PK is prohibited here.

    Since no damage could be inflicted, everyone was just eyeing each other.

    ��If PK were allowed, people would be fighting over gambling funds right now.��

    Skills could still be used.

    However, interfering with others�� gambling was not allowed.

    ��Thankfully, irvoyance isn��t considered interference.��

    Using it to guess correctly poses no problem.

    It��s a fact verified through numerous rounds.

    [Time Remaining Until Event Starts: 00:00:00]

    As time passed and the countdown hit zero,

    Rumble�� Bang!

    The entrance to the chamber was sealed by an iron door.

    Now, no one could enter or leave.

    Soon, a bright light descended into the chamber.

    Everyone��s attention turned to the newly appeared angel.

    [Hello? Aspiring gamblers! I��m Gabi, the guide of this gambling den. Nice to meet you!]

 Chapter 186 (Part 2)

    Chapter 186: The Gambling Den (Part 2)

    Soon, a bright light descended into the chamber.

    Everyone��s attention turned to the newly appeared angel.

    [Hello? Aspiring gamblers! I��m Gabi, the guide of this gambling den. Nice to meet you!]

    Contrary to the cheerful angel, the expressions of the people were grim.

    Most were desperate for points to the extent of gambling their lives, they were filled with anxiety and unease.

    [Oh dear, your eyes look so dark, like veteran gamblers already? Well, let��s get started. 59 participants, that��s more than I expected. Let me exin the game rules.]

    As the angel pped its wings, two enormous cards, each the size of a person, appeared in the air.

    [The game rules are simple. Here are red and ck cards. After shuffling the cards, I��ll present one, and you guess its color. Easy, right?]

    ��Just guess the color?��

    ��Sounds simple.��

    ��Like an odd or even game?��

    As people quickly grasped the game, the angel continued.

    [There��s a simr game in the human world, right? Odd-even, casino roulette, etc. The odds are 50-50. You can bet as many points as you want, and if you guess correctly, your points will be doubled. If you guess wrong, you lose them all.]

    It seemed like a fair game.

    In Earth��s gambling dens, the house usually sets things up to be in their favor.

    [However, you can��t try indefinitely. You have six chances. If you win all six times, you��ll earn an enormous amount of points.]

    Assuming you bet your entire fortune each time and doubled it, 2x2x2x2x2x2 equals 64.

    You could multiply your points by 64.

    However, the probability of winning six times in a row is only 1.5%.

    Had they already done the math?

    One yer raised their hand and spoke.

    ��Angel! If we only have six tries, even if we win every time, we can only get 64 times our points. The message said the maximum was 200 times.��

    [I was about to exin that. Impatient, aren��t you?]

    The angel scolded lightly before continuing.

    [What I just exined is the standard betting method. For those seeking higher returns, there��s the high-risk method.]

    ��High-risk?��

    ��What��s that?��

    [Unlike normal betting where you wager your desired points, the high-risk method requires you to bet all your points. You only get one chance, and if you win, you��ll receive the winnings after sessfully guessing all six rounds. If you fail even once, you lose everything and permanently suffer a 50% stat reduction debuff.]

    ��What��? A permanent stat reduction?��

    ��And only one chance��?��

    ��If you fail, you��re finished.��

    ��The risk is too high.��

    [In return, if you win all six rounds in a row, instead of 64 times, you��ll get 200 times your points. It��s a premium service for those looking to overturn their lives in one go.]

    ��200 times, huh����

    ��That��s quite tempting����

    Despite the attractive prize, most people dismissed the offer.

    Only a 1.5% chance of winning.

    No matter how big the reward, no one was foolish enough to bet on a 1.5% chance.

    In other words, the failure rate was 98.5%.

    [Now, shall we choose the method? Anyone who wants to take the high-risk challenge, please raise your hand.]

    The angel��s words were met with silence from the yers.

    They merely scoffed at the ridiculous offer internally.

    ��Hmph, crazy angel. Who would bet on the high-risk method?��

    ��It��s more efficient to bet with a 50% chance of winning and losing.��

    ��I may be desperate for points, but I��m not betting on a 1.5% chance.��

    The probability was so extreme that no one stepped forward.

    Except for two individuals.

    They were yers from the lowest ranked area, almost certain to be eliminated.

    They figured they had nothing to lose.

    ��I��ll take the challenge.��

    ��I��ll challenge it too.��

    [Only two? No one else?]

    Then, another person raised their hand.

    It was none other than Ryu Min.

    ��Isn��t that ck Scythe?��

    ��Is ck Scythe really betting on the high-risk method?��

    ��Why would he risk it when he��s notcking anything?��

    ��He��s out of his mind.��

    ��I can hear you, you know.��

    Even though they murmured quietly, Ryu Min��s enhanced senses picked up everything.

    ��I understand. I must seem crazy. There��s no need to take such a risk.��

    But if they knew about irvoyance, they wouldn��t say such things.

    They��d ask why he wouldn��t bet when he could win 200 times.

    Because with irvoyance, he could see the backs of the cards.

    ��Guessing six times correctly is a piece of cake.��

    It wasn��t a gamble for him since he had a 100% chance of winning.

    [So, three participants for the high-risk challenge! The remaining 56 will automatically take the standard method. Let��s start the game!]

    With a p of its wings, the angel surrounded the yers with transparent shields.

    [These barriers prevent interference from others. No one can attack or use skills to disrupt others at critical moments.]

    Unable to move, they couldn��t peek at the cards�� backs either.

    [Let��s start with those who chose the standard method. High-risk participants, please wait a moment. It won��t take long. First game, here we go!]

    The two enormous cards shuffled in the air before one was presented.

    [Guess the color of the next card. Choose red or ck and bet your points.]

    yers, seeing the selection window before them, hesitated.

    Staring at the card did nothing to reveal its color.

    It was purely a game of chance.

    [Please make your choice within a minute. Ready? Let��s reveal the card!]

    The angel revealed the card.

    ��Ah!��

    ��Yes! It��s red!��

    ��Damn it!��

    ��Ugh, I��m ruined����

    As cheers and groans echoed, the second game began.

    The game was fair.

    The cards were shuffled in in view without any tricks before being revealed cleanly.

    The backs werepletely hidden, forcing yers to guess blindly.

    ��Damn it! No!��

    ��Crap! Damn it!��

    yers who won at first soon joined the others in cursing as they lost.

    The game ended quickly, just as the angel had predicted.

    All 56 yers lost all their points by the fifth game.

    [No need for all six rounds. All eliminated by the fifth game. Unfortunately, your chances are over.]

    ��Angel�� please, just one more chance����

    ��Please give us some points, Angel����

    Desperate to recoup their losses, the yers begged, but to no avail.

    ��Angel, I have a question.��

    [What is it?]

    ��If we still have chances left, can we borrow points from others?��

    ��Right, we still have onest chance.��

    ��Please let us borrow points!��

    [That��s pathetic. Points cannot be transferred. Give up already.]

    The yers hung their heads in despair.

    ��Ah�� it��s over.��

    ��If I��d known, I��d have taken the high-risk bet����

    Among those with zero points were some Koreans too.

    ��What about our group points? This is bad.��

    ��If we get eliminated����

    Though they trembled with anxiety, none thought the ck Scythe would win.

    [Next up, high-risk participants, get ready.]

    Ryu Min��s turn hade.

 Chapter 187 (Part 1)

    Chapter 187: The Results of the 11th Round (Part 1)

    ��Damn it! Damn it all!!!��

    Japanese yer Uetsuhako Manichi roared like thunder.

    Having sessfully bet on red three times in a row, he chose ck for the fourth game.

    After seeing red three times in a row, he thought it was about time for ck toe up.

    But red hit four times in a row, and he lost not only the points he had earned but also his initial stake.

    ��Why am I such an idiot! Damn it! I need to get my money back, I have to!��

    In the end, Manichi bet all his remaining money on ck for the fifth game.

    Honestly, what are the odds of reding up five times in a row?

    Yet that was exactly what happened.

    ��Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!!!��

    He tore his hair in despair.

    Having dabbled in pachinko in his youth, he had been confident, but he didn��t expect to lose everything like this.

    He was so ovee with self-loathing that he wanted to die right there.

    ��I��m ruined, ruined������

    The only constion was that he wasn��t the only one who had lost everything.

    ��Well, at least I don��t have to worry about being annihted even if I hit 0 points.��

    Three hours ago, the area point calction had shown that Manichi��s Japanese team was in 10th ce.

    With that ranking, they wouldn��t fall below 95th ce no matter how badly they performed.

    There was no risk of annihtion, but that didn��t make him feel any better.

    No matter what anyone said, losing all the points he had earned over 23 hours was a devastating blow.

    ��I just want to go home quickly.��

    He wanted to return and get some sleep, but the game wasn��t over yet.

    [Now, for those of you who chose the high-risk mode, please get ready.]

    Three people remained who had chosen the high-risk mode.

    Honestly, it wasn��t even worth watching.

    ��Fools. Betting their lives on a 1.5% chance. They must be desperate losers.��

    He guessed that the lowest-ranking teams, who were at risk of annihtion if they didn��t win 200 times their points, were the ones taking this challenge.

    No sane person would think they could hit a 1.5% chance.

    [For those of you who chose high-risk mode, all your points will automatically be all-in, and you must get six consecutive correct guesses. Now, let��s shuffle the cards.]

    Two cards were shuffled quickly, and one card was drawn forward.

    [Please choose the color of the card within one minute.]

    Since it was the first game, the three people were extremely cautious.

    Well, one of them, the ck Scythe, had already made his choice from the start, but the other two had not.

    Their lives depended on their choice.

    ��They��re not going to win anyway, so why don��t they just choose quickly? Tsk.��

    While Manichi grumbled, the minute passed.

    [Have you all chosen? Hoho, it looks like your fates are decided from the first game. Two of you chose red, and one chose ck. Who will be eliminated? Drum roll please��!]

    The angel, enjoying herself alone, revealed the card.

    [Ta-da! The first correct answer is ck.]

    ��Ugh����!��

    ��Aaaaah����!��

    The two who chose red were eliminated from the first round.

    Manichi smirked at the despondent ones sitting on the ground.

    ��Idiots. What were they expecting? There��s no way they��d seed in getting six consecutive correct guesses.��

    They were bound to be eliminated eventually, and it just happened a bit earlier.

    Thinking like that was easier on the mind.

    ��The one who got it right this time will soon be crying too.��

    Clicking his tongue, Manichi didn��t know that the yer was the famous ck Scythe, and he eagerly awaited the end of the game.

    He thought he would be eliminated by the second game at thetest.

    But things didn��t go as he expected.

    [The second correct answer is red. Oh, you got it right again! Just four more to go. Hehe!]

    [The third correct answer is ck. Wow, incredible luck. Three in a row! You��re halfway there! Keep it up. Hahaha.]

    The lone man got three consecutive correct guesses.

    It wasn��t surprising.

    Manichi had also seeded three times in a row.

    ��Hmph, lucky bastard. But let��s see how long that lucksts.��

    They were halfway there, but the chances of continuing to win would only decrease.

    But his thoughts changed when the fourth result came.

    [The fourth correct answer is red. Haha, you got it right again. If this were the standard mode, you��d have made 16 times your points by now.]

    Manichi couldn��t help but be surprised when the man got four consecutive correct guesses.

    Turning his head, he saw that others were equally shocked.

    It wasn��t just the fact that he got four in a row.

    ��How is that guy so calm?��

    He chose the correct answers with a calm face, without a second��s hesitation.

    ��It��s like he already knows the correct answers.��

    He was clearly not an ordinary person.

    Despite getting four in a row, he didn��t show any signs of joy.

    He just calmly chose the next answer.

    ��He��d be great at poker with that unchanging expression.��

    Even the Korean yers, who hadn��t expected much, were impressed by the ck Scythe��s performance.

    ��ck Scythe got four in a row.��

    ��If he gets two more right, that��s 200 times the points, right?��

    ��He might hit the jackpot.��

    ��Then our group will survive for sure!��

    As people��s attention focused on him, the fifth game began.

    Ryu Min made his choice without a hint of hesitation this time too.

    [Alright, which color card will it be�� You��ve already chosen? Haha, if you pick so thoughtlessly, you��ll be out in one go. Now, let��s see the correct answer��]

    The angel��s expression turned sour as she revealed the card.

    [��The correct answer is ck. You got it right again.]

    ��Wow! Amazing!��

    ��Did he really get it right again?��

    ��Is this for real?��

    The yers cheered at the angel��s words.

    They were so immersed in ck Scythe��s progress that they felt vicarious satisfaction.

    They were experiencing sess in an area where they themselves had failed.

    ��Just one more to go!��

    ��The odds are 50%!��

    ��If he gets this right, he��ll win 200 times the points!��

    ��ck Scythe, go for it!��

    People trapped in the transparent barrier cheered for ck Scythe in their ownnguages.

    Some, out of jealousy, cursed him inwardly, hoping he would fail.

    ��There are always people who can��t stand to see others seed.��

    Ryu Min smirked as he made his final choice.

    Despite their curses, Lady Luck was on his side.

    [The sixth choice has been made. Let��s see the result!]

    The angel��s tension made the yers more nervous than the participant himself.

    Even the angel, who didn��t know the result until revealing the card, was hoping for a failure.

    But contrary to her hopes��

    [Ah. Hahaha.]

    Ryu Min��s n went smoothly.

    [The sixth correct answer is ck. Congrattions. You��ve won the high-risk game with six consecutive correct guesses.]

    ��Woooooo!��

    Thunderous cheers echoed through the cave.

 Chapter 187 (Part 2)

    Chapter 187: The Results of the 11th Round (Part 2)

    Thunk-!

    ��Ugh!��

    An arrow struck a yer right between the eyebrows.

    Yang Chiwon, smiling grimly, approached the limp opponent and pulled out the arrow, licking the blood on the arrowhead.

    ��Even if it��s an avatar created in another world, the blood tastes just like reality.��

    As the top-ranking member of the ck Society, he began killing people as soon as the 11th round started, true to his role as a hunter.

    Killing yers earned points, so there was no reason not to kill.

    ��How many have I killed so far?��

    In response to Yang Chiwon��s question, the second-ranked member, Zhang Suwei, answered respectfully.

    ��You��ve killed exactly 552 people.��

    ��How much time is left until the end of the round?��

    ��One minute remains.��

    ��Haha, I��ve used my time wisely.��

    Yang Chiwon nced at the progress window.

    [Points earned by the China Team: 30,621,490]

    [Points earned by Yang Chiwon: 220,840]

    [Time left until the end of the round: 00:00:54]

    Seeing the team��s total points of over 30 million brought a smile to his face.

    ��There��s no doubt our region is first ce.��

    Four hours ago, their region was in first ce in the calction results.

    It was impossible for the lower-ranked regions to catch up in such a short time.

    They had killed even more people during the final sprint than before.

    Thanks to the team��s united effort to hunt yers for 24 hours, they had achieved first ce in the region.

    ��Not only the team, but my individual score should also be first.��

    He had not wasted a single second, killing yers tirelessly.

    The points he earned through such relentless effort convinced him that he was the top scorer.

    ��Zhang Suwei.��

    ��Yes, boss.��

    ��How many points do you have?��

    ��Roughly 160,000 points.��

    ��That��s not much. But don��t worry. It��s certain that China is in first ce.��

    ��I��m not worried. Rather, I want to congratte you in advance.��

    ��Congrattions?��

    ��Isn��t it almost certain that you��ll be the top individual scorer?��

    ��Of course.��

    ��I heard the rewards have improves from this round onwards. Congrattions.��

    ��There��s no need for congrattions. We��ve been first in the regional rankings so many times that it��s getting tiresome.��

    Despite his words, Yang Chiwon couldn��t stop smiling.

    ��I��m looking forward to it. What will the first-ce reward be this round? What can I buy in the special shop that opens?��

    Since the regions were integrated into one, being first this time was akin to being the top across all regions.

    Knowing this, Zhang Suwei brought up ck Scythe.

    ��No matter how great ck Scythe is, he��ll have to give up the first ce this time.��

    ��Of course. No matter how skilled he is, there��s no way he has more points than me after I��ve killed hundreds of people over 24 hours.��

    ��Indeed.��

    ��That bastard ck Scythe will see his record of first ce broken for the first time because of me, Yang Chiwon.��

    Yang Chiwon raised his head arrogantly, smiling proudly.

    [Time limit has been reached.]

    [Moving to the neutral zone.]

    With the end of the time limit, people were transported to a colorless space.

    [Hoho, does it feel like there are fewer people than before?]

    The angel, who appeared as if she had been waiting, looked around at the gathered people and said.

    [We started with 130,000 people, but now it��s down to 80,000. Have you been killing each other for points?]

    The question, asked with a smirk, was rhetorical.

    [It doesn��t matter. The number of people doesn��t change the fact that groups survive based on their points. Let��s see which groups have survived.]

    ��No need to look, we must be first.��

    Yang Chiwon smiled as the results screen appeared.

    No, he was about to smile when he saw the results.

    �� 11th Round Results ��

    1st. C3-ESKA001 Korea (34,269,330 points)

    2nd. C3-ECHNA003 China (30,621,490 points)

    3rd. C3-EBRA004 Brazil (30,264,000 points)

    4th. C3-EMXA003 Mexico (29,931,360 points)

    5th. C3-EINDA001 India (29,602,040 points)

    ������������

    ��������

    10th. C3-EJPNA002 Japan (28,004,220 points)

    ��What? Second ce?��

    Yang Chiwon��s face darkened at the realization that his team wasn��t in first ce, but second.

    ��And what��s this? First ce is�� Korea?��

    The country that hadn��t even been in the top 10 was now sitting at the top.

    ��No way. Did they really gather enough points to surpass us in just four hours?��

    It was unbelievable, but the next screen would be even more shocking.

    [We��ve seen the group results, now let��s look at the individual scores.]

    The angel��s wings fluttered, and a new results screen appeared.

    1st. ck Scythe (Lv90 Reaper) Points: 20,804,000

    2nd. Yang Chiwon (Lv50 Hunter) Points: 220,840

    3rd. Dark Soul (Lv50 Sniper) Points: 200,120

    4th. Swingman (Lv49 Martial Artist) Points: 194,200

    5th. First Warrior (Lv49 Sword Master) Points: 184,880

    ������������

    ��������

    10th. Zhang Suwei (Lv48 Assassin) Points: 161,200

    ��No way.��

    Yang Chiwon��s jaw dropped in shock.

    The gap between the first and second ce was nearly 100 times.

 Chapter 188 (Part 1)

    Chapter 188: End of the 11th Round (Part 1)

    ��Are we really in first ce?��

    Jo Yong-ho stared at the results screen, his mouth agape in disbelief.

    He blinked and rubbed his eyes, but the screen didn��t change.

    With 34 million points, South Korea was at the top.

    However, what was even more surprising was the individual results.

    ��ck Scythe is in first ce!��

    ��Did he really gather 20 million points by himself? Is that even possible?��

    ��What is this? A bug?��

    The astonishment continued, and everything seemed uncertain except for one thing.

    ��It��s thanks to the ck Scythe that our country is in first ce.��

    No one could refute Jo Yong-ho��s statement, and the mercenaries nodded in agreement.

    South Korea should have been stuck around the 90th ce with just 13 million points, but he single-handedly catapulted them to first ce with 20 million points.

    Even if there wasn��t a specific reward for being in first ce, it undoubtedly elevated the country��s prestige.

    ��Unbelievable. 20 million points on his own.��

    ��Isn��t ck Scythe a Korean yer?��

    ��He��s truly amazing.��

    ��I want to visit Korea now.��

    yers from other countries who were watching also shook their heads in disbelief at ck Scythe.

    Even the angels were astounded, which said it all.

    [Wow�� How did you manage to gather 20 million points by yourself? This is the first time I��ve seen something like this. Did you really win the gambling game? ck Scythe?]

    Ryu Min didn��t deny the angel��s question.

    ��Yes, that��s right.��

    [It��s not easy to bet everything on a 1.5% chance. Is this what it means to have the qualities of a gambler? You��re quite a remarkable human.]

    Even the angel was impressed by the ck Scythe.

    Some were shaking with rage, ring at the ck Scythe with anger.

    [Then, as promised, the representative of the unified zone will be granted to the first-ce winner, the ck Scythe! As a reminder, the authority power of the remaining representatives will be revoked!]

    [yer ��The ck Scythe�� has be the new representative of CA-EA001.]

    Ryu Min smirked as the message popped up.

    ��Finally, I��ve be the sole representative of the zone.��

    Previously, with many zones, there were frequent unifications and changes in representatives, but not anymore.

    With the zones now unified into one, he was the sole representative and the only one who could use the authority of dominance.

    ��Now, if I want to, I canmand the yers as I please. Well, I��ll save it for the final moment.��

    Since opportunities were limited, it was best to save the authority as much as possible.

    [Now that the results are out, it��s time to eliminate all the teams ranked below 95th ce.]

    ��N-no! Angel, please!��

    ��Don��t do this��!��

    As the angel signaled, the elimination process began.

    Half of the teams screamed as they turned to ashes and scattered.

    [Now there are exactly 40,021 survivors. That��s quite a lot, isn��t it?]

    ��Quite a lot, my foot����

    Compared to the beginning, only 30% were left, yet the angel made it sound like a lot.

    [Congrattions to the 95 surviving groups. Rewards will be given to the top three individuals.]

    As soon as the angel finished speaking, messages appeared one after another.

    [Congrattions! You havepleted the quest as the first ce in the zone!]

    [Currently, ��ck Scythe�� is ranked first in this zone.]

    [As a reward for being the first ce in this zone, you have received a ��Material Package��!]

    [As a reward for being the first ce in this zone, you have received a ��Rune Package��!]

    [As a reward for being the first ce in this zone, you have received a ��Special Reward Selection Box��!]

    The rewards for this round were generous, as promised, with three items granted.

    Ryu Min smiled as he first used the rune package.

    [You have used the Rune Package.]

    [Congrattions! You have received the ��Rune of Expansion��!]

    [The acquired rune will be automatically engraved on the yer��s body!]

    [Rune of Expansion]

    �C Effect: Allows the wearer to equip one additional ring.

    ��Hmm, that��s quite useful.��

    Usually, only one ring could be worn.

    But thanks to the Rune of Expansion, he could now wear two.

    ��Given the importance of items, being able to wear one more ring is a huge advantage.��

    Satisfied with the good rune, Ryu Min used the material package as well.

    [You have used the Material Package.]

    [Congrattions! You have received ck Iron Powder!]

    [Congrattions! You have received Bubbling Magic Liquid!]

    [Congrattions! You have received Shiny Horse Tail!]

    [Congrattions! You have received New Material Leather!]

    [Congrattions! You have received Blueprint: God-tier Gloves!]

    Numerous god-tier materials filled Ryu Min��s inventory.

    They even provided a blueprint, as if urging him to make a god-tier item.

    ��I don��t need the blueprint. I already know all the crafting recipes.��

    Even just selling the blueprint in the marketter would bring in a huge profit.

    After all, it was a god-tier item crafting blueprint.

    ��The only missing material is the Condensed Aether.��

    It doesn��t matter, though.

    Ryu Min had the Condensed Aether obtained from killing the Archangel Remiel.

    ��With this, I can make my third god-tier item.��

    The crafting progress was faster than expected.

    He didn��t expect to get Condensed Aether from killing the archangel.

    ��I��ll make the god-tier gloves after I return.��

    Ryu Min then used thest remaining Special Reward Selection Box.

    [You can choose one of the following special rewards.]

    [Please touch the desired reward.]

    �� 1. Experience Points Double Increase Buff (limited to the 12th round)

    �� 2. Stats 50% Increase Buff (limited to the 12th round)

    �� 3. Information about the 12th round

    Without hesitation, Ryu Min chose the second option.

    ��Increasing stats is more important than experience points now. I can level upter.��

    The angels who suspected him wouldn��t stay idle forever.

    To prepare for any unexpected attacks, it was better to increase his stats.

    [Have you all received your rewards? Then, we will now open the Special Shop!]

    As soon as the angel finished speaking, a message appeared.

    [The Special Shop has been opened in the shop window!]

    [In the Special Shop, you can purchase special items with points. The shop will remain open even after the round ends, so take your time to browse and make your purchases. Oh, points will no longer be awarded, so use them wisely!]

    Despite the angel��s exnation, people barely listened.

    Everyone was busy checking out the shop.

    Ryu Min also confirmed the Special Shop but decided to wait until he returned.

    He could browse itfortablyter.

    [Congrattions, everyone. See you in the next round!]

    ? ROUND 11 END ?

    [Zone CA-EA001]

    ��Survivors: 40,021

    [Your soul will be transferred to your original dimension body shortly.]

    [The 12th round will begin at midnight on December 1, 2022. Congrattions on surviving.]

 Chapter 188 (Part 2)

    Chapter 188: End of the 11th Round (Part 2)

    After the end of the 11th round.

    Angel Milen, who had been the guide, sighed as he returned to the heavenly realm.

    [That human is truly extraordinary. Pulling out such a high-risk strategy.]

    Milen recalled the human known as ck Scythe.

    Despite being an avatar created in another world, he exuded a deadly aura.

    ��Did he really kill the archangel as rumored?��

    The death of Remiel wasn��t officially confirmed, but every knowledgeable angel was aware.

    That he went to confront a human and didn��t return.

    ��If he hasn��t returned yet, it��s certain.��

    An archangel killed by a human?

    It was still hard to believe, but if it was true, there was only one possible suspect.

    ��ck Scythe, who stands out at level 90. It must be him.��

    Although the suspect was identified, the higher-ups hadn��t taken any action.

    He should have been killed immediately, yet they hadn��t dealt with him yet, which was baffling.

    [Hmph, I can never understand the higher-ups�� Huh?]

    At that moment, a radiant angel appeared before Milen.

    With majestic and beautiful wings, a handsome appearance, and deep eyes, Milen froze.

    He was overwhelmed by the presence.

    [H-Hail, the Heaven Above All Heavens. The Archangel of Archangels, Lord Michael.]

    Trembling, he greeted, fearing the angel might have overheard his earlier words.

    Michael looked down at Milen and asked in a deep voice.

    [I��ve heard you were the guide for the 11th round.]

    [Yes? Yes, that��s correct.]

    Feeling pity for the trembling Milen, Michael smiled gently.

    [I��vee to hear the results early, so don��t be afraid.]

    [I-I was just on my way to record the results.]

    [Good. So, what are the results of the 11th round?]

    [Here��s the recorded screen. Please take a look.]

    Michael seriously reviewed the results screen that Milen handed over.

    [ck Scythe is in first ce again. And by a significant margin.]

    [It seems he won big using the high-risk option in the gambling game.]

    [I see. Take it to the Hall of Records.]

    [Yes, then I��ll be off��]

    As Milen hesitantly withdrew, Michael fell into deep thought.

    ��While others barely earn 200,000 points, he gathered 20 million points alone.��

    Since this round was for earning points for the Special Shop, it was quite important.

    After this, earning points would be impossible.

    ��As if he knew that, he earned an enormous amount of points, creating an insurmountable gap.��

    He was truly a monopolist.

    Dangerous.

    If ck Scythe was left unchecked, not only the game��s bnce but the angels themselves would be in danger.

    He was already a serial killer who had killed dozens of battle angels and one archangel.

    ��And yet�� And yet, I have to just watch?��

    Michael recalled his recent conversation with Luvaiah.

    �C We should target him when the 11th round starts.

    �C I rmend waiting a bit longer, my lord. It will greatly benefit your grand cause.

    �C What did I just hear? Repeat that.

    �C I said keeping the ck Scythe alive will help achieve your grand cause, Lord Michael.

    �C You, a mere observer locked in a room, im to know my grand cause?

    �C Of course. An observer who contemtes all the knowledge of the world surely knows your inner thoughts, my lord.

    �C ��

    �C To be blunt, Lord Michael wants to be a god, correct? And you know what you need to achieve that.

    �C Are you suggesting using ck Scythe?

    �C Yes. As you can see from his actions, ck Scythe walks a path no one has ever walked. He is the only one who can fulfill your grand cause.

    �C Continue.

    �C If you kill the ck Scythe now for the crime of killing an archangel, your grand cause will be set back. Isn��t the reason you��re observing the humans�� game to be a god?

    �C Yes.

    �C Currently, the one closest to the wish of the 20th round is the ck Scythe. If you use him well, you can be a god. Conversely, if you kill him ording to the rules of the heavenly realm, your grand cause will be set back again.

    �C ��

    �C So, what will you do? Will you postpone the ck Scythe��s death for your grand cause? Or will you kill him now for the order of the heavenly realm and wait for another opportunity?

    �C ��Well, it��s not a decision to make now, so I��ll think about it.

    Finishing his thoughts, Michael sighed inwardly.

    He said he��d think about it, but he still hadn��t reached a conclusion.

    ��Damn scribe. What do you want by shaking my mind like that?��

    Considering he brought it up suddenly, he probably wanted the ck Scythe to be spared.

    No, more likely, he wanted Michael to be a god.

    ��What does he n to do once I be a god?��

    No matter how much he pondered, he couldn��t grasp the scribe��s intentions.

    It only made his thoughts moreplicated.

    ��To disgrace an angel and keep that cheeky brat alive for my grand cause?��

    It was absurd, but Luvaiah��s words had some truth.

    To achieve a grand cause, sacrifices were necessary.

    Such an opportunity might nevere again.

    Justice or the grand cause.

    Order of the heavenly realm or personal ambition.

    After much contemtion, Michael finally made a decision.

    ����Well, an angel is inherently a selfish being.��

    He decided to overlook ck Scythe��s crime.

 Chapter 189 (Part 1)

    Chapter 189: The Furious Ma Kyung-rok (Part 1)

    yers wake up simultaneously at the same time when they return.

    Therefore, their families can only wait anxiously.

    They don��t know why their children won��t wake up or why they are sleeping for 24 hours straight without any information.

    ��Uhmm.��

    ��Y-you��re awake!��

    Christine opened her eyes slightly and turned her head, only to be startled.

    Her father, looking haggard, was sitting next to her bed like a caregiver.

    ��Father?��

    ��I��m so d you��re safe.��

    ��H-how did this happen? Did you stay awake waiting for me?��

    ��Do you think I could sleep? My daughter didn��t wake up for 24 hours.��

    As her father Nathan��s worry was natural.

    Especially because he had heard about the misfortune that could befall in the 11th round, he couldn��t help but be particrly anxious.

    When Nathan wiped away the tears that had trickled down, Christine was surprised.

    It was the first time she had ever seen her father cry.

    ��Are you crying?��

    ��Don��t misunderstand. These are tears from being sleepy. Anyway, why did it take so long?��

    ��This round��s time limit was particrly long, 24 hours.��

    Just then, the door opened, and Jeffrey came in.

    ��Ah! You��re alive! Christine.��

    ��Somehow, yes.��

    Christine��s reaction was cold.

    She didn��t even look at him, clearly still angry about thest incident.

    His resentment towards the Prophet had disappeared after being controlled by Yamti, but not her anger.

    ��Daughter. What happened? Did you really get attacked as prophesied?��

    ����Yes.��

    Christine began to recount what she had experienced with aplicated heart.

    The ambush by the Church of Despair, the betrayal of the trusted Pdin, and the appearance of the necromancer leader.

    Jeffrey couldn��t contain his anger when he heard that the Pdin had tried to force himself on Christine.

    ��That beast of a man! Christine! He��s definitely dead, right?��

    ��He��s dead. I saw it clearly with my own eyes.��

    ��To think I kept such a devil by my side. You can��t trust those who follow you, either.��

    ��It��s not a matter of trust. All of my hundredrades were wiped out in the Church of Despair��s ambush.��

    ������

    ������

    The two fell silent, understanding the heavy atmosphere.

    Christine��s expression was as somber as could be.

    ��You don��t need to worry about me. I��ve decided to move past the sorrow.��

    ��Really?��

    ��Whatever happens, I have to make it to the 20th round. That��s the only way not to waste the deaths of myrades, right?��

    ��You mean your wish?��

    Christine originally had no wish.

    She had survived this far just to avoid dying.

    But now, her mindset had changed.

    ��The ck Scythe said it wasn��t my fault, but I can��t say I have no responsibility at all. So�� I��ll save them. For the sake of my deadrades, I��ll survive.��

    She had found strong motivation from this incident.

    She had a reason to go to the 20th round.

    Perhaps Nathan read the changed determination in his daughter��s eyes.

    He smiled more contentedly than ever.

    ��As expected, my daughter is strong.��

    ��I had some help.��

    ��Hmm? Help?��

    ��It��s nothing to worry about. By the way, have you ever heard of the Church of Despair?��

    Nathan and Jeffrey shook their heads simultaneously.

    ��What kind of cult is that?��

    ��It seems to be a religion made up only of yers. It seems to have a base in America, but I don��t know how I can locate them.��

    ��Leave finding those guys to us. Don��t get involved and risk yourself again.��

    ��But Christine, who saved you?��

    At Jeffrey��s question, Nathan repeated curiously.

    ��Yes, tell us. Who helped you escape from that situation? Was it your fianc��?��

    Christine shook her head.

    ��No. I didn��t even meet him.��

    ��Then who was it?��

    ��The nickname of the person who saved me is ck Scythe.��

    ��ck Scythe?��

    Nathan tilted his head as if hearing it for the first time, but Jeffrey��s reaction was different.

    ��B-ck�� Scythe?��

    ��Why, Jeffrey? Do you know him?��

    ��Know him? He��s already famous. He has never missed the first rank and is the strongest among the current yers.��

    ��Really? Is he American?��

    ��He��s Korean. Among ordinary people, he��s known as themander of CPF who wiped out the remnants of KF in Nigeria.��

    ��Ho? He��s quite a yer doing good deeds.��

    Nathan��s eyes gleamed.

    He had never met him, but since ck Scythe had saved Christine, the first impression was already favorable.

    ��Sooner orter, I��ll go to Korea to thank him personally.��

    ��But it won��t be easy to meet him. He doesn��t contact anyone and always wears a mask to hide his identity thoroughly.��

    ��But isn��t there a way to meet him? How hard can it be to find one person in a small country like Korea?��

    Nathan spoke confidently, but Jeffrey had a pessimistic expression.

    If it were possible, the media would have already revealed ck Scythe��s face.

    Christine intervened at that moment.

    ��I��ll be the one going to Korea.��

    ��To Korea?��

    ��I��ll go and meet the Prophet. He might know where ck Scythe is.��

    ��Didn��t you exchange numbers this time? Can��t you just ask over the phone?��

    ��It would be rude to discuss such matters over the phone. I should show sincerity by visiting in person.��

    ��Do you know where he lives?��

    ��Did you forget? The Prophet��s closest person is my fianc��. I can ask him.��

    * * *

    As soon as Ma Kyung-rok woke up, he threw themp next to him.

    ��Argh! You son of a b*tch!��

    He wanted to throw anything he could grab, but unfortunately, due to his neat nature, there wasn��t much to throw.

    ��Huff, huff.��

    Ma Kyung-rok snorted like an angry bull.

    He was furious.

    His points in the 11th round were 0.

    Because he couldn��t escape the Forest of Labyrinth within 24 hours.

    ��Director An must be yelling right now too. His desire to be stronger was even greater than mine.��

    Thanks to ck Scythe, the Korean team took first ce and avoided annihtion, but that was it.

    Without points, he couldn��t use the Special Shop even when it opened.

    It was aplete waste.

 Chapter 189 (Part 2)

    Chapter 189: The Furious Ma Kyung-rok (Part 2)

    ��To think I, born with a silver spoon, am now in a position to just watch because I don��t have a single point.��

    It felt like bing a penniless beggar in an instant.

    Even though he had billions in his bank ount, all he felt was emptiness.

    The anticipation for the Special Shop was so great that the disappointment was just as big.

    ��It��s ironic. I ended up like this chasing ck Scythe, but I survived thanks to ck Scythe.��

    It was amazing even now.

    How did that guy gather 20 million points alone?

    ��No, more than that, how did he escape that damned forest?��

    After being knocked out by Hwang Yong-min, Ma Kyung-rok woke upte.

    He had 3 hours left.

    For an hour, he struggled to cut the tree trunks and tried to escape thebyrinth with An Sang-cheol.

    But 2 hours were not enough to escape.

    Spending the entire day in thebyrinth-like forest meant his points were 0.

    ��Unbelievable. 0 points. I, who always ranked top 3, got 0 points����

    As he felt beyond anger to emptiness, the door opened with a beep, and An Sang-cheol entered.

    Seeing the messy room, he was briefly surprised but soon became calm, understanding the situation.

    ��Director. I��m here.��

    ��Yes.��

    ��Did you finish venting your anger?��

    ��More or less. What about you?��

    ��Huff, I also threw some stuff in frustration.��

    ��Does this make any sense? We got 0 points.��

    ��Indeed.��

    ��Who do you think is to me?��

    ��Umm����

    An Sang-cheol hesitated to answer.

    Frankly, it was because Ma Kyung-rok had suggested following ck Scythe.

    But being sane, one couldn��t openly me their superior.

    ��The primary cause is ck Scythe entering that weird forest, and secondarily, it��s Hwang Yong-min.��

    ��It��s not Hwang Yong-min, is it? That guy.��

    ��Ah, right. He��s actually an undead. So, it should be the necromancer controlling him.��

    ��No matter how I think about it, it��s strange. How could a mere undead have such skills��?��

    Hwang Yong-minpletely toyed with them.

    His skills were unbelievable for just a summoned creature.

    Even in appearance, he looked too normal for an undead.

    If the Prophet hadn��t said he was dead, he would have believed he was a yer.

    ��Didn��t the Prophet say for sure? That Hwang Yong-min is dead.��

    ��Yes. I clearly heard it. He also said there��s a necromancer controlling him.��

    ��Then the Prophet knows. Who��s behind it.��

    It wasn��t Hwang Yong-min who wronged them.

    It was the one controlling Hwang Yong-min.

    ��Are you going to take revenge?��

    ��Of course. I have to find that bastard and tear him to pieces and throw him to the dogs.��

    ��Shall I call the Prophet then?��

    ��Yes. To check if he survived, I��ll call him myself����

    At that moment, Ma Kyung-rok��s phone rang.

    The caller was Christine.

    ��Christine?��

    -Hello, Mr. Ma Kyung-rok.

    ��You��re safe! That��s such a relief. Do you know how worried I was?��

    A moment of silence passed, seemingly surprised by his delighted voice.

    -Thank you for worrying.

    ��How could I not worry? We promised our future together. And this round had a bad prophecy.��

    -That��s true.

    ��What happened? Was there really an incident as prophesied?��

    To satisfy the curious Ma Kyung-rok, Christine calmly exined the situation back then.

    Listening calmly was impossible.

    ��You almost died at the hands of the Church of Despair��s leader?��

    -Yes. An American with the ability to control the dead. They said he��s a necromancer.

    ��A necromancer?��

    The ability to control the dead struck a chord.

    This must be the culprit he needed revenge on.

    ��What was his name?��

    -The leader of the Church of Despair, John Delgado. Do you know him?

    ��No, I don��t know him well, but I��ll look him up. How dare he touch my fianc��e, he must pay.��

    -You don��t need to go this far��

    ��No. I couldn��t help you in the other world, so I must help you like this.��

    Ma Kyung-rok��s words seemed like he was showing off, but it was actually personal revenge.

    ��I��m sure. He��s the necromancer who controlled Hwang Yong-min.��

    The timeline suggested he messed with them in thebyrinth and then went to kill Christine.

    ��The strange thing is why didn��t he kill us.��

    He tried to kill Christine right away, showing he wouldn��t hesitate to kill for his goals.

    So why leave Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol alive and tied to a tree?

    It didn��t make sense.

    ��Well, I��ll ask him directly.��

    He would find this John Delgado of the Church of Despair.

    As Ma Kyung-rok was determined, he suddenly remembered a question he had forgotten.

    ��By the way, who saved you, Christine?��

    -Mr. Ma Kyung-rok, you know him too.

    ��I do?��

    -He��s the Korean yer called ck Scythe. He saved me.

    ��ck Scythe?��

    Ma Kyung-rok��s expression became grim.

    His fianc��e��s savior was none other than ck Scythe.

    ��Because of him, I ended up like this.��

    Though it wasn��t his fault, he couldn��t control his anger without ming someone.

    -By the way, Mr. Ma Kyung-rok, I have a favor to ask.

    ��A favor?��

    -My father wants to meet ck Scythe. So��

    Christine hesitated before speaking.

    -Could you arrange a meeting with the Prophet? He might know where ck Scythe is.

    ��That��s not difficult.��

    -Thank you. I��ll contact you again when I arrive in Korea.

    ��Yes.��

    The call ended, but Ma Kyung-rok��s expression was still irritated.

 Chapter 190 (Part 1)

    Chapter 190: The Special Shop (Part 1)

    The first thing that greeted Ryu Min upon waking up was none other than his younger brother.

    ��Hyung, you��re back! I was so worried!��

    ��No need to worry. This round just took a bit longer.��

    In fact, this was nothingpared to what was toe.

    There will be rounds that will take even longer in the future.

    ��You don��t have to wait up like this anymore. Who knows when I��ll wake up?��

    ��But how can I not worry��?��

    ��Just check if I��m breathing. If I am, then there��s no problem.��

    ��Got it.��

    Even though he was worried, Ryu Won had no choice but to ept his brother��s words.

    Thud-

    Ryu Min chuckled as he entered the room.

    ��If he knew my true identity, he wouldn��t worry like that.��

    Well, it��s natural for him to worry.

    Right now, he was not the powerful Grim Reaper but a weak prophet.

    ��Let��s take a look at the Special Shop.��

    Lying on his bed, Ryu Min opened the shop window.

    There, he saw a new button for the Special Shop.

    Upon touching it, the screen transitioned to a new shop window.

    Various types of equipment, from weapons to rings, were disyed.

    These were items on apletely different level from the regr shop.

    ��In the regr shop, you could get items ranging from Normal to, at best, Epic����

    The Special Shop was different.

    ��The basic items are Epic, and if you have enough points, you can even buy Unique items.��

    The difference was that you could only purchase them with points, not gold.

    And the points required were enormous.

    Just looking at the Unique Expert-level equipment, the purchase price was 100,000 points.

    ��Most yers would be done after buying just one Unique item.��

    Still, being able to buy equipment that could only be obtained throughbinations was significant.

    And it wasn��t just equipment.

    The Special Shop also soldbination materials.

    Although there were no God-tier materials.

    ��But they��re still Legendary materials. Anyone can make them if they know thebination form.��

    The only issue was the points.

    Each material costs 100,000 points.

    To make one Legendary item, you��d need at least 500,000 points.

    ��One material costs as much as a Unique item. No one would dare to buy it.��

    Most people would find it odd why the materials were so expensive.

    But once they realized they were Legendary materials, their views would change.

    ��It��s not just materials. The Special Shop has potions, consumables, even experience packs. It has everything.��

    The experience packs were particrly noteworthy.

    These items instantly increased your experience points upon purchase, with no limit on the points you could buy.

    ��Think of it as converting points into experience.��

    If Ryu Min wanted, he could use these experience packs to reach level 99.

    Although it would cost a hefty 5 million points, he��d still have 15 million points left.

    He could max out his level immediately.

    But Ryu Min had no intention of doing that.

    ��There��s no need for it.��

    Ryu Min was already powerful enough to render level 99 trivial.

    Thanks to the stats gained from the Demon��s Blessing, his base stats alone exceeded a thousand.

    With various buffs, he��d easily surpass ten thousand.

    ��There��s no need to draw attention by hastily reaching max level.��

    It��s better to save it for a contingency.

    When reaching level 99, all health is restored, and a temporary invincibility effect is granted.

    ��To use that effect, I��ll save reaching max level for when it��s truly needed.��

    The time wille.

    When he needs the invincibility effect thates with max level.

    Until then, he��d intentionally hold back.

    ��It��s the same for other yers. It��s best to save points like I am rather than buying items.��

    Of course, it��s understandable to want to spend points now that the Special Shop is open as no more points can be earned.

    But there��s something the angels didn��t mention.

    ��Points can also be traded.��

    Using the trading function, points can be given to others.

    If you could trade points, which are ssified as a higher currency than gold and are now in short supply?

    ��The price would skyrocket.��

    That��s why he said they shouldn��t spend the points.

    If you save them, their value will rise on their own like Bitcoin.

    Of course, someone with more points than they could ever spend, like Ryu Min, didn��t need to worry about that.

    ��First, let��s make some Legendary equipment.��

    Ryu Min bought the Legendary materials from the Special Shop and immediately startedbining items.

    [Combination Sessful!]

    [You��ve created ��Boots of the Shadow of Death��.]

    [Boots of the Shadow of Death]

    �C Type: Shoes

    �C Grade: Legendary

    �C Defense: 600

    �C Effect: Agility +100, Movement speed +50% at night, No sound when moving

    �C Durability: 10,000/10,000

    �C Use Restriction: Master level or higher

    �C Description: Shoes favored by the god of death during hide-and-seek. He was never caught at night.

    [Combination Sessful!]

    [You��ve created ��Pendant of the Devil��.]

    [Pendant of the Devil]

    �C Type: Ne

    �C Grade: Legendary

    �C Effect: All stats +20, Skill damage +30%, Angel Taunt effect

    �C Durability: 10,000/10,000

    �C Use Restriction: Master level or higher

    �C Description: A pendant worn by demons during war. Angels dislike it.

    [Combination Sessful!]

    [You��ve created ��Ring of Super Resistance��.]

    [Combination sessful!]

    [You��ve created ��Ring of Super Resistance��.]

    [Ring of Super Resistance]

    �C Type: Ring

    �C Grade: Legendary

    �C Effect: Luck +100, Resistance +40%

    �C Durability: 10,000/10,000

    �C Use Restriction: Master level or higher

    �C Description: A ring with incredible resistance to status ailments.

    Ryu Min created Legendary-grade shoes, a ne, and a ring.

    He made an identical Ring of Super Resistance.

    He could wear two thanks to the Expansion Rune.

    ��All of this only cost 2 million points in materials.��

    A price unimaginable for most yers, but a mere pittance for Ryu Min.

    ��Now, let��s make a God-grade item.��

    He already had all the materials prepared.

    He just needed tobine them.

    [Main Material]

    �C High-quality leather gloves

    [Sub-materials]

    �C Condensed Ether

    �C ck Iron Powder

    �C Bubbling Magic Solution

    �C Shiny Horse Tail

    �C New Material Leather

    These were the materials needed to make the gloves.

    When he pressed thebination button, the item was created.

    [Combining a God-grade item.]

    [It will be transformed into an item suitable for your current job.]

    [Combination Sessful!]

    [You��ve created ��Gloves of Thanatos��.]

    [Gloves of Thanatos]

    �C Type: Gloves

    �C Grade: God

    �C Defense: 1,200

    �C Effect: All stats +50, Can use the skill ��Hand of Death��

    �C Durability: 20,000/20,000

    �C Use Restriction: Master level or higher

    �C Description: Gloves made using the divinity of Thanatos, the god of death. Grants additional effects when part of a set.

    �C Thanatos�� Garb Set Effect (3/5)

    �C 2-piece effect: Resistance +20%

    �C 3-piece effect: Skill damage +10%

    �C 4-piece effect: ?????

    �C 5-piece effect: ?????

    Creating the God-grade gloves activated the 3-piece set effect.

    It was a useful effect that increased skill damage.

    ��My initial goal was to secure three God-grade items before Round 15, and I already achieved it.��

    Perhaps because he killed an archangel, it was much faster than nned.

    With the Gloves of Thanatos equipped, he also gained a useful skill.

    [Temporary Skill �C Hand of Death]

    �C Effect: Use strong telekinesis to pull or push an opponent. Range is 30m. Opponents with higher rank can resist the telekinesis.

    ��With this, I can pull down flying angels.��

    The skill��s advantage was that it had no cooldown, allowing unlimited use.

    However, it required extending his hand to use it, and opponents could resist based on their rank.

    ��Now there��s only one thing left to do with my points.��

    Reaching level 99.

    But it wasn��t time yet.

    ��I��ll reach level 99 when I need the invincibility effect.��

    With that n in mind, Ryu Min drifted off to sleep.

    Only to be immediately awakened by a call from Jeffrey.

 Chapter 190 (Part 2)

    Chapter 190: The Special Shop (Part 2)

    With that n in mind, Ryu Min drifted off to sleep.

    Only to be immediately awakened by a call from Jeffrey.

    ��What��s going on?��

    ��Hello, Ryu Min-nim. I have something to report.��

    Jeffrey had received orders from Yamti.

    To serve Ryu Min like a master and report any incidents immediately.

    That��s why he treated Ryu Min with such respect.

    ��Go ahead.��

    ��Christine will be visiting Korea soon to meet you.��

    ��Me? Why?��

    ��She wants to know the location of ck Scythe through prophecy. She wishes to meet with you and thank you personally, along with her father. She also seeks clues about the Necromancer.��

    Now that he thought about it, Christine did have a fondness for him.

    She had persistently followed him in the Otherworld.

    ��Does she really just want to express gratitude? Doesn��t she have any other motives?��

    Ryu Min couldn��t understand why both Seo Arin and Christine were so eager to meet ck Scythe in reality.

    Meeting him wouldn��t change anything.

    ��Alright. End the call. There��s no benefit in being caught talking to me.��

    ��Understood. Goodbye����

    As the call ended, Ryu Min closed his eyes again.

    To be honest, it was an easy problem to solve.

    ��Meet ck Scythe in reality? That will never happen. Not now, not ever.��

    To make an ally, it��s more beneficial to leave a debt than to meet and repay it.

    Leaving them feeling guilty ensures they will always be willing to help.

    ��I��ll deny knowing anything about the Grim Reaper. The same goes for the Necromancer.��

    He needed her for the 12th round.

    He couldn��t give Christine any information.

    ��Besides, the organization Messiah is about to be established, and the Necromancer is likely to be a member.��

    To establish a connection with the International Organization Messiah, he needed to keep the Necromancer alive.

    Denying knowledge of ck Scythe and the Necromancer would solve the problem.

    What could she do if he imed he hadn��t foreseen it?

    After all, it was the prophet holding the leash.

    ��Instead, I��ll give her information about the 12th round.��

    That would be enough to satisfy Christine.

    As he thought about this, his phone vibrated again.

    It was a call from Ma Kyung-rok.

    ��Yes, President. Ah, I see. Alright, let��s meet then.��

    It was a request to meet Christine together.

    As expected.

    But Ryu Min��s expression wasn��t pleasant after hanging up.

    ��Looks like I won��t be getting any sleep.��

    Sleep hadpletely eluded him.

    *

    Twelve hours had passed since returning from the Otherworld, but John Delgado hadn��t left his bed.

    In fact, he couldn��t get up.

    The vivid memories of his limbs being severed in the Otherworld lingered.

    ��Are my limbs still attached?��

    Lying down, he wiggled his fingers and toes to check.

    They moved fine.

    But he still couldn��t muster the courage to get up.

    The awkwardness made it feel unreal that his limbs were intact.

    But he couldn��t stay lying down forever, so he forced himself up.

    ��Grrr����

    There was no pain, but it felt like there was.

    He walked slowly, as if undergoing rehabilitation.

    As he walked through the living room, he recalled the one who put him in this state.

    ��ck Scythe.��

    He was overwhelmed by the urge to kill that bastard.

    But John Delgado was a rational man.

    He knew he couldn��t kill him with his own strength.

    Revenge was out of hand in this situation.

    ��Revenge? I should be satisfied with what I��ve achieved.��

    Though he didn��t kill the Saintess, he achieved his goal by killing her followers.

    With the rival faction destroyed, he just needed to expand the Church of Despair.

    ��If I grow stronger, I might get the chance to tear that bastard��s face apart.��

    Thinking this, John let out a self-deprecatingugh.

    He had just decided revenge was out of hand, yet here he was, thinking about it.

    ��Sigh�� I need to let it go, there��s no chance.��

    Just then.

    Ding dong-

    The doorbell rang, making him think a delivery had arrived.

    But when he opened the door, there stood a man in a suit and sunsses.

    ��Who are you?��

    ��Are you John Delgado, the Necromancer?��

    John quickly equipped his gear.

    ��Who are you? How did you find my ce?��

    He pointed his staff menacingly, but the man raised his hands to calm him.

    ��Whoa, I��m not here to fight.��

    ��Then why are you here?��

    ��I��m just here to give you a business card.��

    The man really did just pull out a business card from his pocket.

    John took it and read the group��s name and nickname.

    ��Messiah affiliation? Spaniard?��

    ��We��re recruiting individuals suitable for the 12 Apostles of our newly established international organization, Messiah.��

    ��The 12 Apostles?��

    ��It��s an executive position made up of the top-ranked individuals from each country. We came to recruit you, the top in the US.��

    ��So you��re saying you��ll give me an executive position in Messiah if I join?��

    ��Exactly. Are you interested?��

    John Delgado pondered briefly before speaking.

    ��Just one question.��

    ��Go ahead.��

    ��Is ck Scythe also joining the 12 Apostles?��

    The Spaniard shook his head sadly.

    ��No.��

    ��Why not? ck Scythe of Korea would be a top priority for recruitment.��

    ��Well����

    The Spaniard spoke in a low voice after a pause.

    ��Messiah was found to fight against ck Scythe.��

    ��Fight against ck Scythe?��

    Seeing John��s shocked expression, the Spaniard borated.

    ��As you know, ck Scythe is an unrivaled existence at level 90. We, barely reaching level 50, have no choice but to be dragged around by him.��

    ��So you��re creating a means to counter him?��

    ��Yes. Just as employees form a union to counter apany��s unjust practices, we need to unite. We can��t let someone as unpredictable as ck Scythe continue to grow unchecked.��

    As John nodded in agreement, the Spaniard sensed victory.

    He was almost convinced.

    ��So, will you join Messiah?��

    ��Join?��

    For John Delgado, who had been grinding his teeth in frustration a moment ago, it was an easy decision.

    ��Of course, I will, damn it.��

    (T/N:  Hi everyone, my patreon is currently deactivated, I will try to plea, until this is resolved I created a new Patreon.

    I��m still shocked by the news, I never though this would happen to me, I lost nearly 100 subscriber and the earnings of 4 months.

    but hey, we will do it again, I have hope!

    I ask for your ultimate support in this hard time, and believe that you will once again support me like you always did.

    much love everyone, and thanks for all thements and private msgs you always send me, I really appreciate it <3

 Chapter 191 (Part 1)

    Chapter 191: The 12 Apostles (Part 1)

    The Church of Despair is not an official religion.

    It was a cult, hence not well known even in the United States.

    It was natural for John Delgado to have doubts.

    ��How did you find me?��

    His tone was more polite when he addressed the Spaniard.

    Hearing that the man was the founder of Messiah made him feel the need to mind his manners.

    It was also because he thought of him as arade on the same mission to defeat the ck Scythe.

    ��While inquiring about the top ranker in the US, I met someone who knew you, a believer of the Church of Despair. Thanks to him, we could track your location.��

    ��To think he dared to sell my face without permission. What a rat-like bastard����

    ��He went by the nickname Berber.��

    ��Berber?��

    John��s mouth opened in disbelief.

    The guy was one of his most trusted subordinates.

    ��Don��t be too harsh on him. He didn��t betray you; he provided your location knowing it was an offer you��d like.��

    ��Che, that guy. I��ll still have to scold himter.��

    ��Ah, we��ve arrived.��

    John, who was grumbling, got out of the car with the Spaniard at the mention of their arrival.

    They had reached a remote forest.

    ��Let��s go. It��s quite a walk from here.��

    After walking through the forest for about thirty minutes, a small cabin came into view.

    ��Is that where the meeting is held?��

    ��Yes.��

    ��With so many cafes and other ces, why here?��

    ��It��s a gathering of top-ranked yers. It��s better to be in a ce that draws less attention. We might end up fighting due to differences in opinion.��

    ��True, it would be noisy if we started using skills and shing swords.��

    Since it was the first meeting, they had to be extra cautious, not knowing what might happen.

    ��So, are all the top yers from each country gathered inside?��

    ��Yes. Three days ago, with you as thest addition, the recruitment of the 12 Apostles waspleted. But not everyone could attend. Some had difficultying to the US.��

    With that, the Spaniard opened the cabin door.

    Creak-

    Six people sat with bored expressions around a wooden table inside.

    They were top-level yers from various countries, with different hair colors and races.

    ��How long were you nning to keep us waiting, Spaniard? Do you want us to die of boredom?��

    ��Ha ha, sorry to keep you waiting.��

    ��Is that thest Apostle?��

    ��Yes, everyone, please introduce yourselves. This is Necromancer John Delgado, the top ranker in the US and the leader of the Church of Despair.��

    As the Spaniard introduced him, everyone��s attention turned to John.

    Screech-

    The first to rise was a huge man, seemingly over 2 meters tall.

    ��I��ve heard a lot about you. Nice to meet you. I��m the First Warrior.��

    John frowned as he shook the enormous hand.

    He thought, ��What a disgustingly big hand.��

    ��From your ent, you must be British?��

    ��Yes, I was ranked 5th in this round as a Sword Master.��

    ��5th, huh? Impressive. You must have earned a lot of points?��

    ��Butpared to the ck Scythe, it��s nothing.��

    After the greeting, the next person stood up and extended his hand.

    ��I��m the representative of India, Swingman, a level 49 martial artist.��

    ��Nice to meet you.��

    ��I heard you can raise the dead.��

    ��Yes.��

    ��If you ever need corpses,e to our country. There��s no shortage of them.��

    John gave a wry smile as he shook hands with the next person.

    A shabby-looking Asian who seemed like a gaming addict.

    ��I��m Dark Soul. I��m Japanese, and I��m a sniper.��

    ��I didn��t know there was a sniper ss.��

    ��I also didn��t know there was a Necromancer.��

    ��Did you learn English somewhere?��

    ��Not learned, just self-taught from watching American dramas. I can��t handle long conversations though.��

    Britain, India, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, and so on, each had a different nationality.

    Thus, they could only manage simple English, and long conversations were impossible.

    ��Nice to meet you.��

    ��Nice to meet you, John.��

    Most shook hands with John, but one person remained seated.

    ��Who��s that guy?��

    An Asian sat arrogantly with his arms crossed as if he had no intention of greeting.

    ��Yang Chiwen, we��re going to be seeing each other, so let��s exchange greetings.��

    ��Why should I?��

    The Spaniard looked troubled at the Chinese man��s audacious attitude.

    ��Who��s that?��

    ��He��s Yang Chiwen, who ranked 2nd in the 11th round. He��s a Chinese ranker and the top figure in the ck Society.��

    ��ck Society?��

    John couldn��t be unaware of the infamous global crime organizations like the Mafia or Yakuza.

    It was just absurd that a criminal showed such disrespectful behavior.

    ��What are you looking at? Damn Westerner.��

    ��What did you say? If you have something to say, say it in English.��

    He didn��t like how the man mumbled in Chinese despite being able to speak English.

    ��John, please greet the rest of the Apostles. Though they couldn��t attend, they are connected via video chat.��

    On theptop at the table, the faces of four people appeared.

    After John greeted them, the Spaniard summarized.

    ��Well, it seems the introductions are over. Let��s sit down and start the discussion.��

    Suppressing his annoyance, John took his seat.

 Chapter 191 (Part 2)

    Chapter 191: The 12 Apostles (Part 2)

    ��Well, it seems the introductions are over. Let��s sit down and start the discussion.��

    Suppressing his annoyance, John took his seat.

    Eight top yers from different nationalities gathered around one table.

    ��Since we have a new member, let me introduce myself. I��m the Spaniard, a level 50 diator from Spain. As you know, I��m the founder of Messiah, and I assume you all know the reason for its establishment.��

    ��To counter the ck Scythe.��

    The Spaniard nodded at John��s words.

    ��Correct. We are here to stop the ck Scythe, the top ranker. We cannot let him continue his solo dominance. Alone, we can��t stop him, but together we will.��

    ��How do you n to stop him?��

    ��Isn��t that what we are here to discuss?��

    ��It��s not something vague to think about. You saw itst time. He earned 20 million points.��

    ��That��s right. He must have leveled up a lot with experience packs and armed himself with items from the special shop.��

    ��He might have even reached the max level by now.��

    There were various opinions, but the conclusion was that they had to stop the ck Scythe.

    ��If anyone has a good idea on how to stop the ck Scythe, please speak freely.��

    One person slowly raised his hand.

    It was Yang Chiwen from China.

    ��Why hesitate over something like this? We should go to Korea and kill the ck Scythe.��

    ��Kill him? Isn��t that too hasty?��

    ��Hasty? So, we just watch as he monopolizes the rewards?��

    Yang Chiwen��s eyes gleamed with murderous intent.

    ��We have to kill him. There��s no other way. If we hesitate, we��ll lose everything.��

    ��I agree.��

    John quietly voiced his agreement.

    He didn��t like the Chinese man, but he agreed with the ruthless suggestion.

    ��Indeed, it seems the ck Scythe is monopolizing the rewards.��

    ��To survive, power must be bnced. If one person monopolizes, it disrupts the bnce and harms other yers.��

    ��I agree.��

    ��I also support the idea of killing him.��

    Most supported the assassination of the ck Scythe.

    Although a formal vote was unnecessary, the Spaniard asked for formality.

    ��Let��s have a simple vote. Does anyone oppose killing the ck Scythe? Please raise your hand.��

    ������

    ������

    No one raised their hand.

    ��Then it��s unanimous. Let��s discuss how to find and kill him. Please share any ideas you have.��

    Immediately, the Japanese yer, Dark Soul, raised his hand.

    ��My ss is Sniper. If we secure his location, I can shoot him in the head from 2 km away. That��s how I ranked 3rd in the 11th round.��

    ��Wow, that��s perfect for assassination.��

    ��Hmph, still below me though.��

    Scoffing in Chinese, Yang Chiwen spoke in English.

    ��I��m a hunter. In both reality and the other world, I��m the best when ites to killing my prey. It��ll take me two days to track and kill him.��

    ��If you��re so great, why did you join Messiah? Why not handle the ck Scythe alone?��

    Swingman grumbled, causing Yang Chiwen to frown.

    ��Why is that weakling here? Go eat some curry.��

    ��Can anyone here speak Chinese? It sounds like cursing. Can someone trante?��

    ��Let��s stop this.��

    The one who quieted everyone was none other than John.

    ��Has anyone here met the ck Scythe?��

    When everyone remained silent, John spoke seriously.

    ��I have. Just three days ago in the other world, he cut off my limbs.��

    ������

    ��Do you know what I felt then? Powerlessness. I couldn��t even gauge the gap in strength. The thirty undead I summoned couldn��t even strike once before being annihted.��

    Recalling the emotions, John��s eyes trembled.

    What he felt was not fear.

    It was anger.

    ��He��s a strong enemy, no doubt. But we can��t just sit back. I��ll mobilize all the forces of the Church of Despair to kill that bastard. As they say, even a tiger uses all its strength to catch a rabbit. Don��t bicker about who will lead. We need to attack together to increase our chances of sess.��

    ��But it��s a surprise attack����

    ��Even with a surprise attack, it won��t be easy. He didn��t reach level 90 by chance. He might already be level 99. We can��t afford to be careless.��

    John��s words were persuasive.

    What he said was the most realistic thing they had heard so far, and it was enough to move the hearts of the 12 Apostles.

    ��John is right. We are here tobine our strengths, not to boast about our individual skills. Cooperating is the right way.��

    Since the founder, the Spaniard, said this, the others had no choice but to nod in agreement.

    ��Then let��s head to Korea and start nning. The first step is to find the ck Scythe.��

    ��I have an idea about that.��

    Everyone turned to Dark Soul, who had spoken.

    It seemed like a good n, judging by their expressions.

    ��That sounds good.��

    ��Great.��

    ��Let��s put it into action immediately.��

    ��To avoid any issues, we should first find a smuggling ship to Korea.��

    ��Let��s do that.��

    A sinister smile spread across the faces of the 12 Apostles.

    *

    With Ma Kyung-rok��s mediation, Ryu Min had met Christine.

    Their conversation had been brief.

    ��It was all as Jeffrey said.��

    When Christine asked about the location of the ck Scythe, Ryu Min subtly shook his head and gave a pre-prepared answer.

    He said he didn��t know.

    He admitted he had seen him in the future but imed he didn��t know his real identity or location in reality.

    �C He must be reluctant to reveal his identity. Otherwise, he wouldn��t wear a mask. Trying to find him might make things worse.

    �C That��s probably true.

    Ryu Min had been surprised at how quickly Christine had agreed.

    ��Ryu Min knew. She was just putting on a show for her father.��

    But her desire for information about the Necromancer was genuine.

    There were too many fallenrades for her to bury her feelings of revenge.

    Of course, Ryu Min didn��t give her any information.

    Except for the prophecy about the 12th round.

    ��Revenge is a luxury for Christine. I can��t let her be in danger again.��

    A week had passed since his return.

    The Necromancer Christine sought was already a member of Messiah.

    ��I know Messiah well enough from experience.��

    An international cooperative organization created to counter the ck Scythe.

    The organization,posed of top yers from various countries under the name of the 12 Apostles, would soone to Korea to assassinate him.

    ��It should be about a week left until they take action?��

    He didn��t know the exact time.

    The assassination timing varied slightly each round.

    But their approach was always the same.

    ��This time, they��ll target the CPF squad members again.��

    Their n was to capture the squad members to lure out the leader, ck Scythe.

    This process often involved the sacrifice of the squad members��

    ��I won��t let that happen again.��

    Not knowing what variables might arise, he had to prepare early.

    He needed to be ready to wee foreign guests.

    (T/N:  Hi everyone, my patreon is currently deactivated, I will try to plea, until this is resolved I created a new Patreon.

    I��m still shocked by the news, I never though this would happen to me, I lost nearly 100 subscriber and the earnings of 4 months.

    but hey, we will do it again, I have hope!

    I ask for your ultimate support in this hard time, and believe that you will once again support me like you always did.

    much love everyone, and thanks for all thements and private msgs you always send me, I really appreciate it <3

 Chapter 192 (Part 1)

    Chapter 192: Bait (Part 1)

    ��Yawn, so boring.��

    Go Nam-cheol, the man from Busan, yawned continuously.

    Since Ryu Min and Ma Kyung-rok had cleaned up the old members of yer Haven, yer crimes had significantly decreased.

    With only yers of upright character left, it was safe to say there were practically no criminal yers anymore.

    This was why Go Nam-cheol was feeling so listless.

    ��Even if no news is good news, this is way too dull.��

    Incidents happened barely once every two weeks.

    His days were consistently idle.

    With so little work, it felt like he was earning money without doing anything.

    ��It��d be nice to see the captain��s face once more.��

    Nam-cheol recalled the first time he met ck Scythe.

    After losing overwhelmingly in a duel to him, he corrected his dialect and learned a lot as a squad member.

    ��I was so foolish, charging in like a na?ve puppy.��

    Thinking back now, it was embarrassing, but it had been a good experience.

    When else would he have had the chance to duel with ck Scythe?

    ��An incredible man indeed. How did he manage to earn 20 million points in the 11th round?��

    Maybe because he was part of the same squad, he felt proud for no reason.

    Though they hadn��t met recently due to the captain��s busy schedule, he would be d just to see him.

    ��What am I gonna do for three hours?��

    Nam-cheol was about to close his eyes after checking the remaining time.

    Wiiiiiiing-

    A clear rm sound.

    Nam-cheol��s eyes snapped open as he grabbed the radio.

    ��Incident reported, incident reported, Code Zero-One, Code Zero-One. Emergency yer rm reported at GS24 convenience store in Gwangjin-gu. Dispatch immediately. Over.��

    ��Damn it.��

    Nam-cheol, having received the incident report, quickly left the temporary Seoul Gwangjin Police Station.

    The report site was closed, so running was faster than driving.

    Since it was the first incident in nearly two weeks, he felt a bit tense.

    ��Is it some crazy guymitting robbery? If so, he��s really a fool.��

    It had been two months since the CPF unit was established.

    It was safe to say that Korea��s security was almost stable.

    Every time you turned on the TV, there was a CPF public service ad featuring Seo Arin, so every Korean knew.

    Committing a crime in Korea meant you couldn��t escape death.

    ��Committing a crime under such circumstances.��

    He figured it must be a foreign yer or someone who didn��t know about CPF.

    ��Is it here?��

    Arriving at the report site, Nam-cheol opened the convenience store door.

    Ding-

    The scene that met his eyes was horrific.

    A man in his 40s, presumably the owner, was dead with a sliced throat.

    The sight reminded Nam-cheol of his first realbat, making his eyes twitch.

    ��Crazy convenience store robber, you better be dead or else!��

    Following the manual, he used his perimeter detection skill to check for any movement.

    He saw several red dots, but upon checking, they were all ordinary people.

    ��Is it him?��

    There was only one dot moving rapidly.

    Assuming it was the suspect, he immediately gave chase.

    Tap, tap, tap-

    The distance closed quickly.

    Nam-cheol had bought shoes from the special store to increase his movement speed for such asions.

    ��Hey! Stop there!��

    Seeing the suspect, he shouted, but the person kept running.

    His suspicion turned into certainty.

    ��Stop! You idiot!��

    Nam-cheol smirked as he saw the suspect head into a dead-end alley.

    ��Got you, huh?��

    Nam-cheol stopped his steps as he entered the alley.

    He had chased one person, but there were two standing in the alley.

    Feeling a chill at their seemingly waiting stance, Nam-cheol turned at the sound of someone approaching from behind, only to see two more people appear.

    He was surrounded by four men.

    ��What��s this? Are they foreign yers?��

    Judging by their faces and outfits, they were clearly foreign yers.

    Surrounded, Nam-cheol swallowed hard.

    ��Who are you guys?��

    There was no answer, perhaps because he asked in Korean. They just smirked as if finding the situation amusing.

    ��Heh, look at this guy, he��s totally scared.��

    ��Surprised to see four people when you only chased one?��

    ��Stop babbling and let��s get to work.��

    ��Yeah, let��s subdue him first. We need him as bait.��

    When all four drew their weapons, Nam-cheol realized the seriousness of the situation.

    ��Damn it, I knew something was off today����.��

    He wasn��t confident against four, but wasn��t he a tough guy from Busan?

    ��Damn it,e at me. Even if I go down, I��ll take at least two of you with me.��

    He activated de Master��s buff skills, enhancing his weapon with Quick de.

    The long de gleamed with a blue light, increasing its attack power and speed.

    As he brandished the de with murderous intent, the approaching men hesitated, looking surprised.

    ��He��s no pushover, huh?��

    ��Don��t be scared. There are four of us.��

    ��Who said I��m scared? The number one in the Brazilian district won��t be afraid of a beggar like this.��

    ��Then go ahead and try first.��

    ��Ha, watch me. I��ll knock him out in a minute.��

    The Brazilian ranker, Bricks, closed the distance in an instant.

    Nam-cheol, startled by the unexpected speed, swung his sword.

    ng-!

    It was blocked by Bricks�� steel fist, characteristic of his monk ss.

    This began a series of shes.

    ng- ng- ng-

    Each swing of Nam-cheol��s sword was blocked by Bricks�� fist.

    ��You think you can beat me with that de of yours? Heh.��

    The monk��s skill, Steel Fist, turned his punches into countermeasures for all closebat professions.

    ��Damn it, how can a punch make a metal sound?��

    Panicked, Nam-cheol decided to utilize the reach of his long sword and tried to gain distance.

    But the foreigner clung to him like glue, not letting the gap widen.

    ��Huh?��

    At that moment, Bricks ced his palm on Nam-cheol��s abdomen and shouted.

    ��Explode!��

    Boom-!

    ��Ugh!��

    With a loud explosion, Nam-cheol was flung back.

    He flew 10 meters and crashed into a wall before falling to the ground.

    ��Grr����

    Even with armor, the shock felt like his internal organs had been shattered.

    ��What is this? He��s not even worth it. Didn��t even take a minute.��

    Bricks sneered arrogantly.

    ��Don��t waste your energy. Just keep an eye on him. I��ll handle this one myself.��

    ��Hey, don��t hog all the fun. I want some too.��

    ��Cut it out. What if he dies?��

    ��Yeah. Let��s just leave it to Bricks.��

    The three others crossed their arms and smirked, signaling they wouldn��t interfere, which Nam-cheol noticed.

    ��These bastards��.��

    Nam-cheol knew he couldn��t even beat that Steel Fist, but nheless, he felt angry at being underestimated.

    ��How�� How did I end up facing these bastards��.��

    Though calling them bastards, each one was a top-ranked yer in their country, the 12 Apostles, but Nam-cheol had no way of knowing this.

    ��I��ll�� kill you.��

    ��What��s he saying? Crazy bastard.��

    Suddenly, Nam-chul disappeared.

    Bricks was startled, but Nam-cheol hadn��t really vanished.

    He had simply moved close very quickly.

    Though surprised by the unexpected speed, Bricks smirked.

    He was confident he could block any de with his Steel Fist.

    He saw the sword��s trajectory and ced his fist precisely to block it.

    ng- was the expected sound, but instead, there was a different one.

    Slice-!

    ��What?��

 Chapter 192 (Part 2)

    Chapter 192: Bait (Part 2)

    Suddenly, Nam-chul disappeared.

    Bricks was startled, but Nam-cheol hadn��t really vanished.

    He had simply moved close very quickly.

    Though surprised by the unexpected speed, Bricks smirked.

    He was confident he could block any de with his Steel Fist.

    He saw the sword��s trajectory and ced his fist precisely to block it.

    ng- was the expected sound, but instead, there was a different one.

    Slice-!

    ��What?��

    The de suddenly changed its course, slicing Bricks�� wrist.

    Though Steel Fist blocked any de, it was still just a fist. The wrist was just soft.

    ��Ah, ahhhh!��

    Seeing his wrist cut off, Bricks��rades snickered from behind.

    ��Knew Bricks would screw up.��

    ��Yeah, why did he insist on going alone?��

    ��The second-ranked guy in Brazil will be crying now.��

    Though he allowed one strike, not the second.

    ng- ng-

    Bricks, blocking with one fist, opened his palm again.

    ��Wind!��

    Whoosh-!

    ��Ugh!��

    Hit by a wind shot like a cannon, Nam-cheol was thrown against the wall again.

    ��Bricks, need our help?��

    ��Shut up! I��ll kill this bastard.��

    ��Hey, remember, we need him as bait for ck Scythe.��

    ��There are other bait candidates! Other teams will find bait!��

    ��We don��t know that! At least try talking to him first!��

    The reasonable suggestion calmed Bricks a bit.

    ��Fine. Let��s talk.��

    After first-aid treatment to stop his wrist��s bleeding, Bricks approached Nam-cheol.

    ��Hey. Are you close with your captain?��

    ��What?��

    ��Your boss. Boss, ck Scythe.��

    Even without much English, Nam-cheol understood the words boss and ck Scythe.

    ��Are you talking about our captain?��

    ��What��s he saying? He seems to understand?��

    ��Looks like it.��

    ��Phone number. You know your boss��s number? Call here. Call him.��

    Understanding Bricks, Nam-cheol��s expression changed drastically.

    ��Fuck you.��

    ��What?��

    ��Fuck you, you idiot.��

    ��Fuck you? Wow, unbelievable. Guys, what should we do?��

    Bricks turned to hispanions, and at that moment, Nam-cheol��s sword shed toward his throat.

    But Bricks, who had deliberately shown an opening, had already dodged to the side.

    ��You think you can fool me, you idiot?��

    Bricks�� steel fist mmed into Nam-cheol��s side.

    Crack-

    ��Ugh!��

    As his ribs broke, Nam-cheol fell to the ground, groaning in pain.

    Smash-!

    ��Aaaargh!��

    Bricks stepped on Nam-cheol��s wrist, forcing him to drop his sword.

    ��See? This guy��s got no intention of giving us the number, right?��

    ��Seems that way.��

    ��Alright, then I��ll have some fun with him.��

    ��Do as you like. But don��t take too long. We��re short on time.��

    ��Got it.��

    A devilish smile spread across Bricks�� face as he looked down at Nam-cheol.

    ��You��re in for it now. You dared to cut my hand? I��ll break every bone in your body and make sure you die slowly and painfully.��

    ��Grr����

    Just as Bricks�� fist was about to descend, a voice called out.

    ��Well, look at that. Four corpses ready to be used.��

    A man in a robe walked into the alley.

    It was Ju Seong-tak, who hade at ck Scythe��smand.

    ��What the hell? Who��s this guy?��

    Bricks red at him, but it was a mistake.

    He gave Seong-tak the chance to use his fear curse.

    ��Aaah����

    Suddenly trembling as if he��d seen a ghost, Bricks��rades looked at him in confusion.

    In that moment, Seong-tak swiftly approached and plunged a dagger into Bricks�� neck.

    Stab-!

    Bricks fell dead with a single strike, and Seong-tak flung his body towards the other three.

    ��Corpse explosion.��

    Boom-!

    Caught off guard, the remaining three Apostles were blown away like springs.

    Enhanced with his soul storage skill, the corpse explosion had considerable power.

    ��Ugh����

    ��Gah����

    The three Apostles groaned in pain as their lower halves were blown off, then they died.

    ��Fools, thinking they could target someone like me.��

    Seong-tak spat on their corpses, stored their souls, and then walked over to Nam-cheol.

    ��Are you alright?��

    Though his insides felt shattered and his wrist and ribs were broken, Nam-cheol managed to stand.

    ��T-thank you for saving me. But how did you����

    ��I was just passing by and heard themotion.��

    Following his master��s orders, Seong-tak didn��t mention ck Scythe.

    In truth, he had been monitoring the squad members under his orders, which was why he had arrived in time.

    ��Well then, I��ll be off.��

    ��W-wait!��

    Ignoring Nam-cheol��s call, Seong-tak left the alley and immediately called someone.

    ��Master, as you predicted, there were some yers targeting the squad members.��

    -How many?

    ��There were four, but the necromancer you mentioned wasn��t among them.��

    -They must be working in three teams. What did you do?

    ��I killed them all.��

    -Well done. Follow the other squad members too. If you see the necromancer, don��t kill him.

    ��Yes, sir.��

    *

    After finishing his call with Seong-tak, Ryu Min put on his coat.

    ��They��re moving faster than I thought.��

    It was a good thing he had his squad members watched in advance.

    ��I��ll need to move as well.��

    The Twelve Apostles would likely target his squad members simultaneously to lure him out.

    ��Thanks to Seong-tak��s intervention, one was saved, but I don��t know about the others.��

    Someone might already be dead.

    Someone might have betrayed him.

    As if to confirm his thoughts.

    Bzzz- Bzzz-

    A call came in from a squad member.

    ��Hello?��

    -C-Captain? I need to talk to you. Can youe here?

    ��Sure. Where are you?��

    After hearing the location, Ryu Min hung up and chuckled.

    ��There��s a traitor in this round as well.��

    His prediction had been spot on.

 Chapter 193 (Part 1)

    Chapter: 193 The Hand of Death (Part 1)

    ��You did well.��

    The First Warrior, who patted the head of the traitor as if he were a well-behaved puppy, asked him,

    ��What was your name again?��

    ��It��s�� Kang Shihyuk.��

    ��Good. Since you did as you were told, I��ll let you live.��

    ��Th-thank you! Thank yo����

    ��But stay here until the ck Scythe arrives.��

    ��What?��

    ��We have no way of knowing if you��re lying or not. At least stay until the ck Scythe gets here.��

    Kang Shihyuk��s face turned pale at the thought of having to confront the captain he had betrayed under duress.

    Stammering, Kang Shihyuk continued in English,

    ��You said you��d let me go if I did what you asked.��

    ��And you still are.��

    ��You heard me, didn��t you? It��s definitely the ck Scythe.��

    ��I don��t understand Korean. How should I know what you said or who you were talking to?��

    ��This isn��t what we agreed�� Aaargh!��

    The First Warrior pressed his finger against Kang Shihyuk��s knee, pinning him in ce as if caught in a giant press.

    The grip was immensely strong.

    ��If a yellow monkey is told to do something, it should just do it. Why are you arguing? Should I make it so you can��t walk again?��

    ��Ugh����

    ��If you don��t want to die a dog��s death, betray your captain and survive. That��s the true survival instinct and the proper mindset of a monkey, isn��t it?��

    ��Alright, alright, I understand, so let go�� Gah!��

    Instead of letting go of his knee, the First Warrior��srge hand smacked Kang Shihyuk��s head.

    ��Fool. Tsk.��

    With a massive sword slung over his shoulder, he turned to his Apostlerades.

    ��Did you make the call?��

    ��Both teams areing this way.��

    ��They need to arrive before the ck Scythe does����

    At the concern of India��s top swingman, the First Warrior snickered.

    ��Why worry about that? If the ck Scythe shows up, we��ll just smash that bastard��s head in first.��

    ��For a gentleman��s country, your choice of words is crude.��

    ��Who said Ennd was a gentleman��s country?��

    ��Are you confident? A level 90 won��t be easy.��

    ��I��m a sword master. There isn��t anyone I can��t kill with one strike of my sword energy. Even a Minotaur was taken down in one blow.��

    ��Then why haven��t you made it into the top 3 in any area yet?��

    ��T-that��s because I��ve been toozy up until now. Just wait and see. I��ll be the one to take the number one ranking.��

    The swingman could only shake his head at the First Warrior��s confidence.

    ��How about we try to stall him with a conversation until the rest of the Apostles arrive. Since we have a hostage, that might be better.��

    ��What are you talking about? You want to share the pie that rolled in with others?��

    ��Are you sure you can eat that pie? It��s not poisoned?��

    ��The four of us can easily kill the ck Scythe. And we have a hostage, like you said.��

    ��I��m telling you, it��s not going to work.��

    ��I��m telling you, it will.��

    As the two bickered, Kang Shihyuk flinched when the First Warrior looked at him.

    ��Should we ask this guy? Hey, yellow monkey. Who do you think would win between me and the ck Scythe?��

    ��What?��

    ��What are you asking back for? Don��t you understand English? Who do you think would win if we fought one-on-one? You��re one of the squad members, so you should know the captain��s skills.��

    Of course, he knew.

    From the first day, everyone in the squad knew.

    Just what kind of monster the captain was.

    But to Kang Shihyuk, the giant in front of him seemed like the real monster.

    So he couldn��t speak honestly.

    ��Be honest, be honest.��

    ��Th-the ck Scythe����

    ������

    ����is weaker than you think. Someone like you can beat him.��

    ��See! Did you hear that? He said he��s weaker than expected. I told you so, too.��

    ��Why are you asking this guy? Can��t you see he��s scared of you?��

    ��No, no. He spoke honestly. Right?��

    ��Y-yes����

    The First Warrior��s hand pped on Kang Shihyuk��s shoulder.

    ��The ck Scythe will be here soon. While we prepare for the ambush, you keep him distracted.��

    ��What? Me?��

    ��Why? Don��t you want to?��

    The grip on his shoulder tightened.

    Kang Shihyuk quickly shook his head.

    ��N-no. I-I will.��

    ��Good, you should. If you try to seek help from the ck Scythe or show any sign of running, you know what will happen, right?��

    The First Warrior brandished his massive sword threateningly.

    ��Escape? You��ll die immediately along with the ck Scythe. Thinking you can outrun us four will be a big mistake. You may not know, but we��re the top-ranked yers in our respective countries.��

    ��Ah����

    ��So behave well. As long as you do your job well, I��ll let you live.��

    ��Y-you promise�� you��ll really let me live?��

    ��Of course. Letting a small fry like you go isn��t a big deal for us. As long as things go well, I promise to let you live.��

    ��T-then, I understand.��

    ��Good, good. Then we��ll be counting on you.��

    The First Warrior patted his shoulder before disappearing with hisrades.

    They each spread out, taking their positions and waiting for the ck Scythe to appear.

    After waiting for five minutes, unfamiliar footsteps echoed through the quiet alley.

    The ck Scythe had arrived.

 Chapter 193 (Part 2)

    Chapter: 193 The Hand of Death (Part 2)

    After waiting for five minutes, unfamiliar footsteps echoed through the quiet alley.

    The ck Scythe had arrived.

    ��C-Captain����

    ��Kang Shihyuk?��

    The ck Scythe, wearing a white mask as usual, appeared after a long absence.

    Due to the mask, Kang Shihyuk couldn��t tell if there was a bitter smile beneath it.

    ��So, why did you ask to meet here?��

    ��I-I have something to discuss����

    ��What is it?��

    ��T-the thing is����

    It was clear not only to Ryu Min but to anyone that he was nervous, sweating profusely. It was suspicious, to say the least.

    The ck Scythe listened patiently to his words.

    Maybe that��s what made him even more suspicious.

    ��That bastard figured it out.��

    The First Warrior, who had been hiding, revealed himself first.

    ��Hey, you��re the ck Scythe, right? Judging by the scythe, you must be.��

    He swaggered forward with hisrge sword, prompting the other Apostles to reveal themselves with a sigh.

    The First Warrior stopped ten steps away, sneering.

    ��Do you understand English?��

    ������

    ��Well, it doesn��t matter. Even if you don��t understand, you should get the gist of it. You��re f*cked.��

    ������

    ��If you want to go without pain, drop your weapon. If not, I��ll torture you until you scream like a btch and then kill you. I swear on myk.��

    Despite the tant provocation, the ck Scythe remained unresponsive.

    ��Is this guy serious? He should understand by now. Does he really not speak English?��

    The First Warrior sighed in frustration.

    The n to agitate and confuse him was out the window.

    ��Guys. Looks like talking won��t work.��

    Even as four men armed themselves and approached, Ryu Min calmly asked Kang Shihyuk,

    ��Who are those guys? Your friends?��

    ��T-that��s����

    Kang Shihyuk faced a life-changing dilemma.

    Should he beg the ck Scythe for forgiveness and protection, or hide behind the monsters who had threatened him?

    ��Will the captain forgive me? No, that cold-blooded man won��t spare me. It might be better to side with those guys�� But what if they fail to handle the captain?��

    He weighed his options, but no clear answer emerged.

    ��Can you exin what��s going on?��

    ��T-the thing is, captain����

    ��Did you lure me into a trap?��

    Kang Shihyuk��s head drooped.

    ��I-I��m sorry. I had no choice if I wanted to live. I��m really sorry, captain����

    Kang Shihyuk wept tears of repentance, but Ryu Min��s voice remained unchanged.

    ��No need to apologize. I��m more sorry.��

    ��W-what?��

    Ryu Min��s scythe shed.

    Kang Shihyuk��s head tilted and then fell to the ground.

    Along with it, one of the 12 Apostles behind him slid to the ground, cleanly cut.

    Thud��

    ��There will be no pain.��

    The remaining Apostles stared in horror.

    Fear.

    Yes, the emotion they felt was fear.

    Because Ryu Min��s title imposed a status ailment on witnesses.

    They regained their senses after three seconds, but it was toote.

    ��Crazy bastard, he killed his own squad member����

    ��I killed a traitor, not a squad member.��

    From the moment Kang Shihyuk made the call to lure him, he became a traitor.

    Regardless of the coercion, a traitor cannot be left alive.

    Following that principle, he executed him on the spot, along with one of the 12 Apostles.

    ��You, bastard, so you can speak English?��

    ��I never said I couldn��t.��

    ������

    The First Warrior fell silent, dumbfounded, but he was actually calming his surprised heart.

    ��This bastard kills without a word����

    Not only his fluent English, but his sudden actions caught him off guard.

    The other Apostles were equally shaken.

    ��He killed his squad member without hesitation����

    ��The n to use the hostage is out the window.��

    Their fear stemmed not just from his ruthless decision-making and cold demeanor, but from something even more terrifying.

    They couldn��t see his attack.

    ��If I had been behind that monkey, I would have been dead meat too����

    While the others were lost in their thoughts, the First Warrior stepped forward.

    He had already imbued his massive sword with sword energy, ready to strike at any moment.

    ��Wow, so you would kill someone just because of a small threat. The number one rank is actually a psycho, huh?��

    ��Just a small threat?��

    From behind his mask, Ryu Min let out a scoff.

    ��You thought you could brush this off as just a joke? 12 Apostles?��

    ������

    Their faces turned to stone as their secret identity was revealed.

    Nobody had told him, yet he knew who they were.

    ��Forming a group called ��Messiah�� to kill me, and you think you can y it off as a joke? Even a passing dog wouldugh.��

    ����How did you know?��

    ��That��s not what��s important right now.��

    As soon as he finished speaking, Ryu Min��s scythe extended like a whip and retracted just as quickly.

    sh�� Thud!

    A member of the 12 Apostles fell to the ground with a hole in his stomach, before anyone could even register what had happened.

    Thud��

    Seeing a corpse suddenly appear in front of them, the Apostles flinched.

    Even the First Warrior and the Swingman swallowed nervously.

    ��This, this is the top ranker?��

    ��Aplete monster.��

    Having seen his speed, there was no room left for courage. Only the thought of escaping filled their minds.

    ��First Warrior of Ennd, Swingman of India. Now, it��s just the two of you left.��

    ������

    ��Why just stand there? At least try to fight or flee?��

    ��F*ck!��

    The First Warrior was the first to make a move.

    Despite hisrge frame, he moved swiftly, jumping onto a wall to reach the building��s roof.

    But it was all in vain.

    ��Hand of Death.��

    Ryu Min aimed at the First Warrior��s back, activating his skill, and a ck hand extended like a serpent, wrapping around the First Warrior��s waist.

    ��Let go! Let go of me!��

    ��Come over here. y with me.��

    The confidence vanished from the First Warrior��s face as he was dragged back, reced only by fear.

    He looked like nothing more than livestock being led to ughter.

    sh��!

    The First Warrior��s head was cleanly severed by the hand of death.

    Meanwhile, the remaining Apostle, Swingman, had run far, but Ryu Min was unconcerned.

    There was no cooldown on the Hand of Death.

    (T/N: Hi everyone, my patreon is currently deactivated, I will try to plea, until this is resolved I created a new Patreon.

    I��m still shocked by the news, I never though this would happen to me, I lost nearly 100 subscriber and the earnings of 4 months.

    but hey, we will do it again, I have hope!

    I ask for your ultimate support in this hard time, and believe that you will once again support me like you always did.

    much love everyone, and thanks for all thements and private msgs you always send me, I really appreciate it <3

 Chapter 194 (Part 1)

    Chapter 194: Withdrawal (Part 1)

    The method Dark Soul suggested to lure out the ck Scythe was simple.

    Commit a crime on purpose to make the CPF dispatch and capture the squad members to lure them in.

    Using the squad members as bait would summon the captain, ck Scythe.

    ��We will split into three teams of four: Bricks��s team, First Warrior��s team, and our team. It��s more efficient than moving together.��

    The Spaniard regretted those words an hour after the operation started.

    Contact with Bricks��s team was lost.

    ��Spaniard, still no contact?��

    ��No. They��re not answering their phones; something must have happened.��

    Just 20 minutes ago, First Warrior��s team had contacted them.

    ck Scythe was heading their way, so they were told to gather.

    The Spaniard, who said he would contact Bricks��s team himself, soon found himself in a difficult situation.

    He tried calling several times, but there was still no response.

    ��Bricks��s team isn��t answering?��

    ��No.��

    ��Maybe they��re too busy dealing with hostages to answer?��

    ��Even so, it��s strange that they��re not answering after dozens of calls��.��

    ��Then try contacting other members too.��

    ��I already did, but I��ll try again just in case.��

    At Yang Chiwon��s words, the Spaniard dialed again and shook his head.

    Still no answer.

    ��All four of them are unreachable. Something is definitely wrong with Bricks��s team.��

    ��Shit, we need to regroup before ck Scythe arrives. Why aren��t they answering the phone?��

    ��I don��t know. Let��s head to First Warrior��s team.��

    The four of them navigated through the alleys once again.

    Even if they had to leave Bricks��s team behind, they needed to quickly head to where ck Scythe was being lured.

    But when they arrived, there was nothing to be seen.

    ��Is this the right ce?��

    ��The address is correct��.��

    ��Try calling.��

    The Spaniard called First Warrior, but there was no response.

    ��No answer.��

    ��Why the hell do they even carry phones if they��re not going to answer?��

    Yang Chiwon was irritated, but they didn��t know.

    In this very alley, the First Warrior team had already been killed.

    Bricks��s team had also been killed by Ju Seong-tak.

    But someone had predicted the truth.

    ��Could it be that he��s already been here?��

    ��What are you saying, John?��

    Yang Chiwon asked, and John Delgado responded with an obvious expression.

    ��ck Scythe. I think he came and wiped out the team first.��

    ��What?��

    ��ck Scythe?��

    It was a usible story, but Yang Chiwon scoffed.

    ��That��s ridiculous.��

    ��Why is it ridiculous?��

    ��ck Scythe killed the entire First Warrior team? Then where are the bodies? Why can��t we see any traces?��

    ��He probably erased the traces.��

    ��Even so, can there really be no traces at all? Look around. There��s no sign of a fight, no broken walls, nothing.��

    ��It wasn��t a fight.��

    ��Then?��

    ��It was a one-sided massacre.��

    John��s expression was serious.

    There wasn��t a hint of a joke, making it seem like he genuinely believed it.

    ��Is ck Scythe that strong?��

    ��He is. It would take all twelve apostles to have a chance against him.��

    ��Damn��.��

    Yang Chiwon looked incredulous but couldn��t refute.

    Only the necromancer had experienced ck Scythe��s strength firsthand.

    The Spaniard, listening in, looked grave as he realized the gravity of the situation.

    ��If what John says is true, then the other teams are in danger too.��

    ��Is Bricks��s team not answering because they��ve already been taken out?��

    ��Is it possible? Are you saying ck Scythe defeated us all in such a short time?��

    ��He��s capable of it. In the worst case, we should assume we��re the only survivors.��

    ��Unbelievable.��

    ����It��s my fault. We should have stayed together instead of splitting up.��

    Worry crept onto the apostles�� faces.

    At that moment.

    ��Huh?��

    Dark Soul, who had been habitually using a search skill, warned them about an approaching red dot.

    ��Someone��sing from that direction.��

    The sound of running could be heard from the alley he pointed to, and soon, a person appeared.

    It was the Indian martial artist, Swingman.

    ��Phew, everyone��s here?��

    He looked extremely relieved to see them, panting heavily as if he had just run a marathon.

    ��Swingman? What happened? Where are the other apostles?��

    At the Spaniard��s question, Swingman��s expression turned dark.

    ��Well�� I don��t know.��

    ��What do you mean you don��t know?��

    ��Shamefully, I was too busy escaping from him to think about myrades.��

    ��Who do you mean by him��.��

    ��ck Scythe.��

    At that name, the other apostles immediately felt it.

    The bad story they discussed moments ago hade true.

 Chapter 194 (Part 2)

    Chapter 194: Withdrawal (Part 2)

    ��Who do you mean by him��.��

    ��ck Scythe.��

    At that name, the other apostles immediately felt it.

    The bad story they discussed moments ago hade true.

    ��Please exin in detail what happened.��

    ��Before that�� are you sure he��s not nearby?��

    ��Who? ck Scythe?��

    As Swingman nervously looked around, the Spaniard assured him.

    ��Our search skill shows no one else is around. If you��re that worried, why don��t you track ck Scythe? Didn��t you see his face?��

    ��No, he was wearing a white mask. I don��t know what he looks like. And isn��t it impossible to track someone in reality if you don��t know their real name?��

    ��Oh, right. I forgot. Then exin what happened here.��

    Swingman, nodding, began to speak.

    ��As you know, we used hostages to lure out ck Scythe. Before you arrived, he came first. A man with a white mask and a scythe. It seemed like we could handle him since he was alone�� but we were wrong. The hostages and myrades were killed in an instant.��

    ��Are you saying ck Scythe killed the hostages too?��

    ��Yes. He showed no mercy. He was highly skilled too. He used a mystical scythe that extended, and his attacks were invisible. It didn��t take long before it was just me and First Warrior left.��

    Swingman shuddered, recalling the fear, as he continued in a gloomy tone.

    ��We immediately knew we couldn��t win. Without needing to speak, we scattered. Running was our only option. I don��t know what happened to First Warrior because I didn��t look back. I just ran.��

    It was a grim story of being massacred without any significant resistance.

    Though it aligned with John��s prediction, Yang Chiwon still found it hard to believe.

    ��Hey, Curry Man. Are you sure it was ck Scythe?��

    ��What do you mean? Are you suggesting I��m lying?��

    ��Who knows? Maybe you killed the other apostles and are just pretending.��

    ��What?��

    Swingman jumped in disbelief.

    ��Why would I kill myrades? What would I gain from it?��

    ��Right. Swingman has no reason to betray us.��

    The Spaniard defended him, but Yang Chiwon��s suspicion remained.

    ��I don��t know why you��d betray us. But isn��t it odd? You said you were going to attack ck Scythe together, but you did it alone? Are you sane? Did it not ur to you to stall for time until we arrived?��

    ��It did. But First Warrior insisted it wasn��t necessary��.��

    ��Then why did youe back to the scene of the killing?��

    ��I thought maybe First Warrior might still be alive. And I worried you might be in danger when you arrived.��

    ��So, the guy who abandoned hisrades to save himself came back out of concern for us? You��re the new Gandhi.��

    Yang Chiwon sneered, but Swingman��s im had some logic.

    John Delgado also entered the conversation to defend him.

    ��Whatever else, it seems true that he met ck Scythe. The one I saw also used a scythe that extended like a whip.��

    ��So, you��re saying First Warrior and the other teams were killed without any resistance?��

    ��Probably. I don��t know about the other team, though��.��

    ��If we knew their real names, we could use tracking to see if they��re alive��.��

    Dark Soul spoke regretfully, and the Spaniard apologized.

    ��I didn��t think of that. I didn��t ask because I thought they wouldn��t want to reveal their real names�� my mistake.��

    ��Either way, if they��re not answering, they must be dead. Especially with Swingman��s testimony.��

    ��I guess so.��

    As much as they didn��t want to admit it, it seemed to be the truth.

    Especially with a witness who survived ck Scythe.

    ��So, that Curry Man really met ck Scythe?��

    With John Delgado��s confirmation, it seemed true.

    Feeling embarrassed for his baseless suspicion, Yang Chiwon grumbled to cover his difort.

    ��Damn, from twelve apostles to five all of a sudden.��

    ��Indeed.��

    ��Sigh.��

    The apostles couldn��t help but sigh.

    They had lost seven to just one opponent.

    ��What do we do now?��

    ��We need to escape Korea immediately. ck Scythe could still be nearby.��

    ��That��s right. We could be next.��

    ��Leave Korea aftering all this way? With nothing gained?��

    Yang Chiwon grumbled, but the other apostles had different thoughts.

    ��Knowing ck Scythe��s strength isn��t nothing. Let��s go back and devise a strategy.��

    ��The Spaniard is right. To n for the future, the five of us must survive.��

    ��We need to leave Korea before ck Scythe arrives.��

    ��Tch.��

    Yang Chiwon knew he had no choice, despite hisints.

    ��Time��s ticking. Let��s go.��

    As he turned around easily, the rest of the apostles followed with relief.

    Not knowing that Ryu Min, disguised as Swingman, wasughing behind them.

    *

    ��They all think I��m Swingman.��

    Contrary to the testimony, Swingman didn��t survive.

    He had been killed by Ryu Min��s hands.

    The Swingman they had been talking to was actually Ryu Min, perfectly disguised by the assassin��s mask.

    ��With a perfect disguise of face, skin color, voice, and attire, there��s no way they��d know.��

    There was no doubt, but Yang Chiwon had been different.

    He was the only one who had suspected Swingman.

    ��I didn��t expect him to suspect me as a traitor. As the top guy in the ck Society, his instincts are sharp. Or maybe he just didn��t like Swingman?��

    It didn��t matter.

    As nned, he could now act as one of the twelve apostles.

    ��I need to attend the strategy meeting and lead the situation as I want.��

    This infiltration was necessary to manipte them from within for the twelfth round.

    ��You think forming a group to fight me will work? Ridiculous. I��ll use you all and then discard you.��

    None of the apostles saw the smirk on Ryu Min��s face.

 Chapter 195 (Part 1)

    Chapter 195: Countermeasure Meeting (Part 1)

    The atmosphere was gloomy, contrasting with the warm interior where the firece��s wood crackled.

    ��Say something. Aren��t we here to discuss countermeasures?��

    ����We need to have a n before we can discuss it.��

    Five people sat around the table in the cabin.

    They were Spaniard, Dark Soul, Yang Chiwen, John Delgado, and Ryu Min disguised as Swingman.

    The five, now unexpectedly forming the Five Apostles, had been trying toe up with a way to counter ck Scythe for thirty minutes, but only silence followed.

    No matter how they thought, no solution came to mind.

    Unable to bear it anymore, the Spaniard spoke up.

    ��ck Scythe killed seven of our apostles. Of course, we must avenge them. But�� considering even seven of us couldn��t handle it, solving this with brutal force seems impractical.��

    ��So, what? Are you suggesting we surrender?��

    Yang Chiwen spoke with clear distaste, but the Spaniard shook his head.

    ��No need to surrender. The ck Scythe doesn��t know about us. We just need to stay out of it.��

    ��Are you suggesting we give up?��

    When Spaniard nodded, Dark Soul shouted in disbelief.

    ��How can we give up without even trying? We should at least attempt an assassination!��

    ��That��s how we ended up in this situation.��

    ��But I haven��t tried yet.��

    ��Are you confident?��

    ��Of course! Just lure ck Scythe to a sniping spot, and I��ll blow his brains out!��

    Dark Soul boasted confidently, but Yang Chiwen immediately shot back.

    ��So, you��re suggesting we act as bait?��

    ��It��s the only way to kill ck Scythe.��

    ��And if it fails? We��ll all die, won��t we? No, just us bait will die. You��ll be safe 2km away.��

    ��Don��t worry. I won��t fail. My sniping skills are wless.��

    ��With such skills, why didn��t you make it to the top three in the whole region?��

    Dark Soul was flustered, having hit a sore spot.

    ��T-that��s because the monsters��.��

    ��I know. Being good at assassination doesn��t mean you��re good at hunting.��

    ��Thank you for understanding��.��

    ��But that doesn��t mean we��ll entrust everything to you. I don��t want to be a bait.��

    ��Now isn��t the time for pride. There are no other methods. Mine is the most realistic!��

    ��Bullshit. Screw that.��

    Even when suggestions were made, aligning their thoughts was difficult.

    ��How about this? Listening to Yang Chiwen, I remembered someone who always made it to the top three in every round besides ck Scythe.��

    ��Oh, those [Heavenly Demons] and [Dumb Fools]?��

    ��Yes, exactly. How about we propose an alliance to them? We need more power anyway.��

    ��How will we find them? We don��t know their nationality or faces, just their nicknames.��

    ��That��s another problem��.��

    Spaniard, who had suggested it, fell silent again.

    Yang Chiwen pondered and then shared his opinion.

    ��In a head-on confrontation, we don��t stand a chance. We must rely on assassination.��

    ��In that case, my method��.��

    ��Sniping is too risky. Listen, there��s a better way.��

    Yang Chiwen, who had scolded Dark Soul, suddenly asked a question.

    ��When is a yer most vulnerable?��

    ��Uh, I don��t know?��

    ��When they enter the Otherworld. They��re forced into sleep andpletely defenseless. We wait in safe ces before entering the Otherworld for that reason, right?��

    ��Yes, yes.��

    ��We��ll target that timing. As you know, I have many subordinates in the underworld who can carry out assassinations. We��ll use them to strike when the ck Scythe is in the Otherworld. We��ll break into his house and kill him.��

    ��Oh, that would indeed make it easy.��

    ��How about it? Isn��t it a good n?��

    ��Yes. Now we just need to find out where the ck Scythe lives.��

    ��But how do we do that?��

    Everyone looked expectantly at Yang Chiwen, but his response was disappointing.

    ��That��s something we need to figure out. I haven��t thought that far.��

    ��Hmm��.��

    Assassinating the ck Scythe when he enters the Otherworld, using outsiders to break in.

    That would ensure even the high-level opponent could be easily killed.

    ��The n is good, but��.��

    The problem was finding out where the ck Scythe lived.

    ��How about provoking the CPF squad members to lure out the ck Scythe and then tailing him? That way, we can find out his residence.��

    ��What if we��re caught tailing him? We��ll be dead.��

    ��We just have to follow him without being noticed. Stay at least 30 meters away to avoid detection.��

    ��Detection isn��t the issue. It��s the search skills. He can detect us within a 500m radius. We can��t follow from over 500m away.��

    ��Indeed, tailing him is difficult.��

    ��To tail him, we��d need an assassin ss. With invisibility, they might avoid detection skills.��

    ��We don��t have an assassin among us.��

    ��That��s right.��

    The Five Apostles consisted of a diator, a Hunter, a Sniper, a Necromancer, and a Martial Artist.

    None of them could safely tail someone.

    At that moment, Ryu Min saw an opportunity and raised his hand.

    ��I have a trustworthy assassin among my acquaintances. Wouldn��t it be good to ask him?��

    ��An acquaintance? What��s his name?��

    ��Jeffrey. His nickname is [Jeffy].��

 Chapter 195 (Part 2)

    Chapter 195: Countermeasure Meeting (Part 2)

    ��I have a trustworthy assassin among my acquaintances. Wouldn��t it be good to ask him?��

    ��An acquaintance? What��s his name?��

    ��Jeffrey. His nickname is [Jeffy].��

    ��Is he a famous assassin?��

    ��No. He��s not ranked. But as long as the pay is good, he��ll do anything. Perfect for tailing.��

    ��Bringing in an outsider seems unreliable��.��

    ��Don��t worry. He��s not the type to cause trouble.��

    Despite Ryu Min��s assurance, the Apostles looked unconvinced.

    Except for Yang Chiwen.

    ��Unexpectedly, the Curry Man is useful. An assassin, you say? Let��s hire him.��

    ��But he��s an outsider��.��

    ��Precisely because he��s an outsider, it��s better. If things go wrong, we can cut ties easily. We hire him, have him do the job, and then discard him.��

    ��Hmm��.��

    Yang Chiwen was determined to execute his n.

    If it seeded, the credit would be all his.

    After careful consideration, the Spaniard eventually sided with Yang Chiwen.

    ��Alright. Let��s go with Yang Chiwen��s n. Before the 12th round starts, we��ll use Swingman��s hired assassin to locate the ck Scythe��s residence, and on December 1st, we��ll assassinate him using the underworld while he sleeps. If anyone has a better n, speak now.��

    Thinking there was no better n, everyone stayed silent, but unexpectedly, one person raised their hand.

    It was Ryu Min.

    ��Yes, Swingman. Do you have another suggestion?��

    ��I��m not opposing Yang Chiwen��s n, but I think we should have a backup in case it fails.��

    ��A backup?��

    ��Yes. Just in case things don��t go as nned. ck Scythe might still be alive in the 12th round. In that case, we should have an alternative ready.��

    ��What kind of alternative?��

    ��Everyone is focused on killing the ck Scythe. But what if we think differently? What if we turn him into an ally?��

    ��An ally��?��

    ��Honestly, it��s meaningless topete with the ck Scythe. He��s already killed seven of the top rankers from powerful countries, and even John Delgado acknowledges that all twelve apostles couldn��t defeat him. Do you think we have a chance? I don��t.��

    ��Swingman!��

    The one who shouted, mming the table and turning red, was John Delgado.

    ��What nonsense are you spouting? Are you suggesting we surrender to that bastard?��

    ��We��re not surrendering. As the Spaniard said, the ck Scythe doesn��t know we exist.��

    ��Then what��s the difference?��

    ��Listen to me. I��m not suggesting we fully ally with him. Just a temporary truce.��

    ��A truce?��

    ��The saying goes, keep your enemies close. First, we get close to the ck Scythe, then betray himter. That will increase our assassination sess rate.��

    ��Oh, you mean to build a rtionship and then betray him?��

    The Spaniard stroked his chin, intrigued.

    Other apostles, finding the n realistic, listened with interest.

    All except John Delgado, who had a grudge against the ck Scythe.

    ��How can you suggest allying with someone we should kill immediately? This n is ridiculous.��

    ��It��s not a true alliance, just a temporary truce for future advantage. I think it��s worth considering.��

    ��I agree. Swingman��s n also seems feasible.��

    ��It��s good, but it��s only a fallback if my n fails. Still, it��s a reasonable alternative.��

    Everyone, except John, responded positively.

    As they couldn��t confront him head-on, betrayal seemed the only viable option.

    ��John opposes, but does anyone else object to Swingman��s n?��

    The Spaniard asked, but no one raised a hand.

    ��Alright. By majority, we��ll adopt Swingman��s n as a fallback if Yang Chien��s n fails. Now, let��s discuss how to approach the ck Scythe.��

    At that, Ryu Min raised his hand again.

    ��If Yang Chiwen��s n fails, we should switch to mine immediately. That means we need to start building a connection with the ck Scythe in the Otherworld. Random strangers approaching him would raise suspicion. We need someone familiar to him. Fortunately, one of us has a connection with the ck Scythe.��

    Everyone��s gaze turned to one person.

    John Delgado pointed to himself in surprise.

    ��Me? You want me to approach him?��

    ��Yes.��

    ��Are you crazy? You know of my history with the ck Scythe, right?��

    ��I do. Didn��t you suffer greatly in the 11th round?��

    ��And yet you suggest this?��

    John shouted in disbelief, but Ryu Min��s suggestion was well thought out.

    ��You��re the only one here who has seen the ck Scythe��s face. You can naturally approach him under the guise of reconciliation.��

    ��Naturally? How? After being ambushed, mutted, and chased off, approaching him for reconciliation will seem strange to anyone.��

    ��That��s why you need to speak sincerely. Repent, regret, apologize. It��s better than an unknown person approaching him.��

    ��No, no. That��s just your opinion. Others might not see it that way, right?��

    John sought agreement from the other apostles, but their reactions were unexpected.

    ��It does seem better than us approaching.��

    ��Right. Even bad connections are connections. Approaching with a remorseful tone might make him an ally.��

    ��I also agree with Curry Man.��

    ��Alright. By unanimous decision, John will approach��.��

    ��These bastards! What unanimous decision? I didn��t agree!��

    John Delgado, enraged, realized something btedly.

    ��Are they scared of stepping forward?��

    These guys just needed a scapegoat.

    If the n to backstab the ck Scythe failed, it would be him who dies.

    ��Damn bastards.��

    John Delgado��s eyes, filled with killing intent, fixed on one person.

    ��It��s because of him. He instigated this.��

    The one who pushed him off the cliff was none other than Swingman.

    ��When the 12th roundes, I��ll kill him first.��

    Though John swore revenge with burning eyes, Ryu Min smirked internally.

    There was no way to find someone who was already dead.

 Chapter 196 (Part 1)

    Chapter: 196. Those Who Aim for the ck Scythe (Part 1)

    The n to assassinate the ck Scythe proceeded swiftly.

    ��Hello, I am Jeffrey.��

    Jeffrey introduced himself in front of the five apostles.

    ��I am a Level 48 assassin. Whether it��s tailing or assassination, I can do anything. Just leave it to me.��

    ��Did you hear from the Swingman about what you need to do?�� Spaniard asked.

    Jeffrey nodded.

    ��I heard that I need to tail the leader of the CPF in Korea and find out where he lives.��

    ��Can you do it?��

    ��It��s not difficult. I��ve already identified the police station where the leader frequently appears, so I just need to wait there. Of course, the sooner the payment, the sooner I can start tailing.��

    ��Ha ha, good. So how much is the payment?��

    ��10,000 points upfront, and 10,000 points uponpletion, totaling 20,000 points.��

    ��Hmm����

    He asked for points, not dors or gold, as the payment currency. It wasn��t surprising since they were already aware that points could be traded. The problem was the amount was more than expected.

    ��20,000 points. Isn��t that too much?��

    ��If we pool together, it shouldn��t be impossible.��

    ��We have no choice. Let��s each give him 2,000 points for the advance payment.��

    Everyone nodded in agreement, except for one person who had a suspicious look.

    It was John Delgado.

    ��You said your name was Jeffrey?��

    ��Yes.��

    ��You��re Caucasian? Which country are you from?��

    ��I��m from the United States.��

    ��How did youe to know Swingman, who is Indian?��

    ��I don��t discriminate against clients based on nationality. I only follow the money.��

    Jeffrey answered smoothly, even though the question was unexpected because Ryu Min had already prepared the answers for him.

    ��Seems like you��ve done a few contract jobs before?��

    ��Yes. There are people looking for assassins everywhere, whether they are ordinary people or yers.��

    ��You��re so famous, yet I��ve never heard of you, you said you��re an American?��

    ��You can��t openly advertise that you��re doing contract work, can you?��

    The conversation ended there as there was nothing more to extract from Jeffrey. John��s suspicion turned towards Ryu Min.

    ��Swingman, why did you hire this assassin before?��

    ��I needed someone for tailing for personal reasons. That��s how I got to know Jeffrey. Is that enough for you?��

    When Ryu Min responded sharply, John couldn��t nitpick any further. There was nothing else to point out.

    As the atmosphere grew heavy, the Spaniard pped his hands to lighten the mood.

    ��Alright, it sounds like he��s experienced enough for us to trust him. Jeffrey? We��re counting on you for a quick job.��

    ��Yes. Don��t worry.��

    Jeffrey smiled and disappeared after receiving the points from the apostles without leaving a trace. Indeed, as an assassin, he used invisibility and vanished without being detected.

    ��Now, let��s wait for the assassin to bring good results.��

    ��Let��s do that.��

    Everyone smiled with satisfaction, except for John Delgado, who couldn��t hide his uneasy expression.

    *

    Jeffrey contacted them exactly one week before the next round.

    ��He��s here!��

    ��What does he say? Did he find it?��

    ��Yes! After tailing, he found the ck Scythe��s residence.��

    ��That��s great news!��

    The apostles smiled brightly at Swingman��s report. However, John Delgado, who had issues with Swingman, looked dissatisfied.

    ��Is that reliable information? Did he confirm that the ck Scythe is inside?��

    ��Of course. Here��s the video Jeffrey sent.��

    The video showed someone wearing a white mask leaving the entrance of a vi.

    ��This is him. The mask indicates that it��s definitely the ck Scythe who attacked us before.��

    ��������

    Swingman was the only one who had seen the real ck Scythe. He couldn��t recklessly im it wasn��t him, nor could he affirm it definitively.

    ��Are you sure this is the ck Scythe?��

    ��Yes, I��m sure! I stake my life on it.��

    When Swingman vouched to that extent, the other apostles had no choice but to acknowledge it.

    ��Haha, we finally found the ck Scythe��sir.��

    ��Now all that��s left is to assassinate him as nned.��

    ��Leave it to me. I��ll open the ck Scythe��s lid with my divine sniping skills.��

    Dark Soul spoke confidently, but Yang Chiwen wouldn��t stay quiet.

    ��Where do you think you��re interfering? We agreed to follow my n! Wait until the 12th round!��

    ��We know where he lives. What��s the point in waiting? Just sniping him now will be enough.��

    ��You idiot. What if the sniping fails? The ck Scythe will move his base, and the n will be ruined. Don��t you get it?��

    ��That��s right. Dark Soul, it��s better to proceed with Yang Chiwen��s n. We only have to wait a week, right?��

    With the Spaniard joining in, Dark Soul had no choice but to step back, though reluctantly.

    ��Then, as nned, I will prepare the ck Society members to slit the ck Scythe��s throat.��

    ��Yes. Yang Chiwen, make sure your men sneak into Korea by December 1st so they can strike at midnight.��

    ��Leave it to me.��

    The apostles smirked, but they didn��t know that failure was already a foregone conclusion. The residence was a trap set up by Ryu Min.

 Chapter 196 (Part 2)

    Chapter: 196. Those Who Aim for the ck Scythe (Part 2)

    No angel was unaware that the seven archangels ruled over Heaven.

    Recently, they all knew that the number had decreased to six after Remiel��s death. However, no angel knew how Remiel died or who killed him, except the archangels.

    [This is a serious matter.]

    [Indeed.]

    The archangels gathered together for the first time in a long while. They used to gather for significant events, but it had rarely happened recently, until Remiel��s death.

    [It��s unprecedented that the seven archangels, who maintained order for hundreds of years, have been reduced to six. This is a serious issue.]

    [I agree. The once unshakable reputation of the archangels is plummeting. We need to make a move.]

    Gabriel, ranked second, and Uriel, ranked fourth, raised their voices. Michael, ranked first and usually silent, asked for the archangels�� opinions.

    [What should we do?]

    [We must catch and kill the vile worm that killed Remiel!]

    [We should bring him to Heaven and skin him alive in front of everyone!]

    Most of the archangels shared the same opinion: the ck Scythe should be brought to Heaven and given a fitting punishment.

    ��This is troublesome.��

    Bringing a yer participating in the round to Heaven would immediately disqualify him. He would be an outsider, no longer a participant, and wouldn��t be summoned for the next round. He wouldn��t even be able to return to Earth.

    This meant he would be an entity unrted to the survival game, but that didn��t matter to the archangels. They only cared about punishing the criminal. However, Michael��s stance was different.

    ��To be God, I need the ck Scythe to win this game.��

    In other words, he needed to protect the ck Scythe so he could safely reach the 20th round. But given the current hostile atmosphere, it was doubtful if that would be possible.

    Especially with Raguel, ranked fifth.

    [Michael, give me a chance. I will bring that vile human, the ck Scythe, to receive proper judgment.]

    Being the archangel of justice, fairness, and harmony, Raguel couldn��t stand to leave the ck Scythe alone. Michael knew that if Raguel went, he would likely tear him apart and bring him to Heaven for all kinds of torture. He couldn��t send Raguel. It would be better if he went himself.

    ��No, if I went and failed to achieve anything, the me would fall on me.��

    Eventually, someone had to be sent to quell the turmoil. Preferably, an archangel weak enough for the ck Scythe to defeat.

    ��Who would be suitable?��

    While pondering, Michael��s gaze fell on the only quiet archangel, Sariel, ranked sixth, the archangel of death.

    ��If anyone, Sariel, who is closest in rank, would be suitable��.��

    But Sariel was almost a counter to the Reaper ss.

    ��The darkness of a Reaper cannot ovee the darkness of the archangel of death.��

    A mere yer��s dark attribute couldn��t match the archangel of death.

    ��He will undoubtedly fail and be subdued.��

    But he couldn��t send Raguel, who was already eager to confront the ck Scythe.

    ��If Raguel fights with full force, the ck Scythe won��t stand a chance.��

    Although he wanted to send an angel the ck Scythe could handle, there were no suitable archangels. Anyone ranked fifth or sixth would be a tough match for the ck Scythe. Higher-ranked archangels were out of the question.

    ��If I suggest sending first-ss angels, there will be opposition.��

    The fact that the ck Scythe had killed the seventh-ranked Remiel already meant he was beyond human level. Sending first-ss angels would raise objections.

    ��Hmm, who can I send that the ck Scythe can handle��.��

    It was a ridiculous thought, but without realizing it, the archangels continued their heated debate.

    [We must capture that human immediately! Even if we have to open a dimensional gate!]

    [Opening a dimensional gate without the round starting requires a great price. There��s no need to rush.]

    [So, Gabriel, are you saying we should let that worm roam free?

    [Just wait until the 12th round starts, Raguel. I understand your feelings, but we must be rational and consider the pros and cons.]

    [Then allow me to go in the 12th round! I will capture that human and restore the dignity of the archangels!]

    [No.]

    Michael interrupted the conversation.

    He had made up his mind on who to send.

    [Sariel will be the one to capture the ck Scythe.]

    [Michael, why!?]

    [You��ve lost yourposure. Sariel is more suited for the task as he��s moreposed.]

    [I can do it too! I can use this sword of judgment to��]

    [Look at yourself, Raguel. You��re so agitated.]

    [����]

    [My decision is final. Sariel is the right choice for capturing the ck Scythe. There��s no need for someone ranked as high as you to be involved in capturing a mere human.]

    [Hmm�� That��s true.]

    Since Michael, the highest-ranked archangel, had spoken, the others had to follow his decision. Michael had carefully weighed the situation before making his choice.

    [If we must send someone, it should be Sariel, who is ranked sixth. At least that human might be able to manage it.]

    Though Sariel was almost a perfect counter to the Reaper ss, he was still the weakest among the archangels.

    [Sariel, can you handle it?]

    [Of course, Michael. Capturing a mere human is not a difficult task.]

    [Then it��s settled. Sariel will go to the other dimension when the 12th round begins and bring the ck Scythe here. Do not kill him; we need him to face judgment in Heaven.]

    [Is that all?]

    [Ideally, bring him back unscathed. It won��t be easy, but��]

    Perhaps feeling challenged by the final remark, Sariel��s long, feathered eyebrows twitched.

    [I will make sure to bring him back without a scratch.]

    Sariel��s resolute response made Michael feel uneasy.

    ��This is not what I intended����

    Michael intended to help the ck Scythe, but he didn��t realize that his words had only fueled Sariel��s determination.

    ��

    Meanwhile, Ryu Min was preparing to spring his trap, fully aware that his enemies would fall for it.

    The Heaven��s conspiracy and the n to assassinate the ck Scythe were all intertwined. Ryu Min��s carefullyid trap was about to set off a chain of events that would shake both Heaven and Earth.

 Chapter 197 (Part 1)

    Chapter 197: Start of the 12th Round (Part 1)

    At the end of every month, yers be more sensitive.

    The moment they cross into another world, their real bodies are left defenseless.

    Aside from a well-secured house, there��s nothing to protect their narcoleptic bodies.

    It was the same now, with 30 minutes left until midnight on December 1st.

    ��Can��t we just hire regr bodyguards?��

    When junior Jang Chen,

    who was listening to the exnation, added ament to his senior��s words, he immediately got smacked on the back of the head.

    ��Hey, idiot. Do you think yers who trust no one but themselves would hire someone else? What if they get backstabbed like now?��

    ��Come on, would a bodyguard target a sleeping yer? They wouldn��t make any money if they killed them.��

    As the senior raised his hand again, Jang Chen flinched.

    ��They wouldn��t make money? You idiot. Another yer who hired them for an assassination would pay them.��

    ��Now even bodyguards are being pursued into killing yers?��

    ��Yeah, idiot. Don��t you know you can��t trust anyone in this situation? Anyway, you trust people too much, and that��s your problem.��

    ��Hehe����

    Jang Chen rubbed the back of his head andughed foolishly.

    ��Now I understand why ck Scythe doesn��t have any bodyguards.��

    ��Exactly. No matter how strong you are, if someone slits your throat while you��re sleeping, you��re done for. Who would want to have someone around in that situation?��

    ��For that reason, isn��t that vi too shabby? It looks old and easy to break into.��

    ��All yers live in well-secured houses. He probably thought that ce would be safer because it��s the opposite.��

    ��That makes sense. As expected, you have great insight, brother.��

    ��Don��t tter me. Do you think that��ll make me like you more?��

    Though the senior responded sharply, his lips were already curling up.

    He didn��t particrly like his naive junior, but he trusted him more because of it.

    His knife skills were excellent, and sometimes his ttery even seemed cute.

    ��But how long do we have to wait? We��ve been here for an hour.��

    ��Oh, you poor fool. Why do you have so manyints? Just wait without whining, idiot.��

    He retracted his previous thought about him being cute.

    When he acted thoughtlessly like this, his hand automatically went to the back of his head.

    Maybe because of what was said, the senior looked back at the junior members of the ck Society crouching around him.

    Including himself, there were five people in total.

    An ample number for such an ambush.

    One person was enough to slit a throat.

    ��Just wait a bit longer. There��s still 25 minutes until midnight.��

    ��My legs are numb, but I��ll endure it. You promised a hefty bonus once this job is done.��

    ��Don��t worry, idiots. Our boss always delivers on such promises.��

    With grins, they waited patiently for midnight toe.

    Time passed, and the moment arrived.

    ��Oh? The lights went out.��

    The vi��s lights, which had been on all the time, went out.

    It was five minutes before midnight.

    ��The target must be preparing to enter the other world.��

    Naturally, they knew exactly which room the ck Scythe was in.

    They had received the information from Yang Chiwen and even confirmed it with their own eyes.

    Seeing the ck Scythe open and close the window.

    ��Should we move now?��

    ��Do you want to die? The boss said to move exactly at midnight.��

    ��Exactly at midnight?��

    ��Yeah. The time they fall into narcolepsy is exact. Moving then won��t be toote. You don��t need to be cautious. Even if a bomb goes off right next to him, he won��t wake up.��

    ��Aha.��

    Nodding, Jang Chen looked at the time.

    Tick-tick-tick!

    It was exactly midnight.

    ��Good. Now let��s move��.��

    Just as the senior was about to initiate the operation, he was lost for words.

    Thunk-thunk-

    Jang Chen was stabbing hisrades in the throats while covering their mouths.

    Thud-thud-

    ��You son of a��!��

    As the senior tried to respond, he was swiftly cut down by Jang Chen��s sashimi knife.

    Thunk-!

    ��Gah!��

    Thunk-thunk-thunk-thunk-!

    The senior, who had been stabbed dozens of times in the belly, red with disbelief.

    As if asking how he could betray them.

    ��Don��t look at me like that. I serve a different master.��

    Looking down at his senior��s dying body with lifeless eyes, Jang Chen lifted his head.

    Four corpsesy in a pool of blood around him.

    ��Time to head back.��

    The ughter wasn��t over yet.

    He had one more mission toplete.

    ncing at the vi, Jang Chen turned and walked in the opposite direction.

    ��

    As soon as Ryu Min opened his eyes and saw the monochrome space, he knew.

    The 12th round had begun.

    And seeing his body intact after a few minutes, he realized.

    Jang Chen had killed hisrades as nned.

    ��He��s quite useful. Well, Yamti��s ability is.��

    It wasn��t difficult to foil Yang Chiwen��s operation.

    After controlling one of the ck Society members who had entered Korea, he made him betray them on the day of the operation.

    ��Since I showed myself at the vi to prove I was there, they had no choice but to be fooled.��

    In fact, Ryu Min stayed at the vi to make them believe so until thest moment.

    He told his brother he would be away for a week.

    ��Although it seems like I��ve been misunderstood as having a girlfriend because of that, it doesn��t matter. As long as I can protect Ryu Won.��

    He left his real home, pretending the vi was his residence, to avoid any harming to his brother.

    Someone mighte for revenge on the ck Scythe, but it didn��t matter since the vi belonged to thete Lostyak.

    ��That wasn��t the only instruction I gave to Jang Chen.��

    By now, the guy who killed hisrades would be returning to China.

    To carry out Yamti��smand to assassinate all ck Society members.

    ��Since they��re on the same side, it won��t be hard. Most of the members will be dead by the end of the round.��

    Yang Chiwen would find out after the round ended.

    That he had been backstabbed.

    And it would sting quite a bit.

    Imagine returning to reality to find all your members dead.

    And to top it off, the operation had failed. Yang Chiwen��s rage would be immense.

    ��Why poke a sleeping lion?��

    Ryu Min��s lips curled into a smirk.

 Chapter 197 (Part 2)

    Chapter 197: Start of the 12th Round (Part 2)

    ��Why poke a sleeping lion?��

    Ryu Min��s lips curled into a smirk.

    If Yang Chiwen��s n failed, they��d have to follow the strategy Ryu Min proposed.

    ��By now, John Delgado must have realized that Yang Chiwen��s n failed.��

    Checking the ck Scythe��s name in the search and finding out he was still alive.

    ��He must be sighing by now. He has to apologize to the ck Scythe he hates so much.��

    John would have to follow Ryu Min��s n and seek out ck Scythe.

    ��Will John Delgado swallow his pride ande to me?��

    The odds were against it, but he decided to wait.

    A few minutester, as he stood with his arms crossed, someone else showed up.

    ��ck Scythe!��

    It was Min Juri, his unshakable ally.

    ��Long time no see, good to see you!��

    ��Has it only been two months? Hardly long.��

    ��Only two months? It felt like years.��

    Thest time Min Juri saw the ck Scythe was in the 10th round.

    They couldn��t meet in the 11th round due to Ryu Min��s prophecy.

    ��If there��s a party this time, you��ll include me, right? My buffs are helpful.��

    ��A party? You seem to know the mission for this round.��

    ��Oh, no. I��m just saying if there��s a party mission, include me. Haha����

    Min Juri��s awkward attempt to hide her fluster was quite endearing.

    ��As she said, this round��s mission requires cooperation. Forming parties of five.��

    He already had an idea of who would be in his party.

    ��Min Juri is an obvious choice.��

    Even though her mention of forming a party was because of Ryu Min��s prophecy, he pretended not to know.

    ��If we need to form a team, I��ll include you. Buffers are very useful.��

    ��Really? Thank you. Just say the word, and I��ll buff you up anytime!��

    ��Thanks.��

    At that moment, another group approached the ck Scythe.

    Expecting John Delgado, he saw it was Seo Arin, Ma Kyung-rok, and An Sang-cheol instead.

    ��Hello, ck Scythe.��

    ������

    ������

    Seo Arin greeted cheerfully, but Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol were less enthusiastic.

    They hadn��t gained any points in thest round because of the ck Scythe.

    Though it wasn��t entirely his fault.

    ��Hello, Democracy.��

    ��Hello, Seo Arin, An Sang-cheol, Heavenly Demon.��

    As acquaintances, they exchanged greetings, but Ma Kyung-rok��s gaze towards Min Juri was different.

    ��He��s eyeing Min Juri.��

    It was understandable.

    After experiencing her buffs a few times, he realized how helpful a buffer could be.

    ��You three always seem to stick together?��

    Seo Arin answered Min Juri��s question.

    ��Yes, we��re in the same party.��

    ��Since the first round?��

    ��Pretty much.��

    However, Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol didn��t notice Seo Arin subtly distancing herself from them.

    They were only thinking about stealing Min Juri from the ck Scythe.

    ��Where do you live, Democracy?��

    Surprised by Ma Kyung-rok��s sudden question, Min Juri hesitated before answering.

    ����Seoul.��

    ��Oh, really? Where in Seoul?��

    ��Yeonhui-dong.��

    ��Oh, Yeonhui-dong, that��s close. I live in Gangnam. How about we meet up sometime? I can introduce you to our agency.��

    ��Agency?��

    ��Have you heard of yer ce? I��m the CEO there.��

    ��Oh, really?��

    As Min Juri looked surprised, Ma Kyung-rok��s expression turned curious.

    ��Why? You don��t know it?��

    ��No, I know it. I��ve browsed the site a few times.��

    Though Min Juri spoke calmly, her surprise stemmed from a different reason.

    She knew Ryu Min was a co-founder of yer ce.

    ��So, this guy works with Min?��

    Realizing Heavenly Demon��s identity, Min Juri fell silent.

    She didn��t want to identally reveal any information about Ryu Min.

    ��You��ve just browsed it? Haven��t you tried using it?��

    ��No����

    ��Why not? You can earn cash by trading there. You can get any items you want. We��re even considering introducing point trading soon.��

    ��Oh, I see. But I don��t really have anything I want to buy or sell.��

    That was true, but it was mainly due to Ryu Min��s advice.

    ��Min told me never to join yer ce.��

    She didn��t know the reason, but she had followed his request.

    Due to this, Ma Kyung-rok had no choice but to click his tongue in regret.

    ��Damn, if she joined yer ce, I could easily find her address in Yeonhui-dong.��

    It would have been easy to locate her real address that way.

    While Ma Kyung-rok was eyeing Min Juri with regret, an angel appeared.

    [Hello, humans! Wee to the 12th round. First, let��s do a headcount.]

    Manipting the air with their fingers, the angel made a humming sound.

    ��The number of survivors is 39,402, a decrease of 619. But what to do? This round��s quest requires teams of five. Dividing by five, unfortunately, leaves two people.��

    Though the angel seemed to ponder, Ryu Min knew it was all calcted.

    He knew that the fate of those remaining two yers had already been decided.

    [We have no choice. Form teams of five, and the remaining two will automatically be eliminated.]

    ��What?��

    ��No way!��

    [Forming a team quickly is also a skill. It can��t be helped.]

    Despite the angel��s words, it was clear there was no other choice.

    From the beginning, the system was set to eliminate yers who couldn��t form a team.

    [To avoid being one of the unfortunate two, you��d better find a team quickly. Now, let��s reveal the 12th-round quest.]

    A momentter, a quest window appeared in front of everyone.

 Chapter 198 (Part 1)

    Chapter 198: Position (Part 1)

    ROUND 12

    <main>

    �C Pass the five trials in the Cave of Trials

    [Unified Area CA-EA001]

    �C Participating Teams: 7,880

    �C Teams Achieved: 0/3,940

    ��Five trials?��

    ��Is that why they told us to form teams of five?��

    ��Ah, so each person has to take on a trial, huh?��

    Hearing the murmurs of some yers, the angel smirked and spoke.

    [You��ve be quite sharp. Yes, this round is about passing the five trials, and a team of five must tackle them. Of course, the details of the trials are secret.]

    Even before the angel finished speaking, the yers began moving.

    The moment they heard it was a team event, they started thinking about whom to form a party with.

    If they took it easy, they might end up being the unfortunatest two.

    [Your quick actions reflect your survival instincts. I like that enthusiasm. So, as you form your teams, listen up.]

    The angel continued the exnation without a care.

    [As mentioned, you need to form a party of five to start the game. You know how to form a party from round 6, right? Hold hands, and at the same time, shout ��Form Party�� to activate it. Ah, I see the first party has already formed.]

    The angel spoke while looking into the air as if tracking real-time results.

    [Parties can be formed regardless of nationality. As they say, yesterday��s enemy is today��s ally. Or is it the other way around? Anyway, forget the past round and form your parties harmoniously. To facilitate smooth party formation, I will activate the trantion feature.]

    As soon as the angel finished speaking, a message appeared.

    [Round Trait ��Trantion�� is activated.]

    [You canmunicate with otherworldly beings.]

    [You can converse with any yer withoutnguage barriers.]

    The trantion feature, which they received each time they went to the otherworld, was now activated.

    While they could now understand and read each other��snguages, people still avoided looking at foreign yers.

    Due to the previous round, the perception that foreign yers were dangerous was ingrained in their minds.

    Some even harbored prejudices, akin to racial conflicts.

    [Now that you canmunicate, chat freely, and form your parties. Don��t worry about being backstabbed; party members cannot harm each other.]

    Despite the angel��s encouragement, yers only sought parties within their own countries.

    Only those left behind had no choice but to join forces with foreigners.

    [As the quest shows, only the first 3,940 teams to clear the trials will survive. Rankings will be announced based on individual performance. Of course, the criteria for ranking are a secret. With that, the exnation ends. Once all parties are formed, we will begin. Who will be the unfortunatest two? Kuhuhu.]

    Ignoring the angel��s sinisterugh, Seo Arin nced at the ck Scythe.

    ��ck Scythe, have you found your party members?��

    ��Not yet.��

    ��Then, how about forming a party with me��?��

    Seo Arin suggested shyly, but Ryu Min did not react.

    Though he said he hadn��t found his members, he had already decided on them in his mind.

    ��Oh? Come to think of it, there are five of us here. How about we form a party?��

    Min Juri suggested from the side, but Ryu Min had no intention of forming a party with them.

    ��Other people don��t know about the trials, so they are randomly forming five-member parties����

    Ryu Min, who knew the strategy, didn��t need to do that.

    He couldn��t just grab anyone.

    ��We need to form a party suitable for each trial. That��s the key to this round.��

    The five trials weren��t given for no reason.

    The others, including Ryu Min, knew that.

    The prophecy had told them everything.

    ��That��s why they��re suggesting we form a party now. Coincidentally, there are five of us, and they all have suitable roles for each trial.��

    But the only person Ryu Min needed from this group was Min Juri.

    He didn��t need the others.

    He could rece them with more reliable people.

    ��Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol don��t n to party with me anyway.��

    Because of the incident in the Labyrinth Forest and the fact that I had saved Christine.

    He couldn��t help but be resentful as her fianc��.

    The emotional rift had already formed and was toote to mend.

    ��ck Scythe? How about forming a party with us?��

    ��Sorry, I��m nning to party with Min Juri.��

    ��What? Oh����

    Min Juri��s and Seo Arin��s reactions were contrasting as if they had traversed between heaven and hell.

    Min Juri was touched that the ck Scythe cared for her, while Seo Arin felt a silent disappointment.

    ��Arin, let��s find another party.��

    ������

    Despite An Sang-cheol��s words, Seo Arin couldn��t bring herself to leave.

    Meanwhile, someone approached the ck Scythe.

    It was Christine.

    ��Oh, ck Scythe, you��re here����

    Christine, who hade to find the ck Scythe for a party, flinched upon seeing Ma Kyung-rok.

    It was because his nickname was the same as her fianc����s.

    ��Heavenly Demon? Could it be you����

    ��Hello, Chrissy. First time seeing each other here, right?��

    Ma Kyung-rok, sensing the situation, called her by her nickname instead of her real name.

    Because ck Scythe was present.

    Christine didn��t make the mistake of calling him by his real name in front of others either.

    ��Didn��t expect to see you here, Heavenly Demon.��

    ��Same here.��

    Thanks to the trantion feature, theymunicated without using English.

    ��Were you looking for ck Scythe?��

    ��Yes�� I couldn��t find anyone to party with. Don��t misunderstand.��

    Christine exined, even though no one asked, feeling guilty.

    ��I don��t misunderstand. It��s natural to want to party with the person who saved you. I feel the same. The problem is, the ck Scythe doesn��t seem to want us in his party.��

    ��What?��

    Christine looked at Ryu Min.

    Her eyes questioned whether he wouldn��t let her into his party.

    ��I��ve decided to party with Min Juri. I have no ns to party with anyone else for now.��

    Christine��s expression turned gloomy, like someone who had just been rejected after confessing.

    At that moment, another person appeared.

    ��ck Scythe!��

    It was Yamti, a real-world acquaintance of the ck Scythe, apanied by a familiarrge man.

    None other than Victor Zaphael, the Nigerian alchemist.

    He was unmistakable with his familiar appearance and nickname.

    ��Good, she brought him as instructed.��

    Ryu Min had already given Yamti instructions.

    To meet Victor under the guise of coincidence and bring him.

    Finding him wasn��t difficult since his appearance and nickname were the same in reality.

    ��Victor? This is ck Scythe.��

    ��Really, is it ck Scythe?��

    Although he had seen him in reality, Victor had only seen him wearing a mask.

    It was understandable that he didn��t recognize him.

    ��Nice to meet you, Victor. First time seeing you here.��

    ��ck Scythe? Is it really you?��

    ��You can tell by the nickname, right? Haha.��

    Victor, thrilled to see his savior in the otherworld, didn��t know what to do.

    ��Nice to meet you. I��ve really wanted to see you.��

    </main>

 Chapter 198 (Part 2)

    Chapter 198: Position (Part 2)

    ��Nice to meet you, Victor. First time seeing you here.��

    ��ck Scythe? Is it really you?��

    ��You can tell by the nickname, right? Haha.��

    Victor, thrilled to see his savior in the otherworld, didn��t know what to do.

    ��Nice to meet you. I��ve really wanted to see you.��

    Victor, speaking with an indistinguishable expression between crying andughing, was apanied by someone with a simr appearance.

    Ryu Min noticed early on, judging by the nickname.

    ��Could it be that this person is����

    ��Oh, you recognized it by the nickname? Sorry for thete introduction. This is my sister, Sophia.��

    Sophia was also recognized early on by her nickname and name.

    Though he didn��t expect her toe with Victor.

    ��Nice to meet you, ck Scythe. I heard you saved my brother from that hell. It��s a bitte, but thank you so much. Really.��

    ��It wasn��t that big of a deal.��

    ��No, what you did was not something just anyone could do. There are many powerful people in the world, but the only one who saved my brother was you, ck Scythe. It��s only right to thank you.��

    Sophia genuinely appreciated the ck Scythe.

    He was the benefactor who reunited her with Victor after he endured tremendous hardships from being captured by KF.

    ��Haha, I found outter that my sister is a big fan of ck Scythe. She scrapes and collects every article rted to him from Korea.��

    ��O-Oppa! Why would you say that!��

    ��Why be embarrassed? It��s true.��

    Watching Victor and Sophia bicker made Ryu Min smile.

    It was like seeing himself and Ryu Won.

    Other yers, watching the scene, could sense what was happening.

    They could tell that the ck Scythe was a life-saving benefactor to those two.

    ��Are you looking for a party, ck Scythe? How about joining us?��

    Victor asked confidently, and onlookers expected the ck Scythe to agree.

    But Ryu Min shook his head again.

    ��I��ll form a party with someone else.��

    ��Is that so? That��s a shame but it can��t be helped.��

    Victor and Sophia showed disappointment but didn��t argue and turned away.

    They seemed to leave without any gain, but Ryu Min��s words weren��t finished.

    ��Instead, why don��t you party with Yamti, Victor?��

    ��What? With Yamti?��

    Yamti had also helped him along with ck Scythe.

    Since they were familiar with each other, there was no reason for difort, but Victor found it strange.

    Of course, Ryu Min had a reason for pairing Yamti with Victor.

    ��Victor will need Yamti to clear this round easily.��

    Regardless of Victor��s curiosity, he wouldn��t lose anything from this suggestion.

    ��I��d be d to. How about you, Yamti?��

    ��I��m fine with it!��

    Yamti nced at her master but agreed without hesitation.

    A ve couldn��t disobey her master��s order.

    Thus, Victor, Sophia, and Yamti formed a team and left to find the remaining party members.

    ��Hmm, since the ck Scythe is doing his own thing, how about we form a party?��

    Ma Kyung-rok suggested, and An Sang-cheol, Christine, and Seo Arin exchanged looks.

    They remembered the prophecy Ryu Min had told them about the 12th round.

    �C The 12th round involves a team of five clearing five trials. Naturally, you shouldn��t just gather any five people. You need to choose based on the roles suitable for each trial.

    Ryu Min had told them that for each trial, the following roles were needed:

    1. Tanker

    2. Melee Dealer

    3. Ranged Dealer

    4. Supporter

    5. Summoner

    The optimal partyposition for clearing the trials was known to them through the prophecy.

    ��An Sang-cheol is a tanker, Ma Kyung-rok is a melee dealer, Christine is a supporter, and Seo Arin is a summoner.��

    They were perfect, with non-ovepping roles.

    Knowing this from the prophecy, they couldn��t easily part ways.

    ��Let��s form a party like this? It��s perfect.��

    ��Shall we?��

    With Ma Kyung-rok��s suggestion, they had no choice but to nod.

    There couldn��t be a betterposition.

    Originally, ck Scythe would be the melee dealer, but since he declined, they had no choice.

    ��Now we need a ranged dealer����

    ��Who should we pick����

    While discussing quietly, they soon spotted a suitable candidate.

    ��Greetings, my liege!��

    It was Tae-seok, the leader of the Reaper Church and a ck magician.

    Now shamelessly, he approached the ck Scythe, proiming him as his liege.

    ��I seek the opportunity to party with my liege, is that possible?��

    ��You��ve got a good concept, but no. I already have my party members.��

    ��Oh�� that��s unfortunate.��

    Huh Tae-seok looked dejected like someone who just got rejected by their girlfriend, while Ma Kyung-rok, spotting prey, had a gleam in his eye.

    ��Reaper Saint, if you don��t have a party, join us. We have one spot left.��

    ��Oh, should I?��

    Knowing each other, there was no reason for Tae-seok to refuse and he joined Ma Kyung-rok��s team.

    Ryu Min, watching this scene, wasn��t disappointed at all.

    ��Actually, I hoped for that oue.��

    Ryu Min wanted Christine to survive, even if others didn��t matter.

    With such a solid party,posed ording to the strategy, they would likely survive this round.

    ��Let��s find our own team now.��

    ��Huh? Ah, yes.��

    Min Juri, honestly, couldn��t understand why the ck Scythe dismissed others and chose her.

    ��I��m grateful he picked me, but why?��

    No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn��t figure out the reason, but the truth was surprisingly simple.

    ��I didn��t want to lose Min Juri to Ma Kyung-rok��s team.��

    Ryu Min knew Ma Kyung-rok already had eyes on Min Juri.

    He didn��t want to give her up to their team, and he didn��t want to party with Ma Kyung-rok either.

    ��For the strategy, it��s best to pick my own people for the team.��

    After a few steps, Ryu Min met two people he had been looking for.

    ��Jeffy, and Dumb Fools. You two are together.��

    It was Jeffrey and Ju Seong-tak, who were ves and perfect allies.

    ��Wee, ck Scythe. We��ve been waiting.��

    ��Who are these people��?��

    ��They��re people who will party with us. They��re quiet and good-hearted, so don��t worry.��

    After briefly introducing them to Min Juri, they continued walking.

    One slot left.

    The position for a summoner had already been decided.

    ��Necromancer. I��ll recruit him.��

    He was essential for the sub-quest.

 Chapter 199 (Part 1)

    Chapter 199: The First Trial (Part 1)

    ��Damn it.��

    John Delgado had been hopeful.

    He hoped Yang Chuiwen��s subordinates had cut off ck Scythe��s head.

    That they had avenged him against that damned bastard.

    But.

    [The location of the target ��ck Scythe�� has been identified.]

    [It is currently 501 meters away.]

    [Follow the arrow ahead to track the target.]

    After entering the Otherworld, he used the tracking ability and detected ck Scythe.

    It could only mean one thing.

    ��ck Scythe, that bastard is still alive!��

    If ck Scythe was alive, it meant Yang Chuiwen��s operation had failed.

    ��Why? We confirmed until the end that ck Scythe was residing there and carried out the n. Why couldn��t they kill him?��

    It was a simple operation to infiltrate the vi after midnight and stab him in the neck.

    ording to the n, ck Scythe should have died shortly after entering the Otherworld.

    ��But he��s alive and well.��

    What happened could only be known upon returning.

    For now, he knew nothing.

    ��Should I proceed with the next operation?��

    He recalled Swingman��s n to reconcile and be friendly with ck Scythe.

    ��Damn it, no way. Am I crazy to�� with that bastard��?��

    Bowing his head and fawning over the one who had severed his limbs?

    There couldn��t be anything more humiliating.

    ��Swingman, you devil��.��

    He wanted to kill that Indian who came up with that damned n, but now there was no choice.

    He had to find ck Scythe ording to the n.

    ��Sigh. I really don��t want to do this.��

    He had believed firmly that Yang Chuiwen��s operation would seed, so he wasn��t mentally prepared for this.

    While cursing Swingman again, an angel appeared and exined the 12th round��s mission.

    ��Clear five trials? Form a five-person party?��

    Forming a party wasn��t the problem.

    There were nearly 200 members of the Despair Chuch he had gathered.

    He just needed to select the most useful talents and form a party.

    ��The problem is that we don��t have information about the trials.��

    He couldn��t just randomly pick anyone.

    Not knowing what kind of trials would appear, he had to choose from as diverse a range of sses as possible.

    But seeing others move quickly made him anxious.

    Moreover, didn��t the angel say so?

    That two people would be eliminated.

    ��There��s no time to hesitate. I need to form a party quickly��.��

    Because of the given mission, he couldn��t move his feet.

    ��Damn it, do I really have to bow my head to ck Scythe?��

    Since he needed to form a party anyway, now was the opportunity.

    He could go to ck Scythe, apologize for thest incident, and ask him to form a party.

    ��Ah, no. Even if I��m beaten to death, my pride won��t allow it.��

    Even if he hid a dagger in his arms, he didn��t have the courage to do such a thing.

    Even if offered a fortune, he couldn��t bring himself to fawn over someone he wanted to kill.

    ��Sigh����

    While sighing, John Delgado habitually used the tracking ability and then opened his eyes wide.

    ��What��s this?��

    The distance to ck Scythe had decreasedpared to before.

    No, for some reason, it was decreasing in real time.

    As if he wasing this way.

    [It is currently 363 meters away.]

    [It is currently 222 meters away.]

    [It is currently 113 meters away.]

    ������������

    ��������

    [It is currently 31 meters away.]

    As it finally came into a visible distance, John Delgado took his eyes off the message.

    And slowly opened his mouth in surprise.

    ck Scythe was indeed approaching.

    ��Hey, John Delgado. How have you been?��

    ������.��

    Waving his hand like an old friend, ck Scythe spoke with a brazen face.

    ��Are your limbs alright?��

    ������.��

    ��Still attached, huh? That��s a relief.��

    John Delgado remained silent.

    He was too bbergasted to even ask what was going on.

    ��He came to find me himself��.��

    He was curious about the reason but scared to ask.

    Last time, he had said something wrong and got his limbs cut off.

    ��What��s that bastard up to now��.��

    He wanted to kick that mouth and pull out his tongue immediately, but he knew it was impossible.

    Thus, John concealed his bewilderment and spoke.

    More respectfully than before.

    ��What�� what brings you here?��

    ��I��ll get straight to the point. John Delgado. Let��s form a party.��

    John��s eyes widened.

    It was an unexpected proposal.

    ��A p-party? What do you mean��.��

    ��There��s an open spot in our team. You��re the only one who can fill it.��

    Now that he looked, ck Scythe hade with other teammates.

    Two men and one woman.

    Among them, one man had a familiar nickname.

    ��Huh? Jeffy?��

    Wasn��t Jeffy the assassin that Swingman had hired to find ck Scythe��s hideout?

    ��Jeffy, why are you here?��

    ��Do you know me?��

    Jeffrey pretended not to know him even upon seeing the necromancer.

    It was Ryu Min��s instruction to act like they were strangers.

    So John tilted his head as if unsure.

    ��Doesn��t he recognize me because of the customization?��

    On the other hand, although the nickname was the same, Jeffy��s appearance in the Otherworld was different, perhaps due to customization.

    ��Could he have lied about the nickname?��

    John wondered if the Jeffy he met, in reality, was different from this one.

    ��Do you know Jeffy?��

    ��N-no. I must have mistaken you for someone else.��

    John Delgado awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

    Logically, there was no way ck Scythe would hang out with someone who had been spying on him.

    He also seemed to be seeing him for the first time.

    Now wasn��t the time to think about Jeffy.

    He had received an unexpected proposal.

    ��If I join, it makes five.��

 Chapter 199 (Part 2)

    Chapter 199: The First Trial (Part 2)

    He also seemed to be seeing him for the first time.

    Now wasn��t the time to think about Jeffy.

    He had received an unexpected proposal.

    ��If I join, it makes five.��

    If he epted now, they would form a five-member team and avoid being thest two.

    Since John didn��t have a team, he had no reason to refuse.

    ��Besides, I could get closer to ck Scythe naturally.��

    By bingrades now, he might achieve his goal of betraying and killing ck Scythe in the future.

    ��I was hesitant about approaching ck Scythe, but this is perfect.��

    It was convenient for John that ck Scythe reached out first.

    But he didn��t easily grasp ck Scythe��s hand.

    It felt suspicious.

    ��Why? Why would he want to team up with someone like me��?��

    He had to ask, even if he risked getting hit for speaking wrongly.

    He needed to understand his intentions.

    ��Why�� why do you want to form a party with me? There must be many others you could choose����

    ��No questions asked. Just decide if you will or won��t.��

    ������.��

    ck Scythe was adamant.

    He didn��t give any reasons and only demanded an answer on whether he would join the team.

    ��He��s not nning to kill me. Even ck Scythe can��t kill a party member.��

    So why?

    John pondered over the reason, but Ryu Min didn��t give him time to think.

    ��I��ll give you ten seconds. Decide quickly.��

    ��What?��

    ��If you don��t decide, I��ll assume you��ve refused and find someone else. Ten, nine��.��

    ��W-wait a moment.��

    ��Eight, seven��.��

    As time ticked down, John grew anxious.

    It felt like he would never get another chance to approach ck Scythe.

    With that thought, hisplex mind cleared up.

    ��Y-yes. For the sake of the n, I need to��.��

    With three seconds left, John��s mouth opened.

    ��F-fine. I��ll join the team.��

    ��Alright. Then hold hands and recite the initiation phrase.��

    The five of them held hands and chanted the party initiation phrase simultaneously.

    A golden ring made of letters sped around their wrists.

    [Party number 7,389 has just been formed. Keep it up. There aren��t many slots left.]

    People became more desperate under the angel��s goading.

    Desperate not to be thest two, they moved frantically, but there were always losers.

    [Hahaha! Finally, 7,880 teams have formed, and the unlucky two are left!]

    ��No, please!��

    ��Save me, Angel! Please��.��

    [You should��ve begged others to join their party, not me. Tsk tsk. Goodbye!]

    ��Nooooooo!��

    With the merciless elimination, the screams of the two yers echoed like a wail.

    [Now that the teams are set, let��s start the quest, shall we?]

    With the angel��s words, the background changed.

    *

    ��Huh?��

    Ryu Min��s team, who had been in a monochromatic space, found themselves in a dark cave.

    Although they were startled to find themselves in a cave, Ryu Min remained calm.

    ��It��s finally starting.��

    Probably, every team saw the same scenery.

    They must have all been dropped into the cave of trials.

    ��ck Scythe, where are we��?��

    ��It seems to have started.��

    Leaving the startled party members behind, Ryu Min calmly stepped forward.

    ��We don��t have time to dawdle. The first team to clear the trials survives. I��ll lead, so follow me.��

    Without looking back, Ryu Min walked ahead.

    ��W-wait. Let me cast a buff!��

    Min Juri followed, hurriedly casting buffs.

    Jeffrey and Ju Seong-tak also followed their leader.

    Only John Delgado stood still, staring nkly at the backs of his party members.

    ��Damn it, did I really join the party like this?��

    Though he had formed a party by chance, ck Scythe wasn��t paying attention to him.

    He didn��t say a single thing, just walked ahead, telling them to follow.

    ��Is he crazy?��

    He couldn��t understand why ck Scythe would team up with someone who was practically an enemy.

    ��If only I could stab him in the back of the head right now��.��

    But he knew it was meaningless to do so now that they were in the same boat.

    They had to survive together.

    ��Hmph, whatever his intention, I��ll go along for now. At least I��ve gotten close to ck Scythe as nned.��

    Comforting himself that he didn��t have to swallow his pride, he followed the group.

    In the meantime, the only woman in the group, Min Juri, turned and spoke to him.

    ��John Delgado. Here, take this buff.��

    ��Buff?��

    Receiving Bless, Swift, and Safety Barrier, John��s eyes widened in disbelief.

    ��Crazy! Are my stats really boosted this much?��

    All stats increased by 70%, attack, and movement speed by 70%, and a shield to block ambushes.

    John could only stare in surprise as the buffer ran ahead again.

    *

    Ryu Min walked forward, sensing his teammates�� presence.

    From the first to the fifth trial.

    Since he knew the strategies, there was nothing difficult.

    ��We need a tank for the first trial.��

    He stopped walking when he encountered a dead end.

    The teammates arrived one by one and stood before the wall like Ryu Min.

    ��The path is�� blocked?��

    As Min Juri and John Delgado arrivedst, the condition was activated, and a message appeared.

    [Wee to the Cave of Trials.]

    [We will now begin the first trial.]

    ��Endure the monsters�� attacks for 10 minutes.

    ��Sess ? Unlock the next trial.

    ��Failure ? Eliminate one party member through a vote.

    ��Endure monsters�� attacks?��

    John muttered as if not understanding, but the message wasn��t over.

    [Monsters will soon invade the cave.]

    [The monsters are under an invincible effect, so they cannot be harmed.]

    [If the party endures for 10 minutes without receiving significant damage, the trial will end.]

    [However, if the damage exceeds a set threshold, it will be considered a failure even if the party survives for 10 minutes.]

    [If you fail to ovee the trial, one party member will be eliminated through a vote.]

    ��So monsters will invade here.��

    ��Wait, if our side takes damage, we fail even if we endure?��

    John was flustered, but the others remained calm.

    They already knew from the prophecy.

    ��The first trial requires a tank. By directly taking hits, the tank must minimize damage to the team and withstand the monsters.��

    It was a test of the tank��s qualities.

    However, Ryu Min��s team didn��t have a tank.

    But Min Juri had followed Ryu Min because of the prophecy.

    She was told to trust ck Scythe no matter what.

    ��Everyone, get behind me.��

    As Ryu Min moved forward, the teammates backed against the wall.

    John stood behind ck Scythe as instructed.

    ��What��s he nning? To fend off monsters alone? They��re invincible, so we can��t kill them, right?��

    Though unsure what ck Scythe would do, he had no choice but to watch.

    [Monsters will appear in 10 seconds. Everyone, prepare for their arrival!]

 Chapter 200 (Part 1)

    Chapter 200: The Cave of Trials (Part 1)

    The first trial can be efficiently tackled with a tank.

    ��If you have a provocation skill to draw the monster��s attention or a knight��s protection skill like An Sang-cheol, you can easily block it.��

    However, this doesn��t mean it can only be tackled by a tank.

    ��The point is to avoid getting hit by the monsters for 10 minutes.��

    Before the monsters appeared, Ryu Min raised his scythe and looked up.

    He saw the massive stctites adorning the ceiling of the cave.

    Swoosh��

    The scythe extended like a whip, cleanly slicing through dozens of stctites.

    ��What are you��?��

    Boom�� Boom�� Boom�� Boom!

    The giant stctites crashed into the ground, blocking the path of the cave-like iron bars.

    Only then did John Delgado, who had been watching in silence, understand the purpose of the ck scythe��s actions.

    ��Is he seriously nning to block the monsters with the stctites?��

    They were effectively trapped behind the stctite bars, but the strategy was undoubtedly effective.

    ��Grrr, arf arf!��

    ��Hisssss!��

    The werewolves and lizardmen trying to enter the cave were blocked by the stctites and couldn��t get through.

    Although they could see their prey, they couldn��t reach them.

    The monsters desperately tried to break the stctites, but it was futile.

    The stctites were heavy enough to be embedded in the cave floor.

    They wouldn��t break easily.

    ��To cut through such stctites so effortlessly����

    Seeing how the ck Scythe sliced through them like tofu, it was hard to gauge the damage it could inflict.

    ��The first trial is as good as done. Let��s all take a break for 10 minutes.��

    Following the ck scythe��s nonchnt suggestion, people started to sit down one by one.

    ��Amazing. I never thought it could be this simple.��

    John also sat down, shaking his head in disbelief.

    Monsters were snarling and raging just 10 meters away, but they didn��t feel threatening.

    The stctites were so densely packed that there wasn��t any room for the monsters to squeeze through.

    After a noisy 10 minutes, a message appeared.

    [You have seeded in the first trial.]

    [The umted damage of the team is 0.]

    [As a reward for sess, the door to the next trial will open.]

    Rumble��

    The cave wall moved, revealing a path that had been blocked.

    Turning to look, they saw that the monsters who had been frantically trying to break through the stctites had disappeared without a trace.

    ��Let��s go.��

    Following Ryu Min, the party moved forward.

    John Delgado was curious about the second trial, but the other party members already knew.

    They had all heard about it from the prophecy.

    After walking about a hundred steps, arge chamber appeared before them.

    ��Is this the ce for the second trial?��

    As John and the party approached, a message appeared, confirming their expectation.

    �C Eliminate 100 golems within an hour

    �C Sess: Open the next trial

    �C Failure: A party member will be eliminated through voting

    [The golems of the second trial are special monsters immune to ranged weapons and magic.]

    [You must eliminate 100 golems within the 1-hour time limit toplete the trial.]

    [If you fail to eliminate 100 golems within the time limit, you will be considered to have failed.]

    [If the trial is not ovee, a party member will be eliminated through internal voting.]

    ��Monsters immune to ranged weapons and magic?��

    The mission itself was simple, but the level of the monsters was not.

    ��So, archers and mages can��t do anything, right?��

    Reading the exnation, John suddenly thought of Dark Soul, a member of the Messiah team.

    If that sniper had been here, he would have been twiddling his thumbs.

    [The monsters will appear in 10 seconds. Please prepare for the monsters�� appearance together!]

    As he read the message, the ck Scythe stepped forward again.

    ��Everyone, step back. I��ll handle the monsters.��

    At his words, the party members stepped back without a word.

    In this situation, the only person who could handle the monsters was the ck Scythe.

    After all, only melee dealers could fight in this situation.

    ��[Jeffy] and [Dumb Fools], those two aren��t carrying weapons, so I can��t tell what their roles are����

    Since they weren��t carrying weapons, they didn��t seem to be melee dealers.

    There was no need to mention [Democracy], who provided buffs.

    ��My summoned creatures can deal melee damage, but����

    The ck Scythe probably wouldn��t let him join in.

    ��Yes, it��s better to leave it to the ck Scythe and clear this quickly than to interfere unnecessarily.��

    At level 90, he would handle it easily.

    Then it happened.

    Rumble��

    Rock fragments formed towers all around them, creating five golems.

    They were over 3 meters tall,rger than expected, but it didn��t matter.

    In front of the ck Scythe, they were just pebbles.

    sh! sh!

    Crash��

    Two seconds might have passed?

    The golems crumbled almost as soon as they formed.

    ��I expected it, but I didn��t think it would be this fast����

    The ck Scythe��s weapon was so fast it was almost invisible.

    All John saw was the golems copsing as the scythe passed by.

    ��Even attacking from a distance, the golems died in one hit.��

    Since the scythe was ssified as a melee weapon, it didn��t register as a ranged attack.

    John, watching the experience messages, was impressed.

    [You have defeated a second trial golem!]

    [Experience +1.53%]

    [Gold +600]

    [Experience +1.53%]

    [Gold +600]

    [Experience +1.53%]

    [Gold +600]

    ����

    ����

    ��Even in a party, we��re getting this much experience and gold����

    This suggested the golems were much stronger than expected.

    Yet, the ck Scythe reduced them to nothing as soon as they formed.

    sh�� sh�� sh��!

    Crash��

    It didn��t take an hour to kill 100 golems.

    It took barely two minutes.

    [You have seeded in the second trial.]

    [Your team��s clear time is 00:01:59.]

    [As a reward for sess, the door to the next trial will open.]

    Rumble��

    A secret door on one side of the chamber opened, revealing a path.

    ��Let��s go.��

 Chapter 200 (Part 2)

    Chapter 200: The Cave of Trials (Part 2)

    Rumble��

    A secret door on one side of the chamber opened, revealing a path.

    ��Let��s go.��

    Following the ck Scythe, they entered another chamber.

    �C Eliminate 100 golems within an hour

    �C Sess: Open the next trial

    �C Failure: A party member will be eliminated through voting

    [The golems of the third trial are special monsters immune to melee weapons.]

    [You must eliminate 100 golems within the 1-hour time limit toplete the trial.]

    [If you fail to eliminate 100 golems within the time limit, you will be considered to have failed.]

    [If the trial is not ovee, a party member will be eliminated through internal voting.]

    [Soon, golems will be summoned inside the chamber.]

    The third trial also involved killing 100 monsters.

    The difference was that the golems were immune to melee weapons.

    ��So this time, we need to use ranged weapons or magic?��

    Not knowing how to use either, John couldn��t participate.

    He had to rely on someone else, and naturally, he looked at the ck Scythe.

    The strongest mage he had ever met.

    ��I��ll take care of it.��

    When the ck Scythe stepped forward again, John felt relieved.

    He expected the third trial to go smoothly as well.

    However, the buffer didn��t seem to think so.

    ��Huh? ck Scythe, can you use magic?��

    Apparently, they hadn��t seen him use magic before.

    ��I can. I learned it recently.��

    ��Oh.��

    With that, Democracy stepped back without further questions, seemingly trusting himpletely.

    [The monsters will appear in 10 seconds. Please prepare for the monsters�� appearance together!]

    After the message disappeared and exactly 10 seconds had passed, five golems formed around them.

    Then, without hesitation.

    Crackle��!

    The ck Scythe��s lightning spread out, striking the golems.

    Naturally, it was a one-hit kill.

    ��He��s ridiculously strong����

    Watching the skill that had wiped out 30 of his summoned creatures in one hit, John couldn��t help but swallow dryly.

    The third trial was cleared in just over two minutes.

    [You have seeded in the third trial.]

    [Your team��s clear time is 00:02:02.]

    [As a reward for sess, the door to the next trial will open.]

    ��Luckily, the ck Scythe can use magic.��

    What would happen if the party had consisted only of those who couldn��t use ranged weapons or magic?

    They would have struggled greatly in the third trial.

    ��We probably would have been ying cat and mouse with the golems to avoid elimination.��

    After enduring for an hour, they would have had to vote to eliminate a party member to proceed.

    ��Surely, some people have been eliminated by voting at this stage.��

    Thinking this, John followed the ck Scythe through the secret door.

    Instead of anotherrge chamber, they found a narrow passage.

    Then, a message appeared, surprising John.

    �C Help the angel win the battle

    �C Sess: Open the final trial

    �C Failure: A random party member will be eliminated

    This time, it wasn��t about defeating monsters.

    ��Help the angel?��

    As he wondered, an exnation appeared.

    [Soon, an angel and a demon will appear before you, each ready to strike.]

    [The demon is inherently stronger, putting the angel at a disadvantage.]

    [Help the angel win toplete the trial.]

    [This time, dealing damage to the demon is prohibited. Only support skills are allowed.]

    [Therefore, the only way to assist the angel is through support skills.]

    [Use skills to turn the tide of the unfavorable battle!]

    [If the angel is killed by the demon, it will be considered a failure.]

    [If the trial is not ovee, a random party member will be eliminated.]

    Having yed many games, John quickly grasped the intention.

    ��Ah, I get it. This trial tests support abilities.��

    This time, his gaze turned not to the ck Scythe, but to Democracy.

    Luckily, the team had a buffer.

    ��If she uses her buff set, she can easily turn the tide of battle.��

    Confident they would clear this trial smoothly. He heard the ck scythe speak again.

    ��I��ll handle it. Just watch.��

    ��What? Again?��

    This trial was meant to test support skills, which the ck Scythe didn��t have, right?

    Before he could resolve his doubts, the trial began.

    ��Die, you wretched angel!��

    ��You filthy demon!��

    An angel and a demon appeared, swords drawn.

    The problem was the angel seemed significantly weaker in strength and skill.

    ��How is he going to help? He doesn��t have support skills, does he?��

    John��s question was answered as soon as he saw the ck scythe��s actions.

    Wooom��

    A warm light enveloped the angel.

    ��Ah! Emergency Treatment, of course.��

    Emergency Treatment, amon skill, was considered a support skill.

    The problem was it was barely effective for support.

    ��It��s just a basic skill for stopping bleeding����

    Mid-sentence, John had to doubt his own eyes.

    The supposedly insignificant skill healed the angel��s torn wounds instantly.

    ��What? Was Emergency Treatment always this good?��

    No, it definitely wasn��t.

    He knew how ineffective Emergency Treatment was.

    There was no way it had such powerful healing capabilities.

    ��Then what��s going on?��

    The angel, who had been in danger from the demon��s attacks, rejuvenated with the ck Scythe��s healing.

    ��Arrgh!��

    ��Die! Die, you demon scum!��

    Eventually, the angel��s sword pierced the demon��s chest.

    The angel had turned the tide of the battle and won.

    [You have seeded in the fourth trial.]

    [As a reward for sess, the door to the final trial will open.]

    Once again, they cleared the trial thanks to the ck Scythe.

    ��There��s nothing left for me to do.��

    With a bitter smile, John followed the ck Scythe.

    Or rather, he intended to.

    ��Huh? What are you doing?��

    He expected the ck Scythe to move on, but he stood still.

    His eyes seemed to be focused on something in the air as if reading a message.

    John��s guess was correct.

    Yes, a message had appeared before Ryu Min.

    [You havepleted a sub-quest!]

 Chapter 201 (Part 1)

    Chapter 201: The Fifth Trial (Part 1)

    [There is a hidden sub-quest!]

    �C Complete more than 3 trials alone.

    �C Reward upon sess ? Rune Package

    [You havepleted the sub-quest!]

    [A Rune Package has been awarded to your inventory.]

    Ryu Min smiled contentedly as he looked at his reward.

    ��It��s here. The sub-quest reward.��

    There was no other reason he had decided to take on the trials alone up until now.

    It was because he needed to obtain the sub-quest reward.

    ��It seems the first trial didn��t count because I didn��t personally endure it.��

    From the second to the fourth trial, he handled everything by himself.

    Thus, he was able to im the rewards, but in fact, there was one more sub-quest in this round.

    ��That��s why I brought the necromancer along.��

    In the final, fifth trial, he nned to use the necromancer to get the second sub-quest reward.

    ��Not just for me, but for all my party members.��

    Of course, the necromancer was excluded from the party members.

    ��Now, shall I open it?��

    Ryu Min immediately manipted the system to use the Rune Package.

    [You have used the Rune Package.]

    [Congrattions! You have obtained the ��Rune of Reputation��!]

    [The acquired rune will be automatically engraved on the yer��s body!]

    [Rune of Reputation]

    �C Effect: Your reputation in the other world increases by one level. There is no neutral stance, and you will receive favorable treatment wherever you go.

    Ryu Min didn��t know what kind of rune woulde out of the package.

    He wasn��t sure if the result was decided at the moment of obtaining the item, but a new rune appeared every time.

    ��So I didn��t expect much����

    But it turned out to be a rather good rune.

    ��My reputation in the other world will increase by one level.��

    This means that neutral turns to friendly, and friendly turns to very friendly.

    Sure enough, as he obtained the rune, his reputation changed.

    [The reputation of humans towards the Last Time Traveler has risen from ��Mortal Enemy�� to ��Hostile��.]

    [The reputation of demons towards the ck Scythe has risen from ��Friendly�� to ��Very Friendly��.]

    [The reputation of humans towards the ck Scythe has risen from ��Friendly�� to ��Very Friendly��.]

    [The reputation of elves towards the ck Scythe has risen from ��Very Friendly�� to ��Eternal Ally��.]

    [The reputation of dwarves towards the Trailzer has risen from ��Friendly�� to ��Very Friendly��.]

    ������������

    ��������

    ��������

    All reputations rose by one level.

    Not only for the ck Scythe but also for all the titles he possessed.

    ��With the exception of the Last Time Traveler, I can receive friendly treatment from all races.��

    All neutral reputations turned friendly, and the ones that were already good got even better.

    Especially with demons, dwarves, and elves.

    Ryu Min��s lips naturally curved upwards as there was much to gain from them.

    ��This will significantly reduce the time needed.��

    There was no longer a need to painstakingly work on reputation, making it easier to obtain what he wanted.

    ��It��s as if I got through the 13th round for free.��

    Originally, in the 13th round, he nned only to seek out the elves, but now he would also stop by the dwarves.

    Having finished his business, Ryu Min nced at his waitingpanions and nodded his head.

    ��Let��s move out.��

    Thanks to Ryu Min, the party arrived smoothly at the location of the final trial.

    ��Is this the ce?��

    Before themy a path shrouded in darkness, seemingly bottomless.

    They couldn��t see whaty beyond the path, making it impossible to step forward. Just then, a message appeared.

    �C Within one hour, all party members must pass through the traps and reach the end of the passage.

    �C Sess ? Registered as a survival team and evaluated for experience points.

    �C Failure ? Total annihtion.

    ��Total annihtion upon failure?��

    Leaving behind a bewildered John, the exnation messages continued to appear.

    [In front of you is a passage shrouded in darkness that no light can illuminate.]

    [Traps are scattered throughout the darkness, and touching a trap will immediately annihte the target.]

    [However, once a trap is triggered and annihtes a target, the trap will be removed and will not regenerate.]

    [If all party members safely reach the end of the passage within the time limit, the trial will end.]

    [Conversely, if you fail to reach the end of the passage within the time limit, it will be considered a failure.]

    [All skills except for summoning are prohibited here.]

    [Due to limited visibility, rely on each other��s backs and proceed calmly.]

    As it was the final trial, failure meant theplete annihtion of all party members.

    Moreover, just touching a trap would result in immediate annihtion.

    The trial was nerve-wracking just by hearing the exnation, but for some reason, John was grinning.

    It was because he had already figured out the strategy.

    ��So to get through this dark passage, we need to clear the traps? So I can just use my summoned creatures?��

    Knowing that his role was crucial, John��s expression subtly changed.

    His lips curled into a sneaky smile.

    ��This looks like a trial that��s impossible without a summoner, doesn��t it?��

    ��It seems so. What should we do?��

    ��You guys should consider yourselves lucky.��

    ��Huh? What do you mean��?��

    In response to Min Juri��s question, John arrogantly lifted his chin.

    ��Because I��m a summoner.��

    His tone and expression had already changed.

    And for good reason.

    From this moment on, he could call himself the boss.

    Thus, he mustered the courage to speak rudely to the ck Scythe.

    ��Hey, ck Scythe.��

 Chapter 201 (Part 2)

    Chapter 201: The Fifth Trial (Part 2)

    From this moment on, he could call himself the boss.

    Thus, he mustered the courage to speak rudely to the ck Scythe.

    ��Hey, ck Scythe.��

    He had nothing to fear since party members couldn��t harm each other.

    ��What do you think we should do? A trial that can��t be cleared without my cooperation has appeared?��

    ��What are you getting at?��

    John��s lips twisted into a sneer.

    ��You still have points left, don��t you? Transfer 10 million points to me. And get on your knees and beg for mercy. Maybe then I��ll show some leniency.��

    ��Hey, John Delgado! What are you doing right now��?��

    ��Shut up, buffer! I��m talking to the ck Scythe!��

    After yelling at Min Juri, John turned back to the ck Scythe.

    ��What? Can��t do it? Then you all die here.��

    ��Doesn��t that mean you��ll die too?��

    ��Yeah. I��d love to go ahead alone, but then you��d just follow like chicks, right? So I��d rather we all die together.��

    ��Throwing away your life for a petty grudge?��

    ��A petty grudge?��

    John��s eyebrows twitched.

    ��Cutting off someone��s limbs is a petty grudge? You must not understand the gravity of the situation. Maybe you��ll get it if you really get annihted, huh?��

    Shouting as if to vent his pent-up resentment, John made his demand.

    ��10 million points and a sincere apology. If you don��t do these two things right now, I won��t cooperate. Then, not only you but all party members will be annihted. Me? I don��t care if I die. As long as I can kill you.��

    Although he said that, it was an empty threat.

    Who in their right mind would risk their own life just to kill someone else?

    He wanted revenge, but not to that extent.

    ��But if I act tough, he��ll have no choice but to ept the deal, right?��

    To make the ck Scythe kneel, he had to go strong.

    After all, the ck Scythe��s life was in his hands, so there was no need to be afraid.

    ��Once I get the 10 million points, I��ll buy an experience pack and level up to the max instantly. Then I��ll be on par with the ck Scythe.��

    He had even prepared for what to do after the trial when the party disbanded.

    The 10 million points were not a random condition.

    ��You have no choice but to ept. Because the lives of you and your party members are at stake. Heh heh.��

    The ck Scythe was also human, so he must have some guilt.

    To save his party members, he would have no choice but to submit.

    Or so John thought.

    ��Get lost.��

    ��Got it. I��ll ept the deal�� What?��

    For a moment, John��s mind went nk from the unexpected response.

    ��What did you say?��

    ��I said get lost. We��ll make it through ourselves.��

    ��Ha, this guy��s not getting it. Didn��t you hear the exnation? Touching a trap means instant annihtion. No matter how good you are, you can��t get through without my summoned creatures.��

    ��That��s something we��ll have to figure out alone.��

    ��What?��

    John, baffled by the baseless confidence, sneered.

    ��Fine, go ahead and try. I guess you��re nning to rely on luck, huh? But if you screw up, you��re gone for good.��

    Ignoring John��s warning, the ck Scythe stood before the passage.

    A path shrouded in darkness that seemed endless in all directions.

    Even though stepping into that space was frightening, the ck Scythe took the first step without hesitation.

    ��Huh? He��s fine?��

    Standing as if on the darkness itself, the ck Scythe turned to hispanions.

    ��What are you waiting for? Follow me.��

    ��Oh, yes!��

    ��Line up and follow. Don��t fall more than three steps behind the person in front. If you stray, you��ll be annihted.��

    With that, the ck Scythe led the way.

    Walking through the darkness was not difficult for him.

    *

    ��He��s baffled.��

    Ryu Min smirked as he looked back at the necromancer standing alone.

    ��Of course, he would be. Walking through the abyss of darkness without any summons.��

    The original strategy required summoners for this trial.

    Summoners will be used to find paths by sacrificing their summoned creatures to traps.

    But as a regressor, Ryu Min didn��t need summoned creatures.

    ��Because I remember the entire path.��

    He knew where to walk safely and where the traps were, even without seeing them.

    He had learned and memorized it all through experience.

    ��Five steps forward, and there��s a trap.��

    Ryu Min sidestepped two steps to avoid the trap.

    Like a line of ducklings, the party members followed closely.

    ��This way, there��s no risk of annihtion. No need for a summoner.��

    In fact, Ryu Min could clear the trial alone.

    The party members were gathered just to meet the trial��s requirements.

    No matter who the party members were, the trial was already a done deal.

    ��Anyone would wonder why I included the necromancer in the party if I could clear it alone.��

    The reason was simple.

    He needed to trigger the second sub-quest.

    ��The condition for the second sub-quest is [Ovee the trial without the help of a summoner].��

    In other words, if the summoner is thest to pass and the rest of the party reaches the end first, the second sub-quest ispleted.

    ��And all members except the summoner receive the sub-quest reward.��

    So what happens to thest summoner?

    Not only do they miss out on the reward, but they also receive a permanent debuff.

    That was why John Delgado was included in the party.

    Toplete the second sub-quest and give him a permanent debuff.

    ��Since you tried to assassinate me, you��ll have to pay the price.��

    Ryu Min smiled as he took the final step.

    ck-

    As Ryu Min crossed the threshold, Min Juri, Jeffy, and Ju Seong-tak also safely reached the end of the passage, triggering a message.

    [You havepleted the sub-quest!]

 Chapter 202 (Part 1)

    Chapter 202: The Second Sub Quest (Part 1)

    [You have discovered a hidden sub-quest!]

    �C Ovee the final trial without the help of a summoner

    �C Reward upon sess ? Immunity Elixir

    [You havepleted the sub-quest!]

    [The Immunity Elixir has been added to your inventory.]

    The party members who received the sub-quest reward were left dumbfounded.

    It was an unexpected message.

    ��Did you get it too, ck Scythe? The subquest reward����

    ��I did.��

    An unknown potion was given as a reward, but Ryu Min knew its value.

    [Immunity Elixir]

    �C Category: Consumable

    �C Grade: Legendary

    �C Effect: Immunity to all attributes for 1 minute

    �C Usage Restriction: Master grade and above

    �C Description: A potion that perfectly resists all attribute damage. It tastes bitter when consumed.

    There had been an Indomitable Resistance Potion in the Tower of Trials.

    ��It was a potion that provided 95% resistance to the three major attributes.��

    This item was a superior version, covering a wider range of attributes with 100% resistance.

    Though the duration was short.

    ��It��s a potion that can be incredibly helpful in emergencies. Especially when facing a strong opponent.��

    Even with 95% resistance, if the opponent��s attribute damage was unbearable, you could still die from the remaining 5%.

    ��That��s why a potion that provides 100% immunity is much more valuable.��

    The Immunity Elixir was not an easy potion toe by.

    ��It��s something Victor might be able to craft only if he reaches the max level.��

    Even if it wasn��t needed now, having it could prove useful someday.

    However, the reason the party members were bewildered wasn��t just because of the reward.

    ��The quest condition was to ovee the trial without a summoner��s help����

    It was a quest they could not have obtained without following ck Scythe.

    ��Did you know, ck Scythe? That a sub-quest would appear?��

    ��I��m not a prophet. How would I know that?��

    ��Did you really not know?��

    ��I said I didn��t.��

    Ryu Min consistently denied Min Juri��s questioning, but that didn��t dissolve her doubts.

    ��Then how did you know to avoid the traps? We couldn��t see anything except the backs of those in front����

    ��Instinct.��

    ��What?��

    ��I just avoided them by instinct.��

    His indifferent answer left Min Juri without a retort, epting it as is.

    ��Well, ck Scythe does have excellent insight����

    She could only specte that he possessed some kind of rune capable of discerning traps.

    ��We��vepleted all five trials now.��

    ��Not yet. One person hasn��t arrived.��

    ��Ah, you mean John Delgado.��

    Min Juri, ncing at Ryu Min��s reaction, hesitated before speaking.

    ��From what I overheard, it seems like you and he don��t get along well����

    ��There was an incident. It��s none of your concern.��

    ��I��m not trying to pry. Just wanted to warn you to be cautious, judging by his behavior.��

    ��A level 50 worrying about a level 90.��

    Ryu Min smiled lightly at Min Juri.

    ��Thanks for the advice. I��ll be careful.��

    ��No, it��s nothing. It was just my needless worry. ck Scythe is never in any real danger����

    ��Even I can be in danger. Thank you for your concern.��

    ������

    Hearing a second thank you made Min Juri feel unexpectedly shy.

    ��By the way, when do you think John Delgado will arrive? Will hee?��

    ��If he doesn��t want to die, he��lle.��

    ��What if he doesn��t? He might be plotting to take revenge on us by holding out.��

    ��Don��t worry about that. He��ll definitelye.��

    Despite his assurance, Min Juri looked anxiously towards the Abyssal Corridor.

    She couldn��t help but worry since the entire party needed to arrive for the trial to bepleted.

    ��

    ��Damn it�� what the hell is going on?��

    John Delgado stared into the darkness of the corridor in disbelief.

    ��Did they really leave? Ignoring my offer?��

    Instead of listening to the summoner��s words, ck Scythe had walked into the darkness, taking his party with him.

    ��Is that idiot risking his life just for pride?��

    He had no idea if they were dead or alive.

    Just in case, he tried using his tracking skill, but it was useless.

    Other than summoning skills, nothing worked.

    ��They must be dead. Yes, they must be.��

    John was certain.

    They would have been wiped out after a few steps along with their party.

    No matter how skilled ck Scythe was, he couldn��t see through the darkness.

    ��Idiots. Dying so foolishly because they followed the wrong leader.��

    John, assuming they were dead, summoned a creature.

    ��I need to survive.��

    He used the creature to navigate through the darkness.

    If one fell into a trap and vanished, he summoned another and continued.

    Ten minutes passed this way, using and losing creatures to disarm traps.

    ��Looks like there��s light ahead. Almost done.��

    Finally reaching the end of the corridor, John smiled as he stepped forward.

    At that moment,

    ��You finally arrived? Took you long enough.��

    John��s face froze in horror.

    ck Scythe was alive.

    ��H-How��?��

    ��How did I survive? By avoiding the traps and crossing over.��

    ������

    Not just ck Scythe, but the entire party stood there, looking at him.

    Their gazes had changed.

    ��Damn it. My image is ruined.��

 Chapter 202 (Part 2)

    Chapter 202: The Second Sub Quest (Part 2)

    Not just ck Scythe, but the entire party stood there, looking at him.

    Their gazes had changed.

    ��Damn it. My image is ruined.��

    Although he had no reason to care about their opinion, he felt the sting of their scornful looks.

    He wanted to yell at them to lower their eyes, but that wasn��t the issue.

    The real problem was ck Scythe standing before him.

    ��What was it you said earlier? Offer 10 million points and kneel to beg for forgiveness?��

    ��Well, um, that����

    ��We��ll discuss it further once we get out of here. We��ll need to have a physical conversation.��

    Realizing what those words implied, John grimaced.

    ��Damn it, I��m screwed.��

    John regretted his previous arrogant behavior.

    ��Never thought ck Scythe would make it through on his own����

    He never expected this oue.

    ��Damn it, lucky bastard.��

    Heined inwardly but didn��t realize he had bigger issues than ming someone else��s luck.

    [You were thest to arrive at the fifth trial as a summoner.]

    [Forcking consideration for your party members, you are penalized.]

    [All stats will permanently decrease by 50%.]

    [All summoned creatures�� stats will permanently decrease by 50%.]

    ��W-what the hell is this?��

    Seeing the message, he swore aloud.

    Permanently decrease all stats by 50%?

    Including summoned creatures?

    He was speechless.

    Unexpected events kept piling up, leaving him lost for words.

    ��What��s wrong? Is something the matter?��

    ck Scythe asked nonchntly, but John had no energy to respond.

    He was too overwhelmed by despair and frustration.

    ��He��spletely out of it.��

    Ryu Min smirked, satisfied that John Delgado was no longer a threat.

    His stats had dropped to below level 30 standards.

    ��Still, I can��t leave him alone.��

    He had used John to his advantage, so it didn��t matter if he killed him now.

    In fact, eliminating him might be best to avoid future problems.

    ��I��ll check the situation with Messiah first.��

    Deciding there was no rush, he chose to spare John��s life for now.

    [You have seeded in the fifth trial.]

    [Your team��spletion time is 00:15:49.]

    [Congrattions! You havepleted all the trials!]

    [You will soon receive experience points based on your performance in each trial.]

    [Calcting experience points. Please wait.]

    Experience points were distributed to the party members.

    They were so surprised they widened their eyes.

    Unexpectedly, they had leveled up by 10 to 12 levels.

    ��Wow, ck Scythe! I��ve reached the Master grade!��

    ��You��ve hit level 60.��

    ��Me too! I finally became a Master.��

    ��I learned a new skill!��

    Min Juri, Jeffey, and Ju Seong-tak checked their skill windows with excited faces.

    All of them had reached level 60 and achieved Master grade.

    Reading their thoughts, Ryu Min saw John Delgado was no exception.

    ��I only leveled up once?��

    Seeing he had reached level 91, he chuckled.

    It didn��t matter.

    He could max out his level using points anytime he wanted.

    He simply wasn��t doing it yet.

    ��Min Juri. What skill did you learn?��

    ��It��s called [Buff Zone]. Should I use it?��

    Ryu Min nodded, and Min Juri reapplied the three-set buff first.

    [All stats increased by 80% due to the skill Bless.]

    [Attack and movement speed increased by 80% due to the skill Swift.]

    [Safety Barrier has been applied.]

    [You are protected from two physical attacks.]

    With her increased grade, the buffs were stronger than before.

    ��Now I��ll use Buff Zone.��

    As Min Juri activated the skill, a yellow magic circle spread out beneath their feet.

    It covered a 30-meter radius, a wide area effect skill.

    ��What��s its effect?��

    ��While within the area, it enhances the buffs I cast and resets their duration.��

    Upon checking, Ryu Min found the Bless stat increase had indeed gone up.

    ��It��s now 100%.��

    Swift was also 100%, and Safety Barrier protected against three attacks.

    ��It��s like the buffs are maxed out as if she were at the highest level.��

    What would happen if Min Juri reached the max level and cast Buff Zone?

    Would it go beyond 100%, reaching 120%?

    ��What an incredible skill.��

    Ryu Min was curious about what skills she would learn upon maxing out.

    He had never kept her alive long enough to know before.

    ��I��ll keep her alive until the end this time.��

    Ryu Min, who was smiling in satisfaction, suddenly became serious.

    He sensed a presence within 60 meters.

    ��Who could it be?��

    No one should appear at this timing unless it was a guide angel.

    ��No, even angels won��te here. They wait in the colorless waiting area.��

    His tension tightened as he stared intently in one direction. Min Juri asked.

    ��What��s wrong, ck Scythe?��

    ��Look over there.��

    From the darkness where Ryu Min was looking, a figure emerged.

    ��An angel?��

    The party members saw it was indeed an angel.

    One with over ten wings spanning several meters.

    ������

    ������

    They all remained silent, recognizing this angel wasn��t of the usual guiding kind.

    Even the dazed John perked up at the angel��s appearance.

    Ryu Min immediately recognized its identity.

    ��An archangel has appeared?��

    Reading its thoughts, he discovered its name was Sariel, a high-ranking archangel he felt a strange kinship with.

    [So, you are ck Scythe.]

    Sariel spoke in a deep voice, drawing a curved de from between its wings.

    [If you don��t want to die, don��t resist. You��reing with me by order.]

 Chapter 203 (Part 1)

    Chapter 203: Sariel (Part 1)

    ��Did he say someone ordered him to take me? Who?��

    Ryu Min carefully scrutinized Sariel, who had an unusually sinister aura for an angel.

    It seemed like there was an order from above to capture him.

    He needed to gather information.

    Of course, there was no need for unproductivebor like torture.

    With the Rune of Inner Thoughts, it was extremely easy to find out.

    By simply observing Sariel, he could read his thoughts.

    ��The order came from Michael, the highest-ranking archangel.��

    The name Michael was one he had heard back in the 68th cycle.

    Having met him directly, he knew how strong he was.

    ��As expected, Michael. He was the leader of the archangels.��

    It was no wonder that Sariel felt significantly stronger than other angels.

    ��If the order came from the leader of the archangels, it makes sense.��

    The information he obtained wasn��t just that.

    He was to be brought back without a scratch.

    One of the archangels was determined to kill him.

    The archangels wanted to use him as an example to maintain order in the heavenly realm.

    He had gathered all the necessary information.

    [No answer? Are you mute? I wasn��t told that the ck Scythe is mute.]

    Muttering to himself, Sariel pointed his curved sword at Ryu Min as if he didn��t care.

    [Even if you can��t speak, you��re not deaf. I��ll say it again, resistance is��]

    ��Jeffrey.��

    Ignoring the angel��s words, Ryu Min called out to Jeffrey behind him.

    ��Take the party members and retreat as far back as possible. This ce is about to be a battlefield.��

    ��Understood, ck Scythe.��

    Seeing Jeffrey gathering the frozenrades, Ryu Min turned his head back forward.

    Sariel��s expression was priceless.

    His face was twisted in a way that made him look more like a demon than an angel.

    [So, you do have a tongue after all.]

    ��And I have a finger to insult you with.��

    Ryu Min raised his middle finger, causing the angel��s eyebrow to twitch.

    [You��ve be so arrogant just because you��ve gained a bit of power. For a mere human��]

    Sariel suddenly looked shocked.

    It seemed he noticed the demonic pendant hanging around Ryu Min��s neck.

    A de-like killing intent pierced through Ryu Min��s entire body.

    [That ne�� Where did you get it?]

    ��Why do you want to know?��

    [Do you even know what that is?]

    ��You��re quite talkative for someone who looked so stern.��

    Ryu Min��s entire body was enveloped in dark shadows.

    After casting the Reaper Transformation, he used the buffs he had prepared.

    [Demon��s Blessing is activated.]

    [Based on the current total stats (109,967), the following effects will be applied.]

    [When an angel is killed, you gain gold equal to 1x (109,967) the base amount. This can increase up to 1,000x (109,967,000) depending on the angel��s level.]

    [When an angel is killed, you gain stat points equal to 0.01% (11) of the base amount. This can increase up to 10% (10,996) depending on the angel��s level.]

    [When an angel is killed, the reputation with the demon faction slightly increases.]

    [The buffsts until the end of the current round.]

    Surprised by the message��s numbers, Ryu Min checked his status window to find his stats had increased immensely.

    �C Strength: 25,274, Intelligence: 27,325

    �C Agility: 27,532, Luck: 29,836

    With Min Juri��s buffs already enhancing him and the buff zonesid out on the ground, his stats were through the roof.

    In addition, he had the Rune of Bnce, the Rune of ughter, the title of the First Angel yer, and Reaper Transformation.

    It made sense why his stats were so high.

    ��Plus, I got a hefty stat reward from defeating Remielst time.��

    Ryu Min was much stronger than when he faced Remiel.

    But he couldn��t let his guard down.

    ��I can��t underestimate him just because he��s ranked 6th.��

    Since he didn��t know Sariel��s full capabilities, he needed to test him first.

    ��Then I��ll kill him without mercy.��

    The fierce killing intents of the human and angel shed in the air.

    ��

    ��He��s not going to be captured easily, is he?��

    Sariel smirked at the audacious human who didn��t know his ce.

    ��Well, I didn��t expect him toe quietly.��

    Would someone who killed an archangel flinch at a threat?

    ��I��ll have to make him realize the difference in our power.��

    Since there was an order to bring him back without harm, he had no intention of using lethal force.

    He nned to show some mercy.

    Until he saw that demonic pendant.

    ��To dare wear that ne in front of me����

    Even now, angels were waging a long war against demons.

    All the existing archangels, including himself, had participated.

    So there was no way he wouldn��t recognize a ne worn proudly by demons.

    ��To unt that ne, a symbol of disgrace to us angels��!��

    His entire being was filled with indescribable rage.

    ��Arrogant human. I��ll make you suffer to the point of wanting to die.��

    He had nned to handle this calmly, without malice, but seeing that pendant, he had no choice.

    It wouldn��t be a problem to chop off his arms and bring him in.

    ��But that form is quite bizarre.��

    Covered in darkness with a scythe in hand, he looked like the god of death.

    ��But he��s still just a human. No matter how much he mimics a god, a bug is still a bug.��

    Sariel knew.

    The darkness possessed by the ss called the Reaper couldn��tpare to his own.

    There was no way the darkness of the Reaper could surpass his own.

    That��s why Sariel could remain calm andposed.

    [Come at me, human. I��ll generously give you the first move.]

    Without any verbal response, the ck Scythe rushed in and swung his scythe.

    He was surprised by the speed, but that was all.

    ��A horizontal sh aiming for my waist? Obvious.��

    The hook weapon��s characteristic made it hard to dodge a waist attack backward.

    Jumping or blocking were the only options, but Sariel had no intention of doing as expected.

    ��I��ll dodge forward.��

    By moving forward, he dodged the waist sh while closing in on the enemy��s heart.

    If he thrust his curved sword into the chest, the ck Scythe would die instantly.

    ��But I can��t end it that easily.��

    He aimed his sword upward like lightning and shed the arm instead.

    Thud-!

    A scream came from over his opponent��s shoulder.

    ��Bl-ck Scythe!��

    The pathetic humans were watching as if it were a spectacle.

    [Pathetic. To be so arrogant with such poor skills��]

    Sariel suddenly felt a sense of danger.

    Though he had cut off an arm, there was no situation to feel threatened.

    Yet, he clearly felt it.

    The cold sensation from behind made him turn instinctively.

    But it seemed he was too slow, as five of his wings were cut off, spraying golden blood.

    [Kuh!]

    ��You��ve got good senses. I intended to cut them all.��

 Chapter 203 (Part 2)

    Chapter 203: Sariel (Part 2)

    Though he had cut off an arm, there was no situation to feel threatened.

    Yet, he clearly felt it.

    The cold sensation from behind made him turn instinctively.

    But it seemed he was too slow, as five of his wings were cut off, spraying golden blood.

    [Kuh!]

    ��You��ve got good senses. I intended to cut them all.��

    There was no time to respond.

    He was too busy being surprised by the sudden ambush of the ck Scythe.

    ��Looks like even an archangel can��t detect a clone.��

    ��A clone?��

    In a hurry, he turned his gaze to see the ck Scythe with the severed arm was gone.

    Only the intact ck Scythe remained.

    ��I��ve gauged your skills enough. So this is the level of a 6th rank?��

    [What?]

    Sariel was visibly shocked.

    He hadn��t mentioned his rank, yet the human knew who he was.

    [How��]

    ng-!

    Before he could ask, he was attacked, but he blocked with his curved sword.

    ng-! ng-!

    ��What is this power?��

    It was strange.

    He had been using the power of darkness from the start.

    Just as humans used mana as a source of power, he, as the Archangel of Death, used darkness as his source.

    ��Then why? Why am I being overpowered?��

    Higher darkness naturally resists the shock of lower darkness.

    No matter how high that human��s stats, he shouldn��t be overpowered, yet the opposite was happening.

    ng-! ng-! ng-

    The continuous shes didn��t resolve the question.

    Instead, with each sh, the increasing power and speed bewildered Sariel.

    Cold sweat formed on his forehead, and he struggled to defend himself.

    ��As I thought. This is the extent of your power and speed.��

    [What? Kuh!]

    Feeling a sudden pain in his wings, he turned to see that they were all cut off.

    ��When?��

    The speed was so unimaginable that he hadn��t even noticed when they were cut.

    ��This is dangerous. Really dangerous.��

    Feeling the crisis, Sariel decided to use the ability he had saved for thest moment.

    Creaking-

    The curved sword vibrated, emitting a bizarre wail.

    It was a technique he had forbidden himself from using to avoid looking like a demon, [Cry of the Soul].

    ��A-Ahh����

    ��Aaaaah����

    The spectators in the distance trembled in fear.

    The range of Cry of the Soul was extensive.

    ��It��s over.��

    Every living being could hear the sound.

    Since the ck Scythe wasn��t deaf, he would hear it too.

    ��Cry of the Soul paralyzes the limbs and evokes fear in the listener. Everyone except the caster is affected.��

    Once cast, it was practically a death sentence. Everyone except the caster would be paralyzed and filled with fear once they heard it.

    [The game ends here. I��ll take just your arms.]

    As Sariel leisurely approached the ck Scythe, who appeared motionless, he naturally assumed his opponent was caught in the grip of terror.

    ��Game? You think this was just ying around?��

    [����!]

    Sariel stopped in his tracks when he saw the ck Scythe moving as if unaffected by the Cry of the Soul.

    ��It��s me who was just ying around to gauge your strength.��

    Why didn��t Cry of the Soul work? There was no time to ponder.

    The instinct to flee took over his mind.

    Screeching��

    The ck Scythe drew his weapon back, preparing for something.

    ��I need to avoid that.��

    Sariel instinctively tried to take flight, but his wings had been severed.

    ��Ah, my wings!��

    With no wings to fly, dodging became an impossible feat.

    By the time Sariel realized this, it was toote.

    A sh approached him at blinding speed.

    Boom!

    The Moonlight sh��s single strike demolished the cavern, turning it into rubble.

    ��

    ��What�� what just happened?��

    John, who had retreated with the party members as instructed, was bewildered by the sudden turn of events.

    ��An angel showed up, but then suddenly pointed his weapon at the ck Scythe?��

    The atmosphere was too tense for a mere guide.

    Plus, it was the first time he had seen an armed angel.

    ��Why did he suddenly decide to fight the ck Scythe?��

    Seeing the angel appear and talk about killing made it clear it wasn��t for a good reason.

    He didn��t hear the conversation clearly while retreating with the party members, but��

    ��Will the ck Scythe be okay? The mood seemed grim����

    ��He��ll be fine. No matter how strong the angel is, it��s still the ck Scythe we��re talking about.��

    ��Angels can pop heads if they want.��

    ��Oh, that��s true, maybe it is dangerous.��

    While Juri and Jeffrey were worried about ck Scythe, John had a different thought.

    ��Good,e on angel, kill the ck Scythe. Please. Go for it!��

    He silently cheered for the angel, hoping the ck Scythe would be killed.

    Initially, it seemed his wish woulde true as the angel cut off an arm.

    ��Nice! Go ange����

    His excitement was short-lived as he saw the ck Scythe still intact.

    ��What? How? There are two ck Scythes?��

    Realizing it was a clone, the situation quickly reversed.

    The angel was being pushed back and eventually lost all his wings.

    ��We��re doomed.��

    John despaired just as an eerie screeching sound filled the air.

    ��A-Ahh����

    ��Aaaaah����

    He and the party members trembled in fear, their bodies paralyzed.

    Then, with a massive explosion, the cavern seemed on the verge of copse, and the paralysis ended.

    Through the settling dust, only a heavily damaged cavern wall and the upper and lower halves of an angel remained.

    ��It��s over����

    John��s face fell into disappointment.

    No matter how powerful an angel is, surviving with a severed torso seemed impossible.

    ��Wait a minute.��

    A sudden idea shed through John��s mind.

    ��Could it be�� possible?��

    As a necromancer, his specialty was raising corpses.

    And now, an angel��s corpse was soon to be at his disposal.

    ��If I could control that angel����

    It might be a means to oppose the ck Scythe.

    It was an excellent thought, but John was unaware that Ryu Min was reading his mind at that very moment.

 Chapter 204 (Part 1)

    Chapter 204: Comption of the 12th Round Results (Part 1)

    Thud��

    Debris fell from the walls of the half-copsed cave.

    Underneathy Sariel, whose waist had been severed.

    ��It looks like a corpse, but he��s not dead yet.��

    With the Mark of Death ced on him, he could see his remaining life force.

    Although he was barely hanging on.

    ��I didn��t expect it to end up like this with just one hit from the Moonlight sh?��

    After exchanging several blows with Sariel, he had gauged his level.

    ��It��s true that in terms of strength and agility, he��s stronger than Ramiel, but it��s just a minor difference.��

    Being ranked 6th wasn��t all that impressive.

    Of course, the strange wail he let out at the end was unexpected.

    ��From reading his mind, it seems like an ability that forced fear on others�� If it were anyone else, they would have beenpletely paralyzed.��

    Ryu Min has a resistance to status effects of 90.2%.

    There was no way such a petty trick could affect him.

    Especially since he recently got two rings each with a 40% resistance, making it even less likely.

    ��I increased my resistance precisely for moments like this.��

    Feeling good about raising his resistance, he approached Sariel.

    Though he was already more or less a corpse, his ears were still open.

    ��As the Archangel of Death, you seem on the verge of actually dying.��

    [Keugh��]

    ��A guy like you is ranked 6th? You must have climbed to that spot using that noisy ability. How disappointing.��

    Sariel, despite being on the brink of death, red at him with fierce eyes, still holding onto his pride.

    [Just�� kill me.]

    ��Before that, I have some questions.��

    [Do�� do you think I��ll answer them?]

    ��I��ll ask anyway. Are you archangels the ones organizing the survival game by kidnapping humans? Or is it something the system does on its own?��

    [����]

    ��Who created the system?��

    [����]

    ��What��s the purpose of all this? What��s your goal?��

    [����]

    Although Sariel mped its mouth shut in defiance, there was no need for him to speak.

    The questions were meant to read his thoughts.

    �C Foolish human. How would I know such high-level information? Maybe Lord Raguel, who��s ranked 5th, would know.

    Ryu Min smiled.

    ��Raguel? So that guy knows?��

    He tried to read further, hoping for useful information.

    But there was nothing new, only what he already knew.

    At that moment, Ryu Min��s radar caught the sound of irregr breathing 60 meters away.

    Turning his head, he saw the necromancer looking this way with an excited expression.

    ��Why is he staring so intently?��

    Feeling the eyes of greed, Ryu Min approached to read his thoughts.

    When he got within 30 meters, John Delgado��s thoughts came through.

    �C If the ck Scythe kills that angel, I should try to make it my servant when I get the chance. I don��t know if it��s possible, though.

    Understanding his intentions, Ryu Min was mildly impressed.

    ��Come to think of it, there was a necromancer in the party?��

    A necromancer collects souls tomand as undead spirits or reanimates bodies to fight like zombies.

    ��I wonder if it��s really possible to collect an angel��s soul? I��m curious.��

    Since the body was already halved, he likely intended to make it an undead spirit.

    ��Alright, let��s see how it goes.��

    Smiling, Ryu Min approached Sariel again.

    Even though it was on the verge of death, it kept cursing inwardly.

    �C It��s faster to just kill me than to hear my answers, you idiot.

    ��I was nning to anyway.��

    [What?]

    Thud��!

    Like striking with a pickaxe, he drove his scythe into its head, severing it from its body.

    Instant death.

    [You have defeated one of the Seven Archangels, Sariel!]

    [Stat Points +3,299]

    [Gold +32,990,100]

    [You have received ��Condensed Ether�� as a reward for killing Archangel Sariel.]

    [You have received ��Rune of Darkness�� as a reward for killing Archangel Sariel.]

    [The obtained rune will automatically be engraved on the yer��s body!]

    [Your reputation with the Demon faction has slightly increased.]

    �� Defeat the Seven Archangels

    �� Current number of defeated archangels (2/7)

    �� Reward uponpletion ? ?????

    Upon killing the angel with the Demon��s Blessing active, the rewards were immense.

    ��It��s more than what I got for killing Ramiel.��

    However, this opponent was easier to deal with than Ramiel.

    It probably felt that way because he had significantly be stronger after killing Ramiel.

    ��I also received a new rune and a god-tier material.��

    With Condensed Ether in hand, visiting the dwarves in the 13th round was a certainty.

    To gather other god-tier materials, he needed the dwarves�� help.

    Before checking the new rune��s information, Ryu Min discreetly moved aside.

    He made room for John Delgado to step in.

    ��Let��s see what kind of rune it is.��

 Chapter 204 (Part 2)

    Chapter 204: Comption of the 12th Round Results (Part 2)

    Before checking the new rune��s information, Ryu Min discreetly moved aside.

    He made room for John Delgado to step in.

    ��Let��s see what kind of rune it is.��

    [Rune of Darkness]

    �C Effect: Allows free maniption of darkness to utilize three effects. However, it cannot be used in areas with light.

    �� Flight ? Forms dark wings on your back.

    �� Barrier ? Creates a dark barrier. It can block projectiles or hold them and then deflect them.

    �� Scatter ? Scatters darkness like des to attack. Deals hybrid damage, half physical and half magical.

    ��Oh, this rune is quite useful.��

    Seeing the rune obtained from Sariel, it had high versatility.

    ��I can fly, use it as a shield, orunch it as an attack.��

    It allowed the free maniption of darkness.

    The problem was it could only be used in darkness��

    ��I have the Night of Death skill.��

    As long as he could create artificial darkness, there was no need to worry about not being able to use the Rune of Darkness.

    Ryu Min then allocated his stat points.

    While distributing the 3,299 stat points evenly, the Reaper state was deactivated.

    �C Strength: 15,368, Intelligence: 16,088

    �C Agility: 16,160, Luck: 16,960

    Thanks to Min Juri��s buff, the effect was immense.

    ��Earlier, my stats were even higher. Despite his appearance, Sariel was ultimately a holy archangel.��

    Given that he had a title that doubled his stats against holy beings, no angel could be a match for Ryu Min.

    ��Hm, is he finally moving?��

    After finishing his stat allocation, John Delgado started moving in earnest.

    Sneaking cautiously, he approached Sariel��s body.

    Then he urgently chanted a spell towards the corpse.

    ��Rise!��

    As soon as he chanted the spell to make it a servant, the corpse reacted.

    Woooong��

    As a purple light swirled, Sariel��s soul emerged from the corpse.

    With a nk expression, showing no emotions, Sariel��s soul broke the chains binding it to the body and knelt before John.

    Though it didn��t speak, it was clear.

    Sariel��s soul had sessfully be bound to the necromancer.

    ��Su�� sess. It��s a sess!��

    John Delgado couldn��t hide his joy.

    Unaware that Ryu Min had approached.

    ��What did you seed at?��

    ��Hup!��

    Startled, John inadvertently revealed his hidden ace.

    ��Ki�� kill him! Kill that guy!��

    Pointing at the ck Scythe, he ordered the newly undead Sariel.

    Of course, it didn��t obey.

    Ryu Min was still recognized as an ally.

    ��You seem to have forgotten the party hasn��t been disbanded yet.��

    ��Ah����

    Ryu Min sneered at the flustered John.

    ��You want to kill me that badly? Even if it means using an angel as your servant? But do you think it��s possible? The main body couldn��t do anything against me and died miserably.��

    ��������

    Naturally, it was impossible.

    But John had no other option but to rely on the angel��s power.

    Especially since he was struggling with the penalties.

    ��Fine, do whatever you want with the angel. However����

    Ryu Min approached threateningly.

    ��It��s best to abandon any thoughts of crawling up to me. If you want to keep your precious life.��

    ��������

    ��Think carefully and decide. There will be no mercy next time.��

    Turning away as if he wasn��t interested, Ryu Min actually had an intriguing thought.

    ��Will killing a summoned angel count as killing an angel? Or not?��

    If it did, he could easily stack the Demon��s Blessing using the necromancer.

    He wanted to test it by killing Sariel immediately, but currently, the summoned angel was still recognized as an ally.

    To test it, he needed to wait until the party disbanded after the round.

    ��I��ll let him live until then.��

    John stood there with a nk expression, not realizing his life was spared thanks to the angel bing a servant.

    *

    [Is everyone gathered?]

    By now, the colorless space, which was the starting point, was filled with many returnees.

    Ryu Min��s team had also moved here shortly after killing the angel.

    [Let��s check how many teams survived. Oh dear.]

    The angel let out a feigned sigh.

    [We started with 7,880 teams, but only 2,389 teams remain.]

    Teamscking a tanker, mage, or supporter would have been eliminated, but most likely died during thest trial.

    Without a summoner, the fifth trial was impossible to clear.

    [Originally, if more than half survived, we would rank the teams based on the order of clearing the trials and eliminate the rest. But we��re short.]

    The target was 3,940 teams.

    With only 2,389 teams making it, there was a shortfall of 1,551.

    This was the first time there had been a shortfall, leaving the yers surprised.

    [Due to the shortfall, all 2,389 teams will survive. The total number of survivors is just under 10,000, at 9,994.]

    Although the number of survivors wasn��t a multiple of five, the yers understood.

    Few teams survived with all five members intact.

    Some had died to monsters or were eliminated by voting during the trials, so it was natural.

    [Now we will tally the individual rankings. The criteria will be clear when you see the results. Let��s take a look.]

    As the angel signaled with its wings, the result window appeared.

    �� Comption of the 12th Round Results ��

    [Integrated Area CA-EA001]

    ��1st. ck Scythe (Lv91 Reaper) 200 kills

    ��2nd. Dark Knight (Lv60 Dark Knight) 100 kills

    ��3rd. OldManNoGay (Lv60 ck Mage) 100 kills

    [The individual ranking criteria were based on the number of monster kills!]

    ��What? The number of monster kills?��

    ��Do they mean the golems from the second and third trials?��

    ��Then supporters had no chance of getting first ce?��

    ��Oh no! I should have killed 10 more golems.��

    The yers sighed at the btedly revealed ranking criteria.

    [In cases of the same kill count, the one who killed faster was given priority. Now, let��s proceed with the rewards.]

    Soon after, a familiar message appeared before Ryu Min.

 Chapter 205 (Part 1)

    Chapter 205: Listing (Part 1)

    [Congrattions! You havepleted the quest as the top yer in this region!]

    [Currently, ��ck Scythe�� is ranked 1st in this region.]

    [As a reward for ranking 1st in this region, you receive a ��Rune Bundle��!]

    [As a reward for ranking 1st in this region, you receive a ��Special Reward Selection Box��!]

    Winning first ce every time is bing tiresome.

    ��But it would be disappointing not to receive it.��

    Thinking that it was only fair to receive his rightful reward, he used the Rune Bundle.

    [You have used the Rune Bundle.]

    [Congrattions! You have obtained the ��Rune of Gale��!]

    [The acquired rune is automatically engraved on the yer��s body!]

    [Rune of Gale]

    �C Effect: Increases attack speed and movement speed by 100%.

    ��Oh, this is quite good, isn��t it?��

    His attack speed and movement speed were already fast enough, but having more wouldn��t hurt.

    ��This rune��s performance is above average.��

    Getting stronger is never a bad thing, and it could be necessary for future preparations.

    ��You never know how strong the Archangel ranked 1st, Michael, is.��

    He had felt an abyssal strength from Michael before, but he wasn��t sure how things stood now.

    ��I need to get stronger to be ready to face Michael.��

    Having already taken down the 6th and 7th ranks, it was time to meet the 5th, though he didn��t expect much.

    He had easily dealt with the 6th and 7th ranks, so how strong could the 5th be?

    ��Still, I need to be careful. They might descend into the real world.��

    The other world wouldn��t be much of a problem, but if an Archangel appeared in reality, even Ryu Min would have to be cautious.

    ��They might target my younger brother.��

    With this in mind, he pressed the Special Reward Selection Box, thinking about preparation for any eventuality.

    [You can choose one of the following special rewards.]

    [Touch the desired reward.]

    �� 1. Experience Points Double Increase Buff (limited to 13 rounds)

    �� 2. Mercenary Guild Rank Increase by One Level

    �� 3. Information about the 13th Round

    ��It��s obviously number 2.��

    He was intentionally not leveling up, so he didn��t need experience points.

    Information about the 13th round was out of the question.

    ��If my Mercenary Guild rank increases, I��ll have the opportunity to hunt dragons.��

    When he touched number 2, a message immediately appeared.

    [Your Mercenary Guild rank has increased from ��Expert�� to ��Veteran��.]

    Just one more rank to go to hunt dragons.

    ? ROUND 12 ENDS ?

    [Unified Area CA-EA001]

    ��Survivors: 9,994

    [Soon, your soul will transfer back to your previous dimensional body.]

    [Round 13 will begin at midnight on January 1, 2023. See you in the next round. Congrattions on surviving.]

    ��

    ��I��m d. This time I was able to receive a ranking reward.��

    Ma Kyung-rok, who had finished 2nd in the 12th round, got up from the bed with a satisfied face.

    It was only 5 AM, but he couldn��t sleep.

    Clink-

    He held a ss of whiskey with ice and looked out at the hotel��s night view.

    In the 11th round, he had felt hopeless even looking at the open view of the Han River, but now he could finally breathe easier.

    ��I thought I would fall behind with 0 points, but it��s a relief I held on.��

    Hearing the strategy prophecy from the Prophet had been crucial.

    ��He said the individual ranking is determined by the number of monsters defeated, so I had to defeat as many golems as possible alone.��

    Thanks to this, he managed to defeat all 100 monsters in the second trial and ranked 2nd.

    Still, he couldn��t surpass ck Scythe.

    ��Damn it, how did that bastard, a melee dealer, defeat 200 monsters alone and rank 1st?��

    It seemed he had tackled the second and third trials alone, which meant he must have learned magic.

    ��Or did he have a long-range weapon like a bow?��

    Though he didn��t want to admit it, ck Scythe��s strength was such that even a weak weapon in his hands wouldn��t be a problem.

    ��Damn bastard.��

    His anger from the 11th round hadn��t subsided, so he couldn��t look favorably at ck Scythe.

    ��We could have partied with five people, but he refused.��

    At first, he had the chance to party with him, An Sang-cheol, and Seo Arin, but he refused and only took Min Juri.

    Although he hadn��t said it, he couldn��t help but feel unpleasant about it.

    ��Speaking of which, he��s always hanging out with that buffer. Are they dating?��

    Probably not.

    Who would like someone with such an arrogant personality, who speaks informally from the first meeting?

    ��Oh, there��s another person.��

    The person Ma Kyung-rok thought of was Christine.

    She tried not to show it, but Ma Kyung-rok was quick to notice.

    He knew that Christine secretly liked ck Scythe.

    ��It��s possible. He did save her life. It wouldn��t be strange for her to have personal feelings. But still����

    Ma Kyung-rok bit his lower lip.

    ��Why would she look elsewhere when she has a fianc�� by her side?��

    Their rtionship wasn��t bad, but it wasn��t particrly good either. It felt more like a formality for others to see.

    ��But we are engaged. We��ve promised their future to each other. In such a situation, it��s not right to look elsewhere.��

    Frankly, Ma Kyung-rok didn��t care who Christine liked.

    He had been fine with her not liking him just a month ago.

    But this time, he realized something for sure.

    He couldn��t stand the sight of her getting along with ck Scythe.

    ��That guy, who already monopolizes the region��s representative and 1st rank, wants to take someone else��s woman too?��

    Despite being her savior, gratitude was overshadowed by negative feelings.

    ��If I had known I��d be this stressed, I should have saved her myself, damn it.��

    The Prophet must have known all of this, didn��t he?

    That ck Scythe would save Christine.

    ��Damn you Prophet.��

    He began to feel irritated even at the innocent Prophet.

 Chapter 205 (Part 2)

    Chapter 205: Listing (Part 2)

    The Prophet must have known all of this, didn��t he?

    That ck Scythe would save Christine.

    ��Damn you Prophet.��

    He began to feel irritated even at the innocent Prophet.

    ��There��s one way. I must prove to Christine that Min Juri is ck Scythe��s girlfriend. Then she��ll give up on her unrequited love.��

    It wasn��t unrequited love but respect, but Ma Kyung-rok couldn��t have known that.

    From his negative perspective, even respectful nces looked like admiration.

    ��But how do I prove that Min Juri is his girlfriend?��

    He didn��t know her real name or face, nothing.

    The same was true for ck Scythe.

    Besides, what if she wasn��t his girlfriend?

    ��Well, considering her abilities, it��s no wonder they stick together.��

    A buffer who nearly doubles all stats, attack speed, and movement speed.

    She was certainly a desirable talent.

    ��I��d love to keep her by my side to receive buffs constantly.��

    That��s why Ma Kyung-rok had been persistent in trying to find out Min Juri��s identity and address.

    ��Having her by my side would be helpful in many ways����

    Regrettably, he decided to give up searching for her.

    Ma Kyung-rok, frowning, downed his whiskey in one gulp.

    Because of his terrible mood, the alcohol tasted bitterer than usual.

    ��A perfect night for a job.��

    Killing criminals when he was stressed always made him feel better.

    ��I can��t quit killing because of this.��

    Since he couldn��t sleep, he decided to pick a target.

    Sitting in front of hisptop, he spent time selecting which criminal to kill.

    Was he too focused?

    He realized it was already dawn but had missed breakfast.

    ��Is it thiste already?��

    Breakfast time was over, but he wasn��t worried.

    He could just go down and ask the hotel chef to prepare something quickly.

    Drrring- Drrring-

    Just then, his phone rang. To his surprise, it was an unexpected call.

    ��Yes, this is Ma Kyung-rok. What? Really? Haha, thank you. Got it. Yes, goodbye.��

    After the call, Ma Kyung-rok��s face brightened considerably.

    It was a call informing him that his KOSPI listing application had been approved.

    ��Hahaha, just as the Prophet said. Achieving KOSPI listing in just half a year.��

    He wondered how surprised his father, who had no expectations for him, would be at this news.

    Hastily, Ma Kyung-rok made a call to deliver the news.

    His excitement even made him forget about his hunger.

    ��

    To get apany listed on KOSPI, several conditions must be met.

    Thepany must have been established for over three years, have sales of over 100 billion, and capital of over 30 billion.

    ��Additionally, the profit over three years must exceed 6 billion.��

    Ma Kyung-rok��s yer ce Co., Ltd. had passed the stringent KOSPI listing review.

    Now, he had the chance to transition from a small business to a full-fledgedrge corporation.

    ��Most importantly, I��ve gained my father��s recognition.��

    Despite being the eldest, Ma Kyung-rok had never been acknowledged by his father, Ma Dae-chul.

    Evenpared to his younger brothers, he was notcking in ability, yet he was treated differently.

    ��It��s because my father��s expectations for the eldest son were too high.��

    His father always scolded him with this:

    �C Do you know what I did at your age to gain your grandfather��s recognition? I grew a tiny capital into a venturepany and developed it. That became today��s Sansung Electronics, which holds 65% of thepany��s market capitalization!

    There were a few more nagging words, but the gist was that as the eldest son, he should build argepany like his father.

    ��And that��s why he told me to start apany.��

    He promised to give him capital to grow apany, to rank within the top 30 on KOSDAQ within five years. If he achieved that, he would acknowledge his ability and dere him the heir, promising to publicly announce this and pass on all the family assets.

    But four years passed, and Chunma Consulting remained at about 85th on KOSDAQ. With one year left, Ma Kyung-rok almost gave up.

    ��Moreover, the Great Change happened and the world was ending����

    But they say opportunitiese to those who don��t give up.

    Meeting Ryu Min, a benefactor, changing to the yer ce Market, and achieving KOSPI listing in just half a year was a great achievement.

    ��It��s all thanks to the Prophet.��

    Feeling grateful, Ma Kyung-rok suddenly remembered the insults he had hurled that morning.

    He felt guilty for cursing him.

    ��I��ll have to wee him warmly when heester.��

    He had called Ryu Min to thepany, saying he had good news to share, so he would be here soon.

    ��Congrattions in advance, President.��

    An Sang-cheol bowed his head next to him, and Ma Kyung-rok smiled brightly.

    ��Haha, Chief An, you��ve worked hard alongside me.��

    ��I didn��t do much.��

    ��No, without you, Chief An, I couldn��t havee this far. You��ve always helped me relieve my stress.��

    By stress, he meant murder.

    Chief An had been a reliable supporter, always cleaning up the mess after the murders.

    ��Did you call the Chairman too?��

    ��Yes, I did.��

    ��Does he know about the listing approval?��

    ��He knows. I told him on the phone. He couldn��t believe it and asked if it was true.��

    Given that they had achieved the KOSPI listing, surpassing the top 30 on KOSDAQ, it was no wonder he was surprised.

    ��Why didn��t you tell the Prophet this good news?��

    ��He seemed to know already. He said he��de to congratte me, which means he knows.��

    ��That��s a relief. Everything matched the prophecy.��

    ��Indeed. Hahaha.��

    A constant smile was on Ma Kyung-rok��s face.

    Feeling so good, he even personally prepared a celebration party with thepany��s employees.

    ��Did you have breakfast?��

    ��Not yet.��

    ��You didn��t skip breakfast, did you?��

    ��Achieving what I wanted for five years, I didn��t even feel hungry.��

    While Ma Kyung-rok was smiling brightly, the awaited guest arrived.

    ��President, the Chairman is here.��

    Before An Sang-cheol could even finish speaking, Ma Kyung-rok saw him.

    His father, Ma Dae-chul, was entering.

    ��You��re here, Father����

    Ma Kyung-rok��s smiling face suddenly hardened.

    Following him were the second and third sons, the brothers who were no better than strangers.

 Chapter 206 (Part 1)

    Chapter 206: Worse Than Strangers (Part 1)

    Ma Kyung-rok has two younger brothers.

    His second brother, Ma Kyung-sang, is one year younger.

    His third brother, Ma Kyung-soo, is two years younger.

    Although they fought often when they were young, they never had serious conflicts.

    The reason their rtionship became estranged as adults was none other than money.

    As they grew older, they realized the value of money and understood that they were more than just born with silver spoons in their mouths��they had diamond spoons.

    They also knew that they would inherit a vast fortune once their father passed away.

    Naturally, they began to protect their own interests, and the problem was the eldest, Ma Kyung-rok.

    Typically, the position of sessor is held by the eldest son.

    The second and third sons were likely to live their entire lives under his shadow.

    Is it because they feared ending up in that situation?

    The brothers joined forces and began protesting to their father, iming it was unfair.

    They argued that it wasn��t reasonable for Ma Kyung-rok, who had no abilities, to monopolize everything and that they were much more suitable to run thepany.

    Acknowledging that they had a point, Ma Dae-cheol dered that he would abandon the usual custom and choose the sessor based on ability.

    This was why Ma Kyung-rok had no choice but to have a bad rtionship with his brothers.

    ��What are you guys doing here?��

    Ma Kyung-rok��s cold gaze was met with equally sharp looks from Ma Kyung-sang and Ma Kyung-soo.

    ��What do you think we��re here for? To congratte you.��

    ��Can��t your younger brothers even congratte you?��

    ��I don��t want your congrattions. Leave.��

    ��Come on, do you think we came here because we wanted to?��

    ��Father, no, the chairman, asked us toe along.��

    Chairman Ma Dae-cheol gave his two sons a piercing look.

    ��Enough, all of you. Do you really have to fight aftering all the way here?��

    ��������

    ��I called you to see your brother��s achievements and to reconcile, yet here you are ring at each other as if you want to kill.��

    ��That��s right, guys. Isn��t it time to acknowledge your brother?��

    At the sound of a voice from behind, they turned their heads to see a well-built middle-aged man entering with bodyguards.

    It was Ma Dong-won, the mayor of Seoul.

    ��Uncle�� No, Mr. Mayor, you��re here too?��

    ��It��s been a while, Kyung-rok. There��s no need for formalities among family. Just call me uncle.��

    Despite his imposing appearance, Ma Dong-won smiled softly and tried to lighten the cold atmosphere between the brothers.

    ��Thank you for arranging this celebration. Did you prepare it yourself?��

    ��I just prepared it modestly.��

    ��A celebration for apany that has returned to KOSPI after five years shouldn��t be modest.��

    ��What��s the big deal about getting listed on KOSPI? Father built an entire group. So, I shouldn��t settle here. I need to lead the group from now on.��

    As Ma Kyung-rok said this, he looked at his brothers with eyes that saw them as losers, a mocking smile on his lips.

    ��You bastard��!��

    ��If it weren��t for him, damn it!��

    Ma Kyung-sang and Ma Kyung-soo clenched their fists, shaking without even realizing it, while Ma Dong-wonughed heartily.

    ��Hahaha! So you��re going to be the future heir of Ohsung Group? Yes, you need that kind of confidence to inherit the group!��

    Feeling satisfied, Ma Dong-won patted Ma Kyung-rok on the shoulder and looked at his brother.

    ��Brother, do you need to worry about your eldest son anymore?��

    ��No, I don��t. With such clear achievements, what is there to worry about?��

    ��Aren��t his achievements beyond expectations? You said the condition was to be within the top 30 of KOSDAQ.��

    ��Right. I never imagined he would get listed on KOSPI so tantly. He really did well.��

    Ma Kyung-rok smiled proudly at his father��s praise.

    ��Thank you, chairman.��

    Hearing such words from his father, who was usually stingy withpliments, felt like a reward for all his hard work.

    In contrast, his brothers didn��t even try to manage their expressions, their faces twisted in displeasure.

    It seemed like their father brought them to humiliate them rather than to reconcile.

    Ma Dae-cheol had another intention.

    ��My sons, envy, resent, and be jealous of your brother. That will be the driving force that will make you grow stronger.��

    In truth, Ma Dae-cheol had no intention of reconciling his sons.

    He didn��t expect it either.

    He just wanted to show them their elder brother��s achievements and stimte them to grow.

    That was the real reason he brought his two sons here.

    ��Now that they��ve been stimted enough, Kyung-sang and Kyung-soo will strive harder to catch up with their brother.��

    But Ma Dae-cheol didn��t know.

    Bringing the brothers here was like adding fuel to the fire.

    ��By the way, brother, isn��t it time you tell us?��

    ��Tell you what?��

    ��Your nickname.��

    At Ma Kyung-sang��s question, Ma Kyung-rok fell silent.

    The three brothers were all yers in their twenties.

    They knew well what it meant to reveal their nickname.

    ��These bastards, are they trying to track me?��

    Revealing a nickname was like showing one��s face behind a mask.

    It provided an excuse to track someone.

    In the other world where you could stab someone in the back and leave the body behind without being punished.

    ��What do they want to do after learning my nickname? Kill me?��

    There was no other reason to ask for his nickname.

    That��s why he hadn��t revealed it until now.

    ��What are you going to do with my nickname?��

    ��Just curious.��

    ��What��s your nickname then?��

    ��Come on, don��t you know about respecting your elders? You should tell us first.��

    ��ck Scythe.��

 Chapter 206 (Part 2)

    Chapter 206: Worse Than Strangers (Part 2)

    ��What��s your nickname then?��

    ��Come on, don��t you know about respecting your elders? You should tell us first.��

    ��ck Scythe.��

    ��Stop kidding.��

    ��I��m serious.��

    ��Prove it here.��

    ��How do you want me to prove it?��

    ��You know about the duel request feature that came with level 60, right?��

    ��Yes.��

    ��Request a duel and beat both of us. Without using weapons or skills, just bare hands. If you��re really ck Scythe, you can do that, right?��

    At level 60, they had all gained ess to the duel request feature.

    They already knew how it worked, having used it before.

    They also knew they could ce stakes through duels.

    ��If we win, you step down from the sessor position. But if you win, we��ll acknowledge youpletely.��

    ��Fight 2-on-1?��

    ��Yes. Why? Not confident, ck Scythe?��

    It was a ridiculous provocation, but Ma Kyung-rok couldn��t respond.

    If he had a weapon, it would be different, but to fight bare-handed without skills?

    No matter how good his skills were, he couldn��t win under such conditions.

    ��Fine, I lied a bit. I��m not ck Scythe. Are you satisfied?��

    ��I knew it. What nonsense to im you��re ck Scythe.��

    ��Why lie about something that can be easily exposed, bastard?��

    ��What?��

    As soon as the curse words came out, Ma Kyung-rok��s expression turned grim.

    His brothers�� gazes also became colder.

    ��What are you doing?��

    At this point, Ma Dae-cheol, who had been quietly watching, had no choice but to get angry.

    ��You! Talking about duels and whatnot, are you here to fight with your brother?��

    ��See, we told you we didn��t want toe.��

    ��But you insisted on dragging us here.��

    ��What, what? You rascals!��

    The chairman was furious, but his sons didn��t flinch.

    In the past, they might have been wary because the sessor hadn��t been decided yet, but not now.

    Ma Kyung-rok had shown significant achievements and was already decided as the sessor.

    ��Honestly, we don��t understand why you brought us here.��

    ��If it��s to tell us to learn from our brother, we��re leaving.��

    ��You ungrateful bastards!��

    ��Hey guys, how can you speak to your father like that!��

    Ma Dong-won tried to scold and stop them, but the two��s minds were already set.

    ��Kyung-rok, be careful on dark roads. Don��t get too cocky just because you survived up to the 13th round.��

    ��What?��

    ��Remember, those who hold their heads high will stumble over a stone.��

    The two brothers left after leaving those ominous words.

    ��To think I have such ungrateful sons�� Ah, my neck.��

    ��Brother! Are you alright?��

    As Ma Dong-won supported Ma Dae-cheol, he called out to Ma Kyung-rok, who was standing there nkly.

    ��What are you doing? Help your father!��

    ��Ah, yes.��

    As Ma Kyung-rok supported his father, he wore a dazed expression.

    He was thinking about his brothers�� words.

    ��Be careful on dark roads? Stumble over a stone?��

    Anyone could see it was a threat.

    ��Those damn bastards. Instead of congratting me, they say such things?��

    Grinding his teeth, Ma Kyung-rok felt a headacheing on.

    Even though they were blood-rted, he had no good memories with them.

    ��They��re worse than strangers.��

    Being threatened with murder made his temples throb.

    Recently, Ma Kyung-rok has been under tremendous stress.

    Maybe that was why?

    Ma Kyung-rok started to think about something he shouldn��t.

    ��Should I kill them first before they get me?��

    It wasn��t an empty threat.

    His brothers were capable of plotting his death.

    Only then would the sessor position be vacant.

    And they would have their chance.

    ��Until now, they must have thought I would fail Father��s mission. They never expected me to grow thepany this much. Maybe they thought I would die during the rounds.��

    But now, the situation has changed.

    ��They won��t just wait for me to die in the other world. They must be desperate, unsure how long they can survive themselves.��

    So they left with genuine threats.

    They really believed they had to kill him.

    ��Do they think I��ll just sit back and take it? They don��t know me at all.��

    With a cynical smile, Ma Kyung-rok genuinely decided to kill his brothers.

    Unaware that someone was reading his thoughts.

    *

    ��Ah. What��s with this atmosphere?��

    Ryu Min, who had arrived at thepany at Ma Kyung-rok��s invitation, couldn��t greet him.

    He had witnessed the brothers�� quarrel.

    So he was using transparency to approach and read their thoughts.

    ��See, not all chaebols have good lives.��

    The inheritance fights among chaebol children were a clich�� often seen in dramas.

    ��Would you want to fight over session in a life-or-death situation?��

    Or maybe they were more obsessed because they didn��t know when they might die and wanted to have one big win before they did.

    ��It looks like the chairman has no intention of changing the sessor.��

    He had already confirmed Ma Kyung-rok as the next sessor in his mind.

    No wonder.

    The eldest son had shown an outstanding achievement by getting listed on KOSPI. How could he not favor him?

    ��He only called the other brothers to stimte them, but it backfired.��

    Reading the departing brothers�� thoughts, it was clear they genuinely wanted to kill Ma Kyung-rok.

    When they return, they might even start plotting in earnest.

    ��And Ma Kyung-rok believes he should strike first before he gets hit.��

    The brothers wanted to kill each other.

    There was no family worse than this.

    ��Wait. This might be an opportunity for me?��

    If he could use this situation well, he could perfectly separate Ma Kyung-rok from Christine.

    Then he could make Christine his ownpletely.

    ��I��ve already confirmed that Ma Kyung-rok harbors ill feelings towards ck Scythe. We could never get close.��

    They had stayed together for mutual benefits, but it was time to sever ties.

    There was no more high ground to reach together.

    ��Thepany is the same. Though it passed the listing review, that��s all. The number of yers will gradually decrease, and eventually, after the 15th round, revenues willpletely drop.��

    Now was the perfect time to sell.

    ��But as the major shareholder, I can��t just sell everything.��

    Selling all his shares now would mean openly opposing Ma Kyung-rok.

    If he did, he should sell a portion.

    Enough to secure a carefree lifetime fund of 100 billion won, then keep the rest.

    ��About 3% of my shares should be sold.��

    That way, even if thepany failster, it won��t be seen as betraying.

    ��I should call Russell immediately to cash in all my shares.��

    And another person.

    ��Christine.��

    He needed to call her to take advantage of this situation.

    ��I��ll also call Seo Arin to help organize my thoughts.��

    Smiling slyly, Ryu Min looked around and released his transparency in a distant ce.

    Then he approached Ma Kyung-rok naturally, pretending not to have seen anything.

 Chapter 207 (Part 1)

    Chapter 207: The Next Target (Part 1)

    Before calling Christine, Ryu Min dialed Jeffrey first.

    ��Really? She��s on her way?��

    Christine wasing to Korea.

    ��And the reason?��

    ��She seems to want to hear the next round��s prophecy from you, Prophet.��

    ��She could have just requested it over the phone, but she��sing in person.��

    After all, it wouldn��t be polite to insist on hearing such life-changing prophecies over a mere phone call.

    ��Jeffrey, tail Christine. I��ll contact you when the time is right. Lure her to the ce I want.��

    ��Understood.��

    ��I was originally going to use the prophecy as an excuse to summon her, but����

    If Christine wasing on her own, there was no need to call her.

    ��It��s best if she doesn��t know I��m involved at all.��

    What if the Ma Kyung-rok��s ears caught wind that Ryu Min had summoned Christine?

    He might find himself the target of a misguided arrow.

    And then, the target might naturally shift to his brother, Ryu Won.

    ��That��s why I��m not recklessly pulling out of the stocks either. I need to y the victim.��

    It would be absurd for a prophet to fail at stocks, but he could always im he couldn��t foresee the future.

    ��When the timees, I��ll have to call Seo Arin too. But of course, using the ck Scythe��s number instead of mine.��

    He intended to lure both to one ce to expose the Ma Kyung-rok��s true nature.

    This was all based on the fact that the Ma Kyung-rok wasmitting these crimes.

    ��I need to entrust Ma Kyung-rok��s surveince to Ju Seong-tak first. I have other business to attend to.��

    Ryu Min didn��t have the time to tail Ma Kyung-rok himself.

    He needed to track the Messiah��s movements.

    ��And I need to meet John Delgado as well.��

    There was something he needed to test with John.

    Whether or not he could use Sariel, who was now his summoned entity.

    ��They��ll likely gather in that cabin again, as usual.��

    He could already see the kind of conversations they would have in there.

    ��They��ll probably be talking about me, the Swingman.��

    In that case, it wouldn��t be wise to show up in his Swingman persona.

    He needed to listen in on their conversations, so he nned to use invisibility to monitor them.

    ��Hyung, going somewhere again?��

    ��Yeah, I��m heading abroad for a bit.��

    ��To see that Japanese girlfriend of yours?��

    ��A Japanese girlfriend?��

    It seemed he had been misunderstood just because he said he went on a hot spring trip to Japan.

    ��Well, yeah, something like that.��

    ��Haha, then I approve. Have a good trip, Hyung!��

    ��Yeah, I��ll be back.��

    Ryu Min thought that having a girlfriend, albeit unintentionally, wasn��t a bad excuse.

    *

    BANG!

    With one punch, the table in the cabin split apart.

    ��How can this be happening? Our members have been taken down!��

    The one fuming with anger, his face flushed red, was none other than Yang Chui Wen.

    He had just confirmed through the 12th round results screen that the ck Scythe��s assassination mission had failed.

    The name ��ck Scythe�� had taken first ce on the leaderboard.

    But he wasn��t disappointed just because the mission had failed.

    The other apostles present felt the same.

    There was still the alternative n that the Swingman had proposed.

    But then��

    ��Damn it, which bastard killed my members����

    Returning to reality, he was faced with something horrifying.

    All 28 of the ck Society members who had been directly under Yang Chui Wen��smand were dead.

    As a yer, Yang Chui Wen had been able to avoid trouble because he was inside a well-secured bunker home, but��

    BANG!

    ��Damn it! Shit!��

    Now, he had no ordinary subordinates left.

    All that remained was his right-hand man, the yer Zhang Sui.

    ��Calm down. You��ll break the table at this rate.��

    The Messiah��s founder, the Spaniard, tried to calm him down, but Yang Chui Wen red at him with bloodshot eyes.

    ��You think the table is the issue? My subordinates are all dead!��

    ��You can always recruit more members, can��t you? I��m sure there are plenty of thugs willing to join under China��s number one, Yang Chui Wen.��

    ��Damn it, do you think I��m a psychopath with no blood or tears? These were my people, like family! They ate from the same pot as me, enduring hardships together!��

    ����..��

    Seeing Yang Chui Wen shouting in anger, the Spaniard kept quiet.

    It seemed that the organization was an important part of Yang Chui Wen��s life.

    For a while, the only sounds in the cabin were heavy breathing and furious shouts.

    ��I��ll kill him. I don��t know who it is, but I��ll cut his belly open, pull out their intestines, and strangle him to death.��

    At that point, the Dark Soul spoke up, unable to bear it any longer.

    ��Hasn��t the culprit already been revealed?��

    ��The culprit? What nonsense are you talking about?��

    ��Think about it. During the time of the crime, we were all in the otherworld, right? So the culprit must be an ordinary person, and the only ones who knew about the operation were the ck Society members. The answer is obvious: it��s an inside job.��

    ��So you��re saying that, damn it, one of my members betrayed me? Is that what you��re saying now?��

    ��Who else could it be? Unless you��re suggesting someone from Messiah betrayed us, it had to be one of your own who went rogue.��

    ��Do you want me to shut that mouth of yours?��

    Yang Chui Wen red with murderous intent, but the Dark Soul remained unfazed.

    ��Then let me ask you this. You said you found bodies in front of the vi before attacking the ck Scythe, right? Was anyone missing among your members?��

    ����There��s only one. Zhang Chen.��

    ��Ah, then that guy must be the culprit. Just before the operation, he must have stabbed hisrades to death, returned home, and taken care of the rest of the organization.��

    ��But Zhang Chen was found dead along with the other members of the organization.��

    ��Then someone must have silenced him, or he may have killed himself afterpleting the job.��

    ����Damn it, it��s not something to talk about so lightly. Zhang Chen wasn��t the kind of guy who would betray����

    ��Do traitors walk around with ��traitor�� written on their faces? Or do they give hints beforehand that they��re going to betray?��

    ����..��

    ��The ones who are good at killing are also good at acting. They wear a mask in everyday life and reveal their true colors when the timees.��

    SLAM!

    ��What does a damn Jap like you know!��

    Yang Chui Wen denied it, but the Dark Soul looked around at hispanions as if to ask if they agreed with him.

    ��Do you all think I��m wrong?��

    No one responded to the Dark Soul��s question.

    Silence meant agreement.

 Chapter 207 (Part 2)

    Chapter 207: The Next Target (Part 2)

    Yang Chui Wen denied it, but the Dark Soul looked around at hispanions as if to ask if they agreed with him.

    ��Do you all think I��m wrong?��

    No one responded to the Dark Soul��s question.

    Silence meant agreement.

    The Dark Soul smiled wickedly.

    ��I think that Zhang Chen guy was a mole nted by a rival organization. He must have been waiting for the right moment to act.��

    ��No, wait a minute, maybe it��s not a rival organization. What if the ck Scythe is involved��?��

    ��The ck Scythe?��

    Yang Chui Wen, now somewhat calmer, spoke withposure.

    ��I went to Korea to confirm what had happened to my men, and I visited the ck Scythe��s vi. It waspletely empty.��

    ��He must have been out somewhere����

    ��There were no signs of life. It was as if he had vacated the ce, knowing this was going to happen.��

    ��Are you saying the ck Scythe figured out our n beforehand?��

    ��Probably. Before we carried out the operation, I was told they were definitely inside that vi.��

    At that, the Dark Soul snapped his fingers.

    ��Ah, I get it now! The ck Scythe figured out our n in advance and bribed that Zhang Chen guy. He must have hired another killer to silence him afterward.��

    It was a usible theory, but one problem remained.

    ��The issue is how they found out about our n����

    ��Could there be a traitor among us?��

    ��A traitor among us��?��

    Yang Chui Wen��s words changed the atmosphere immediately.

    Everyone began eyeing each other suspiciously.

    But John Delgado shook his head as if to say there was no need to suspect one another.

    ��I agree there��s a traitor, and I think I know who it is.��

    ��Who?��

    ��Obviously, the person who��s not here.��

    At those words, everyone thought of one person.

    The only apostle absent from the cabin meeting was Swingman.

    ��Why do you think Swingman is the traitor, John Delgado?��

    The Spaniard, though calm in tone, was boiling inside.

    After all, he had personally recruited these members.

    If a traitor had emerged from among them, he couldn��t absolve himself of responsibility.

    ��I��m not certain. It��s just highly possible.��

    ��So what��s your reasoning?��

    ��In the 12th round, I partied with the ck Scythe.��

    ��Right, we decided that if the operation failed, we��d approach the ck Scythe as a backup n.��

    ��At that time, there was a yer named Jeffy with the ck Scythe.��

    ��Wait, Jeffy? The assassin who provided the ck Scythe��s hideout?��

    ��Yes. I was surprised when I first saw the nickname, but since his face was different from what I remembered, I thought he might be a different person. He didn��t seem to recognize me either. I just assumed that the assassin we hired had used a fake nickname. But then����

    John Delgado��s eyes gleamed.

    ��What if that Jeffy was the same person we met before and was actually in league with the ck Scythe? Then everything would make sense. He deceived us by spreading false information and helped the ck Scythe.��

    ��But we only asked him to tail the target, we didn��t reveal our full n to him.��

    ��Which is why there must be a traitor among us. Who was it that called in Jeffy as an informant? It was none other than Swingman. The reason the ck Scythe could preemptively act was likely due to Swingman��s help.��

    Swingman, Jeffy, the ck Scythe, and Zhang Chen.

    If you assume these four were in cahoots, all the pieces fit together.

    ��Damn it! I knew it. That curry-eating bastard! I didn��t like him from the start!��

    Only Yang Chui Wen exploded in anger, but the others felt a simr sense of betrayal. They were all grinding their teeth in silence, seething with anger.

    ��Where is Swingman? Why didn��t hee?��

    ��He��s gone silent. He��s not showing up in the search either.��

    ��He��s not showing up?��

    ��He��sing up as a non-existent person.��

    ��Oh.��

    The implication was clear.

    ��He must have been killed. In the 12th round.��

    ��Ha, what an idiot. Dying in just the 12th round.��

    ��So we can��t even get revenge?��

    They had been ready to execute the traitor, but with him dead, there was nothing they could do.

    ��Zhang Chen is dead, and if it��s difficult to take revenge on the ck Scythe, that leaves only one person.��

    ��Jeffy. We need to track that bastard down.��

    ��But how do we track him down without even knowing his real name?��

    ��We can��t do anything in the real world. If we want to deal with him, it has to be in the otherworld. I know his face and nickname, so I can find him.��

    As John Delgado spoke confidently, the Spaniard made the decision.

    ��Then let��s team up with John Delgado in the 13th round to track down this Jeffy. If we capture that bastard, we can torture him to uncover the truth. We might also get more information about the ck Scythe.��

    ��Damn assassin. I��ll avenge my subordinates.��

    ��Whatever the mission in the 13th round is, that bastard��s as good as dead. He messed with the wrong people.��

    Thus, the meeting of the four apostles ended with their resolve. Their new target was Jeffy, who they suspected to be an ally of the ck Scythe.

    *

    ��Whew.��

    After the meeting, John Delgado returned home.

    He had managed to survive this round by teaming up with the ck Scythe, but��

    ��Will I be able to survive the next one too?��

    The fear grew stronger with each passing round.

    Revenge against the ck Scythe wasn��t the only problem.

    ��It��s okay. I have an angel on my side.��

    In the 12th round, he had turned the angel who fought against the ck Scythe into a spiritual undead. Although he had discovered him, for some reason, the ck Scythe had let him go. He had warned him not to overstep his bounds again.

    ��Right. What��s the point of revenge? Survivinges first.��

    With a thought of caution, John Delgado checked his status screen.

    But as always, the message burned like a brand in his mind.

    [Penalty is being applied.]

    [All stats are permanently reduced by 50%.]

    [All summoned creatures�� stats are permanently reduced by 50%.]

    ��Shit, f*ck!��

    Seeing his halved stats made him furious.

    Why did it have to be the ck Scythe? Why did he have to end up in such a situation?

    The curses came naturally, but at least there was one silver lining.

    ��I still have my angel summon.��

    He didn��t know the angel��s name, but it was undeniably powerful.

    Although it had been like a mouse before the ck Scythe, it was still incredibly strong.

    ��It��s the strongest summon I��ve ever acquired. Without a doubt.��

    When you turn a dead entity into a summoned creature, it retains 50% of its original power. Despite the penalty that reduced that further, it was still formidable.

    ��From now on, my only hope is this nameless angel summon.��

    He had to be stronger.

    Setting aside revenge against the ck Scythe, he needed to survive until the 20th round.

    ��And then, I��ll use my wish to have the ck Scythe killed.��

    Of course, it was just a fantasy.

    Instead of wishing for something like that, wouldn��t it be better to wish for a thousand times more power than the ck Scythe?

    ��Then I��ll rule the world and get everything I want. Hehehe.��

    Heughed to himself, the sound echoing in his empty house like the cackle of a madman.

    But it didn��t matter.

    ��Who cares? There��s no one here to see, anyway. Hehehe.��

    ��Except for me.��

    At the sound of the third voice, John Delgado jumped in shock.

    When he turned around with a stern expression, he saw a masked figure.

    ��A white mask?��

    The video footage from the vi shed through his mind.

    The man called the ck Scythe had worn the exact same mask.

    ��You, you��re not��?��

    ��Yes, I��m exactly who you think.��

    With those words, the masked figure suddenly pulled out a scythe.

    It was the familiar weapon that had sliced through his limbs.

 Chapter 208 (Part 1)

    Chapter 208: ve Contract (Part 1)

    ��ck Scythe����

    John Delgado muttered with a dazed expression.

    The person he had sworn vengeance against was standing right in front of him.

    Not in the other world, but in reality.

    ��This is no time to be spacing out.��

    John quickly gathered his thoughts.

    In the past, he would have attacked on sight, but now he knew better.

    To challenge the ck Scythe was nothing short of suicide.

    ��Are you�� really the ck Scythe?��

    ��Would you still be asking that after seeing this scythe?��

    Ryu Min swung the scythe threateningly.

    Startled, John unconsciously checked to see if his limbs were still attached.

    ��You�� you really are the ck Scythe. How did you find my house?��

    ��Is that what��s important right now?��

    John shook his head.

    How he found the ce didn��t matter.

    Why he came did.

    ��What brings you here��?��

    ��What do you think?��

    Answering a question with a question might seem like a game, but John knew better.

    The ck Scythe hade fully aware of everything.

    ��You��re here for revenge�� aren��t you?��

    ��Go on.��

    ��Our group did something, and you��vee to collect the price for it.��

    ��Hah. I thought your head was just for decoration, but I guess it��s not that bad.��

    Ryu Min smirked and got straight to the point.

    ��As you suspected, I know that your group, the Messiah, attempted an assassination. The attempt was well-timed. Instead of taking one of our soldiers hostage likest time, you nned a hit while I was in a narcoleptic state. Whose idea was it? Dark Soul? Yang Chiu Wen? The Spaniard?��

    ������

    As expected, ck Scythe knew everything.

    But��

    ��He even knows the group��s name and the apostles�� nicknames����

    John never imagined he would have such detailed information.

    ��Could Swingman really have been the traitor?��

    A chill ran down his spine, but that wasn��t important now.

    Considering what they had done to the ck Scythe, it wouldn��t be surprising if his head were to roll right there and then.

    ��I can��t die like this. Not like this����

    The thought of a surprise attack didn��t even cross his mind.

    No matter how powerful the summoned creature was, it was nothing but a candle in the wind against ck Scythe.

    How could an angel summon stand a chance against someone who could wipe out 30 enemies with a single bolt of lightning?

    Especially when John was already under a penalty?

    ��Fighting back with force is the worst option. There��s only one way to survive.��

    Thud-

    John Delgado abruptly dropped to his knees.

    ��I-I��ve made a terrible mistake, ck Scythe. I am truly sorry.��

    ��You��ll need to exin what you��ve done wrong for me to understand.��

    ��I made the mistake of joining the Messiah, a group that dared to oppose someone as mighty as the ck Scythe. I foolishly attempted an assassination that could never seed, causing you undue trouble. I will immediately withdraw from the lowly group known as Messiah, so please, I beg of you, grant mercy to my worthless life����

    ��You sure do take your time when begging for your life.��

    Though he said that, Ryu Min was pleased.

    He could sense the sincerity in John Delgado��s plea.

    ��He��s not just trying to weasel his way out of this. He��s genuinely afraid and wants to cling to life.��

    The thought of revenge had almost faded from John��s mind.

    Of course, there was still some bitterness left, but he had almost given up.

    ��He��s probably thinking he just needs to survive until round 20 somehow.��

    John knew that revenge was a luxury he couldn��t afford right now.

    ��It��s good that you��re sincere.��

    ��Th-then����

    ��Yes. I��ll spare your life.��

    ��Th-thank you! Thank you so much����

    ��But there��s a condition.��

    The mention of a condition made John��s happiness short-lived, and his eyes widened.

    ��Wh-what condition��?��

    ��Just have a duel with me.��

    ��What? A d-duel?��

    ��Yeah. I��ll apply the conditions now, so take a look. It��s not a bad deal for you, so decide after you see it.��

    Ryu Min manipted the system window in the air and sent a duel request.

    John Delgado, looking at the conditions on the request window, was shocked.

    [The opponent has sent a duel request to ��John Delgado��.]

    [Duel Type ? A Simple Sparring Match That Won��t Result in Death]

    [Victory Condition ? Land a Single Hit]

    [Winning Result ? The loser bes the winner��s ve, serving them as their master for life and obeying theirmands.]

    [Opponent��s Penalty ? Prohibited from using any equipment or skills, cannot move a single step until the duel ends, and must forfeit the first strike.]

    [John Delgado��s Penalty ? None]

    [Do you ept the duel under these conditions? Y/N]

    ��W-what is this?��

    John knew what a duel request was.

    But the conditions attached were absurd.

    ��The loser bes the winner��s ve?��

    This was nothing short of a ve contract!

    ��There��s no way I can ept this. Absolutely not.��

    But if he won?

    He could, in turn, make the ck Scythe his ve.

    That would be a far more satisfying revenge than simply killing him.

    ��The question is whether I can win a duel against the ck Scythe����

    Common sense said there was no way he could win.

    It was a fight with no chance at all.

    Yet John hesitated.

    ��He won��t use skills or items, won��t move, and even gives up the first strike?��

    The possibility of winning wasn��t zero after all.

    ��The conditions are good. As long as I cannd even the slightest touch, I win.��

    With the first strike in his favor and an opponent who wouldn��t move like a scarecrow, how could he lose?

    Despite the favorable conditions, John didn��t easily sumb to temptation.

    ��He must believe he has a chance of winning, or he wouldn��t propose such conditions. He��s trying to make me his ve with this duel request.��

    The intention was obvious, almost too obvious.

    Even knowing this, John couldn��t bring himself to say he would refuse.

    He might be killed on the spot if he did.

    ��No, I��m sure he would. That cold-blooded bastard definitely would����

    So there was only one way out.

    Contrary to the ck Scythe��s expectations, he would win the bet and make the bastard his ve.

    This was John Delgado��s one and only chance, the only way to escape this situation.

    [The duel has been epted.]

    [The duel will begin in 10 seconds.]

 Chapter 208 (Part 2)

    Chapter 208: ve Contract (Part 2)

    [The duel has been epted.]

    [The duel will begin in 10 seconds.]

    Ryu Min��s lips curled into a smirk as he read the message.

    ��I knew he��d ept.��

    After all, John had no other choice.

    He wasn��t in a position to consider various options.

    ��It must have been a tempting offer. The thought of making me his ve.��

    Moreover, by imposing penalties, he had made the bnce seem fair.

    It was all just a ploy to make it look like there was a chance of winning.

    ��Even though I can��t use skills, can��t move, and have to give up the first strike����

    Ryu Min wasn��t worried.

    With the Rune of Insight and the Rune of Future Sight, he was confident he could see through any move.

    ��I��ll let you take the first strike. Come at me.��

    ��You don��t have to tell me twice����

    Crackle-

    ��You damn bastard!��

    At the tip of John Delgado��s staff, a ghostly figure began to take shape.

    An ethereal undead, Sariel, which could only be harmed by magical damage, appeared in its skeletal form.

    ��Kill that bastard!��

    At its master��smand, Sariel charged forward silently, reaching Ryu Min in the blink of an eye.

    So fast, it seemed to have teleported.

    Sariel��s weapon shed, drawing a line through the air.

    As promised, Ryu Min let the first strike happen, dodging easily by moving only his upper body, and uttered a single word.

    ��Discharge.��

    Crackle-!

    The lightning bolt not only pierced Sariel��s body but also tore through the ceiling of the house.

    ��W-what?!��

    Sariel, the high-ranking angel summons, met a surprisingly quick end, but John Delgado was shocked for a different reason.

    ��You said skills were prohibited!��

    ��This isn��t a skill; it��s a rune effect.��

    ��You damn cheating bastard!��

    Realizing he had been tricked, John Delgado calmly prepared his next move.

    Uooooooh-

    Five more ethereal undead materialized from the tip of his staff, scattering in all directions as they attacked Ryu Min simultaneously.

    But there was no surprise in the oue.

    ��AoE Discharge.��

    With a single ability, everything in the area was cleared.

    But as expected, John promptly summoned five more.

    ��No need to go all out at once. They��ll just get wiped out in one shot anyway.��

    John��s strategy was simple.

    Disperse his forces and attack.

    ��There��s got to be a cooldown on that damn ability.��

    A smile crept onto John��s lips.

    This was a strategy he had prepared for just such a situation, and it was one that gave him a real chance at winning.

    That is if Ryu Min didn��t have the Rune of Darkness.

    ��Scatter.��

    The floating dark orbs transformed into dozens of des, spreading out in all directions.

    Shing-shing-shing-shing-!

    The ethereal undead were obliterated by the des, as the damage was a mix of magic.

    Not a single one remained.

    And among them was John Delgado.

    ��Urgh����

    With a dark de embedded in his forehead, John copsed to his knees.

    [The duel is over. ��ck Scythe�� is victorious.]

    [The opponent has lost and is now your ve, serving you as their master for life and obeying yourmands.]

    The duel was over.

    A smile yed on Ryu Min��s lips.

    ��Everything went ording to n.��

    Just like with Ju Seong-tak, he had made John his ve through a duel request.

    John, his forehead wound now healed, looked up from his kneeling position.

    ��I greet my master.��

    ��Good. John, I have something to test with you.��

    ��Just give the order.��

    Even though Sariel was just killed, this was a duel request, so there was no telling what might happen.

    ��Summon the angel.��

    ��The cooldown is five minutes. Please wait a little longer.��

    ��Fine.��

    Five minutester, John summoned the ethereal undead once more.

    Without a will of its own, Sariel didn��t recognize Ryu Min.

    ��Let��s see if killing a summon counts toward the stack. Discharge.��

    Crackle!

    He immediately sted Sariel with lightning, disintegrating it.

    However, no message appeared, and there was no change in the number of the Demon Rune stacks.

    [Angels defeated: 1/100]

    ��So it doesn��t count unless it��s the first time Sariel was killed.��

    In other words, killing a summoned angel didn��t contribute to the Demon Rune stack.

    ��If killing a summon could yield benefits, there wouldn��t be any need for all this effort.��

    It was the same with other summons: killing them didn��t yield experience or gold.

    If it did, no yer in the world would stay idle.

    ��Summoners everywhere would have been teaming up to level up in reality too.��

    Ryu Min had tested it despite knowing there was no gain, just in case.

    ��It shows just how desperate I am.��

    To deal with the next archangel, he needed to be able to activate the Demon��s Blessing at any time by umting stacks.

    ��I need to kill 99 more angels to activate the blessing, but how?��

    Without a way to hunt angels, umting stacks seemed impossible.

    ��I should have forced him to summon more angels like with Remiel and then killed him.��

    It felt like a waste to have just killed Sariel, but he shook his head.

    ��That one resisted until the end. It wouldn��t have cooperated.��

    Sariel wasn��t the type to give in to threats.

    ��No choice then. I��ll have to test it next time. Maybe the stack doesn��t increase because it��s an ethereal undead.��

    If the corpse is intact, it could be turned into a corporeal undead.

    Unlike ethereal undead, corporeal undead couldn��t be summoned again once destroyed, so there might be a difference.

    ��I��ll have to test it next time. To see if the count increases when I kill a corporeal undead angel.��

    If that worked, John Delgado��s value would skyrocket.

    It would mean he could umte stacks more easily.

    ��If that happens, I��ll keep him around for life.��

    Regardless of the oue, Ryu Min already nned to use John for as long as possible.

 Chapter 209 (Part 1)

    Chapter 209: Parking Lot (Part 1)

    Ryu Min decided to meet Russell since he was already overseas.

    There were some things he wanted to discuss in person, and he was also curious about Russell��s financial situation.

    ��Mr. Ryu! Long time no see!��

    Russell waved enthusiastically as he approached Ryu Min at New York��s JFK International Airport.

    Ryu Min came with a smile and shook his hand.

    ��Did it take long to get here?��

    ��Oh, not at all. I just watched a movie and took a nap, and it went by quickly.��

    It takes seven hours to travel from the UK to the US.

    It was quite a distance, so Ryu Min had initially nned to visit Russell, but Russell had insisted oning to meet him instead.

    ��Are you hungry? How about we talk over lunch?��

    ��Oh, how did you know I was hungry? Let��s do that!��

    Ryu Min took him to a steakhouse at the airport and ordered a variety of dishes.

    ��You seem pretty hungry. Think you can eat all this?��

    ��Oh, of course. If I want to keep up my strength, I need to eat this much.��

    ��Don��t worry about the bill. I��ll take care of everything.��

    ��Hey! What are you talking about? I should be the one paying. I can��t just freeload after getting a free prophecy. I��m quite wealthy, you know?��

    When money was mentioned, Ryu Min remembered the advice he had given before.

    ��By the way, did you sell the stocks?��

    ��Oh, yes! I sold them as soon as I heard your advice. Thanks to that, I made quite a bit of money. It��s the first time in my life I��ve seen such arge sum in my ount.��

    ��How much did you make?��

    ��Forty thousand pounds.��

    Russell had invested 14,000 pounds in Ma Kyung-rok��spany.

    Now, the investment had nearly tripled, bing a substantial sum of 40,000 pounds��about 65 million Korean won.

    With that money, he wouldn��t have to struggle with the cost of materials and could continue his crafting for years.

    ��You made quite a bit.��

    ��For someone like me who didn��t have much money, handling such arge sum�� it��s all thanks to you, Prophet. So, about that bank ount����

    Before he could finish his sentence, Ryu Min shook his head, as if he already knew what Russell was going to say.

    ��That money is all yours, Russell.��

    ��Huh? But you provided the initial capital, didn��t you? I should repay the loan����

    ��Do you remember what I said when we first met?��

    Russell thought for a moment and then nodded.

    ��You said you were investing in me based on my potential.��

    ��Yes. I��ve already ced an investment in you, Russell. I have no intention of withdrawing it until you reach the pinnacle as a cksmith. Besides, I��m not someone who needs money.��

    ������

    ��Money should be with those who need it. So, use it, Russell. If you feel ufortable using borrowed money, just keep the principal and spend the rest as you see fit. After all, you earned it through your own investment.��

    Strictly speaking, both the initial capital and the investment information hade from Ryu Min, so the money couldn��t really be considered Russell��s. However, since Ryu Min preferred to treat it as an investment, Russell could only ept it with gratitude.

    ��I understand your intentions, Prophet. Though I feel a bit shameless, I will use this money for my living expenses. Thank you, truly.��

    ��It��s nothing to be thankful for, really. But there��s something important I need to tell you, Russell����

    ��Ah, that��s why you came here, right? Go ahead.��

    Russell listened intently, prepared to hear what Ryu Min had to say, as Ryu Min spoke with a serious expression.

    ��Have you heard of the nickname ��ck Scythe��?��

    ��ck Scythe? Of course!��

    Russell wasn��t unaware of the rank one yer.

    ��In the next 13th round, ck Scythe wille looking for you.��

    ��What? B-ck Scythe?��

    Not only was it surprising that the top-ranked yer woulde looking for him, but how could someone he had never met find him?

    ��How does he know me?��

    ��He doesn��t, but he soon will. I��m going to tell ck Scythe to meet you.��

    ��What?��

    The meaning behind those words was clear.

    ��W-Wait, do you mean you know ck Scythe in real life?��

    ��Yes. Somehow, we ended up bing acquainted.��

    Russell��s stunned expression gradually changed to one of understanding.

    If Ryu Min was truly a Prophet, then it wouldn��t be strange for him to know the true identity of ck Scythe.

    ��To think you have the terrifying ck Scythe as an acquaintance�� Haha, you must have nerves of steel too, Prophet.��

    ��Is ck Scythe that scary?��

    ��Of course. While others have justpleted onep around the track, he��s already finished tenps on his own. He takes first ce as easily as eating breakfast. In many ways, he��s a frightening person.��

    It was understandable that others might feel that way.

    ��But what am I supposed to do when I meet ck Scythe��?��

    ��For you to grow in the 13th round, you��ll need ck Scythe��s help. To be specific����

    Ryu Min exined in detail the strategy for the 13th round and what Russell needed to do.

    ��Ah, so that��s why I need to meet ck Scythe�� I understand.��

    ��I��ll talk to ck Scytheter as well, to make sure hees to help you.��

    ��Do you think ck Scythe will agree to help me?��

    ��Since it��s my request, he��ll probably help. But just in case, prove your worth when you meet him.��

    ��My worth?��

    ��If you cast buffs with your cksmith ss, he��ll see the need to help you.��

    ��Ah, I see.��

    Russell nodded, and as he did, Ryu Min smiled to himself.

    ��With this, I��ve established a connection between Russell and ck Scythe.��

    By ying the matchmaker, he had forged a link between them.

    ��The cksmith ss is specialized in support, like a buffer. If we stick together until the 20th round, he��ll be extremely useful.��

    As Ryu Min smiled, his phone rang.

    The caller was Ju Seong-tak.

    ��It must have started.��

    He couldn��t stay seated any longer.

    ��Please excuse me for a moment.��

    ��Of course, take your time.��

    After excusing himself from Russell, Ryu Min walked to a corner and answered the call.

    ��What��s the situation?��

    -Ma Kyung-rok just arrived at a secluded warehouse. He��s pacing outside, smoking, as if waiting for someone.

    ��He��s probably waiting for the offering. What��s the location?��

    -It��s at Bongbaesan in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province.

    Hearing the location confirmed his suspicion.

    It was Ma Kyung-rok��s usual hideout.

    ��Good job. Send me the exact location via text. Keep watching, and when the timees, join Jeffrey and follow the n.��

    -Understood.

    After ending the call, Ryu Min immediately contacted Jeffrey.

    ��Jeffrey. What about Christine?��

    -She just arrived in Korea a little while ago.

    ��Good. Lead her to the location I��m sending. You remember what to say, right?��

    -Of course.

    ��Then proceed immediately after this call.��

    -I��ll carry out your orders.

    After sending the location to Jeffrey, Ryu Min called Seo Arin.

    This time, using the voice of ck Scythe.

 Chapter 209 (Part 2)

    Chapter 209: Parking Lot (Part 2)

    Ma Kyung-sang and Ma Kyung-soo were never particrly close.

    Having grown up under a strict father while receiving business training, they viewed each other aspetitors.

    Although they bickered like any other brothers, it was solely due to their rivalry for session.

    They both realized that only money ruled the world, and as such, each saw the other as nothing more than an obstacle.

    However, the constant rivalry and discordsted only untilst year.

    As the eldest son, Ma Kyung-rok��spany began to grow, the two brothers became increasingly anxious.

    As it looked like he might fulfill their father��s conditions, they joined hands.

    It was a temporary alliance to deal with amon enemy.

    ��Kyung-sang hyung, have you thought of a n?��

    ��Yeah, I��ve thought about it, but it seems your n, Kyung-soo, is the best.��

    ��Right? It��s the most realistic and has the highest chance of sess, doesn��t it?��

    ��Yeah, it seems that way.��

    The n proposed by the youngest, Ma Kyung-soo, was quite simple.

    They would kidnap Ma Kyung-rok while he was on his way back from work, wearing masks, and challenge him to a duel.

    The duel conditions would be set in their favor.

    They couldn��t possibly lose.

    Of course, Ma Kyung-rok would refuse, but if they threatened to kill him on the spot, what choice would he have?

    He would have no choice but to ept, even with tears in his eyes.

    ��Hyung. If we do it the way I suggested, we can get rid of Kyung-rok hyung cleanly. The duel��s oue will decide who steps down from the position of sessor. We��ll have the upper hand, no doubt.��

    ��So, once he epts the duel, it��s all over?��

    ��Exactly. It��s as good as our victory. And if we add a condition that he can��t reveal anything, we canpletely remove Kyung-rok hyung from the session race.��

    ��And then we canpete fairly between ourselves?��

    ��That��s right. Until then, we absolutely must not backstab each other. Got it, hyung?��

    ��Hey! Do I look like someone who would do that? You��re the one who shouldn��t backstab me.��

    ��I know, I know. I��m just saying it as a precaution, so don��t take it to heart.��

    Though Ma Kyung-soo spoke reassuringly, inwardly, he was smirking.

    ��Once we get rid of Ma Kyung-rok, you��re next, you bastard.��

    They were only cooperating to deal with Ma Kyung-rok, but Ma Kyung-soo intended to take the position of sessor for himself.

    No matter how dirty the methods.

    ��But what if Kyung-rok hyung resists? Are we really going to have to fight to the death?��

    ��This pathetic bastard. A second son, yet he��s so weak-minded!��

    Although Ma Kyung-soo thought his brother��s question was pathetic, he didn��t show it.

    Despite everything, Ma Kyung-sang was a useful second brother to have around.

    ��Yeah, we might have to. We should try not to kill him, but if he resists too much����

    A murderous gleam flickered in Ma Kyung-soo��s eyes.

    ��We��ll have to kill him, even if he is our eldest brother.��

    ��Hey, isn��t that going too far? No matter what, killing him is����

    ��Then what about kidnapping? Is that okay?��

    ��That��s still better than murder, isn��t it?��

    ��Hyung. Do you think you can inherit the Ohsung Group without being prepared to do what it takes? Or are youying the groundwork to bail outter? After we��re already in too deep?��

    ��N-No, it��s not that. I was just wondering if there was a better way than killing����

    ��That��s why we��re giving him a chance. If he epts the duel, Kyung-rok hyung can still keep his life.��

    ��But, do you think we can beat Kyung-rok hyung? The two of us?��

    ��Why wouldn��t we? We��re all about the same level, right? Do you think we��d lose, even with the numbers on our side?��

    ��Still. There��s a feeling about him, isn��t there? Didn��t you feel it?��

    ��Feel what?��

    ��Kyung-rok hyung. Sometimes his eyes give me the creeps. It��s like he could be a serial killer or something.��

    ��What are you talking about, hyung? What��s so scary about him? Are you seriously chickening out andying the groundwork to back out?��

    ��N-No, who��s chickening out? I��m just saying there were times when he seemed that way.��

    ��Don��t worry about it, hyung. Kyung-rok hyung isn��t ck Scythe, and the two of us can definitely handle him.��

    ��Y-Yeah, I guess so?��

    While Ma Kyung-soo was brimming with confidence, Ma Kyung-sang seemed a bit more concerned.

    ��Tch, this idiot of a second brother. He��s scared over nothing. I��m the only one fit to be the sessor.��

    As he thought this, Ma Kyung-soo arrived at the underground parking lot of Ma Kyung-sang��s apartment.

    ��Hyung. Let��s have a detailed discussion tomorrow.��

    ��Yeah. We still have time, so let me know when and where by text tomorrow.��

    Ma Kyung-soo nodded and got into his car as Ma Kyung-sang waved.

    ��Drive safely.��

    ��Got it, hyung. Oh? What the hell?��

    As he started his Porsche, a warning light came on, and Ma Kyung-soo got out of the car.

    ��What��s wrong?��

    ��Looks like the tire��s t.��

    ��All of a sudden?��

    ��I don��t know. Ah, here it is. There��s a hole here. Damn it.��

    ��See? I told you to drive more carefully. Have you been sneaking out at dawn to race with your car club again?��

    ��Come on, I quit that a long time ago.��

    ��Then why is a perfectly good tire t?��

    ��Exactly.��

    ��Maybe someone shed it on purpose?��

    ��Looks that way. Damn it, what kind of bastard����

    Sighing, Ma Kyung-soo looked at his brother.

    ��I guess I��ll have to borrow your car, hyung.��

    ��Ugh, what a hassle�� Fine, wait here. I��ll get the keys.��

    While Ma Kyung-sang went up to his apartment, Ma Kyung-soo waited, smoking a cigarette.

    Fsssh-

    ��Ugh, why won��t this light����

    Just then, he sensed someone approaching and looked up.

    ��Hyung, you��re already back����

    Wham-!

    Ma Kyung-soo was knocked out by a shield blow, and three minutester, Ma Kyung-sang returned.

    ��Kyung-soo, where are you? I brought the keys. Huh?��

    Looking around, Ma Kyung-sang noticed his brother��s cigarette and Zippo lighter on the ground.

    ��What��s this? This is Kyung-soo��s����

    As he picked up the items, he sensed someone quickly approaching from behind.

    Thinking it was his brother, he turned his head, only to be struck hard in the face by a shield.

    Thud-

    An Sang-cheol, who had knocked out the brothers, loaded them into a van and made a call.

    ��It��s done, sir. Yes. I��ll bring them in now.��

    Shortly after, the van An Sang-cheol was driving sped out of the parking lot.

 Chapter 234: The Start of the 14th Round (2)

    Chapter 234: The Start of the 14th Round (2)

    The ranking was based on contribution?

    That meant yers had to kill as many monsters as possible or contribute significantly to their defeat.

    ��It��s a round that clearly favors those with power. Like me.��

    For Ryu Min, who could kill dozens of monsters with just a few swings of his scythe, umting contribution points was not a difficult task.

    It was practically guaranteed that he would be ranked first again in this round.

    ��But I can��t hog all the contribution points for myself. I need to leave enough for the others.��

    If he wanted to, he could wipe out hundreds or thousands of monsters on his own.

    But that would reduce the contribution points avable to others, and hispanions might not survive.

    ��I can��t let that happen. At least, I have to make sure the Death Church members get their share.��Ryu Min had already informed his followers about the nature of this round and the strategies for each wave.

    He had even distributed equipment he wasn��t using, so they wouldn��t have trouble earning contribution points.

    [We��ll begin the quest shortly, so make sure you��re ready!]

    ��What��s there to prepare? We could start right now.��

    Ryu Min tilted his head, but didn��t think much of it.

    He didn��t realize the angel had other ns.

    Nor did he notice the hostile gaze directed at his back.

    *

    When do people feel that life is unfair?

    Is it when they see rich people spending money as if it were water, realizing the gap between them?

    When someone else gets promoted faster because of their connections with the boss?

    Or when they��re forced to submit to greater power and violence?

    Many situations could apply, but they could all be condensed into one truth:

    When you��re powerless.

    ��It��s because I don��t have power that I get trampled on��whether it��s money, authority, or violence.��

    [SoSo Food Show] had already experienced being trampled.

    By the president of yer Haven.

    ��That bastard deserves to be torn apart. How could he cast me out just for one mistake?��

    Once a key executive who handled major events for yer Haven, it was all in the past now.

    Now, SoSo Food Show was cklisted and unable to ess the site.

    All because of a singlement made nine months ago.

    �C So why did the ck Scythe go silent after applying?

    �C Maybe it was never the real ck Scythe in the first ce?

    �C An impostor�� Yeah, that makes sense.

    �C Come to think of it, why would someone as big as the ck Scythe want to join a site like this��?

    �C SoSo Food Show, did you just say ��a site like this��? What exactly do you mean by that? What��s wrong with our site?

    �C SoSo Food Show, as of now, you��re dismissed from your executive position. You will also be cklisted, so you��d better learn to adapt when the new eraes.

    After being ruthlessly kicked out during a video conference by the yer Haven president, SoSo Food Show had been enduring alone ever since.

    Clenching his teeth in revenge against the president.

    ��I want to kill that bastard for abandoning me, but I don��t even know his real name or face����

    There was no way to find him.

    The president of yer Haven wasn��t a yer but an ordinary civilian, something SoSo Food Show didn��t even know.

    ��If only I knew his real name, I could hire a private investigator to track him down.��

    He��d already sought help from various detective agencies, but all that did was waste his money. Now, he had practically given up on finding the president.

    What else could he do when there were no leads?

    But even so, his heart still burned with bitterness and anger.

    ��It��s all because of that ck Scythe. I got kicked out while talking about that damn bastard!��

    If he were honest with himself, it was his own fault. But SoSo Food Show needed someone to me.

    He needed an outlet for the rage that had built up inside him.

    That target was now the ck Scythe.

    ��That bastard. I hope he dies. Stupid so-called hero, he��s nothing but garbage!��

    He cursed at the ck Scythe��s back every month in the otherworld, but always under his breath.

    As much as he hated to admit it, SoSo Food Show was aware of the overwhelming gap in power between him and the ck Scythe.

    He knew that the ck Scythe was an existence far beyond his reach.

    ��It��s an unfair, unjust world. Damn it all. I hope the whole world burns to ashes.��

    ming the president, the ck Scythe, and the world, SoSo Food Show never once med himself.

    Even when he cursed the world, he still wanted to survive.

    Because revenge and ming others could only happen if he stayed alive.

    ��I��ll survive. I��ll make it to the 20th round and wish for a power that no one can defy. Then I��ll make the president and the ck Scythe, all those bastards, kneel before me and beg for mercy.��

    With a sly grin, SoSo Food Show stared intently at the back of the ck Scythe, only to quickly turn away when the ck Scythe suddenly moved.

    He had almost freaked out, thinking the ck Scythe had noticed him watching.

    ��Damn it! What��s with that guy��s quick movements? Nearly gave me a heart attack. Anyway, based on the mission details, it looks like the ck Scythe is going to be ranked number one again this round. What a disgusting world.��

    Since the rankings would be determined by monster contributions, it was obvious how things would turn out.

    ��I��ll just have to do my best to at least make it past the cutoff.��

    As he resolved to kill as many monsters as possible, something unexpected happened.

    �C SoSo Food Show?

    A soft, feminine voice echoed in his head.

    ��Huh? What the��? This voice sounds familiar����

    �C Over here, SoSo Food Show. No, not there��look up at the sky!

    When he lifted his head, he saw one of the guiding angels staring directly at him.

    �C Yes, you!

    ��You��re�� speaking to me?��

    �C Ugh! Don��t make it obvious! Keep your mouth shut and just listen!

    Startled by the angel��s tone, SoSo Food Show quickly closed his mouth, bewildered by what was happening.

    He had no idea why the angel was acting like this.

    �C I need to talk to you. Follow me quietly. And don��t let anyone notice.

    The angel nodded her head toward him and began to float away slowly.

    Confused, SoSo Food Show had no choice but to follow, still trying toprehend what was going on.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 210 (Part 1)

    Chapter 210: Stop it! (Part 1)

    ��Ugh����

    Ma Kyung-soo, who had fainted, opened his eyes.

    He thought he might be in a parking lot since it was dark, but it wasn��t.

    ��Ugh, what��s that smell?��

    The smell indicated that this was apletely different ce.

    A musty odor wafted up as if there was trash nearby.

    nk-

    ��What��s this?��

    Not only that but his hands and feet were tied.

    Judging by the sound and feel, it was a chain.

    It seemed he had been kidnapped and tied to a chair.

    ��It was that bastard��s doing.��

    Naturally, Ma Kyung-soo recalled the ambush in the parking lot.

    The one who had hit his face with a shield must be the culprit.

    ��I have to get out of here quickly.��

    He was blinking to adjust his eyes to the darkness when he heard a voice.

    ��Are you awake now, Kyung-soo?��

    ��Kyung-sang hyung?��

    The voice came from right next to him.

    As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw Ma Kyung-sang, tied to a chair next time.

    He was also bound to a metal chair with chains.

    ��Hyung, did you get caught too?��

    ��Yeah.��

    ��Damn it, whoever the crazy bastard is that kidnapped us, they��re fools. Do they really think we can��t break out of these?��

    It seemed like they had prepared these chains to kidnap yers, but they picked the wrong people.

    After all, he was a warrior ss who prided himself on his strength.

    ��Hyaaaah!��

    But since his hands were tied behind his back and the chains were wrapped several times, he couldn��t exert his full strength.

    ��Don��t waste your energy. I already tried; it��s no use.��

    Hearing his brother��s dispirited tone made Ma Kyung-soo momentarily angry.

    ��Ah, hyung! What kind of nonsense are you talking about in a situation like this? We have to at least try something!��

    ��Hey, hey! Quiet down. What if the kidnapperes in��?��

    ��Let theme! I want to see that bastard��s face!��

    As if to prove a point, he shouted, and the warehouse door really did open.

    Craaaack-

    Both of them expected the shield-wielding attacker to enter, but the person who came in was unexpected.

    No, it was someone they had subconsciously considered.

    ��Ma Kyung-rok��?��

    As they feared, the culprit was Ma Kyung-rok.

    The sneer on his face was the proof.

    He didn��t look like someone who hade to rescue them at all.

    ��I knew it was you, you bastard.��

    Even as the brothers red at him with gritted teeth, Ma Kyung-rok remained calm.

    He simply tilted his head in a questioning manner.

    ��How strange? Are you out of your mind? Talking down to your elder brother as soon as you see him? Do I need to gut you alive to make youe to your senses?��

    ��Damn it, Ma Kyung-rok, you psycho bastard. Do you still want to be treated like an elder in this situation?��

    ��Kyung-rok hyung. Don��t do this, just let us go. Please.��

    Unlike the aggressive Ma Kyung-soo, Ma Kyung-sang pleaded with desperate eyes to be freed.

    ��Hmm, I was thinking of letting you go if you behaved, but I guess I��ll only free Kyung-sang then.��

    ��Let me go too, you bastard!��

    ��Our youngest needs to relearn some respect for his elders.��

    Ma Kyung-rok grinned and pointed his sword.

    ��Just eat one of his arms.��

    A sinister aura began to seep from the sword and slithered like a snake.

    ��What, what is this? Get away! Aaaah! It hurts!��

    The dark aura clung to Ma Kyung-soo��s arm, gnawing away at his flesh.

    ��Aaaah! It hurts! Aaaah!��

    Like a worm-eaten apple, one of his arms was reduced to tatters.

    With his arm gnawed down to the bone, Ma Kyung-soo eventually passed out.

    Watching this scene right beside him, Ma Kyung-sang was trembling like a leaf.

    ��Wake up, Kyung-soo.��

    ������

    ��I said, wake up.��

    When Ma Kyung-rok walked up and pped him, Ma Kyung-soo finally came to his senses.

    ��When did I say you could just sleep?��

    ��Ugh����

    ��No answer?��

    At the icy voice, Ma Kyung-soo lowered his head and muttered.

    ��S-Sorry, hyung����

    He hadn��t slept; he had fainted, but he didn��t have the energy to argue.

    He couldn��t even muster the courage to look up.

    ��You idiot. If you were going to give in so easily, why did you resist in the first ce? Now you��ve lost an arm for nothing. Not that it matters since I��m going to kill you anyway.��

    The word ��kill�� made the brothers flinch.

    ��S-Spare me, hyung����

    ��Please����

    ��Oh? So you do want to live? But what can you do?��

    Ma Kyung-rok smirked.

    ��The damage is already done.��

    ��No, it��s not toote, hyung. We can still fix this.��

    ��Y-Yeah. If you just let us go, we won��t say a word to anyone. We won��t even go after the heir position.��

    ��Ha ha ha ha.��

    For some reason, Ma Kyung-rok couldn��t stopughing.

    ��You guys are really something. Isn��t it natural for the eldest son to inherit thepany? Why are you so greedy for the heir��s position? Just because we eat at the same table, do you think what��s on my te is yours too? You should know your ce.��

    ��S-Sorry. We won��t do it anymore.��

    ��Just forgive us this one time, Kyung-rok hyung����

    ��Greed without even the ability to back it up. If you wanted it so badly, you should��ve been born as the eldest. Where do you get off trying to climb over your elder brother? Did you think I wouldn��t notice?��

    Though he spoke with apparent anger, Ma Kyung-rok��s expression was eerily calm.

    It was as if he was deliberately acting angry to justify himself.

    That expression sent chills down Ma Kyung-sang��s spine.

    ��This is it! The other side of Kyung-rok hyung I��ve seen before��!��

    There were times when he showed this creepy expression, and now was one of those times.

    Now was the time to beg for his life.

    ��S-Sorry, Kyung-rok hyung! I-I was wrong.��

    ��Be honest. You were nning to kill me, weren��t you?��

    ��N-No, leave me out of it! It was Kyung-soo! Kyung-soo was the one nning everything!��

    ��What?��

    Ma Kyung-soo shot him a re, but Ma Kyung-sang didn��t care.

    He was just desperate to save his own skin.

    ��Tell me everything about the n if you want to get out of here alive.��

    ��Well, you see����

    Terrified, Ma Kyung-sang spilled all the ns he and Ma Kyung-soo had made.

    Ma Kyung-rok��s lips curled into a sneer.

    ��So you thought you could beat me in a duel?��

    ��Y-Yeah. We didn��t actually n on killing you.��

    ��Really?��

    ��Of course! Do you think I��d lie in this situation?��

    ��Bullshit.��

    Ma Kyung-soo sneered.

    ��Kyung-rok hyung. Don��t believe him. He��s lying just to save himself.��

    ��What are you talking about, Kyung-soo! Why would I lie?��

    ��You were nning to kill him if he didn��t ept the duel. Kyung-sang hyung agreed to everything.��

    ��W-What are you talking about? I clearly opposed it����

    ��Opposed, my ass. You even asked when the strategy meeting was tomorrow.��

    ��Hey, Kyung-soo! Do you want to die?��

    Ma Kyung-sang��s eyes screamed, ��Why are you telling the truth and provoking Ma Kyung-rok?��

    ��Why are you poking the ho��s nest?��

    Ma Kyung-soo, reading his expression, sneered in disdain.

    ��Who betrayed whom first? I��m not dying alone, you bastard.��

    ��You crazy��!��

    ��Haha!��

    A sudden burst ofughter made the fighting brothers turn their heads as if on cue.

    ��Oh, sorry. Did I interrupt? Keep going. It��s amusing to watch you fight. Show me more.��

    As Ma Kyung-rok openly mocked them, the brothers fell silent.

    They were no longer in the mood, but more than that, they didn��t want to do as Ma Kyung-rok suggested.

    ��Why did you stop? I told you to keep fighting and figure out who��s at fault.��

    ������

    ��This isn��t fun. Watching you two argue over whose fault it was is quite amusing, though.��

    He was openly mocking them, but the brothers didn��t say a word.

    They knew very well that Ma Kyung-rok held all the power here.

    ��Looks like the momentum is gone, so should I set the stage for you?��

    Ma Kyung-rok swung his sword coated in the dark aura.

    Swish-! Swish-

    The sudden attack made the brothers flinch, but when they saw that their chains had been cut, their eyes widened in surprise.

    ��Now it��s easier to move, right?��

    ��Why��?��

 Chapter 210 (Part 2)

    Chapter 210: Stop it! (Part 2)

    Swish-! Swish-

    The sudden attack made the brothers flinch, but when they saw that their chains had been cut, their eyes widened in surprise.

    ��Now it��s easier to move, right?��

    ��Why��?��

    ��Why did you untie us?��

    ��Why? I just want to watch my little brothers fight a bit longer.��

    Ma Kyung-rok smiled slyly as he continued.

    ��I��ll make a deal with you. The one who wins this fight gets to leave here.��

    ��You want us to�� fight?��

    ��Yeah. But not just any fight��a real one. You have to fight for your life. I��ll only let the one who kills the other leave.��

    ��What?��

    In other words, he was telling them to kill each other.

    ��The one who survives, I��ll make sure you get out of here. That��s a promise.��

    ��A-Are you serious, Kyung-rok hyung?��

    ��Or would you rather both of you die by my hand?��

    As Ma Kyung-rok raised his sword, the de shimmered with dark aura.

    Ma Kyung-rok was powerful enough to slice through their chains like tofu, so there was no doubt about hisbat prowess.

    ��A 2-on-1 fight would be tough����

    Ma Kyung-sang briefly thought about ambushing Ma Kyung-rok with Ma Kyung-soo, but that thought didn��tst long.

    Seeing Ma Kyung-soo, who was practically down an arm, he realized it would be impossible.

    ��So what��s it going to be? Do you want to die? Or does one of you want to at least try to live?��

    ��I-I��ll do it. We��ll fight�� Gah!��

    Suddenly, blood spurted from Ma Kyung-sang��s neck.

    Ma Kyung-soo had drawn a dagger and shed his brother��s throat before he could react.

    Thud

    Even though Ma Kyung-sang died with his eyes wide open, Ma Kyung-soo didn��t spare a nce at his fallen brother.

    ��It��s done, right? Kyung-rok hyung! I won, so you��ll let me go, right?��

    He had killed Ma Kyung-sang in a surprise attack.

    As Ma Kyung-rok let out a low chuckle, he nodded in acknowledgment.

    ��Alright, alright. Okay, our youngest passes. A promise is a promise.��

    ��S-So I can leave?��

    ��Sure. But����

    Click��Creeeeak

    As if afraid Kyung-rok would change his mind, Ma Kyung-soo immediately opened the door to leave. But he stopped in his tracks when he saw An Sang-cheol standing outside.

    ��I said I��d let you go, but I never said I��d let you live.��

    ��W-What?��

    ��Mr. An.��

    ��Yes, sir.��

    ��Don��t let him get away. I��ll kill him myself.��

    ��Understood.��

    An Sang-cheol, who was holding a shield, activated a knight��s protection skill and blocked the way.

    The skill wasn��t just for protecting the party; it could be used like a wall, too.

    ��Damn it! You bastard!��

    Ma Kyung-soo, an assassin, immediately tried to use his stealth skill.

    It was nighttime, so he intended to escape under the cover of darkness, but he hadn��t ounted for the fact that his presence could still be detected.

    Thump!

    ��Ugh!��

    A shield bash skill struck Ma Kyung-soo, forcing him out of his stealth and sending him rolling three times across the ground.

    With him being outnumbered, and with his arm nearly incapacitated, he was in a dire situation.

    But he forced himself to stand.

    ��If I stop here, I��ll die.��

    He was determined to survive and expose Ma Kyung-rok��s atrocities to the world.

    Even if it meant he would end up in prison, he would do it.

    With that determination, he tried to run again, but it wasn��t just An Sang-cheol who was after him.

    ��Where do you think you��re going?��

    Ma Kyung-rok��s dark aura grabbed hold of Ma Kyung-soo��s ankle, tripping him and sending him sprawling to the ground again.

    Ma Kyung-soo tried to get up immediately, but��

    sh!

    Before he could even stand, his knee was cut.

    ��Aaaahhhh!��

    ��Now you can��t run anymore, can you?��

    ��P-Please spare me! Hyung! No, hyungnim! Kyung-rok hyungnim! Please, I��m begging you! What��s the point of killing someone like me, a lowly bastard? If you let me go now, I��ll go abroad and live quietly like a dead mouse. Hyungnim, we��re family! Family! You can have the heir position too. So please����

    ��You��re talking like you��ve got a motor in your mouth. It��s amusing to see what people are like when they��re about to die.��

    ��Ah.��

    Seeing Ma Kyung-rok smirk, Ma Kyung-soo realized what his brother was seeing.

    The same chilling look in his eyes that Ma Kyung-sang had talked about.

    And then it hit him.

    ��H-He��s serious.��

    No matter how much he begged, Ma Kyung-rok had no intention of sparing him.

    In fact, he was purely enjoying watching him suffer.

    ��Isn��t there anyone? Please save me! Somebody, please!��

    ��There��s no point in shouting. There��s no one around here.��

    Ma Kyung-rokughed as he sliced through Ma Kyung-soo��s other leg.

    sh!

    ��Aaaahhh!��

    ��That��s why I like this ce. It��s the perfect spot to deal with criminals.��

    ��C-Criminals?��

    ��And right now, I have another criminal in front of me.��

    Ma Kyung-rok smiled as he drew out his dark aura.

    It seemed like finishing things with the dark aura would be best.

    ��Eat him up.��

    ��No! Noooo! Aaaaaaah!��

    As the dark aura began to devour Ma Kyung-soo alive, a sudden voice interrupted.

    ��Stop it!��

    Ma Kyung-rok��s head snapped around at the unexpected interruption.

    And then he saw them.

    ��Christine?��

    Approaching him were his fianc��e, Christine, and Seo Arin.

 Chapter 211 (Part 1)

    Chapter 211: The Witness (Part 1)

    Three Hours Earlier.

    Christine hade to Korea merely to hear the Prophet��s prediction for the next round. She also intended to inquire about the ck Scythe.

    ��That was the n, but����

    As soon as she arrived at the airport, she encountered someone unexpected.

    ��How did you get here, Jeffrey?��

    Christine��s eyes narrowed with suspicion, as old, unresolved feelings surfaced.

    ��Are you following me on my father��s orders?��

    ��No, I��m here on the orders of the ck Scythe.��

    ��The ck Scythe?��

    At the mention of the ck Scythe, Christine��s anger subsided, though she never expected to hear that name from Jeffrey��s mouth. This unexpected turn made her even more suspicious.

    ��How do you know the ck Scythe? What connection do you have with him?��

    ��We were in the same party in the 12th round. When he found out I knew you, he asked for my phone number.��

    ��What?��

    Someone exchanged phone numbers with him without her knowing? Jealousy red for a moment, but she quickly regained herposure.

    ��Don��t lie. As far as I know, the ck Scythe avoids meeting others in real life����

    Jeffrey suddenly handed her his phone.

    ��I just video-called the ck Scythe. See for yourself.��

    ��What?��

    Startled, Christine took the phone. On the screen appeared a man in a white mask.

    ��Is that�� Christine?��

    ��ck Scythe?��

    The figure on the screen was dressed exactly as she remembered from the otherworld. The scythe was identical too.

    ��Is it really you, ck Scythe?��

    ��Yes. You look the same in both the otherworld and reality.��

    ��I thought I had made some changes to my face and skin����

    Though she was slightly disappointed that he hadn��t noticed, this wasn��t the time to worry about that. This was a call with the savior she had longed to meet.

    ��I never imagined I��d be speaking with you in reality.��

    ��I didn��t expect this either. I had no idea you and Jeffrey knew each other.��

    ��You exchanged numbers after hearing about me? Do you have some business with me��?��

    Christine asked with a hint of expectation, but the response was not what she hoped for.

    ��There��s something I want to show you. I��ll tell you the ce, so meet me there. Jeffrey will guide you.��

    ��Ah, I see.��

    After the call ended, Christine gave an embarrassed smile.

    ��I��m sorry I doubted you, Jeffrey. You really did make contact with the ck Scythe?��

    ��Yes. It��s quite a curious connection, isn��t it?��

    ��It is. How did you end up in a party with the ck Scythe?��

    ��I��ll exin on the way. For now, let��s get moving.��

    Christine got into the car Jeffrey had prepared, and they set off.

    ��What could it be that he wants to show me? Will the ck Scythe himself be there?��

    Suppressing her curiosity, she watched as the car veered onto a secluded mountain path.

    ��We��re here.��

    ��Is this the ce?��

    ��Yes. Please step out.��

    Together, they began to climb the mountain path. If she hade with a stranger, she would have been wary, but Christine trusted Jeffrey. After all, she had just spoken to ck Scythe, and it was Jeffrey leading the way.

    ��Jeffrey wouldn��t harm me. I��m sure of it.��

    She had known him since childhood and was confident he was someone who would protect her. That was why she followed him without hesitation.

    ��Hm? There are people over there.��

    She noticed two figures, a man and a woman, standing behind a tree. The woman, in particr, was someone Christine recognized.

    ��Seo Arin?��

    ��Chrissy?��

    The two women called out each other��s usernames simultaneously. They had partied together just a few days ago in the 12th round, so there was no way they wouldn��t recognize each other.

    ��Hello. I never thought I��d meet you here, Seo Arin.��

    ��Same here, Christine. I knew someone else wasing, but I didn��t expect it to be you.��

    Christine widened her eyes at Seo Arin��s fluent English.

    ��You speak English well?��

    ��I picked it up while taking acting sses. It��s awkward if the pronunciation is off during English lines.��

    Christine already knew Seo Arin was an actress. They had exchanged introductions and shared stories when they partied together. That was when Christine found out that Seo Arin was under Ma Kyung-rok��spany.

    ��You look exactly the same as you do in reality.��

    ��You do too, Christine.��

    ��I did tweak a few things though����

    ��Really? I didn��t notice. You��re so beautiful in both worlds����

    Was it because they had been party members? Or perhaps it was because they shared themon bond of ck Scythe? Though they hadn��t known each other long, their rtionship wasn��t bad. In fact, they were busyplimenting each other like old friends reuniting after a long time.

    ��And who is this?��

    ��Ah, this is someone ck Scythe knows����

    ��My name is Ju Seong-tak. I was in a party with the ck Scythe in the 12th round.��

    Noticing Christine��s gaze, Ju Seong-tak quickly introduced himself. Although there was anguage barrier, Seo Arin was there to facilitate the conversation.

    ��Oh, this is Jeffrey. Please, everyone, introduce yourselves����

    Jeffrey and Ju Seong-tak merely exchanged nces without speaking. They didn��t need to exchange words; they already knew each other. Both were servants of the ck Scythe.

    ��You were all summoned here because the ck Scythe has something to show you.��

    ��What exactly does he want to show us?��

    Ju Seong-tak pointed beyond the trees. Below, there was an old, dpidated warehouse, in front of which stood a familiar figure.

    ��Is that�� Ma Kyung-rok?��

    ��Why is Ma Kyung-rok here?��

    Christine asked, and Seo Arin replied.

    ��The ck Scythe said he wanted to show us Ma Kyung-rok. His true nature����

    ��True nature?��

    Christine looked at Ma Kyung-rok again. He appeared to be waiting for someone in front of the warehouse.

    ��What could the ck Scythe possibly want to show us��?��

    ��He said we��ll find out if we wait and watch. So that��s what I��m doing.��

    Since Seo Arin said she was waiting, Christine had no choice but to watch quietly as well. She didn��t know what aspect of Ma Kyung-rok she was supposed to see, but she continued to observe.

    Ma Kyung-rok took a call and then entered the warehouse. They were too far away to hear the conversation, as they had stayed over 30 meters back to avoid detection.

    ��Hey, someone��sing.��

    A van arrived at the mountain path, and a man got out. It was An Sang-cheol, Ma Kyung-rok��s right-hand man, whom Christine also recognized.

    The man opened the back door and dragged out two unconscious or dead people. As he carried them into the warehouse, Christine and Seo Arin were shocked.

    ��What�� What is that? Is this a kidnapping?��

    ��No, that can��t be�� right?��

 Chapter 211 (Part 2)

    Chapter 211: The Witness (Part 2)

    ��Hey, someone��sing.��

    A van arrived at the mountain path, and a man got out. It was An Sang-cheol, Ma Kyung-rok��s right-hand man, whom Christine also recognized.

    The man opened the back door and dragged out two unconscious or dead people. As he carried them into the warehouse, Christine and Seo Arin were shocked.

    ��What�� What is that? Is this a kidnapping?��

    ��No, that can��t be�� right?��

    A short whileter, An Sang-cheol came back out, now armed, and stood guard at the entrance. Then, they heard muffled sounds from the warehouse, followed by screams of agony. The cries were so loud that they reached them even from a distance of dozens of meters.

    ��Those screams�� They must be from the people who were just brought in����

    ��What��s happening inside����

    Despite the screams, An Sang-cheol remained standing guard outside, as if he knew exactly what was happening within.

    Christine and Seo Arin, unable to bring themselves to look inside the warehouse, waited anxiously behind the trees.

    ��Seo Arin, can��t you use a fairy to take a peek inside?��

    ��It��s no use. I��m not inmunication with any fairies right now����

    The screams soon ceased, and not long after, Ma Kyung-rok emerged from the warehouse, apanied by one of the kidnapped men.

    ��An Director.��

    ��Yes, sir.��

    ��Don��t let this bastard escape. I��ll kill him with my own hands.��

    An Sang-cheol blocked the man��s escape with a shield, while Ma Kyung-rok approached and severed his knee.

    ��Aaaaah!��

    ��Now, you can��t run, can you?��

    ��Please, brother! Spare me!��

    Hearing the man��s plea, Seo Arin realized his identity and tranted it for Christine with wide eyes.

    ��That man�� he��s Ma Kyung-rok��s younger brother.��

    ��His brother? He��s family?��

    ��It seems there was a dispute over the session issue.��

    ��But even so, to do this to family����

    Christine felt a chill as she watched Ma Kyung-rok, who mercilessly hacked at his brother. This wasn��t the fianc�� she knew. The man before her now seemed like a sadistic psychopath who enjoyed others�� suffering.

    ��Devour him.��

    ��No, no! Aaaaah!��

    As the man was being devoured alive, Christine stepped forward.

    ��Stop this!��

    ��Christine?��

    Ma Kyung-rok was startled by the sudden appearance of his fianc��e. Even more so when he saw Seo Arin beside her.

    ��Seo Arin too?��

    Though surprised, he didn��t cancel themand he had given to his dark aura.

    ��Kuh, kuh����

    ��Ma Kyung-rok! Stop this! I don��t know the circumstances, but this has gone too far!��

    Christine tried to intervene, but it was toote. Ma Kyung-rok��s younger brother, Kyung-soo, was ultimately devoured alive by the dark aura.

    ��What�� what have you done��?��

    ��Sir����

    Seeing the disbelief in their eyes, Kyung-rok abandoned the thought of asking how they found this ce. He didn��t know why they were here, but what mattered now was convincing them of his side of the story.

    ��I know what you��re thinking, Christine. But you��re mistaken.��

    ��Mistaken?��

    ��As you can see, I did kill someone. But it wasn��t an innocent person.��

    ��The person you killed was your brother.��

    ��Yes, he was my brother. But that scum tried to kill me first. He even murdered our older brother inside that warehouse.��

    Kyung-rok was confident, as he had evidence to support his im. But Christine��s expression remained filled with disdain.

    ��Do you even understand what you��re saying? You killed your own brother, and you��re iming it wasn��t your fault!��

    ��Because that��s the truth. I did nothing wrong.��

    ��Even if that��s the case, shouldn��t you have tried to resolve it another way? How could you kill your own family��?��

    ��I told you, he tried to kill me first.��

    ��I saw you abduct him and bring him here.��

    ��I brought him here because he attempted to assassinate me. I wanted to ask why he was doing this. But then he drew a knife on me, and as you can see, I was forced to kill him in self-defense.��

    ��Self-defense? Are you seriously calling that a ��tragic ident�� and not a deliberate murder?��

    ��Yes, I had no choice but to kill him.��

    ��No choice? I saw youughing like a psychopath while you killed him!��

    ��That can��t be true. You must have misunderstood.��

    Christine was bbergasted at Kyung-rok��s tant lie, despite having witnessed everything.

    ��The fact is, he tried to kill me first. Please understand that.��

    ��That doesn��t justify murder.��

    ��I was nearly killed myself.��

    ��There were other ways to handle it.��

    ��No, there weren��t.��

    ��So, can you publicly admit to the world that you killed your brother and that it was purely self-defense?��

    For a moment, Kyung-rok��s face hardened.

    There was no way he could publicly admit to something like that. If he did, it would be the end of his session, and all his achievements would crumble. Public opinion would never favor someone who murdered their own family.

    ��If this esctes, all the other murders I��vemitted in this ce could be exposed too.��

    Though he had erased the evidence, he couldn��t predict what would happen if the police investigated.

    ��The cleanest solution right now is to leave no witnesses����

    In Kyung-rok��s eyes, a murderous intent flickered.

    ��Sigh�� I didn��t want it toe to this.��

    Kyung-rok��s sword pointed toward Christine.

    ��If you��re determined to make me the viin, then I guess I have no choice but to y that part.��

    An Sang-cheol subtly moved to block their escape from behind.

    Christine and Seo Arin tensed up. They weren��t fools; they understood that these men intended to kill them to silence them.

    ��Before I kill you, tell me one thing. How did you know we��d be here? Were you following me?��

    ��������

    ��Well, you don��t have to answer right now. I��ll make sure you talk soon enough.��

    Kyung-rok was fully prepared to kill them both. After all, he had no personal feelings for Christine.

    ��She was suitable for a business rtionship, but I have no choice now.��

    Given the situation, he had to kill her and find another fianc��e. His priority was keeping his secrets safe.

    But Kyung-rok had no idea what wasing next.

    ng!

    A dagger suddenly flew at him, which he deflected, only then realizing��

    ��So there were more of you.��

    That Jeffrey and Ju Seong-tak were also present.

 Chapter 212 (Part 1)

    Chapter 212: 4 vs. 2 (Part 1)

    ��Damn it.��

    A regretful sound escaped from Jeffrey��s lips.

    He hadn��t shown himself from the beginning tounch a surprise attack.

    But it was blocked easily as if they had detected his presence.

    ��So there were more of you.��

    Ma Kyung-rok sneered as he looked at Jeffrey and Ju Seong-tak.

    ��A butler and a cripple�� Heh heh. You��re not seriously thinking that you��re safe because it��s four against two, are you? Christine?��

    ��Who said it��s four against two?��

    When Ma Kyung-rok turned his head, Seo Arin was already standing there with her summoned creatures.

    The force included four fairies, three golems, and two-spirit knights.

    ��Director, isn��t it time to stop? Do you really think this will solve anything?��

    ��Seo Baewoo*.��

    (*Note: ��Baewoo�� is a respectful term meaning ��actor�� or ��actress.��)

    Ma Kyung-rok��s brow furrowed in displeasure.

    ��I took in a talentless woman and raised her this much, only for her to betray me.��

    ��You invested in me because you saw potential, didn��t you?��

    ��Now you even talk back. Surviving until the 12th round has made you more yer-like?��

    ��I��ve been through a lot. I��ve also learned not to trust someone like you.��

    ��So that��s why you��ve been distancing yourself from ustely? nning to betray us like this.��

    ��Don��t y the victim. Acting like this won��t erase the fact that youmitted murder.��

    ��Why wouldn��t it? It��s simple; just kill everyone here.��

    Ma Kyung-rok smirked psychotically, now openly revealing his murderous intent.

    ��Looks like I have no choice. I��ll have to subdue you.��

    ��Hmph, how absurd. Do you really think you can subdue me with your skills, Seo Baewoo����

    Before he could finish his sentence, Ma Kyung-rok quickly turned his body.

    A golden beam from a fairy passed by the spot where he had just been.

    ��This sneaky woman attacks in the middle of a conversation����

    Grinding his teeth, Ma Kyung-rok drew his sword.

    He was done with pretenses��he would kill her right here, right now, with nothing but that singr resolve driving him as he charged forward.

    ��I��ll kill you without even needing to devour you!��

    But before his sword could even reach Seo Arin, it was blocked.

    ng!

    Three golems stood like sturdy tanks, blocking his path.

    ��Damn rockheads.��

    Ma Kyung-rok swung his sword, enveloped in dark aura.

    Thud! Thud!

    The golems, solid as they were, crumbled like tofu.

    It was a dark aura that could slice through chains of iron. They couldn��t withstand it.

    Just as he was about to sh thest golem, Ma Kyung-rok suddenly withdrew his sword and jumped back.

    Ziiiiing!

    Four fairies each shot beams of light.

    Barely evading them, Ma Kyung-rok calmed his startled heart.

    ��These annoying little bugs�� I shouldn��t underestimate them����

    The damage of the beams increased ording to the summoner Seo Arin��s magic power.

    The higher the level, the stronger the fairies be.

    The heat from the beams was enough to make smoke rise from the ground, so dodging was the best strategy.

    Although he had a defense skill called Dark Armor, it was weak against magic damage, so he had to be extra careful.

    ��These damned pests.��

    At that moment, the sword of a spirit knight sliced through the air where Ma Kyung-rok had been.

    Whoosh!

    Though he dodged, it was a pretty fierce strike.

    ��Where do you think you��re going, ugly beast?��

    sh!

    The dark aura-d sword split the spirit knight��s body in half.

    ��Only one left.��

    Ma Kyung-rok was smiling, but only for a moment.

    The remaining spirit knight��s body suddenly swelled to an enormous size.

    ��What��s this?��

    The spirit knight, now about 1.5 timesrger, disappeared from Ma Kyung-rok��s sight in an instant.

    Startled, Ma Kyung-rok instinctively raised his sword, and the spirit knight��s sword shed against it.

    ng!

    The sudden increase in power made Ma Kyung-rok��s eyebrow twitch.

    ��Its strength and speed have increased. And����

    ng! ng! ng!

    ��It��s blocking my attacks, even those d in dark aura.��

    The dark aura, which was supposed to cut through anything, was being blocked by the mere sword of a summoned creature.

    It was baffling, but he had to admit it.

    The relentless onught of the spirit knight was quite formidable.

    ��It seems that Seo Arin has learned a skill to strengthen her summons upon reaching level 60.��

    A mix of admiration and frustration escaped him.

    He had to kill a rather useful asset with his own hands.

    ��Devastating sh.��

    Just as the concentrated dark aura shed, ready to slice through the spirit knight��s entire body��

    Flinch

    Ma Kyung-rok��s body was pulled to one side.

    ��What��s this? A provocation skill?��

    One of the remaining golems had used a taunt, drawing Ma Kyung-rok��s attention.

    As a result, his finishing strike was misdirected toward the wrong target��the golem.

    Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

    Thest golem was shattered to pieces.

    Seo Arin, surprised by the sheer power of the attack, didn��t have time to hesitate.

    ��Now��s the chance! Subdue Ma Kyung-rok!��

    As shemanded her summoned creatures in her mind, the fairies and spirit knight charged simultaneously.

    Seeing the fairies preparing another beam attack, Ma Kyung-rok withdrew the dark aura to envelop his entire body.

    It was time to use a skill he had learned upon reaching level 60.

    ��Dark Dimension.��

    A skill that allows the user to phase into space, avoiding all attacks.

    Perhaps because of this, even though the beams and the spirit knight��s attacks hit simultaneously, Ma Kyung-rok took no damage at all.

    Instead, it was the summoned creatures that suffered damage.

    Due to the spatial distortion, the attacks were reflected back at them.

    Ssssshh!

    Slice!

    The fairies and spirit knight, struck by their own attacks, vanished instantly.

    Seo Arin, who lost all her summons in a blink, stood there in shock before snapping back to her senses.

    ��Summon, summon��!��

    She quickly tried to summon more creatures, but it was useless.

    Only a message about the remaining 10-minute cooldown time appeared.

    Ma Kyung-rok had already reached Seo Arin��s nose.

    ��Time to die.��

    As he was about to swing his sword��

    Cling!

    Ma Kyung-rok frowned as he blocked a flying dagger from the side.

    ��You��re really annoying for an assassin.��

    Ping! Ping!

    While Jeffrey distracted Ma Kyung-rok by throwing daggers, Seo Arin distanced herself from him.

    Feeling irritated, Ma Kyung-rok immediately changed his target.

    ��Seo Baewoo is in an attack-disabled state. She won��t be able to do anything for a while.��

    He nned to deal with the pesky Jeffrey first and then go after Seo Arin again.

    ��Killing that insect shouldn��t be difficult.��

    Ma Kyung-rok closed the distance between them, dodging Jeffrey��s throws, and swung his sword.

    Whoosh! Whoosh!

    As expected of an assassin, Jeffrey��s movements were nimble.

    ��He knows better than to try blocking with a dagger. He��d be dead if he tried.��

    Though quick, Ma Kyung-rok could easily restrain his movements using dark aura.

    Like this.

    Whoosh��Thud!

    ��Ugh.��

    The dark aura wrapped around Jeffrey��s ankle, flinging him aside.

    ��It��s over.��

    An assassin with his legs bound was as good as dead.

    To prove it, Ma Kyung-rok drove his sword into Jeffrey��s chest.

    ��Gaaah!��

 Chapter 212 (Part 2)

    Chapter 212: 4 vs. 2 (Part 2)

    ��It��s over.��

    An assassin with his legs bound was as good as dead.

    To prove it, Ma Kyung-rok drove his sword into Jeffrey��s chest.

    ��Gaaah!��

    With a final, desperate scream, Jeffrey died. But there was one thing Ma Kyung-rok had overlooked.

    ��What��s this? A clone?��

    The person he had killed was merely Jeffrey��s clone.

    ��Could it be�� an assassin��s level 60 skill��?��

    He realized toote, but by then, it was already over.

    Jeffrey had already appeared behind Ma Kyung-rok.

    ��Die����

    He was about to shout heroically as he aimed for Ma Kyung-rok��s throat, but��

    Thunk!

    Jeffrey��s finishing blow missed, interrupted by An Sang-cheol��s shield bash.

    ��Are you alright, Director?��

    ��Thanks, Manager An. I almost ended up dead.��

    While Jeffrey let out a frustrated sigh, Ma Kyung-rok was smiling.

    Now, Jeffrey wouldn��t be able to use his clone or invisibility anymore.

    ��Jeffrey is as good as dead now. I��ll just kill Seo Arin and Christine next.��

    As Ma Kyung-rok nced at the three of them, he suddenly felt a sense of unease.

    ��Wait. Wasn��t there one more?��

    The crippled man with the prosthetic arm and leg was nowhere to be seen.

    There was no trace of him even when he tried to sense his presence as if he had fled out of fear.

    ��Well, I��ll just have to kill the three who are here.��

    The situation was highly favorable for Ma Kyung-rok. No one present could withstand his dark aura, which grew stronger in proportion to the dark magic he possessed. Christine, who was praised as a saint, was there, but there were limits to how much she could protect herrades.

    After all, what could she do? She could only use healing spells, which were useless against a power that could cut down anything with a single blow.

    ��It��s over for all of you.��

    With this certainty, Ma Kyung-rok rxed, never imagining that this would be his downfall.

    ��Huh?��

    As he slowly approached, Ma Kyung-rok caught sight of the crippled man he thought had fled.

    Ju Seong-tak was smiling slyly, making Ma Kyung-rok feel an inexplicable sense of unease.

    ��What is he smiling at?��

    Following the man��s gaze, Ma Kyung-rok turned his head and saw the body of his brother, Ma Kyung-su, lying on the ground.

    ��Corpse Explosion.��

    As Ju Seong-tak murmured in a low voice, a massive explosion suddenly erupted from Ma Kyung-su��s body, sending Ma Kyung-rok flying into the warehouse wall.

    The entire incident took ce in an instant.

    ��Ugh, ugh����

    Despite the searing pain from his burning skin, Ma Kyung-rok managed to stand up, but it wasn��t without difficulty.

    He wasn��t so injured that he couldn��t stand, but he knew better than to let his guard down.

    ��Corpse Explosion.��

    At Ju Seong-tak��s second utterance, another body in the warehouse, Ma Kyung-sang��s corpse, exploded.

    Boom!

    With a sound like thunder, the small warehouse was blown apart, and Ma Kyung-rok, who had been caught off guard, was sent flying once more.

    ��Ugh����

    Though the consecutive attacks left him barely able to stand, Ma Kyung-rok eventually managed to get a knee up.

    He almost stumbled again, but An Sang-cheol caught him just in time.

    ��Are you alright?��

    ��My ribs�� ugh, I think they��re broken.��

    ��This isn��t the time. We should retreat and regroup.��

    ������

    Ma Kyung-rok bit his lip in frustration, but he had no other choices left.

    ��Let��s do that.��

    In the end, he turned around, leaning on An Sang-cheol for support.

    ��Where do you think you��re going?!��

    Jeffrey tried to chase after them, but Ma Kyung-rok��s cold, icy re stopped him in his tracks.

    ��If you��re confident,e at me. Killing a bug like you is nothing to me.��

    ������

    Leaving behind this not-so-veiled threat in English, Ma Kyung-rok turned and disappeared with An Sang-cheol.

    No one pursued them.

    Not Seo Arin, not Christine, not Jeffrey.

    They had all realized just how strong Ma Kyung-rok truly was.

    ��In the end, we let them get away. What should we do?��

    ��There��s nothing we can do.��

    A voice interrupted Seo Arin��s question.

    The one who answered was none other than Yamti.

    ��Ah? Yamti-nim?��

    Recognizing a familiar face, Seo Arin��s expression brightened, but she quickly became puzzled.

    ��How are you here, Yamti-nim��?��

    ��I heard about the situation from ck Scythe.��

    ��Ah.��

    Recalling that Yamti was ck Scythe��s real-life acquaintance, Seo Arin nodded in understanding.

    That exined how she got here, even though everything had already ended.

    ��If you came to help, you��re a bitte.��

    ��Hmm. Is that so?��

    Despite arrivingte, Ymti didn��t seem disappointed at all. In fact, he looked rather satisfied, as if she had already aplished her goal.

    Though she found it strange, Seo Arin decided it was just her imagination and didn��t think much of it.

    Little did she know, it wasn��t just her imagination.

    ��

    ��Phew, l-let��s take a short break before we continue.��

    ��Yes, Director.��

    Ma Kyung-rok leaned against a tree.

    The injuries he had sustained were too severe to continue climbing the mountain.

    ��That cripple�� he was much stronger than I expected����

    Using corpses as explosive tools? Whoever he was, he had to be someone who ranked in the TOP 5.

    Even while injured, Ma Kyung-rok found himself wondering about the man��s nickname and ss.

    ��How are your injuries?��

    ��Don��t worry about me. Just a few broken ribs and some charred skin.��

    He spoke as if it were nothing, but Ma Kyung-rok knew better.

    The wounds were too severe to be healed with simple first aid.

    ��If only Christine��s healing abilities were avable����

    If he could receive healing, even broken bones would mend, and necrotic skin would regenerate easily.

    ��Damn it. To think I was trying to kill her just a moment ago. Now I actually miss her.��

    With a bitter, self-deprecating smile, Ma Kyung-rok gestured that it was time to get moving again.

    But An Sang-cheol didn��t respond right away. Instead, he stood there, creating a heavy, somber atmosphere.

    ��You should consider going back.��

    ��What did you say?��

    ��If you return, Christine can heal you. Confess your sins and receive treatment.��

    Hearing this, Ma Kyung-rok��s expression turned icy.

    ��Manager An, are you suggesting I get treated and then rot in prison?��

    ��It��s better than losing your life, don��t you think?��

    Annoyed by the words, Ma Kyung-rok openly disyed his displeasure.

    ��You��re talking as if I��m already dead.��

    ��You are dead. Because I��m going to kill you.��

    ��What��?��

    Thrust!

    Ma Kyung-rok looked down in shock at his chest.

    What pierced his flesh was none other than An Sang-cheol��s sword.

 Chapter 213 (Part 1)

    Chapter 213: Exnation (Part 1)

    -That concludes the report. I��ve also taken care of the task you assigned.

    ��Good work. Stay close to them until the situation is fully resolved, just in case.��

    -Understood, Master.

    Ryu Min hung up the phone, deep in thought.

    ��If you call it long, it��s long. If short, short. But this bad blood ends here.��

    ��I never intended to kill Ma Kyung-rok from the beginning.��

    Ryu Min had initially considered keeping him alive until the 20th round. Ma Kyung-rok had enough potential to be a valuable asset.

    ��But what I need more than a damage dealer with an inferiorityplex is a reliable supporter.��

    If he had to choose between Ma Kyung-rok and Christine, it would undoubtedly be Christine. Sure, Ma Kyung-rok could be made an ally, even with his inferiorityplex. It was a simple matter of using Yamti to dominate him.

    ��But he tried to kill his own brother.��

    Killing within the family meant they were cut from the same cloth, and there was no need to intervene. Ryu Min simply thought he could use the situation to firmly secure Christine as an ally.

    ��It��s better to abandon Ma Kyung-rok��s potential and secure Christine.��

    With that decision, the operation proceeded smoothly. The n was simple: have Christine and Seo Arin witness Ma Kyung-rok��s crime and instill disgust towards him. Naturally, this would distance them from Ma Kyung-rok.

    ��Everything went ording to n. The problem was that I didn��t expect Christine to intervene.��

    Ryu Min had only hoped to reveal Ma Kyung-rok��s true nature. However, ording to the report he received, Christine had intervened to save Ma Kyung-su. An unforeseenplication.

    ��Because of that, Christine and Seo Arin were ced in mortal danger.��

    It was predictable that a criminal would try to eliminate witnesses to cover their tracks. Ryu Min had ced Jeffrey and Ju Seong-tak there, and even added Yamti to prevent any idents.

    ��With Yamti there, nothing catastrophic will happen.��

    Unexpectedly, Ju Seong-tak yed a significant role. He had critically injured Ma Kyung-rok with an explosive corpse, making Yamti��s involvement unnecessary.

    ��But he didn��t kill him.��

    Hearing the report in real-time, Ryu Min revised his n. He decided to kill Ma Kyung-rok for good.

    ��Approach the two secretly and dominate An Sang-cheol. Order him to pretend to help Ma Kyung-rok escape, then take the chance to kill him,�� Ryu Min instructed Yamti.

    He also ordered Yamti to order An Sang-cheol to dispose of the bodies and thenmit suicide. The mission was sessfullypleted.

    ��I hadn��t nned to kill Ma Kyung-rok, but once Christine got involved, I couldn��t leave it be.��

    If he had stayed out of it, there wouldn��t have been any issues. But Christine got involved and exposed herself. Then Ma Kyung-rok tried to kill Christine, the witness.

    ��Because of that, they became irreconcble. I couldn��t keep both.��

    He couldn��t bring both of them to the 20th round. One had to be abandoned. That��s why Ryu Min ordered Yamti to kill Ma Kyung-rok. The results speak for themselves.

    [Target ��Ma Kyung-rok�� cannot be found.]

    [No such person exists.]

    [Target ��An Sang-cheol�� cannot be found.]

    [No such person exists.]

    Both were killed ording to n. Their absence in the tracking system was proof of that.

    ��An Sang-cheol erased Ma Kyung-rok��s body. He thenmitted suicide as ordered.��

    He hadn��t withdrawn his shares to avoid suspicion from Ma Kyung-rok, but now there was no reason not to.

    ��I should sell all the shares I have.��

    It would result in a windfall of approximately one trillion won, but thepany would copse as a consequence.

    ��It��s about time it copses. Without Ma Kyung-rok, there��s no reason not to sell the shares.��

    Even though he hadn��t nned to deal with Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol, Ryu Min managed to wrap things up cleanly. All that remained was to make others ept it. Just then, he received a video call from Jeffrey.

    Ryu Min donned a white mask before answering.

    ��Jeffy.��

    -ck Scythe-nim.

    ��Why the grim face? Something happened?��

    Feigning ignorance, Ryu Min asked as Jeffrey showed the devastated scene and exined the incident. Ryu Min nodded, pretending it was the first time he��d heard it, though Yamti had already reported everything.

    ��So, there was a conflict after all. Was anyone hurt?��

    -No one was hurt, thankfully. However, the people here would like to hear your exnation, sir.

    At that moment, Christine and Seo Arin suddenly appeared on the screen.

    -Hello, ck Scythe. I��m sorry for the sudden call, but we have a question.

    ��Let me guess. You want to know how I knew about Ma Kyung-rok��s crime?��

    -That��s right. And also why you called us here.

    Ryu Min organized his thoughts. It was a moment where an exnation��no, an exoneration��was necessary.

    ��Some of you might already know, but I��ve been inmunication with a prophet named Ryu Min. We��ve known each other for a short time.��

    Seeing the others nod, Ryu Min continued.

    ��He told me something. That a man known as Cheonma, or Ma Kyung-rok, was going to kill his own family at a specific location. He also mentioned that this person was connected to you both��one as a fianc��e, and one as a boss.��

    -Oh.

    Christine and Seo Arin finally seemed to understand upon hearing that Ryu Min had received a prophecy.

    -When did you receive this prophecy?

    ��Before the 12th round started.��

    -So, almost a month ago?

    ��Yes. I couldn��t see Cheonma in a favorable light after hearing that. That��s why I rejected the party invitation in the 12th round.��

    -Oh! That��s why��!

    Seo Arin, who had felt a bit hurt when Ryu Min only partied with Min Juri, now had an expression of understanding.

    ��As the rounds progressed, I debated internally whether to tell you that a family-killing murderer was among you, or whether it was better not to get involved even knowing the truth.��

    Christine and Seo Arin couldn��t help but be surprised that the usually stoic ck Scythe had agonized over their safety.

    ��If I hadn��t heard the prophecy, I might have left it alone. But after hearing it, I couldn��t just sit idly by. While considering what to do, I found out that Jeffy knew Christine. So, I asked him for a favor.��

    -To bring us here?

    Ryu Min nodded as Christine spoke up.

    ��I was in a situation where I couldn��t move directly, so I had Jeffy and Ju Seong-tak gather you all in one ce to confirm Ma Kyung-rok��s true nature with your own eyes.��

    There was some truth mixed in with lies��Ryu Min really had intended to expose Ma Kyung-rok��s true nature.

    ��I could have told you over the phone, but I figured you wouldn��t believe it unless you saw it with your own eyes. That��s why I set this up.��

    -Oh, I see.

    ��Whether you chose to cut ties with Ma Kyung-rok was up to you. I didn��t expect things to escte like this.��

    -We didn��t either. We never imagined Ma Kyung-rok was such a murderer��

    -Although he escaped, he��ll likely seek revenge on us someday, won��t he?

    They didn��t know yet��Christine and Seo Arin hadn��t tried tracking him. They didn��t realize that Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol were already dead.

    ��Well, they��ll find out naturally soon enough.��

 Chapter 213 (Part 2)

    Chapter 213: Exnation (Part 2)

    -Although he escaped, he��ll likely seek revenge on us someday, won��t he?

    They didn��t know yet��Christine and Seo Arin hadn��t tried tracking him. They didn��t realize that Ma Kyung-rok and An Sang-cheol were already dead.

    ��Well, they��ll find out naturally soon enough.��

    Ryu Min didn��t mention this and instead wrapped up the conversation.

    ��Are your questions answered?��

    -Yes, ck Scythe. We understand now.

    -Why do you think the prophet shared that prophecy with you, sir?

    ��Who knows? I couldn��t really tell you. He��s a man whose intentions are hard to grasp.��

    Ryu Min kept his words vague. Any statement defending the prophet could only arouse suspicion. It was better to let them draw their own conclusions.

    ��What will you do now?��

    -First, we should report this to the police. Two people have died��

    ��Leave that to me. As the deputymander of the CPF, I can handle it.��

    Mentioning the prophet during a police investigation would onlyplicate matters. Ryu Min was preemptively blocking that possibility.

    ��I��m sorry you had to go through such a tough experience. Go home and rest.��

    -Thank you for your concern. You rest as well, ck Scythe.

    ��See you in the next round.��

    -Yes, goodbye.

    After lowering his phone, Ryu Min immediately sent a text to Yamti.

    [ck Scythe: Speak to the police chief and clean up the situation. Announce that Ma Kyung-rok is dead. But make sure no mention of the prophetes out.]

    [Yamti: Yes, sir. I will execute it immediately.]

    Ryu Min pocketed his phone and began walking.

    The Ma Kyung-rok incident was neatly resolved, and his business in the United States was done. It was time to return to Korea.

    *

    A week had passed since Ma Kyung-rok��s death. Though it was a short time, many things had changed.

    First, Ryu Min had surpassed a conglomerate to be a billionaire. Selling off all his shares had resulted in over one trillion won in assets. Just by keeping it in the bank, he would earn over a hundred billion won in interest annually. While a fund manager could probably earn more, Ryu Min, who had no greed for money, decided to keep it safely in the bank.

    The second change was the copse of Ma Kyung-rok��spany. With 31% of the shares withdrawn, it was only natural that thepany would falter.

    ��It was bound to copse even if I hadn��t sold. Without Ma Kyung-rok, there��s no reason to hold onto those shares.��

    The yer count kept halving each round, and by the 15th round, it would be reduced to a quarter. Given those circumstances, the business had no chance of thriving. Even if they increased promotions for VVIPs, there was a limit to how long they couldst. The fact that they had made it this far was a miracle in itself.

    ��And now even the CEO is dead.��

    Ma Kyung-rok��s death was announced a dayter. After Ryu Min manipted the police chief to reveal Ma Kyung-rok��s death, an article soon followed. It stated that the eldest son of the Ohseong Group, Ma Kyung-rok, had killed his siblings in a session battle before being betrayed and killed by one of his subordinates.

    The fact that he had killed his family caused public opinion to turn against him, and Ohseong Group��s stock prices naturally plummeted.

    ��On top of that, a search of Ma Kyung-rok��s warehouse revealed all his past murders.��

    The truth about the numerous crimes Ma Kyung-rok hadmitted in the past was exposed to the public. As a result, Ma Kyung-rok��s stocks fell like a rollercoaster, and Ohseong Group suffered coteral damage, tarnishing Chairman Ma Dae-cheol��s reputation.

    ��It��ll be hard to recover their image for a while.��

    After the unprecedented event of all Ohseong Group��s heirs dying, the inte was rife with spection about who would inherit the group.

    ��But that��s none of my concern anymore.��

    He had cashed out at the highest point, reaping enormous profits, and Ma Kyung-rok had been eliminated. He was nowpletely free from any ties to Ohseong Group.

    ��This puts an end to my dealings with Ma Kyung-rok.��

    Ryu Min had anticipated that Ma Kyung-rok would eventually be a threat, and it had indeede to pass when he tried to kill Christine and Seo Arin to silence them.

    ��If I had spared him, I��d probably regret it for a long time. He might havee after Christine, Seo Arin, and even me.��

    There were no regrets about killing him. It was better than leaving a potential threat alive. There were no lingering issues either.

    ��No one knows that I killed Ma Kyung-rok anyway. They think An Sang-cheol did it.��

    The police had found An Sang-cheol��s body after searching the mountains, but Ma Kyung-rok��s body was nowhere to be found. As a result, the police concluded that An Sang-cheol had killed Ma Kyung-rok, disposed of the body, and thenmitted suicide. That was indeed what had happened.

    The question was why An Sang-cheol had killed his master.

    ��Well, that��s for people to specte on.��

    Various conspiracy theories circted, but the most usible one was that An Sang-cheol, who had grown tired of being exploited, had turned against his master. There was also the theory that An Sang-cheol was a double agent nted by the siblings.

    ��Whatever the case, it��s no longer my concern.��

    Ryu Min decided topletely detach himself from anything rted to Ohseong Group. Although it was unfortunate that the yer ce Market he had built had copsed, all the items he needed could now only be obtained through the Dwarves. The task for the 13th round was to meet the Dwarves.

    ��Now, before the next round, there��s one thing left to do: meet Tae-seok.��

    In reality, there��s a rune called the [Hero��s Rune] that can be obtained. With Tae-seok having reached level 60, he should be able to help obtain it.

    ��It��s time to pay a visit to the Death Church.��

    The time hade for the ck Scythe to make his first appearance there.

 Chapter 214 (Part 1)

    Chapter 214: The Request of the ck Scythe (Part 1)

    In a rural vige in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do, there stood a house that appeared quite ordinary. Yet, hanging above its entrance was a sign with an engraved Chinese character: Sashinkyo (Death God��s Sect). At first nce, it seemed like a cult that might be reported to the authorities, but fortunately, the vige residents paid it no mind. In fact, most of them didn��t even know the house was being used as a religious facility��except for the followers of Sashinkyo.

    ��Kyoju-nim.��

    ��Ah, Cardinal Eom.��

    ��What has you so deep in thought?��

    Heo Tae-seok, who was sitting at his desk in deep contemtion, let out an exaggerated sigh.

    ��It��s the finances, what else?��

    Maintaining a shabby house that they barely dared to call the Sashinkyo temple surprisingly cost more money than expected.

    ��During the week, we travel nationwide to recruit new followers, and on the weekends, we hold gatherings to prevent them from leaving�� It costs a considerable amount,�� he thought.

    asionally, they even ventured abroad to find new followers, and the costs added up significantly. Especially during gatherings, the expenses were hefty��taking a group out for drinks and further entertainment would easily cost at least 500,000 won per outing.

    ��Repeating this every week, it��s no wonder we��re running out of money.��

    On top of all that, as the sect leader, Heo Tae-seok had no other job, so he was lounging around like an idle man, which added to his worries.

    ��This is my fault. I was too naive. I was too eager and didn��t see reality clearly.��

    ����Is the situation that dire?��

    Heo Tae-seok replied with another sigh.

    ��Even selling items is no longer a viable option. I��ve sold everything that could be sold to cover living expenses and operational costs. Plus, the yer ce Market site is about to shut down, so even that option is off the table.��

    Heo Tae-seok had frequently sold equipment on the yer ce Market whenever he needed money, but that option was no longer avable. Although he could try selling on other tforms like second-hand markets, it was far less convenient than yer ce.

    ��Ehh����

    ��Hmm����

    Cardinal Eom Joon-seok, who had been watching Heo Tae-seok sigh deeply, came up with an idea.

    ��What about collecting offerings?��

    ��It��s not that I haven��t thought of it. I��d love to collect offerings, but what if we drive away the few followers we have left by asking for money��?��

    ��If we exin our situation honestly to the followers, they might step up.��

    ��Do you really think so?��

    Heo Tae-seok was skeptical.

    It��s easy to spend someone else��s money, but when ites to parting with your own, people tend to turn away. Even if you plead and exin the situation, there��s no guarantee they won��t leave.

    Especially if they��re already spending time on religious activities��who would want to stay if they also had to spend money?

    ��Well, I can��t be sure how the followers will react.��

    ��Ha����

    As both men sighed simultaneously, the sound of the front door opening reached them, and a presence was detected.

    ��Who could it be? Our regr meeting isn��t until tomorrow����

    Since they weren��t expecting anyone, Heo Tae-seok assumed it was just a curious passerby and went outside to check. But what he saw made his eyes widen in shock.

    ��Gasp! B-ck Scythe-nim!?��

    It was the revered and spiritual pir of Sashinkyo who had arrived.

    ��You recognized me as the ck Scythe right away. This must be the first time we��ve met in reality, right?��

    ��How could I not recognize you by that outfit?!��

    Although Ryu Min��s face was hidden, he had deliberately shown up in the attire he wore in the otherworld, making it obvious who he was. Since Heo Tae-seok had partied with the ck Scythe numerous times, there was no way he wouldn��t recognize him.

    Though he didn��t know the reason for this visit.

    ��To think I��d meet ck Scythe-nim in reality! I��m truly honored! But what brings you to this humble ce��?��

    ��Do you think the sect you created for me is humble?��

    ��Ah, I��m sorry. I didn��t mean it that way. It��s just that, as you can see, it��s rather shabby����

    ��It seems your finances aren��t in great shape.��

    ����That��s correct.��

    ��How many followers does Sashinkyo have?��

    ��Originally, excluding Cardinal Eom and myself, we had about 30 followers, but now it��s down to 10����

    ��I see, many must have died during the 12th round.��

    ��Indeed.��

    Currently, only 175 yers remain in South Korea. Until the 11th round, there were still 690, but the 12th round saw an unexpectedly high death toll.

    ��Are all those 10 followers yers?��

    ��Yes.��

    As he answered, Heo Tae-seok nervously gauged ck Scythe��s reaction.

    ��Is he here to inspect us?��

    Like a military officer inspecting a unit, was he here to see how things were going?

    That thought couldn��t help but cross his mind, especially since ck Scythe was asking so many questions and looking around the ce.

    ��No, it can��t be that. He must have juste to see the sect that was established in his name.��

    But Heo Tae-seok��s assumptions werepletely off the mark.

    ��I��m here because I have a request.��

    ��A r-request?��

 Chapter 214 (Part 2)

    Chapter 214: The Request of the ck Scythe (Part 2)

    ��I��m here because I have a request.��

    ��A r-request?��

    Even though it could have been considered an order, ck Scythe had phrased it as a request, which made Heo Tae-seok feel unworthy and overwhelmed.

    ��You don��t need to ask for anything. Just tell me what needs to be done.��

    ��I can��t do that. You��ve gone to the trouble of establishing a sect for me, humble as it may be.��

    ��Y-yes.��

    ��So, I��d like you to relocate.��

    ��Relocate?��

    Was he asking them to abandon this ce and move somewhere else?

    ��But as I mentioned earlier, we��re not in a position to do that����

    ��I��ll find you a new building. It would be nice to build one from scratch, but there��s no time, so purchasing a church building that��s up for sale would be best. I��m thinking of Seoul. What do you think?��

    ������

    Heo Tae-seok was momentarily speechless.

    Did he just hear that right? Did ck Scythe just say he would provide them with a building?

    ��I�� Did I hear that correctly? You said you��d get us a building��?��

    ��I didn��t say I��d give it to you. It��ll be purchased under my name. But Seoul would be suitable, right?��

    ��Seoul would be great, but�� It��s expensive����

    ��Even so, it��s around 20 billion won, isn��t it?��

    Heo Tae-seok��s jaw dropped again.

    ck Scythe was talking about 20 billion won as if it were loose change.

    ��So, what do you think?��

    ��What�� about��?��

    ��Are you willing to relocate if I provide a building in Seoul?��

    ��Well, I����

    Heo Tae-seok couldn��t give an immediate answer as he was overwhelmed with various concerns.

    But Ryu Min, who could read minds, already knew what was troubling him.

    ��There��s no need to worry. I��ll cover all the operating costs as well. As we��re on the subject, I��ll transfer you 100 million won as one year��s operating budget.��

    ��W-what? 100 million won?��

    ��Stop being so surprised and give me your bank ount details.��

    As Ryu Min pulled out his phone, genuinely preparing to transfer the money, Heo Tae-seok was left in a daze. The sudden windfall seemed almost surreal.

    ��Come on, give me your ount number.��

    ��Oh, yes. It��s Nonghyup Bank, 291����

    Upon hearing the ount number, Ryu Min immediately transferred the 100 million won. Of course, he used the alias Lostyak, so his real name wouldn��t be revealed.

    When Heo Tae-seok confirmed that the money had indeed been deposited, he looked at Ryu Min with wide eyes.

    ��Is it really okay to give me such arge sum of money��?��

    ��Don��t worry about it. Use it for the sect��s operating expenses. It��s a small amount to me.��

    Considering that 10 billion won was generated as interest every year, 100 million won was just pocket change to Ryu Min.

    ��Thank you�� Thank you so much!��

    ��There��s no need to thank me. As I mentioned earlier, this is not just an act of generosity. I have a favor to ask of you.��

    ��A-anything, just tell me what to do.��

    Even without a formal challenge, Heo Tae-seok was now groveling like a ve. The power of money was indeed immense.

    ��You have a skill called ck Seed, which you learned at level 40. It allows you to summon a demon by nting a seed in the ground.��

    ��Yes, I do.��

    ��Now that you��ve reached level 60, that skill should have been enhanced. The demon it summons should be stronger, right?��

    ��That��s correct.��

    ��I want you to nt that seed in a location I designate and summon a demon when I give the signal. Can you do that?��

    Without hesitation, Heo Tae-seok nodded. It wasn��t a difficult request. All he had to do was cast the skill at the designated location.

    ��But how did you know about my skill? I don��t think I��ve ever used it in front of you����

    ��I saw another dark mage using it.��

    Of course, that was a lie.

    He learned about the skill from a vision in the 7th round.

    ��Back then, Heo Tae-seok had nted a seed in Min Juri��s body and threatened to detonate it.��

    Since it was a system-created illusion, Ryu Min held no lingering resentment. After all, Heo Tae-seok had even gone so far as to establish a religion in his name, so betrayal seemed unlikely.

    ��Is that really all you want me to do?��

    ��Yes, that��s all I ask. If you do as I say, I��ll provide you with a building in Seoul, cover your operating costs, and even help you recruit more followers.��

    ��Help us recruit followers too?��

    ��Ten followers are too few, don��t you think? You should aim for at least 100.��

    The number was so unimaginable that Heo Tae-seok��s mouth dropped open.

    ��Is that even possible?��

    ��It��s possible. Thanks to the power of money. Or more urately, the power of points.��

    ��Points�� what do you mean��?��

    ��Do you know about the caf�� ��yers Haven��?��

    Although it was a rhetorical question, Heo Tae-seok quickly answered.

    ��yer Haven? Of course, I��m a member too.��

    ��Post a promotional message there, saying that you��ve established a new sect in Seoul.��

    ��I��ve already tried that, but not many people joined.��

    ��Of course, they wouldn��t join just because you asked them to.��

    ��Then how��?��

    ��Offer points. Say that anyone who joins will receive 10,000 points.��

    ��W-what?��

    Points were more valuable than gold. Offering them as a sign-up bonus?

    There would be no reason for people not to join, especially in desperate times like these.

    ��They saw from the 11th round��s results that I have 20 million points. If the ck Scythe himself promises to give out points, they��lle running.��

    ��Definitely. If points are on the line, they��ll flock like crazy.��

    ��Then that solves the problem of recruiting followers.��

    Even if 100 people joined, Ryu Min wouldn��t feel the loss of giving away 1 million points. After all, he had plenty to spare.

    ��The more followers, the better. They��re my devotees, and gathering them makes it easier to manage them.��

    Besides, there was a more significant reason for gathering followers.

    To obtain the Hero��s Rune as nned, Ryu Min needed to be surrounded by people��at least 100 of them.

    ��Surely, at least 100 people will join. I��m offering points, after all.��

    However, Ryu Min didn��t know just how many people would actually flock to him.

 Chapter 215 (Part 1)

    Chapter 215: The Rune of the Hero (Part 1)

    A week before Christmas.

    An incredible post appeared on the yer Haven forum.

    Title: [Advertisement] Join the Reaper Church and Receive 10,000 Points on the Spot!

    Content: Hello, I am Old-Man-No-Gay, the leader of the Reaper Church.

    First, I would like to express my sincere respect to all the yer Haven family members who have survived up to the 12th round. Truly remarkable!

    We are currently recruiting valiant warriors like yourselves to join our Reaper Church.

    The Reaper Church is an organization dedicated to serving the ck Scythe, who is ranked number one in all regions. Anyone who loves and admires the ck Scythe, regardless of nationality, can join.

    However, the only requirement is that you must be a yer and bring identification when you join (you will need to fill out some basic information during registration).

    Unlike other religions, we do not charge any membership fees or donations (important)!

    In celebration of our new church��s relocation to Seoul, we��re holding a small event.

    On December 25th at 10 AM, anyone who joins our church will receive 10,000 points, personally granted by the ck Scythe himself! Don��t miss this opportunity to join, earn points, and meet the ck Scythe in person��an opportunity you won��t want to miss!

    Existing members whoe will also receive the points on the spot, so please make sure to attend!

    Here��s a three-line summary for those who are busy:

    �� Event Date: December 25th, 2022, at 10 AM

    �� Event Content: Join the Reaper Church and receive 10,000 points directly from the ck Scythe (ID required).

    �� Location: Reaper Church, 625 Shinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

    Points are a currency that can be used in the Special Shop.

    They are more valuable than gold, as the angel has dered that they cannot be earned by any other means.

    And they��re giving away 10,000 points just for joining?

    Really?

    People drawn by the clickbait title couldn��t resistmenting.

    �� Comment: Do you really give 10,000 points just for joining?

    �� Reply: Of course! ^_^

    �� Comment: Is the famous ck Scythe really going to be there?

    �� Reply: Yes! This is your chance to meet him in person!

    �� Comment:*Why did you schedule the event on Christmas? Are you trying to ruin rtionships?

    �� Reply: No such intention. We chose the date because we thought it would be meaningful, like an Easter event. Really.

    �� Comment: ��What if it��s a scam?

    �� Reply: Go ahead and try. Let��s see what happens. Lol

    �� Comment: How could you scam people when you have to give your real name and face? Lol

    �� Reply: If you try to scam us, the ck Scythe will probablye after you himself��

    Over 50ments were posted, and Heo Tae-seok responded to each one with joy.

    He had posted promotional messages before, but this was the first time he received so much interest.

    In just two days, the post had over 120 views.

    ��There are currently 130 yer Haven members, so almost everyone has read it!��

    Considering his previous posts only garnered 20 views, this was an unprecedented record.

    ��Will they alle?��

    Finally, the long-awaited Christmas day arrived.

    Ryu Min and Heo Tae-seok waited for the believers in front of the newly prepared church.

    The location was good, so passersby asionally showed interest.

    ��How much time is left?��

    ��It��s 9 AM now, so we have one hour left.��

    ��We still have some time, so let��s wait patiently.��

    However, the yers arrived earlier than expected.

    ��Hello, is this the Reaper Church��?��

    ��Yes! You��vee to the right ce. I am Old-Man-No-Gay, the leader of the church.��

    ��T-then, is this person��?��

    The man��s gaze shifted to the side.

    It was Ryu Min, wearing a white mask, donning extraordinary equipment, and holding arge scythe.

    It wasn��t hard to guess who he was.

    ��I am the ck Scythe.��

    ��Ah, it��s an honor to meet you.��

    As they shook hands lightly, Ryu Min probed the man��s thoughts.

    He wanted to discern whether he was a good person or not.

    ��He doesn��t seem to have any ill intentions in joining.��

    He was a genuine yer Haven member who hade out of admiration for the ck Scythe.

    ��Well, most yer Haven members are decent people.��

    Since they had passed the character interview, there were no rough edges to be found.

    ��Hello, I��m Cardinal Eom Jun-seok. I��ll give you your queue number and registration form. Please read it while you wait. When the timees, we��ll assist you in joining in order.��

    They didn��t ept registrations immediately because the appointed time had not yet arrived, but more importantly, they didn��t want people to run away after joining.

    ��We can��t have that. We need to gather as many people as possible.��

    He hoped for more than 100 people, and that hope was realized sooner than expected.

    ��Wow, this is the Reaper Church?��

    ��Awesome! I didn��t expect it to be this huge!��

    At some point, people began to flood in.

    As the appointed time approached, the crowd grewrger.

    ��A goal of 100 people was too easy.��

    With 20 minutes left until 10 AM, they had already met their target.

    ��At this rate, we might even reach 130.��

    It was possible if all yer Haven members, except the chairman, showed up.

    ��We��ll start assisting with registrations now. Number 1, pleasee this way����

    The registration process was simple.

    You sat down, had your photo taken on the spot, filled out the registration form with your name, date of birth, phone number, and address, and signed an agreement to attend at least one Reaper Church service per month unless you had a genuine excuse.

    This was to prevent people from just joining without participating.

    Then, you would meet Ryu Min face-to-face to receive your points via the trade function.

    ��Oh wow, really 10,000 points�� Thank you, ck Scythe.��

    ��Congrattions on joining the Reaper Church. Use your points wisely.��

    ��Can I go home now?��

    ��You may, but I rmend staying for the speech. I��ll be sharing some information that you might regret missing.��

    There wasn��t much time for long conversations.

    There was a long line of people waiting for their turn.

    Click

    ��Next, member number 38?��

 Chapter 215 (Part 2)

    Chapter 215: The Rune of the Hero (Part 2)

    Click

    ��Next, member number 38?��

    After going through the process of taking a photo, filling out personal information, and signing the agreement, the final step was to meet the ck Scythe for the trade.

    It was a simple process, but with so many people, it was extremely busy.

    In the midst of it, Ryu Min encountered a familiar face.

    ��ck Scythe?��

    ��Min Juri?��

    He already knew Min Juri wasing.

    She had been pestering him to go to the Reaper Church together.

    But since it was impossible for the Prophet and the ck Scythe to exist in the same ce, he had made up an excuse to go separately.

    ��It��s our first time meeting in real life, but you recognized me right away?��

    ��Your face is simr. And the leader already mentioned you had joined.��

    ��Hehe, now you know all my personal information. You��re responsible for me now, ck Scythe.��

    ��I am.��

    His serious reply to what she said as a joke made Min Juri��s face momentarily turn red.

    ��Oh, uh����

    She was at a loss for words, clearly flustered, but Ryu Min remained calm.

    ��Is there anything else? If not, we��ll talkter. The next person is waiting.��

    ��Y-yeah. See youter!��

    Ryu Min smiled as he watched Min Juri hurry away, flustered by the unexpected seriousness.

    He then moved on to the next person.

    When he reached the 50th person, he encountered another familiar face.

    Once again, he had to pretend not to know.

    ��Seo Arin? You��re in the Reaper Church too?��

    ��How could I not be? As the CPF��s ambassador, I couldn��t miss out on the Reaper Church.��

    Seo Arin smiled brightly as she received her 10,000 points from Ryu Min and bowed in thanks.

    ��Thank you for the points. I��ll use them well. Oh, and����

    Seo Arin nced around before whispering in Ryu Min��s ear.

    ��Thank you for what you didst time.��

    ��Last time?��

    ��When President Ma died. You made sure we didn��t get into trouble.��

    ��I just did what was right. You weren��t at fault, after all.��

    ��Still, thank you.��

    Normally, she would have been tied up by the police and subjected to all sorts of questioning, but thanks to Ryu Min��s intervention, she had been spared the hassle.

    ��Oh, the next person is waiting. I��ll see youter.��

    Seo Arin left, looking slightly disappointed that they couldn��t talk more. The next person stepped forward.

    ��There��s no rest.��

    If he didn��t have high stats, this would be exhausting work, akin to hardbor.

    During a brief moment of respite, he checked the time and the queue.

    ��It��s almost 10:30, and we��ve already gathered 130 people.��

    The initial goal of 100 people had been surpassed, and even the hoped-for 130 had been exceeded.

    And yet, more people continued to enter through the entrance.

    ��Non-members must have heard about this and found their way here.��

    It wasn��t just yer Haven members who came; the post had been shared outside and even made the news, attracting non-members as well.

    ��This should be enough. The conditions are perfect to acquire the Rune of the Hero.��

    ��Shall we begin?��

    As more people poured into the church, Ryu Min spotted a familiar group.

    ��Jo Yong-ho?��

    The Mercenary King and his mercenaries had arrived at the Reaper Church.

    ��If this keeps up, we might gather every yer in the country.��

    It was time to stop marveling and start executing the n.

    Ryu Min looked at Heo Tae-seok.

    Catching his gaze, Ryu Min adjusted his mask.

    It was a signal to activate the ck Seed.

    Heo Tae-seok nodded slightly and looked toward the spot where the seed had been nted.

    It was none other than the crowded courtyard, packed with over a hundred people.

    ��If I activate the seed now����

    An upper-tier demon would be summoned, and the crowd would be shocked.

    Of course, it was Heo Tae-seok��s summoned creature, so it wouldn��t attack.

    ��I don��t know what ck Scythe has in mind, but����

    Since it was a divinemand, there was no hesitation in using the skill.

    ��Sprout.��

    Suddenly, a single stalk burst out from the dirt where the yers were gathered.

    ��Whoa, what��s that?��

    ��What the heck is this!?��

    The demonic stalk shot up like a telephone pole, and its leaves opened like wed hands.

    Slurp

    From the leaves, saliva dripped down as a random demon emerged onto the ground.

    ��Hee hee hee.��

    The demon was 2 meters tall, had red skin, and resembled a goblin��it was a Devlin.

    ��Finally, I have arrived in the human world.��

    It spoke in broken sentences, but no one understood what it said.

    Not only because they didn��t speak demonnguage, but because the sudden situation was extremely bewildering.

    But it wasn��t just the yers who were startled.

    ��Humans�� There are so many humans gathered here�� It��s surprising that����

    In an instant, the Devlin��s head was cut off and rolled onto the ground.

    Ryu Min��s scythe had swiftly beheaded the demon.

    It was a pitiful death, urring just five seconds after being summoned.

    ��Summoning a demon in a sacred ce�� Are you out of your mind?��

    Ryu Min��s icy voice carried a warning to everyone present.

    ��Whoever it is, do not use skills in this ce.��

    There was some murmuring, but the situation had been resolved.

    To the onlookers, it seemed like some ignorant summoner had summoned a demon, and ck Scythe had dealt with it swiftly.

    Of course, Heo Tae-seok was quite flustered.

    He hadn��t been told this would happen.

    ��ck Scythe, about what just happened����

    ��You did well.��

    Despite having ordered the demon to be summoned and then killing it without warning, Ryu Min��s demeanor didn��t change. Heo Tae-seok let it go.

    ��There must have been a reason. A very clear reason.��

    Ryu Min, back in his ce, smiled as he looked at the message that appeared before him.

    [You have saved 100 yers by defeating an upper-tier demon for the first time.]

    [The conditions for activation have been met.]

    [You have been awarded the hidden rune: Rune of the Hero!]

    [The rune will be automatically engraved on your body!]

    ��Finally, I��ve obtained it. The Rune of the Hero, one of the must-have runes.��

    The condition to obtain the rune was simple.

    Kill a demon in front of 100 yers.

    ��Just that alone is considered saving them.��

    The system recognized that the appearance of a demon among unprepared people constituted a threat.

    The demon had to be of an upper-tier species, but the ck Seed he learned at level 40 could only summon mid-tier or lower demons.

    ��That��s why I waited until Heo Tae-seok reached level 60. I needed an upper-tier demon.��

    Fortunately, everything went ording to n, and he obtained the rune.

    Smiling behind his mask, Ryu Min looked at the information window that appeared before him.

 Chapter 216 (Part 1)

    Chapter 216: Information Sharing (Part 1)

    [Hero��s Rune]

    �C Effect: Every time you save someone, you gain 1 stack (up to a maximum of 100).

    For every stack, all your stats increase. If the number of stacks decreases, the stat bonus diminishes ordingly.

    You can consume 100 stacks to cast ��Hero��s Protection�� on a target you wish to protect.

    While ��Hero��s Protection�� is active, the caster can use ��Hero��s Touch.��

    �C Hero��s Protection: Activates the moment the target is attacked, creating an absolute shield that blocks all damage for 10 seconds. Once applied, itsts indefinitely until triggered. Only one target can have this protection at a time, and the caster cannot apply it to themselves. If the caster ces the protection on a new target, the previous one is removed.

    �C Hero��s Touch: You can either teleport to or summon the target protected by Hero��s Protection. This can only be used within 10 seconds of Hero��s Protection being triggered.

    ��Finally, I��ve obtained it. The Hero��s Rune.��

    It was one of the 18 essential runes, specifically useful when protecting a particr individual.

    ��If someone attacks my brother, he��ll be invincible for 10 seconds, and during that time, I can either teleport to him or summon him with Hero��s Touch.��

    Ryu Min imagined casting the skill on his brother. If anyone attacked him, he��d enter a state of invulnerability for 10 seconds. He��d receive an alert and have two choices: use Hero��s Touch to summon him or teleport to his side.

    ��It��s the perfect skill to protect him.��

    Additionally, as long as he kept stacking, his stats would keep increasing. Even though it was a temporary buff tied to the number of stacks, the potential boost was impressive.

    ��A 100-point boost to all stats? That��s more than worth it.��

    The only condition was that he had to save 100 people in danger, but Ryu Min wasn��t concerned. There were plenty of people around.

    ��I��ll just exploit the system, like when I acquired the rune.��

    By summoning a demon and defeating it, it would be recognized as saving the people from danger.

    ��The issue is that once you��ve saved someone, you can��t save him again.��

    He had already used up 100 people, so he needed new individuals to finish his stack.

    Fortunately, after all the procedures, the number of followers had exceeded 170. That included members of yer Haven and non-member yers.

    ��With 175 Korean yers, nearly all of them have joined.��

    It was beyond Ryu Min��s expectations that so many would gather.

    He had spent 1.7 million points, but he didn��t regret it. Considering how easily he had managed to gather the yers, it had been a bargain.

    ��It would��ve been nice to have 200 people, but this isn��t my only chance.��

    Feeling that everyone who was meant toe had arrived, Ryu Min set his n into motion.

    With a nce from Ryu Min, Heo Tae-seok nodded. They had already discussed it, and he knew it was time to summon the second demon.

    Moving through the crowd, Heo Tae-seok discreetly nted a seed in the ground.

    Pop!

    It wasn��t difficult to nt the ck seed. He simply activated a skill, and the object seeped into the ground like a dark fluid.

    Heo Tae-seok nced at Ryu Min, nodding slightly.

    It was time to summon the second demon.

    Ryu Min adjusted his mask and gave the signal.

    Suddenly, a trunk as thick as a tree shot up from the ground.

    ��Kraaaahhh!��

    Since it was a random summon, there was no way to know which demon would appear. However, even Ryu Min was surprised this time.

    ��That��s one of the top-tier demons, a Requiem?��

    yers erupted into chaos at the appearance of the second demon.

    But it was short-lived.

    Crash!

    Ryu Min��s scythe split the demon��s head, ending the chaos immediately.

    ��Even after my warning, they dared to summon another demon. It seems my words fell on deaf ears.��

    Though he spoke with apparent anger toward an imaginary enemy, his face behind the mask remained calm. In fact, he was smiling as he looked at the message in front of him.

    [Hero��s Rune Stack: 70/100]

    [All stats increase by 70 due to the effect of the Hero��s Rune.]

    ��Good. Just 30 more stacks to go.��

 Chapter 216 (Part 2)

    Chapter 216: Information Sharing (Part 2)

    [Hero��s Rune Stack: 70/100]

    [All stats increase by 70 due to the effect of the Hero��s Rune.]

    ��Good. Just 30 more stacks to go.��

    Once he reached 100 stacks, he could protect his brother with Hero��s Protection.

    There was no rush, so he could umte the remaining stacks at his own pace.

    ��Now, everything��s taken care of.��

    Well, almost. There was one more thing to do.

    He had important information to share with the 170 followers gathered in this ce.

    Information about the next round.

    ��I can��t just look out for my close acquaintances anymore. I need to ensure as many people survive as possible.��

    With the 16th round approaching, it was crucial for as many yers to survive as possible.

    Though he had no intention of helping viins.

    ��I��ve looked into everyone��s hearts, and none of them seem to have any major issues. Sharing the strategy shouldn��t cause any problems.��

    Of course, he had no intention of revealing the existence of the prophet.

    He would simply say that he had acquired the information through a special reward selection box.

    ��Shortly, the Cult Leader and ck Scythe will give their speeches. For those who havepleted registration, please enter the building,�� Eom Jun-seok announced.

    Following his instructions, people began entering the building.

    Therge hall could seat up to 700 people. Once they were seated, Heo Tae-seok took the stage.

    ��Wee, followers. I am the Cult Leader of the Death Cult. My real name is Heo Tae-seok. I appreciate how many of you havee����

    His speech was simple and brief. He wasn��t the one with the important information.

    ���� That��s all I have to say. Thank you. Now, here��s the man you��ve all been waiting for, ck Scythe.��

    Ryu Min stepped onto the tform, masked, and looked around.

    The 170 followers stared back at him intently.

    ��Greetings. As you know, I am ck Scythe. Due to certain circumstances, I cannot reveal my face or real name. I hope you understand.��

    The followers nodded. They were curious about his true identity, but that wasn��t the most pressing issue. They were far more interested in the information he had to share.

    ��I��ve gathered you here to share crucial information. It��s ssified and should not be divulged to anyone else.��

    ��ssified?��

    Murmurs spread through the crowd before Ryu Min dropped his bombshell.

    ��I have information about the next round, and I intend to share it with you all.��

    The murmurs were quickly silenced. Knowing about the next round in advance was something none of them had considered.

    ��I know you��re curious about the source of this information. It��s simple: when you rank first in any region, you��re rewarded with a special selection box. One of the rewards is information about the next round. I��ve asionally chosen that option to make my path easier.��

    Among the amazed followers was Min Juri.

    ��Ah�� So that��s how ck Scythe was always so insightful about the rounds.��

    She had always marveled at his insight, and now it all made sense.

    ��I��m revealing this now because I can no longer stand by while yers continue to die. That��s why I intend to share the strategy for Round 13. For all of us to survive.��

    By sacrificing his personal advantage to share this information, he won the admiration of the crowd.

    ��Ah����

    ��ck Scythe����

    Moved by his magnanimity, some followers sped their hands in reverence.

    Ryu Min, hidden behind his mask, smiled broadly.

    ��I hope you all survive for the 16th round.��

    With that, he began to share the strategy.

    ��

    [Sariel has not returned. We suspect that he is dead.]

    While some angelsmented the news like a bolt from the blue, others sneered.

    [Hmph. I saw thising. If the 7th-ranked angel fell, it��s no surprise that the 6th-ranked would as well.]

    The 5th-ranked Archangel of Justice, Raguel, scoffed. He had been irked from the start that the 6th-ranked angel had been sent instead of him.

    [What was Michael thinking, deciding that one angel would be enough?]

    [Raguel, are you criticizing the Archangel of Archangels simply because he is not present?]

    Gabriel��s stern warning silenced Raguel, but he continued to sulk.

    [Am I wrong? We��ve gone from seven archangels to five because of his poor decision. This was clearly a misjudgment.]

 Chapter 217 (Part 1)

    Chapter 217: The Start of Round 13 (Part 1)

    January 1, 2023. A new year had dawned.

    While many people set goals like quitting smoking, studying, or exercising as the bell tolled the New Year, for yers, such things were mere luxuries.

    Their ultimate goal was, and always would be, survival.

    ��As expected, Round 13 begins once again in the new year.��

    Ryu Min sighed as he gazed at the dull, colorless space around him, which had long since grown tiresome.

    ��To think the number of participants has dwindled to just this much.��

    The vast space still contained nearly 10,000 people, butpared to before, it was noticeably fewer.

    ��Too many died in Round 12.��

    Because of the Cave of Trials, which required a summoner to clear, three-quarters of the participants had perished.

    ��There was nothing I could have done about it.��

    He couldn��t have exined every strategy to the masses standing before him.

    ��Now that the numbers have decreased, it��s time to look after other yers, not just those close to me.��

    At the very least, he intended to take care of the followers of the Death God Cult.

    That was why he had released the strategy for Round 13.

    ��If half survive this round, and half survive the next, we��ll have close to 2,500 left.��

    But the real problem was Round 15.

    Only a quarter of the participants could pass through the cursed 15th round. Although there would be around 600 people left, the sheer difficulty of the round meant that fewer than 50 would survive.

    For this reason, aside from the final round, the 15th was considered the most crucial.

    ��I must save as many people as possible in Round 15. I can��t allow a shortage like in Round 12.��

    Ryu Min resolved to save as close to 600 as possible.

    The more people he had in the final round, the better his chances would be when facing the boss.

    ��With no information about the final boss, it��s better to have as many survivors as possible. That��s why I��m focusing on the Death God Cult. I also need to prepare for Round 16.��

    Korean yers had to survive in significant numbers to clear Round 16 without suffering heavy losses. Hence, Ryu Min had released the strategy guide for Round 13, confident that following it would allow them to clear the round with ease.

    ��If all goes well, every Korean yer might survive this round.��

    But it wasn��t just the Koreans he was helping.

    He had also shared the strategy with yers from other countries, like Christine, Jeffrey, Russell, Victor, and John Delgado.

    ��ck Scythe.��

    The person who had just approached was Min Juri.

    ��You��re here? Death God Cult follower.��

    ��Haha�� It feels strange to be called a follower. Please, just call me Democracy as usual�� or you can just use my name.��

    When she joined the Death God Cult, she had provided all her personal information. It wasn��t as if Ryu Min didn��t know her name, but he shook his head.

    ��Min Juri is lessfortable for me than ��Democracy.����

    ��Is that so?��

    Min Juri smiled and followed Ryu Min��s gaze, observing the other participants. Though they were technicallypetitors, having made it through 12 rounds together gave them a bond of sorts��a sense ofradeship.

    ��It��s New Year��s, and instead of watching the sunrise, all these people are trapped in a survival game�� It��s kind of sad.��

    ��That��s pretty sentimental of you.��

    Her cheeks puffed up at Ryu Min��s sharp remark.

    ��Are you saying I��m not usually sentimental?��

    ��I never said that.��

    Ryu Min, not in the mood to argue with her, turned his head, just in time to see Seo Arin and Heo Tae-seok approaching.

    ��ck Scythe!��

    ��Are you upset you couldn��t see the sunrise too?��

    ��Huh? What do you mean?��

    ��Because of the time limit, none of us could��ve seen the sunrise anyway.��

    Thanks to Ryu Min, everyone knew that the time limit for this round was 10 hours, which meant that by the time they returned to reality, it would already be 10 a.m.

    ��Aha, did ��Democracy�� want to see the sunrise?��

    ��I�� I never said that. I just����

    ��Who did you want to see it with? A boyfriend?��

    ��I-I don��t have a boyfriend!��

    ��Huh? Someone as beautiful as you doesn��t have a boyfriend?��

    ��Don��t joke around, Leader.��

    ��I��m not joking����

    As more people gathered around them, the conversation became livelier, all while the man who had sparked the topic, Ryu Min, remained silent.

    ��By the way, how��s the necromancer doing?��

    Ryu Min had given John Delgado, who had be his ve, one crucialmand: avoid meeting any other apostles in this round.

    ��I can��t let the Messiah target Jeffrey.��

    John had told him that the Messiah group was after Jeffrey. Fortunately, Ryu Min had already given John strict orders to reveal any suspicious activity.

    ��They probably nned to capture Jeffrey in this round for interrogation, but that won��t happen. I already know their n.��

    Only John, who had been in a party with Jeffrey, could track his location. By making John deliberately avoid the apostles, Ryu Min could easily foil their ns.

    Even though this might make John a target of their resentment.

    ��ck Scythe!��

    Turning around, Ryu Min saw Eom Jun-seok, Ju Seong-tak, and Yamti approaching.

    And now, Christine, Jeffrey, and Jo Yong-ho��s group wereing to see him too, swelling the crowd in an instant.

    ��When Jo Yong-ho joins, the numbers really grow.��

    As expected from the Mercenary King, Jo Yong-ho had brought over 30 mercenaries with him. All of them were Koreans and followers of the Death God Cult.

    ��All I did was win over Jo Yong-ho, and now I have all his mercenaries on my side. Not bad.��

    As the group exchanged cheerful greetings, a familiar figure appeared��the angel.

    [Greetings, humans. You��vee back once again today, I see!]

    Even though everyone knew they hadn��te by choice, the angel still mocked them.

    [Oh dear! There are fewer than 10,000 survivors across all zones! Last round was a bit tough, wasn��t it? But don��t worry. In a few more rounds, that number will drop to double digits in no time. Kuhuhu.]

    ��Double digits?��

    ��Are they insane?��

    The angel chuckled as they relished in the panic they had caused.

    [Kuhuhu, well then, shall we see the quest? This one won��t be too difficult, so rx. I mean it.]

    As if to encourage them, the angel pped its wings and a message appeared.

    ? ROUND 13 ?

    <main>

    �� Raise the reputation of a race to ��Very Friendly�� within 10 hours.

    ��???? Multiple

    [Unified Zone CA-EA001]

    ��Participants: 9,994

    ��Completion: 0/4,997

    The quest was simple. For Ryu Min, it was the easiest quest out of all the previous rounds.

    ��I��ve alreadypleted it.��

    </main>

 Chapter 217 (Part 2)

    Chapter 217: The Start of Round 13 (Part 2)

    The quest was simple. For Ryu Min, it was the easiest quest out of all the previous rounds.

    ��I��ve alreadypleted it.��

    [This round��s quest is to raise your reputation with a race to ��Very Friendly.�� Compared to other rounds, this one is quite easy, don��t you think?]

    ��Very Friendly?��

    ��You could raise reputation?��

    Most yers had no idea that races even had reputation systems, let alone how to raise them.

    ��If they��ve never raised it before, they wouldn��t know.��

    But Ryu Min had already raised his reputation with the Elves to ��Very Friendly�� back in Round 8. In fact, he had three other races with ��Very Friendly�� reputations as well.

    ��With the Elves, I��ve even reached ��Eternal Ally.����

    This was all thanks to the Rune of Reputation, which boosted all reputation levels by one.

    For that reason, there was nothing for Ryu Min to worry about in this round. From the start, he had alreadypleted the quest.

    [Reputation starts at neutral. By doing actions that make a race favor you, you can raise it to friendly, and then to very friendly.]

    From neutral to ��Very Friendly�� there were two stages.

    ��It��s not an easy task to raise it by two levels.��

    Although the angel made it sound simple, it wasn��t. That��s why they were given 10 hours toplete the quest.

    But for the followers of the Death God Cult who had received Ryu Min��s guidance, things were a little different.

    ��I��ve already shown them the fastest quests to increase reputation.��

    The angel continued exining while Ryu Min was deep in thought.

    [You��ve done missions in fantasy worlds before where you had toplete side quests, right? It��s the same idea. Completing side quests that appeal to certain races will raise your reputation with them. And as a bonus, you��ll receive experience, gold, and items as rewards.]

    ��So, to raise reputation, we have to do side quests?��

    ��Basically, we have to pick one race and spam their quests?��

    [Of course, the difficulty of the quests will determine how much reputation and rewards you earn, so choose wisely. In conclusion, you have 10 hours to raise your reputation with a race to ��Very Friendly,�� or you won��t survive.]

    ��They gave us 10 hours, so it must be tough to raise it.��

    ��Ugh�� this isn��t going to be easy.��

    While most yers felt like they were stranded in a sea of uncertainty, the 170 followers of the Death God Cult didn��t share the same anxiety.

    At least they knew which quests would help them achieve their goal quickly.

    [You won��t have much time to waste. The faster you raise your reputation, the faster your name will appear on the survivor list. Of course, if someone has alreadypleted the quest�� they��ll have 10 hours of free time. But there��s no way someone could have done that yet�� Oh?]

    The angel, who had been exining, suddenly paused, clearly flustered as they checked the survivor list.

    [H-Hold on, someone alreadypleted it? They��ve already reached ��Very Friendly?��]

    Although the angel didn��t mention any names, there was no doubt who it was.

    ��That would be me.��

    Ryu Min chuckled quietly, his expression calm and confident. Having cleared the quest as soon as it began, he had 10 hours of free time, just as the angel had mentioned.

    [W-Well, then. Let��s move on to choosing your starting location!]

    A message popped up in front of the yers�� eyes.

    [Please select the region where you would like to begin.]

    �� 1. Albitz Kingdom

    �� 2. Braham Kingdom

    �� 3. The Holy Empire

    �� 4. Elsorium

    [If you do not choose within the time limit, a location will be chosen for you randomly.]

    [Time remaining to choose: 00:00:59]

    As most yers hesitated and agonized over their choice, the followers of the Death God Cult knew exactly where to go.

    ��We��ll go ahead, ck Scythe.��

    ��Me too.��

    As Heo Tae-seok and Seo Arin were about to move, Min Juri quickly stopped them.

    ��Ah, wait! Don��t forget your buffs before you go!��

    She cast her buffs on the group, who thanked her in return.

    ��Thanks, Democracy.��

    ��You��re a lifesaver!��

    ��Good luck, everyone!��

    After exchanging words of encouragement, they selected their starting location and vanished.

    ��ck Scythe, you too. Here��s your buff.��

    ��Thanks.��

    Ryu Min smiled lightly as he received the buff. He didn��t really need it, but one could never be too sure in a game of survival.

    ��You never know when the archangel might show up for revenge again.��

    Since Sariel had appeared before, it was likely they could show up again.

    As Jo Yong-ho��s mercenary group and Min Juri disappeared, Ryu Min found himself standing alone.

    ncing at the list of choices, he had already made up his mind long before the round had even begun.

    ��Option 4. Elsorium.��

    With a simple touch, the space around him shifted in an instant.

    *

    Chirp, chirp��

    Ryu Min found himself in the middle of a dense forest, surrounded by birds chirping in the trees.

    ��This is the ce.��

    The reason he had chosen Elsorium was simple.

    ��I need to obtain the Rune Fragments stored in the Elves�� treasure vault.��

    If his reputation had merely been ��Very Friendly,�� it would have been impossible. But with an ��Eternal Ally,�� the Elves would dly open their treasure vault to him.

    Even the Princess herself wouldn��t object.

    In Elsorium, the council of elders had long seized control, and the princess held very little power.

    Rustle, rustle��

    Ryu Min brushed aside the thick foliage and walked ahead.

    ��It��s over there.��

    Although only trees stood before him, he could feel something unusual in the air. As he took another step forward and crossed an invisible boundary��

    Whoosh��

    The lush forest suddenly disappeared, revealing a grand and majestic city before his eyes.

    The city of the Elves, hidden behind a magical barrier��Elsorium.

    ��Impressive.��

    As he admired the grand scale of the Elven buildings, he crossed the bridge over a rainbow-colored river. At the entrance, two Elven guards blocked his path, crossing their spears.

    ��A human? What business do you have here?��

    ��Turn back at once!��

    Despite their cold tone, Ryu Min didn��t flinch. Instead, he looked up, as though waiting for something.

    [The round��s special ability, ��Trantion,�� is currently active.]

    [You can nowmunicate with beings from other realms.]

    [All yers can now speak and understand allnguages.]

    Luckily, there wouldn��t be any problemsmunicating with the NPCs.

    ��Human! Are you deaf? We said turn back!��

    ��Did you not hear us?��

    The guards, ready to dismiss him, suddenly froze upon seeing his face.

    As if recognizing who he was.

    ��W-Wait�� Are you ck Scythe, the warrior from another world?��

    ��Isn��t it obvious?��

    Ryu Min replied curtly, and the guards immediately straightened, bowing deeply.

    ��We deeply apologize for not recognizing you sooner, esteemed one!��

    ��P-Please forgive our earlier rudeness!��

    Their attitude had made aplete 180-degree turn.

    After all, an ��Eternal Ally�� reputation was only given to those who had saved an entire race. It wasn��t surprising that he was treated like royalty.

    ��Enough. Fetch the council elders. I need to speak with them.��

    ��Y-You wish to see the elders?��

    ��Yes, I have some important matters to discuss.��

    ��P-Please wait here. We will summon them immediately!��

    As the guards hurried off, Ryu Min waited calmly, a satisfied look on his face.

 Chapter 218 (Part 1)

    Chapter 218: The Treasure Vault of Elsorium (Part 1)

    Had it been about three minutes?

    A sh of light shimmered from the distant warp gate.

    Soon enough, they came rushing over, panting heavily.

    It was the five elders, the true powers behind Elsorium.

    ��Huff, huff�� it��s really the ck Scythe, isn��t it?��

    ��To think the ck Scythe himself would visit our elf vige.��

    It was funny that even though this was their first time meeting, these NPCs recognized his face.

    Not just a vague recognition��they genuinely reacted as though they knew him when he read their thoughts.

    ��Well, I did save the princess in the 8th round, so it��s not strange that my face became known�� but I didn��t expect them to greet me so warmly.��

    They treated Ryu Min like a hero who had saved their homnd, and he decided not to question it any further.

    Honestly, trying to understand the reputation system logically when you could resurrect people from death was absurd.

    ��I apologize for the wait. Please,e this way! We will escort you inside the pce.��

    ��Very well.��

    Ryu Min followed them, hands sped behind his back as though he really were a hero.

    If the elves wanted a hero, he would y the part.

    ��Please, step up here.��

    The moment he stepped onto the warp gate, a bright light shed, and he was instantly transported inside the pce.

    ��This way, please.��

    Following the elders to the guest room, the maidservants resting there jumped to their feet in surprise.

    ��What are you doing! A distinguished guest has arrived, and you haven��t even served tea yet!��

    ��Y-yes! We apologize, Elder!��

    The maids scurried off, leaving the elder behind with a beaming smile.

    ��Please, make yourself at home. We will bring you warm tea and food shortly.��

    ��Very well.��

    Ryu Min leaned back in the chair, not refusing the offer.

    They were treating him like a VIP, and he had no reason to decline. Besides, he had plenty of time since he had alreadypleted his quest.

    ��I��ve been to Elsorium a few times, but it still fascinates me. These elves live like humans.��

    Their society resembled a typical kingdom so much that one could forget they were elves and not humans.

    ��It probably means they interact a lot with humans. The items here weren��t made by them; they must��ve been imported from human society.��

    Yet, officially, elves didn��t get along well with humans.

    It made sense, given that elves, who cherished nature, wouldn��t be fond of humans, who destroyed it.

    That was also why humans were often turned away at the entrance.

    ��Still, they seem to understand the convenience of human goods, living in such impressive buildings.��

    Some yers likely chose Elsorium for reputation farming.

    However, building a rtionship with the elves wasn��t easy.

    ��Among all the races, they are probably the hardest to win over.��

    Unless you saved lives, like Ryu Min had in a specific situation, such treatment was unheard of.

    ��Here is the tea and refreshments.��

    Ryu Min took the tea from the maid and sniffed it.

    The strong scent of pine needles filled his nose, calming him.

    ��Sometimes, a break like this isn��t so bad.��

    Slurp��

    Ryu Min drank the tea with a sense of ease.

    He didn��t suspect any poison.

    There was no reason to target someone like him, who was practically a hero to them, and he trusted the reputation system.

    After about three sips, the elders returned, apanied by someone else.

    It was the Princess and the captain of the royal knights, Yugrito.

    ��So that��s where they went��to fetch the princess.��

    They probably discussed what they could give to the important guest who had arrived so suddenly.

    And their solution was the princess.

    ��They must��ve thought that by presenting the princess, they could solidify their rtionship with me.��

    As expected, reading the elder��s thoughts revealed he was thinking exactly that.

    ��ck Scythe, how is the tea? Does it suit your taste?��

    ��The aroma is quite pleasant.��

    ��It��s made from the Tiberi leaves we purchased at a high price from the Kingdom of Braham. It��s known to clear the mind.��

    ��It certainly has that effect. I noticed your elves seem to be in frequent contact with humans despite cherishing nature.��

    ��Well, we can��t stay isted from the world forever. If there are good things to be learned, we should embrace them. That doesn��t mean we��re particrly friendly with humans, though. We still maintain neutrality�� mostly.��

    The elder nced at Ryu Min cautiously.

    ��Unlike with other humans, we wish to maintain a positive rtionship with the ck Scythe, if possible. Just as we have now.��

    ��I wish for the same.��

    Did they think their rtionship could fall apart? The elder, momentarily startled by Ryu Min��s words, broke into a heartyugh before introducing the princess.

    ��Ah, I almost forgot to introduce her. You��ve met her before, haven��t you? This is Princess.��

    ��It��s been a while, ck Scythe. It��s an honor to meet you again.��

    The Princess lifted her dress slightly and curtsied with grace.

    The once-young princess had matured quite a bit since theyst met.

    ��Heh, even the ck Scythe is human, huh? Can��t take his eyes off the princess.

    ��So it��s true what they say about humans��they can��t resist the beauty of our elven kind.

    Meanwhile, the elders�� thoughts reached him.

    Just ncing at the princess had sparked such strange misunderstandings.

    ��Well then, we��ll leave you two alone. We have some urgent matters to attend to.��

    ��Enjoy your time together.��

    The elders excused themselves with tact, but Ryu Min wasn��t about to let them go so easily.

    ��Hold on. Aren��t you going to ask why I��m here?��

    ��Why�� you��re here?��

    ��Didn��t youe to see the princess?��

 Chapter 218 (Part 2)

    Chapter 218: The Treasure Vault of Elsorium (Part 2)

    ��Hold on. Aren��t you going to ask why I��m here?��

    ��Why�� you��re here?��

    ��Didn��t youe to see the princess?��

    The elders seemed genuinely baffled, waiting for his response with foolish looks on their faces.

    Even the Princess gazed at him expectantly.

    ��No need to disappoint the princess.��

    Ryu Min smiled slightly as he responded.

    ��Of course, I was concerned about the princess��s safety. What knight wouldn��t worry after hearing that a fragiledy had been attacked?��

    ��Oh����

    The Princess��s face flushed red.

    It seemed the princess, who liked such sweet words, had fallen for thepliment.

    ��Well, that��s part of the reason. But there��s also something else��something I wanted to confirm.��

    ��Something else��?��

    ��I heard that Elsorium holds a treasure vault, passed down through the generations of elves. Is that true?��

    The elders flinched, their shoulders jerking in unison as their eyes darted around nervously.

    They clearly knew something.

    ��Where�� did you hear such information?��

    ��It doesn��t matter where I heard it. What��s important is why you��ve kept the existence of this treasure vault hidden from me.��

    ��W-we didn��t mean to hide anything! We never even considered such a thing!��

    ��Then you can show me the vault. Lead me to the treasures.��

    The elders exchanged hesitant nces before reluctantly nodding.

    ��Where on earth did he hear about the treasure?

    ��The princess alone isn��t enough for him, is that it?

    ��He really is different from those lustful humans.

    Their thoughts revealed their reluctance to hand over the treasures.

    ��Well, it makes sense. The treasure vault contains the legacy of hundreds of years of elven history.��

    Even a hero would find it difficult to part with such a vault. No matter the alliance, an outsider would always remain an outsider.

    Sensing Ryu Min��s growing impatience, the elders, feeling pressured, began moving.

    ��A-all right. We��ll show you�� this way.��

    If not for his excellent reputation, merely mentioning the treasure wouldn��t have been enough to gain ess.

    They would��ve dismissed it as a rumor and refused outright.

    ��It��s not like I can just break down the door myself. That��s how the system is set up.��

    The vault was protected by a barrier that no attack could breach.

    Even someone as powerful as Ryu Min couldn��t open it by force.

    He knew this well, having tried in a previous round.

    ��Here we are.��

    They arrived at arge stone chamber in the pce��s underground.

    ��Inside lies the history of Elsorium, umted over hundreds of years.��

    ��I��d like to see it.��

    ��Please, wait just a moment.��

    The five elders gathered in front of the door and chanted a spell.

    A ring of light, inscribed with bizarre characters, appeared on the stone door, spinning slowly.

    Only when the eldersbined their spells could the barrier be dispelled.

    Grooooooan��

    As the door opened on its own, a message appeared.

    ��Condition: Open the treasure vault door with the five elders.

    [You havepleted the sub-quest!]

    [You may select three treasures as your reward.]

    ��Please,e inside.��

    Following the elders, Ryu Min entered the vault.

    The dazzling light of countless jewels and treasures illuminated the dark stone chamber.

    ��Jewels, magic swords, magical armor, spellbooks, artifacts�� an assortment of everything.��

    As Ryu Min inspected the treasures with interest, one of the elders spoke cautiously.

    ��These are the treasures we��ve gathered over the past 500 years in Elsorium. Feel free to take whatever pleases you.��

    ��Does that mean I can take as many as I want?��

    ��W-well, yes, but given the historical value of these items, wouldn��t three be sufficient��?��

    The elders, who were worried he might ask for more, sighed in relief when Ryu Min didn��t push further.

    ��I don��t need more than three. They��ll suffice.��

    Even if he wanted more, the system wouldn��t allow it.

    ��I��ll settle for three.��

    ��Thank you!��

    Ryu Min picked his items with precision, as though he had already decided what to choose.

    [You have chosen the Rune of One vs. Many.]

    [You have chosen the Rune of Resistance.]

    [You have chosen the Rune of Endurance.]

    [You have selected all your rewards.]

    After choosing the three runes, Ryu Min smiled at the elders.

    ��I��m done.��

    ��You��ve chosen the magic stones?��

    ��Oho, an excellent choice.��

    The elders, who had been worried he might pick more expensive items, beamed with relief.

    But they had no idea.

    For a yer, there was nothing more valuable than rune fragments.

    Ryu Min used the rune fragments to engrave the runes onto his body.

    [Rune of One vs. Many]

    -Effect: Your stats increase in proportion to the number of enemies within a 100-meter radius. The effect applies to up to 100 enemies, with a maximum stat boost of 100%.

    [Rune of Resistance]

    -Effect: Increases resistance to status effects by 50%.

    [Rune of Endurance]

    -Effect: Increases resistance to elemental damage by 50%.

    Ryu Min smiled with satisfaction after acquiring the three runes.

    All of them were essential runes on his list.

    ��With these, I��ve be even stronger.��

    Though he was already plenty strong, he couldn��t afford to stop growing when who knows what enemies might appear next.

    ��It��s like money��the more you have, the better. The same goes for strength.��

    His business with the elves was nowplete.

    ��I��ve seen all I need. Time to head out.��

    ��Yes, sir.��

    As Ryu Min emerged from the underground chamber and returned to the surface, he activated his tracking skill while thinking of someone.

    [Match found for name and face. Tracking target��s location.]

    [Target ��Russell Daniel�� located 4,395 meters away.]

    [Follow the arrow in front of you to track the target.]

    ��Let��s head to the dwarf vige with Russell next.��

    He needed to gather god-tier materials in advance while helping Russell grow.

    ��I must be off. I have other matters to attend to.��

    ��Already? You��re leaving so soon?��

    ��Yes. Thank you for the tea.��

    Leaving behind the Princess, who was visibly disappointed, Ryu Min exited the pce.

    ��Ascend.��

    p��

    Huge wings of darkness, over 10 meters wide, unfolded from his back, startling the princess and the elders who hade to see him off.

    ��I��ll see you again next time. Stay healthy, Princess.��

    ����Y-you too, ck Scythe.��

    Though the Princess shyly responded, Ryu Min was already soaring high in the sky.

 Chapter 219 (Part 1)

    Chapter 219: Iron Grey (Part 1)

    While others were still pondering their regional choices, Russell immediately selected the Kingdom of Albitz without hesitation.

    ��Mr. Ryu told me. There��s no need to do anything else��just wait for the ck Scythe in the Kingdom of Albitz.��

    Though he had heard the strategy for the 13th round, the Prophet had mentioned there was no need for him to do any quests. As a cksmith, mingling with the dwarves would raise his reputation more easily than for others.

    ��The Prophet told the ck Scythe the exact method. His help is absolutely necessary.��

    So, he waited endlessly in this spot.

    Nearly an hour had passed.

    ��C-could it be that he��s noting?��

    As he anxiously feared being stood up, a ck shape appeared in the sky.

    ��W-what the��!?��

    What had been flying like a demon with wings soonnded softly in front of Russell.

    It was none other than the ck Scythe.

    ��Are you Russell Daniel?��

    ��Y-yes, that��s me. Are you�� the ck Scythe?��

    Even though names weren��t visible in this fantasy world, Russell knew instinctively that this person was the ck Scythe.

    ��Yes, I am the ck Scythe.��

    ��It��s an honor to meet you, sir.��

    ��There��s no need for such honors. I��ve heard about you from the Prophet. He told me to take special care of you, as you two are close.��

    ��The Prophet said that?��

    When the ck Scythe nodded, Russell felt deeply moved.

    ��To think Mr. Ryu would regard me so highly�� He really is like a saint.��

    Determined to make a better impression next time he met Ryu Min, Russell suddenly recalled something he had been told.

    ��He said to prove my worth when I meet the ck Scythe, didn��t he?��

    Thinking that there was no harm in solidifying his rtionship with the ck Scythe, Russell mustered his courage.

    ��I��ve heard that you can help me grow, sir.��

    ��That��s what I��ve been told.��

    ��I know it��s presumptuous, but could you help me? I want to grow faster.��

    ��Hmm����

    ��In exchange, I��ll cast a buff that will help you hunt! Just a moment�� could I see your weapon?��

    When Russell gestured as if to take his weapon, Ryu Min frowned.

    ��You want me to hand over my weapon?��

    ��Oh, no! You don��t have to give it to me, just let me touch it.��

    When Ryu Min held out his scythe, Russell lightly ced his hand on it and chanted a skill. Then, an astounding message appeared before Ryu Min��s eyes.

    [The effect of the skill ��Weapon Polishing�� increases weapon attack power by 150%.]

    [The buff willst until the end of this round.]

    ��My attack power increased by that much?��

    Ryu Min had vaguely heard about cksmiths�� buff but had never personally experienced it.

    ��Your weapon��s attack power increased, didn��t it?��

    ��Yes, I��m surprised by how much it increased.��

    ��Haha, you��re not done being surprised yet. Could I touch your armor this time?��

    When Ryu Min nodded and allowed it, Russell ced his hand on the armor. An even more surprising message appeared.

    [The effect of the skill ��Equipment Polishing�� increases armor options by 10%.]

    [The buff willst until the end of this round.]

    ��What? The options increased?��

    Ryu Min brought up the status window for the Thanatos ck Armor he was wearing.

    ��Defense: 2,200, +1.1 to all stats per level, 73.7% chance to evade when hit?��

    The options had indeed increased by 10%.

    ��Your stats improved, right? I can buff all your equipment like this. Oh, except for essories.��

    ��Really?��

    ��I��ll do it right now. Let��s start.��

    As Russell applied buffs to the helmet, gloves, and boots, all of their stats increased by 10%. While not a huge increase, the fact that the item��s stats could be enhanced was significant.

    ��For equipment like the ck Armor with probability-based options, I could potentially push the evasion rate to near 100%.��

    Ryu Min hadn��t known cksmiths had such skills.

    As Ryu Min marveled, Russell smiled proudly.

    ��Surprising, right? Even I didn��t realize how efficient the Equipment Polishing skill was when I learned it at level 60.��

    ��Repair, Weapon Polishing, Equipment Polishing�� what other skills do you have?��

    ��Ah, there��s one called Material Crafting, but it��s not a buff skill, so it��s not that useful. It��s a skill that allows you to gather junk items to create higher-level materials.��

    Ryu Min nodded in understanding.

    Materials could be bought with money, so it wasn��t a skill he needed. But it might be useful for Russell.

    ��Still, the Weapon Polishing and Equipment Polishing skills are more than enough help.��

    ��Did it help?��

    ��Very much.��

    Seeing Ryu Min��s satisfied expression, Russell internally cheered. He had clearly proven his worth.

    ��Let��s go. I��ll help you grow even more.��

    ��Thank you. Where are we going, though��?��

    ��The Prophet told me to head to a ce called the Cargago Mountains. We need to find a dwarf city there.��

    ��Do you know the way?��

    ��Of course. I��ve got some connections with the dwarves.��

    Ryu Min smirked as he changed his title to ��Ahead of the Pack.��

    Seeing words appear above Ryu Min��s head, Russell��s eyes widened.

    ��What��s that above your head?��

    ��It��s a title. It gives you various effects. If you strengthen your rtionship with the dwarves, you��ll get one too, or so the Prophet said.��

    ��Oh, I see.��

    ��Let��s not waste time. Let��s go.��

    ��Um�� sir����

    When Russell spoke again, Ryu Min��s tone turned sharp.

    ��What now?��

    ��A-are we going to fly again? I��m�� I��m afraid of heights����

    ��Don��t worry. We��ll walk. The dwarf city is underground, after all.��

 Chapter 219 (Part 2)

    Chapter 219: Iron Grey (Part 2)

    Near the Kingdom of Albitz lies the Cargago Mountains.

    And beneath those mountains is the dwarf city known to everyone: Iron Grey.

    ng! ng!

    The sound of hammering echoed from all around.

    ��Wow�� This is the dwarves�� city����

    ��Close your mouth. They��re staring at us.��

    Dwarves, frowning at Russell��s gawking, red at him. Although they had long been engaged in active trade with humans, they still saw humans as outsiders. They certainly didn��t appreciate anyone treating their city like a tourist attraction.

    Whether Russell noticed or not, he continued to gawk at their work in awe.

    ��It��s not just amazement, it��s admiration for their passion.��

    Was it because he was a fellow craftsman?

    It was clear from Russell��s entire demeanor that he was overflowing with enthusiasm.

    ��Look at that! Their hammering is like art. Not even the slightest wobble in their strikes! Wow, look at their hands. The way they work with metal is incredible. They must be making tes for armor. How do they do it with those small but sturdy hands��? Oh, and all those pieces behind them�� are they all handcrafted? I want to touch them����

    ��Russell, get a grip ande this way.��

    ��Oh, sorry. Haha����

    Looking like a cat in front of a fish market, Russell snapped out of it and followed Ryu Min into thergest forge in Iron Grey: Hammerfall.

    ��This is it. Let��s go inside.��

    ��W-wait a second. Something just popped up in front of me����

    Russell stared into the air as if looking at something invisible.

    ��A sub-quest just appeared. It says to work as an assistant in Hammerfall for three hours.��

    ��What��s the reward?��

    ��It says you��ll be ��highly friendly�� with the dwarves, and your skills will be upgraded by one level. It��s only avable for cksmiths, though.��

    Completing one quest would clear the round and upgrade his skills.

    ��This is the best sub-quest he could get. It��s only for Russell, though.��

    Even though he had to work for three hours, it was much shorterpared to what other yers would need to do.

    ��Other yers will have to spend at least six hours on reputation tasks.��

    In that sense, Russell was almost guaranteed to take second ce in this round��s rankings.

    ��As long as he can secure a job, that is.��

    It wouldn��t be easy to just walk into the forge and ask for a job without any prior connections.

    ��But he doesn��t need to worry. He has me.��

    Ryu Min opened the door to the forge and gestured for Russell to follow.

    ��Wow����

    Russell couldn��t help but be awed by the forge��s immense size.

    Just then, a young dwarf approached them, eyeing them warily.

    ��What business do humans have here?��

    But his expression quickly changed when he recognized Ryu Min.

    ��Wait�� are you The Ahead of the Pack?��

    Ryu Min nodded.

    It wasn��t surprising anymore that a stranger knew him. The reputation system was indeed remarkable.

    ��I��m here to see cksmith Hymer of Hammerfall.��

    ��Hymer? Please wait a moment.��

    The young dwarf hurried off and soon returned with an older dwarf with a thick beard.

    It was none other than cksmith Hymer, whom Ryu Min had met in the 8th round.

    ��Oh! It��s an honor to have you visit Iron Grey, The Ahead of the Pack! I��ve been hoping to see you again!��

    Hymer greeted Ryu Min with great enthusiasm, thanks to their ��highly friendly�� rtionship.

    ��This ce is too noisy. Let��s go somewhere quieter.��

    ��Let��s do that.��

    Once they had moved to a quieter break room, Ryu Min introduced Russell.

    ��Let me introduce my valued acquaintance, Russell Daniel.��

    Russell, surprised by the word ��valued,�� quickly followed suit.

    ��It��s a pleasure to meet you. Please, call me Russell.��

    With their significant height difference, they couldn��t shake hands, so they simply exchanged nods.

    ��Nice to meet you. But what brings you to our city, The Ahead Of The Pack?��

    ��Actually, I wanted to ask you a favor. Could you employ this young man here?��

    ��Employ him?��

    ��Just for today. He��s very eager to learn from the best dwarven cksmiths. He��s particrly skilled in metallurgy, and he really wants to learn from the top-tier dwarven cksmiths.��

    Hymer��s gaze shifted to Russell, sizing him up.

    ��Have you done any cksmithing before?��

    ��Yes, sir. Though I only have six years of experience, I can handle the basics.��

    ��And what have you crafted?��

    ��Oh, all sorts of things��longswords, daggers, bracelets, armor, protective gear. Pretty much anything you can think of, I��ve made.��

    ��Hoho, that sounds like you��re beyond just a beginner.��

    Hymer looked at Russell with growing interest, clearly impressed.

    ��Looks like the interview��s going well.��

    Ryu Min smirked, realizing that Russell had likely secured the job. As expected, Hymer nodded approvingly.

    ��Very well. Since you��ve been introduced by The Ahead himself, I��ll make an exception and hire you as an assistant for today.��

    ��Th-thank you so much!��

    ��However, it��s gettingte, so you��ll only be able to work for three hours. Is that fine?��

    ��Of course! That��s more than enough!��

    Russell practically glowed with enthusiasm, which didn��t seem to bother Hymer��in fact, the dwarf looked pleased by his eagerness.

    ��Shall we get started right away?��

    ��Yes, yes, please!��

    Hymer turned to Ryu Min. ��And what about you, The Ahead?��

    ��My business here is done, so I��ll be on my way.��

    At that, Russell quickly rushed over and bowed deeply, in typical Korean fashion.

    ��Thank you so much, ck Scythe. If it weren��t for you, I never would��ve gotten this chance.��

    The quest would have been impossible without Ryu Min��s introduction, given his excellent reputation with the dwarves.

    ��I��ll definitely repay this favor. I swear it.��

    ��I��ll hold you to that promise.��

    With a debt of gratitude, Russell was sure to treat ck Scythe kindly from now on.

    ��Oh, before I go, Hymer, there��s something I need to discuss with you.��

    ��With me? Is there something you need?��

    ��I��ve heard a rumor that special materials are sold here in Iron Grey.��

    ��What kind of materials are you talking about?��

    Ryu Min listed the rare crafting materials he was after, and as Hymer listened, his expression slowly changed.

    ��Ahem, where did you hear such rumors��?��

    ��I have my ways. So, do you have them or not?��

    ��We do have them, but����

    ��Can you sell them to me?��

    For the first time, Hymer looked troubled, which was quite a change from his usual friendly demeanor.

    ��Well, these are difficult materials toe by, so we can��t just give them away����

    ��I��m not asking for a handout. I��ll buy them all.��

    ��These materials are quite expensive, you know.��

    ��Don��t worry.��

    Ryu Min grinned confidently.

    ��I��ve got more than enough gold.��

 Chapter 220 (Part 1)

    Chapter 220: God-Tier Boots (Part 1)

    ��Is this correct? Mandragora��s Magic Stem, Adamantium te, New Material Leather, Wind Spirit��s Feather, Magic Core, and two pieces of ck Iron Powder?��

    Ryu Min nodded as he verified the materials that Hymer had brought.

    ��Yes, that��s correct. How much is it all?��

    ��Uh�� give me a moment, let me calcte����

    Hymer hesitated for a moment, calcting the price on his abacus. The total was unexpectedly high, and he stammered as he spoke.

    ��Don��t be too shocked�� The total cost for the seven materials is 5,932,900 gold����

    Russell, who was not the one making the purchase, gasped in disbelief at the nearly six million gold.

    ��Wh-what kind of materials are this expensive?��

    ��They��re that hard toe by. We barely managed to get them.��

    ��Still, a price of over 800,000 gold for each item����

    Russell, unable to believe it, looked at Hymer like he was a scammer. Hymer, feeling wronged, looked as if he had suddenly gone from a master craftsman to a conman.

    Of course, Ryu Min trusted Hymer and didn��t think he was inting the price.

    ��This is fair. These are materials used for God-tier items, after all.��

    For less than a million gold per item, it wasn��t a bad deal.

    Besides, Ryu Min had about 65 million gold on hand.

    After ying the angel, his wealth had umted exponentially, and now it had reached this level.

    ��I won��t have much use for all this gold now, but it wille in handyter.��

    Especially during the 17th round, having plenty of gold would be beneficial.

    ��Isn��t this a bit too much? Maybe you should think about it more����

    ��I��ll buy it.��

    ��Wise decision, so let��s just�� wait, what?��

    ��I said I��ll buy the materials.��

    Hymer blinked in surprise, his face showing disbelief.

    ��This is a sum even the Hormos Merchant Guild would hesitate to pay����

    ��I��ve got plenty of gold. Let��s just make the deal.��

    A trade window appeared before Ryu Min.

    [Please freely select the items or gold you wish to trade.]

    �� No items selected

    �� Gold: 5,932,900 G

    **

    �� Materials: Mandragora��s Magic Stem, Adamantium te, New Material Leather, Wind Spirit��s Feather, Magic Core, two pieces of ck Iron Powder

    �� Gold: 0 G

    [Trade]

    [Both parties must agree for the transaction to bepleted.]

    As soon as Ryu Min pressed the trade button, a clinking sound followed, and the gold was deducted while the materials were transferred to his inventory.

    A smirk crept onto Ryu Min��s face.

    ��Now, I have everything I need to craft the God-tier boots and weapon��except for one thing.��

    The core material, condensed Aether, wasn��t something even Hymer could sell. Ryu Min would have to get it himself.

    ��I already have one Aether from killing Sariel, so I can at least make the boots.��

    He wanted to craft the God-tier weapon first, but the weapon required two pieces of condensed Aether.

    ��If I take down two archangels like before, I should be able to get it.��

    Whether or not archangels would appear in this round, he wasn��t sure.

    ��Haha, I can��t believe you��re really buying these materials. How could someone like you have such wealth����

    ��I got lucky.��

    With that simple reply, Ryu Min waved his hand and turned his back on theughing Hymer.

    ��Now that I��m done here, I��ll take my leave.��

    ��It was nice to see you, The Ahead one.��

    ��I enjoyed our meeting too, cksmith Hymer. Russell, keep up the good work. I��ll be back in three hours, so see you then.��

    ��You��reing back? Why?��

    ��I want to see how much stronger you have gotten.��

    ��Understood. I��ll work hard and wait for your return.��

    ��Good. See youter.��

    ��Take care!��

    With a nod, Ryu Min left the smithy and pushed off the ground.

    p

    The wings of darkness sprouted from his back and carried him into the sky.

    *

    While Russell was doing his quest, Ryu Min pondered where to spend his time.

    ��I��ve already passed this round, and I��vepleted all my objectives.��

    He couldn��t just sit idly, so he thought about doing a side quest.

    After some thought, one idea came to him.

    ��It might be best to take on a mercenary quest.��

    Ryu Min��s current mercenary rank was Veteran.

    Upon reaching the next rank, Master, he would earn the right to hunt dragons.

    ��I need to kill a dragon. The items, titles, and runes you get from it are invaluable.��

    Killing a dragon would also yield God-tier essories.

    One of the 18 essential runes and a title would also be earned, so there was no reason not to hunt it.

    ��But I can��t do it now. The imprable barrier is blocking ess.��

    Knowing where a dragon��s nest was didn��t mean he could go there right away.

    Just like how he couldn��t force his way into Elisorium��s treasure vault, he couldn��t bypass the barrier.

    The only way in was by raising his mercenary rank to Master.

    ��No need to worry. It��s just one more rank to go.��

    Completing a few more mercenary-hunting quests should get him there in no time.

    Being at the Veteran rank, the rewards for these quests were much better than those of ordinary side quests, so there was no reason to hesitate.

    ��It��s here.��

    Tap

    Ryu Minnded after flying for about ten minutes, arriving at the Kingdom of Albiz.

    The Golden Eagle Mercenary Guild had branches in every city, so he didn��t have to travel far.

    ��Before taking on a mercenary quest����

 Chapter 220 (Part 2)

    Chapter 220: God-Tier Boots (Part 2)

    ��Before taking on a mercenary quest����

    Ryu Min opened the crafting window.

    [Main Materials]

    �C High-quality Leather Boots

    [Sub Materials]

    �C Condensed Aether

    �C ck Iron Powder

    �C Mandragora��s Magic Stem

    �C New Material Leather

    �C Wind Spirit��s Feather

    ��Let��s craft the God-tier item.��

    Since he couldn��t craft a weapon yet, he decided to start with the boots.

    [You are crafting a God-tier item.]

    [The item will transform to match your current ss.]

    [Crafting sess!]

    [You have created the ��Boots of Thanatos.��]

    [Boots of Thanatos]

    �C Type: Boots

    �C Rank: God

    �C Defense: 1,200

    �C Effect: All Stats +50, Movement Speed +100%, Allows you to walk on air in darkness.

    �C Durability: 20,000/20,000

    �C Usage Restriction: Master Rank or above

    �C Description: Boots crafted using the divine essence of Thanatos, the God of Death. Wearing them as part of the Thanatos set grants additional effects.

    �C Thanatos Set Effect (4/5)

    �C 2-piece Effect: +20% Resistance

    �C 3-piece Effect: +10% Skill Damage

    �C 4-piece Effect: -30% Iing Damage

    �C 5-piece Effect: ?????

    The Boots of Thanatos weren��t just good for the stat boosts��they also allowed him to walk on air, as long as it was dark.

    ��As long as it��s dark, I can walk freely in midair.��

    He could jump into the air and use it as a foothold tounch himself back to the ground or even zigzag in the sky.

    It was as if he had gained an entirely new field of movement, making the boots incredibly versatile.

    The set bonus was also impressive, with the 30% reduction in iing damage being particrly useful.

    ��That��s the fourth piece. Now I just need to get the weapon, and I��ll have all the God-tier items.��

    The remaining God-tier essories could be obtained by defeating boss monsters, like dragons.

    ��I��d better rank up in the mercenary guild soon.��

    Ryu Min quickened his pace toward the Golden Eagle Mercenary Guild.

    *

    [Click.]

    [Frown more, Raguel.]

    Raguel, the 5th-ranked angel, stood for justice, fairness, and harmony. However, at this moment, he wore an expression that was anything but serene.

    [Uriel, this is absurd! Why do two of us need to go just to deal with one human? What��s so terrifying about a mere bug of a human?]

    Raguel��s frustration was understandable. His pride was hurt. It stung to have to descend to another realm just to hunt a single human being.

    He felt like the entire situation was beneath him.

    [I admit it��s strange too. How powerful could a human be?]

    [Exactly, Uriel! There��s no need for someone of your caliber to get involved.]

    [But what can we do? Both Gabriel and Raphael agreed to this. We can��t just refuse.]

    [What were they thinking, making us take such pointless measures?]

    [They must have thought it was safer for both of us to handle it.]

    [It��s not that they don��t trust me to do the job alone, is it?]

    [I can��t deny that possibility.]

    [Hmph. Do they not know how well I performed in the Celestial-Demon War?]

    Even though Raguel was a mid-tier angel now, hisbat abilities far surpassed those of the 6th and 7th-ranked angels below him. He had single-handedly ughtered countless demons during the 5th Celestial-Demon War, 200 years ago, driven by his sense of justice.

    Uriel, acknowledging Raguel��s prowess, nodded as if to affirm his achievements.

    [I know, and so do the higher-ups. That��s why you were promoted to archangel after that war.]

    [Then why��?]

    [They just want to make sure it��s dealt with thoroughly. After all, you know what happens when we underestimate someone.]

    [Are you saying they��re aware of my skills yet still doubt me? I can handle a mere bug of a human!]

    [And how did those who were so confident fare? They��re all missing in action, aren��t they?]

    [����]

    [There��s a 99% chance you��ll seed alone, but with two of us, it��s 100%. That��s why they ordered both of us to go.]

    [Still��]

    [Look at what happened when they sent others alone. To ensure there are no mistakes this time, it��s a wise decision.]

    Uriel��s gentle yet logical exnation managed to calm Raguel somewhat, though he still wore a displeased expression.

    [But I could handle this human by myself��]

    Seeing that Raguel remained dissatisfied, Uriel offered a proposal.

    [How about this? I��ll let you fight him first. I��ll just stand back and watch.]

    At that, Raguel��s sullen face immediately brightened.

    [Really?]

    [But if it looks dangerous, I��ll step in right away. Noints if I intervene during the fight.]

    [Hey, don��t worry! There��s no way things will get to that point. You won��t have to lift a finger! I��ll take care of it.]

    [Fine, we��ll do it that way.]

    [Thanks for the opportunity, Uriel. Hehe!]

    [No need to thank me.]

    As Raguelughed confidently, Uriel smiled kindly in response. But inwardly, he was smirking.

    ��I��ll let this fool fight first to gauge ck Scythe��s strength.��

    Based on what had happened to Remiel and Sariel, it was clear that ck Scythe wasn��t an ordinary human.

    Checking the records of the past rounds, ck Scythe had consistently ranked first��a remarkable feat for any human.

    Dismissing him as a mere bug could result in serious consequences.

    ��The only fortunate thing is that he hasn��t reached the max level yet.��

    Even so, ck Scythe had killed two archangels��no small aplishment.

    ��It��s clear that levels alone don��t define strength. Raguel can probably handle it, but if not, I��ll step in.��

    It was humiliating for two archangels to go after one human, but they couldn��t afford any more mistakes.

    ��We can��t let our guard down. I��ll let Raguel engage first and then step in if necessary.��

    Of course, if things went beyond what even Uriel could handle��

    ��I��ll flee immediately, no questions asked.��

    If Raguel died, so be it. Uriel had no intention of sacrificing himself over a human.

    Even archangels value their lives.

    [Shall we go now, Uriel?]

    [Yes, track down ck Scythe��s location. It��s time to capture him.]

    The two archangels smirked as they pped their wings and ascended.

 Chapter 221 (Part 1)

    Chapter 221: The Two Archangels (Part 1)

    Ryu Min joined a mercenary group and epted a subjugation quest.

    As a veteran mercenary, he was assigned a more difficult mission than others.

    ��This is the Forest of Beasts at the edge of the Lutus Mountain Range. The Hormos Merchant Guild has been struggling because of the beasts that asionally attack the roads,�� exined the subjugation leader, Kaltz, as he briefed the gathered mercenaries.

    ��Our mission is to eliminate the Blood Orcs, which are the most numerous monsters in the Forest of Beasts. They go berserk at the sight of blood and be stronger, so avoid getting wounded. Let��s move out.��

    ��Yes, sir!�� the mercenaries responded.

    While the group moved, Ryu Min gazed into the air.

    �� Condition ? Subjugate 100 Blood Orcs �� Reward ? Small increase in mercenary rank experience, 30,000 gold, and experience points �� Blood Orcs defeated (0/100)

    The reward didn��t particrly catch his eye.

    He no longer desired gold or experience points.

    ��The only purpose is to raise my mercenary rank.��

    By his estimation,pleting this quest twenty times would allow him to reach the Master rank.

    The mercenaries advanced, trampling through the underbrush.

    He counted forty heads in total.

    Though the party wasposed of veteran mercenaries, Ryu Min was the only yer among them. The rest were NPCs.

    ��Let��s quickly deal with 100 Blood Orcs and move on to the next subjugation quest.��

    The Forest of Beasts had a total of ten subjugation quests, andpleting one immediately led to the next. This chained quest system was a key feature of subjugation quests.

    [You have detected the location of the target ��Blood Orc.��]

    [Currently 210 meters away.]

    Ryu Min used his tracking skill to locate the monsters.

    Several red dots appeared on his map, exactly where he had predicted.

    ��Quik! Kriiiik!��

    The mercenaries spotted the Blood Orcs and readied their weapons.

    But Ryu Min acted before they could.

    sh!

    Crackle!

    Thud! Thud!

    With his scythe, he decapitated one, electrocuted another, and incinerated the bodies.

    Then, using his shadow des, he cleaved yet another into two pieces.

    [You have defeated a Blood Orc!]

    [Your title effect grants 1.5x experience.]

    [Experience +0.24%]

    [Gold +800]

    [Bonus Gold +400]

    [Current kill count: 10/100]

    [The Rune of Massacre effect increases all stats by 10%.]

    [There are 44 enemies within 100 meters.]

    [The Rune of One vs. One Hundred effect increases all stats by 44%.]

    Within moments, he had eliminated five more Orcs, bringing his total to ten. The mercenaries blinked, dumbfounded.

    ��What just happened?��

    ��It all happened in a sh�� everything��s dead!��

    ��You, the warrior from another world, did you do this?��

    Ryu Min nodded in response to their questions. He had no reason to hide his abilities. He intended to finish the quest as quickly as possible.

    And from there, everything went smoothly.

    [Sub Quest Complete!]

    [Experience +4.8%]

    [Gold +30,000]

    [Mercenary rank experience has slightly increased.]

    [There are still subjugation quests remaining in the Forest of Beasts. Would you like to ept the next one? Y/N]

    In less than twenty minutes, Ryu Min had in 100 Blood Orcs, and the notification for the next quest appeared.

    Choosing ��Yes�� would immediately present the next subjugation quest in the forest, while ��No�� would allow him to return to the mercenary base.

    ��Obviously, yes.��

    Upon epting the chained quest, he moved on to hunting 100 Trolls.

    As expected, he quicklypleted it, then continued to subjugate Poison Slimes, Ancient Trees, Corrupted Vampires, and more. Two hours had passed in no time.

    [You have defeated a Blood Golem!]

    [Your title effect grants 1.5x experience.]

    [Experience +0.21%]

    [Gold +700]

    [Bonus Gold +350]

    [Your level has increased!]

    [Current kill count: 503/100]

    [The Rune of Massacre effect increases all stats by 100%.]

    [There are 28 enemies within 100 meters.]

    [The Rune of One vs. One Hundred effect increases all stats by 28%.]

    ��Leveling up just from grinding quests����

    Now at level 92, Ryu Min checked the time and decided it was time to head back.

    Clearing the remaining monsters, he noticed the mercenaries looking at him in awe.

    ��Your skills are incredible. You��re truly an exceptional warrior!�� praised Kaltz, the subjugation leader, as well as the rest of the mercenaries.

    They had reason to be impressed, as Ryu Min had practically eradicated all the monsters in the Forest of Beasts.

    Not that their admiration meant much to him.

    ��I just need to finish this Blood Golem quest and then go meet Russell����

    At that moment, two new red dots appeared on his detection skill.

    ��Are more monsters respawning?��

    But something felt off.

    The two figures were approaching rapidly.

    ��These aren��t monsters.��

    When they entered his 100-meter detection range, the system message changed.

    [There are 30 enemies within 100 meters.]

    [The Rune of One vs. One Hundred effect increases all stats by 30%.]

    The two new enemies were approaching directly toward him��fast.

    ��They��re within 60 meters.��

    Once they entered his sensory range, he realized something unsettling.

    ��They��re in the sky.��

    Ryu Min��s gaze shot upward, and he spotted two winged beings flying above the treetops.

    Angels.

    ��Look! Up there!��

    ��They have wings! They must be angels!��

    ��Dear God!��

    The mercenaries gasped in astonishment, captivated by the holy aura emanating from the angels. But Ryu Min remained impassive.

    He already knew why they were here.

    ��So they sent two to kill me this time?��

    The two angels gracefully descended like feathers, their eyes fixed directly on Ryu Min.

    [Found you, ck scythe.]

    [So here you are, worm.]

 Chapter 221 (Part 2)

    Chapter 221: The Two Archangels (Part 2)

    [Found you, ck scythe.]

    [So here you are, worm.]

    With their many wings and imposing presence, Ryu Min knew these angels were no ordinary opponents.

    From 20 meters away, he could already sense their thoughts.

    ��One is Uriel, the Archangel of Light and Fire, ranked fourth. The other is Raguel, the Archangel of Justice, ranked fifth.��

    Though they weren��t the strongest angels, facing two at once was enough to make him tense.

    ��Is this because I killed another archangel? I��m dealing with more angels than in previous regressions.��

    Ryu Min couldn��t help but wonder if the top-ranked archangel might show up next.

    While he observed them, the angels exuded a rxed demeanor, as if confident in their superiority.

    [Uriel, as we agreed, I��ll handle this first. Don��t interfere.]

    [Fine, fine. Just make sure you can finish it without my help.]

    [Worry not. Who do you think I am? I��m the one who makes demons tremble in fear.]

    [Then prove it by defeating him without getting scratched. That��ll save face for the higher-ups.]

    Raguel, brimming with confidence, drew two swords from his waist. They were gleaming longswords with golden des, and curiously, he wielded one in each hand.

    ��A dual-wielding angel?��

    Most angels would use a sword and shield, but this one seemed to favor an aggressive style.

    ��I��ll need to gauge his skill level.��

    As Raguel approached, Ryu Min noticed Uriel standing in the back with his arms crossed, seemingly unconcerned.

    ��It looks like they��ll take turns fighting. Fine by me.��

    Ryu Min readied himself, prepared to unleash his Death Form if needed, as Raguel drew closer.

    [You, the ck scythe. No, there��s no need to call you by name. I��m here to judge you, and you already know the crime, don��t you?]

    ��What crime? I don��t know what you��re talking about.��

    [Do you really not know, you filthy human?]

    ��You��ll have to speak clearer, you devilish angel.��

    [You insolent worm��]

    Though Ryu Min hadn��t meant to provoke Raguel much, the angel��s face contorted with rage.

    ��So easily provoked.��

    It was easy to see why he was called the Angel of Justice��hisck ofposure made him an easy target.

    ��He��s a predictable opponent.��

    Smirking, Ryu Min allowed himself a soft chuckle.

    [What��s so funny, human?]

    ��Oh, nothing. I just thought of something amusing.��

    [What��s so amusing, worm?!]

    ��I remembered when Remiel and Sariel begged for their lives. The way they pleaded was quite�� entertaining.��

    That seemed to be thest straw.

    With a roar of fury, Raguel charged at him.

    [I��ll kill you right here and now, you insect!]

    ng! ng! ng!

    Raguel��s attacks came swift and fierce. He aimed for Ryu Min��s head, but Ryu Min easily blocked it with his scythe. The second sword went for his side, but he twisted his body to evade it.

    [I��ll crush you, you filthy human!]

    The sound of metal shing echoed as Raguel relentlessly swung his dual swords. However, despite the intensity of the attack, Ryu Min was unimpressed.

    ��Is this really the level of the 5th ranked archangel?��

    He expected far more from an archangel of Raguel��s rank, but the angel��s skills were sorelycking.

    ��No, it��s not that he��s weak. It��s that I��ve be absurdly strong.��

    ng! ng! ng!

    Raguel continued his assault, but his strikescked precision. He was attacking recklessly, likely due to his earlier provocation. Ryu Min easily parried each blow, noticing all the gaps in Raguel��s form.

    ��His strength is greater than Sariel��s, but his attacksck sharpness. He��s not a real threat.��

    While Ryu Min continued to block, he couldn��t help but nce toward Uriel, who had uncrossed his arms and was now watching the fight with a slightly surprised expression.

    ��If this is all Raguel can do, then Uriel won��t be much of a problem either.��

    Raguel, oblivious to Ryu Min��s thoughts, smirked as if he had the upper hand.

    [So, you��ve managed to block my attacks so far. I��m impressed. I didn��t expect a lowly human to keep up with me.]

    ��If you only knew how disappointed I am.��

    [Let��s see if you can handle this!]

    Raguel jumped back, putting distance between them, and crossed his swords. The golden des hummed with power as they began to vibrate and glow more intensely.

    A smirk crept across Raguel��s face as he prepared his ultimate attack.

    ��He��s going to level the entire area.��

    Ryu Min��s foresight ability allowed him to see what would happen in the next few seconds. Raguel��s attack was going to cause massive destruction, reducing the surrounding area to ashes.

    ��It won��t be a problem for me to dodge, but the others����

    The other mercenaries, including Kaltz, were too close to Raguel��s attack zone. If he didn��t act quickly, they would be caught in the devastation.

    Without hesitation, Ryu Min acted.

    ��Everyone, get out of here!��

    He swiftly used his Grip of Death ability, pulling the nearby mercenaries out of harm��s way. At the same time, he lunged toward Kaltz, knocking him aside just as Raguel��s swords released their full power.

    A pir of light erupted from the ground, forming a giant X-shaped crater. Trees were reduced to ashes, and the ground was scorched beyond recognition.

    ��H-Holy��!��

    The mercenaries, barely saved from the st, stared in horror at the bottomless pit left in Raguel��s wake.

    ��We�� we would��ve been destroyed����

    ��Thank you, warrior from another world. You saved us���� Kaltz gasped, still reeling from the close call.

    But Ryu Min wasn��t paying attention to their gratitude. His eyes were fixed on the system notifications floating in front of him.

    [Hero��s Rune Stack: 73/100]

    [The Hero��s Rune effect increases all stats by 73.]

    ��I gained 3 stacks for saving them.��

    The reason Ryu Min saved the mercenaries wasn��t purely out of goodwill. He needed to stack the Hero��s Rune, and by saving others, he could increase its power.

    ��If I save the rest of these mercenaries, I can easily reach 100 stacks.��

    To achieve that, he would need Raguel��s help.

    The archangel, meanwhile, was staring at him with a confused expression. He seemed more shocked by Ryu Min��s actions than by the fact that his attack had been evaded.

    [What are you doing, human? Why would a yer like you bother saving these mercenaries? They mean nothing to you.]

    ��These people did nothing wrong.��

    To anyone else, Ryu Min��s words might sound noble, but to the archangel, they were nothing short of absurd.

    Raguel saw him as a criminal, a murderer of angels. To him, Ryu Min��s concern for the mercenaries was akin to a mass murderer caring for a stray dog.

    [Ha! The irony. A filthy sinner like you saving others.]

    Raguel��s look of disbelief quickly morphed into a sinister grin.

    [Well then, how about this? I��ll kill every one of these mercenaries you care about. Let��s see how you feel about that.]

    Ryu Min smiled inwardly.

    ��What a simple-minded fool.��

    He had sessfully baited the archangel into ying right into his hands.

 Chapter 222 (Part 1)

    Chapter 222: VS Uriel (Part 1)

    Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

    Trees shattered, and an endless pit appeared.

    A lightning-like sh instantly scorched the surroundings. However, not a single speck of ash touched Ryu Min��s clothes. The same was true for the mercenaries.

    [��Ha! You��re really struggling to escape. Just like a rat!��]

    Raguel��s frustration red as he watched the ck scythe rescue 30 mercenaries already.

    ��This damn bug�� how does he avoid every single attack?��

    He had boasted about killing all the humans except for the one with the ck scythe, but he hadn��t killed even one.

    He tried using his skills and swung his sword personally, but each time, the ck scythe rescued and protected the humans.

    It was as if it could predict his attacks, always moving a step ahead.

    ��I have to admit, the guy��s speed is something.��

    This won��t work anymore. Letting him save more humans was a blow to Raguel��s pride.

    ��I��ll just kill them all at once with a big move.��

    Sure, the ck scythe guy might die as well, but Raguel didn��t care. Though the goal was to capture him alive, that guy was meant to die anyway.

    ��I��ll just say he was stronger than I thought, so I had no choice.��

    ��It doesn��t matter whether he dies here or in heaven.��

    Raguel spread his wings, gathering energy from all directions. At the same time, he crossed his swords and raised them toward the sky.

    It was the preparation for a wide-scale use of his signature move, Heaven��s Judgment.

    ��Let��s see if you can save all these people at once. Heh heh.��

    But Raguel didn��t know.

    At that moment, the Hero��s Rune Stack that Ryu Min had been umting was full.

    There was no longer any need to keep saving the mercenaries.

    [Hero��s Rune Stack: 100/100]

    [All stats increased by 100 due to the Hero��s Rune effect.]

    [You can use ��Hero��s Protection�� by consuming 100 stacks.]

    ��Perfect. I��ve gathered the stacks just like I wanted. There��s no need to stay on the defensive anymore.��

    Ryu Min��s gaze shifted forward with a sly grin. Raguel was raising his arms and gathering energy.

    ��To think he��s preparing such a big move while leaving himself so defenseless�� it��s like he��s begging to be killed.��

    It seemed like it was time to show this foolish angel the difference in their power.

    Suppressing augh, Ryu Min shot forward in the blink of an eye.

    [Aah.]

    Just beforepleting his skill, Raguel froze, his face nk, as Ryu Min arrived right in front of him.

    His expression screamed disbelief, as if he never expected to be attacked at that moment.

    ��Even though I��ve only been defending until now, isn��t this a bit too careless?��

    [You��!]

    Before Raguel could react, Ryu Min��s scythe sliced through his waist, cutting him clean in two.

    That is, it would have if Uriel hadn��t intervened.

    sh!

    In a blink of light, Ryu Min��s scythe cut through empty space. Raguel had been moved to Uriel��s side.

    [U-Uriel!]

    [Was my timing perfect?]

    [Thank you. I was honestly terrified.]

    Though his skill was interrupted, Raguel was relieved that his life had been saved.

    ��Tch.��

    Ryu Min clicked his tongue, his expression one of disappointment. But inwardly, he was smiling.

    ��Of course, I knew he��d save him.��

    With the Rune of Foresight, Ryu Min had already predicted that Uriel would intervene if he attacked at that moment.

    Yet, he had deliberately attacked Raguel anyway. And, to make it easier for Uriel to respond, he��d even slowed down his attack.

    ��I wouldn��t have gotten any reward for killing him anyway.��

    Though it might have looked like a killing blow, Ryu Min had no intention of actually killing Raguel.

    The same went for Uriel.

    After all, Ryu Min hadn��t yet applied the Blessing of Demons.

    ��To gain rewards, I need to kill him after using the Blessing of Demons.��

    But Ryu Min had only one stack of the Rune of Demons right now.

    He needed to kill 99 angels before he could finally activate the Blessing.

    This was why, despite being able to kill, he had only defended passively until now.

    ��I can��t kill them if there��s no profit. I need to kill 99 angels, apply the blessing, and then kill them.��

    If he killed the archangel now, he��d lose the chance to gain thousands of stat points. That was why Ryu Min had been fixated on the angels all along.

    ��So, what should I do? Should I threaten them like I did with Remiel, forcing them to call reinforcements?��

    Ryu Min shook his head.

    If it were another angel, that might work, but a righteous zealot like Raguel wouldn��t bow to threats.

    ��He��d probably choose death over negotiating with a criminal.��

    Uriel, too, wasn��t likely to negotiate. He seemed crafty despite his appearance.

    ��Even if I said I��d spare them if they called for backup, they wouldn��t believe me.��

    So, threatening them was out of the question.

    Then how could he make them call reinforcements?

    ��Yeah, that could work.��

    As Ryu Min thought up a strategy, he overheard the angels�� conversation.

    [I��ll join the fight now. This is beyond your ability alone.]

    [Haah, I was hoping not to rely on Uriel��s power, but I guess there��s no choice.]

    The two angels turned their gazes toward Ryu Min.

    They had no idea they were underestimating him.

    Shing��

    Uriel pulled out a small dagger from his cloak.

    For a moment, Ryu Min thought he might be an assassin, but he quickly deduced the truth from Uriel��s thoughts.

    ��He��s not an assassin. He��s a mage.��

    The gemstone embedded in the dagger began to glow, swirling with strange symbols.

    Ryu Min immediately understood the spell and sprang into action.

    But before he could move, a golden scroll shot toward where he had just been standing.

    Crash��!

    The tree that was bound in his ce was torn to shreds.

    The scroll��s power wasn��t something to be taken lightly.

    [I acknowledge your speed, but��]

    Uriel began chanting another spell.

    [You won��t be able to block this.]

    The dagger glowed brightly and flew from his hand.

    Swish��!

    It whizzed past Ryu Min��s head, nearly taking it off, but it wasn��t over yet.

    Like a homing missile, the dagger turned in midair and flew toward him again.

    ��If I can��t avoid it, I��ll just have to block it.��

    Ryu Min raised his scythe to deflect the dagger.

    But as soon as the scythe made contact��

    Boom!

    The dagger exploded, sending Ryu Min flying into the distance.

    ��Ugh.��

    For the first time since fighting the archangels, Ryu Min found himself rolling on the ground.

    Uriel��s eyes widened in surprise as Ryu Min stood up, barely injured.

    [He took a hit from the Explosive Dagger and barely has a scratch? What��s with this guy��s body?]

    Uriel, unaware of the title that reduced damage from divine enemies by 80%, raised his hand again.

    sh!

    The dagger, which Ryu Min thought had been destroyed, reappeared in Uriel��s hand as he chanted another spell.

    ��Tch, what a troublesome guy.��

    Though Ryu Min hadn��t sustained much damage, Uriel was certainly more difficult to deal with than Raguel.

    Deciding to take Uriel out first, Ryu Min charged at him while he was in the middle of his incantation.

    Just as Uriel finished his spell, he shed the air with his dagger.

    [Your sins shall be cleansed through death.]

    Sensing the danger, Ryu Min twisted his body at thest moment.

    Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

    Barely dodging in time, the storm of light and fire swept through the forest.

    [You dodged? Well, just as I expected.]

    ��What?��

    Before Ryu Min could react, Uriel��s dagger gleamed again.

    He was casting a second spell simultaneously.

    Light shimmered from the dagger as a prison of light descended from the sky.

    Thud!

    Ryu Min, trapped inside the cage, was visibly shaken.

    ng! ng! ng!

    He swung his scythe at the bars, but they didn��t even scratch.

    [It��s over.]

    [Humans can never escape the Prison of Divine Punishment.]

    Raguel and Uriel smiled victoriously, looking relieved to have finally caught the troublesome human.

    [As expected, Uriel, you��re amazing. You managed to trap the human that even I struggled with so easily.]

    [His movements were fast, but he was dumber than I thought. Or rather, just as dumb as expected? After all, human action is predictable.]

    [Heh heh heh.]

    The angels openly mocked Ryu Min, but their smugness didn��tst long.

    ��Death Transformation.��

 Chapter 222 (Part 2)

    Chapter 222: VS Uriel (Part 2)

    The angels openly mocked Ryu Min, but their smugness didn��tst long.

    ��Death Transformation.��

    Ryu Min��s entire body turned pitch ck, and his aura changed.

    Crash! Crash!

    The sound of him striking the bars waspletely different now.

    It became clear that his strength was in another league after the fifth strike.

    Crack!

    The prison shattered, and Ryu Min emerged from it.

    [Th-This can��t be!]

    [W-Where do you think you��re going, you lowly human!]

    Panicked, Raguel crossed his swords to summon Heaven��s Judgment, and Uriel began chanting a spell as well.

    But by then, Ryu Min had already closed the distance in a sh.

    [Ugh! This vermin�� Ughk!]

    Ryu Min struck Raguel with the pole of his scythe, causing his body to bend like a shrimp. Then, he swung the pole again, smashing it into the back of Raguel��s head, driving it into the dirt with a loud thud.

    But thanks to the time Raguel bought, Uriel��s spell wasplete.

    [Your sins will be cleansed by death!]

    Without any time to dodge, Ryu Min was engulfed by Uriel��s mes.

    Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

    The explosion struck Ryu Min head-on, causing Uriel��s lips to curl into a smirk.

    [Heh heh. Foolish human, you��ve finally turned to dust and��]

    ��Who��s turned to dust?��

    A voice cut through the cloud of debris, wiping the smirk off Uriel��s face.

    A pitch-ck rectangr barrier stood where Ryu Min had been, acting as a shield.

    Screech��

    As the barrier slowly dissipated, it revealed Ryu Min, unscathed and still holding his scythe.

    [H-How is this possible?]

    ��You��re wondering how I survived?��

    Ryu Min sneered as he stepped forward.

    ��Of course, I survived because I��m strong. If you don��t believe me, why don��t you take a hit? One blow is all it��ll take for you to understand.��

    With an explosive burst of speed, Ryu Min darted forward, grabbing Uriel by his wings.

    Crack!

    [Kiiaaah!]

    With a sound like a twig snapping, feathers scattered as Ryu Min ripped the wings from Uriel��s back. Uriel quickly chanted a spell to summon a protective barrier of light, but��

    Boom! Boom!

    The barrier couldn��t withstand the overwhelming power of Ryu Min��s scythe.

    Crash!

    The barrier shattered, and Ryu Min��s scythe sliced toward Uriel. Panicking, Uriel fired off a volley of light arrows and teleported to the opposite side, narrowly avoiding decapitation.

    He had barely escaped with his life.

    [Hmph. Try blocking this!]

    Urielpleted his incantation, sending the Explosive Dagger flying once again toward Ryu Min.

    Swish��!

    The homing attack flew directly at Ryu Min, but this time, he didn��t try to dodge.

    Boom!

    This time, however, Ryu Min emergedpletely unharmed. His entire body was already enveloped by the dark barrier.

    ��You think I��m dumb enough to fall for the same attack twice?��

    [Ugh��]

    Ryu Min grinned confidently as he pressed forward, forcing Uriel into a corner.

    But just as he was about tond the finishing blow��

    ng!

    Raguel, who had been lying in wait,unched a surprise attack from behind.

    Of course, Ryu Min had already sensed Raguel��s presence.

    [Die, you filthy human!��Ugh!]

    Ryu Min dodged the attack, tripping Raguel with his scythe and sending him tumbling to the ground.

    ��Why are you angels so hell-bent on killing me? What, did I wrong you in a past life?��

    [You disgusting human!��Aaargh!]

    Without hesitation, Ryu Min grabbed Raguel by his wings and tore them off as well.

    Despite Raguel��s screams, Ryu Min continued plucking his wings. But then, he suddenly leapt backward.

    In the nick of time, a golden scroll whipped through the air where he had just been standing before vanishing.

    ��I told you. I won��t fall for the same trick twice.��

    Ryu Min chuckled as he prepared to charge once more. But at that moment��

    ��Ah����

    Unfortunately, his Death Transformation wore off.

    Ryu Min��s expression visibly changed, and the angels saw it all.

    ��Damn it.��

    Cursing under his breath, Ryu Min quickly spread his wings and took flight, retreating from the battlefield. As he flew off into the distance, the angels were left in shock, staring after the now-vanished ck scythe.

    [W-What just happened? Why did that human suddenly run away? Uriel?]

    [I have no idea.]

    Uriel was just as dumbfounded as Raguel. After all, Ryu Min had been in a favorable position.

    [He had the upper hand�� So why��?]

    Only the two angels remained in the chaotic aftermath of the battle. The other humans had already escaped.

    At that moment, Uriel snapped his fingers.

    [Ah! I think I know why he ran.]

    [Why?]

    [He must have run because his power ran out.]

    [His power?]

    [Think about it. Didn��t that human suddenly grow explosively stronger when he turned ck?]

    That was true. The human, who had struggled against their attacks before, had be overwhelmingly powerful after his transformation.

    [But then, when his transformation wore off, he panicked and fled.]

    [Ah�� So?]

    [Exactly. His power must have run out, and he realized he couldn��t handle the two of us without it.]

    Realization dawned on Raguel, and he nodded in agreement.

    [Then this is our chance. Let��s hurry and track down that vermin and finish him off.]

    [We can��t. As you can see, both of us have lost a wing.]

    With their flight capabilities gone, the angels could only stand there helplessly, much like a dog staring at a bird on a rooftop.

    [Argh! Damn it! We finally had a chance, and now we have to watch him slip away!]

    [Don��t be too upset, Raguel. There is a way.]

    Hearing there was a way, Raguel calmed down.

    [What way?]

    [We request reinforcements. We��ll contact Heaven right away and have them help us deal with that guy.]

    [But�� if the higher-ups find out, we��ll be humiliated.]

    [Who said anything about telling the higher-ups? Of course, we��ll do it in secret.]

    [In secret?]

    [We��ll call for reinforcements below the 4th rank. Any angels above that would attract too much attention from the higher-ups. This way, we can still take the credit for capturing the ck scythe.]

    [Ah�� So that��s how it is.]

    If they could mobilize mid-to-lower-ranked angels, they could handle this matter discreetly, without the archangels finding out.

    [I��ll send a request for reinforcements right away. How many should we summon?]

    [Considering the human��s strength when he��s not transformed, we probably don��t need that many.]

    [But what if he transforms again?]

    [Then we��d be in danger.]

    The power difference when the human transformed was on an entirely different level.

    If they didn��t bring enough reinforcements, they might end up in serious trouble.

    [Then what should we do? How many should we call for��?]

    [Hmm��]

    After thinking it over, Uriel sighed heavily.

    [We have no choice. We��ll have to summon as many as we can.]

 Chapter 223 (Part 1)

    Chapter 223: Fully Prepared (Part 1)

    When Ryu Min saw the Archangelsing to kill him, he couldn��t help but feel somewhat troubled.

    ��They appear before I could even cast the Demon��s Blessing.��

    He needed to invoke the Demon��s Blessing before taking down the angels to receive massive rewards proportional to his stats.

    Ironically, however, the Demon��s Blessing is a buff that only activates after defeating 100 angels.

    ��As of now, I��ve only taken down Sariel. That��s just one.��

    He needed to defeat 99 more angels to use the blessing.

    ��Without the blessing, even killing an Archangel won��t give me anything more than the reward from an ant��s toenail.��

    He needed angels as sacrifices before he could kill the Archangels.

    ��What��s the best way to handle this?��

    After a brief moment of contemtion, the answer was surprisingly simple.

    He had to force the Archangels to call for reinforcements.

    The trick was to make them feel like they were evenly matched.

    ��If I overwhelm them too quickly, they won��t even think about calling for backup. Worse, they might summon another Archangel.��

    Another Archangel wouldplicate things for Ryu Min.

    What he needed were sacrificial angels to stack his blessings.

    ��I need to match their skill as closely as possible, just enough to make them think they can win with a little more help.��

    The key was to manipte them into thinking they could win��like a fisherman enticing a fish with bait.

    ��A little bit of acting should help. I��ll even let them hit me a few times on purpose.��

    He knowingly touched an explosive dagger, fully aware it would detonate upon contact, yet pretended not to notice.

    He also yed along, striking the cage of light multiple times despite knowing he could have broken it instantly, acting as if he were truly trapped.

    ��Thankfully, they��ve taken the bait. Now they probably think they can win if they cooperate.��

    But he couldn��t just keep taking hits��if he stayed passive, they wouldn��t call for reinforcements.

    He needed to show a temporary surge in power, which he did by using his Transformation.

    ��First, I��ll let them push me around, then I��ll activate Death Mode and dominate them. After that? I��ll act shocked when the form ends and pretend to retreat.��

    That way, he could buy time for the angels to call for reinforcements and create an excuse to escape.

    ��Even the angels won��t doubt it. After all, I became stronger once I turned ck.��

    It would certainly frustrate the angels��letting their potential victory slip away.

    ��I��ve damaged their wings, so they can��t chase me down. They��ll call for reinforcements, but they won��t summon another Archangel, not when their pride is on the line.��

    Proud as they were, they would likely try to handle this themselves without relying on an Archangel��s help.

    That would mean they��d call in battle angels instead.

    ��I hope they call as many battle angels as possible�� No, I just need exactly 99.��

    Ryu Min couldn��t be sure how many reinforcements they would summon, but one thing was certain��he needed to be fully prepared when the cooldown ended.

    ��I need to raise my stats as much as possible to prepare for using the Demon��s Blessing after defeating the angels.��

    With 44 minutes left, he had a lot to do. He needed to drink potions and stack various buffs.

    ��I need to find those three.��

    With his wings spread wide, Ryu Min flew across the sky.

    *

    The first person he went to find was Min Juri.

    The Bless buff she had cast on him at the start of the round had worn off.

    ��ck Scythe?��

    Min Juri��s eyes widened like a startled rabbit at Ryu Min��s sudden appearance.

    ��What were you up to?��

    ��Oh, I just finished a quest not long ago.��

    Min Juri had been diligently following Ryu Min��s instructions,pleting quests in the Holy Empire.

    1. Donate to the temple.

    2. Run errands for a priest.

    3. Defeat nearby monsters and collect holy water.

    4. Donate to the temple again.

    These four consecutive quests would raise her reputation to a very friendly level in no time.

    Although it sounded simple, the process took at least six hours.

    ��You��re doing well. So, now it��s time to hunt the monsters?��

    ��Yes. Though I��m not sure if I can handle them on my own����

    ��You��ve got the Bless skill, which is practically cheating. You��ll be fine.��

    ��Thank you. But what brings you here?��

    ��Well, that ��cheating�� skill I mentioned has worn off.��

    In short, he was there to receive another buff.

    Requesting buffs from a buffer was normal, but Min Juri was secretly thrilled.

    After all, ck Scythe rarely asked her for buffs directly.

    ��He needs my help��!��

    Her heart swelled at the thought of the powerful ck Scytheing to her for assistance, just for a simple buff.

    ��Well? Are you going to do it or not?��

    ��Oh, sorry! Of course, I will!��

    [Your stats have increased by 80% due to the effect of the Bless skill.]

    [Your attack and movement speed have increased by 80% due to the Swift skill.]

    [The Safety Barrier skill has been applied. You are protected from two physical attacks.]

    ��I��ve given you the full three-piece buff set. Hehe.��

    ��Thanks.��

    As usual, Min Juri applied the most useful buffs without needing to be told.

    Whoosh��

    Ryu Min spread his wings of darkness, startling Min Juri.

    ��That��s a new skill, isn��t it?��

    ��Something like that. Anyway, I��m busy, so I��ll be off. Keep working on your quest.��

    ��Thank you for the encouragement, ck Scythe! Take care!��

    Ryu Min soared into the distance.

 Chapter 223 (Part 2)

    Chapter 223: Fully Prepared (Part 2)

    The second ce he arrived at was the Dwarf city of Iron Grey, where he was meeting Russell.

    Russell was already waiting outside the forge, as the promised three hours had passed.

    ��Ah! ck Scythe!��

    Ryu Min descended to the ground and asked calmly.

    ��Have you been waiting long?��

    ��Not at all!��

    ��The reward?��

    ��Of course, I got it! Would you like to check?��

    Ryu Min nodded, and Russell approached, cing his hands on Ryu Min��s gear.

    [The effect of the ��Equipment Polish�� skill has increased the armor��s stats by 20%.]

    [The buff willst until the end of this round.]

    ��A 20% increase?��

    It used to be 10%, but now it has doubled.

    A satisfied smile appeared on Ryu Min��s face.

    It was worth returning to receive the buff.

    ��I��ll polish your other equipment as well. Your weapon, too.��

    ��Thanks.��

    Russell moved his hands over Ryu Min��s equipment, enhancing everything except his essories.

    [The effect of the ��Weapon Polish�� skill has increased your weapon��s attack power by 200%.]

    [The buff willst until the end of this round.]

    Not only was his equipment polished, but his weapon was also enhanced.

    A single three-hour quest had strengthened all his skills.

    On top of that, his reputation with the Dwarfs had risen as well.

    ��And your reputation?��

    ��It went from neutral to very friendly in an instant. All thanks to you, ck Scythe. And, of course, the prophet who set up this connection.��

    Russell was smiling broadly, clearly pleased with the enhanced skills.

    ��I��m d you��re happy. Now, you just need to level up.��

    ��Thank you, ck Scythe. I��ll work hard and be even more helpful in the future!��

    ��Don��t forget that resolve. Anyway, I need to get going.��

    Ryu Min spread his wings and took off slowly.

    He had one more person to meet before confronting the angels.

    ��Hopefully, they��ve summoned more than 99.��

    Ryu Min quickly flew out of the city.

    *

    The Forest of Beasts was now filled with angels.

    The Fifth-Rank angels had gathered in response to the summons from Uriel and Raguel.

    [Uriel, how are your wounds?]

    [They��ve mostly healed. And you?]

    Raguel rotated his shoulder, showing the spot where his wings had been torn.

    [Recovery is slower here in this dimension, but the pain is gone.]

    [That��s good to hear.]

    [Compared to the Heavenly War, these wounds are nothing. I can��t fly just yet, but I��ll be fully healed once we return to Heaven.]

    Angels could be treated in the ��Fountain of Heaven.��

    Even if their limbs were torn off, as long as they were still breathing, their bodies could bepletely restored.

    [That bastard ck Scythe turned out to be stronger than I thought. You admit it, right?]

    [I do now. But he can��t rampage any longer. Not with this many troops.]

    Raguel��s gaze swept over the battle angels that filled the Forest of Beasts.

    Two hundred angels stood with weapons in hand, ready for battle.

    [Indeed, with these reinforcements, subduing ck Scythe will be easy.]

    [Even if he turns ck?]

    Uriel paused, pondering the question carefully.

    The bnce of power between them and ck Scythe weighed heavily on his mind.

    [It won��t be easy if he transforms, that��s for sure. The two of us won��t be enough. But��]

    Uriel��s eyes settled on the angels.

    ��With 200 shields at our disposal, we��ll have more than enough.��

    He concealed his thoughts behind a sly smile.

    [With this many troops, there��s nothing to fear.]

    [Right? We��ve got this in the bag, don��t we?]

    [Of course. Just to be safe, though, if ck Scythe turns ck, let��s execute him on the spot. I don��t think subduing him will be enough.]

    [Music to my ears.]

    Raguel was hoping ck Scythe would transform. He was eager to repay the humiliation he��d suffered.

    [Now that we��ve gathered our troops, shall we go kill ck Scythe? Or rather, subdue that insect?]

    [Indeed. Start preparing to track him.]

    [Understood.]

    While Raguel activated his tracking artifact, Uriel stepped in front of the soldiers who stood like statues.

    [You know who I am without the need for an introduction. You must have seen my name when you were summoned.]

    The angels didn��t respond, nor did they nod.

    To them, a Great Archangel was an iprehensibly high-ranking officer.

    In military terms, it was like a private standing before a two-star general.

    [I appreciate how many of you responded to the call. Your mission is simple: assist Raguel and me in eliminating a human criminal who��s been causing chaos in the Heavenly Realm.]

    ��A human criminal?��

    ��They called us here for just one person?��

    Angels knew well that humans were weak.

    They had eagerly answered the call, but none of them had imagined the mission would be to hunt a human.

    [Don��t underestimate him just because he��s one man. He��s among the strongest of the humans.]

    While they thought it unlikely he could be that strong, none of the angels voiced their thoughts aloud.

    What a Great Archangel said must be true.

    Their focus was now on earning glory and catching the Archangel��s eye.

    Uriel knew how to motivate them.

    [Finish this job well, and I��ll personally promote you all to Fourth-Rank. Do your best. Understood?]

    [Yes, sir!!!]

    Their voices rang with determination, and their faces showed they were eager to tear apart the human as soon as possible.

    Uriel smiled in satisfaction, but it was short-lived.

    [Uriel, sir.]

    Uriel��s smile faded when he saw Raguel��s troubled expression.

    [What is it? Did something happen with the tracking artifact?]

    [No, it��s ck Scythe.]

    [What about him?]

    [It seems he��sing toward us.]

    [What?!]

    The man who had been fleeing nowing straight to them?

    [Are you certain?]

    [I am. Both the direction and the distance are pointing here.]

    [Well, isn��t that convenient. Saves us the trouble of hunting him down.]

    As Uriel smiled, a strategy formed in his mind.

    [We shouldy a trap and wait. That way, we��ll make sure to finish this.]

    [He��ll be here in three minutes.]

    [Perfect. Tell the troops to take cover behind the trees. When I give the signal, we��ll strike all at once.]

    [Understood.]

    Raguel quickly ryed the orders, and the angels moved with precision.

    Uriel��s smile returned as he watched.

    ��Come on, filthy human. This time, you won��t escape.��

 Chapter 224 (Part 1)

    Chapter 224: The Decisive Battle (Part 1)

    [You have located the target ��Uriel.��]

    [Currently, they are 601 meters away.]

    Ryu Min, with his ck wings fluttering, checked the remaining distance as he soared through the sky.

    ��I��m getting closer.��

    Thanks to his tracking skill, finding an angel wasn��t difficult. However, he was surprised that they were still in the Forest of Demonic Beasts after nearly an hour.

    ��Did they spend too much time calling reinforcements?��

    He was curious. How many reinforcements had they summoned while he was away?

    ��Please, let it be more than 99.��

    With an excited heart, he activated his detection skill to scan the area. The forest was dotted with numerous red points.

    ��This is�� more than I expected.��

    After counting, he confirmed there were easily over 100��closer to 200, in fact.

    It was no mistake. As he closed within 100 meters, the confirmation came.

    [There are 202 enemies within a 100-meter radius.]

    [Due to the Rune of One Against Many, all stats are increased by 100%.]

    ��It��s clear. Aside from the two archangels, they��ve brought 200 troops.��

    It seemed they had gathered as many reinforcements as possible to deal with him, but that worked in his favor.

    ��With this many, I can activate the Demon��s Blessing and stack it even further.��

    Ryu Min suppressed augh and slowly descended to the ground.

    In the devastated forest, Raguel and Uriel were staring intently at him.

    ��They knew I wasing. That��s why they prepared this surprise attack.��

    Although they had tried to hide behind the trees for an ambush, Ryu Min��s keen sense of presence detection made it impossible for him not to notice.

    ��Too obvious. I don��t even need to read their minds.��

    They nned to distract him while the 200 troops ambushed him. Little did they know that their surprise had already been exposed.

    ��Do they not realize I can detect presences?��

    It didn��t matter. They had gathered an impressive number of sacrifices for him.

    ��Since they want to throw a surprise party, I should at least pretend to be surprised.��

    Feigning ignorance of their gazes, Ryu Min approached the archangels.

    ��You guys are still here?��

    [Thanks to a certain bastard who ripped off our wings.]

    ��Can��t even walk without your wings? Pathetic.��

    Raguel��s face twisted in anger.

    Seeing how easily provoked he was, Ryu Min couldn��t help but chuckle.

    ��Oh, you��re holding back your anger? Is it because of the n?��

    Raguel sighed and, trying to divert attention, spoke.

    [And why did you run away? I saw you fleeing without even looking back. Were you scared of us?]

    ��Scared of just the two of you? Hardly.��

    [Or was it because you couldn��t use your ckened form anymore, so you fled?]

    ��This?��

    Ryu Min immediately activated his Death Transformation.

    [����!]

    Uriel and Raguel��s eyes widened in disbelief. They hadn��t expected him to be able to use it so soon.

    ��Surprised? The cooldown��s already up.��

    [����.]

    ��Why would Ie back if I wasn��t confident I could take you?��

    As he took a step forward, signaling the start of the fight, Uriel shouted urgently.

    [Attack!]

    At Uriel��smand, the 200 troops hidden in the forest revealed themselves all at once.

    [Uwaaaaah!]

    The fifth-rank battle angels, each armed, charged toward their target, the ck figure.

    Even the archangels didn��t just stand by.

    [I��ve been waiting for you to transform! Now I��ll kill you!]

    Raguel revealed his true wicked intention and rushed forward with his subordinates.

    Uriel, true to his role as a mage, began preparing spells from behind to suppress Ryu Min.

    Despite being surrounded by angels aiming to kill him, Ryu Min remained calm.

    ��Shall I show off a bit?��

    In the blink of an eye, Ryu Min vanished like a ghost.

    [Huh?]

    The angels, having lost their target, looked around in confusion.

    Uriel��s prepared spell, a scroll of light, twisted aimlessly through the air before fading away.

    [W-Where did he go?]

    Both Uriel and Raguel were dumbfounded, scanning the area in panic. Even the archangels couldn��t see Ryu Min.

    ��Not even archangels can see through invisibility? Or maybe it��s the stealth rune that��s erasing my presence?��

    Ryu Min, having gleaned this valuable information, moved like the wind.

    Crunch! Crack!

    The sound of bones breaking and bodies copsing echoed. Angels fell one by one, their necks twisted.

    [Archangel! Over here��! Urk!]

    In a swift motion, Ryu Min grabbed another angel by the neck and twisted it.

    Crack! Thud!

    [Number of angels killed: 21/100]

    In no time, Ryu Min had already killed over 20 angels, and the numbers continued to climb rapidly.

    [H-He��s here! The human is here!]

    One of the soldiers shouted, but it was toote. Uriel and Raguel, watching their subordinates fall, were horrified.

    ��W-What the hell? How is he this fast?��

    ��He��s moving so quickly, I can��t even follow him with my eyes!��

    Ryu Min��s speed was blinding. By the time they thought they had located him, he had already moved on, leaving only afterimages.

    The angels had no chance.

    [Kill him! Kill that monster!]

    Despite Raguel��s orders, the battle angels hesitated. How were they supposed to kill an enemy they couldn��t even track with their eyes? Their des only sliced through his afterimages.

    They had no hope of catching up to his movements.

    Thud! Thud! Thud!

    [This is absurd��!]

    As the casualties mounted, Raguel and Uriel grew increasingly desperate.

    The forest was now littered with the bodies of angels, their necks twisted.

    [Stop him! All of you, attack!]

 Chapter 224 (Part 2)

    Chapter 224: The Decisive Battle (Part 2)

    [Stop him! All of you, attack!]

    Uriel, usually calm, shouted in frustration, his patience wearing thin. Yet, there was no response.

    ��Damn it. If this continues, my spells����

    No matter how many tricks he had up his sleeve, there wasn��t a single spell capable of restraining an enemy moving at that speed.

    ��There��s no choice. I��ll have to burn this entire area down.��

    Uriel knew he had to stop the carnage before the damage became irreparable. He raised a dagger high into the air, chanting a spell.

    Brilliant light gathered at the tip of the de.

    [U-Uriel?]

    Seeing this, Raguel��s face twisted in panic.

    [Are you seriously going to use that spell? If you��re not careful, you��ll kill our soldiers too��]

    [We have no choice! Do you have any other way to stop that monster? Huh?]

    Silenced by the grim reality, Raguel bit his lip.

    Even Raguel couldn��t deny that Ryu Min was a monster beyond theirprehension. He was moving at a speed that defied reality, vastly more powerful than he had been just an hour ago.

    How could they possibly stop him?

    Raguel shook his head quietly.

    ��It��s impossible.��

    If Uriel, one of the most powerful archangels, was admitting defeat, there was no way Raguel could handle this.

    [Even as we speak, our soldiers are dying. This is the only way.]

    [But��]

    [No more talking. You��re dying my spell.]

    [I apologize.]

    Uriel clicked his tongue in frustration and resumed his chant.

    ��If we wait any longer, that bastard will notice.��

    However, Uriel didn��t realize that even while darting around, Ryu Min never took his eyes off the archangels. He had already figured out the spell Uriel was preparing.

    ��So he ns to obliterate everything within 100 meters, including his own men.��

    Realizing Uriel was about to use arge-scale area-of-effect spell, Ryu Min checked the system messages.

    [Number of angels killed: 100/100]

    [You have fulfilled the conditions to use the Demon��s Blessing.]

    [You can use the activationmand to trigger it at any time.]

    With 100 enemies in, he had met the requirement.

    [There are 102 enemies within a 100-meter radius.]

    [Due to the Rune of One Against Many, all stats are increased by 100%.]

    Satisfied that all his stats were maximized, Ryu Min cast a buff on himself.

    [You are now under the effects of the Demon��s Blessing.]

    [Based on your current total stats (363,417), the following effects will be applied:]

    [Upon killing an angel, you will gain gold equivalent to 1x the base value (363,417), with a maximum of 1,000x (363,417,000) depending on the angel��s rank.]

    [Upon killing an angel, you will gain stat points equivalent to 0.01% (36) of the base value, with a maximum of 10% (36,341) depending on the angel��s rank.]

    [Your reputation with the Demon faction will slightly increase with each angel in.]

    [The buff willst until the end of this round.]

    With his total stats nearing 360,000, his potential gains were massive. However, there was no time to admire them.

    If he didn��t stop Uriel, all these precious angels would be vaporized.

    ��I��m too far away. In that case����

    A dark aura began to envelop the entire area as Ryu Min shadowed the night with his Night of Death skill. The surroundings turned pitch ck.

    The 100 fifth-rank angels and the two archangels were momentarily bewildered by the sudden darkness, but it didn��tst long.

    [Hmph, if you think artificial darkness will stop my spell, you��re mistaken. No darkness can extinguish the light of the heavens.]

    The light gathered at the tip of Uriel��s dagger was still glowing brightly.

    Uriel��s lips curled into a faint smile as the spell nearedpletion.

    [It��s done, Raguel. Brace yourself for the storm.]

    Just as Uriel was about to lower the dagger to unleash the storm of light and mes, a sh of silver cut through the darkness.

    Apanied by the gleam of red eyes.

    KWOOM!

    Ryu Min��s Moonlight sh obliterated 30 fifth-rank angels in a single strike. The attack also severed one of Uriel��s arms.

    [Ugh��!]

    With his arm cut off, Uriel��s painstakingly prepared spell dissipated immediately. He gritted his teeth, ring into the darkness where the attack had originated.

    ��That bastard�� I had no idea he had such a powerful skill����

    It was his own fault for underestimating the enemy and neglecting to fully research the Death Transformation skills.

    And that wasn��t the end of Ryu Min��s assault.

    KWOOM! KWOOM!

    [Angels killed: 67/100]

    KWOOM!

    [Angels killed: 100/100]

    In less than six seconds, 100 angels vanished without a trace. The sheer power of the moonlight��s waves crushed and incinerated them.

    [Th-This can��t be��]

    Raguel was in shock, struggling toprehend the destruction. He frantically looked around the ruined forest, unable to believe that all his subordinates had been killed in just three strikes.

    [Wh-Where are they? Don��t hide��show yourselves, soldiers!]

    But Raguel had no time to search for his soldiers.

    There were still two Moonlight shes left, and one of them sliced through his leg, severing it cleanly.

    [Aaaagh!]

    He copsed to the ground in agony, but it wasn��t over yet.

    KWOOM!

    The second strike grazed his face, burning half of it off.

    [Aaaargh! My face! My face!]

    As Raguel writhed in pain, Ryu Min calmly approached him.

    ��You��re worse than a bug.��

    Raguel, ring spitefully with half his face charred, lunged at Ryu Min in a final, desperate attempt.

    [You wretched��! Urgh!]

    Ryu Min��s scythe moved like lightning, piercing Raguel��s heart before he could even react.

    Thud.

    Raguel��s body crumpled to the ground, and Ryu Min turned his gaze toward Uriel.

    Uriel, panic-stricken, began chanting a spell with his remaining arm.

    Boom!

    A cage of light dropped from the sky, surrounding Ryu Min.

    [Got you! You��re��!]

    *hatter!

    With one swift strike, the light cage crumbled to pieces.

    Uriel, now pale, cast another spell, conjuring a scroll of light to bind him.

    But before Uriel could even blink, Ryu Min tore it apart with brute strength.

    No matter what spell Uriel cast��be it beams of light, storms of holy energy, or exploding des��nothing could scratch Ryu Min.

    No spell could slow down the inevitable approach of the Grim Reaper.

    Finally, Ryu Min came within arm��s reach of Uriel.

    [Now I understand�� You were hiding your true strength all along.]

    ��I needed your soldiers.��

    [What��? You mean you lured me into summoning them?]

    ��Well, yes. I didn��t expect you to bring so many, though.��

    Thanks to Uriel, he had managed to kill 100 more angels and fulfill the conditions for another use of the Demon��s Blessing.

    ��For that, I should thank you.��

    Uriel seemed to sense his impending doom. Rather than beg for mercy, he grit his teeth and spoke defiantly.

    [Killing me will be a mistake. The ones above me won��t let you get away with it.]

    ��If I don��t kill you, will they leave me alone?��

    [����]

    ��Come on, if you want to live, just ask me to spare you.��

    [You wouldn��t spare me anyway.]

    ��You��re right.��

    Stab!

    Ryu Min swiftly pierced Uriel��s heart, his scythe striking true. Uriel��s body slumped lifelessly to the ground in a death so swift he hadn��t even seen iting.

 Chapter 225 (Part 1)

    Chapter 225: One More Reward (Part 1)

    Ryu Min had in the 4th and 5th Archangels.

    It wasn��t until he checked the messages that the gravity of the situation hit him.

    [You have defeated one of the Seven Archangels, ��Raguel��!]

    [Stat Points +14,536]

    [Gold +145,366,800]

    [Reward for killing Archangel Raguel: ��Condensed Ether�� obtained.]

    [Reward for killing Archangel Raguel: ��Rune of Judgment�� obtained.]

    [The rune you acquired has automatically engraved itself onto your body!]

    [Your reputation with the Demon faction has significantly increased.]

    [You have defeated one of the Seven Archangels, ��Uriel��!]

    [Stat Points +18,170]

    [Gold +181,708,500]

    [Reward for killing Archangel Uriel: ��Condensed Ether�� obtained.]

    [Reward for killing Archangel Uriel: ��Rune of Radiance�� obtained.]

    [The rune you acquired has automatically engraved itself onto your body!]

    [Your reputation with the Demon faction has significantly increased.]

    [Your reputation with the Demon faction regarding the ck Scythe has increased from ��Very Friendly�� to ��Eternal Ally.��]

    As expected, he received two Condensed Ethers.

    ��Now, I can finally craft a god-tier weapon.��

    He had also gained a huge boost in stat points.

    ��100 low-ranked angels give 7,200 points, while the two archangels provided 32,706����

    In total, nearly 40,000 stat points had been added.

    An astonishing amount.

    His gold had also increased by 400 million.

    Moreover, his reputation with the Demon faction had maxed out.

    To the Demons, Ryu Min was nothing less than a hero who had beheaded enemy generals. It was only natural.

    But what caught Ryu Min��s attention most was the information on the runes.

    [Rune of Judgment]

    Effect: Each time you kill an enemy, you gain 1 Judgment Stack (maximum of 100).

    Consumes 100 Judgment Stacks to activate ��Heavenly Judgment.��

    Heavenly Judgment: Deals magical damage equivalent to 2,400% of your intelligence in an X-shaped area in front of you.

    [Rune of Radiance]

    Effect: Allows movement through light.

    Light Speed: Instantly moves in a straight line (maximum 1,000 meters). Stops when encountering an obstacle.

    Teleport: Sends a beam of light (up to 100 meters), teleporting your body to where itnds.

    Summon: Sends a beam of light (up to 100 meters) to teleport an opponent to your location.

    ��One��s an attack skill used by Raguel, and the other��s a movement skill from Uriel.��

    Both had high utility. Especially since they were sacred skills, which made them all the more satisfying for Ryu Min, as he had the Rune of Radiance that amplified the effects of holy skills in proportion to his level.

    ��Both look great, but the Rune of Radiance seems particrly useful. I can summon enemies from far away.��

    It would be incredibly handy for bringing allies or fleeing enemies right to his feet.

    ��If the effect increases by 92% based on my level, I should be able to summon an enemy from 192 meters away.��

    The Light Speed ability also seemed impressive.

    Without obstacles, he could instantly cover up to 1,920 meters.

    ��I��ll have to check the cooldownter.��

    For now, he had other things to address.

    ��You cane out now. It��s safe.��

    Rustle, rustle��

    At Ryu Min��s call, there was a sound from behind.

    He turned his head and saw none other than John Delgado.

    Before facing the angels, Ryu Min hadst sought him out.

    ��D-Did you do all this, my lord?��

    John��s jaw dropped as he saw the devastated battlefield, which looked as if a bomb had struck the area.

    ��Yeah, though it wasn��t as intense as it seems.��

    In truth, it had been rather dull.

    If the 4th and 5th Archangels were this weak, he could probably take on the 1st with ease.

    ��Or maybe not��?��

    The Archangel he had faced in his 68th regression hadn��t revealed their rank, but Ryu Min suspected they were the 1st.

    The strength he had sensed from them was on an entirely different level than the Archangels he had just defeated.

    ��What should I do now?��

    John��s question snapped Ryu Min back to reality. He gestured toward one of the fallen angels.

    ��First, make one of these angels into a physical undead. I have something I want to test. They seem intact enough for you to do it, right?��

    John looked at the angel��s corpse and nodded.

    ��Of course. You killed them cleanly, so it should be no problem.��

    Necromancy offered two types of undead creation: Spiritual Undead, which involved enving the soul, and Physical Undead, which reanimated the corpse. You could only apply one type of necromancy to a single body. Unlike Spiritual Undead, Physical Undead required the body to be in rtively good condition.

    ��Also, while Physical Undead can��t be resummoned like Spiritual ones, they��re stronger and immune to magic damage.��

    Additionally, killing a Physical Undead would still yield rewards.

    Normally, killing a summon didn��t grant any rewards, but Physical Undead were an exception.

    ��The question I want to answer is: if I kill an angel turned into a Physical Undead, will I still get the rewards?��

    To test this, Ryu Min had snapped the necks of the first 100 angel soldiers to ensure their bodies remained mostly intact.

    ��Now, resurrect them.��

    ��Yes, my lord.��

    John aimed his staff at the corpse and used the Corpse Revival skill.

    Crunch��

    The snapped neck of the angel returned to its original position, and the reanimated angel opened its eyes, though only the whites were visible, as it was now undead.

    ��As you ordered, my lord, I have raised it.��

    ��Is it under your control?��

    ��Yes, but to others, it will appear as an enemy.��

    ��Good. Now, let��s kill it.��

    Without hesitation, Ryu Min swung his scythe and beheaded the undead angel.

    Thunk��

    Something surprising happened.

    [You have defeated the 5th-ranked angel, ��Oliver��!]

    [Stat Points +36]

    [Gold +363,417]

    [Angels defeated: 103/100]

    [Judgment Rune Stack: 2/100]

 Chapter 225 (Part 2)

    Chapter 225: One More Reward (Part 2)

    Thunk��

    Something surprising happened.

    [You have defeated the 5th-ranked angel, ��Oliver��!]

    [Stat Points +36]

    [Gold +363,417]

    [Angels defeated: 103/100]

    [Judgment Rune Stack: 2/100]

    Killing the Physical Undead had increased his angel kill count from 102 to 103.

    Moreover, he had received the same reward as if he had killed a living angel.

    ��As I suspected, I still get rewards.��

    However, the rewards were halvedpared to when he killed the angel the first time. This was likely because the Physical Undead only retained half of their original strength.

    ��Still, being able to revive a corpse even once is a huge advantage.��

    John Delgado��s value had skyrocketed.

    Ryu Min was d he hadn��t killed him earlier.

    ��John, resurrect all the angels into Physical Undead.��

    ��Understood.��

    ��Wait, stop for a moment.��

    A thought crossed Ryu Min��s mind.

    ��Wouldn��t it be better to kill them after receiving the Demon��s Blessing again?��

    After killing the first batch of 100 soldiers, Ryu Min had used the Demon��s Blessing. Now that he had in another 100 soldiers and two Archangels, his stats were maxed out again.

    This meant he could use the Demon��s Blessing once more.

    ��With my higher stats, I��ll get even more rewards if I use the blessing now.��

    And if he killed all these corpses afterward, he could max out his stack count.

    ��But first, let��s allocate my stat points.��

    Ryu Min opened his status window and distributed the 39,906 stat points equally across his four main stats.

    Afterward, he gave John the order.

    ��Revive all the angels here.��

    ��Yes, my lord.��

    John systematically resurrected the angels into Physical Undead.

    Unlike Spiritual Undead, which could be resummoned repeatedly, Physical Undead could only be raised once. They couldn��t be stored or carried around.

    ��I��ll have to kill them all here.��

    A total of 101 Physical Undead were created, excluding the one Ryu Min had killed earlier.

    [101 enemies detected within a 100-meter radius.]

    [The effect of the Rune of One Against a Hundred has increased all your stats by 100%.]

    Since the undead were considered enemies, the Rune of One Against a Hundred doubled Ryu Min��s stats.

    This was why he hadn��t used the Demon��s Blessing yet.

    He wanted to maximize his stats.

    The timing was perfect, as he had just killed the angels, and his Reaper Transformation was still active.

    ��Demon��s Blessing.��

    [You are now under the effect of the Demon��s Blessing.]

    [Based on your current total stats (2,019,892), the following effects will apply:]

    For each angel in, you will receive gold equal to your stat total (2,019,892). Depending on the angel��s rank, you may earn up to 1,000 times this amount (2,019,892,000).

    For each angel in, you will receive stat points equal to 0.01% of your stat total (201). Depending on the angel��s rank, this may increase up to 10% (201,989).

    Each angel in will slightly increase your reputation with the Demon faction.

    The buff will remain active until the end of the current round.

    With the Demon��s Blessing active, the rewards were significantly higher than before.

    ��The increase is more than fivefold.��

    Ryu Min proceeded to kill the resurrected angels one by one again.

    Though it felt a bit cruel to kill them twice, it didn��t matter as long as he received the rewards.

    Slice�� slice��!

    One by one, the undead angels fell under his scythe, and his stats quickly umted.

    [Angels defeated: 99/100]

    [Judgment Rune Stack: 100/100]

    [You can now use ��Heavenly Judgment�� by consuming 100 stacks.]

    After dispatching the 99 undead soldiers, Ryu Min had gained nearly 20,000 additional stat points and 200 million gold. Only the two Archangels remained.

    Ryu Min stood before the resurrected Raguel and Uriel. These soulless beings showed no hostility toward him and didn��t even recognize him.

    sh��!

    [You have defeated one of the Seven Archangels, ��Raguel��!]

    [Stat Points +40,397]

    [Gold +403,978,400]

    [Angels defeated: 100/100]

    [You have fulfilled the conditions to use the Demon��s Blessing. You can activate it by saying the trigger phrase at any time.]

    Even at half power, the rewards were massive.

    With his baseline stats increased, the rewards were higher than they had been previously.

    ��However, no new items or runes dropped.��

    Since he had already obtained the unique rewards from the Archangels, they weren��t granted again.

    The same went for the Soul Binding Quest.

    Quest: Defeat all Seven Archangels

    Current Progress: 4/7 Archangels defeated

    Completion Reward: ?????

    Defeating the same Archangels again didn��t add to the count.

    ��Looks like I have to kill each of the Seven Archangels individually.��

    In other words, he needed to find and kill all seven different Archangels.

    ��Alright, let��s see how far I can go. I still have a debt to collect from the angels anyway, and I��m curious about the reward forpleting this quest.��

    Even if he didn��t know how powerful the 1st Archangel was, Ryu Min knew that to defeat them, he had to continue growing stronger.

    [You have defeated one of the Seven Archangels, ��Uriel��!]

    [Stat Points +50,497]

    [Gold +504,973,000]

    [Angels defeated: 101/100]

    After killing all the resurrected angels, Ryu Min opened his status window to check his updated stats.

    Name: Ryu Min

    Nickname: ck Scythe

    Rank: Master

    Titles: The Last Time Traveler (Hidden), The First yer of Angels (Hidden), The One Who Defies Divine Punishment (Hidden), The Foremost (Hidden), The Supreme Being (Hidden), The Executioner (Hidden)

    Level: 92

    ss: Grim Reaper

    Strength: 501,935

    Intelligence: 505,751

    Agility: 501,935

    Luck: 510,271

    General Skills: Tracking, Detecting Presence, Erasing Traces, Emergency Treatment, Area Scanning, Enhanced Dynamic Vision, Basic Resistance, Craftsmanship

    Exclusive Skills: Mark of Death, Night of Death, Crescent Moon, Cremson Moon

    Runes: Rune of ughter, Reaper��s Rune, Rune of Radiance, Rune of Inner Thoughts, Rune of Replication, Rune of Bnce, Rune of Mental Barrier, Rune of Endurance, Rune of Future Sight, Rune of Stealth, Demon��s Rune, Rune of Thunder, Rune of Perception, Rune of Expansion, Rune of Reputation, Rune of Darkness, Rune of Gale, Rune of Heroes, Rune of One Against a Hundred, Rune of Resistance, Rune of Immunity, Rune of Judgment, Rune of Radiance

    Gold: 1,568,887,025

    Unallocated Stat Points: 110,793

    ��1.5 billion gold and over 110,000 stat points to distribute����

    The rewards were truly astonishing.

    The payoff had nearly tripledpared to what he had initially gained.

    ��Necromancy turned out to be a much more powerful tool than I expected.��

    Ryu Min had been right to keep John Delgado alive. He was proving invaluable.

    Looking at the idle John, Ryu Min asked, ��How far have you progressed with your side quests?��

    ��I��vepleted the errands quests, my lord.��

    ��I see. I must��ve dyed you. I��ll take you to the Holy Empire, so finish up as quickly as possible.��

    ��Understood, my lord.��

    ��You need to survive with me until the final round.�� Ryu Min thought to himself, hiding the deeper meaning behind his words.

    With that, Ryu Min erased the traces of the angels�� corpses and gestured for John toe closer.

    ��Let��s go.��

    John touched Ryu Min��s back, and with the power of the Rune of Radiance, Ryu Min vanished at the speed of light.

    ***

    [Time Remaining Until Round Ends: 00:00:00]

    As the allotted 10 hours passed, all the yers spread across the fantasy world were brought together.

    They found themselves back in the monochrome space where they had first started.

    ��It��s already been 10 hours?��

    ��Damn it! I was in the middle of a quest!��

    ��Shit! I only needed to kill one more!��

    ��I��m ruined!��

    yers who had failed to raise their reputation to at least ��Very Friendly�� copsed in despair, clutching their heads.

    On the other hand, those who had managed to raise their reputation at thest moment prayed fervently that they were within the top half of yers who would advance. Though, no amount of prayer could change the results now.

    [Hehe, well done, humans! It was harder to raise your reputation than you thought, right?]

    ������.��

    [No response? I guess it wasn��t that hard then, huh? I can��t wait to see the results! Let��s hope there aren��t as many failures asst time, shall we? Hehe.]

    The mocking angel snapped her fingers, and the results began to disy.

 Chapter 226 (Part 1)

    Chapter 226: Results of Round 13 (Part 1)

    [Unified Zone CA-EA001]

    1st ce: ck Scythe (Lv92 Reaper) 00:00:00

    2nd ce: Russell Daniel (Lv62 cksmith) 04:04:29

    3rd ce: Democracy (Lv62 Buffer) 06:08:06

    ��ck Scythe came in first again this time.��

    ��Well, of course.��

    ��There��s quite a time gap between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ce, huh?��

    ��But what does 0 seconds mean?��

    The angel soon answered the yers�� curiosity.

    [As you can see, the time next to the nickname indicates how long it took to reach the ��Very Friendly�� reputation status. 0 seconds means they had already achieved it before the round even started.]

    ��Ah����

    ��They must��ve already raised it to ��Very Friendly��.��

    Nodding in understanding, the yers quickly realized now was not the time to rx by watching others�� results.

    For those in the lower ranks, the terrifying time of annihtion was approaching.

    [Nearly 80% of you humans have raised your reputation to ��Very Friendly��. How fortunate! Unlike the previous round, we haven��t fallen short. However, what matters now is how quickly you achieved it, right?]

    Unlike the giggling angel, the yers were filled with tension. Since they hadn��t received their own ranking message yet, they couldn��t tell if they were safe from elimination.

    [Now, please check your ranking messages.]

    As the angel signaled, everyone received their messages.

    ��Aah! I survived!��

    ��Nice!��

    ��I�� I��m ranked 4,998?��

    ��No way! Damn it!��

    Cries of relief and despair echoed everywhere.

    It was natural��this was the moment where one��s fate of going to heaven or hell was decided.

    [The cut-off for survival is a record of 7 hours, 59 minutes, and 5 seconds at rank 4,997. Congrattions to those who made it! Everyone below that is eliminated. Goodbye now.]

    ��No, no!��

    ��Please, just give me one more chance!��

    Fwoosh!

    Despite the desperate pleas, the ashes scattered in the wind.

    As half the remaining participants disappeared, a sense of emptiness washed over the survivors.

    [Now, it��s time to distribute the rewards!]

    [Congrattions! You havepleted the quest as the top yer in this zone!]

    [Currently, ��ck Scythe�� ranks 1st in this zone.]

    [As the 1st ce reward in this zone, you will receive the ��Legendary Potion Selection Box��!]

    [You will also receive the ��Special Reward Selection Box�� as the 1st ce reward!]

    After receiving the rewards, Ryu Min immediately used the potion selection box.

    [Please touch the potion you wish to choose from the options below.]

    1. Potion of Life

    2. Elixir of Super Regeneration

    3. Potion of Unyielding Resistance

    4. Memory Erasure Potion

    5. Immunity Elixir

    All of them were Legendary-grade potions. Each was excellent in its own way.

    ��If I hadn��t gotten the Elves�� rewards in Round 8 or cleared the 99th floor of the Tower of Trials, I��d have chosen the Elixir of Super Regeneration to prepare for Round 15. But����

    Ryu Min selected the fourth option��the Memory Erasure Potion.

    The others weren��t necessary. He had grown that strong.

    Next, he opened the Special Reward Selection Box.

    [You may choose one of the following special rewards. Please touch the reward you desire.]

    1.50% Stat Increase Buff (Only for Round 14)

    2.Temporary Skill �C Invincibility (Only for Round 14)

    3.Information about Round 14

    Usually, Ryu Min didn��t hesitate when it came to choosing rewards, but this time, he found himself deep in thought.

    ��There��s a high chance a great angel will appear in Round 14.��

    As a suspect who had killed four great angels, they would undoubtedly seek revenge.

    ��If I��m preparing to face a great angel, I should choose the first option.��

    Increasing his stats would significantly amplify the blessings he received from demons.

    Choosing the first option seemed like the obvious choice, but the other options also bothered him.

    ��The second option, Temporary Skill �C Invincibility. This will be incredibly useful in Round 14. It��s essential for obtaining the [Rune of Devouring].��

    Without the second option, getting the rune would be impossible. It was a rune he absolutely had to obtain.

    ��If the great angels aren��ting, I��d obviously choose the second option����

    Would they really just stand by and watch? They would use the opening of the otherworld to try and take his life in Round 14.

    ��Hah, this is a tough decision.��

    After much deliberation, Ryu Min finally moved his finger.

    [You have chosen the second option.]

    [When Round 14 begins, you will be granted the Temporary Skill ��Invincibility��.]

    Ryu Min had decided to prioritize acquiring the rune over the stat buff.

    ��It��s never a bad thing to have invincibility. If necessary, I can even use it to fight against the great angels.��

    What if the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd great angels showed up together?

    Even with Ryu Min��s high stats, there was no guarantee he would win.

    In that case, invincibility might prove more decisive than the 50% stat buff.

    ��I hope they don��t show up. Now that I��ve chosen the second option, the great angels would only be a nuisance.��

    ? ROUND 13 ENDS ?

    [Integrated Area CA-EA001]

    ��Survivors: 4,997

    [After a while, the soul will be transferred to the body in the existing dimension.]

    [Round 14 begins at midnight on February 1, 2023. Well then, see you in the next round. Congrattions on your survival.]

    *

    In the cabin, three men were wearing serious expressions.

    These were the few remaining members of the Twelve Apostles.

    ��Just let him show up, that bastard. I��ll smash his head in.��

    ��Even if you��re angry, you should listen first, Yang Chiwen. Who knows what his reasons were?��

    ��What reason could there be, huh? That bastard stood us up after promising to meet in Round 13. What��s there to listen to?��

    ��������

    ��I��ve hated that bastard from the start. He should��ve died like that curry-loving bastard.��

    ��Still, he said he��s on his way here. Let��s at least hear him out.��

    Despite the Spaniard��s attempt at persuasion, Yang Chiwen merely snorted in disdain.

    ��Bullshit. Hey, Dark Soul.��

    ��Yes?��

    ��Get your sniper ready at the door. As soon as that bastard opens the door, blow his head off����

    At that moment��

    Creak��

    The door to the cabin opened, and the person they had been talking about walked in.

    It was none other than John Delgado.

    ��You bastard!��

 Chapter 226 (Part 2)

    Chapter 226: Results of Round 13 (Part 2)

    At that moment��

    Creak��

    The door to the cabin opened, and the person they had been talking about walked in.

    It was none other than John Delgado.

    ��You bastard!��

    ��Hey, hey! Calm down. Let��s not jump to conclusions.��

    As Yang Chiwen grew agitated, the Spaniard quickly tried to calm him down, while John Delgado entered and took his seat without a care.

    ��Look at that bastard��sid-back expression. It pisses me off.��

    ��Why are you so angry?��

    John asked, as if unaware of the reason, leaving Yang Chiwen speechless.

    His face turned red with anger, ready to explode at any moment.

    Before the situation could worsen, the Spaniard quickly intervened.

    ��John Delgado, why did you do that in Round 13?��

    ��What are you talking about?��

    ��Don��t you remember? You promised to meet us in the otherworld to track down Jeffy. You��re the only one who knows what Jeffy looks like.��

    ��Ah, that.��

    ��Why didn��t you show up at the meeting point? You said we��d meet at the closest spot visible to the angel����

    ��I��m sorry. I forgot.��

    ����Forgot?��

    The reason was so absurd that the Spaniard sighed.

    Yang Chiwen, on the other hand,pletely lost it and shouted.

    ��How the hell do you forget something like that? You did it on purpose, didn��t you? You wanted to screw us over, you bastard!��

    ��Wow, listen to this thug��s foul mouth.��

    ��What did you say, bastard?!��

    ��Stop! Stop! We didn��te here to fight, remember?��

    Thanks to the intervention of the Spaniard and Dark Soul, nothing serious happened, but the tension between Yang Chiwen and John was palpable, their res filled with hostility.

    ��People can forget things sometimes, right?��

    ��Forget? My ass! That bastard is lying. He did it on purpose to screw us over!��

    ��Alright, alright. Today��s not the end of the world, is it? We��ll meet again in Round 14 and continue tracking Jeffy. John, you won��t forget this time, will you?��

    John Delgado nodded.

    ��Let��s proceed with the hunt for Jeffy in Round 14.��

    ��Ugh, we could��ve finished it in Round 13����

    As Yang Chiwen grumbled under his breath, the Spaniard rose from his seat.

    ��Alright, the mood is terrible, so let��s end the meeting here. John, I��m sorry you just got here, but we��ll have to wrap up quickly. Let��s head down for now.��

    ��Looks like I made the trip for nothing.��

    As John moved to leave, the Spaniard called out to him quickly.

    ��Oh, wait! I almost forgot. There��s something we need to wrap up. Please go ahead without us. We��ll follow shortly. See you next time.��

    Without saying a word, John stepped outside.

    It was only after John had gone far enough to be out of the range of their perception skills that the Spaniard spoke again.

    ��As you��ve probably guessed, I deliberately sent John away. There��s something urgent we need to discuss.��

    ��What is it?��

    The Spaniard revealed his true thoughts.

    ��I suspect that John Delgado is working with ck Scythe.��

    ��Working with him?��

    ��Honestly, the mission wasn��t thatplicated. His excuse of forgetting doesn��t make any sense unless he��s suffering from amnesia.��

    ��That��s true. His exnation was pretty ridiculous.��

    ��That��s why I��m suspicious. It��s possible that Jeffy, ck Scythe, and John Delgado are all working together.��

    Bang!

    Yang Chiwen mmed the table in fury, his face burning with anger.

    ��Damn it, I knew it. He��s a traitor.��

    ��I don��t think he betrayed us by choice.��

    ��What are you talking about?��

    ��Have you forgotten? ck Scythe has the power of domination.��

    ��Ah����

    ��John probably tried to confront ck Scythe in Round 12, but things went wrong, and now he��s being controlled.��

    Both Yang Chiwen and Dark Soul nodded, realizing that the exnation made sense.

    ��Oh, crap. Doesn��t that mean we��re in danger? ck Scythe probably knows everything by now.��

    ��Yes, I��m sure John has revealed a lot.��

    All three men looked grim, realizing that their information had likely been leaked.

    ��What do we do? Shouldn��t we split up before it��s toote?��

    ��Do you really think splitting up will help? That bastard John knows all our faces. He��ll probably act like a GPS, leading ck Scythe straight to each of us.��

    ��So, basically, we��re as good as dead, huh?��

    Dark Soul trembled in fear, but the Spaniard remained calm.

    ��There��s one way we can survive.��

    ��Don��t tell me it��s by bowing down to ck Scythe. I��d rather die. I have my pride.��

    ��No, it��s not that.��

    ��Then what?��

    Both Yang Chiwen and Dark Soul focused on the Spaniard��s next words.

    ��We strike first.��

    ��Are you insane? What could the three of us possibly do against him?��

    ��That��s suicide! You know how powerful ck Scythe is!��

    ��Dark Soul, you used to be so confident in your sniping skills. What happened?��

    Dark Soul flinched, feeling called out.

    ��Well, yeah, I��m still confident. No matter how strong ck Scythe is, he��ll die if I blow his head off. But that��s only if he steps into my line of fire����

    ��That��s it. We lure him into your sniper range. Of course, the bait will be me and Yang Chiwen.��

    ��What? You want me to be the bait?��

    ��There��s no other way. If we can��t avoid it, we have to face him head-on.��

    The Spaniard��s words were persuasive.

    If they sat around doing nothing, ck Scythe could ambush them at any moment.

    ��When cornered, even a rat will bite the cat. Our only choice is to strike first.��

    ��Do you have a n?��

    ��First, we��ll contact John and tell him we want to meet ck Scythe. We��ll pretend we want to reconcile and suggest a meeting. We��ll choose the location, and when ck Scythe shows up����

    ��We blow his head off?��

    Dark Soul��s words made the Spaniard nod in agreement.

    ��Yes. We��ll draw his attention while you take the shot.��

    ��But two people won��t be enough. Can we get another to help?��

    ��Of course. Yang Chiwen, do you have anyone who can help?��

    ��There��s a guy called Jang Sowoo, a second-ranking yer in the ck Society under me. He should be useful.��

    ��Great. The three of us will act as the bait, and Dark Soul will handle the sniping. Confident?��

    ��As long as you keep him distracted, I can blow his head off.��

    Dark Soul��s lost confidence returned.

    Hitting a moving target was difficult, but if they could keep ck Scythe in the sniper��s range, it would be a different story.

    ��Are you sure about this? You can really kill ck Scythe?��

    ��Yang Chiwen, don��t worry. ck Scythe is still human. He��ll die just like anyone else.��

    ����Just like anyone else��? You sure? Because if you fail, we��re all dead.��

    ��I won��t fail. Just make sure you keep him in my line of sight. I��m nning on bing the zone representative after this.��

    Dark Soul��s confidence was unmistakable. Whether killing ck Scythe would actually make him the representative or not was uncertain, but his skill with the sniper rifle was undeniable.

    ��What about John Delgado?��

    ��We��ll deal with himter. Once ck Scythe is dead, John will be easy to handle.��

    ��Alright.��

    ��Good. Let��s get to work.��

    The three apostles shared wicked smiles as they finalized their n.

 Chapter 227 (Part 1)

    Chapter 227: God-Tier Weapon (Part 1)

    As soon as Ryu Min opened his eyes after the 13th round ended, the first thing he did was look for his younger brother.

    ��Having breakfast?��

    ��Huh? Hyung! You��re safe again this time. I��m so relieved. I was getting worried since you weren��t waking up.��

    It was already 10 a.m., and Ryu Won, who had been too hungry to wait any longer, had decided to make breakfast himself.

    ��I told you not to wait.��

    ��But how can I not worry? Every time I wake up and you��re still asleep, I keep refreshing themunity board to see if the other yers have woken up.��

    Themunity Ryu Won referred to was an anonymous forum where posts rted to yers were shared. It was the best ce for ordinary people to get information about yers.

    ��So, you��re getting information from there? Checking whether it��s time for me to return or not.��

    ��Yeah. People like us, ordinary folks, don��t know when the round will end.��

    ��Well, that makes sense,�� Ryu Min thought. The end time for each round varied, so ordinary people had no choice but to wait without any idea when it would finish.

    While Ryu Min understood his brother��s concerns, he couldn��t reveal the end time of the next round. If word got out because of his brother, the existence of the Prophet might be public knowledge.

    ��You��re not posting anything about me in thatmunity, right?��

    ��Of course not! I��ve never even left ament.��

    Seeing his brother speak as if he were wronged, Ryu Min felt reassured.

    ��That��s good. Anyway, don��t worry about me. Does it make sense for a Prophet to fail a round?��

    ��But you��re constantly fighting monsters, so of course I��m worried.��

    ��Did you forget? A year ago, I handled that school bully, Bang Tae-kyu, with my bare hands.��

    ��But he was just a regr person. The posts on themunity board say the monsters are unimaginably strong.��

    ��And I��m pretty strong too.��

    ��By the way, has it really been a year since that happened?��

    Ryu Won suddenly felt a strange sensation. Back then, the world was in chaos with 1.8 billion people abducted, but now, life has settled into a kind of normalcy.

    He felt it too. Initially, he stayed up all night, anxious about his brother, but now he was sleeping and eating as usual. He still worried, though.

    ��Who��s worrying about who?��

    Reading his brother��s thoughts, Ryu Min let out a chuckle, then extended his hand with a serious expression.

    ��Hold on. Don��t be rmed.��

    ��Huh? What are you doing?��

    A light emanated from Ryu Min��s hand, which was absorbed into his brother��s body.

    ��What did you just do?��

    ��It��s a protective measure.��

    Ryu Min had just cast the Hero��s Protection on his brother. Now, even if someone ambushed Ryu Won, a 10-second invincibility would activate, and Ryu Min would be notified instantly, allowing him to react.

    ��I��ll have to stack up Hero��s Runes again. There��s no rush, though. I��ll get the chance in the 16th round.��

    Smiling, Ryu Min sat down at the table.

    ��Get me some food too. Let��s eat together.��

    ��Okay.��

    After finishing the meal with his brother, Ryu Min returned to his room. Lying on his bed, he stared at the ceiling, organizing his thoughts.

    ��I��ve already leveled up my mercenary rank to master level. I��m ready to hunt the dragon.��

    After killing the archangel, Ryu Min continued his hunt quests and reached master rank. However, there hadn��t been enough time to hunt the dragon, so he had to wait for the next opportunity.

    ��The 17th round is when I can enter the fantasy world again. I��ll hunt the dragon then.��

    Next, he pondered what he could do in reality. The first thing that came to mind was creating the God-Tier weapon.

    ��Now that I think about it, I should get started right away.��

    Opening the crafting window, he began cing the materials one by one.

    [Main Material]

    �C Corrupted God��s w Scythe

    [Sub Materials]

    �C Condensed Ether x2

    �C ck Iron Powder

    �C Adamantium te

    �C Core of Magic

    ��Good thing I bought the God-Tier weapon materials from Hymer in advance.��

    Fortunately, two archangels had appeared, so he had gotten the ether he needed.

    ��Could things really be going this smoothly?��

    Smirking, Ryu Min pressed the craft button.

    [Crafting God-Tier item��]

    [The item will be adapted to your current ss.]

    [Crafting sessful!]

    [You have created ��Thanatos�� ck Scythe.��]

    [Thanatos�� ck Scythe]

    �C Type: Weapon

    �C Grade: God

    �C Attack Power: 4,444

    �C Effect: The width of the scythe can be increased by 5 times, and the length can extend up to 20 times. However, damage will be distributed among the number of enemies within range. Additionally, the weapon deals magic damage equal to 100% of the wielder��s intelligence.

    �C Durability: 20,000/20,000

    �C Requirement: Master Rank and above

    �C Description: A weapon crafted using the divinity of the God of Death, Thanatos. Set bonuses are applied when wearing the full set.

    It was an upgraded version of his previous w scythe.

    ��This is way better. The old one only had 666 attack power and could only increase in size by 5 times.��

    Now, the attack power was 4,444, and he could extend the scythe up to 20 times. If the scythe started at 2.5 meters in length, he could stab enemies 50 meters away.

    It was also useful for wiping out groups of enemies by widening the scythe��s surface area.

    ��The damage might be spread out, but that��s actually a good thing. I��m ridiculously strong now anyway.��

    Compared to the previous rounds, Ryu Min had grown exponentially stronger. His growth had skyrocketed ever since he killed the archangel Remiel.

    In hindsight, he slightly regretted not killing the archangels earlier.

    ��Had I known this would happen, I should have tried killing the archangels sooner.��

    This was the first regression where he had killed an archangel. He hadn��t expected to gain this much advantage from the demon��s blessing.

    ��Back then, my focus was just on clearing the rounds, not on taking on archangels.��

    The first archangel he encountered was most likely the current rank 1, Michael. It was no wonder he hadn��t dared to challenge him back then.

    Remiel��s unexpected appearance had forced his hand, leading him to kill the archangel.

    ��What��s done is done. I can��t avoid fighting the archangels now. But I need to act carefully, not recklessly.��

    This was hisst chance, so he had to be cautious in every move he made.

 Chapter 227 (Part 2)

    Chapter 227: God-Tier Weapon (Part 2)

    [Thanatos�� Garment Set Effects (5/5)]

    �C 2-set effect: +20% resistance

    �C 3-set effect: +10% skill damage

    �C 4-set effect: -30% damage taken

    �C 5-set effect: +10% to all set gear stats

    Satisfied, Ryu Min smiled as he checked the set bonuses. Just like the equipment Russell had enchanted, the options had increased by 10%.

    ��And if Russell polishes this gear too?��

    Thepounded enhancement would increase the stats by 32%. That would be a significant boost.

    ��I��ve got all the God-Tier gear now. I just need to gather the God-Tier essories by taking down bosses bit by bit. Next, I��ll need to work on runes in the real world.��

    There were five runes avable in the real world. He had already gathered three and needed just two more.

    ��I��ll deal with that in the 16th round. Right now, the priority is rallying the yers.��

    Even though the number of yers had decreased, there were still about 5,000 left worldwide. Among them, there were those who still terrorized civilians, treating them as ves.

    ��There are definitely nations where those trash have seized control of the military, treating themon people as ves.��

    What if he took down those trash and liberated those nations?

    Not only would he gain the support of his own country, but the name of the ck Scythe would also rise in prestige.

    ��By doing that, I��ll be able to bring uncontroble yers under mymand. Once controlled, I can save as many people as possible in the 15th round.��

    Moreover, if he moved under the name of the Death Church, he could spread its influence far and wide.

    ��This time, I won��t operate in secret like during thest KF incident. I��ll make it public that I��m helping nations in need and take action based on the reports I receive.��

    That��s why he had built his foundation.

    As the deputymander of CPF, and the righteous avenger who destroyed KF, it was time to act openly.

    ��I��ll need the president��s help.��

    Grinning, Ryu Min scrolled through his contacts on his Lostyak phone until he found the number for the Blue House, which he had declined amendation from not long ago.

    *

    [What about Lord Michael?]

    [He went to the Akashic Records to check the news. He told us to wait for a while.]

    Gabriel nodded at Raphael��s words.

    Soon after, Michael appeared in the meeting hall, apanied by a bright light.

    [Have you returned, Lord Michael?]

    [Have you been waiting long?]

    [Not at all. But what about the news��?]

    With a somber expression, Michael shook his head. Just that gesture alone left Gabriel and Raphael shocked.

    They hadn��t even considered the possibility of failure.

    [Even Raguel and Uriel failed��]

    [Are you sure, Lord Michael? There must be some mistake��]

    [There��s no mistake. I just saw the records of how they died. It was a close battle, but they ultimately lost.]

    The phrase ��close battle�� was a lie.

    ��They werepletely overwhelmed. Even I hadn��t anticipated such power.��

    The ck Scythe was stronger than expected. However, he concealed this fact from the other archangels. If he revealed it, they might insist he get involved, which would be troublesome.

    ��It��s better to say it was a close fight. If I get involved, I��ll have no choice but to kill the ck Scythe.��

    He had no intention of ughtering the goose thatid the golden eggs just yet.

    With his expression still solemn, Michael continued.

    [Not just them. Even 200 rank-5 angels perished.]

    [Rank-5 angels? Uriel and Raguel took soldiers with them?]

    [It seems they secretly tried to handle it themselves. But in the end, they were all wiped out.]

    [The ck Scythe is unexpectedly strong.]

    Gabriel mused as he sank into deep thought, likely trying to devise a n.

    ��This is bad. Gabriel��s strategies are unmatched.��

    No matter how strong the ck Scythe was, if Gabriel got serious, it would spell trouble.

    The victory in the 5th Heavenly Demon War 200 years ago wasrgely thanks to Gabriel��s cunning.

    ��I yed a significant role too, but in some ways, Gabriel was the true hero of that war.��

    The higher-ups expected Gabriel to y a pivotal role in the uing 7th Heavenly Demon War. If he got involved, there might be no way to protect the ck Scythe.

    ��Who would have thought Gabriel would be forced to act so soon? The ck Scythe dealt with the archangels too quickly.��

    A solution had to be found. He had to ensure Gabriel didn��t get directly involved.

    Just then, Raphael broke the silence.

    [Lord Michael, this can��t go on. It��s time for us to step in.]

    [It seems so.]

    [Why don��t we go down to the human realm and kill the ck Scythe all at once?]

    [You mean even me?]

    [Yes.]

    At Raphael��s suggestion, Michael intentionally made a displeased expression.

    [Must I personally step in to handle a mere insect? I am the highest of the high.]

    [But we might struggle if it��s just me and Gabriel��]

    [How shocking. The second and third-ranked archangels are afraid of a mere human?]

    [We��re not afraid. We just want to ensure we settle this matter once and for all.]

    [But my pride won��t allow me to get involved.]

    [However��]

    [Enough, Raphael.]

    Gabriel, who had finished formting his n, interrupted Raphael��s argument.

    [There��s no need for Lord Michael to step in. Nor is there a need for the two of us to get involved.]

    [What do you mean, Gabriel? You don��t n to get involved?]

    Michael asked with a surprised look, to which Gabriel exined the strategy he hade up with.

    Upon hearing the n, Michael struggled to suppress his shock. The n was so effective and deadly to the ck Scythe that it was hard to hide his emotions.

    ��This is bad. If they execute this n, the ck Scythe����

    The 14th round might just be the end of it all.

    [So, Lord Michael, shall we proceed with the operation?]

    [Hmm, it��s not a bad n.]

    [I��ll take that as your approval and begin preparations.]

    [Very well. I��ll speak to Lord Nemesis on your behalf.]

    [Thank you.]

    ��Sigh�� This is serious. The ck Scythe might be in real danger this time.��

    But none of the other archangels saw the concerned expression on Michael��s face.

 Chapter 228 (Part 1)

    Chapter 228: Meeting with the President (Part 1)

    The bodyguards at the Blue House couldn��t shake their tension.

    The reason was none other than the news that the infamous ck Scythe wasing to meet the President.

    ��Senior, shouldn��t we call in the military for this?��

    ��The military?��

    ��Do you think we can stop ck Scythe with just us? You know how strong yers are.��

    ��Kid, stop freaking out. You think ck Scythe is a terrorist? Or do you think he��s storming the Blue House to take it over? Why are you worrying about useless things?��

    ��Do you trust him, senior? What if he��s here to assassinate the President? We need to be prepared for the worst.��

    ��Listen, you need to know who to be afraid of. This guy single-handedly took out KF in Nigeria. He��s got the official title of Deputy Commander of the CPF here in Korea. Does that sound like a dangerous person to you?��

    ��Still, isn��t that why we��re on high alert like this? Just in case something happens?��

    ��Exactly. That��s why we��ve secured this reception room, inspected all the security measures, and gathered dozens of personal bodyguards around the President. Though, honestly, it won��t matter in front of ck Scythe.��

    ��Do you really think that?��

    ��Come on, do you really believe people like us could take down ck Scythe? Even yers bow down to him. How do you think a few bodyguards could stop him? Even an army wouldn��t be enough.��

    ��Then why is the President meeting someone this dangerous?��

    ��Because he��s decided ck Scythe isn��t a threat. If he were power-hungry, this ce would��ve been in ruins long ago. Instead, he��s been busy hunting down KF and criminals, not causing trouble.��

    ��Hmm, when you put it that way, I guess you��re right.��

    ��So stop worrying and focus on your job. And, worst-case scenario, if ck Scythe attacks the President, prepare yourself to take the hit.��

    ��More like a scythe to the chest than a bullet, huh?��

    ��You��re joking at a time like��oh, here hees.��

    The guards snapped to attention as ck Scythe and the President approached from the hallway.

    Alongside them were the Chief Secretary, the Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs, the Prime Minister, the National Security Advisor, and nearly twenty guards shadowing them like a cloud.

    As the security personnel opened the doors to the reception room, the President smiled and said, ��Please,e in, ck Scythe. This will be a good ce to talk.��

    ��Yes,�� ck Scythe replied.

    Despite being dressed casually, without any visible weapons, he wore a peculiar white mask.

    ��Is he really not dangerous? How can we trust someone whose face we can��t even see���� one of the bodyguards grumbled internally.

    But as soon as his eyes met ck Scythe��s through the mask, he frozepletely.

    Just from making eye contact, he felt like a rabbit staring at a tiger.

    Unable to bear the gaze, he looked away as Ryu Min walked into the room.

    ��Please, have a seat. Would you like some tea?�� the President offered.

    ��No, thank you. I��d like to get straight to the point,�� Ryu Min politely declined, his gaze locking onto the President.

    ��President Yoon Seong-ho. A clean leader, free of corruption, with a strong sense of justice. He prioritizes the safety of his people and isn��t overly authoritarian. He��s someone I can trust.��

    Moreover, after reading his thoughts, Ryu Min knew he wasn��t hostile towards him. In fact, hadn��t he personally called tomend him for his role in dealing with KF?

    ��If he had been uncooperative, I might have had to use Yamti, but that won��t be necessary.��

    Although he hadn��t stated his requests yet, he had a good feeling about how the conversation would go.

    ��You called and asked to meet me on such short notice. Do you have a favor to ask?��

    ��You��re sharp. Yes, I have two requests for you.��

    ��Two? Let��s hear them.��

    ��As you know, I have a record of taking down KF. As Deputy Commander of the CPF, I��ve also helped apprehend criminals.��

    ��Of course, of course. There isn��t a citizen in this country unaware of your great aplishments.��

    ��But I don��t n to stop there. I want to help other countries as well. I believe there are more nations in need of assistance than we realize.��

    ��Nations in need of help?��

    ��I��m referring to countries that have been taken over by yers. yers who are drunk on power tend to seize control of governments first. While I suspect there are more such countries than we know, they��ve likely kept their people isted to avoid drawing attention.��

    Ryu Min wasn��t merely guessing. He knew for a fact that such countries existed, where yers ruled like kings. They just hadn��t been reported in the news due to their oppressive regimes.

    ��If there really are countries like that, it would be a serious issue.��

    ��Exactly. Which is why I��d like you, Mr. President, to take responsibility and use your intelligencework to find these nations. That��s my first request.��

    ��And the second?��

    ��My second request is to set up a broadcast so I can address the world. I want to tell these countries to ask Korea for help if they need it. I��ll offer my assistance to liberate them.��

    ��Hmm����

    It wasn��t an unreasonable request. However, there was one concern that lingered in the President��s mind.

    ��You realize that such a statement could potentially lead to international conflict, right?��

    ��Of course. But I��ll take full responsibility and ensure that doesn��t happen. I promise no other country will retaliate against Korea. You have my word.��

    ��Hmm����

    Despite the assurance, the President��s brow remained furrowed. His priority was always the safety of his citizens, and this made him cautious.

    ��What do the others think?�� he asked.

    ��While helping other countries is a noble cause, there could be diplomatic repercussions if things go wrong����

    ��But didn��t ck Scythe say he��d prevent any retaliation?��

    ��Nothing ever goes as smoothly as we hope. We should prepare for unexpected variables.��

    ��I believe if ck Scythe takes responsibility, there shouldn��t be a problem.��

    ��Are you suggesting we entrust the fate of an entire nation to ck Scythe?��

    ��That��s not what I meant. It��s only right to help a country in need, isn��t it?��

    ��Exactly. If people are in danger, there��s no time to be picky about the details.��

    ��And besides, we have the strongest yer, ck Scythe, on our side. I don��t think there��s anything to worry about.��

    ��I agree. If things go well, this could elevate Korea��s standing in the global arena.��

    The ministers, prime minister, and other officials each shared their opinions.

    In the midst of this, the President nced over at Ryu Min.

 Chapter 228 (Part 2)

    Chapter 228: Meeting with the President (Part 2)

    The ministers, prime minister, and other officials each shared their opinions.

    In the midst of this, the President nced over at Ryu Min.

    ��I can��t read his expression through that mask����

    The President, who had been wavering, quickly gathered his thoughts.

    ��Though he hasn��t revealed his identity, he��s already proven himself trustworthy. If he wanted to, he could have killed me here and now, but he hasn��t. It��s because he doesn��t want the country to fall into chaos. And now, he��s willing to step up and help other nations.��

    It was clear that ck Scythe genuinely cared about his country and its people.

    He didn��t seem like the type to recklessly provoke international conflict without taking responsibility.

    ��Can I trust you?�� the President asked.

    ��Yes, you can.��

    Perhaps it was the certainty in Ryu Min��s words that sealed the deal.

    ��Very well. I��ll grant your requests. When would you like to start?��

    ��The sooner, the better.��

    ��Then we��ll proceed immediately. Chief Secretary?��

    ��Yes, Mr. President.��

    ��Arrange for ck Scythe to deliver a public address.��

    ��Understood. Please follow me, ck Scythe.��

    After bowing slightly to the President, Ryu Min followed the Chief Secretary.

    Bzzzzzz��

    ��One moment. I��m getting a call.��

    Ryu Min nced at his phone, which disyed the caller��s name.

    ��John Delgado?��

    The call was likely regarding some matter rted to Messiah, as they had agreed to contact him when there was an update.

    ��Yes, what is it? Ah, I see. So they��ve set up a meeting? Very well. Send me the time and location via text.��

    With the Chief Secretary beside him, Ryu Min politely responded to the call, as if it were nothing of importance.

    But the truth was far from it.

    ��John Delgado��s cover has been blown sooner than I expected. And now Messiah wants to meet? How bold.��

    Apparently, Messiah had confronted John, using him of being aligned with ck Scythe, and they had set up a meeting.

    ��How arrogant. They don��t evene to me themselves��they want me to show up at their designated location?��

    The fact that they had chosen the location meant they were up to something.

    ��Fine. I��ll walk right into the snake��s den.��

    Ryu Min chuckled confidently, sent a quick message, and then looked up.

    ��Shall we go, Chief Secretary?��

    ��Yes, this way.��

    The message he sent read:

    [Prepare the private jet, Yamti. We��ve got an overseas triping up.]

    *

    A man wearing a white mask stepped onto a podium with the Blue House as the backdrop.

    ��Greetings. I am a yer from Korea, known by the nickname ck Scythe.��

    Click-click��

    The press photographers lined up in the front row eagerly snapped away with their cameras, while reporters behind them rapidly typed on theirptops, racing to break the news.

    ��It may seem strange that I, a non-government individual, am holding this press conference. You might wonder what right I have to stand here and make this announcement. But I had to take this opportunity because there��s something I want to say to the world.��

    As Ryu Min paused, the audience fell silent.

    Everyone leaned in, curious about what he was going to say next.

    ��As some of you may know, I was responsible for eliminating KF��s leader and its remnants a few months ago. My reason was simple. I despise criminals. Their existence is nothing but a blight. And with that in mind, I have a warning for all yers around the world.��

    At the word warning, the entire room held its breath.

    It was an audacious statement, one that could easily turn every yer on the against him. But in a way, it was also impressive. Only someone like ck Scythe could say something like that.

    ��If any yer is using their power to seize control of a government and oppress ordinary people, stop immediately. I do not want to see yers tarnishing their image bymitting crimes. Let me be clear: this is a warning to them. If they do not cease their actions����

    The eyes behind ck Scythe��s mask shed with a menacing gleam.

    ����I will personally hunt them down and bring them to justice. I will rescue those who are in danger. That is why I asked the President to lend me this tform��to let the world know that I am willing to save as many people as possible from these wretched yers. So, if you or your country are suffering because of yers, don��t hesitate to call the Korean embassy. If you do����

    Ryu Min took a brief pause before continuing.

    ����I will dlye to your country and free it from the shackles of those yers.��

    It was a bold deration to the world��s oppressed nations: seek help, and ck Scythe woulde to their aid.

    It was an audacious, almost arrogant, statement, but no one daredugh as ck Scythe descended the podium.

    Because he had the power to back it up.

    ��That should be enough for now.��

    As he nced back, he saw the President stepping up to the podium.

    The President was about to speak, lending even more credibility to Ryu Min��s words.

    ��As ck Scythe said, if there are any nations suffering under the tyranny of yers, please contact the Korean embassy. I promise, in the name of the President, that we will do everything in our power to assist. Thank you.��

    After his speech, the President looked around, searching for the Chief Secretary.

    ��ck Scythe, where is he?��

    ��He said he had urgent business to attend to and left.��

    ��Urgent business?��

    ��He didn��t provide details. He only mentioned verifying the source of any iing reports�� oh, and one more thing. He said that since he��ll be flying, it might be hard to reach him by phone, so email would be best.��

    ��Flying?��

    Was he heading abroad?

    ��Whatever the case, it��s done. The dice have been rolled, and now all we can do is trust ck Scythe.��

    With a slightly worried expression, President Yoon Seong-ho walked out with his bodyguards.

 Chapter 229 (Part 1)

    Chapter 229: The Delegation (Part 1)

    [CPF Deputy Commander ck Scythe��s Warning to yers Worldwide! Stop Doing Evil!]

    [ck Scythe Deres Hatred for Criminals: Get Caught, and You Die! A Deration of War!]

    [Which Country Suffers from yer Crimes as ck Scythe Describes?]

    [President Yoon: Any Country Persecuted by yers Should Seek Help from Korea.]

    [After ck Scythe��s Speech, Netizens Respond: Arrogant vs. Full of Righteousness. What Are Other Countries Saying?]

    After the speech at the Blue House, various articles flooded in. Given the nature of the topic,izens fiercely debated it.

    �� Are you kidding me? Who does he think he is, deciding whether to save or not?

    �� Exactly, man. Mind your own business. Now he��s trying to save other countries? Ridiculous.

    �� Idiots. Even if he��s doing good, they��re losing their minds.

    �� It��s not about good or bad��it��s just funny. Who gave him the authority to judge others? Is he a judge? Is this awlessnd?

    �� Hey, morons! Do you know why you can sleep peacefully at night? If it weren��t for CPF, all the shops would��ve been looted by now!

    �� Shut up. yers are going to die off naturally anyway. They drop dead half the time, why bother?

    �� So if a swarm of criminals breaks into your house but they��re dead by the next day, you��d just leave them alone? Get real.

    �� Right. Thanks to ck Scythe, the damage is minimal. Look at international reports; countries are still struggling with yer crimes.

    �� Who cares about other countries? We should just take care of ourselves. Why the hell are we saving others?

    �� He said he hates criminal yers. Isn��t that enough?

    �� To me, it just seems like he wants to satisfy his bloodlust.

    �� Guys, if he��s trying to do something good, at least support him. Why bash him so hard?

    �� Exactly. People are being so harsh. To victims, ck Scythe��s words are probably a glimmer of hope��

    �� But is there even a country asking for help? Where are yers oppressing citizens and taking control of governments? Sounds like a conspiracy theory.

    �� We��ll see if any reportse in.

    �� It��s entirely possible. If I gained superhuman powers, the first thing I��d do is assassinate the leadership and seize control. I��d rule like a king.

    �� Wow, potential criminal over here. Watch out for this guy.

    �� I agree with ck Scythe. We��re living peacefully, but there could be countries suffering due to yers. For them, his offer might be a beacon of hope.

    �� But there��s no proof��it��s all spection, isn��t it, idiot?

    �� Why are you all fighting here? Go fight outside.

    �� By the way, who is ck Scythe? Is it a new type of scythe or something?

    Thement section was nothing short of a battleground. Given the sensitive topic, opinions were sharply divided.

    ��It doesn��t matter. I��ll just show them with results.��

    Ryu Min smiled. The more heated the discussion, the better. It meant people��s attention was fixated on the issue, and when he made his move, the impact would be even greater.

    ��It��s time to go.��

    Ryu Min pocketed his phone and boarded the ne.

    ��Mr. ck Scythe? Nice to meet you. I��m Captain Seo Tae-seok. I was the pilot of your trip to Nigeria.��

    ��Yes, I remember.��

    The captain had advised him to be careful uponnding in the dangerous region back then.

    ��I didn��t realize it at the time, but I��m sorry for overstepping. I didn��t know you were the famous ck Scythe����

    ��It��s alright. Thanks to you, I was able to stay cautious.��

    ��Are you off to do more good this time?��

    Ryu Min grinned behind his mask, though it wasn��t visible.

    ��Something like that. I��ll be counting on you again.��

    ��Of course! I��ll get you to your destination safely.��

    After shaking hands with the captain, Ryu Min settled into his first-ss seat.

    Thud��

    Before long, someone sat next to him. It was ve No. 1, Yamti.

    ��What about the others?��

    ��They��re all seated in the back.��

    Ryu Min and Yamti weren��t the only ones on the ne. ve No. 2, Ju Seong-tak, along with Heo Tae-seok, Eom Jun-seok, Min Juri, Seo Arin, and Jo Yong-ho, were also aboard. These key members of the Death Church were apanying Ryu Min on this mission to promote the church abroad.

    ��Now that I��ve absorbed all the domestic yers, it��s time to expand overseas.��

    The best way to control yers worldwide was to get them to join his organization.

    ��Even though I��ve framed it as a religion, the Death Church is still fundamentally a yer organization.��

    Rather than the small group known as yer Haven, yers would feel more of a sense of belonging if they joined a religion like the Death Church.

    ��I appreciate that everyone came on such short notice.��

    Though Heo Tae-seok and Eom Jun-seok, as the cult leader and cardinal, were obligated toe, the others had no real reason to join. Yet they had all willingly boarded the flight to America, and Ryu Min felt grateful for their loyalty.

    ��Shall I tell the crew we��re ready to depart?��

    ��Wait a moment. There��s someone I need to call first.��

    Ryu Min quickly dialed Christine.

    ��Is this ck Scythe?��

    Christine, who had received his number through Jeffrey, answered cheerfully.

    ��Yes, it��s me. It��s probably night where you are. Sorry for callingte.��

    ��No worries, it��s only 11 PM. It��s not toote. What��s going on?��

    ��I��m on a private jet heading to America. I thought you might want to join me in promoting the Death Church.��

    ��That��s a great idea! I��d love to guide you. I know where all the yers gather.��

    ��Thank you for agreeing so readily. Let��s meet at Das Fort Worth International Airport in 14 hours. You cane with Jeffrey.��

    ��With Jeffrey��?��

    She sounded a bit disappointed as if she had intended toe alone.

    ��The more, the merrier.��

    ��I see. Alright, I��ll meet you at the airport.��

    With Christine on board, everything was set.

    ��Now we can depart.��

    ��Yes, Mr. ck Scythe.��

    The ne slowly took off.

 Chapter 229 (Part 2)

    Chapter 229: The Delegation (Part 2)

    In a quiet chapel, Christine ended the call and set down her phone. She had been praying that her savior, ck Scythe, would call.

    ��Did Lord answer my prayer?��

    As she smiled quietly, a voice came from behind her.

    ��Who were you talking to with such a bright voice?��

    She turned to find her father, Nathan.

    ��What? Did you hear me?��

    ��You were speaking so loudly. Who was it?��

    ����It was ck Scythe.��

    At the mention of ck Scythe, Nathan��s face lit up. He knew well who the man was��the one who had saved his daughter��s life during the 11th round. As a father, he couldn��t think badly of him.

    ��You were on the phone with him at this hour?��

    ��Yes.��

    ��I didn��t know you were dating him.��

    ��Wh-what? Dating? Who said that?��

    Christine��s face turned bright red.

    ��I thought you were. I hope you are.��

    ��W-we��ve only just met! We��re not dating.��

    ��You had no problem dating that scum, Ma Kyung-rok.��

    ��That was because you pushed me into it.��

    ��Hmm, sorry about that. I clearly have no eye for people.��

    Nathan grimaced at the mention of Ma Kyung-rok, the man who had attempted to kill Christine to hide his crimes in a bid for session.

    ��If you had married that psycho, it would��ve been a disaster.��

    ��Exactly.��

    ��You never know a person��s true nature until it��s toote.��

    Nathan couldn��t stand to even mention Ma Kyung-rok��s name anymore. The psycho who had killed his own siblings for power, and nearly killed his daughter��just thinking about him filled Nathan with rage.

    In contrast, ck Scythe was theplete opposite.

    He had saved Christine without asking for anything in return, and now he was publicly dering his intent to save nations suffering under the rule of corrupt yers. If anyone was a saint, it was ck Scythe.

    ��You went to Korea two months ago trying to find ck Scythe but came back empty-handed. Now you��re in contact with him? This is promising����

    ��What are you talking about?��

    ��I��m saying you should make a move on ck Scythe. Opportunities like this don��te every day. Go for it!��

    ��Dad!��

    ��What? Don��t you like him? If you don��t, there��s always that prophet����

    ��Dad!��

    ��Haha, just kidding. So, why did ck Scythe call?��

    Christine exined the conversation to her father.

    ��He��s created a religion called the Death Church and is in America to promote it. He asked if I could help.��

    Christine watched Nathan carefully. Though it wasn��t an official religion, it was still asking for help from a different faith, and that worried her. But Nathan was surprisingly open-minded for a clergyman.

    ��Helping with promotion isn��t a bad thing. Even if it��s for another religion.��

    ��Really?��

    ��Yes. But I��m only allowing it because it��s ck Scythe. If it were anyone else, no sir!��

    ��You know ng?��

    ��I��ve been learning what young people say these days����

    ��Not even young people use that phrase anymore����

    Christine didn��t realize it, but Nathan was trying to change��to bridge the gap between himself and his daughter.

    ��We may not have much time left together, and I can��t waste it.��

    After nearly losing her, he had softened, not just toward her but toward the world as a whole.

    *

    [This is Captain Seo Tae-seok. We will soon be arriving at Das Fort Worth International Airport in Texas.]

    After a long 14-hour flight, Ryu Min and the Death Church delegation set foot on American soil.

    ��You��ll need to show your face to pass through.��

    The immigration officer blocked Ryu Min, who was still wearing his mask. Hispanions had already passed through, but there was no problem.

    ��Is this enough?��

    He showed his face only to the officer, concealing it from everyone else.

    Even if his face were exposed, there was no need to worry. He was using his alter ego, Lostyak, for security.

    ��Double protection, you could say.��

    After passing the inspection, Ryu Min rejoined his group.

    ��All clear. Let��s go.��

    As they exited the airport, Christine waved enthusiastically from afar.

    ��Mr. ck Scythe!��

    Beside her, Jeffrey, now Yamti��s subordinate, quietly nodded.

    ��You��re right on time.��

    ��Of course! I promised to guide you.��

    Christine saw this as an opportunity to repay a bit of the debt she owed him. But it wasn��t just a sense of duty that motivated her.

    ��I thought you��d be alone, but I see some familiar faces.��

    ��I didn��t have the confidence to promote it by myself.��

    Seeing therge group, Christine let out a quiet sigh of disappointment.

    ��You mentioned gathering yers for the Death Church, right? I know just the ce!��

    ��Sorry, but there��s a slight change.��

    ��What?��

    ��I came to the U.S. for some personal matters, too. Could you take the group ahead? I��ll join you after I finish.��

    ��O-okay����

    Christine��s disappointment was palpable, and she wasn��t the only one feeling it.

    ��Mr. ck Scythe, where are you going?��

    Seo Arin, who understood English, asked, drawing attention from Min Juri and the other members of the Death Church.

    ��I have something urgent to take care of.��

    ��I need to deal with the Messiah bastards.��

    Ryu Min smiled behind his mask.

    ��I��ll be back soon. Yamti, let��s go.��

    ��Why do you need Yamti��?��

    ��She��s needed for this task.��

    With that, they left, and Christine��s frustration turned into a sharp gaze. Seo Arin and Min Juri weren��t pleased either.

    ��Why do I feel like I��m being stared at��?��

    Feeling the ufortable pressure, Yamti quickly followed Ryu Min.

 Chapter 230 (Part 1)

    Chapter 230: Sniper (Part 1)

    ��Thank you for allowing me to join the Messiah. But I have to ask����

    Zhang Shu, who had been waiting at the location for the ck Scythe, suddenly felt a tinge of doubt.

    ��Will the ck Scythe reallye all the way to this distantnd in America?��

    ��He��lle. Whether with good intentions or bad. Most likely, with bad intentions.��

    ��What do you mean? If it��s bad, are you saying they��lle here to kill us?��

    Yang Chiwen didn��t deny his subordinate��s question.

    ��Yeah. They��ll probablye to kill us. The one who killed the other 12 Apostles won��t just leave us alone.��

    ��Then shouldn��t we get out of here? We need to run right now����

    ��Zhang Shu.��

    Yang Chiwen��s gaze turned cold as he looked at his subordinate.

    ��What are you doing acting like a coward? Since when do we, of the ck Society, fear death?��

    ��No, that��s not it. It��s just that our opponent is�� Well, wouldn��t it be better to avoid a meaningless death?��

    ��Hey, who said it��s meaningless? Didn��t you hear the n? Just getting the ck Scythe toe here means half the mission is a sess. We��ve been given a chance to smash his head.��

    ��Is that so��?��

    ��Don��t worry about it. All you need to do is stand with us and distract the ck Scythe. Dark Soul will handle the sniping.��

    ��I understand, boss.��

    Yang Chiwen patted Zhang Shu��s shoulder and extended his hand to the Spaniard next to him.

    ��Give me the radio.��

    ��Here you go.��

    Static noise

    Yang Chiwen turned on the radio and did a quick sound test.

    ��Can you hear me, Dark Soul?��

    -Loud and clear.

    ��Can you see us?��

    -I can see every detail, down to your nostrils.

    ��Cut the nonsense and focus on sniping. You won��t get a second chance if you miss.��

    -Don��t worry. If the target stands still, I��ll hit them 100% of the time.

    ��Good. We��ll make sure the ck Scythe is distracted, so shoot carefully.��

    -I said not to worry.

    Yang Chiwen let go of the radio, but his face still looked dissatisfied.

    ��To think our lives are in the hands of that Japanese bastard. It��s annoying.��

    ��What did you say?��

    ��Nothing.��

    Muttering in Chinese, Yang Chiwen handed the radio back to the Spaniard and checked the time.

    There were 10 minutes left until the scheduled time.

    ��Will they reallye?��

    Despite his confident words to his colleagues, Yang Chiwen wasn��t entirely sure the ck Scythe would show up.

    ��If it were me, I wouldn��te, knowing it��s a trap.��

    But the ck Scythe mighte anyway, precisely because they were confident enough to scoff at any trap.

    He had always been at the top, and his pride was high.

    ��Considering he took care of the 12 Apostles, it��s unlikely he��d leave any loose ends. It��s more likely he��lle. We can��t let our guard down.��

    Yang Chiwen looked at hisrades with a serious expression.

    ��Just a reminder: when the ck Scythe shows up, don��t get scared. Keep your eyes on him. If you look away, he��ll turn his attention elsewhere too.��

    ��You��re saying we should hold his attention as much as possible, so Dark Soul has a clear shot, right?��

    ��Exactly. The Spaniard will offer to surrender first and draw the ck Scythe��s attention. Act like you genuinely want to join him. If necessary, all three of us should even kneel to make him drop his guard. Got it?��

    ��Yes.��

    ��Understood.��

    ��Good. Now, brace yourselves. Today might be ourst.��

    Gulp

    The tension was palpable as they waited.

    And then, all three of them turned to look in one direction.

    Step Step

    A figure wearing a white mask and carrying a massive scythe was walking toward them.

    *

    When Dark Soul first became a sniper, the feeling was pure excitement.

    It was a job perfectly suited for him, especially since he was a fan of FPS games.

    ��Sniping is my calling. There��s nothing like the thrill of taking someone down with a single shot.��

    But in reality, it was a mess.

    At 26 years old, he was unemployed, living at home, and ying games all day.

    That was the real Dark Soul.

    No one saw him in a positive light��neither his family, nor his friends, nor society.

    ��Why do people look down on games when they��re more beneficial than smoking?��

    People constantly meddled in his life, even though he wasn��t harming anyone.

    ��It��s my life, so why do they have to interfere?��

    His motto was simple: you only live once, so why not enjoy life to the fullest, even if it��s short?

    People used him of making excuses, but he didn��t care.

    ��Why bother working hard? It��s not like I��ll ever catch up to those born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Better to spend less time trying and more time enjoying.��

    In the end, the world turned out just as Dark Soul had expected.

    The hard work of 1.8 billion people amounted to nothing, as they were all living on borrowed time now.

    Even though he had survived up to this point, Dark Soul knew it wasn��t because of talent��it was luck.

    ��But that luck might run out today.��

    If he missed his shot, if he failed to assassinate ck Scythe, that could be the end for him.

    ��Like I��d miss. I��m the number one-ranked yer in Japan. I��ve cracked countless skulls.��

    Sniping in Reality wasn��t like in the Otherworld, where you had to assemble the gun, ount for wind, distance, and bullet velocity, then take the shot carefully.

    All he needed to do was pull out the sniper rifle from his inventory, get into position, and lie down.

    The [Sniper��s Rune] would take care of the uracy.

    And if he fired from a prone position, his uracy would triple.

    No need to worry about wind or any of that nonsense like in the real world.

    ��As long as I line up the crosshairs, it��s a guaranteed hit, just like in a game.��

    There was still the matter of range, of course, but as long as he was within that limit, even a novice could hit the target.

    ��As long as I��m lying down, there��s no chance I��ll miss. Once he��s in my sights, I��ll pull the trigger and finish him off.��

    Combined with the [Pration] skill, which ignored defense, and the [Sure Shot] buff, he could punch a hole in anyone��s head.

    ��Bring it on, you Korean bastard. I��ll kill you in one shot.��

    He had no fear of retaliation.

    At 1 kilometer, the maximum range of his current sniper rifle, he could snipe the ck Scythe without any worry of counterattack.

    All he had to do was wait for the ck Scythe to show up and take him out.

 Chapter 230 (Part 2)

    Chapter 230: Sniper (Part 2)

    As he confidently peered through the scope, his radio crackled to life.

    He didn��t hear the voice, but he knew it was the Spaniard��s signal.

    They had agreed that a silent transmission would mean the ck Scythe had been sighted.

    ��There they are. Where?��

    Peering through the scope, he saw it.

    A figure in a white mask, carrying a massive scythe, was walking toward them.

    ��That��s the ck Scythe.��

    Though they had never met, Dark Soul instinctively knew that the figure was the infamous ck Scythe.

    They carried a scythe that was anything but ordinary, and their mask was exactly like the one from the media.

    Swallowing nervously, Dark Soul focused all his attention and tracked the ck Scythe��s movements through the scope.

    ��They��re within range. Once they stop moving, I��ll take the shot.��

    His buff skills were already active.

    Like in a game, once the crosshairs lined up, all he had to do was pull the trigger.

    The bullet would fly out with no recoil, and the ck Scythe would drop like a puppet with its strings cut.

    Even the ck Scythe couldn��t avoid it��they were still human.

    ��Breathe. Just one shot will settle this.��

    As he waited for the ck Scythe to stop walking.

    Thud

    The ck Scythe finally halted.

    ��Now!��

    Fwoosh!

    The moment the opportunity presented itself, Dark Soul��s finger moved without hesitation.

    Even he was impressed by his own quick reflexes.

    In an instant, the ck Scythe, caught in his scope, seemed to copse as their head burst open.

    ��D-did I�� kill him?!��

    Dark Soul��s face lit up with joy.

    ��I killed the ck Scythe! Haha! I did it! I killed him!��

    He zoomed in through the scope to confirm, and sure enough, the ck Scythey crumpled on the ground, a pool of blood forming around his head.

    The three Apostles were smiling as they looked at the body.

    Dark Soul felt a sense of pride, like a general who had in an enemymander.

    But then, a strange thought urred to him.

    ��Why hasn��t a message appeared? Shouldn��t I be the district leader now that I killed him?��

    Was it not possible to take over leadership by killing someone in the real world?

    He wasn��t sure, but one thing was certain: he had killed the infamous ck Scythe.

    ��It had always bothered me that this Korean guy took the top spot in the district rankings, but now that��s over. Hehe.��

    Dark Soul chuckled quietly to himself, but only for a moment.

    ��I found you.��

    A voice suddenly came from behind him, making him flinch. He quickly turned around, only to find his face stiffening in shock.

    Standing there was the ck Scythe,pletely unharmed.

    ��How�� How are you still alive?��

    ��How? Because you didn��t kill me.��

    It was at that moment that urgent voices crackled through the radio.

    -What happened? Dark Soul! The body suddenly disappeared! We clearly saw the blood spill and the ck Scythe copse, but now it��s like they��ve vanished into thin air! Hey, answer me! Why aren��t you saying anything��?

    Dark Soul couldn��t answer Yang Chiwen��s frantic voice. The body they imed had disappeared was now standing right in front of him, holding the scythe.

    ��If you don��t want to die, you��d better put down that gun. And don��t even think about trying anything stupid.��

    Dark Soul��s body stiffened at the threat.

    ��This guy�� His intuition is sharp.��

    He briefly considered firing off a quick no-scope shot, but quickly dismissed the idea. If this really was ck Scythe, no amount of resistance would make a difference.

    ��As long as you behave, I won��t kill you. Don��t worry.��

    ��W-What are you nning to do?��

    ��First, let��s go see your friends.��

    With a nod, Ryu Min gestured for Dark Soul to lead the way. Hesitantly, he started moving.

    ��What��s he thinking? He can��t seriously be nning to let me live. Is he going to gather everyone together and kill us all at once?��

    Dark Soul wondered if he should make ast stand and fight, but quickly rejected the idea.

    ��No, there might still be a chance. If my teammates and I work together, we could create an opening to escape.��

    Hisrades weren��t pushovers either. Even if they were going to die, they wouldn��t go down without a fight. And though Dark Soul didn��t want to die meaninglessly, he also wasn��t prepared to just surrender.

    ��I��ll bide my time and wait for an opening. When my team attacks, I��ll make a break for it.��

    With that desperate resolve, Dark Soul continued walking until they arrived at the alleyway where his teammates were waiting.

    There, standing quietly, were Yang Chiwen, Zhang Shu, and the Spaniard. Along with them was an unfamiliar woman.

    ��You��ve arrived, Master.��

    The woman bowed politely to the ck Scythe.

    Dark Soul wasn��t sure if she was speaking Korean or anothernguage, but he wasn��t too surprised. It wasn��t odd for someone as powerful as the ck Scythe to have an assistant.

    What was surprising, however, was that it wasn��t just the woman bowing.

    ��All hail the ck Scythe!��

    All of the Messiah members were bowing deeply to the ck Scythe.

    ��W-What��?��

    Dark Soul waspletely shocked by the unexpected scene. He began trembling with rage.

    ��Those traitors! They sold themselves out to the ck Scythe!��

    It was clear they had decided to grovel at the ck Scythe��s feet in order to survive.

    ��I knew it! These spineless bastards have no pride!��

    ��You��ll be just like them soon enough.��

    ��Huh?��

    Dark Soul sneered at the ck Scythe��s words, scoffing defiantly.

    ��Pah! You might kill me, but you��ll never control me, not my mind����

    ��Dominate.��

    With just one word from Ryu Min, Yamti, his servant, stepped forward.

    It didn��t take long for Dark Soul��s eyes to grow cloudy and distant.

    ��I am at your service, my master.��

    ��No, from now on, your master is the ck Scythe. Greet him.��

    ��I greet my new master.��

    Now under mental control, Dark Soul bowed deeply to Ryu Min.

    Looking down at him, Ryu Min let out a small smirk.

    And with that, the organization known as Messiah was no more.

 Chapter 231 (Part 1)

    Chapter 231: A Country Subjugated by Power (Part 1)

    Before his clone was shot and killed, Ryu Min was using his tracking skill to search for Dark Soul. The only Apostle who hadn��t shown up at the meeting spot was him, after all.

    ��As expected, it was a trap.��

    Dark Soul was positioned 1 kilometer away, preparing for a snipe.

    ��Thinking he can kill me with a mere sniper shot? He still hasn��t learned.��

    Ryu Min had hoped that reducing the number of Apostles from twelve to four would have made them understand the power disparity, but it was wishful thinking.

    ��They won��t listen until they��re on the verge of death.��

    If strength won��t work, there are other methods. One of them is using Yamti to turn them into ves.

    ��I��d like to use a duel challenge, but those prideful types wouldn��t ept. It��s a hassle anyway.��

    Ryu Min thought, knowing how convenient it was that she could dominate others just by locking eyes with them. That��s exactly why he brought Yamti along.

    ��Yamti, go and subdue them.��

    ��Um, Sir ck Scythe?��

    Yamti looked toward Yang Chiwen, his subordinate, and The Spaniard before speaking.

    ��There��s not enough space left to dominate all of them.��

    ��Who are you controlling right now?��

    ��The Chief of Police, Chairman of yer Haven, and Jeffrey. These three.��

    Yamti could control a total of five people, leaving only two more spots.

    ��Release the Chief of Police. The president is on our side now, so he��s no longer needed. The same goes for the Chairman of yer Haven; we��ve absorbed yer Haven��s members into the Church, so he��s unnecessary.��

    Renting a private jet might cost some money, but that was no concern. They could always ask the president, and Ryu Min himself had more than a trillion won at his disposal.

    ��Understood. What about Jeffrey��?��

    ��Leave him, just in case. It won��t be an issue to release his control, but better safe than sorry.��

    With the influence removed, four slots became avable again. Even with the limitation that a previously charmed target could not be re-charmed, it was a wise choice.

    ��I greet the master.��

    ��We greet our new master.��

    With the domination of Dark Soul, thest addition,plete, four of the Apostles knelt and paid their respects.

    ��Stand up. What would people think if they saw you like this?��

    Technically, they were Yamti��s subordinates, but since the authority had been delegated to Ryu Min, they obeyed his orders like ves.

    ��But, Master, what do you n to do with these guys now that they��re under control? Why not just kill them��?��

    Was Yamti feeling uneasy about the addition of more rivals?

    Ryu Min nced at Yamti��s displeased expression and responded.

    ��It would be pointless to kill them. There��s no gain for me in doing so. I��ll use them as much as I can before getting rid of them.��

    Killing them now would only reduce the number of avable survivors.

    He nned to keep as many yers alive as possible up to Round 15, so losing more yers now would be a problem. Though if there were tangible benefits to killing them, he might reconsider.

    ��Now that our objective isplete, let��s head back. You can all disperse for now. I don��t have any further orders at the moment.��

    ��Yes, Master.��

    ��And don��t call me ��Master�� in front of others.��

    ��Oh, understood. Then����

    The four Apostles bowed deeply before retreating.

    ��Yamti, let��s get going as well.��

    ��Yes.��

    As Ryu Min turned to leave, his phone vibrated. He nced at it to see a new email notification.

    ��Is the investigationplete?��

    The contents of the email were surprisingly brief.

    [Sender: Director of National Intelligence, Gwak Min-seok]

    ��Details: Please enter the secret code provided earlier to ess the secure document.

    ��Best of luck.

    He recalled receiving a twelve-digit code during his visit to the Blue House. The Chief of Staff had been shocked when he chose to memorize it instead of writing it down.

    ��291294719481.��

    Entering the twelve digits opened the secure page.

    1. Mexico

    ��Estimated yer count: ~90

    ��Rebel leader��s nickname: Gustavo

    ��First report: January 5, 2023, 21:29, phone call to the Korean Embassy (? Listen to call recording).

    ��Evidence: Sincest month, all trade has been blocked, with sea and air routes cut off. No news reports. Additionally, there is a recording from a local escapee (? Listen to testimony).

    2. Brazil

    ��Estimated yer count: ~130

    ��Rebel leader��s nickname: Dunga Dunga

    ��First report: January 5, 2023, 22:12, phone call to the Korean Embassy (? Listen to call recording).

    ��Evidence: Sincest month, all trade has been blocked, with sea and air routes cut off. No news reports.

    After swiftly reviewing the information, Ryu Min lifted his head. His destination was set.

    ��Have you received the report?��

    ��Yes.��

    ��Where are you heading?��

    ��To the nearest ce��Mexico.��

    ��In that case, I����

    ��No.��

    With a p��

    Wings unfurled from Ryu Min��s back.

    ��I��m going alone. Yamti, join up with the others and continue promoting the Church. Let them know why I can��t join them right now.��

    ��Understood, Master. Stay safe.��

    ��There��s nothing to worry about.��

    With a small chuckle, Ryu Min soared high into the sky. Yamti watched until he became just a ck speck, then turned to walk away.

    ��

 Chapter 231 (Part 2)

    Chapter 231: A Country Subjugated by Power (Part 2)

    Gustavo, a cartel member, often thought to himself:

    ��I��ll kill everyst member of this organization and take it over someday.��

    Even while being beaten under the guise of discipline by his superiors, Gustavo endured the life of the cartel, driven by ambition. He dreamed of reaching the top and living the life of leisure, surrounded by women, like the senior leaders.

    Despite being willing to do anything��looting, arson, murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking��he had remained at the bottom.

    Until the upheaval a year ago.

    ��P-please, spare me�� Ugh!��

    Gustavo smirked as he drove a knife into the heart of the man before him. The reason for this man��s death was simple:

    ��How dare he look straight into the eyes of Mexico��s number one?��

    Just the audacity of his gaze was enough.

    That alone justified the man��s death, especially since he was a mere ordinary civilian.

    ��Damn, got blood on my clothes. Disgusting. Hey, ve,e clean up this body.��

    ��Y-yes!��

    Since the upheaval of 2022, Gustavo had concealed his true nature and survived by any means necessary. As a result, he had recently risen to be Mexico��s number-one ranked yer, allowing him to put his long-held ns into action. He eliminated the superiors who tormented him and the old leaders, forming a new unitposed solely of yers��his own cartel.

    But that was only the beginning.

    After restructuring the organization, his first order of business was to seize control of the government. While there was resistance from the military, the oue was inevitable.

    A yer army, impervious to bullets, was not something regr soldiers could stand against.

    ��Mexico��s government is now under our control. I personally decapitated the president, burned his family alive, and purged all government officials. Mexico belongs to our organization now. There��s no hope for you inferior civilians.��

    This happened only a month ago. It was the actions of Gustavo, who had reached level 60. To the people of Mexico, it was a shocking turn of events.

    ��From now on, all media is under our control. Confiscate the citizens�� phones, cut off inte andmunication lines, and stop all broadcasts.��

    The reason for Gustavo��smand was clear: to transform the country into one ruled by force, wherews no longer mattered.

    But Gustavo��s tyranny didn��t end there.

    ��All civilians are now dered ves to the yers. You lowly beings will crawl whenmanded, and defiance against a yer means immediate execution.��

    It was the natural order in a world where the strong survived.

    To create a kingdom ruled solely by might, he needed to subjugate the civilians first.

    ��But who��s this��?��

    Gustavo��s eyesnded on a TV screen.

    [�� If any yer intoxicated by power is oppressing the innocent, stop immediately�� If you don��t, I will personallye and deliver justice.]

    ��Justice? Justice, they say?��

    Gustavo sneered as he read the tranted subtitles.

    A deration to destroy his kingdom, in and simple.

    ��F***ing monkey. You think you can challenge me?��

    Even if he knew the situation, it made himugh. There was no way it would work.

    ��It��s impossible to enter Mexico anyway.��

    With full control over the military, he had instructed them to shoot down any suspicious aircraft or ships.

    ��I have no ns for diplomacy anyway. All flights and ships are grounded.��

    Mexico had be apletely istednd, holding millions of hostages as leverage.

    In such a state, there was no way the so-called ��ck Scythe�� could enter Mexico. Even if he found out about the situation here, it wouldn��t change anything.

    ��Arrogant ck Scythe. How dare he talk about justice and retribution? This can��t be tolerated. I��ll soon mobilize the army and strike back at Korea. I��ll show him what happens when he messes with me.��

    There was no one in Mexico who could challenge him now. Both the cartel and the military were under his control.

    ��I am the king, and thisnd is mine.��

    Not even the ck Scythe could dare to invade his kingdom.

    Knock, knock��

    With a soft knock, someone entered the room.

    ��Mr. Gustavo, Mr. Dunga Dunga has arrived.��

    ��Oh, is it that time already?��

    Gustavo gestured to his assistant as he got up from his seat.

    ��Prepare a reception for our guest. Bring in twenty beautiful ves.��

    ��Understood.��

    As the assistant left, secretly cursing Gustavo under his breath, Dunga Dunga stepped into the room.

    ��Good to see you, Mr. Gustavo.��

    ��Wee, Mr. Dunga Dunga. I hope the journey wasn��t too taxing.��

    ��Oh, not at all. It��s a breeze when you have a private jet.��

    ��Please, have a seat.��

    Dunga Dunga chuckled as he sat down on the sofa, ncing naturally toward the TV.

    ��This is the speech from ck Scythe, isn��t it? I��vee regarding this very issue����

    Dunga Dunga��s expression grew serious.

    ��What do you think of his speech?��

    ��It��s nonsense. Not worth taking seriously.��

    ��Do you think it was directed at us?��

    ��Well, it��s possible, but even if he knows we��ve taken over the government, it changes nothing.��

    ��Do you have a n?��

    ��A n? What for? He won��t make it past our defenses before getting blown out of the sky.��

    ��True, with your orders to shoot down any unauthorized aircraft or vessels, we don��t have much to worry about.��

    ��Exactly. We just need to stay here and enjoy ourselves with the ves.��

    Just then, a loud noise interrupted their conversation.

 Chapter 232 (Part 1)

    Chapter 232: Gustavo (Part 1)

    Knock, knock��

    With a knock, the door opened, and a group of ves entered.

    They were called ��ves,�� but not long ago, they had been free women with families.

    Now, they had be widows, with neither husband nor child.

    ��These are the carefully selected ves in their early 30s. They��re so well-maintained that they could be mistaken for being in their 20s, making them more than suitable for your enjoyment.��

    ��Heh, as I��ve always thought, you and I, Gustavo, are on the same wavelength. Even without me saying a word, you know exactly what I want. Hahaha.��

    With bloodshot eyes glimmering, Dungadunga got up from his seat and approached one of the women he fancied.

    ��Sniff, sniff. Hoo����

    ������.��

    He sniffed around the necks of each woman, like a bee smelling flowers, but none of them dared to express displeasure.

    They just stood still like mannequins.

    They had to.

    Even a slight misstep could mean they would follow their husbands to the grave.

    ��Ho, they��re obedient like well-trained dogs. Not a frown in sight.��

    ��Of course. Who can stand against power? When their family is killed before their eyes, they fall in line.��

    ��Haha, this is good, isn��t it? Being able to control other humans as you wish.��

    ��How could they be considered the same as us? They��re merely regr people who weren��t chosen.��

    ��Hahaha, true. We yers are the ones truly chosen, superior humans.��

    ��That��s why Brazil should implement a ve system quickly. Does it make sense for regr people and yers to be treated equally?��

    ��Now that you mention it, you��re right. I��ve taken over the country, but I never thought about enving them�� As soon as I return, I��ll round up all the regr people. Hahaha.��

    Seemingly pleased just by the thought, Dungadunga brought over a woman he liked and had her sit next to him.

    ��Now, let��s have some drinks served by a Mexican ve. Pour!��

    ��Yes����

    She couldn��tin about pouring drinks for him.

    Just being alive was a miracle in itself.

    ��Hey! What are you standing around for? Our guest came from afar, so start massaging his arms and legs.��

    ��Yes����

    At Gustavo��smand, the other women, hiding their fear, approached.

    As he sat on the sofa and received a full-body massage, Dungadunga��s expression grewnguid.

    ��Heh, is this heaven? Even back home, I never received such treatment. I truly appreciate it.��

    ��If you��re grateful, send some Brazilian ves our way next time. The younger, the better. Preferably under 14 years old����

    ��Oh, that��s your preference?��

    Gustavo nodded, and Dungadungaughed in amusement.

    ��Hahaha! Sure thing. If I receive, I must also give. It��s good that our tastes don��t ovep.��

    ��That��s right. Hehe.��

    Gustavo, with a satisfied smile, turned off the TV showing the image of the ck scythe.

    As if the mere sight disgusted him.

    ��Now then, shall we get down to business?��

    ��Let��s do that.��

    The two men drank together for a while and discussed their future ns.

    ��Even though the media is under control, it��s only a matter of time before the coup is revealed. You can��t hold sand in your palm forever.��

    ��I agree. That��s why we need to prepare for it.��

    ��How about this? Let��s form an alliance to counter potential invasions from other countries. A union of states like ours, without a central government, would be quite strong, wouldn��t it?��

    ��Gustavo, you��re truly brilliant. The ve system, this alliance��you��re right. There��s nothing more reassuring than helping each other in times of danger.��

    ��This is a secret, but I��ve heard rumors that there are movements in India and China to establish independent nations.��

    ��In India and China?��

    ��Yes. They n to create independent states like ours, ruled by force. I even know a few of the key yers behind it.��

    ��Really? That��s high-level information.��

    ��They��re probably hesitating because of the speech by the ck Scythe, unsure whether to go through with forming their independent states. If we extend a helping hand to them first, it could be a great way to bring them into our alliance. What do you think?��

    ��That��s an excellent idea. The ck Scythe��s speech is proving useful in uniting us. Hahaha!��

    As heughed heartily and downed his drink, Dungadunga suddenly had a thought.

    ��Hm, but you know, isn��t there another way?��

    ��What other way?��

    ��Do we really need to be enemies with the ck Scythe? If possible, it would be best to bring him to our side, wouldn��t it?��

    ��He openly provoked yers in a public forum. Do you think someone like that would cooperate?��

    ��It doesn��t hurt to try����

    Gustavo suddenly stood up, causing the woman who had been pouring drinks beside him to scream and fall over.

    ��That bastard talks about justice, kills KF, and even deres war on us. He��s not the type to listen to reason����

    Drip��

    A cold sensation spread across his feet.

    He looked down to see that the liquor bottle the woman dropped had spilled its contents on his feet.

    ��You little b��!��

    Feeling irritated, Gustavo grabbed the woman��s hair and lifted her up.

    ��Aaah!��

    ��I spared you because you��re a woman, and you can��t even pour a simple drink properly?��

    ��Ow, it hurts, please let me go����

    ��A ve talking back?��

    Hearing the murderous tone, the woman realized her mistake toote.

    Instead of begging for forgiveness, she had been thinking only of the pain.

    ��I-I��m sorry. Sob, it��s my mistake. I truly apologize, aagh!��

    As he threw her to the floor, clumps of her hair came out.

    ��Damn it, lick it up.��

    He extended his foot, and the woman, with tears in her eyes, crawled over.

    It was humiliating, but she was relieved to be alive.

    Rumors said that Gustavo had killed over a truckload of people just for having an ��annoying look.��

    But she didn��t know about the other rumor��how he turns sadistic when dealing with women.

    ��No, this isn��t enough.��

    Gustavo, retracting his foot, turned to Dungadunga.

    ��May I ask you a favor?��

    ��A favor?��

    ��I��d like to punish this ungrateful wench, but as you can see, I prefer younger ones.��

    ��Ah.��

    Dungadunga understood immediately and smiled wickedly.

    Seeing this, Gustavo also curled up his lips into a grin.

    There was no need for a verbal response.

    That greedy smile was all the confirmation he needed.

    ��Your master has ordered me to punish you. Come here, I��ll personally administer your punishment. Hahaha.��

    ��Aaah!��

    Dungadunga pinned the woman to the floor.

    ��I��m sorry, I��m sorry. Sob, please forgive me.��

    ��Shhh, stay still. You��ll get hurt if you struggle.��

    Dungadunga began to undress, intending to assault the woman.

    At that moment��

    Crash!

 Chapter 232 (Part 2)

    Chapter 232: Gustavo (Part 2)

    Dungadunga began to undress, intending to assault the woman.

    At that moment��

    Crash!

    The door suddenly shattered, making everyone in the room turn their heads.

    ��Who the��?��

    Dungadunga, annoyed by the interruption, soon found his expression changing to one of surprise.

    Gustavo��s face wasn��t much different.

    They recognized the person standing in front of them.

    ��The ck Scythe��?��

    The figure entering was the same one they had seen on TV, the ck Scythe.

    It was a shock for them, who believed that no one could get past their missile defense system.

    ��How did you get here����

    Before he could finish his sentence��

    Boom!

    Dungadunga��srge body was mmed into the wall.

    ��������

    Gustavo��s face twisted in confusion.

    He hadn��t even seen how or when the ck Scythe moved.

    He couldn��tprehend what just happened.

    All he saw was Dungadunga being thrown into the wall in a sh.

    ��Dungadunga, Brazil��s second-ranked yer, defeated in a single blow��?��

    Stiffly, Gustavo turned his head.

    ��Are you alright?��

    ��Yes? Yes����

    The ck Scythe was helping up the woman who had been pinned down by Dungadunga.

    He didn��t even spare a nce at Gustavo.

    ��Arrogant. How dare he turn his back on me?��

    He thought he��d teach the ck Scythe a lesson for letting his guard down, but he couldn��t.

    ��Huh? Why can��t I grab my weapon?��

    There was no sensation in his hands.

    When he looked down, his face turned pale.

    His hands, which should have been there, were gone.

    ��Gah!��

    Pain surged through him, but he couldn��t clutch his severed wrists, as both his hands had been cleanly cut off.

    Seeing his severed hands on the floor, Gustavo couldn��t believe it.

    He had been attacked before he even noticed.

    It all felt unreal.

    ��How could this happen? He was clearly facing the other way����

    ��You don��t have to face someone to attack them.��

    The ck Scythe answered as if reading his thoughts, shocking Gustavo once again.

    The ck Scythe��s shadow seemed to dance, and two des of darkness floated into the air.

    There wasn��t even the sound of them cutting through the wind.

    Thunk, thunk!

    He only heard the sound of des sinking into his knees.

    Thud

    Gustavo was forced to his knees, while Ryu Min turned to the women.

    ��Everyone, please leave. I need to have a private conversation with this guy.��

    The women hurriedly fled.

    ��You damn ves����

    Even though I��m in this state, they obey the ck Scythe without hesitation?

    Feeling humiliated, Gustavo shouted.

    ��Stop! If any of you run away, I��ll make sure to find and kill you! I remember all your faces!��

    At that threat, the women froze at the door.

    No one could ignore Gustavo��s words lightly.

    They had already suffered enough under his cruelty.

    ��Come back here, you damn b��!��

    As Gustavo urged them, the women hesitated and seemed about to return.

    Just then, the ck Scythe stood between them, speaking in a calm voice that contrasted sharply with Gustavo��s growl.

    ��There��s no need to return. Don��t worry, go home. He won��t survive after today.��

    ��Bullshit. Do you think my men will just stand by and do nothing? The moment you step outside, they��ll all kill you!��

    ��Don��t worry about that either. Every yer in the vicinity has already been killed.��

    ��What?��

    Gustavo��s eyes widened in disbelief, even more so than the women��s.

    ��You killed all my men? That��s a lie!��

    ��I counted 129 in total. That sounds right?��

    ��������

    His silence was an unspoken confirmation.

    Ryu Min��s words weren��t lies.

    ��Even if it means fewer survivors, it��s better to eliminate uncontroble trash.��

    Beforeing here, Ryu Min had killed all 129 cartel members under Gustavo��smand.

    They weren��t innocent yers forced to submit to power but instead were scum who delighted inmitting crimes.

    Even if they were spared, they wouldn��t reform; they��d cause more trouble like wild beasts.

    If they couldn��t be controlled, it was better to dispose of them early to prevent future problems.

    ��You killed my men quietly, without a sound��?��

    ��Hurry and go. Leave this ce to me.��

    At Ryu Min��s urging, the ves quickly made their escape.

    Only Ryu Min, Dungadunga, and Gustavo remained in the now-empty room.

    ��You, you����

    Shaking with uncontroble rage, Gustavo forced a smirk.

    ��I don��t know how you avoided the missile defense system and got here, but you won��t get any information from me. I��m not one to talk. Neither is Dungadun����

    Stab!

    Gustavo fell silent, unable to finish his sentence.

    He saw the ck Scythe stab Dungadunga, who was still pinned against the wall.

    ��W-what? You��re just killing him like that? Without asking anything?��

    He had thought the ck Scythe kept him alive to interrogate him for information.

    He thought that was why the women had been sent out.

    ��Nope.��

    Seeing the ck Scythe reply as if reading his thoughts again, Gustavo stared in disbelief.

    ��Are you�� reading my mind?��

    ��Yeah.��

    The ck Scythe admitted it bluntly.

    Gustavo��s face twisted further in shock.

    ��H-how is that possible?��

    ��It doesn��t matter how. Why would a soon-to-be-dead man need to know?��

    ��Aren��t you going to extract information? Didn��t you spare me because you had questions?��

    ��I don��t need to ask. I already read everything I needed from your mind.��

    ��Then why did you let the women����

    ��Why did I let them go?��

    As he spoke, Ryu Min��s scythe pierced Gustavo��s heart.

    ��Gah����

    He trembled for a moment before his head drooped.

    Ryu Min smirked at the lifeless body.

    ��Because it would be a problem if they saw me killing you.��

    With a simple motion, he disposed of the corpse, erasing any trace of it.

    Ryu Min removed his mask, and his appearance slowly transformed into that of Gustavo.

    ��Now, let��s start filming, shall we?��

 Chapter 233 (Part 1)

    Chapter 233: National Prestige (Part 1)

    ��As of this moment, I, ��Gustavo,�� dere an end to my dictatorship and surrender to the ��ck Scythe.�� The ve system is abolished, and all restrictions onmunication, trade routes, and other suppressions will be lifted. I pledge never to appear before the public again, as an act of penance for my past actions.��

    An unbelievable scene yed out on the TV screen that had remained dark until now.

    The dictator Gustavo, who had held Mexico under his thumb, announced that he would step down voluntarily.

    He even apologized.

    ��Is this�� real?��

    ��That looks like his real face, but����

    ��Is he lying to trick us again?��

    People were too afraid to believe it so easily.

    Would a monster who had ruled through terror really give up his power so easily?

    But it didn��t take long for their doubts to turn into belief.

    Not only was TV broadcasting normally again, butmunication and the inte were active, and families who had been dragged away like ves returned home.

    Most importantly, the yers��agents of terror who suppressed everyone��had vanished from the streets.

    It was as if they had collectively migrated somewhere.

    ��Wow, did things really go back to normal?��

    ��Did Gustavo and the yers really just go into hiding?��

    No one knew where they had gone, but one thing was clear.

    The citizens had regained their freedom, thanks to none other than the ��ck Scythe�� mentioned in the broadcast.

    ��

    [The ck Scythe liberates six nations including Mexico, Brazil, India, and China within a week.] [The ck Scythe has truly done it! Citizens from various countries express their gratitude��]* [The hero who saved nations in crisis, known as the ck Scythe.]* [President Yoon: If any other nations are ruled through force, we will continue to save them.] [The ck Scythe, who saved millions, demands nothing in return��]

    Articles poured in.

    Media around the world raced to report on the heroic actions of the ck Scythe.

    The inte trolls who had mocked him as arrogant until now had a change of heart.

    ��Wow�� he actually did it. A true hero. ��This is a real boost to our nation��s prestige. ��Shouldn��t he get a medal for this? ��Forget the medal, put the ck Scythe in parliament! ��I��m a Korean living in Germany, and thanks to the ck Scythe, Korea��s image has greatly improved. Truly, thank you. ��But were there really countries oppressed by yers like that? ��A few days ago, people were scoffing, saying there��s no such thing, and now they��re nowhere to be found. ��The trolls who criticized the ck Scythe are hiding like cockroaches, aren��t they? ��I��m proud that the ck Scythe is Korean. ��The ck Scythe is an angel! The ck Scythe is an angel! The ck Scythe is an angel! The ck Scythe is an angel! ��The ck Scythe is a legend. It��s incredible how he��s willing to sacrifice so much for others. ��What��s so great about this that everyone is praising him? If I had power, I��d help people too. ��The guymenting from his basement who probably picks his nose while typing would surely do that. ��LOL, loser. ��It might seem easy, but fighting evil while risking your life is really hard. Respect. ��I always believed that the ck Scythe would use his power for the right reasons. ��Check hisment history; he used to be a troll. Don��t believe him. ��LOL, look at how they change their tune now that he��s saving countries. ��Trolls are disgusting. ��But how did he make them record those videos? Did he threaten them with a gun if they didn��t cooperate? ��yers who dodge bullets? He probably used his scythe to threaten them. ��He should��ve just killed them, why even bother with threats�� ��He probably recorded the video and then killed them. No way he��d let them live. ��They deserved to die. Both the leaders and their followers. ��Recording those videos was a good move. It clearly shows their surrender and serves as proof. Plus, it boosted our national standing a lot. It��s a monumental achievement. ��True. It��s like he became a world-saving hero.

    ��A hero, huh.��

    Ryu Min chuckled dryly and put his phone back in his pocket.

    ��Well, it��s not a bad feeling.��

    Just a week ago, he had been criticized for being arrogant, but now he was praised as a hero.

    It made sense, considering he had acted as a vignte, saving countless lives.

    ��They say it was difficult, but it wasn��t that hard.��

    How does one reim a country from those who seize power through force?

    The answer was simple.

    ��Just take it back by force.��

    By using superior strength, he eliminated the leaders and every coborator involved in the coup.

    But instead of using their corpses as proof, he made them surrender.

    How?

    ��Just like with Gustavo, kill them, transform into them, and record a video.��

    With his Assassin��s Mask, Ryu Min could transform into the yers he killed.

    Manipting things to this extent wasn��t difficult.

    ��And gathering information was easy by reading their thoughts.��

    He had even learned the nicknames of the leaders nning to create independent states in China and India by reading Gustavo��s mind.

    Like the others, those leaders died first, leaving behind videos of their submission.

    ��After that, I liberated two more countries, leaving videos for the world to see.��

    In the past week alone, Ryu Min had killed nearly 400 yers.

    They were all criminals, necessary to save the six countries.

    ��All the countries that needed saving have been saved.��

    Since there were no more reportsing in, he was confident of this.

    ��But that doesn��t mean I��m going to stop.��

    He had told the president to inform him immediately if any more reports came in.

    After all, there might be countries he wasn��t aware of.

    ��If another country calls for help?��

    Ryu Min was ready to act as a champion of justice whenever needed.

    It wasn��t just about raising his own worth or bing a hero.

    It was to prevent a dystopian world and reduce the number of yers victimized by criminal yers.

    ��If I take the lead, I can prevent future crimes.��

 Chapter 233 (Part 2)

    Chapter 233: National Prestige (Part 2)

    Ryu Min had openly dered his intention to curb yer crime and put those words into action.

    Hearing the rumors, other criminals would naturally hide like turtles.

    ��For those criminals who don��t listen, you have to use the stick.��

    Thew didn��t work on yers who had stepped outside human boundaries.

    The only way to control them was to subdue them with even greater power.

    In the world of yers, the strong ruled.

    Just like Ryu Min was doing now.

    ��yer crime has beenrgely resolved. Now, it��s about holding out with the remaining yers.��

    Of course, not all yers could be saved.

    Every round, half of them would inevitably be discarded.

    ��So, I need to surround myself with people I can trust, like the ones here.��

    Before Ryu Min stood a long line of people from various nationalities��Americans, Canadians, Argentinians, Brits, Spaniards, and French.

    They were all yers who hade to join the Death Church.

    The rescue missions from the past week had attracted even more.

    ��I need to make sure only the trustworthy ones join the church.��

    Skill was important, but what mattered most was whether they could be trusted with their backs turned.

    The final round required a party of five or more for the boss room, after all.

    ��ck Scythe.��

    As Christine approached, Ryu Min rose from his seat. A familiar face stood beside her��Nathan.

    ��This is my father. He��s a clergyman of this hall.��

    ��Hello, I am ck Scythe.��

    Ryu Min bowed his head, offering a formal Korean-style greeting. A smile appeared on Nathan��s lips.

    ��I am Nathan Craig. I��ve heard so much about you from my daughter that I��ve been wanting to meet you.��

    The two shook hands.

    It might have seemed like their first meeting, but they had actually met before in Korea.

    ��Back then, I was in my Prophet persona.��

    Ryu Min, smiling behind his mask, spoke more gently than usual.

    ��Thank you for letting us use this ce for the interviews.��

    ��Haha, not at all. You saved my daughter, so this is the least I could do.��

    ��But still, letting us use a space for a different religion��s recruitment event��isn��t that a bit bold? Wouldn��t God be displeased?��

    ��Not at all. The scripture says, ��Obey and submit to those who guide you.�� ck Scythe, you have guided and saved many people. You might find it burdensome, but I even think of you as a reincarnation of a divine being.��

    ��A divine being? That��s far from the truth.��

    ��But haven��t you saved countless people?��

    ��I simply did what was necessary, as someone with power.��

    ��You possess skill, character, and humility�� It��s almost tempting to invite you to our congregation rather than the Death Church. Hahaha!��

    Christine, who had been watching their conversation, let out a sigh of relief.

    She had been worried that their personalities might not align.

    After all, ck Scythe often spoke in a stern and authoritative tone, while her father had a rather rigid nature.

    ��But it seems I worried for nothing. ck Scythe is speaking more gently than usual, and Father is being amodating.��

    As she pondered how well the conversation was going, she suddenly heard something startling.

    ��By the way, are you married? Do you have a partner?��

    ��No, I don��t.��

    ��Haha, that��s perfect. My daughter is also single, so would you consider�� seeing her?��

    ��Father! What are you saying? You��re embarrassing me!��

    With his daughter��s outburst, Nathan had no choice but to stop.

    ��Ahem, anyway, I��ll leave my daughter in your care. Now then����

    As Nathan left, Christine hastily tried to smooth things over.

    ��P-Please don��t mind my father. He sometimes says things like that as a joke. You know, American-style humor, right? Hahaha����

    ��I don��t mind.��

    ������

    Strangely, when he said he didn��t mind, it left Christine feeling a bit disappointed.

    ��I-I see. Of course, you wouldn��t mind. ck Scythe surely has other�� I mean, never mind.��

    Christine bit her lip and trailed off awkwardly.

    ��She��s misunderstanding something.��

    Ryu Min, thinking it would be better to clear up the misunderstanding, continued.

    ��It seems like you think that because I spend a lot of time with Yamti, we have some sort of rtionship, but that��s absolutely not the case.��

    ��Is that true?��

    ��Of course. I bring her along because her abilities are useful for certain tasks. There��s no personal attachment involved.��

    ��Oh����

    It was just a misunderstanding.

    Christine��s heart felt a little lighter.

    ��So, don��t make any unnecessary assumptions.��

    ��I understand.��

    Having cleared things up so directly made Christine feel a sense of relief like a weight had been lifted.

    ��Well, it��s time for the interviews. Let��s get to it.��

    Ryu Min faced the people lined up in the hall, conducting one-on-one interviews.

    The questions were simple, only three in total:

    ��Why do you want to join the Death Church?��

    ��I respect ck Scythe.��

    ��Do you have any criminal record?��

    ��No, I have lived an honest life.��

    ��Lastly, can you promise not to leak any information provided by the Death Church?��

    ��Of course. I��m known for being tight-lipped.��

    As Ryu Min listened to their answers, he delved into their true thoughts.

    ��He��s sincere. No issues with his character either.��

    After considering everything, he announced his decision on the spot.

    ��epted. Wee to the Death Church.��

    ��Thank you! Thank you, ck Scythe-nim!��

    In this manner, he allowed anyone with good character to join, regardless of their skill level.

    As a result, the number of Death Church followers steadily increased.

    It soon reached 400 people.

    ��Not a bad oue.��

    Although he wouldn��t be able to take all 400 into the final round, they would still benefit from being part of the Death Church*

    They would gain early knowledge of the next round.

    Satisfied with the results, Ryu Min finished the recruitment and returned to Korea with the delegation.

    The week-long trip to America concluded sessfully.

    And after three weeks of peace, the 14th round began.

 Chapter 234 (Part 1)

    Chapter 234: The Start of the 14th Round (Part 1)

    As soon as it turned midnight on February 1st, a vast in spread out before Ryu Min��s eyes.

    ��It��s been a while since I��ve seen a in.��

    It felt like a long time because he had been starting in grayscale spaces more often recently.

    ��Let��s first check the special reward I pickedst time.��

    When he looked at his skill window, there was a reward granted for this round only.

    [Temporary Skill �C Invincibility]

    �C Effect: Upon use, you be immune to all damage. The duration is 60 seconds, and the skill can only be used once.

    The invincibilitysts for one minute.

    For a temporary skill, that��s pretty long.

    ��The problem is that it��s a one-time use skill.��

    Since it could only be used once, he had to be cautious about when to use it.

    Of course, Ryu Min already knew exactly when and against whom he would use it.

    ��I��ll use this toplete the sub-quest and obtain the Rune of Devouring. Unless something unexpected happens.��

    The ��unexpected�� he was referring to were the ��angels.��

    Ryu Min had already killed four out of the seven Archangels so far.

    Even without confirmation, the angels in heaven must be gnashing their teeth, seeking revenge.

    Surely, they would send another Archangel to assassinate him in this round.

    ��Who will they send? Only the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd remain. Maybe the 2nd or 3rd? Or perhaps all three?��

    There was a chance that this round could pose a real threat.

    No matter how powerful he had be, he couldn��t guarantee that he could defeat all three Archangels.

    ��If ites to it, I��ll have to give up the sub-quest and use the invincibility.��

    Of course, he would only use it if things seemed genuinely dangerous after facing them a few times.

    ��Come at me whenever you want.��

    While folding his arms and waiting, more yers began to appear on the in.

    There were about 4,000 of them.

    At first nce, it seemed like arge number, but this was the total number of remaining yers in the entire world.

    ��After this round, only half of them will survive. In the next round, that number will be reduced by another quarter.��

    It was a bleak situation, but even Ryu Min couldn��t prevent the dwindling number of yers.

    Unless he became the creator of the game.

    [Hello, humans. Wee to the 14th round!]

    As the group of yers finished gathering, an angel appeared, radiating cheerfulness.

    [There were 4,997 survivors in thest round, right? Now there are only 4,608. That��s a loss of 389 people!]

    The angel expressed surprise, but the yers didn��t react much.

    They already knew why the numbers had decreased, thanks to the news.

    ��They all know by now. That I��m the one who killed them.��

    Everyone was aware that the ck Scythe hadpletely wiped out the criminal yers.

    Everyone, except the angel.

    [Why did the numbers drop? Did you kill each other off trying to steal items? How foolish!]

    When the number of survivors decreased, the avable slots for survival also reduced.

    The angel was mocking the yers for this reason, but Ryu Min had no regrets about killing the criminals.

    ��If I hadn��t killed them, it would have caused even more damage.��

    If Ryu Min hadn��t saved the nations in crisis?

    The dystopia would have elerated, and the world wouldn��t have been able to escape the spiral of despair.

    The criminal yers would have be even more arrogant,mitting all sorts of atrocities.

    The number of innocent civilians sacrificed in the process would have been countless.

    ��It��s a relief I dealt with those scum now. If I had left them alone, the stench of their rotting corruption would have been unbearable.��

    Of course, he could have chosen to kill them in the otherworld after learning their nicknames.

    That way, the number of survivors wouldn��t have decreased.

    ��But then, I wouldn��t be getting the hero��s treatment like I am now.��

    It wasn��t for attention that he publicly warned and dealt with the criminals.

    It was to raise the profile of the ck Scythe and increase its reputation.

    To show yers around the world what happens if youmit crimes.

    ��So in the 15th round, they��ll obediently follow my lead. Just like now, as they look at me with those eyes.��

    ncing around, the yers looking at him had distinct expressions in their eyes.

    A mixture of awe and fear.

    And that was only natural.

    Even regr civilians viewed the ck Scythe as a hero, so how much more fearful would the yers be?

    ��Of course, they��re afraid of me. They should be afraid.��

    Just a nce from him was enough to make people freeze or avert their gaze.

    Some, pricked by their guilty conscience, even fled the scene in fear.

    [Anyway, it doesn��t matter. If the numbers are low, that��s your loss, not mine. Now let me exin the 14th-round quest.]

    The angel, who had been smirking, fluttered her wings, and a message appeared.

    ��

    ? ROUND 14 ?

    <main>

    �C Survive through a total of 10 monster waves.

    [Unified Area CA-EA001]

    �C Participants: 4,608

    �C Survivors: 0/2,304

    ��

    ��Monster waves?��

    The yers�� faces were mostly calm as they looked at the quest.

    They had already experienced simr missions before.

    ��Is it a mission where we just have to endure, like in the 3rd round?��

    ��We just need to survive, right?��

    In the 3rd round, the mission was to protect a relic during five waves of monsters.

    In this round, the mission seemed to be a simple one: survive through ten waves of monsters.

    ��But you can��t let our guard down.��

    There was always an additional rule, but angels loved to keep yers in the dark about it.

    They would probably tease them, saying it was easy.

    Just like now.

    [This round is simple: you just need to survive 10 waves of monsters. That��s it. Isn��t it easy?]

    The angel smiled brightly, but no yer was deceived by her grin.

    ��It wouldn��t be the first time we got stabbed in the back by taking her words at face value.��

    [Monsters will appear every 30 minutes, proportional to the number of yers. At first, they will be weak, but as time goes on, stronger monsters will emerge.]

    ��Angel! What happens if we can��t clear the monsters within 30 minutes?��

    Someone asked, and the angel grinned slyly.

    *[It��s simple. When 30 minutes pass, the next wave of monsters will appear. It doesn��t matter whether the previous wave��s monsters are still alive or not. The next wave starts as soon as the time is up.]*

    ��Ah�� So we have to clear each wave within 30 minutes.��

    ��Otherwise, the monsters will just keep piling up.��

    [That��s right. If you can��t clear them quickly, you��ll be overwhelmed by the next wave of monsters. Who knows? This entire in might end up filled with monsters.]

    The key to this mission was to defeat the monsters as quickly as possible.

    [There might be some foolish humans who think they can survive by running away from the monsters. For those people, I��ve prepared something special. Look around you.]

    When they looked around, they noticed a translucent dome-shaped barrier surrounding the in.

    [We��ve blocked all routes of escape with a protective barrier. Think of it like a diatorial arena.]

    It was as if the angel was sneering at them, telling them not to even dream of running away.

    ��Surviving together through 10 waves of monsters, huh����

    ��So are we all one big party?��

    Hearing someone mutter, the angel snapped her fingers as if she had been waiting for that question.

    [Good point. Yes, for this round, you��re all considered part of the same party. Experience points and gold will be distributed based on the number of yers. However, final rewards will be calcted after all waves are over, based on individual contributions, so keep that in mind.]

    ��How will the rankings be determined?��

    [The rankings will also be based on contributions. Your contribution points will be tallied, and those with the highest points will be ced on the survivor list.]

    The ranking was based on contribution?

    That meant yers had to kill as many monsters as possible or contribute significantly to their defeat.

    </main>

 Chapter 234 (Part 2)

    Chapter 234: The Start of the 14th Round (Part 2)

    The ranking was based on contribution?

    That meant yers had to kill as many monsters as possible or contribute significantly to their defeat.

    ��It��s a round that clearly favors those with power. Like me.��

    For Ryu Min, who could kill dozens of monsters with just a few swings of his scythe, umting contribution points was not a difficult task.

    It was practically guaranteed that he would be ranked first again in this round.

    ��But I can��t hog all the contribution points for myself. I need to leave enough for the others.��

    If he wanted to, he could wipe out hundreds or thousands of monsters on his own.

    But that would reduce the contribution points avable to others, and hispanions might not survive.

    ��I can��t let that happen. At least, I have to make sure the Death Church members get their share.��

    Ryu Min had already informed his followers about the nature of this round and the strategies for each wave.

    He had even distributed equipment he wasn��t using, so they wouldn��t have trouble earning contribution points.

    [We��ll begin the quest shortly, so make sure you��re ready!]

    ��What��s there to prepare? We could start right now.��

    Ryu Min tilted his head, but didn��t think much of it.

    He didn��t realize the angel had other ns.

    Nor did he notice the hostile gaze directed at his back.

    *

    When do people feel that life is unfair?

    Is it when they see rich people spending money as if it were water, realizing the gap between them?

    When someone else gets promoted faster because of their connections with the boss?

    Or when they��re forced to submit to greater power and violence?

    Many situations could apply, but they could all be condensed into one truth:

    When you��re powerless.

    ��It��s because I don��t have power that I get trampled on��whether it��s money, authority, or violence.��

    [SoSo Food Show] had already experienced being trampled.

    By the president of yer Haven.

    ��That bastard deserves to be torn apart. How could he cast me out just for one mistake?��

    Once a key executive who handled major events for yer Haven, it was all in the past now.

    Now, SoSo Food Show was cklisted and unable to ess the site.

    All because of a singlement made nine months ago.

    �C So why did the ck Scythe go silent after applying?

    �C Maybe it was never the real ck Scythe in the first ce?

    �C An impostor�� Yeah, that makes sense.

    �C Come to think of it, why would someone as big as the ck Scythe want to join a site like this��?

    �C SoSo Food Show, did you just say ��a site like this��? What exactly do you mean by that? What��s wrong with our site?

    �C SoSo Food Show, as of now, you��re dismissed from your executive position. You will also be cklisted, so you��d better learn to adapt when the new eraes.

    After being ruthlessly kicked out during a video conference by the yer Haven president, SoSo Food Show had been enduring alone ever since.

    Clenching his teeth in revenge against the president.

    ��I want to kill that bastard for abandoning me, but I don��t even know his real name or face����

    There was no way to find him.

    The president of yer Haven wasn��t a yer but an ordinary civilian, something SoSo Food Show didn��t even know.

    ��If only I knew his real name, I could hire a private investigator to track him down.��

    He��d already sought help from various detective agencies, but all that did was waste his money. Now, he had practically given up on finding the president.

    What else could he do when there were no leads?

    But even so, his heart still burned with bitterness and anger.

    ��It��s all because of that ck Scythe. I got kicked out while talking about that damn bastard!��

    If he were honest with himself, it was his own fault. But SoSo Food Show needed someone to me.

    He needed an outlet for the rage that had built up inside him.

    That target was now the ck Scythe.

    ��That bastard. I hope he dies. Stupid so-called hero, he��s nothing but garbage!��

    He cursed at the ck Scythe��s back every month in the otherworld, but always under his breath.

    As much as he hated to admit it, SoSo Food Show was aware of the overwhelming gap in power between him and the ck Scythe.

    He knew that the ck Scythe was an existence far beyond his reach.

    ��It��s an unfair, unjust world. Damn it all. I hope the whole world burns to ashes.��

    ming the president, the ck Scythe, and the world, SoSo Food Show never once med himself.

    Even when he cursed the world, he still wanted to survive.

    Because revenge and ming others could only happen if he stayed alive.

    ��I��ll survive. I��ll make it to the 20th round and wish for a power that no one can defy. Then I��ll make the president and the ck Scythe, all those bastards, kneel before me and beg for mercy.��

    With a sly grin, SoSo Food Show stared intently at the back of the ck Scythe, only to quickly turn away when the ck Scythe suddenly moved.

    He had almost freaked out, thinking the ck Scythe had noticed him watching.

    ��Damn it! What��s with that guy��s quick movements? Nearly gave me a heart attack. Anyway, based on the mission details, it looks like the ck Scythe is going to be ranked number one again this round. What a disgusting world.��

    Since the rankings would be determined by monster contributions, it was obvious how things would turn out.

    ��I��ll just have to do my best to at least make it past the cutoff.��

    As he resolved to kill as many monsters as possible, something unexpected happened.

    �C SoSo Food Show?

    A soft, feminine voice echoed in his head.

    ��Huh? What the��? This voice sounds familiar����

    �C Over here, SoSo Food Show. No, not there��look up at the sky!

    When he lifted his head, he saw one of the guiding angels staring directly at him.

    �C Yes, you!

    ��You��re�� speaking to me?��

    �C Ugh! Don��t make it obvious! Keep your mouth shut and just listen!

    Startled by the angel��s tone, SoSo Food Show quickly closed his mouth, bewildered by what was happening.

    He had no idea why the angel was acting like this.

    �C I need to talk to you. Follow me quietly. And don��t let anyone notice.

    The angel nodded her head toward him and began to float away slowly.

    Confused, SoSo Food Show had no choice but to follow, still trying toprehend what was going on.

 Chapter 235 (Part 1)

    Chapter 235: The Archangel��s Proposal (Part 1)

    ��Hey, angel? Angel?��

    SoSo Food Show tried asking multiple times in his mind, but there was no answer from the angel.

    ��Can��t he hear me?��

    It seemed the angel could onlymunicate his thoughts one way, not read minds.

    ��What business does he have with me?��

    Soso, who had been following the angel, stopped and looked back.

    Before he realized it, they had walked so far that the people on the grasnd looked like ants.

    ��What does he n to do with me, taking me all the way out here, away from everyone��s eyes? Could it be��?��

    A smile crept onto Soso��s face.

    ��Is he trying to give me a hidden reward?��

    Could it be that his relentless hard work all this time had finally been recognized by the angels?

    Perhaps they brought him here in secret to give him a special reward.

    Such hopeful thoughts continued until the angel descended from the sky.

    [What are you grinning about, human?]

    ��Oh, no reason. Hehe. So, what business do you have with me��?��

    [It��s not me who has business with you. It��s the Archangel.]

    ��The Archangel?��

    [For some reason, the Archangel wishes to meet you. Consider it an honor.]

    Soso couldn��t contain his joy.

    ��Knew it! I knew it was a hidden reward!��

    He wanted to jump for joy and shout, but he restrained himself in front of the angel. Still, he couldn��t stop the corners of his lips from rising.

    [Why do you keep smiling?]

    ��Haha, no reason. It just makes me happy to think I��ll be meeting the Archangel.��

    [You��re more perceptive than I thought. Well then, shall we go meet the Archangel?]

    ��Yes!��

    [Take my hand for 10 seconds. I��ll transport you to the Celestial Realm.]

    ��Oh.��

    For the first time, Soso took the angel��s hand. It was soft, like the warmth of a sunny spring day.

    ��Oh, angel�� I think I��m falling in lo����

    But before he could finish his thought, Soso was stunned. It wasn��t because the Celestial Realm that appeared before him was so dazzling, but because an iprehensible message shed in red letters.

    [You have left the round in progress.]

    [If you do not return to the ying area within 1 hour, your yer qualifications will be revoked.]

    [Time until disqualification: 00:59:59]

    ��What? What is this? Disqualification? Angel! I just got a weird message����

    Soso��s words stopped abruptly as he looked at the angel��s face. The angel, who had once looked like the warmth of spring, now had a wicked smile on his face.

    [Kekeke, you stupidly followed just because I called?]

    ��A��angel?��

    [What angel? You vermin. Don��t look at me with those disgusting eyes.]

    The angel, who had always spoken so politely, hadpletely changed his tone. As if in the Celestial Realm, there was no need for formalities.

    The angel sneered at Soso, who stood there in shock, and muttered into the air.

    [Yes, yes. I��ve brought him. Ah, yes, I��ll be waiting.]

    Soso, now realizing the situation, clenched his face in frustration.

    ��You tricked me! This wasn��t about giving me a reward!��

    [Are you insane? When did I ever say I��d give you a reward? I never lied. The Archangel does want to see you, after all.]

    ��What��?��

    At that moment, a brilliant light shed before his eyes.

    When he blinked, there was a new angel he hadn��t seen before. This one had wings and an aura that far surpassed the previous angel, a stunning male angel.

    [The lowly one greets the mighty Archangel.]

    [Rise, Millen.]

    [Huh?! You even know my name? I-I��m honored!]

    Soso couldn��t help but feel a pang of self-awareness as he watched the once arrogant angel now acting like a shy maiden. It reminded him too much of himself just moments ago when he had been head over heels.

    [You may return to the round now. If you linger too long, you might arouse suspicion.]

    [Understood. It was an honor to meet you. Then, I��ll be off��]

    When Millen disappeared, only the male angel and Soso were left standing on the cloud.

    [I am one of the Seven Archangels�� or perhaps I should say the Three Archangels now? I am the second-ranking member of the Three Archangels, Gabriel. And your nickname must be ��Soso Food Show,�� correct?]

    ��Y-Yes, that��s right.��

    Without realizing it, Soso had instinctively responded in formal speech.

    It felt as though he had no other choice. The aura and dignity of the Archangel were on an entirely different level from any other angel he had encountered so far.

    [From the message, you should already know. In one hour, your yer qualifications will be revoked simply because you��vee to the Celestial Realm.]

    ��������

    [And of course, there��s no way for you to return. Only the angels here can travel between the Celestial Realm and the Mortal Realm.]

    ��W-Why are you doing this to me? Please, let me return.��

    [You want to go back? But wouldn��t it be better if your yer qualification were revoked? Then you wouldn��t have to participate in the survival game anymore.]

    ��Huh?��

    Upon hearing that, Soso paused. If his qualification as a yer was revoked, it would mean he was out of the game.

    He wouldn��t have to fight for survival anymore.

    [Of course, you��d lose all the power you��ve gained as a yer and return to being an ordinary person. But wouldn��t that be a better life for you? Safer than risking your life every moment?]

    ��Y-Yes, that��s true.��

    Though Soso had boasted he would clear all 20 rounds and make his wishe true, he wasn��t really confident. There was no telling how many difficult questsy ahead.

    ��If I could, I��d like to return. To my old life.��

    Revenge or whatever, he didn��t care about the power of being a yer anymore. He just wanted to live.

    Such thoughts began to sway Soso��s heart.

    ��So�� if I just wait here for an hour, I��ll return to being a normal person?��

    [That��s right. But I won��t let you wait that long. I��ll send you back to the Mortal Realm before your disqualification. Unless you reject my proposal.]

    ��Proposal?��

    [You know who ��ck Scythe�� is, don��t you?]

    The sudden mention of the name made Soso��s gaze turn icy.

    ��Of course I know����

    [You hold a grudge against him, don��t you?]

    ��������

    [You don��t have to say it. I already know. I��ve looked into it. You want revenge on ck Scythe, don��t you? That��s why I brought you here.]

    ��W-What do you want me to do?��

    Gabriel looked a bit surprised at how quickly Soso grasped the situation.

    [Hmm, you��re not as stupid as I thought. Before I get to the point��]

    Gabriel��s hand shed, and an item appeared. It was an old-looking book with arge purple gem embedded in it.

    [Take this.]

 Chapter 235 (Part 2)

    Chapter 235: The Archangel��s Proposal (Part 2)

    Gabriel��s hand shed, and an item appeared. It was an old-looking book with arge purple gem embedded in it.

    [Take this.]

    Soso took the book and looked into the gem. He thought he saw something moving inside it, but when he looked again, there was nothing.

    ��Was it my imagination?��

    ��What is this strange book?��

    [It��s a kind of warp device. If you ce it on a yer and recite the activation words, you can forcibly transport them to the Celestial Realm.]

    ��To the Celestial Realm?��

    Gabriel nodded and got to the main point.

    [Attach this to ck Scythe, say the activation words, and you can bring him here to the Celestial Realm. Just like you, he will be disqualified as a yer.]

    ��Oh����

    [So? If you do as I say and bring ck Scythe here, you can eliminate him from the round. You don��t want him to go on to the 20th round and get his wish granted, do you?]

    Soso silently nodded. If things continued as they were, ck Scythe would win, just as Gabriel said. There was no way Soso could stand to see that happen.

    ��But why do you want me to bring ck Scythe here?��

    [He hasmitted a very, very serious crime that has disturbed the order of the Celestial Realm. So he muste here and be properly punished.]

    ��What kind of punishment��?��

    [You don��t need to know the details. Just know that it will be so painful, he��ll wish he were dead. I��ll take care of your revenge for you, so don��t worry. All you have to do is warp him here.]

    ��If I do that, you��ll keep your promise and remove me from the survival game too, right?��

    [Of course. Once ck Scythe is dealt with, I��ll revoke your yer status too. You won��t have to fight in the survival game anymore. You can live as an ordinary person.]

    Soso hesitated for a moment, imagining the peaceful life he could return to. The opportunity to both exact revenge on ck Scythe and escape the deadly game was too good to pass up.

    ��I��ll do it.��

    Soso made his decision, fully aware that this was an opportunity that would nevere again.

    Not only could he escape the survival game, but he also had the chance to take revenge on ck Scythe. It was a deal with no downside, a proposal he couldn��t refuse.

    ��I just need to attach this book to ck Scythe and recite the activation words to strip him of his yer status.��

    No matter how strong ck Scythe was, he wouldn��t be able to resist being warped to the Celestial Realm once the process began. After all, Gabriel had said that only angels could travel between dimensions.

    ��He won��t even have a chance to fight back once he��s disqualified and pulled into the Celestial Realm.��

    Gabriel��s words echoed in his mind.

    [He��ll be subjected to such excruciating punishment that death would seem like a mercy.]

    That seemed like perfect revenge to Soso.

    But then, a thought crossed his mind.

    ��Uh�� there��s something I��m concerned about.��

    [What is it?]

    ��Do you really think I can get close enough to ck Scythe to attach this? He��ll surely sense me with his detection abilities the moment I approach him����

    [It��s only for a brief moment. Once you attach the item and recite the activation words, it will work instantly.]

    ��That��s true, but considering who he is, it worries me����

    Soso hesitated, choosing his words carefully before continuing.

    ��Wouldn��t it be possible to give me some kind of item to help? Something really powerful? If he senses me before I even get close, everything will be ruined.��

    ��This damn human���� Gabriel��s expression darkened for a split second, his eyebrows twitching in annoyance. But just as quickly, his face returned to its usual calmness.

    [Don��t worry. ck Scythe will be too upied with the round to notice you. If you��re still unsure, then make your move during the final, tenth wave.]

    ��The tenth wave?��

    [By that point, the chaos will be in full swing. It��ll be the perfect opportunity for you to act unnoticed.]

    ��Ah, I see. Moving during thest wave does seem like a good idea.��

    [Good. The activation phrase is ��La Grasi Betaom.�� Memorize it and use it when the timees.]

    ��That��s a strange phrase�� but okay, I��ve got it.��

    *

    Just as the next round was about to begin, Soso found himself back on the grasnds.

    Gabriel had warped him back to the Mortal Realm.

    ��I��m back. This wasn��t a dream, was it?��

    It was no dream. His inventory now contained the book he had received from the angel, solid proof of what had happened.

    [Item: ??? ??? ???]

    -Category: Consumable

    -Rating: God

    -Effect: ??? ??? activates ??? ??? ???

    -Usage restriction: Master level and above

    -Description: This item allows the user to transport a target within a 10-meter radius to the Celestial Realm. Other yers who witness the warp will be stunned for 1 minute, unable to move.

    ��I can��t read half of this.��

    Perhaps because it was an item from the Celestial Realm, some of the text was garbled and unreadable by the system. The only clear things were that it was a consumable item and that it was ssified as a ��God��-grade item.

    ��This is the first time I��ve seen something rated as God-level�� It must be extremely powerful.��

    All he had to do now was bring this item close to ck Scythe��s body and recite the activation words. He��d memorized the phrase several times over, so there was no chance of forgetting it.

    The only problem was whether he��d actually be able to pull it off against someone as dangerous as ck Scythe.

    ��I have to try. Worst-case scenario, I might get caught�� Oh, wait. Aren��t we in the same party?��

    Party members couldn��t kill each other.

    Soso��s grin widened as the realization hit him.

    At the very least, he wouldn��t die if he failed.

    ��So all I have to do is get close. This is easier than I thought.��

    It was starting to seem like a much simpler task than he��d initially feared.

    ��I��ll hold out until the tenth wave, just to be safe.��

    With a sly smile, Soso slipped into the crowd, his mind set on executing his n during the chaos of the final wave.

 Chapter 236: Special Rules (1)

    Chapter 236: Special Rules (1)

    [Have you been waiting long? If you��re ready, we��ll start the game now!]

    At the angel��s call, a message popped up.

    [Wave 1]

    [yers: 4,608 vs. Skeletons: 9,216]

    [The next wave will start in 30 minutes.]

    ��Skeletons?��

    Upon seeing the opponent, some yers scoffed.

    ��Must be easy since it��s the first wave.��

    Even though nearly 10,000 skeletons had appeared as enemies, the yers were not intimidated.Would a cat ever be scared, no matter how many mice showed up?

    Perhaps in the past, but nowadays, skeletons were like mice in front of a cat.

    Not a single yer here was below Master rank after all.

    ��Skeletons? Really?��

    ��They��re underestimating us.��

    ��Even if the number of skeletons is three times, no, five times the number of yers, it won��t be a problem.��

    Peopleughed as if they were facing goblins, but Ryu Min��s expression remained unchanged.

    He knew this wasn��t the end.

    And sure enough��

    [To bnce the game, a special rule will be applied for 30 minutes.]

    [The special rule for Wave 1 is revealed.]

    As the new message appeared, the yers�� faces shifted.

    ��What the�� What is this!?��

    ��Damage reduced by 70%?��

    ��Are they out of their minds?��

    ��No one told us about this kind of rule!��

    In simple terms, an enemy that should die in one hit now requires three.

    Skeletons that were initially weak now seemed as tough as diamonds.

    While many were panicking, Ryu Min and his Death Church followers remained calm��they had expected this.

    ��This is exactly what the angels wanted. They just want to see yers panic.��

    They were probablyughing up in heaven at the confusion. But Ryu Min didn��t care.

    ��Even if physical damage were reduced by 99%, skeletons are still one-shots for me.��

    As Ryu Min confidently looked ahead, the monsters were summoned.

    tter, tter.

    Thousands of skeletons quickly filled the ins.

    Though the sight caused some yers to hesitate, that was short-lived.

    ��Come on, we can��t let ourselves be scared by these weaklings!��

    ��Let��s go!��

    ��Uwaaah!��

    Perhaps embarrassed by their initial hesitation, the yers, filled with morale, charged into the skeletons.

    Boom! Bam!

    ng! ng!

    Crash! Thud!

    Skills flew between the monsters and yers.

    There was no need to worry about friendly fire since they were in a party and couldn��t harm each other.

    ��Don��t hold back! Attack freely since we can��t hurt each other!��

    While their confidence was high, the skeletons were tougher than expected.

    Bones that should have shattered with one hit took two or three strikes, thanks to the special rule.

    This led to a few yers struggling.

    ��These guys should��ve died from a normal attack!��

    ��What the hell, this is ridiculous!��

    It took a skill attack just to kill them in one blow.

    But only the melee fighters seemed to be struggling. The mages in the back were calm.

    ��Fireballing through! It��s hot, so watch out�� Oh wait, never mind, you don��t need to!��

    Boom! Boom! Boom!

    For them, the skeletons were still nothing more than trash mobs.

    After all, the damage reduction only applied to physical attacks.

    ��This wave is perfect for mages to rack up contributions.��

    Ryu Min grinned as he swung his scythe toward the charging skeletons.

    Crackle!

    With one swing, twenty skeletons turned to dust.

    Thanks to the wide reach of his [Thanatos�� ck Scythe], a god-tier weapon, such feats were possible.

    ��What the�� what just happened?��

    ��They all turned to dust in an instant!��

    The yers looked back and finally saw it.

    Ryu Min��s scythe had expanded like the hand of a giant, sweeping across the battlefield.

    Crunch! Smash!

    Crack! Zap!

    Every time he swung, dozens of skeletons were wiped out.

    After ten swings, hundreds had fallen, and after a hundred swings, thousands had disappeared.

    ��Is the damage reduction even working?��

    ��They��re getting wiped out in a single blow!��

    ��His damage must be off the charts.��

    ��Unbelievable����

    Some yers watched in awe as the skeletons were cleared out.

    The scene was so overwhelming it made them forget about their own battles.

    [Time until the next wave: 00:24:20]

    [Remaining monsters: 97]

    When the yers checked the quest progress window, they were speechless.

    It had only been five minutes, and fewer than 100 monsters remained.

    Crack!

    But thosest skeletons were cleared out in less than five seconds.

    [There are no monsters left on the field.]

    [yers deceased: 0]

    [Please wait for the next wave.]

    The skeleton remains scattered across the ins had disappeared without a trace.

    Only the yers remained,ughing helplessly at the situation.

    ��How many did you manage to take down?��

    ��I only got five����

    ��Wow, you did better than me. I only killed three.��

    ��Half the monsters were taken down by the ck Scythe alone.��

    ��First ce for contributions is locked down, huh?��

    ��Since it��s a party, couldn��t he have left some for us?��

    Ignoring the murmuring yers, Ryu Min turned to find Min Juri.

    ��There you are. Seo Arin, too.��

    ��Ah�� ck Scythe-nim.��

    Both Min Juri and Seo Arin looked at him, their faces filled with awe.

    ��You��re amazing. Taking down so many on your own����

    ��It��s nothing. By the way, I came for some buffs.��

    ��Oh! I should havee to you earlier. I��ll cast them right away.��

    Min Juri quickly cast three buffs on Ryu Min.

    While buffs weren��t really necessary for him, it didn��t hurt to be prepared.

    ��Just in case an archangel shows up likest time.��

    Ryu Min was making sure to prepare for using the Demon��s Blessing skill by receiving buffs in advance.

    Twenty-five minutester, the second wave began.

    [Wave 2]

    [yers: 4,608 vs. Gargoyles: 9,216]

    [The next wave will start in 30 minutes.]

    [To bnce the game, a special rule will be applied for 30 minutes.]

    [The special rule for Wave 2 is revealed.]

    This time, the enemies were gargoyles, generally considered weaker than skeletons.

    ��But if their movement speed is doubled, it��s a different story.��

    There��s a saying that the best defense is a good offense, but in truth, the best defense is evasion.

    If you avoid an attack, you take zero damage. Speed meant they could attack first as well.

    In other words, underestimating double speed could be a huge mistake.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 236 (Part 1)

    Chapter 236: Special Rules (Part 1)

    [Have you been waiting long? If you��re ready, we��ll start the game now!]

    At the angel��s call, a message popped up.

    [Wave 1]

    [yers: 4,608 vs. Skeletons: 9,216]

    [The next wave will start in 30 minutes.]

    ��Skeletons?��

    Upon seeing the opponent, some yers scoffed.

    ��Must be easy since it��s the first wave.��

    Even though nearly 10,000 skeletons had appeared as enemies, the yers were not intimidated.

    Would a cat ever be scared, no matter how many mice showed up?

    Perhaps in the past, but nowadays, skeletons were like mice in front of a cat.

    Not a single yer here was below Master rank after all.

    ��Skeletons? Really?��

    ��They��re underestimating us.��

    ��Even if the number of skeletons is three times, no, five times the number of yers, it won��t be a problem.��

    Peopleughed as if they were facing goblins, but Ryu Min��s expression remained unchanged.

    He knew this wasn��t the end.

    And sure enough��

    [To bnce the game, a special rule will be applied for 30 minutes.]

    [The special rule for Wave 1 is revealed.]

    As the new message appeared, the yers�� faces shifted.

    ��What the�� What is this!?��

    ��Damage reduced by 70%?��

    ��Are they out of their minds?��

    ��No one told us about this kind of rule!��

    In simple terms, an enemy that should die in one hit now requires three.

    Skeletons that were initially weak now seemed as tough as diamonds.

    While many were panicking, Ryu Min and his Death Church followers remained calm��they had expected this.

    ��This is exactly what the angels wanted. They just want to see yers panic.��

    They were probablyughing up in heaven at the confusion. But Ryu Min didn��t care.

    ��Even if physical damage were reduced by 99%, skeletons are still one-shots for me.��

    As Ryu Min confidently looked ahead, the monsters were summoned.

    tter, tter.

    Thousands of skeletons quickly filled the ins.

    Though the sight caused some yers to hesitate, that was short-lived.

    ��Come on, we can��t let ourselves be scared by these weaklings!��

    ��Let��s go!��

    ��Uwaaah!��

    Perhaps embarrassed by their initial hesitation, the yers, filled with morale, charged into the skeletons.

    Boom! Bam!

    ng! ng!

    Crash! Thud!

    Skills flew between the monsters and yers.

    There was no need to worry about friendly fire since they were in a party and couldn��t harm each other.

    ��Don��t hold back! Attack freely since we can��t hurt each other!��

    While their confidence was high, the skeletons were tougher than expected.

    Bones that should have shattered with one hit took two or three strikes, thanks to the special rule.

    This led to a few yers struggling.

    ��These guys should��ve died from a normal attack!��

    ��What the hell, this is ridiculous!��

    It took a skill attack just to kill them in one blow.

    But only the melee fighters seemed to be struggling. The mages in the back were calm.

    ��Fireballing through! It��s hot, so watch out�� Oh wait, never mind, you don��t need to!��

    Boom! Boom! Boom!

    For them, the skeletons were still nothing more than trash mobs.

    After all, the damage reduction only applied to physical attacks.

    ��This wave is perfect for mages to rack up contributions.��

    Ryu Min grinned as he swung his scythe toward the charging skeletons.

    Crackle!

    With one swing, twenty skeletons turned to dust.

    Thanks to the wide reach of his [Thanatos�� ck Scythe], a god-tier weapon, such feats were possible.

    ��What the�� what just happened?��

    ��They all turned to dust in an instant!��

    The yers looked back and finally saw it.

    Ryu Min��s scythe had expanded like the hand of a giant, sweeping across the battlefield.

    Crunch! Smash!

    Crack! Zap!

    Every time he swung, dozens of skeletons were wiped out.

    After ten swings, hundreds had fallen, and after a hundred swings, thousands had disappeared.

    ��Is the damage reduction even working?��

    ��They��re getting wiped out in a single blow!��

    ��His damage must be off the charts.��

    ��Unbelievable����

    Some yers watched in awe as the skeletons were cleared out.

    The scene was so overwhelming it made them forget about their own battles.

    [Time until the next wave: 00:24:20]

    [Remaining monsters: 97]

    When the yers checked the quest progress window, they were speechless.

    It had only been five minutes, and fewer than 100 monsters remained.

    Crack!

    But thosest skeletons were cleared out in less than five seconds.

    [There are no monsters left on the field.]

    [yers deceased: 0]

    [Please wait for the next wave.]

    The skeleton remains scattered across the ins had disappeared without a trace.

    Only the yers remained,ughing helplessly at the situation.

    ��How many did you manage to take down?��

    ��I only got five����

    ��Wow, you did better than me. I only killed three.��

    ��Half the monsters were taken down by the ck Scythe alone.��

    ��First ce for contributions is locked down, huh?��

    ��Since it��s a party, couldn��t he have left some for us?��

    Ignoring the murmuring yers, Ryu Min turned to find Min Juri.

    ��There you are. Seo Arin, too.��

    ��Ah�� ck Scythe-nim.��

    Both Min Juri and Seo Arin looked at him, their faces filled with awe.

    ��You��re amazing. Taking down so many on your own����

    ��It��s nothing. By the way, I came for some buffs.��

    ��Oh! I should havee to you earlier. I��ll cast them right away.��

    Min Juri quickly cast three buffs on Ryu Min.

    While buffs weren��t really necessary for him, it didn��t hurt to be prepared.

    ��Just in case an archangel shows up likest time.��

    Ryu Min was making sure to prepare for using the Demon��s Blessing skill by receiving buffs in advance.

    Twenty-five minutester, the second wave began.

    [Wave 2]

    [yers: 4,608 vs. Gargoyles: 9,216]

    [The next wave will start in 30 minutes.]

    [To bnce the game, a special rule will be applied for 30 minutes.]

    [The special rule for Wave 2 is revealed.]

    This time, the enemies were gargoyles, generally considered weaker than skeletons.

    ��But if their movement speed is doubled, it��s a different story.��

    There��s a saying that the best defense is a good offense, but in truth, the best defense is evasion.

    If you avoid an attack, you take zero damage. Speed meant they could attack first as well.

    In other words, underestimating double speed could be a huge mistake.

 Chapter 236 (Part 2)

    Chapter 236: Special Rules (Part 2)

    There��s a saying that the best defense is a good offense, but in truth, the best defense is evasion.

    If you avoid an attack, you take zero damage. Speed meant they could attack first as well.

    In other words, underestimating double speed could be a huge mistake.

    ��Even the mages will have trouble this time. Buffed gargoyles can easily dodge their spells.��

    If mages struggled, then melee fighters would have an even harder time.

    It was no easy task to fight flying monsters.

    Of course, this was irrelevant to Ryu Min.

    ��Kyaaak!��

    ��Grrr!��

    As the gargoyles swooped down, Ryu Min swung his scythe, killing dozens.

    Even when the gargoyles flew higher to avoid him, it was futile.

    ��Wide Area Release.��

    Crackle!

    Every gargoyle within a 30-meter radius was vaporized without a trace.

    ��The Lightning Rune makes this easy.��

    His attack using the Darkness Rune was also quite effective.

    Whoosh!

    Dark daggers, like throwing knives, shot out and pierced the heads of the gargoyles, giving them no chance to escape.

    As a result, it took less than five minutes to eliminate all the gargoyles.

    ��Hey, how many did you get?��

    ��None����

    ��I wasn��t the only one, then����

    ��Do we even need to be here?��

    ��We��re going to be standing around doing nothing for another 25 minutes.��

    As Ryu Min monopolized all the contributions again, some yers sighed in frustration.

    Although they were clearing the waves with ease thanks to the ck Scythe, they couldn��t help but worry that at this rate, they��d be erased from existence due tock of contribution.

    ��I��ve basically cleared both the first and second waves myself.��

    By now, Ryu Min had essentially secured first ce in contribution.

    ��I��ll take it easy now, and when the 10th wavees, I��ll step in and secure the victory.��

    Thinking this, Ryu Min looked around and saw several familiar faces.

    Min Juri, Seo Arin, Christine, Jeffrey, Yamti, Ju Seong-tak, Heo Tae-seok, Eom Jun-seok, Jo Yong-ho, and more.

    Even the new recruits from various nationalities who had recently joined the Death Church were here.

    They had all gathered in response to Ryu Min��s orders to assemble before the second wave ended.

    ��As promised, everyone��s here. Since we��re in a party, it��s safer and more efficient to fight together.��

    At Ryu Min��s words, everyone focused.

    ��I took care of most of the monsters in the first and second waves as I had warned you. But starting from the third wave, I won��t step in. I��m not so heartless as to steal your contributions.��

    The church members, already briefed on the n, nodded in understanding.

    ��I��ll only step in when there��s a dangerous monster. So, focus on building your contributions. My help ends here. Whether you survive or not is up to you.��

    ��Yes!��

    Leaving the enthusiastic replies behind, Ryu Min decided to take a break.

    Many waves remained, but he had no doubt hispanions would make it through.

    They were talented and skilled enough.

    ��ck Scythe-nim.��

    At that moment, some familiar faces approached Ryu Min.

    ��Victor, Russell, Sophia.��

    It was Victor, an alchemist, Russell, a cksmith, and Victor��s younger sister, Sophia.

    ��What brings you here?��

    ��I came to give you some new potions.��

    ��Potions?��

    Victor pulled out a bundle of potions from his inventory.

    ��These are master-grade potions, so they��ll be more effective than the ones I gave you before.��

    These high-grade potions boosted stats by 16 points each.

    ��Thanks. This wille in handy.��

    ��It��s nothingpared to the favor you did for me, ck Scythe-nim. Haha.��

    Victorughed, and Sophia gazed at Ryu Min with admiration and gratitude.

    She couldn��t help but look at him that way��he had saved her brother from a dangerous situation.

    Just then, Russell spoke up as he examined Ryu Min.

    ��ck Scythe-nim, you��ve changed weapons? Would you mind if I applied a buff to it?��

    ��Sure.��

    Russell applied a buff to Ryu Min��s weapons and armor.

    It seemed they hade just to offer their help.

    ��It��s surprising how many people areing to me����

    Ryu Min couldn��t help but recall the earlier regressions.

    When he had gone through countless loops, fighting alone.

    ��Compared to then, I really have gained a lot ofpanions.��

    He couldn��t help but smile.

    ��Well, we��ve given you everything, so we��ll be on our way.��

    ��Oh, wait. While you��re at it, how about joining the Death Church?��

    ��The Death Church?��

    ��Heo Kyung-rok.��

    ��Yes, sir!��

    Heo Tae-seok came running, and Ryu Min introduced him with a smile.

    ��These are my acquaintances who��ve helped me. Exin the Death Church to them and help them join if they��re interested.��

    ��Understood. It won��t take long. Please follow me����

    The three listened to the exnation and readily agreed to join.

    Considering their positive feelings toward Ryu Min, it was a natural oue.

    ��Now all my close acquaintances have joined the Death Church.��

    This way, he could ensure their survival in each round.

    *

    Following the trolls, blood orcs, golems, and minotaurs, high orcs appeared as the monsters gradually grew stronger.

    Yet, no yer had suffered any injuries.

    Thanks to their final line of defense��the ck Scythe.

    ��Keeek!��

    The high orc boss from the fifth wave fell helplessly under the yers�� coordinated attacks.

    For Master-level yers with extensivebat experience, even a high orc was not a threat.

    ��Wow! We��re finally at the 10th wave!��

    ��What will the final wave be like?��

    ��Do you know, ck Scythe-nim?��

    ��The only advice I can give you is not to intervene.��

    After giving his cult members a brief tip, Ryu Min prepared for the final wave.

    ��It��s time toplete the side quest.��

    While the earlier waves had been conquered without much effort, the 10th wave would not be so easy.

    Not even for Ryu Min.

    ��That��s why I chose the invincibility skill as my special reward.��

    It wasn��t that his enemies were overwhelmingly strong.

    It was just that he knew things could get dangerous, and he intended to handle this wave personally.

    ��But where is the archangel? They��re not showing up����

    Even amidst the chaos of battle, Ryu Min kept his senses sharp, monitoring his surroundings.

    Yet, there was no sign of the archangel.

    ��They won��t just leave quietly. What could they be nning?��

    Perhaps they were retreating temporarily to devise a strategy, preparing for a stronger counterattack?

    ��Hard to say. Either way, I can��t let my guard down for the final wave.��

    He needed to deal with this 10th wave andplete his side quest.

    As he scanned the battlefield, his eyes suddenly caught sight of a man quickly averting his gaze.

    ��What��s that guy up to? Wait a second.��

    Ryu Min focused on the man, narrowing his eyes.

    The name seemed oddly familiar.

    ��That nickname�� SoSo Mukbang (SoSo Food Show)?��

 Chapter 237: 10th Wave (1)

    Chapter 237: 10th Wave (1)

    In the past, Ryu Min had to gather information about the yer Haven executives to take control.

    Nickname, habits, speech patterns, behavior, appearance, personality, profession, runes, and so on.

    He collected and used all the information he could.

    Even his current status as a member of Lostyak was thanks to the information he gathered back then.

    For someone like Ryu Min, remembering the nickname of a yer Haven executive wasn��t a difficult task.

    ��Soso Mukbang. He was definitely one of the eight Pleceva executives.��

    He hadn��t been seen after being expelled from the team inter rounds, but in the early stages, he had certainly been one of the leaders of yer Haven.

    ��To think that guy survived until this round.��

    Ryu Min wondered if the guy had some skills, but it didn��t matter.What mattered was that he was suspiciously avoiding Ryu Min��s gaze.

    ��I should check him out.��

    Ryu Min approached quietly and began reading the man��s thoughts.

    Even though the guy had his back turned, just by looking at his head, Ryu Min could dig into his mind.

    ��This guy����

    Ryu Min��s expression turned to one of rare surprise.

    ��He��s under orders from the Archangel?��

    Ryu Min hadn��t expected the Archangel to use such a low-level yer without appearing directly.

    But what surprised him more was the method.

    ��So, if a yer is sent to the Celestial Realm, their qualifications can be revoked��?��

    This was the first time Ryu Min had learned that it was possible to revoke someone��s qualifications.

    He��d never been to the Celestial Realm, nor had he ever faced assassination attempts from the Archangels until this round.

    ��If I get warped to the Celestial Realm, not even I will be able toe back.��

    He would be stuck, wasting time in the Celestial Realm until he lost his qualifications.

    ��Losing qualifications����

    What exactly does it mean to lose qualifications as a yer?

    Does it mean losing all powers granted by the system, or just being excluded from the survival game?

    ��It��s probably the former.��

    Judging by the fact that the yer would return to being a regr person, it must mean losing all the powers gained as a yer.

    ��It��s definitely a threatening method. I understand why the Archangels didn��t act directly.��

    Ryu Min red at Soso Mukbang with a wary look.

    ��If he holds the book given by the Archangel and says the activation word, he can forcibly teleport me.��

    That was why the guy kept ncing at Ryu Min, looking for an opportunity to send him to the Celestial Realm under the Archangel��s orders.

    ��He must have been nning to strike during the chaos of the 10th Wave.��

    Ryu Min didn��t care what grudge the former yer Haven executive had against him.

    ��What matters is that he��s targeting me.��

    Now that he knew the method, he could deal with it.

    ��Killing him would be simple, but the problem is that he��s a party member.��

    There was no way to kill a party member.

    The only option was to wait until the round ended, but by then, the guy might strike first.

    ��That can��t happen.��

    Ryu Min came up with a n and checked the remaining time.

    [Time remaining until the next wave: 00:17:41]

    He figured he had enough time to act before the wave began.

    ��Yamti.��

    ��Ah, ck Scythe-nim? Do you need something?��

    ��There��s someone you need to dominate.��

    ��Who?��

    Ryu Min motioned with his eyes toward a specific spot.

    ��Do you see him? His nickname is Soso Mukbang.��

    ��Soso Mukbang��?��

    Yamti��s eyes widened like a startled rabbit.

    ��That insignificant guy is still alive?��

    ��You recognize him?��

    ��Yes. He used to be an executive with me in yer Haven.��

    ��Dominate him. Since there��s no room, release Jeffrey from domination.��

    ��Uh, I don��t think that��s possible.��

    ��Why?��

    Yamti sighed in embarrassment.

    ��I dominated him once before to extract information from him����

    Once a target is dominated and released, they can��t be dominated again.

    In other words, the opportunity had been wasted.

    Yamti lowered her head, feeling apologetic.

    ����I��m sorry.��

    ��It��s fine. It was before you met me, after all.��

    If domination wasn��t possible, another method would be needed.

    A thought came to Ryu Min��s mind.

    ��You remember the four ves you dominated earlier?��

    ��The Messiah members?��

    ��Right. Give them an order right now. Tell them to����

    After hearing Ryu Min��s exnation, Yamti nodded.

    ��Should I just suppress him, as you said?��

    ��Yes. But make sure to do it quietly, so he doesn��t notice. He might try to escape.��

    Yamti wondered why she had to suppress Soso Mukbang, but she was a ve.

    Whatever her master ordered, she would do.

    ��Understood. I��ll carry it out immediately.��

    ***

    ��Damn it�� I almost had a heart attack.��

    Soso Mukbang felt a chill run down his spine after meeting ck Scythe��s eyes.

    Just from that brief nce, he felt his body trembling, probably because of the big task ahead.

    ��Surely he hasn��t figured it out yet, right?��

    He nced over, and luckily, ck Scythe was looking in another direction.

    It seemed he hadn��t been caught.

    ��Whew, I almost blew it before even starting.��

    In just 10 minutes, the 10th wave would begin.

    Just as the Archangel had foretold, he nned to act once ck Scythe and the others were distracted by the chaos.

    ��Rx, it��s a simple job. Hide among the crowd, get close, touch him with the book, say the activation word, and it��s done. Simple, right?��

    If he could pull that off, he��d send that annoying ck Scythe far away, to a ce he could never return from��Heaven.

    ��Alright. I��ll move when there��s about 3 minutes left����

    That��s when it happened.

    Four men suddenly clung to him like leeches.

    ��W-what the hell?! Let me go!��

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 237 (Part 1)

    Chapter 237: 10th Wave (Part 1)

    In the past, Ryu Min had to gather information about the yer Haven executives to take control.

    Nickname, habits, speech patterns, behavior, appearance, personality, profession, runes, and so on.

    He collected and used all the information he could.

    Even his current status as a member of Lostyak was thanks to the information he gathered back then.

    For someone like Ryu Min, remembering the nickname of a yer Haven executive wasn��t a difficult task.

    ��Soso Mukbang. He was definitely one of the eight Pleceva executives.��

    He hadn��t been seen after being expelled from the team inter rounds, but in the early stages, he had certainly been one of the leaders of yer Haven.

    ��To think that guy survived until this round.��

    Ryu Min wondered if the guy had some skills, but it didn��t matter.

    What mattered was that he was suspiciously avoiding Ryu Min��s gaze.

    ��I should check him out.��

    Ryu Min approached quietly and began reading the man��s thoughts.

    Even though the guy had his back turned, just by looking at his head, Ryu Min could dig into his mind.

    ��This guy����

    Ryu Min��s expression turned to one of rare surprise.

    ��He��s under orders from the Archangel?��

    Ryu Min hadn��t expected the Archangel to use such a low-level yer without appearing directly.

    But what surprised him more was the method.

    ��So, if a yer is sent to the Celestial Realm, their qualifications can be revoked��?��

    This was the first time Ryu Min had learned that it was possible to revoke someone��s qualifications.

    He��d never been to the Celestial Realm, nor had he ever faced assassination attempts from the Archangels until this round.

    ��If I get warped to the Celestial Realm, not even I will be able toe back.��

    He would be stuck, wasting time in the Celestial Realm until he lost his qualifications.

    ��Losing qualifications����

    What exactly does it mean to lose qualifications as a yer?

    Does it mean losing all powers granted by the system, or just being excluded from the survival game?

    ��It��s probably the former.��

    Judging by the fact that the yer would return to being a regr person, it must mean losing all the powers gained as a yer.

    ��It��s definitely a threatening method. I understand why the Archangels didn��t act directly.��

    Ryu Min red at Soso Mukbang with a wary look.

    ��If he holds the book given by the Archangel and says the activation word, he can forcibly teleport me.��

    That was why the guy kept ncing at Ryu Min, looking for an opportunity to send him to the Celestial Realm under the Archangel��s orders.

    ��He must have been nning to strike during the chaos of the 10th Wave.��

    Ryu Min didn��t care what grudge the former yer Haven executive had against him.

    ��What matters is that he��s targeting me.��

    Now that he knew the method, he could deal with it.

    ��Killing him would be simple, but the problem is that he��s a party member.��

    There was no way to kill a party member.

    The only option was to wait until the round ended, but by then, the guy might strike first.

    ��That can��t happen.��

    Ryu Min came up with a n and checked the remaining time.

    [Time remaining until the next wave: 00:17:41]

    He figured he had enough time to act before the wave began.

    ��Yamti.��

    ��Ah, ck Scythe-nim? Do you need something?��

    ��There��s someone you need to dominate.��

    ��Who?��

    Ryu Min motioned with his eyes toward a specific spot.

    ��Do you see him? His nickname is Soso Mukbang.��

    ��Soso Mukbang��?��

    Yamti��s eyes widened like a startled rabbit.

    ��That insignificant guy is still alive?��

    ��You recognize him?��

    ��Yes. He used to be an executive with me in yer Haven.��

    ��Dominate him. Since there��s no room, release Jeffrey from domination.��

    ��Uh, I don��t think that��s possible.��

    ��Why?��

    Yamti sighed in embarrassment.

    ��I dominated him once before to extract information from him����

    Once a target is dominated and released, they can��t be dominated again.

    In other words, the opportunity had been wasted.

    Yamti lowered her head, feeling apologetic.

    ����I��m sorry.��

    ��It��s fine. It was before you met me, after all.��

    If domination wasn��t possible, another method would be needed.

    A thought came to Ryu Min��s mind.

    ��You remember the four ves you dominated earlier?��

    ��The Messiah members?��

    ��Right. Give them an order right now. Tell them to����

    After hearing Ryu Min��s exnation, Yamti nodded.

    ��Should I just suppress him, as you said?��

    ��Yes. But make sure to do it quietly, so he doesn��t notice. He might try to escape.��

    Yamti wondered why she had to suppress Soso Mukbang, but she was a ve.

    Whatever her master ordered, she would do.

    ��Understood. I��ll carry it out immediately.��

    ***

    ��Damn it�� I almost had a heart attack.��

    Soso Mukbang felt a chill run down his spine after meeting ck Scythe��s eyes.

    Just from that brief nce, he felt his body trembling, probably because of the big task ahead.

    ��Surely he hasn��t figured it out yet, right?��

    He nced over, and luckily, ck Scythe was looking in another direction.

    It seemed he hadn��t been caught.

    ��Whew, I almost blew it before even starting.��

    In just 10 minutes, the 10th wave would begin.

    Just as the Archangel had foretold, he nned to act once ck Scythe and the others were distracted by the chaos.

    ��Rx, it��s a simple job. Hide among the crowd, get close, touch him with the book, say the activation word, and it��s done. Simple, right?��

    If he could pull that off, he��d send that annoying ck Scythe far away, to a ce he could never return from��Heaven.

    ��Alright. I��ll move when there��s about 3 minutes left����

    That��s when it happened.

    Four men suddenly clung to him like leeches.

    ��W-what the hell?! Let me go!��

 Chapter 237 (Part 2)

    Chapter 237: 10th Wave (Part 2)

    ��Alright. I��ll move when there��s about 3 minutes left����

    That��s when it happened.

    Four men suddenly clung to him like leeches.

    ��W-what the hell?! Let me go!��

    With each limb grabbed by one of the men, he couldn��t move an inch.

    He tried to check their nicknames to see if he recognized them.

    ��Yang Chiwen, Zhang Sowei, Dark Soul, Spaniard��? I��ve never seen these guys before.��

    It was bewildering to have strangers holding his arms and legs for no reason.

    ��Let me go! You bastards!��

    ������

    The four men remained silent, their expressions nk like machines executing orders.

    ��This is insane! I��m on the verge of carrying out a huge mission, and these lunatics����

    Because they were in the same party, he couldn��t deal any damage, leaving him helpless.

    ��Hey,e on. Why are you doing this? Do you even know me? Of course not. So why?��

    No answer.

    All he could do was struggle, but with four men pinning his limbs down, his body felt like a soaked rag, too heavy to move.

    ��What��s going on? Why are four guys clinging to him?��

    ��Is this some kind of weird stunt?��

    ��Gays nowadays�� all the way in the otherworld?��

    ��Wow, that��s somemitment.��

    Soso Mukbang, desperate to clear up the misunderstanding, shouted back.

    ��You��re wrong! It��s not what you think! I don��t even know these guys!��

    ��Yeah, right. They��re clinging to you pretty happily.��

    ��I��m telling you, let go! Let go, you leech bastards!��

    He struggled, but there was no way to shake off thebined strength of four people.

    Seeing no other option, he began shouting for help.

    ��Help me! I don��t know these people, and they��re holding me down! Please, get them off me!��

    ��You don��t know them?��

    ��Really?��

    A few people seemed tempted to help, but then, the Messiah members, who had been silent, spoke up.

    ��I��ll do better from now on.��

    ��We used to be close, didn��t we?��

    ��Please, Mukbang, don��t leave me.��

    ��I love you, bro.��

    Thatst line from Dark Soul was the final straw, causing the doubters to turn away with curled lips.

    ��That figures.��

    ��Can��t believe I doubted it.��

    As the crowd dispersed, Soso Mukbang, panicking, cried out again.

    ��Hey, wait! I don��t know them! Please, help me!��

    ��No need to interfere in someone else��s love life.��

    ��Good luck with your rtionship.��

    Everyone walked away, thinking it was just a silly incident.

    In the end, no one remained within 10 meters of him except the four men clinging to him like leeches.

    ��

    Watching the helpless Soso Mukbang, who had been trapped by the Messiah members, Ryu Min smirked.

    ��Even if I can��t kill him, I can stop him from moving.��

    The order Ryu Min had given to the Messiah members was simple.

    Each of them was to cling to one of Soso Mukbang��s limbs like a leech.

    And if anyone seemed like they might help, they were to act like heartbroken lovers, spouting lines of affection.

    It worked perfectly.

    Not only could Soso Mukbang not get close, but all he could do was re at Ryu Min from afar.

    ��That takes care of the threat.��

    A trash yer had dared to plot against him from the shadows.

    ��Though I can��t do anything since we��re in the same party, I��ll make sure to settle this when the round ends.��

    Grinding his teeth, Ryu Min prepared for the 10th wave.

    It was about to begin.

    A chaotic wave.

    ��5, 4, 3, 2, 1����

    As the timer hit zero, the final wave was revealed.

    [10th Wave]

    [yers: 4,608 vs One Predator Bug]

    [There is no time limit for this round.]

    [To clear the round, kill the Predator Bug!]

    The yers blinked, unable to believe what they were seeing.

    ��One enemy?��

    ��A Predator Bug? Is it a boss?��

    They had fought thousands of monsters, sometimes hundreds of high orcs, but facing just one enemy was a first.

    ��It��s fine. With 5,000 yers, we can handle anything, right?��

    ��Yeah, plus we��ve got ck Scythe.��

    But the yers�� confidence wavered when they saw the next message.

    [To maintain bnce, special rules will be applied.]

    [The special rule for the 10th wave will not be disclosed.]

    ��Not disclosed?��

    The opponent had been revealed, but the rule was hidden.

    It was unsettling, but soon, the yers regained their confidence.

    No matter what the rule was, as long as ck Scythe was with them, they believed they would be fine.

    Ryu Min himself had been confident.

    Until he experienced it firsthand.

    ��Was it the 44th round? I once died fighting a Predator Bug without knowing anything.��

    Back then, he had been brimming with confidence due to his immense growth and skills.

    Without taking time to understand the special rule, he rushed in and died.

    ��Looking back now, I realize how foolish I was. I should��ve at least watched others and figured out the rule�� But even then, would it have changed the oue?��

    The undisclosed special rule was simple:

    Damage reflection.

    Whether it was physical or magical, any damage dealt to the Predator Bug was reflected back at the attacker.

    A staggering 90% of the damage.

    ��So you have to endure 90% of the damage and defeat it with just 10%.��

    But it wasn��t as easy as it sounded.

    Unless you were a tank, who could withstand their own damage?

    For DPS yers, the Predator Bug was like a natural counter.

    ��Countless yers threw themselves at it and died to their own damage. Thousands of them.��

    Whether it was melee or ranged attacks, the damage reflection rule applied equally.

    That��s why no matter how many yers attacked, the Predator Bug couldn��t be defeated, and eventually, they were left scrambling to escape.

    Once they realized attacking meant certain death.

    ��But running doesn��t solve anything.��

    As the message had stated, there was no time limit for the 10th wave.

    Running wouldn��t change anything.

    Even worse, a translucent barrier prevented anyone from escaping.

    ��Grooarrrk!��

    From the front, a massive Predator Bug appeared.

    It had a face like a toad, but its outer shell was as hard as an insect��s exoskeleton, and it waddled toward them with a body the size of a house.

    Its appearance might have looked somewhat ridiculous, but��

    ��It��s noughing matter. That thing��s tongue moves faster than lightning.��

    Its long tongue could snatch up yers and swallow them whole.

    There was no way to avoid it.

    The only option was to kill it.

    ��In the past, thousands of yers sacrificed themselves before it was finally defeated. But now?��

    There was no need for mass sacrifice.

    Because Ryu Min was here.

    ��W-what��s with that giant toad thing?��

    ��Don��t be scared! We just need to rush it all together����

    ��Everyone, stay back.��

    Ryu Min stopped the overly confident yers from charging in and stepped forward.

    ��I��ll handle it.��

    Even with the 90% damage reflection, it wouldn��t be a problem.

    Because Ryu Min had an unbeatable trump card.

 Chapter 238 (Part 1)

    Chapter 238: Rune of Devour (Part 1)

    The conditions for the 14th round��s sub-quest are simple.

    Eliminate the Devouring Parasite within 5 minutes of its appearance.

    The reward for the sub-quest is given to the person with the highest contribution.

    ��It��s not as easy as it sounds.��

    When Ryu Min first learned about the sub-quest, he was just as bewildered.

    How could anyone kill a creature that reflects 90% of the damage dealt to it in under 5 minutes?

    ��To kill it in 5 minutes, you��d need at least a hundred Master-level yers attacking non-stop.��

    That might bring it down in 2 minutes. But as long as the special rule of reflecting 90% of the damage exists, that scenario is impossible.

    ��The moment anyone strikes, they��d die from the reflected damage.��

    On the other hand, if you hold back, there��s the time limit of 5 minutes to consider.

    ��I eventually realized it. This 14th round sub-quest was designed to be impossible for ordinary yers.��

    Ryu Min had tried all sorts of strategies, but none worked.

    The reflected damage was unavoidable and unblockable, dealing a guaranteed hit.

    Oh, there was one way to block it.

    ��You just have to use Invincibility. That��s the only way toplete the sub-quest.��

    By using the invincibility he had received as a special reward in the previous round, he could even block the reflected damage.

    Having already tested it, he knew this for sure.

    Thus, Ryu Min confidently approached the Devouring Parasite.

    ��Grrr? Grrrrk!��

    The monster, having noticed Ryu Min, made an eerie sound.

    It flicked its tongue at him, as if pleased that its meal was walking straight towards it,unching its attack without any preparation.

    Pa-pak-!

    At a speed that would be impossible to evade for anyone with agility below 1,000.

    ��Too bad my agility is close to 300,000.��

    Ryu Min easily dodged the attack and in the blink of an eye, leapt to the top of the parasite��s head.

    ��There��s no need to hold back when I��ve got invulnerability.��

    Still, it would be a bit embarrassing to use his full strength on such a small fry.

    ��I��ll finish this with one Moonlight sh.��

    But first, Ryu Min activated his invincibility.

    [The temporary skill ��Invincibility�� has been activated.]

    [You are immune to all damage for 60 seconds.]

    [This one-time use skill has been consumed.]

    [It has disappeared from your skill window.]

    The moment he felt his body shielded, he unleashed Moonlight sh.

    Kiiiiiiiing��

    A bright sh descended upon the parasite��s head.

    Boom-boom-boom-boom-!

    ��Gyaaaaah!��

    As the Devouring Parasite��s massive body exploded, a tremor akin to an earthquake shook the ground.

    The startled yers struggled to stay upright on the trembling ins.

    And then, through the fading dust, they saw a man standing.

    It was none other than the ck Scythe.

    [You have in the Devouring Parasite!]

    [A hidden sub-quest has been discovered!]

    �� Eliminate the Devouring Parasite within 5 minutes.

    �� Reward ? Rune of Devour.

    [You havepleted the sub-quest!]

    [As a reward, you have received the ��Rune of Devour��!]

    [The acquired rune will be automatically engraved on your body!]

    Rune of Devour

    Effect: Experience points and gold from in monsters are doubled.

    Depending on the level of the in monster, you also receive stat points and devour stacks.

    Additional effects are granted based on the number of stacks umted.

    �� 100 stacks or more ? ?????

    �� 300 stacks or more ? ?????

    �� 1,000 stacks or more ? ?????

    �� 3,000 stacks or more ? ?????

    �� 10,000 stacks or more ? ?????

    ��Finally, I��ve got it��the Rune of Devour.��

    A simr rune had once been held by the [ck me Dragon on the Right Hand].

    ��That rune gave stats for killing both yers and monsters.��

    The only difference was that the Rune of Devour applied only to monsters.

    ��But it��s not a weaker version. You gain additional effects as the stacks umte.��

    Unlike other stacking mechanics, the devour stacks don��t get consumed. They umte endlessly.

    Thus, the effects of the stacks function as a sort of permanent buff.

    ��The reward for killing the Devouring Parasite will be tallied during the results calction.��

    Ryu Min grinned and turned around, noticing the gaze of the yers fixated on him.

    Each wore a stunned expression.

    ��He took down that giant monster in an instant����

    ��Maybe it wasn��t as tough as we thought? Haha����

    ��But it looked so powerful����

    The yers were shaken as they stared at the mutted corpse of the parasite, parts of its bodypletely obliterated.

    None of the yers present believed they could have defeated it in a single blow like the ck Scythe did.

    Just then, the rule for the Devouring Parasite��s defeat was finally revealed.

    [You have sessfullypleted the main quest by defeating the Devouring Parasite!]

    [The special rule for the 10th wave is now revealed.]

    ��What? 90% damage reflection?��

    ��So the ck Scythe defeated it with only 10% of his power?��

    ����That was just 10% of his strength?��

    ��But wasn��t there reflected damage? Why does he lookpletely fine?��

    The astonished and confused gazes of the yers fell on Ryu Min, but he felt no obligation to answer their questions.

    They should be thankful he saved their lives, after all.

    ��If I hadn��t stepped in, there would have been thousands of casualties.��

    [The temporary skill ��Invincibility�� has worn off.]

    It seemed the minute had passed, and the Invincibility buff had ended.

    In truth, Ryu Min hadn��t even needed the full minute.

    He only needed a second to withstand the reflected damage.

    ��Now then����

    Ryu Min��s gaze shifted to the helpless Soso who was restrained by four men.

    ��Time to return to reality and beat him senseless.��

    Seeing Ryu Min��s sinister smile, Soso��s cheeks began to tremble uncontrobly.

    ��W-What is this�� What��s happening��?��

    When Soso was surrounded by four men, he had been furious.

    Unable to move and being stared at as if he were a criminal, it felt unbearable.

    Though unjust, he managed to hold on.

    The 10th wave was just around the corner, after all.

    In the ensuing chaos, he was sure an opportunity to escape would arise.

    But that hope was utterly crushed.

    ��They said there��d be chaos when the 10th wave started, but damn it, there��s no chaos at all����

    When the boss-level monster, the Devouring Parasite, appeared, Soso thought that this was his chance.

    It looked incredibly powerful.

    He had imagined it would massacre countless yers and create the chaos he needed.

    ��That must have been the ��chaos�� the Archangel was talking about. But����

    There wasn��t even a moment of opportunity.

    The ck Scythe stepped in and cleaned up everything without a hitch.

    ��It��s all over. Everything��s ruined.��

    The Devouring Parasite was dead, and the 10th wave had ended.

    The men holding his limbs showed no sign of letting him go.

 Chapter 238 (Part 2)

    Chapter 238: Rune of Devour (Part 2)

    The Devouring Parasite was dead, and the 10th wave had ended.

    The men holding his limbs showed no sign of letting him go.

    ��I needed to warp the ck Scythe�� That was the only way I could escape the Survival Game as promised�� Damn it!��

    His carefullyid ns had fallen apart thanks to these lunatics.

    Grinding his teeth, Soso��s frustration didn��tst long.

    When he saw the ck Scythe smiling ominously at him, a shock ran through his entire body.

    ��D-Does he know��?��

    It wasn��t just his imagination.

    The ck Scythe was clearly mocking him.

    As if he knew everything.

    ��And those guys who restrained me��?��

    Could it be that they were acting under the ck Scythe��s orders?

    Suddenly, everything clicked into ce.��So, he knew everything, even the n to force him to warp to the Celestial Realm?��

    That had to be the case. Otherwise, there was no reason for them to hold him this far away.

    ��Haha�� I��m totally screwed.��

    A hollowugh escaped Soso��s lips as he bit down hard, feeling utterly defeated.

    Surely now, it was the ck Scythe��s turn to step in.

    He��de to exact his revenge.

    ��Do you really think I��m going to just sit here and take it?��

    The anger Soso had been suppressing began to rise.

    Recalling an item in his inventory, his hand instinctively grasped for it��a Warp Tome.

    ��If I can��t warp the ck Scythe, then I��ll just have to warp one of these guys instead.��

    His left hand, still restrained by Yang Chiwen, was forced to clutch the book.

    ��La Crasi Betanium!��

    ��������

    He shouted themand confidently, but there was no reaction.

    ��W-what? Wasn��t that the spell?��

    People around him started giving him strange looks.

    ��La Crasi Betanom!��

    ��������

    ��La Cresh Betanome!��

    The more spells he uttered, the more attention he attracted.

    ��What��s he saying? That guy?��

    ��Isn��t he the one we thought was acting weird earlier?��

    ��Did he get hit in the head during the fight or something?��

    ��I knew there was something off about him.��

    Despite the mocking whispers, Soso desperately tried to remember the correct incantation.

    ��Damn it, what was it? Betanom? Betanome? Where did I go wrong? I��m sure I had it memorized!��

    His head felt foggy with panic.

    He had to get the spell right before the ck Scythe intervened.

    ��I��m being watched! He��s going to stop me!��

    Before it was toote, he needed to remember the right words��

    ��Ah! I��ve got it.��

    Soso pressed the book to Yang Chiwen��s body and shouted the spell.

    ��La Grasi Betanom!��

    At that moment, a dark, purple light flowed out from the gem embedded in the book.

    The reaction was immediate��the spell had worked.

    ��Yes. Now, at least I can send someone to the Celestial Realm����

    Soso��s thoughts were abruptly interrupted.

    A violet hand shot out of the gem and grabbed Yang Chiwen��s body.

    ��Kyaaaaah!��

    Crack��Crack!

    As Yang Chiwen was sucked into the gem, the sound of bones shattering echoed around.

    Crack��Snap��!

    When the horrifying noise finally stopped, Yang Chiwen��s body had been entirely absorbed into the gem.

    ��W-What�� What just happened? What did I just witness?��

    Though his left hand was now free, Soso stood frozen, unable to move.

    ��D-Did he warp to the Celestial Realm? But it looked way too painful to be a simple warp����

    Before he could think further, the nightmare continued.

    ��Aaaaaah!��

    ��Kuh, aaaaah!��

    The gem began to emit more purple hands, which grabbed Dark Soul, Jang So-wee, and the Spaniard by their heads, pulling them in.

    One by one, their bones cracked as their bodies were sucked into the gem.

    Crack��Snap��Crack!

    Soso, too, was no exception.

    Thud!

    A demonic hand grabbed Soso by the leg and dragged him toward the gem.

    Crack��Crunch!

    ��Argh! S-Save me��!��

    The excruciating pain didn��t stop until Soso��s entire body was fully absorbed into the gem.

    Once it was done, there was nothing left but the stunned yers, staring in disbelief at what had just happened.

    ��Did I just see what I think I saw?��

    ��Didn��t those five people just get sucked into that gem?��

    ��What the hell just happened?��

    As the yers stood dumbfounded, the book rose into the air of its own ord.

    Hummm��

    A blood-red magic circle formed around the book, and with a quiet pop, the gem separated from the book.

    ��What is that?��

    ��Wait, what��s happening?��

    ��Is it�� growing?��

    The gem started to swell like a balloon, expanding until it was asrge as a person.

    Inside the gem was a dark silhouette.

    The figure inside looked human.

    Crack��Crack!

    The surface of the gem began to fracture, before finally shattering into pieces with a loud crash.

    With the shards, a new entity emerged.

    [It��s been a while. It feels good to breathe the air of the human world again.]

    It was a demon with bat-like wings and a long, swaying tail.

    �������������C

    Michael hurriedly sought out Gabriel.

    He wanted to know whether their n had been executed.

    [So, how did it go? Have you made contact with the yer Nemesis selected?]

    [Of course. Everything went ording to n. I met with him and gave him the Demon��s Resurrection Book. I told him it was a tome that would warp someone to the Celestial Realm.]

    [Did he believe you?]

    [He did. He didn��t even suspect a thing.]

    ��Damn. So Gabriel��s n went off without a hitch.��

    This was bad news.

    If the yer they manipted used the resurrection tome on the ck Scythe, that would be the end.

    Even the ck Scythe couldn��t survive if he was sacrificed to the tome.

    Seeing Michael��s concerned expression, Gabriel reassured him in a calm voice.

    [Don��t worry, Michael. Everything is proceeding smoothly.]

    [Is there no chance of failure?]

    [Who do you think I am? I specifically told him that the tome had to make physical contact with the target to activate.]

    [So he��ll get as close as possible before using it, right?]

    [Exactly. The truth is, the tome works within a 10-meter range, but I made sure he thinks it requires contact.]

    When the manipted yer used the tome, everyone within a 10-meter radius would be absorbed into the gem as a sacrifices.

    Even the ck Scythe wouldn��t be able to escape.

    [If all went ording to n, the ck Scythe��s soul should now be in the hands of a high-ranking demon lord. Since it was the yer who used the tome, even if they tried to argue, the demon lord won��t hold a grudge.]

    [That��s true.]

    Although he responded affirmatively, Michael��s expression didn��t rx.

    He was concerned, not because of the demon lord, but because he was worried about the ck Scythe��s fate.

    [You��re still worried?]

    [You made sure to conceal the item��s true details, right? The description and activation word? Everything was passed on correctly?]

    [Of course. Before giving him the tome, I saved a copy of the item��s information window. Want to check it?]

    [Let��s do it.]

    Nodding, Michael pulled up the information window of the item that had been given to the yer, the one Soso had received.

    Demon��s Resurrection Tome

    Type: Consumable

    Grade: Godly

    Effect: Summons the Incarnation of a Demon Lord

    Usage Restrictions: Master rank or higher

    Description: This item consumes the sacrifices within a 10-meter radius to summon the Incarnation of a Demon Lord. However, the incarnation will only have 1/100th of its true strength.

 Chapter 239: The Demon Grand Duke (1)

    Chapter 239: The Demon Grand Duke (1)

    ��What on earth is happening?��

    Just moments ago, Ryu Min was smirking while watching Soso struggling. But now, there wasn��t a trace of a smile on his face.

    Red skin, bat-like wings, slit pupils like those of a cat, and a smooth tail.

    The being standing in front of him didn��t look like a human yer.

    ��Wh-who is that?��

    ��The orb suddenly grewrger, and then a person came out of it.��

    ��That person looks exactly like a demon����

    Hearing the murmurs around him, Ryu Min let out a bitter smile.

    ��It doesn��t just look like a demon��it is the demon lord.��From the 18th round onward, a quest is given where yers have to battle demons. At the time, Ryu Min and seven other yers had survived andpleted the quest.

    ��I killed enough demons back then to know exactly what they look like.��

    Demons weren��t supposed to appear until after the 18th round. But here they were, showing up in the 14th round, devouring people. It was no wonder Ryu Min was shocked.

    ��It seems to be because of that book the Archangel gave him����

    As soon as the soso uttered the incantation, the members of the Messiah were consumed, and the orb grewrger. Then, the orb shattered, revealing the demon.

    ��It��s like the demon hatched from an egg, using the yers as sacrifices.��

    Either way, this was a dangerous situation. Just because demons were hostile to angels didn��t mean they would be friendly to humans.

    ��Although, I��m sure it will be friendly towards me.��

    After recently defeating Uriel and Raguel, Ryu Min��s reputation with the demon faction had risen to the level of ��Eternal Ally.�� In short, this demon wouldn��t attack him.

    ��Though I can��t say the same for the other yers.��

    He couldn��t let the people he��d saved just die at the hands of this demon.

    ��But I need to figure out its intentions first. Strangely enough, I can��t read its mind.��

    Ryu Min had a Rune that allowed him to read the thoughts of angels. Naturally, he assumed he��d be able to read the thoughts of a demon as well since demons were sentient beings like humans.

    But he couldn��t read anything from the demon standing before him, as if it were a soulless doll.

    [This air, this environment�� It��s unmistakably the human realm, though it feels slightly off.]

    The demon sniffed the air, then turned its gaze toward the yers.

    [Humans? No, their bodies and souls feel out of sync�� yers, I see. In that case, this must be a ce mimicking the human world.]

    The demon��s disappointmentsted only a moment before its lips twisted into a wicked smile.

    [Well, it doesn��t matter. Even if they��re in different shells, trash is still trash.]

    Suddenly, the demon��s eyes gleamed with malice.

    [Filthy parasites. I might as well kill all of you to spite that angel brat. Heh heh heh.]

    As the demon��s evil grin spread toward the yers, a voice called out from the sky.

    [W-what? A demon?]

    Hearing the voice, the demon looked up.

    [Who do we have here? Just in time��a pesky angel has shown up.]

    [A-a demon? How��? It��s only the 14th round!]

    The angel Milen looked bewildered. She had descended to this dimension to tally the round��s results, only to encounter an unexpected demon.

    [A guide? You must be a ninth-ranked angel. Heh, it��s been a while since I��ve met one, and it��s disappointing to see that you��re weaker than a human.]

    Despite the demon��s ridicule, Milen couldn��t maintain her pride. The strength she sensed from this demon was overwhelming, far beyond her ability to handle.

    [So, you can at least sense power. It��s hrious to see you trembling like that.]

    [W-who are you?]

    [Does it even matter if I tell you? Do you think trash like you would understand?]

    [����.]

    [Well, you might know. Have you heard of the Demon Grand Duke?]

    [G-Grand Duke Plunictos?]

    Milen��s eyes widened in shock. It was a rare sight for the yers, who had never seen an angel this flustered.

    [So, you��ve heard of me? Of course, even a fly like you must have heard of my reputation. After all, I��ve stacked the heads of countless angels. Heh heh heh.]

    Milen couldn��tugh. She knew too well that ��flies�� was a derogatory term the demons used for angels.

    [Now that you know who I am, why don��t youe down? Or do you n to hover above me forever?]

    [Ah��]

    Milen instinctively started to descend but halted mid-air.

    ��W-wait a minute. Why am I listening to the orders of a demon when I��m not even dealing with an archangel?��

    The sworn enemy of angels was always the demons. No matter how high-ranked, following a demon��s orders would be absurd.

    [Why did you stoping down? Hurry up and descend!]

    As Milen slowly began to back away, the demon let out an incredulousugh.

    [I can��t believe this. A ninth-ranked angel is actually defying my orders.]

    [If Ie down, won��t you kill me?]

    [I won��t kill you. I only wish to talk.]

    Still, Milen didn��t move. She had been taught that demons lied as easily as they breathed and that they excelled at striking when their opponents let their guard down.

    Her body continued to drift upwards.

    [I-I��d prefer to talk from a distance��]

    [This damn angel is really pushing my buttons. I swear, she��s making me want to kill her.]

    The demon��s killing intent surged towards Milen.

    [Do you really think I��m hesitating because I can��t kill a single fly like you? Do you honestly believe you can escape from my grasp?]

    [����.]

    [I offered you a chance to live, and yet here you are, showing me no respect. Fine, I��ll drag you down myself and rip off your wings. Then I��ll tear your limbs apart, just like the insect you are��]

    Before the demon could finish its sentence, someone approached it.

    [What��? A human?]

    The demon��s eyes widened in surprise when it saw who hade forward.

    [You�� The ck Scythe?]

    Of course, having such a high reputation made it easy for the demon to recognize him, even if it was their first encounter. Well that��s after he read his nickname.

    [I��ve heard a lot about you, ck Scythe.]

    With a crescent-moon smile, the demon spoke in a low voice, so only Ryu Min could hear.

    [I��ve heard you smashed the heads of archangels yourself. You did well. Very well. How did you gain such power��?]

    ��Did you hear the rumors? Or did the system tell you?��

    [����.]

    The demon��s expression briefly soured, but it quickly shrugged it off with a cool smile.

    [I hate it when people interrupt me, but since you��re the ck Scythe, our steadfast ally, I��ll let it slide this time.]

    ��No need for long speeches. Why are you here?��

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!  <ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 239 (Part 1)

    Chapter 239: The Demon Grand Duke (Part 1)

    ��What on earth is happening?��

    Just moments ago, Ryu Min was smirking while watching Soso struggling. But now, there wasn��t a trace of a smile on his face.

    Red skin, bat-like wings, slit pupils like those of a cat, and a smooth tail.

    The being standing in front of him didn��t look like a human yer.

    ��Wh-who is that?��

    ��The orb suddenly grewrger, and then a person came out of it.��

    ��That person looks exactly like a demon����

    Hearing the murmurs around him, Ryu Min let out a bitter smile.

    ��It doesn��t just look like a demon��it is the demon lord.��

    From the 18th round onward, a quest is given where yers have to battle demons. At the time, Ryu Min and seven other yers had survived andpleted the quest.

    ��I killed enough demons back then to know exactly what they look like.��

    Demons weren��t supposed to appear until after the 18th round. But here they were, showing up in the 14th round, devouring people. It was no wonder Ryu Min was shocked.

    ��It seems to be because of that book the Archangel gave him����

    As soon as the soso uttered the incantation, the members of the Messiah were consumed, and the orb grewrger. Then, the orb shattered, revealing the demon.

    ��It��s like the demon hatched from an egg, using the yers as sacrifices.��

    Either way, this was a dangerous situation. Just because demons were hostile to angels didn��t mean they would be friendly to humans.

    ��Although, I��m sure it will be friendly towards me.��

    After recently defeating Uriel and Raguel, Ryu Min��s reputation with the demon faction had risen to the level of ��Eternal Ally.�� In short, this demon wouldn��t attack him.

    ��Though I can��t say the same for the other yers.��

    He couldn��t let the people he��d saved just die at the hands of this demon.

    ��But I need to figure out its intentions first. Strangely enough, I can��t read its mind.��

    Ryu Min had a Rune that allowed him to read the thoughts of angels. Naturally, he assumed he��d be able to read the thoughts of a demon as well since demons were sentient beings like humans.

    But he couldn��t read anything from the demon standing before him, as if it were a soulless doll.

    [This air, this environment�� It��s unmistakably the human realm, though it feels slightly off.]

    The demon sniffed the air, then turned its gaze toward the yers.

    [Humans? No, their bodies and souls feel out of sync�� yers, I see. In that case, this must be a ce mimicking the human world.]

    The demon��s disappointmentsted only a moment before its lips twisted into a wicked smile.

    [Well, it doesn��t matter. Even if they��re in different shells, trash is still trash.]

    Suddenly, the demon��s eyes gleamed with malice.

    [Filthy parasites. I might as well kill all of you to spite that angel brat. Heh heh heh.]

    As the demon��s evil grin spread toward the yers, a voice called out from the sky.

    [W-what? A demon?]

    Hearing the voice, the demon looked up.

    [Who do we have here? Just in time��a pesky angel has shown up.]

    [A-a demon? How��? It��s only the 14th round!]

    The angel Milen looked bewildered. She had descended to this dimension to tally the round��s results, only to encounter an unexpected demon.

    [A guide? You must be a ninth-ranked angel. Heh, it��s been a while since I��ve met one, and it��s disappointing to see that you��re weaker than a human.]

    Despite the demon��s ridicule, Milen couldn��t maintain her pride. The strength she sensed from this demon was overwhelming, far beyond her ability to handle.

    [So, you can at least sense power. It��s hrious to see you trembling like that.]

    [W-who are you?]

    [Does it even matter if I tell you? Do you think trash like you would understand?]

    [����.]

    [Well, you might know. Have you heard of the Demon Grand Duke?]

    [G-Grand Duke Plunictos?]

    Milen��s eyes widened in shock. It was a rare sight for the yers, who had never seen an angel this flustered.

    [So, you��ve heard of me? Of course, even a fly like you must have heard of my reputation. After all, I��ve stacked the heads of countless angels. Heh heh heh.]

    Milen couldn��tugh. She knew too well that ��flies�� was a derogatory term the demons used for angels.

    [Now that you know who I am, why don��t youe down? Or do you n to hover above me forever?]

    [Ah��]

    Milen instinctively started to descend but halted mid-air.

    ��W-wait a minute. Why am I listening to the orders of a demon when I��m not even dealing with an archangel?��

    The sworn enemy of angels was always the demons. No matter how high-ranked, following a demon��s orders would be absurd.

    [Why did you stoping down? Hurry up and descend!]

    As Milen slowly began to back away, the demon let out an incredulousugh.

    [I can��t believe this. A ninth-ranked angel is actually defying my orders.]

    [If Ie down, won��t you kill me?]

    [I won��t kill you. I only wish to talk.]

    Still, Milen didn��t move. She had been taught that demons lied as easily as they breathed and that they excelled at striking when their opponents let their guard down.

    Her body continued to drift upwards.

    [I-I��d prefer to talk from a distance��]

    [This damn angel is really pushing my buttons. I swear, she��s making me want to kill her.]

    The demon��s killing intent surged towards Milen.

    [Do you really think I��m hesitating because I can��t kill a single fly like you? Do you honestly believe you can escape from my grasp?]

    [����.]

    [I offered you a chance to live, and yet here you are, showing me no respect. Fine, I��ll drag you down myself and rip off your wings. Then I��ll tear your limbs apart, just like the insect you are��]

    Before the demon could finish its sentence, someone approached it.

    [What��? A human?]

    The demon��s eyes widened in surprise when it saw who hade forward.

    [You�� The ck Scythe?]

    Of course, having such a high reputation made it easy for the demon to recognize him, even if it was their first encounter. Well that��s after he read his nickname.

    [I��ve heard a lot about you, ck Scythe.]

    With a crescent-moon smile, the demon spoke in a low voice, so only Ryu Min could hear.

    [I��ve heard you smashed the heads of archangels yourself. You did well. Very well. How did you gain such power��?]

    ��Did you hear the rumors? Or did the system tell you?��

    [����.]

    The demon��s expression briefly soured, but it quickly shrugged it off with a cool smile.

    [I hate it when people interrupt me, but since you��re the ck Scythe, our steadfast ally, I��ll let it slide this time.]

    ��No need for long speeches. Why are you here?��

 Chapter 239 (Part 2)

    Chapter 239: The Demon Grand Duke (Part 2)

    [I hate it when people interrupt me, but since you��re the ck Scythe, our steadfast ally, I��ll let it slide this time.]

    ��No need for long speeches. Why are you here?��

    Ryu Min had no intention of humoring the demon��s chatter. After all, demons and angels both regarded humans as nothing more than insects.

    [Sigh, if you must know the answer to your question, I didn��te here of my own ord.]

    ��Then why are you here?��

    [Someone used the Demon Resurrection Spell. I descended here after consuming five sacrifices.]

    ��Descended? And what exactly are you?��

    [I am the Demon Grand Duke Plunictos. Haven��t you heard of me?]

    ��Never heard of you.��

    [Never�� heard of me?]

    The demon��s eyebrows twitched, clearly offended.

    [Well, I suppose a yer wouldn��t know. Fine, I��ll let that slide.]

    ��Enough pointless talk. Tell me your purpose here.��

    [You��re quite arrogant. Even if we��re allies, you��ve been nothing but rude since earlier. You have no more respect than that lowly angel over there.]

    ��I have no reason to show respect to a demon who won��t reveal their purpose.��

    [Is that so? Then I suppose it��s time I teach you some manners.]

    A whip materialized in the demon��s hand. But before it could strike, Ryu Min��s hand moved first.

    Thud-

    The demon��s gaze dropped to his arm. His hand, which had been gripping the whip, had fallen to the ground.

    [This human��]

    ��I said, tell me your purpose.��

    [And what if I refuse?]

    The demon didn��t get a chance to respond before its head rolled across the floor.

    ***

    ��What�� what just happened?��

    Plunictos, the Demon Grand Duke, found himself utterly bewildered.

    It was shocking enough that someone had used the Demon Resurrection Spell from the Great Heavenly War. But what was even more astonishing was��

    ��He killed me without even letting me speak.��

    Ryu Min, the ck Scythe��an ally as far as the demon knew��had just killed his manifestation without hesitation.

    ��Unbelievable.��

    Of course, it was just a manifestation of his power, so Plunictos hadn��t truly suffered any damage. The avatar that had just been killed represented only about one-hundredth of his actual strength, little more than a puppet.

    However, that didn��t change the fact that Plunictos had been observing the world through the eyes of his avatar, and had been speaking through it as well.

    To have it killed so abruptly felt like a challenge to his authority.

    ��Does he not understand how high my rank is? What a fool.��

    The demon clicked his tongue in irritation as he lounged on the me Throne within his citadel in the Demon Realm.

    [Tch. Humans truly are irredeemable pests.]

    ck Scythe��s disrespectful behavior��interrupting his speech, killing his avatar��was intolerable. Though the ck Scythe had once done him a favor by killing several archangels, there was a limit to his patience.

    ��I was nning to wipe out that pathetic angel and those worm-like yers�� but I didn��t expect to be killed so quickly.��

    Had Ryu Min sensed his true intentions? His avatar hadn��t even had the chance to wreak havoc before it was in.

    ��Killing my avatar like that�� Maybe it��s time I make my move.��

    Even though it had been only a fraction of his power, Plunictos took the killing of his avatar as a direct challenge. He had been looking for a pretext to stir up trouble, and this incident provided him with exactly that.

    ��Perfect. I can use this as an excuse to raise hell with that damned archangel Michael. He��s the one who will pay for the misuse of the Demon Resurrection Scroll.��

    Plunictos nced at the five souls he had captured earlier, who were now shackled by chains beside him.

    [Baal.]

    From the shadows, Baal, the highest-ranking demon among the 72, emerged.

    [You called for me, my lord?]

    [Take these insignificant human souls and toss them into the infernal mes. Use them as ingredients.]

    [Understood.]

    Clink��

    As Baal tugged at the chains, the souls of the five humans, including the Soso and the Messiah members, began to plead desperately, their faces streaked with tears.

    ��Please, save us! Let us go, sir, please!��

    ��I��ll be a good person! Please, just spare me��!��

    Baal��s hand swiped through the air, cutting off their voices. Now, like goldfish gasping for air, their mouths moved, but no sound came out.

    [Move along, vermins.]

    After Baal led the souls away, Plunictos pondered for a moment.

    ��But something��s odd. Why didn��t my avatar even manage to dodge the attack?��

    Even though it had only one percent of his strength, his avatar should still have had powerparable to a high-ranking archangel. For it to be killed without even putting up a fight was baffling.

    ��Could the ck Scythe really be that powerful?��

    The fact that ck Scythe had already in several archangels proved his strength, but he was even stronger than expected.

    Resting his chin in his hand, Plunictos made a decision.

    ��It seems I��ll have to bring the ck Scythe to my demon fortress.��

    The demon with red skin vanished, scattering sulfur powder into the air.

    ***

    ��Plunictos��s avatar����

    Earlier, Ryu Min had pretended not to recognize the name, but he knew exactly who Plunictos was.

    He had heard NPCs in this dimension speak of the Demon Grand Duke Plunictos in passing.

    ��Plunictos is the de facto ruler of the demon realm.��

    While there was a Demon King, his title wasrgely ceremonial. In truth, it was Plunictos who controlled the affairs of the demon realm. Ryu Min had even seen the demon in the distance during the battles with the angels in the 18th round.

    ��He wiped out both humans and angels alike. Even if he��s listed as an ally, I can��t trust him.��

    Though the systembeled Plunictos as an ally, Ryu Min knew better than to think of him as a friend to humans. That��s why, as soon as the demon drew its weapon, Ryu Min had severed its arm and decapitated it without hesitation.

    ��So, he used the Demon Resurrection Scroll to manifest here in this realm����

    In the process, the Soso and his Messiahckeys had been sacrificed, but that was of no concern to Ryu Min. He had only been using them as pawns anyway.

    But as he stared at the message in front of him, a troubled expression crossed his face.

    [The reputation of the ck Scythe with demons has decreased from ��Eternal Ally�� to ��Very Friendly.��]

    ��My reputation fell by a whole rank just from killing one avatar?��

    Considering that the avatar had belonged to Plunictos, it made sense that he had lost significant favor with the demons.

    ��It doesn��t matter. If I hadn��t killed it, the avatar would have ughtered every angel and human in sight.��

    Even though his reputation had dropped, there was another message that brought him satisfaction.

    [You have in the avatar of Grand Duke Plunictos.]

    [You are the first yer to kill a Grand Duke-level demon.]

    [You have earned the title ��Defender Against Evil.��]

    ��That��s a first. I��ve never gotten a title like this before, since I��ve never killed a Grand Duke-level demon.��

    Technically, Ryu Min had only killed an avatar, but it still counted as ying the demon.

    Curious, Ryu Min opened the information on the new title.

 Chapter 240 (Part 1)

    Chapter 240: Round 14 Results (Part 1)Chapter 240: Round 14 Results (Part 1)

    [Title �C One Who Faces Evil]

    �C Requirement: Earned upon defeating a Grand Demon (also applies to incarnations).

    �C Effect: Doubles all stats when confronting demonic entities.

    ��Well, look at that��something interesting.��

    The newly acquired title was quite satisfying. Previously, stat boosts applied only when facing angels, but now they also worked against demons.

    ��So, killing a regr demon didn��t yield this, but taking down a Grand Demon did.��

    If he hadn��t killed the incarnation, he��d never have known.

    ��Well, not that it matters much; it��s not like I��ll be fighting demons all that often.��

    It wasn��t essential, but it was better to have it than not.

    ��Did you see it? The ck Scythe took down a demon.��

    ��Was it because he tried to attack with that whip?��

    ��But what did they talk about? Did anyone hear anything?��

    ��They talked?��

    Because the demon had spoken quietly, the yers didn��t catch any of the exchange. They didn��t know that Ryu Min had just taken down the archangel.

    ��The demon thought we were allies so he talked in a low voice, but that wasn��t the case.��

    Most likely, Plunictos felt betrayed by the one he thought was an ally, the ck Scythe. Ryu Min had no choice but to make that decision to save the other yers.

    ��But it wasn��t only the yers I saved.��

    Ryu Min��s gaze drifted to an angel hovering in the sky. If he hadn��t intervened, that angel would��ve been stripped of its wings and met a grim fate. The angel, calming its thumping heart, descended to the ground.

    Once within thirty meters, the angel��s thoughts transmitted to him.

    ��I�� survived. I almost died to Plunictos. It��s all thanks to the ck Scythe����

    The angel hade down to offer its gratitude but quickly turned back to the sky, avoiding his gaze. Ryu Min was ring at it with fierce intensity, a natural reaction.

    After all, that very angel had sent Soso to the heavens.

    ��Damn angel�� Now I understand why it slipped away before the round started.��

    He could��ve easily flown up, grabbed it by the head, and dragged it down, but the onlookers held him back. He couldn��t afford to tarnish the heroic image he had built, especially since he needed the results tabted.

    ��You��re lucky.��

    Unaware that its life had been saved once again, the angel cleared its throat and addressed everyone.

    ��Ah, yes, a bit of a disturbance just urred, but it��s all resolved now.��

    ��Angel! What was that creature? It looked like a demon!��

    ��Was it a new sub-quest?��

    ��No, it wasn��t. Just an unexpected outsider intervening��nothing to worry about�� Now, shall we go over the results?��

    The embarrassed angel opened the message window.

    �� Round 14 Results ��

    [Unified Zone CA-EA001]

    �� 1st. ck Scythe (Lv92 Reaper) Contribution: 392,291 points

    �� 2nd. Democracy (Lv62 Buffer) Contribution: 149,201 points

    �� 3rd. Chrissy (Lv62 Priest) Contribution: 135,329 points

    As expected, ck Scythe had clinched the top spot, thanks to the high score from taking down thest Devourer. Additionally, Democracy, who provided numerous buffs, and Chrissy, who cast wide-area healing, earned high contributions.

    ��Many survived this time, huh? But rules are rules. Unfortunately, only up to the 2,304th rank will live; the rest will all be eliminated.��

    After a now-familiar time of elimination, around 2,000 yers remained.

    ��Good, the entire Death Church made it.��

    While Ryu Min was visually checking headcounts, his rewards were distributed.

    ��As a clear reward, contribution points are converted to experience and gold.��

    [EXP +370.3%]

    [Gold +1,961,455]

    [Level Up!]

    [Level Up!]

    [Level Up!]

    ��Oh. My level went up by three?��

    Now at level 95, Ryu Min gave a wry smile. He wasn��t ready to reach the max level just yet.

    [ck Scythe is currently ranked 1st in this zone.]

    [As the top scorer in this zone, you are awarded a ��Potion Bundle Selection Box��!]

    [As the top scorer in this zone, you are awarded a ��Special Reward Selection Box��!]

    Ryu Min opened the Potion Bundle Selection Box first.

    [Touch the potion you wish to receive.]

    �� 1. Five Supreme Healing Potions

    �� 2. Five Supreme Defense Potions

    �� 3. Five Supreme Speed Potions

    �� 4. Five Supreme Invisibility Potions

    ��Looking ahead to Round 15, I see why they��re providing these types of potions.��

    All the options were defensive potions; no offensive options were avable. In Round 15, there was nothing to attack, which meant Ryu Min��s powerful damage would be useless.

    ��Enhanced Regeneration isn��t listed, so none of these potions are really necessary����

    After a moment��s deliberation, Ryu Min chose the Supreme Invisibility Potions. He figured it might be useful to give them to a certain someone who would have a critical role in Round 15.

    Afterward, he opened the Special Reward Selection Box, which presented more options.

    [You may select one of the following special rewards.]

    [Tap the reward you wish to receive.]

    �� 1. 50% Stat Increase Buff (Round 15 only)

    �� 2. Temporary Skill �C Heal (Round 15 only)

    �� 3. Information about Round 15

    One option caught his attention.

    ��Heal, huh�� This practically screams high-risk difficulty.��

    All the previous potion choices were defensive, and now there was a healing skill as a temporary skill. This meant that Round 15 was going to be dangerous.

    ��Then I��ll go with the safer option, Heal, as choice 2.��

    Although he had an emergency treatment skill, he picked the more potent Heal option. The stat boost wasn��t necessary.

    ��Maybe the archangel will show up, but�� it��d be useless if they don��t.��

    Rather than taking a risky route, he opted for the secure path with healing.

    End of Round 14

    [Unified Zone CA-EA001]

    �� Survivors: 2,304

    [Your soul will return to its original body shortly.]

    [Round 15 will begin at midnight on March 1, 2023. Congrattions on surviving. See you in the next round.]

    ***

    Somewhere in a deserted warehouse in Florida, USA.

    On normal days, the warehouse was empty, but on the final day of each round, people gathered��yers from the Despair Cult. However, today was different.

    ��Is this all��?��

    There was barely anyone around.

    ��Take a head count!��

    ��Yes, Lord Berber.��

    At Cardinal Berber��s order, a follower began counting heads.

    ��There are 20 of us, excluding the cardinal.��

    ��Damn it����

 Chapter 240 (Part 2)

    Chapter 240: Round 14 Results (Part 2)

    At Cardinal Berber��s order, a follower began counting heads.

    ��There are 20 of us, excluding the cardinal.��

    ��Damn it����

    Berber clenched his lips. The followers had once numbered 200; now, only 20 remained.

    ��Back in Round 11, when we attacked the Saintess, there were still a decent number of us�� and now����

    Berber gritted his teeth in frustration, but he knew that his anger wouldn��t bring back the fallen members. Gathering his thoughts, he called a meeting with the remaining high-ranking followers.

    ��We need to recruit more followers immediately. How many yers are left in America?��

    ��I saw an article estimating about 200 yers remained after thest round. However, with another elimination just now, that number might be halved��probably around 100.��

    ��Good, at least 100 are left. We need to bring all of them into the Despair Cult.��

    ��That may not be so easy, sir.��

    Berber��s eyebrow twitched at the pessimistic remark.

    ��And why not?��

    ��Haven��t you heard? Most American yers have already joined the Death Church.��

    ��The Death Church? What is that?��

    ��A religious group that worships the ck Scythe. They��ve been actively recruiting in Texas, and they seem to have gathered quite a following.��

    ��The Death Church? Sounds just like another one of those cults.��

    Berber hadn��t considered the possibility of a rival sect. Of course, he figured the ck Scythe likely didn��t know about the Despair Cult either.

    ��So, they��ve encroached upon our territory, stealing potential followers?��

    ��That��s correct. I also heard that the Saintess is leading the recruitment efforts, backed, of course, by the ck Scythe.��

    ��Ah. That Saintess we failed to kill ising back to haunt us.��

    Back in Round 11, they had ambushed the Saintess�� followers on the orders of their leader, John Delgado. The mission had earned them quite a few points for taking down the Saintess�� entire entourage, though they hadn��t managed to kill the Saintess herself.

    ��If I recall, it was the ck Scythe��s intervention that forced our leader to retreat, missing a limb or two. We couldn��t help it.��

    ��And now? Don��t you think it��s time to finish off the Saintess and dismantle the Death Church?��

    ��But with the ck Scythe standing guard, is that even possible?��

    The reactions from the high-ranking followers were all negative. The ck Scythe was out of their league, and sheer numbers wouldn��t be enough to tip the scale in their favor. Twenty eggs thrown at a rock would never leave a scratch.

    ��Don��t worry about that. Our leader is affiliated with an international organization called Messiah.��

    ��Messiah?��

    ��An international organization?��

    The high-ranking followers widened their eyes, surprised by this revtion.

    ��How do you know this, Lord Berber?��

    ��As a Cardinal, there is little that escapes my notice.��

    The truth was, a man known as The Spaniard had approached Berber to ask about John Delgado��s whereabouts, revealing the information in the process. However, Berber wasn��t aware that Messiah had already been decimated by the ck Scythe.

    ��So, you see, there��s absolutely no need for concern����

    At that moment, the doors of the warehouse creaked open, and John Delgado himself walked in.

    ��You��re here.��

    The followers greeted him with respectful bows, though Berber remained silent, feeling a pang of guilt.

    ��What��s going on here?��

    ��We��re holding a meeting.��

    ��A meeting about what?��

    ��We were discussing ways to recruit new followers.��

    ��Did I give permission for such a meeting?��

    ��Well, Lord Berber suggested����

    John��s sharp gazended on Berber.

    ��What��s going on, Berber? Were you trying to hold a meeting without me?��

    ��Of course not, Leader. I intended to discuss it with you as soon as you arrived.��

    ��So you weren��t nning to make decisions on your own?��

    ��Naturally, the final decision rests with you, Leader. I simply thought we should address the matter urgently.��

    John found Berber��s prepared response convincing enough and decided to let it slide.

    ��So, what��s the conclusion?��

    ��Have you heard of the Death Church?��

    John maintained aposed expression and nodded slightly.

    ��I��ve heard of them.��

    ��Well, those vermin have been drawing all the yers to their side, leaving us with little chance to recruit for the Despair Cult.��

    ��And what do you n to do about it?��

    ��You remember the Saintess we missedst time? It seems she��s joined forces with the ck Scythe.��

    ��The Saintess done that?��

    It might have been a misunderstanding, but John chose to act as if he knew nothing.

    ��Why not target the Saintess once more? If we capture her, we could force the ck Scythe to submit. We could potentially absorb all his followers into our cult as well. What do you think? It��s a solid strategy, isn��t it?��

    The n was straightforward: kidnap the Saintess and use her as leverage to control the ck Scythe. John stroked his chin, lost in thought. He was unsure whether to outright reject or keep the idea on hold.

    ��This isn��t my decision to make; it��s for the Master to decide.��

    After reaching a conclusion, John spoke to Berber.

    ��I need time to consider.��

    ��To recruit followers, this is the only way.��

    ��I understand. I��ll take it under serious advisement.��

    With that response, John promptly left the warehouse.

    ��I need to inform the Master of this as soon as possible.��

    Neither Berber nor the Despair Cult followers suspected that their leader was, in fact, colluding with the ck Scythe himself.

    ***

    Meanwhile, upon hearing the news of Round 14, the archangels were in a somber mood.

    ��The Duke Demon��s incarnation appeared, yet we failed to stop him����

    Gabriel, in particr, looked despondent. His initial confidence was gone, reced by a deeply subdued expression. As it had been his n, he was bearing the full weight of its failure.

    ��What happened, Gabriel? You assured us that by using the Demon��s Resurrection Book, we could inevitably make him a sacrificialmb. That was why we agreed to the n.��

    ��My apologies. I never expected the ck Scythe to see through it.��

    ��How many times did I ask? Are you sure this will seed?��

    ��I�� have no excuses, Michael.��

    Gabriel bowed his head as Michael scowled fiercely, though inwardly, Michael was somewhat relieved.

    ��It��s actually a good thing the ck Scythe survived. We��ve had a stroke of luck. But now, what to do? We��ll need to send an archangel to redeem this failure.��

    Only three archangels, including Michael, remained. If all three attacked at once, the ck Scythe wouldn��t stand a chance.

    ��But I must buy as much time as possible for him to grow stronger. What excuse can I use? Should I just suggest postponing this round? Or should I make Gabriel bear the responsibility alone?��

    Just as Michael was about to voice his decision, something urred.

    ��Ah?��

    ��Oh!��

    The archangels gasped as a being appeared, slicing through the fabric of space.

 Chapter 241: Goddess of Vengeance (1)

    Chapter 241: Goddess of Vengeance (1)

    The being that appeared was Nemesis, known as the Goddess of Vengeance.

    The archangels, including Michael, respectfully paid their homage.

    [We greet the Goddess of Ramnus, Lady Nemesis.]

    It was only fitting, given the appearance of a deity-level figure.

    However, Nemesis��s expression was far from pleased.

    [Three out of the seven archangels remain. All because of one mere human. How disgraceful is this? Do you, who im to be rulers of the heavens, feel no shame?]

    [We have no excuses.]

    [Excuses are worthless; raise your heads. I wish to see just how thick-skinned you are.]

    [����]The archangels lifted their heads, but could not meet her gaze.

    [Tsk, tsk, judging by your expressions, you seem to have at least a shred of conscience left.]

    Nemesis��s eyes shifted to Michael.

    [Michael. You came to me asking for help in finding the human who harbored vengeance against the ck Scythe, correct?]

    [Yes, that is correct.]

    [Do you remember what I said back then?]

    [Of course. You said that since we were using the artifact of a demon duke, we had to ensure sess. Only then would Plunitos be satisfied with the worth of the sacrifice.]

    [Exactly. And now, what has happened?]

    [��Shamefully, we failed.]

    [Do you know what consequences that failure has brought?]

    Michael, who had been avoiding her gaze in remorse, met her eyes.

    [What has happened?]

    [Plunitos is demanding that we bring the ck Scythe, who killed his avatar.]

    [The ck Scythe?]

    [He threatened war if we did not deliver it by the 18th round.]

    [Ah����.]

    The archangels collectively opened their mouths in shock.

    What started as an effort to capture the ck Scythe had escted far beyond their control.

    [He mes us for recklessly using the Resurrection Scroll. Of course, that is just the public reason; in truth, he is likely seeking an excuse to ignite war.]

    [����]

    The archangels remained silent.

    Gabriel, in particr, felt unable to speak, knowing his n had brought the threat of war.

    [This incident could trigger the 7th Celestial-Demonic War. While war was inevitable someday, the timing has now been elerated. We handed them the excuse they were waiting for.]

    Nemesis��s frown deepened. Her brows had not rxed since her arrival.

    [To fight a war while the archangels are depleted due to the ck Scythe? A battle now would only lead to our defeat. Plunitos knows this and is seizing the opportunity.]

    [Is there no way to refuse?]

    [How can we refuse when the enemy calls for war?]

    [����]

    [If we had seeded in using the Resurrection Scroll and sacrificed the soul of the ck Scythe, Plunitos would have been appeased. But since we failed, and he lost his avatar for nothing, he��s now trying to gain something out of this.]

    [So, if we hand over the ck Scythe as he wants, war can be avoided?]

    [That��s right. With the eyes of all gods on him, he cannot go back on his word.]

    [At least there is a way to manage this crisis.]

    Despite these words, Michael felt a deep anxiety. He might have to sacrifice his own ambition to be a god.

    [The deadline is before the 18th round. Do whatever it takes to capture the ck Scythe and present him to Plunitos. I don��t like the idea of handing over the criminal who killed the archangels, but we must if we want to postpone the war.]

    Nemesis, speaking as if inment, looked at Gabriel, who had lowered his head in shame.

    [I��ve heard enough. It was your n, wasn��t it?]

    [��Yes.]

    [Gabriel, who once led us to victory in thest war and earned the gods�� favor, how did ite to this?]

    [I apologize�� It was all my fault.]

    [I know. That is why you must take responsibility. You understand that the gods have high expectations for you in the next war, don��t you? Prove your worth and live up to your title.]

    [I will bring results that meet your expectations.]

    [Do not disappoint me again if you wish for my continued support.]

    With those parting words, Nemesis nced once at Michael and Raphael before tearing through space and vanishing.

    Her final words were not solely for Gabriel. It was a warning for all three archangels.

    ��Phew�� this is serious. Who would have thought Plunitos would use the Resurrection Scroll as a pretext to hasten the war?��

    Nemesis was right. A war now would spell certain defeat.

    ��We need at least until after the 20th round to stand a chance. But if we don��t deliver the ck Scythe by the 18th round, war is inevitable.��

    There was one way to dy the war: handing over the ck Scythe.

    But that was easier said than done. And what about his own ambition?

    ��Must I postpone my path to godhood once again?��

    As Michael inwardly sighed, Gabriel��s eyes burned with determination.

    Driven by his mission, he resolved to subdue the ck Scythe by any means necessary.

    [Michael. Allow me to go in the 15th round.]

    [����]

    [I will subdue the ck Scythe and bring him to the heavens.]

    [Gabriel, if you go alone, what do you think will happen? I will go with you.]

    [Raphael. This isn��t your fight. This is mine to settle.]

    [You��re wrong. Didn��t you hear what Lady Nemesis said? This is a matter for all of us.]

    Michael, realizing that he could not abstain from this matter, spoke.

    [Hmm, there is time until the 18th round, so let��s not rush.]

    [But, Michael.]

    [Listen to me. I don��t want to mess this up again.]

    Gabriel, whose authority was now reduced, could only stay silent at Michael��smand.

    [We need to be cautious. You know what happened to the other archangels who underestimated the ck Scythe. Even you suffered in this way.]

    [If the three of us move together, we could subdue him for sure.]

    [That��s true. But overconfidence is deadly. Remember the failures caused by direct assaults? Perhaps another strategy would be more effective this time.]

    [Do you have a n in mind?]

    [I��m working on it now.]

    [����]

    The archangels fell silent, unaware of Michael��s stalling tactics.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 241 (Part 1)

    Chapter 241: Goddess of Vengeance (Part 1)

    The being that appeared was Nemesis, known as the Goddess of Vengeance.

    The archangels, including Michael, respectfully paid their homage.

    [We greet the Goddess of Ramnus, Lady Nemesis.]

    It was only fitting, given the appearance of a deity-level figure.

    However, Nemesis��s expression was far from pleased.

    [Three out of the seven archangels remain. All because of one mere human. How disgraceful is this? Do you, who im to be rulers of the heavens, feel no shame?]

    [We have no excuses.]

    [Excuses are worthless; raise your heads. I wish to see just how thick-skinned you are.]

    [����]

    The archangels lifted their heads, but could not meet her gaze.

    [Tsk, tsk, judging by your expressions, you seem to have at least a shred of conscience left.]

    Nemesis��s eyes shifted to Michael.

    [Michael. You came to me asking for help in finding the human who harbored vengeance against the ck Scythe, correct?]

    [Yes, that is correct.]

    [Do you remember what I said back then?]

    [Of course. You said that since we were using the artifact of a demon duke, we had to ensure sess. Only then would Plunitos be satisfied with the worth of the sacrifice.]

    [Exactly. And now, what has happened?]

    [��Shamefully, we failed.]

    [Do you know what consequences that failure has brought?]

    Michael, who had been avoiding her gaze in remorse, met her eyes.

    [What has happened?]

    [Plunitos is demanding that we bring the ck Scythe, who killed his avatar.]

    [The ck Scythe?]

    [He threatened war if we did not deliver it by the 18th round.]

    [Ah����.]

    The archangels collectively opened their mouths in shock.

    What started as an effort to capture the ck Scythe had escted far beyond their control.

    [He mes us for recklessly using the Resurrection Scroll. Of course, that is just the public reason; in truth, he is likely seeking an excuse to ignite war.]

    [����]

    The archangels remained silent.

    Gabriel, in particr, felt unable to speak, knowing his n had brought the threat of war.

    [This incident could trigger the 7th Celestial-Demonic War. While war was inevitable someday, the timing has now been elerated. We handed them the excuse they were waiting for.]

    Nemesis��s frown deepened. Her brows had not rxed since her arrival.

    [To fight a war while the archangels are depleted due to the ck Scythe? A battle now would only lead to our defeat. Plunitos knows this and is seizing the opportunity.]

    [Is there no way to refuse?]

    [How can we refuse when the enemy calls for war?]

    [����]

    [If we had seeded in using the Resurrection Scroll and sacrificed the soul of the ck Scythe, Plunitos would have been appeased. But since we failed, and he lost his avatar for nothing, he��s now trying to gain something out of this.]

    [So, if we hand over the ck Scythe as he wants, war can be avoided?]

    [That��s right. With the eyes of all gods on him, he cannot go back on his word.]

    [At least there is a way to manage this crisis.]

    Despite these words, Michael felt a deep anxiety. He might have to sacrifice his own ambition to be a god.

    [The deadline is before the 18th round. Do whatever it takes to capture the ck Scythe and present him to Plunitos. I don��t like the idea of handing over the criminal who killed the archangels, but we must if we want to postpone the war.]

    Nemesis, speaking as if inment, looked at Gabriel, who had lowered his head in shame.

    [I��ve heard enough. It was your n, wasn��t it?]

    [��Yes.]

    [Gabriel, who once led us to victory in thest war and earned the gods�� favor, how did ite to this?]

    [I apologize�� It was all my fault.]

    [I know. That is why you must take responsibility. You understand that the gods have high expectations for you in the next war, don��t you? Prove your worth and live up to your title.]

    [I will bring results that meet your expectations.]

    [Do not disappoint me again if you wish for my continued support.]

    With those parting words, Nemesis nced once at Michael and Raphael before tearing through space and vanishing.

    Her final words were not solely for Gabriel. It was a warning for all three archangels.

    ��Phew�� this is serious. Who would have thought Plunitos would use the Resurrection Scroll as a pretext to hasten the war?��

    Nemesis was right. A war now would spell certain defeat.

    ��We need at least until after the 20th round to stand a chance. But if we don��t deliver the ck Scythe by the 18th round, war is inevitable.��

    There was one way to dy the war: handing over the ck Scythe.

    But that was easier said than done. And what about his own ambition?

    ��Must I postpone my path to godhood once again?��

    As Michael inwardly sighed, Gabriel��s eyes burned with determination.

    Driven by his mission, he resolved to subdue the ck Scythe by any means necessary.

    [Michael. Allow me to go in the 15th round.]

    [����]

    [I will subdue the ck Scythe and bring him to the heavens.]

    [Gabriel, if you go alone, what do you think will happen? I will go with you.]

    [Raphael. This isn��t your fight. This is mine to settle.]

    [You��re wrong. Didn��t you hear what Lady Nemesis said? This is a matter for all of us.]

    Michael, realizing that he could not abstain from this matter, spoke.

    [Hmm, there is time until the 18th round, so let��s not rush.]

    [But, Michael.]

    [Listen to me. I don��t want to mess this up again.]

    Gabriel, whose authority was now reduced, could only stay silent at Michael��smand.

    [We need to be cautious. You know what happened to the other archangels who underestimated the ck Scythe. Even you suffered in this way.]

    [If the three of us move together, we could subdue him for sure.]

    [That��s true. But overconfidence is deadly. Remember the failures caused by direct assaults? Perhaps another strategy would be more effective this time.]

    [Do you have a n in mind?]

    [I��m working on it now.]

    [����]

    The archangels fell silent, unaware of Michael��s stalling tactics.

 Chapter 241 (Part 2)

    Chapter 241: Goddess of Vengeance (Part 2)

    Resting at home, Ryu Min received a call from Jon.

    It was both a report and a warning.

    ��-Master, the Despair Cult is preparing to strike against the Death Church.��

    ��And why?��

    ��-They need more followers, and they see the Death Church as an obstacle, iming it stole their potential recruits��.��

    ��Well, they��re not wrong. But what confidence do they have to target me?��

    ��-Their n is to kidnap Lady Christine and use her as leverage. It seems they believe she is the ck Scythe��s weakness.��

    ��She is, in a way.��

    Christine was crucial for the 15th round. Her area-healing abilities could save countless lives.

    ��It��s not impossible without her, but the cost would be steep.��

    In a previous timeline, over 2,000 challengers entered, and fewer than 50 survived. Christine��s early death had been devastating.

    ��I need to protect her to bring as many through as possible.��

    Lost in thought, Jon��s voice broke through the silence.

    ��-What should we do? I told them we��d consider it to buy time��.��

    ��Keep dying. Don��t move forward with it.��

    ��-Understood.��

    ��And there might beplications, so I��lle there myself.��

    ��-To America?��

    ��Yes. I need to see Christine.��

    ��-I understand. Let me know when you arrive. I��ll meet you at the airport.��

    ��Don��t. I��ll see Christine first. Act as you normally would, and I��ll reach out if I need anything.��

    ��-Understood, Master.��

    Ending the call, Ryu Min switched to another phone to call Christine��not as the ck Scythe, but as the Prophet.

    ��Ah, Christine? It��s Ryu Min.��

    ��-Prophet! It��s been a while. I was thinking of reaching out myself.��

    ��You were?��

    ��-Yes. I owe you a lot, from the next round��s strategy to learning about the ck Scythe. I was even thinking of visiting Korea to thank you.��

    ��No need. I��lle to you.��

    ��-You��reing to Das?��

    ��I have something to tell you about the 15th round. Can you spare some time?��

    ��-Of course! I��m free.��

    ��Then I��ll see you in two days. I��ll contact you again.��

    ��-Sure. Let��s have a meal together. My treat.��

    ��Haha, sure.��

    Ryu Minughed as he ended the call and booked the earliest flight.

    ��Better let Won know.��

    In the living room, his younger brother was watching TV, where a news report about the ck Scythe was airing.

    ��Hey, the ck Scythe is amazing, right?�� his brother asked.

    ��Why do you think so?��

    ��He��s defeated so many viins and saved countless people. They say he took down the final boss in the 14th round with a single blow to prevent any casualties. Is that true?��

    ��How��d you know?��

    ��I picked up some intel online. Everyone��s talking about him, both ordinary people and yers. Isn��t it crazy?��

    ��Is it?��

    Despite the hype, Ryu Min didn��t feel it. He didn��t frequent the inte, and no one recognized him as the celebrity, ck Scythe.

    ��Well, I did hide my identity.��

    He smirked as his brother turned to him.

    ��Why are you standing there? Got something to say?��

    ��Yeah.��

    ��You��re going on another trip, right?��

    ��How��d you guess?��

    ��You��ve been traveling more. It��s probably because of your girlfriend in Japan.��

    There was no girlfriend, but letting his brother believe that was simpler.

    ��Anyway, I��ll be away for a bit, back in a week.��

    ��Got it. Have a safe trip. Don��t worry about me. The world��s safer now, thanks to the ck Scythe.��

    If only he knew.

    That the ck Scythe was standing right in front of him.

    ��Yeah. I��ll be back soon. Don��t just order takeout; cook something, will you?��

    ��Come on, I��m not a kid. I��m a high schooler now.��

    ��Can��t even go to school, though.��

    ��Ah! I wish I could go to school again!��

    Leaving his brother��s jokingints behind, Ryu Min walked away.

    ��You��re still just a kid to me.��

    He smiled faintly as he did.

 Chapter 242: Misunderstanding (1)

    Chapter 242: Misunderstanding (1)

    ��One pack of Marlboro Red, please.��

    Beep

    ��That will be 4,500 won, sir. Thank you! Have a nice day!��

    Min Do-hoon enthusiastically greeted the customer, who felt a bit embarrassed as he left after just buying a pack of cigarettes.

    The reason for Min Do-hoon��s cheerful demeanor was simple: he hade to appreciate life more deeply.

    Ding-a-ling

    At that moment, the reason for his happiness entered the convenience store, looking somewhat displeased.

    ��Daughter! Are you here to help out again today?��

    ��Dad! Can��t you stop working at the convenience store? It��s dangerous these days������Not this again? You��re nagging just like your mom.��

    ��Don��t just brush me off!��

    ��Isn��t it enough that I have my daughter to protect me? And if pushes to shove, there��s always the ck Scythe.��

    ��How could ck Scythe protect you? He��s so busy nowadays.��

    ��Well, it��s not like a celebrity like him woulde by our store anyway.��

    For a moment, Min Juri wanted to say that she was acquainted with ck Scythe but refrained. They weren��t that close, and she didn��t want to seem like she was taking advantage of his status.

    ��Anyway, listen to me! How long do you n to keep doing this? It��s been ages since the other shops turned into unmanned stores. We need to think about safety and make the change too. Or, at the very least, sell the shop and rest at home. With the money I��ve made, you could easily retire.��

    The days of worrying over money were long gone. Min Juri, being a yer, had earned nearly 200 million won just by selling items. She had paid off all their debts and had enough for living expenses. Plus, she still had the 300-million-won diamond from Ryu Min, though she hadn��t sold it yet.

    In short, they had more than enough to livefortably without the convenience store job. But Min Do-hoon wasn��t listening.

    ��Retirement? Are you treating your dad like an old man? I��m only in my early fifties. I should work while I still can.��

    ��Ah�� so stubborn.��

    Knowing just how stubborn her father could be, Min Juri sighed and dropped the subject, merely showing her frustration through a long sigh.

    The silver lining was that the world had be a better ce recently. Most domestic yers were now part of the benevolent Death Church, and thanks to CPF and ck Scythe, crime rates had plummeted.

    Dressed in her convenience store uniform, Min Juri gently pushed her father��s back.

    ��Dad, go rest. I��ll take care of the store.��

    ��No, I��ve only been here a few hours. I��ll stay a bit longer.��

    ��Just rest. You��re not young anymore, so your body must get tired.��

    ��Now you��re just outright calling me old? I��m still full of energy. Besides, you could cast that Bless-whatever on me, right? It fills you with energy.��

    ��Blessings aren��t a cure-all. They just make you feel that way.��

    ��Anyway, I��m fine. You should rest instead. You haven��t been up from your narcolepsy for long.��

    ��Don��t worry about me. Worry about yourself, Dad.��

    ��In this situation, how could I not worry about my daughter?��

    Was he thinking about his daughter, who had to risk her life in deadly games? His face turned solemn.

    ��Is it tough these days?��

    ��Tough? What��s tough? I survived for 14 months already.��

    ��But you still have six rounds to go. Who knows what could happen����

    If he was so worried, how must his daughter feel? A long sigh escaped Min Do-hoon.

    ��I��m sorry. A father shouldn��t talk about such gloomy things with his daughter.��

    ��It��s okay. I have reliable teammates now and enough experience to not worry.��

    ��Do you know what I do on the first of every month? I stay up all night praying to the gods. I beg them to bring my daughter back safely.��

    ��You should pray to the right beings�� after all, it��s the gods who made it this way.��

    ��You never know. Maybe they��ll take pity on my desperate prayers and show mercy to my daughter.��

    Min Juri couldn��t say anything. She understood her father��s feelings.

    ��That��s why every moment is precious to me. I��m just grateful and want to spend as much time as I can with my daughter.��

    ��What are you saying? Am I on a death clock or something? Does it sound like I��m going to die?��

    Wiping away the tears that welled up, she spoke with determination.

    ��I��ll survive until the 20th round. I��ll stay alive and make my wishe true.��

    ��What wish?��

    ��That��s a secret.��

    Smiling brightly, Min Juri put on her gloves and stepped outside.

    ��The delivery should be here soon. I��ll handle it.��

    ��Juri, it��s tough work. Let me����

    ��Don��t worry. Did you forget? Your daughter is a yer who can even break walls.��

    With a bright smile, she stepped outside but her expression quickly turned somber.

    ��Can I really survive until the 20th round?��

    Somehow, she had made it to the 14th round. It was sheer luck, especially since she was a buffer, not a damage dealer.

    ��It��s all thanks to my teammates.��

    It was because of her reliablerades that she had made it this far. Among them, none were more supportive than Ryu Min and ck Scythe.

    ��Without them, I might have turned to ashes by now����

    A thought crossed her mind: she wanted to help them too. But how?

    ��Come to think of it, ck Scythe mentioned that he��s using the special reward selection box to choose next-round information as a reward����

    Was there a need to give up personal rewards for information? After all, there was Ryu Min, the prophet.

    ��If I told Min about the next round��s details, ck Scythe could pick another reward.��

    Sharing information would benefit both parties. But why wasn��t that happening? Was there a disagreement between them? Or were they not on good terms?

    ��Maybe they��re not on friendly terms after all.��

    Ryu Min always found ways to avoid joining the Death Church, brushing off the topic. Thus, he remained unaffiliated. Meanwhile, ck Scythe still chose to use his rewards on future round information.

    ��It does seem like they don��t get along.��

    Why wouldn��t they cooperate when it was in their mutual interest? Could something have happened between them?

    ��Maybe I could help.��

    If she could mediate between them and mend their rtionship, things might change. With that in mind, Min Juri sent a message to Ryu Min.

    [Min, do you have time to meet today? I have something to talk about.]

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 242 (Part 1)

    Chapter 242: Misunderstanding (Part 1)

    ��One pack of Marlboro Red, please.��

    Beep

    ��That will be 4,500 won, sir. Thank you! Have a nice day!��

    Min Do-hoon enthusiastically greeted the customer, who felt a bit embarrassed as he left after just buying a pack of cigarettes.

    The reason for Min Do-hoon��s cheerful demeanor was simple: he hade to appreciate life more deeply.

    Ding-a-ling

    At that moment, the reason for his happiness entered the convenience store, looking somewhat displeased.

    ��Daughter! Are you here to help out again today?��

    ��Dad! Can��t you stop working at the convenience store? It��s dangerous these days����

    ��Not this again? You��re nagging just like your mom.��

    ��Don��t just brush me off!��

    ��Isn��t it enough that I have my daughter to protect me? And if pushes to shove, there��s always the ck Scythe.��

    ��How could ck Scythe protect you? He��s so busy nowadays.��

    ��Well, it��s not like a celebrity like him woulde by our store anyway.��

    For a moment, Min Juri wanted to say that she was acquainted with ck Scythe but refrained. They weren��t that close, and she didn��t want to seem like she was taking advantage of his status.

    ��Anyway, listen to me! How long do you n to keep doing this? It��s been ages since the other shops turned into unmanned stores. We need to think about safety and make the change too. Or, at the very least, sell the shop and rest at home. With the money I��ve made, you could easily retire.��

    The days of worrying over money were long gone. Min Juri, being a yer, had earned nearly 200 million won just by selling items. She had paid off all their debts and had enough for living expenses. Plus, she still had the 300-million-won diamond from Ryu Min, though she hadn��t sold it yet.

    In short, they had more than enough to livefortably without the convenience store job. But Min Do-hoon wasn��t listening.

    ��Retirement? Are you treating your dad like an old man? I��m only in my early fifties. I should work while I still can.��

    ��Ah�� so stubborn.��

    Knowing just how stubborn her father could be, Min Juri sighed and dropped the subject, merely showing her frustration through a long sigh.

    The silver lining was that the world had be a better ce recently. Most domestic yers were now part of the benevolent Death Church, and thanks to CPF and ck Scythe, crime rates had plummeted.

    Dressed in her convenience store uniform, Min Juri gently pushed her father��s back.

    ��Dad, go rest. I��ll take care of the store.��

    ��No, I��ve only been here a few hours. I��ll stay a bit longer.��

    ��Just rest. You��re not young anymore, so your body must get tired.��

    ��Now you��re just outright calling me old? I��m still full of energy. Besides, you could cast that Bless-whatever on me, right? It fills you with energy.��

    ��Blessings aren��t a cure-all. They just make you feel that way.��

    ��Anyway, I��m fine. You should rest instead. You haven��t been up from your narcolepsy for long.��

    ��Don��t worry about me. Worry about yourself, Dad.��

    ��In this situation, how could I not worry about my daughter?��

    Was he thinking about his daughter, who had to risk her life in deadly games? His face turned solemn.

    ��Is it tough these days?��

    ��Tough? What��s tough? I survived for 14 months already.��

    ��But you still have six rounds to go. Who knows what could happen����

    If he was so worried, how must his daughter feel? A long sigh escaped Min Do-hoon.

    ��I��m sorry. A father shouldn��t talk about such gloomy things with his daughter.��

    ��It��s okay. I have reliable teammates now and enough experience to not worry.��

    ��Do you know what I do on the first of every month? I stay up all night praying to the gods. I beg them to bring my daughter back safely.��

    ��You should pray to the right beings�� after all, it��s the gods who made it this way.��

    ��You never know. Maybe they��ll take pity on my desperate prayers and show mercy to my daughter.��

    Min Juri couldn��t say anything. She understood her father��s feelings.

    ��That��s why every moment is precious to me. I��m just grateful and want to spend as much time as I can with my daughter.��

    ��What are you saying? Am I on a death clock or something? Does it sound like I��m going to die?��

    Wiping away the tears that welled up, she spoke with determination.

    ��I��ll survive until the 20th round. I��ll stay alive and make my wishe true.��

    ��What wish?��

    ��That��s a secret.��

    Smiling brightly, Min Juri put on her gloves and stepped outside.

    ��The delivery should be here soon. I��ll handle it.��

    ��Juri, it��s tough work. Let me����

    ��Don��t worry. Did you forget? Your daughter is a yer who can even break walls.��

    With a bright smile, she stepped outside but her expression quickly turned somber.

    ��Can I really survive until the 20th round?��

    Somehow, she had made it to the 14th round. It was sheer luck, especially since she was a buffer, not a damage dealer.

    ��It��s all thanks to my teammates.��

    It was because of her reliablerades that she had made it this far. Among them, none were more supportive than Ryu Min and ck Scythe.

    ��Without them, I might have turned to ashes by now����

    A thought crossed her mind: she wanted to help them too. But how?

    ��Come to think of it, ck Scythe mentioned that he��s using the special reward selection box to choose next-round information as a reward����

    Was there a need to give up personal rewards for information? After all, there was Ryu Min, the prophet.

    ��If I told Min about the next round��s details, ck Scythe could pick another reward.��

    Sharing information would benefit both parties. But why wasn��t that happening? Was there a disagreement between them? Or were they not on good terms?

    ��Maybe they��re not on friendly terms after all.��

    Ryu Min always found ways to avoid joining the Death Church, brushing off the topic. Thus, he remained unaffiliated. Meanwhile, ck Scythe still chose to use his rewards on future round information.

    ��It does seem like they don��t get along.��

    Why wouldn��t they cooperate when it was in their mutual interest? Could something have happened between them?

    ��Maybe I could help.��

    If she could mediate between them and mend their rtionship, things might change. With that in mind, Min Juri sent a message to Ryu Min.

    [Min, do you have time to meet today? I have something to talk about.]

 Chapter 242 (Part 2)

    Chapter 242: Misunderstanding (Part 2)

    After finishing her work and returning home, Min Juri stared at her phone.

    ����.��

    She had waited half the day for a reply, but none came. Even calling didn��t help.

    ��Is something wrong?��

    Worried, she grabbed her coat. She had visited Ryu Min��s house once before. Remembering that, she put on her shoes.

    ��Dad, I��m going to meet a friend!��

    ��It��s not a boy, is it?��

    ��So what if it is?! He��s just a friend!��

    ��Oh, a boy. Got it. Be safe.��

    Even though he smiled knowingly, as if misunderstanding something, she didn��t feel like exining. She had liked him for a long time.

    ��I-I��ll be back soon. Don��t have dinner without me.��

    To hide her embarrassment, Min Juri rushed out, took a taxi, and headed to Ryu Min��s apartment.

    The Galleria Forest, an apartmentplex worth 9 billion won. A year ago, it was valued at 7 billion, but with security bing more important as the world grew unstable, its price had soared.

    ��Drop me off here, please. Thank you.��

    Min Juri walked to the entrance of the building. Just as she was about to press the inte, her hand paused.

    ��What was the unit number again?��

    She knew the building but couldn��t remember the exact unit. Just as she was fretting, a familiar voice called out.

    ��Ms. Min Juri?��

    ��Oh? Ms. Seo Arin!��

    Seo Arin, dressed casually with a hat pulled low, stood there holding a bagbeled GS24.

    ��What are you doing here?��

    ��I�� I came to see a friend, but I can��t remember the unit number.��

    ��A friend�� by any chance, Prophet Ryu Min?��

    ��Oh? You knew?��

    ��I��ve heard that you two are friends.��

    Seo Arin swiped her card to unlock the door.

    ��Perfect timing. I needed to ask the Prophet something too. Let��s go together.��

    ��Thank you.��

    They entered, greeted the security guard, and took the elevator.

    Hum

    The silence was a bit unnerving, so Min Juri broke it with a smile.

    ��I heard you live right above Min.��

    ��Yes, it��s quite a coincidence that he moved into the unit below mine. He and his even brought rice cakes as a weing gift�� though we never ate any ourselves. They looked delicious.��

    ��Oh, so he��s living with his brother����

    She remembered overhearing Ryu Min talking with his younger sibling once during a moment of curiosity, but she hadn��t brought it up since it felt too intrusive.

    ��He��s four years younger than me. I think he��s at home now�� You didn��t know?��

    ��N-No, I didn��t.��

    She feigned ignorance, having never met him officially.

    ��This is good timing. It��d be awkward otherwise, so I��ll introduce you. I��ve been to the Prophet��s ce a few times, so I know his brother.��

    ��Been�� to his ce?��

    The thought of a female celebrity visiting the home of the man she liked triggered a twinge of jealousy in Min Juri.

    ��Why are you looking at me like that?��

    ��N-No reason.��

    Ding The elevator chimed as it stopped on the 43rd floor.

    They stepped out and found Ryu Min��s door. Seo Arin rang the doorbell, and soon, Ryu Won, looking flustered, opened the door.

    ��S-Seo Arin?��

    ��I told you to call me sister.��

    ��Oh, right�� sister. Who��s this?��

    ��She says she��s a friend of your brother.��

    Min Juri stepped forward with a smile.

    ��You��re Min��s brother, right? Nice to meet you. I��m Min��s ssmate, Min Juri.��

    ��Hello.��

    ��Is Min home? I wanted to talk to him����

    ��My brother isn��t home.��

    ��He��s not? Do you know where he went? He��s not answering his phone����

    ��Well����

    Ryu Won hesitated but decided he couldn��t lie and revealed the truth.

    ��He went to Japan to see his girlfriend.��

    ��Girl��friend?��

    ��He��s been flying to Japan a lottely to visit her.��

    ��Wow, I didn��t know the Prophet had a girlfriend. That��s surprising.��

    Seo Arinughed, but then quickly noticed Min Juri��s nk, dazed expression as she stared off into space.

    ��Are�� are you okay, Ms. Min Juri?��

    ��I-I��m fine. He has a girlfriend�� and she��s Japanese����

    Muttering to herself, Min Juri turned and left without saying goodbye.

    ��A-Are you leaving? Oh, I should get going too. Bye, Won.��

    ��Bye, sister. Nice meeting you!��

    Ryu Won stared at the closed door, tilting his head in confusion.

    ��Did I say something wrong?��

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 243: The Variable (1)

    Chapter 243: The Variable (1)

    Das Fort Worth International Airport.

    Ryu Min��s eyes caught sight of an exceptionally beautiful woman as he stepped out of the arrivals area.

    It was Christine.

    She waved enthusiastically, greeting him with a bright smile.

    ��Mr. Ryu Min. Wee to our country. Was your tripfortable?��

    ��I came in first ss, so yes, veryfortable.��

    ��Well, it makes sense now that you��re a billionaire from selling stocks�� Oh, but please don��t misunderstand me. I��m not being envious.��

    Christine was well aware of the fact that Ma Kyung-rok��spany had copsed, as she was his fianc��e. She also knew that Ryu Min had sold off all his shares during that process, but she did not hold it against him. After all, Ma Kyung-rok had been no ordinary fianc����he was one who had tried to kill her.

    ��Shall we go before the mood turns somber? I��ve reserved a good restaurant. How about foie gras?����Goose liver is a bit����

    ��Haha, just kidding!��

    After finishing their meal at a nearby steakhouse, Christine led him to a cocktail bar.

    ��How about this ce? It��s spacious and nice, right?��

    ��Yes. It��s a bit loud, but that might make conversation easier.��

    The bar was crowded, and the music was loud enough to drown out their voices, which made it perfect for discussing secrets. The only downside was that they had to lean in closely to talk.

    ��Would you like a cocktail or a beer?��

    ��Let��s go with a cocktail.��

    After choosing from the menu and cing their orders, the bartender brought them their drinks.

    ��Do you drink often?��

    ��No. I quit it. But that doesn��t mean I won��t drink at all.��

    ��You sound like someone who��s had their fair share of drinking.��

    ��Try living through 99 regressions. Let��s see if you��d stay sane.��

    It had been mentally taxing when people died and even his only family, his younger sibling, was lost. He had once lived with a bottle in his hand but managed to break free from the addiction with each regression. Now, he waspletely sober.

    ��I never imagined I��d be drinking with the Prophet.��

    ��I didn��t either.��

    ��Can��t you see these moments in the future?��

    ��It��s not that I can��t; it��s more like I didn��t see it. The future can be quite unpredictable.��

    ��Then, perhaps����

    ��Is she already tipsy?��

    With her cheeks flushed, Christine mustered her courage.

    ��Did you�� see anything about the rtionship between the ck Scythe and me?��

    ��Rtionship?��

    ��Well, I mean�� whether we be closer in the future, something specific like that����

    ��So that��s what this is about.��

    Ryu Min had wondered why she��d brought him to a cocktail bar when they could have talked in a quiet conference room. Now, he understood. She needed the liquid courage to ask such a question. But he had no answer for her; he truly didn��t know what the future held.

    ��I don��t know. I can��t see that far ahead.��

    ��But you saw that the ck Scythe would save me before the 7th round, an event 11 rounds in the future����

    ��Sometimes, I can see events months in advance. But as I said, it��s unpredictable.��

    ��So you didn��t see anything about us?��

    ��No. And even if I did, I couldn��t tell you. The future might change the moment I speak of it.��

    Christine took a sip of her cocktail with a disappointed expression.

    ��What did you expect?��

    Ryu Min clicked his tongue inwardly but refrained from showing any dissatisfaction. Christine had an important role to y in this round.

    ��Anyway, let me brief you about the 15th round.��

    ��Yes����

    As Ryu Min exined the 15th round��s quest and strategy, he emphasized its importance. He told her that no round had ever been more critical.

    ��Arge number of casualties will ur. Surviving will be as difficult as a camel passing through the eye of a needle.��

    ��What should we do then?��

    ��First, take this.��

    Ryu Min took out a potion from his inventory.

    [Top-Grade Invisibility Potion]

    Type: Consumable

    Grade: Unique

    Effect: Grants invisibility for 30 minutes.

    Usage Restriction: Expert grade and above.

    Description: Allows the user to be invisible. However, it will deactivate upon attacking or being attacked.

    Reading the information, Christine muttered, ��An invisibility potion?��

    ��Use it the moment the first mission starts. You��ll be able to navigate it without getting hurt.��

    ��Thank you for giving me this����

    ��The second part should be approached as we discussed. But in the third mission, your role is crucial, Christine. You need to cast a wide-area healing spell to minimize casualties.��

    ��Will that be enough to save everyone?��

    ��It will be. Can you maintain it for 30 minutes?��

    ��With enough concentration, I can keep it up indefinitely. The problem is�� wide-area healing doesn��t affect me.��

    Christine��s expression turned anxious.

    ��What should I do? If it��s that painful, I might die before saving anyone����

    ��Don��t worry about that. The ck Scythe will protect you.��

    ��The ck Scythe?��

    Her eyes, previously full of worry, now sparkled like a child��s.

    ��He��ll protect me?��

    ��Yes. I��ve made it clear that protecting you is essential. He will ensure it.��

    ��Oh, you��ve told him.��

    It bothered her that it wasn��t a voluntary decision on his part, but Christine still looked relieved. After all, receiving help from the ck Scythe was reassuring.

    ��Drink up! This round is on me.��

    Even a yer who could smash walls barehanded was still human.

    If they drank enough, they got drunk. That was the state Christine was in now.

    ��How much did she even drink����

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 243 (Part 1)

    Chapter 243: The Variable (Part 1)

    Das Fort Worth International Airport.

    Ryu Min��s eyes caught sight of an exceptionally beautiful woman as he stepped out of the arrivals area.

    It was Christine.

    She waved enthusiastically, greeting him with a bright smile.

    ��Mr. Ryu Min. Wee to our country. Was your tripfortable?��

    ��I came in first ss, so yes, veryfortable.��

    ��Well, it makes sense now that you��re a billionaire from selling stocks�� Oh, but please don��t misunderstand me. I��m not being envious.��

    Christine was well aware of the fact that Ma Kyung-rok��spany had copsed, as she was his fianc��e. She also knew that Ryu Min had sold off all his shares during that process, but she did not hold it against him. After all, Ma Kyung-rok had been no ordinary fianc����he was one who had tried to kill her.

    ��Shall we go before the mood turns somber? I��ve reserved a good restaurant. How about foie gras?��

    ��Goose liver is a bit����

    ��Haha, just kidding!��

    After finishing their meal at a nearby steakhouse, Christine led him to a cocktail bar.

    ��How about this ce? It��s spacious and nice, right?��

    ��Yes. It��s a bit loud, but that might make conversation easier.��

    The bar was crowded, and the music was loud enough to drown out their voices, which made it perfect for discussing secrets. The only downside was that they had to lean in closely to talk.

    ��Would you like a cocktail or a beer?��

    ��Let��s go with a cocktail.��

    After choosing from the menu and cing their orders, the bartender brought them their drinks.

    ��Do you drink often?��

    ��No. I quit it. But that doesn��t mean I won��t drink at all.��

    ��You sound like someone who��s had their fair share of drinking.��

    ��Try living through 99 regressions. Let��s see if you��d stay sane.��

    It had been mentally taxing when people died and even his only family, his younger sibling, was lost. He had once lived with a bottle in his hand but managed to break free from the addiction with each regression. Now, he waspletely sober.

    ��I never imagined I��d be drinking with the Prophet.��

    ��I didn��t either.��

    ��Can��t you see these moments in the future?��

    ��It��s not that I can��t; it��s more like I didn��t see it. The future can be quite unpredictable.��

    ��Then, perhaps����

    ��Is she already tipsy?��

    With her cheeks flushed, Christine mustered her courage.

    ��Did you�� see anything about the rtionship between the ck Scythe and me?��

    ��Rtionship?��

    ��Well, I mean�� whether we be closer in the future, something specific like that����

    ��So that��s what this is about.��

    Ryu Min had wondered why she��d brought him to a cocktail bar when they could have talked in a quiet conference room. Now, he understood. She needed the liquid courage to ask such a question. But he had no answer for her; he truly didn��t know what the future held.

    ��I don��t know. I can��t see that far ahead.��

    ��But you saw that the ck Scythe would save me before the 7th round, an event 11 rounds in the future����

    ��Sometimes, I can see events months in advance. But as I said, it��s unpredictable.��

    ��So you didn��t see anything about us?��

    ��No. And even if I did, I couldn��t tell you. The future might change the moment I speak of it.��

    Christine took a sip of her cocktail with a disappointed expression.

    ��What did you expect?��

    Ryu Min clicked his tongue inwardly but refrained from showing any dissatisfaction. Christine had an important role to y in this round.

    ��Anyway, let me brief you about the 15th round.��

    ��Yes����

    As Ryu Min exined the 15th round��s quest and strategy, he emphasized its importance. He told her that no round had ever been more critical.

    ��Arge number of casualties will ur. Surviving will be as difficult as a camel passing through the eye of a needle.��

    ��What should we do then?��

    ��First, take this.��

    Ryu Min took out a potion from his inventory.

    [Top-Grade Invisibility Potion]

    Type: Consumable

    Grade: Unique

    Effect: Grants invisibility for 30 minutes.

    Usage Restriction: Expert grade and above.

    Description: Allows the user to be invisible. However, it will deactivate upon attacking or being attacked.

    Reading the information, Christine muttered, ��An invisibility potion?��

    ��Use it the moment the first mission starts. You��ll be able to navigate it without getting hurt.��

    ��Thank you for giving me this����

    ��The second part should be approached as we discussed. But in the third mission, your role is crucial, Christine. You need to cast a wide-area healing spell to minimize casualties.��

    ��Will that be enough to save everyone?��

    ��It will be. Can you maintain it for 30 minutes?��

    ��With enough concentration, I can keep it up indefinitely. The problem is�� wide-area healing doesn��t affect me.��

    Christine��s expression turned anxious.

    ��What should I do? If it��s that painful, I might die before saving anyone����

    ��Don��t worry about that. The ck Scythe will protect you.��

    ��The ck Scythe?��

    Her eyes, previously full of worry, now sparkled like a child��s.

    ��He��ll protect me?��

    ��Yes. I��ve made it clear that protecting you is essential. He will ensure it.��

    ��Oh, you��ve told him.��

    It bothered her that it wasn��t a voluntary decision on his part, but Christine still looked relieved. After all, receiving help from the ck Scythe was reassuring.

    ��Drink up! This round is on me.��

    Even a yer who could smash walls barehanded was still human.

    If they drank enough, they got drunk. That was the state Christine was in now.

    ��How much did she even drink����

 Chapter 243 (Part 2)

    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.��

 Chapter 244: Min Juri’s Courage (1)

    Chapter 244: Min Juri��s Courage (1)

    ��John should be fine as long as he stays hidden for now, so there shouldn��t be any trouble with Berber, right?��

    When Ryu Min informed John that Berber was aiming for the leader position, John��s reaction was fierce.

    ��I knew it! What should I do, Master? Should I bring that traitor here and skin him alive right now?��

    ��Calm down, John. What do we gain from killing him like that? Nothing but self-satisfaction.��

    After calming the enraged servant, Ryu Min ordered him to stay hidden in the Messiah��s cabin for the time being.

    ��They��re dead men anyway by the 15th round. Berber, the Despair Cult��doesn��t matter.��

    He had no intention of letting the murderers of Christine��s followers live freely. He nned to use them for strategies and then kill them off when the time came.

    [We will soon bending at Incheon International Airport.]

    After arriving in Korea, the first thing Ryu Min did before heading home was make a call. He had seen a message from Min Juri.��Hey, Juri. You said you wanted to talk to me? Should we meet now? Got it. See you there.��

    Ryu Min hung up and drove his Lamborghini toward the meeting ce. Yet, on the way, Min Juri��s voice kept echoing in his mind.

    ��Is she sick? She sounded really down����

    Well, no one could always be in a good mood. People had their ups and downs.

    ��I don��t know what she wants to talk about, but this is good timing. I needed to meet her anyway to share some strategies and give her the invisibility potion.��

    The invisibility potion was vital for tackling the first mission of the 15th round more safely. He had already given one bottle each to Christine and John Delgado.

    ��If I give another one to Min Juri, that leaves me with two.��

    After some deliberation, he decided to give the remaining ones to Seo Arin and Yamti. They were valuable allies.

    After about 30 minutes, he arrived at the agreed-upon caf��.

    Ding-ling��

    As he stepped in, he saw Min Juri waiting for him.

    ��Hey, you came early����

    But her expression was unusual. Sitting opposite her, Ryu Min asked worriedly.

    ��Juri.��

    ��Oh�� you��re here?��

    ��Have you been waiting long?��

    Min Juri shook her head slowly, avoiding eye contact as if she didn��t have the courage to meet his gaze.

    ��What��s going on? She looks like she��s done something wrong.��

    It wasn��t because she hadmitted a misdeed; it was more that meeting his eyes would make her emotions uncontroble.

    ��Why is she like this?��

    Although Ryu Min tried not to read her mind, he felt he couldn��t stay ignorant any longer. He needed to know what was going on.

    About 10 secondster, he figured it out.

    ��Ah.��

    The reason was clear, enough to make him sigh.

    ��So she came by the house with Seo Arin while I was in America.��

    In the process, Min Juri had misunderstood, believing he was visiting a Japanese girlfriend.

    ��Won�� You said something unnecessary, didn��t you? No, it��s not time to me my brother. I��m the one who created this misunderstanding.��

    Silence loomed between them, but Ryu Min had grasped the situation.

    It was time to untangle the knot.

    ��Juri, why do you look like that? Did something happen?��

    He pretended not to know, aiming to let her speak first rather than jumping into exnations.

    ��Well����

    Hesitating, Min Juri finally spoke, still avoiding his eyes.

    ��You�� went abroad, right?��

    ��Huh? How did you know?��

    ��I tried calling you, but you didn��t pick up, so I visited your house to check. Your brother was there����

    ��Oh, you met my brother? That��s Ryu Won, my younger brother by four years. He��s my only family. That was your first time meeting him, right?��

    It wasn��t, but Min Juri nodded.

    ��Yeah�� I didn��t know you had a brother, so I was surprised. But what he said shocked me even more.��

    ��She��s getting to the main point?��

    Ryu Min swallowed nervously and asked.

    ��What did he say?��

    ��He said�� you have a girlfriend. A Japanese one����

    ��Oh, that����

    ��How could you do that to me?��

    Min Juri finally looked up, her eyes glistening with tears.

    ��If you had a girlfriend, you should��ve told me. Did I really have to hear it from someone else?��

    ��No, that��s����

    ��Do you know how shocked and worried I was? Aren��t we friends? If you were dating someone, you should��ve told me at least.��

    ������

    Seeing her tears fall one after another as she spoke rapidly, Ryu Min felt conflicted.

    ��If just hiding a girlfriend affects her this much, what would she do if she found out I��m the ck Scythe?��

    Would she feel like he��d toyed with her, refuse to see him, or even cut ties with him?

    It was frightening to think about losing his closest friend over this hidden truth.

    ��Just the thought makes me uneasy.��

    He wanted to keep his identity hidden, at least from Min Juri. But her determined gaze pierced him.

    ��When did you start dating her? Why did you hide it from me?��

    Her eyes, ring like those of someone who caught their partner cheating, made him nervously gesture.

    ��Wait. It��s a misunderstanding.��

    ��Misunderstanding?��

    Finally given a chance to exin, Ryu Min calmly continued.

    ��Let me be clear: I don��t have a girlfriend.��

    ��You don��t?��

    ��My brother must��ve misunderstood. I went to Japan once and starteding homete more often afterward. He jumped to the conclusion that I must have a Japanese girlfriend.��

    ��So�� your brother just misunderstood? You don��t have a girlfriend?��

    Ryu Min nodded sincerely.

    ��Yeah. I haven��t been to Japan since then.��

    ��Then why didn��t you clear it up with him?��

    ��I didn��t want to go into detail, so I let him believe it. I didn��t think it would make you react like this����

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!  <ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 244 (Part 1)

    Chapter 244: Min Juri��s Courage (Part 1)

    ��John should be fine as long as he stays hidden for now, so there shouldn��t be any trouble with Berber, right?��

    When Ryu Min informed John that Berber was aiming for the leader position, John��s reaction was fierce.

    ��I knew it! What should I do, Master? Should I bring that traitor here and skin him alive right now?��

    ��Calm down, John. What do we gain from killing him like that? Nothing but self-satisfaction.��

    After calming the enraged servant, Ryu Min ordered him to stay hidden in the Messiah��s cabin for the time being.

    ��They��re dead men anyway by the 15th round. Berber, the Despair Cult��doesn��t matter.��

    He had no intention of letting the murderers of Christine��s followers live freely. He nned to use them for strategies and then kill them off when the time came.

    [We will soon bending at Incheon International Airport.]

    After arriving in Korea, the first thing Ryu Min did before heading home was make a call. He had seen a message from Min Juri.

    ��Hey, Juri. You said you wanted to talk to me? Should we meet now? Got it. See you there.��

    Ryu Min hung up and drove his Lamborghini toward the meeting ce. Yet, on the way, Min Juri��s voice kept echoing in his mind.

    ��Is she sick? She sounded really down����

    Well, no one could always be in a good mood. People had their ups and downs.

    ��I don��t know what she wants to talk about, but this is good timing. I needed to meet her anyway to share some strategies and give her the invisibility potion.��

    The invisibility potion was vital for tackling the first mission of the 15th round more safely. He had already given one bottle each to Christine and John Delgado.

    ��If I give another one to Min Juri, that leaves me with two.��

    After some deliberation, he decided to give the remaining ones to Seo Arin and Yamti. They were valuable allies.

    After about 30 minutes, he arrived at the agreed-upon caf��.

    Ding-ling��

    As he stepped in, he saw Min Juri waiting for him.

    ��Hey, you came early����

    But her expression was unusual. Sitting opposite her, Ryu Min asked worriedly.

    ��Juri.��

    ��Oh�� you��re here?��

    ��Have you been waiting long?��

    Min Juri shook her head slowly, avoiding eye contact as if she didn��t have the courage to meet his gaze.

    ��What��s going on? She looks like she��s done something wrong.��

    It wasn��t because she hadmitted a misdeed; it was more that meeting his eyes would make her emotions uncontroble.

    ��Why is she like this?��

    Although Ryu Min tried not to read her mind, he felt he couldn��t stay ignorant any longer. He needed to know what was going on.

    About 10 secondster, he figured it out.

    ��Ah.��

    The reason was clear, enough to make him sigh.

    ��So she came by the house with Seo Arin while I was in America.��

    In the process, Min Juri had misunderstood, believing he was visiting a Japanese girlfriend.

    ��Won�� You said something unnecessary, didn��t you? No, it��s not time to me my brother. I��m the one who created this misunderstanding.��

    Silence loomed between them, but Ryu Min had grasped the situation.

    It was time to untangle the knot.

    ��Juri, why do you look like that? Did something happen?��

    He pretended not to know, aiming to let her speak first rather than jumping into exnations.

    ��Well����

    Hesitating, Min Juri finally spoke, still avoiding his eyes.

    ��You�� went abroad, right?��

    ��Huh? How did you know?��

    ��I tried calling you, but you didn��t pick up, so I visited your house to check. Your brother was there����

    ��Oh, you met my brother? That��s Ryu Won, my younger brother by four years. He��s my only family. That was your first time meeting him, right?��

    It wasn��t, but Min Juri nodded.

    ��Yeah�� I didn��t know you had a brother, so I was surprised. But what he said shocked me even more.��

    ��She��s getting to the main point?��

    Ryu Min swallowed nervously and asked.

    ��What did he say?��

    ��He said�� you have a girlfriend. A Japanese one����

    ��Oh, that����

    ��How could you do that to me?��

    Min Juri finally looked up, her eyes glistening with tears.

    ��If you had a girlfriend, you should��ve told me. Did I really have to hear it from someone else?��

    ��No, that��s����

    ��Do you know how shocked and worried I was? Aren��t we friends? If you were dating someone, you should��ve told me at least.��

    ������

    Seeing her tears fall one after another as she spoke rapidly, Ryu Min felt conflicted.

    ��If just hiding a girlfriend affects her this much, what would she do if she found out I��m the ck Scythe?��

    Would she feel like he��d toyed with her, refuse to see him, or even cut ties with him?

    It was frightening to think about losing his closest friend over this hidden truth.

    ��Just the thought makes me uneasy.��

    He wanted to keep his identity hidden, at least from Min Juri. But her determined gaze pierced him.

    ��When did you start dating her? Why did you hide it from me?��

    Her eyes, ring like those of someone who caught their partner cheating, made him nervously gesture.

    ��Wait. It��s a misunderstanding.��

    ��Misunderstanding?��

    Finally given a chance to exin, Ryu Min calmly continued.

    ��Let me be clear: I don��t have a girlfriend.��

    ��You don��t?��

    ��My brother must��ve misunderstood. I went to Japan once and starteding homete more often afterward. He jumped to the conclusion that I must have a Japanese girlfriend.��

    ��So�� your brother just misunderstood? You don��t have a girlfriend?��

    Ryu Min nodded sincerely.

    ��Yeah. I haven��t been to Japan since then.��

    ��Then why didn��t you clear it up with him?��

    ��I didn��t want to go into detail, so I let him believe it. I didn��t think it would make you react like this����

 Chapter 244 (Part 2)

    Chapter 244: Min Juri��s Courage (Part 2)

    ��I�� I see. I misunderstood. I��m sorry.��

    ��No, I��m the one who should apologize for causing that misunderstanding.��

    When Ryu Min apologized, Min Juri��s shoulders shrank further.

    ��This is what it feels like to want to crawl into a hole.��

    Her anger was gone, but the embarrassment lingered.

    ��Stupid, foolish! Why did I get so mad? It��s not like we��re even dating��!��

    As she silently scolded herself, she looked up again.

    ��Sorry. For showing such an ugly side. It must��ve surprised you when I cried, right?��

    ��It was a bit surprising, but it��s fine. These things happen.��

    Although he smiled as if to pass it off, Min Juri didn��t seem ready to move on. She murmured,

    ��It might seem strange, but don��t think too weirdly of it. I cried because I thought you lied, and�� it��s not something to cry about, so why did I��.��

    She seemed desperate for him not to misunderstand why she��d cried.

    But then she realized, no matter what she said, it would look odd.

    ��In that case, I might as well����

    A long silence followed. Ryu Min tried not to let his surprise show. Min Juri��s thoughts hade through, unfiltered.

    ��No, I shouldn��t do this.��

    ��Min.��

    She suddenly spoke with a serious expression, and Ryu Min felt powerless to stop her.

    He would��ve stopped her if he could.

    He wanted to shout for her to not say it.

    ��I have something to tell you����

    But he couldn��t, knowing she had gathered the courage to speak.

    ��Since things are like this, I��ll say it. I actually��.��

    ��Wait. We didn��t order drinks. What do you want? I��ll go get����

    ��Don��t go! This is important.��

    ������

    His attempt to avoid the situation had failed. Min Juri took one brave step forward.

    ��I like you.��

    ��Huh?��

    Pretending not to hear didn��t work.

    ��I said I like you.��

    ������

    In the end, she confessed.

    Ryu Min hadn��t expected this.

    ��I came to clear up a misunderstanding and ended up with a confession����

    The future seven seconds ahead was clear, yet he couldn��t respond. There was no way to turn back Min Juri��s decided mind.

    ��This is the worst.��

    It��s not that he disliked Min Juri. She was truly a good friend and a necessary ally. But seeing her as a romantic partner was out of the question.

    Ryu Min, who had spent decades in countless regressions focused solely on survival, couldn��t afford such feelings.

    ��Besides, clearing the 20th round is more important than romance.��

    When Ryu Min stayed silent, Min Juri, with a flushed face, added,

    ��It surprised you, didn��t it? Sorry for the sudden confession. But to exin why I cried, I had to tell you how I feel.��

    ��So, you cried because you like me.��

    ����Yeah.��

    ��I understand.��

    Ryu Min nodded as if heprehended, but it confused Min Juri more.

    ��That��s it?��

    ������

    ��Don��t you have anything else to say?��

    ��Should I order some coffee? What would you like?��

    ������

    Although Ryu Min didn��t say it directly, his response had already answered her confession.

    ��Pretending not to notice and indirectly rejecting her is probably the best way to protect Min Juri��s feelings.��

    But he didn��t know something crucial.

    ��Why are you pretending not to hear me?��

    Min Juri wasn��t nning to let him dodge. She needed a clear answer.

    ��You heard what I said.��

    ��Ah, that, um����

    ��I said I like you. Since we became ssmates, always.��

    ������

    ��What do you think about me?��

    ��Before I answer that�� I have a question.��

    Ryu Min asked, more to buy time than out of genuine curiosity.

    ��Why do you like someone like me?��

    ��What do you mean by ��someone like you��?��

    Min Juri responded passionately as if defending him.

    Even though her voice initially rose, she immediately lowered it, aware of the caf����s atmosphere.

    ��B-because you always work hard. Even when you got beaten up by bullies.��

    ��How did you know I was beaten by bullies?��

    ��You didn��t know, but I happened to see it once. I saw you getting harassed in an alley. I even called the police a few times.��

    ��Did you really����

    ��And then, worried, I followed you one day and saw you working at that barbecue ce. You acted like nothing happened, even after being beaten up, and kept working.��

    Min Juri had never confessed like this in any of the previous regressions, but Ryu Min knew.

    He knew why she liked him.

    ��She probably found it refreshing and admirable to see someone who, despite being hurt, still worked diligently. But����

    Back then, Ryu Min had no choice but to endure the pain and work, solely to survive, just like now.

    ��I appreciate that you see it positively, but isn��t this more like admiration than love?��

    More importantly, he was no longer the same person. The pure Ryu Min from back then was gone.

    Now, he was a monster focused only on clearing rounds by any means necessary, even if it meant massacring thousands of yers, monsters, or angels.

    ��That��s why this can��t work between us. You and I����

    Ryu Min nced at Min Juri, who was waiting for his response and spoke softly.

    ��I��m sorry.��

    ������

    ��I was so surprised I didn��t know what to say.��

    ��So�� what do you think?��

    ��I����

    As Ryu Min hesitated, Min Juri��s lips began to tremble in anticipation.

 Chapter 245: Postponement (1)

    Chapter 245: Postponement (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 copse 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 ck Scythe.��

    A rejection was the worst oue for Min Juri.

    It could have negative consequences not only for her but for ck Scythe as well.

    That��s why he hoped, if such a confession were to happen, it woulde aste 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 caf�� 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 exining the strategy for the 15th round.��

    Under the name of the ck 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 regr 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 rtionship with the ck 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 arade.

    Losing her as a friend.

    ��Anyway, I have to suggest we meet today. There��s no time if I dy 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 caf�� west 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 caf�� would have been bustling, but today it was quiet.

    The view outside the window was simrly 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.

    Caf��s 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 na?ve.

    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 hade early to the meeting spot for that reason.

    Jingle��

    The door of the caf�� opened, and the face of the man she loved appeared.

    Her high school ssmate, 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.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 245 (Part 1)

    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 copse 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 ck Scythe.��

    A rejection was the worst oue for Min Juri.

    It could have negative consequences not only for her but for ck Scythe as well.

    That��s why he hoped, if such a confession were to happen, it woulde aste 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 caf�� 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 exining the strategy for the 15th round.��

    Under the name of the ck 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 regr 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 rtionship with the ck 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 arade.

    Losing her as a friend.

    ��Anyway, I have to suggest we meet today. There��s no time if I dy 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 caf�� west 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 caf�� would have been bustling, but today it was quiet.

    The view outside the window was simrly 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.

    Caf��s 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 na?ve.

    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 hade early to the meeting spot for that reason.

    Jingle��

    The door of the caf�� opened, and the face of the man she loved appeared.

    Her high school ssmate, 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.

 Chapter 245 (Part 2)

    Chapter 245: Postponement (Part 2)

    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.

    ��W-what should I do? Now that I��m here, I don��t have the courage to ask.��

    She was scared, but she had to do it.

    Even if it meant hearing a rejection.

    Min Juri finally managed to open her mouth.

    ��Hey�� Don��t you have something to say to me?��

    ��Ah.��

    Ryu Min let out an awkward chuckle.

    Or rather, a troubled one.

    ��You want to hear my answer from before, right?��

    ��Yes.��

    ��Sorry, but I need a bit more time����

    ��Again?��

    At his attempt to postpone, she burst out impulsively.

    ��How much more time do you need?��

    ������

    ��Three weeks should be more than enough, shouldn��t it? That��s plenty of time to sort out your thoughts.��

    ��It��s not something that��s easy to decide����

    ��Ryu Min!��

    Min Juri��s shout was firm, her gaze piercing straight into his.

    ��Stop dragging this out and make a decision. How long do you n to stall? Don��t you know this is more painful for me? It��s like torture.��

    ������

    ��While you��ve been taking your time, I��ve thought about it too. Whether my feelings for you are true, or just a fleeting spark.��

    Min Juri��s eyes were as serious as ever.

    ��But the more I thought, the clearer it became. I knew I wasn��t wrong. Even if I regret itter, I needed to be honest with my feelings.��

    The hardest part was taking that first step.

    Once she opened up, Min Juri spoke without hesitation.

    ��So now, I want to hear it. Your true feelings. I can��t wait any longer.��

    ������

    ��Tell me. Do you like me?��

    Ryu Min raised his head and, with serious eyes, responded.

    ��I like you.��

    Min Juri was surprised for a moment, but only briefly.

    ��But only as a friend, not as anything more.��

    His firm rejection turned Min Juri��s expression to stone.

    Even though she had anticipated this answer, hearing it still felt like a dagger piercing her chest.

    ��I��m sorry. I know it��s not what you wanted to hear.��

    ��N-no, thank you for being honest.��

    ������

    ������

    Silence fell between them again.

    A more stifling silence than before.

    ��It hurts.��

    So this is what it feels like to be rejected by someone you love.

    Min Juri didn��t know what else to say.

    It was as if her mind had gone nk.

    Just when the suffocating tension became almost unbearable, Ryu Min broke the silence.

    ��I��m sorry. But you��re a really good friend to me. So much so that I don��t want to lose you.��

    ������

    ��So, can we forget about this and go back to being friends?��

    ��Friends��?��

    It felt strange.

    The word that once felt familiar now felt so distant.

    ��Can we really go back to how things were? Pretending this never happened?��

    Doubt crept into Min Juri��s mind.

    Had she opened Pandora��s box?

    Maybe postponing, as Ryu Min had done, was the right answer.

    ��Juri.��

    ��Yeah?��

    ��You��re not answering. We��re still friends, right?��

    ��Of course. We��re friends.��

    Min Juri found herself wondering.

    Was there ever a case where someone went back to being friends after a confession and rejection?

    Was it right to erase the memory of the confession and act as though they were just friends again?

    ��I��m d. That we can still be friends.��

    ������

    ��Well, let me tell you the strategy for the 15th round now.��

    ��Yeah����

    Min Juri felt lost, as if her confession had been erased from reality.

    ��Did she really hear me?��

    After parting ways with Min Juri, Ryu Min felt uneasy.

    Throughout his exnation of the strategy, she hadn��t seemed fully present.

    ��I had no choice but to reject her since she wouldn��t back down, but����

    He wasn��t confident he had made the right choice.

    He could sense Min Juri��s turmoil as she wrestled with whether they could still be friends.

    ��Well, it doesn��t matter. All that matters is clearing the round.��

    He��d given her the invisibility potion and exined the strategy for the 15th round.

    Even though she might be heartbroken, Min Juri would have no choice but to press forward to survive.

    ��I even considered using the memory-erasing potion to wipe her memory of the confession. But it felt too wasteful to use such a valuable item for that.��

    Contrary to his worries, Min Juri didn��t seem as shaken as he��d feared.

    There was no need to erase her memory.

    ��If we continue as friends, she��ll eventually move on.��

    With that thought, Ryu Miny in bed as midnight approached.

    At the stroke of midnight, his eyes gently closed without him realizing it.

    When he opened his eyes, an entirely different world spread out before him.

    ��The 15th round begins.��

    In the grayscale space, people appeared one by one.

    Ryu Min stood still, mentally reviewing his objectives for this round.

    ��The five key members with the invisibility potions should be fine for the first mission. The second mission can be easily cleared using the Despair Cult followers. For the third mission, Christine��s performance will be crucial.��

    With the temporary healing skill he had, protecting Christine wouldn��t be an issue.

    He nned to keep an eye on Berber as well, so nothing unexpected would happen.

    ��The only wildcard for this round is the angels����

    There was no telling when the archangel might appear again.

    Or if they had incited yers like before.

    ��I can��t let my guard down.��

    Just then, as he surveyed his surroundings warily.

    ��Ah, hello, ck Scythe.��

    Someone approached him and greeted him.

 Chapter 246: The Start of Round 15 (1)

    Chapter 246: The Start of Round 15 (1)

    The person approaching hesitantly was none other than Min Juri.

    Was it because she had confessed? An awkward feeling lingered for some reason.

    Not that she showed it outwardly.

    ��You came early.��

    ��I had something to ask you, ck Scythe.��

    ��To me?��

    What could she want to ask?

    Unable to contain his curiosity, Ryu Min read Min Juri��s thoughts.

    ��Ah, she came to ask for advice.��Seeking advice in the otherworld?

    It might sound strange to others, but Ryu Min understood.

    ��This ce is awless zone where nows apply. No action is too strange.��

    This otherworldly realm was no different from reality, but most people acted as if they had forgotten that fact.

    For instance, being rude to strangers, throwing fits like someone with anger management issues, or, at worst,mitting murder.

    People did things here that they wouldn��t dream of doing in reality.

    ��Even introverts in the real world changepletely when theye here. It��s like they��re wearing the mask of their avatar.��

    Because of this peculiarity, many yers changed when they entered this world.

    Wasn��t Ryu Min himself ying a characterpletely different from his real self?

    The same went for Min Juri.

    ��Things you can��t talk about in real life be possible here.��

    It was like posting your worries to strangers on the inte.

    ��In that sense, it��s an honor. It means I��m someone she can open up to in this world.��

    Feigning ignorance, Ryu Min asked,

    ��So, what do you want to ask?��

    ��It might be a long story. Is that okay?��

    ��Go ahead.��

    ��Well, my friend confessed to someone she liked����

    Pretending it was a friend��s story, Min Juri began to spill her own concerns to Ryu Min.

    Watching her, he felt a twinge of regret.

    Regret that he hadn��t held off until the end.

    ��If I��d known it would be this mentally taxing, I should��ve kept dying it.��

    Seeing how much distress he was causing her made him feel he might have been better off rejecting her outright.

    Not that he was nning to ept her, either.

    ����And so, my friend doesn��t know what to do now. What would you do, ck Scythe?��

    ��So, it��s rtionship advice.��

    ��Y-Yes, something like that.��

    ��Do I look like someone who��s been in many rtionships?��

    ��Well����

    ��Judging by your hesitation, you don��t think so.��

    ��Haha����

    Min Juri scratched her cheek awkwardly.

    ��Why are you asking me for advice, anyway?��

    ��I just wanted to hear your thoughts. I don��t know how you are with romance, but�� you��re insightful. I thought you might have something to say.��

    ��It��s simple, isn��t it?��

    Ryu Min spoke as if it were nothing.

    ��Your friend confessed and got turned down, right? And they want to stay friends? Then they should stay friends.��

    ��But, I mean, my friend doesn��t want to just stay friends����

    ��So? Are they willing to lose that friend?��

    ������

    ��If you can��t be lovers, at least be friends.��

    Min Juri��s face showed disappointment; it wasn��t the answer she had hoped for.

    ��Keep your expression in check. Anyone could tell this is about you.��

    Suppressing a smile, Ryu Min asked,

    ��Why was the confession rejected?��

    ��They said they only see them as a friend, not a romantic interest.��

    ��Then they just need to be someone who can be seen romantically.��

    ��It��s not that simple����

    ��Just because there��s a goalkeeper doesn��t mean the ball can��t go in. Besides, that friend doesn��t even have a significant other, right? If the goal is open, isn��t there plenty of opportunity?��

    ������

    Min Juri��s eyes widened.

    Now that she thought about it, he was right.

    There was still a chance.

    Just because she had been rejected didn��t mean she had to give up.

    ��If you fail, you just try again. If you give up, that��s the end. Are you going to stay down after one rejection? Didn��t you say it��s been four years of unrequited love? Isn��t that time too precious to waste?��

    ��It�� it does feel like it would be a waste.��

    ��Then keep trying. Don��t act as if the world has ended just because you were turned down once. Wanting to stay friends means there��s still a chance.��

    With newfound determination in her eyes, Min Juri, after contemting for a moment, shed a bright smile.

    ��Thank you for the advice, ck Scythe. I feelpletely relieved now.��

    ��You said it was about a friend. You��re talking like it��s your own problem.��

    ��Huh? Ahaha�� I was just really worried for my friend, that��s all. Haha����

    Seeing Min Juri��s awkwardughter put Ryu Min at ease.

    ��Good. It seems there��s nothing to worry about.��

    Thanks to his advice, Min Juri no longer seemed to be troubled by the matter.

    She wasn��t gloomy or dispirited; she was back to her old self.

    ��Or maybe she��s a bit different now?��

    Her eyes sparkled with the enthusiasm of someone who had a new goal.

    For some reason, that made him feel uneasy.

    ��It��ll be fine. It��s better than her being downcast, right?��

    An eager Min Juri was better than a disheartened one.

    Though anything excessive could be a poison.

    ��ck Scythe?��

    ��Greetings, ck Scythe.��

    As soon as the rtionship advice ended, the members of the Death Church started gathering one by one.

    Key members like Christine, Seo Arin, Huh Tae-seok, and Jo Yong-ho were there, as well as neers like Russell, Victor, and Sophia.

    They had gathered because Ryu Min had ordered them toe to him once they reached the realm.

    ��It makes protecting them easier.��

    Looking around, he also saw minions like Yamti, Jeffrey, and Ju Seong-tak.

    Only John Delgado was absent.

    He couldn��t bring himself to call him.

    ��If Christine sees him, she��ll attack immediately.��

    The two were mortal enemies, so it was best to keep them apart.

    ��Receive your buffs, everyone.��

    ��I��ll strengthen your weapons.��

    ��You��re with the Death Church, right? Here, take a potion.��

    While the supporters Min Juri, Russell, and Victor were busy, a light shed from the sky.

    [Hello, humans? Wee to Round 15. Now, shall we check the quest?]

    The angel smiled, as if saying there was no need for lengthy exnations, and pped its wings.

    I''m currently Tranting the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level yer. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!<ul><li></li></ul>

 Chapter 246 (Part 1)

    Chapter 246: The Start of Round 15 (Part 1)

    The person approaching hesitantly was none other than Min Juri.

    Was it because she had confessed? An awkward feeling lingered for some reason.

    Not that she showed it outwardly.

    ��You came early.��

    ��I had something to ask you, ck Scythe.��

    ��To me?��

    What could she want to ask?

    Unable to contain his curiosity, Ryu Min read Min Juri��s thoughts.

    ��Ah, she came to ask for advice.��

    Seeking advice in the otherworld?

    It might sound strange to others, but Ryu Min understood.

    ��This ce is awless zone where nows apply. No action is too strange.��

    This otherworldly realm was no different from reality, but most people acted as if they had forgotten that fact.

    For instance, being rude to strangers, throwing fits like someone with anger management issues, or, at worst,mitting murder.

    People did things here that they wouldn��t dream of doing in reality.

    ��Even introverts in the real world changepletely when theye here. It��s like they��re wearing the mask of their avatar.��

    Because of this peculiarity, many yers changed when they entered this world.

    Wasn��t Ryu Min himself ying a characterpletely different from his real self?

    The same went for Min Juri.

    ��Things you can��t talk about in real life be possible here.��

    It was like posting your worries to strangers on the inte.

    ��In that sense, it��s an honor. It means I��m someone she can open up to in this world.��

    Feigning ignorance, Ryu Min asked,

    ��So, what do you want to ask?��

    ��It might be a long story. Is that okay?��

    ��Go ahead.��

    ��Well, my friend confessed to someone she liked����

    Pretending it was a friend��s story, Min Juri began to spill her own concerns to Ryu Min.

    Watching her, he felt a twinge of regret.

    Regret that he hadn��t held off until the end.

    ��If I��d known it would be this mentally taxing, I should��ve kept dying it.��

    Seeing how much distress he was causing her made him feel he might have been better off rejecting her outright.

    Not that he was nning to ept her, either.

    ����And so, my friend doesn��t know what to do now. What would you do, ck Scythe?��

    ��So, it��s rtionship advice.��

    ��Y-Yes, something like that.��

    ��Do I look like someone who��s been in many rtionships?��

    ��Well����

    ��Judging by your hesitation, you don��t think so.��

    ��Haha����

    Min Juri scratched her cheek awkwardly.

    ��Why are you asking me for advice, anyway?��

    ��I just wanted to hear your thoughts. I don��t know how you are with romance, but�� you��re insightful. I thought you might have something to say.��

    ��It��s simple, isn��t it?��

    Ryu Min spoke as if it were nothing.

    ��Your friend confessed and got turned down, right? And they want to stay friends? Then they should stay friends.��

    ��But, I mean, my friend doesn��t want to just stay friends����

    ��So? Are they willing to lose that friend?��

    ������

    ��If you can��t be lovers, at least be friends.��

    Min Juri��s face showed disappointment; it wasn��t the answer she had hoped for.

    ��Keep your expression in check. Anyone could tell this is about you.��

    Suppressing a smile, Ryu Min asked,

    ��Why was the confession rejected?��

    ��They said they only see them as a friend, not a romantic interest.��

    ��Then they just need to be someone who can be seen romantically.��

    ��It��s not that simple����

    ��Just because there��s a goalkeeper doesn��t mean the ball can��t go in. Besides, that friend doesn��t even have a significant other, right? If the goal is open, isn��t there plenty of opportunity?��

    ������

    Min Juri��s eyes widened.

    Now that she thought about it, he was right.

    There was still a chance.

    Just because she had been rejected didn��t mean she had to give up.

    ��If you fail, you just try again. If you give up, that��s the end. Are you going to stay down after one rejection? Didn��t you say it��s been four years of unrequited love? Isn��t that time too precious to waste?��

    ��It�� it does feel like it would be a waste.��

    ��Then keep trying. Don��t act as if the world has ended just because you were turned down once. Wanting to stay friends means there��s still a chance.��

    With newfound determination in her eyes, Min Juri, after contemting for a moment, shed a bright smile.

    ��Thank you for the advice, ck Scythe. I feelpletely relieved now.��

    ��You said it was about a friend. You��re talking like it��s your own problem.��

    ��Huh? Ahaha�� I was just really worried for my friend, that��s all. Haha����

    Seeing Min Juri��s awkwardughter put Ryu Min at ease.

    ��Good. It seems there��s nothing to worry about.��

    Thanks to his advice, Min Juri no longer seemed to be troubled by the matter.

    She wasn��t gloomy or dispirited; she was back to her old self.

    ��Or maybe she��s a bit different now?��

    Her eyes sparkled with the enthusiasm of someone who had a new goal.

    For some reason, that made him feel uneasy.

    ��It��ll be fine. It��s better than her being downcast, right?��

    An eager Min Juri was better than a disheartened one.

    Though anything excessive could be a poison.

    ��ck Scythe?��

    ��Greetings, ck Scythe.��

    As soon as the rtionship advice ended, the members of the Death Church started gathering one by one.

    Key members like Christine, Seo Arin, Huh Tae-seok, and Jo Yong-ho were there, as well as neers like Russell, Victor, and Sophia.

    They had gathered because Ryu Min had ordered them toe to him once they reached the realm.

    ��It makes protecting them easier.��

    Looking around, he also saw minions like Yamti, Jeffrey, and Ju Seong-tak.

    Only John Delgado was absent.

    He couldn��t bring himself to call him.

    ��If Christine sees him, she��ll attack immediately.��

    The two were mortal enemies, so it was best to keep them apart.

    ��Receive your buffs, everyone.��

    ��I��ll strengthen your weapons.��

    ��You��re with the Death Church, right? Here, take a potion.��

    While the supporters Min Juri, Russell, and Victor were busy, a light shed from the sky.

    [Hello, humans? Wee to Round 15. Now, shall we check the quest?]

    The angel smiled, as if saying there was no need for lengthy exnations, and pped its wings.

 Chapter 246 (Part 2)

    Chapter 246: The Start of Round 15 (Part 2)

    [Hello, humans? Wee to Round 15. Now, shall we check the quest?]

    The angel smiled, as if saying there was no need for lengthy exnations, and pped its wings.

    ? ROUND 15 ?

    <main>

    �� Pass three missions

    [Unified Zone CA-EA001]

    �� Participants: 2,304

    �� Completers: 0/576

    ��Three missions?��

    ��What kind of missions?��

    ��Look at the number of survivors.��

    ��It��s cut down to a quarter?��

    Hearing the yers�� murmurs, the angel frowned.

    [Didn��t the previous angel mention it? The difficulty increases with every fifth round. This round is no exception. Only 576 out of 2,304 will survive.]

    ��Not even 600����

    ��Will I be one of the 576?��

    Outwardly, people seemed worried, but inwardly, they were hopeful.

    Surely, I can make it into the top 500��

    There should be a spot for me, right?

    But contrary to people��s expectations, this round would fall short.

    By a wide margin.

    ��Not even 50 will survive, let alone 500. At least, that��s how it was in thest cycle.��

    This time would be different from before.

    The situation was no longer one where he didn��t care if others died.

    ��This time, I��m bringing all 576 survivors.��

    Thinking ahead to the 20th round, saving as many as possible was necessary.

    ��It looks like we��ll need topete hard to be in the top ranks.��

    ��Whypete? Aren��t we all on the same team?��

    ��Angel! Is this round a solo or a teampetition?��

    To one yer��s question, the angel smiled and said,

    [I can��t tell you that. All I can say is that you��re not in a party.]

    ��Not in a party?��

    ��Does that mean it��s a solo mission?��

    People seemed confused, but Ryu Min knew the answer.

    ��It��s not exactly solo. Without cooperation, everyone will be wiped out.��

    He wanted to tell them about the mission, but he held back, knowing the angel was watching.

    It wasn��t time for him to step up yet.

    ��Angel! What about the three missions?��

    ��What will they be?��

    [That��s for you to find out as you proceed.]

    ��What about side quests?��

    ��What��s the ranking criteria?��

    [Side quests and ranking criteria are also secrets. Telling you now would spoil the fun, wouldn��t it? Hehe.]

    The angel chuckled smugly, then changed its expression and pped its wings.

    [Shall I send you to the mission site now?]

    As soon as the angel spoke, darkness engulfed the 2,000 yers.

    ***

    ��W-Where is this?��

    ��Is anyone there?��

    ��I can��t see anything.��

    The monochrome space had turned into a pitch-ck one in an instant.

    The confusion was short-lived; as their eyes adjusted to the darkness, they could faintly make out each other��s silhouettes.

    The problem was that there were no visiblendmarks or terrain in the ce they had been transported to.

    ��There��s nothing here?��

    ��It��s just a t, empty space.��

    ��This isn��t space, right? I can feel the ground beneath my feet.��

    ��Where��s the angel? I don��t see it anywhere.��

    ��I guess this means we have to handle this ourselves now.��

    What kind of mission would take ce in this dark, seemingly infinite space?

    The question was answered when a message appeared.

    [Wee to the mission site for Round 15.]

    [You mustplete all three missions within the time limit to survive this round.]

    [Now, let��s begin the first mission.]

    �� Survive for 30 minutes against the Dark Illusion

    [If sessful, you may proceed to the second mission.]

    [Current number of survivors: 2,304]

    [Time remaining until the next mission: 00:29:59]

    ��What��s a Dark Illusion?��

    ��Is it a type of monster?��

    ��Well, as long as we survive, we��re fine, right?��

    ��Running and hiding is my specialty.��

    Some yers wore confident expressions, but this wouldn��t be as easy as they thought.

    ��Darkness is the ideal environment for the Dark Illusion.��

    Some yers voiced their skepticism.

    ��Who says we have to run?��

    ��Yeah, why can��t we just defeat whatever it is?��

    ��If it��s a monster, we just have to kill it, right?��

    But as if on cue, another message appeared, wiping the smirks off their faces.

    [Just so you know, the Dark Illusion is invincible.]

    No matter how strong Ryu Min was, he couldn��t break through invincibility.

    This meant he, too, would have to avoid the Dark Illusion.

    ��But there��s an easier way than just running.��

    That way was invisibility.

    The Dark Illusion couldn��t detect yers who were invisible. If one used the potion and stayed still, survival was guaranteed.

    This was why Ryu Min had given invisibility potions to the key members.

    ��Use them. Now.��

    He had made sure to tell them to drink the potions as soon as the mission started. Christine, John, Min Juri, Yamti, and Seo Arin all disappeared from sight as they drank their potions.

    Ryu Min could have hidden himself too, but he chose not to.

    ��This round isn��t about surviving alone. It��s about everyone surviving together.��

    He needed to guide the other yers who didn��t have invisibility.

    Just then, a low, eerie wailing sound filled the space��

    Wooooooooooo��

    The Dark Illusion had appeared.

    </main>

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 Chapter 247 (Part 1)

    Chapter 247: Dark Illusion (Part 1)

    ��D-Did anyone else hear that sound just now?��

    ��Ugh, this is giving me chills.��

    ��Ughhh����

    The wailing of the Dark Illusion was anything but ordinary. It was a sound that triggered primal fear, inflicting the status effect ��Fear�� ording to the system. That��s why some yers were visibly trembling.

    ��Although it doesn��t trigger with 100% certainty.��

    Thanks to the Blessing of the Saintess cast by Christine before the start, many yers were able to resist the fear.

    Ryu Min, of course, was an exception and did not sumb at all.

    ��With the blessing, the chance of falling into fear is 2.45%. Even if I do, it onlysts 0.07 seconds.��

    Given his already high resistance,bined with the blessing that halved the probability of status ailments, there was virtually no chance of him being affected.

    ��The wail of the Dark Illusion doesn��t faze me at all.��

    But its true threat wasn��t in its status effects.

    ��W-Where is it?��

    ��I heard the sound, but I don��t see anything.��

    For the Dark Illusion, darkness was like water to a fish. It was fast, barely visible, and a truly troublesome monster to deal with.

    ��It doesn��t register on presence detection and is hard to spot with the naked eye.��

    Of course, there was a simple countermeasure. Emitting light would force it out of the darkness, making it easier to kill. But that method wouldn��t work here, as the environment was tailored to favor the Dark Illusion.

    As expected.

    ��Huh? The light isn��ting through.��

    ��Guys, something feels wrong!��

    ��Someone use a skill to light this ce up!��

    ��It��s not working! At all!��

    Attempts to light the area were extinguished as easily as a candle in the wind. In the pitch-ck darkness, yers grew tense, scanning their surroundings.

    ��Ahhhh! M-My arm!��

    A scream rang out from somewhere. Turning toward the sound, a yer was faintly visible, trembling with their arm severed. Soon, a de burst through their chest, and they fell lifelessly to the ground. The first casualty had urred. Yet, no one could pinpoint where the monster was.

    Only terrifying sounds echoed.

    ��Argh!��

    ��Here! The monster is here!��

    As soon as the second scream was heard, chaos ensued.

    ��Guh!��

    ��Ah!��

    Screams erupted all around. Looking up, figures d in ragged clothing flitted through the darkness. These were the Dark Illusions.

    ��Where did so manye from all of a sudden?��

    ��Everyone, be careful!��

    ��Damn it, that thing cut my arm!��

    ��Kill it! Fight back!��

    ��Didn��t you see the message? It��s invincible!��

    ��We have no choice but to run!��

    There were more than 100 Dark Illusions moving through the darkness like fish in water. Even though yers now recognized the threat, evading them was nearly impossible due to their sheer numbers and speed.

    ��Agh!��

    ��It hurts! It hurts!��

    ��Guhhh!��

    As the monsters passed by, they shed with their long ws, sending jolts of pain through their targets.

    ��Are we really supposed to escape from all these creatures?��

    ��But aren��t these things monsters? Why aren��t they detected?��

    ��Shut up and just run!��

    In the chaos, the only ones maintaining anyposure were those using invisibility or the members of the Death Church who had been briefed on a strategy. And, of course, Ryu Min, who nned to turn the tide of battle.

    ��Everyone��s panicking.��

    People were running for their lives as if a beehive had been disturbed, but there was no real need for it.

    ��They��re all fakes. Except for one.��

    Despite what appeared to be over 100 Dark Illusions, all but one were decoys. These clones only induced false pain and didn��t cause actual damage.

    ��They��re just being tricked by a single monster��s illusions.��

    With this in mind, Ryu Min calmly stepped through the darkness, searching for the real Dark Illusion. The first task would be easily cleared if he found the true body.

    ��Where are you? Show yourself.��

    He moved skillfully, dodging the attacks of the decoys that struggled to keep up with him.

    ��Even if they��re fakes, there��s no reason to get hit.��

    Identifying the real one was straightforward. He cast the Death Mark on every Dark Illusion he came across.

    ��If the real one is marked, its health bar will appear. The decoys won��t show it.��

    This method allowed him to distinguish real from fake quickly. What once seemed like a trivial skill now proved invaluable.

    Soon enough.

    ��There it is.��

    He spotted a Dark Illusion with a visible health bar, lurking among its clones and hunting for prey.

    Uuuuuuuuuu��

    The creature emitted its wail, signaling that it had chosen a target. While others were paralyzed with fear, it darted toward a defenseless female yer.

    ��It��s invincible, so I can��t kill or push it����

    But Ryu Min, with his overwhelming speed, intercepted the creature before it could strike.

    ����but I can disrupt its hunt.��

 Chapter 247 (Part 2)

    Chapter 247: Dark Illusion (Part 2)

    ��It��s invincible, so I can��t kill or push it����

    But Ryu Min, with his overwhelming speed, intercepted the creature before it could strike.

    ����but I can disrupt its hunt.��

    Just as its ws were about to pierce the yer, Ryu Min scooped her up.

    ��Kyah!��

    The woman shrieked as she was lifted into the air, only to realize it was the infamous ck Scythe setting her down safely.

    ��That was close. Are you alright?��

    ��M-Me?��

    The woman turned to see the Dark Illusion glowering at her.

    ��Th-Thank you, ck Scythe.��

    Ryu Min nodded and shouted to the crowd:

    ��Listen up, everyone! I��ll tell you how to beat this round!��

    The crowd��s attention shifted to him at the promise of a strategy.

    ��There may seem to be dozens, but there is only one true Dark Illusion. That one over there.��

    Ryu Min��s scythe pointed directly at the real one. From its perspective, losing its prey and being revealed must have been infuriating.

    ��All the others are clones. Only worry about the one I just pointed out!��

    ��Clones?��

    ��That��s impossible. How can that be?��

    ��What nonsense is this?��

    yers found it hard to believe. The pain they felt was too vivid to be fake. Was it really possible that this pain was all an illusion?

    Reading the doubt on their faces, Ryu Min shouted again:

    ��It��s an illusion! All the pain you��re feeling is fake. Don��t be deceived!��

    ��An illusion����

    ��I can��t believe it����

    The yers stared at him in disbelief as clones attacked again.

    ��Ahh!��

    ��It hurts! It really hurts!��

    ��How can this be fake?��

    ��I can see the wounds, the blood����

    ��Stop talking nonsense����

    But Ryu Min had anticipated this.

    ��Trust me! Look at the death count! How many have actually died?��

    The yers nced at their quest screens with uncertainty.

    [Survivors Remaining: 2,303]

    [Time Until Next Mission: 00:27:12]

    ��What?��

    ��Weren��t there 2,304 of us?��

    ��Why has only one died?��

    Despite all the attacks and injuries, only one person had died?

    ��It��s like I said. They��re clones. The pain you��re feeling is false, and only one is real. Recognize that, and you��ll be free of the pain.��

    The yers who dismissed Ryu Min��s words now listened closely, doubt turning to realization. And, just as he said, the pain vanished like a wave receding from shore.

    ��Wait, it was really an illusion?��

    ��All this pain I felt was fake?��

    With this realization, even the Dark Illusions in the air seemed like mere shadows. The attacks now only caused a brief sting, dissipating once they were perceived as false.

    Seeing this, Ryu Min��s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

    ��Breaking illusions is simple. Realization is the key.��

    Once someone epts it��s an illusion, it no longer holds power. While this didn��t mean they could identify the real one automatically, it was enough.

    ��Ignore the others! There��s only one real threat!��

    ��Which one is it?��

    ��Say it again, ck Scythe!��

    The Death Mark was visible only to its caster, so only Ryu Min could see the health bar.

    ��That one.��

    He pointed his scythe at the true Dark Illusion.

    Uuuuuuuu��

    Enraged, the creature lunged.

    Swoosh��

    Ryu Min dodged effortlessly and continued to inform the yers, ��Avoid this one! This is the real one!��

    Thanks to his guidance, yers managed to evade the true monster, effectively stalling for time.

    ��Great. At this rate, surviving for 30 minutes is a breeze.��

    Since they knew which one to avoid, yers could move around and buy time easily. The result? Despite 20 minutes passing, only one death urred. For the Dark Illusion, this was infuriating.

    Uuuuuuuuuu!

    Desperation drove it to repeatedly wail and cast fear. But each time, Ryu Min thwarted its attacks by intercepting its prey.

    Uuuuuuuuuu! Uuuuuuuuuu!

    No matter how many times it shrieked, the result was the same.

    ��There will be no more casualties.��

    And so, after 30 minutes of relentless disruption��

    Ssssh��

    The Dark Illusion and its hundreds of clones dissipated into smoke.

    [The time limit has ended.]

    [The first mission has beenpleted sessfully.]

    [Survivors: 2,303. Deaths: 1.]

    [Congrattions! The second mission will begin shortly.]

    ��Phew! Finally, it��s over.��

    ��Nice! Only one person died!��

    ��It��s all thanks to the ck Scythe!��

    yers cheered, with some bowing their heads in gratitude toward Ryu Min.

    ��Saved quite a lot this time.��

    Given that previous attempts had seen hundreds dead, it was indeed amendable oue. However, there was no time forcency.

    The second mission would be painted in blood.

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