Chapter 125 - Ryu Min's Confession
Before heading to the warehouse
Ma Gyeong-rok walked through the nocturnal streets. He did so because of Ryu Min's call, asking him to meet in an alley to talk in secret.
"On such a dark night, what does he have to tell me?" Ma Gyeong-rok wondered.
If he had something to say, he could do it over the phone. Why call him in person? And at such a late hour?
The prophet's unusual behavior intrigued Ma Gyeong-rok.
His intrigue didn't dissipate after meeting Ryu Min.
"Oh, Prophet. Here you are."
"...."
"Anyway, do you have something to say?"
"...."
Ryu Min didn't respond, only creating a mysterious atmosphere.
"What the hell is he up to? Why create so much tension to talk?" Ma Gyeong-rok wondered.
"Representative, I suddenly have something to confess to you."
"Confess?"
At the word "confess," Ma Gyeong-rok became filled with doubts.
"Don't tell me..." he thought.
A terrible scenario crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. It seemed like a cliché taken from a drama.
"In reality, I know your secret, representative."
"Secret?"
Ma Gyeong-rok's gaze became instantly suspicious.
"As you know, I am a prophet. And unintentionally, I saw your future, representative. It was then that I also saw your secret."
A long sigh escaped from Ryu Min's lips. What Ma Gyeong-rok didn't know was that it was a meticulously planned performance.
"And in reality... were you hunting too, right?"
"……"
"I know. I know you're not just a simple civilian but hunt only criminals. That's why I don't judge you. I don't even consider you an enemy. If I did, would we have worked together until now?"
"……"
"However, I also don't consider you a completely reliable ally. It would be a lie to deny that I'm not keeping an eye on you knowing you're killing people every night as a pastime."
Though not directly stated, Ma Gyeong-rok understood.
No matter who it is, a killer remains a killer.
From an observer's perspective, it could only be repulsive.
That was the normal reaction.
And Ma Gyeong-rok had anticipated it all. Though he didn't expect him to confess so directly.
"Prophet, have you ever killed an insect?"
"……"
"Of course, you have. Even if you don't now, as a child, you probably cut the legs and wings off insects. A child who doesn't know the pain they cause may commit cruel acts out of curiosity. Without even knowing they are cruel."
"……"
"I was like that. As a child, I killed countless insects. They were disgusting. I was taught that stomping on everything ugly and disgusting was the right thing to do. And that didn't change as I grew up. To my eyes, they were just disgusting insects with human skin."
This time, it was Ryu Min who fell silent.
"I decided to clean up the insects from high school. There was a guy who took advantage of me and sucked my blood like a leech, just because he knew I was an heir. He was so disgusting that I couldn't contain my impulse and eliminated him. It was simple. Money solved everything."
"……"
"That's when it started. I began cleaning up the insects for real. I know this may sound psychopathic, but honestly, it was a liberating experience."
“…….”
“I haven't counted how many I've killed since then. I'll just say that my fingers and toes aren't enough to count them.”
Ryu Min looked at Ma Gyeong-rok with an expression as if unsure of what face to put on.
Ma Gyeong-rok continued as if he still had something to say.
"Is that what people call a psychopath? I don't know if I agree, but one thing is certain: I don't touch normal people. Even you, prophet, must know that I only mess with those who emit a repugnant odor."
“…….”
“Prophet, when I first saw you, I imagined it. If you can see the future, can't you also see this hobby of mine? If so, why have you ignored it until now? Why?”
“…….”
"I had my doubts, but I never asked. I didn't want to boast about my dark side and ruin my image. But I never thought you would be the first to speak so openly."
Ma Gyeong-rok's gentle voice was more serious than ever.
"Despite knowing I'm a killer, have you overlooked it? What's the reason? Why haven't you reported it to the police?"
"I'll say it sincerely."
Ryu Min said with a tense expression.
"I didn't have confidence. I didn't even have the confidence to fight and win against you, nor the confidence to bear the losses that would result from that."
“…….”
“Besides, there's no evidence, right? Do you think the police will believe me if I say I know it from the future? No, even if they believe me, would that be enough as proof?”
"So, what's the reason for revealing it now?"
When it came time to address the main issue, Ryu Min changed his expression to a more serious one.
"I want Representative Ma to take care of cleaning up the trash."
"What do you mean? Don't tell me...?”
"Yes. The trash Representative Ma is thinking of is correct. There's too much trash where I know. The situation is so serious that I need Representative Ma's help."
"I want to ask Mr. Ma to clean up the trash."
"What do you mean? It can't be..."
"Yes. The trash Mr. Ma is thinking of is correct. I know it, and it's overflowing in a place I know. Mr. Ma's help is urgent in this situation."
The cleaner Ryu Min was referring to was Ma Gyeong-rok.
There was no better candidate than him to absorb the dark magic of humans.
"Have you heard of Pseva?"
"Yes. Isn't it a cafe only players can join?"
"I see you know. And haven't you thought about joining?"
"I don't like online meetings. I don't have time to meet them offline. But why are you suddenly talking to me about a cafe...?"
"The truth is, this cafe is filled with killers."
"Eh?"
Ryu Min smiled and began to tell the story in detail.
He spoke about Pseva's murder interview method and how they catch players.
Information that couldn't be known without joining directly.
"It's a cafe where creatures like insects multiply."
Ma Gyeong-rok's expression filled with disgust.
It was a face that wanted to kill the trash immediately.
"But how do you know all this, prophet? Don't tell me you joined...?"
Ma Gyeong-rok suspected that he had not only joined but had gone further.
Certainly, it was information that only a high-ranking member should know.
"Don't misunderstand. I've never joined. I just met a high-ranking player from there and saw his future."
"Ah, I see..."
Doubt disappeared from Ma Gyeong-rok's eyes.
"So, according to the prophet's words, are all the players who joined Pseva cafe those who went through murder interviews and are trash that needs to be eliminated? Are you asking me to eliminate them right now?"
"That's right. Now, after the leaders have changed, murder interviews have been completely eliminated, but all the old members are being accused of participating or covering up murders. It's a group that can't be overlooked considering the present and future."
"Is there any reason you don't report them to the police and leave it to me?"
"Even if we report, it would practically be impossible to punish them. Most of the evidence has been destroyed, and as they are players, they can't be forcibly contained. We need Mr. Ma's help for this. Isn't there nothing better for accumulating dark magic than killing people, like the Dark Knight?"
Ma Gyeong-rok's eyes widened in surprise.
"... Do you know so much about my profession?"
"Of course. By observing prophecies, various types of information can be obtained."
Ma Gyeong-rok nodded as if to confirm and asked again to be sure.
"Specifically, what do you want me to do?"
"Please, kill them all. If you lure them to a quiet place, Mr. Ma can go and accumulate dark magic while relieving stress. They won't be able to be killed in a single day, as there are many of them, and it will take several months."
"How do you plan to lure them?"
"You can lure them by distributing wanted posters with their faces, scaring them, and helping them escape abroad. I already have one of their leaders on my side, so there won't be any problems getting personnel."
"Hmm..."
Although he didn't show it, Ma Gyeong-rok was surprised by Ryu Min's proposal.
"But there's no need to report about this. You just need to do it. If the prophet suddenly changes his mind and laughs, saying it was a surprise, I'll be ready to laugh like a fool."
"Now I understand. The prophet is dead serious."
If he is serious, the story changes.
"This is an opportunity. An opportunity to easily obtain dark magic."
The Dark Knight profession really requires a lot of dark magic.
It's powerful, but it's also like a luxury car that consumes a lot of fuel.
It's an opportunity to reduce that burden.
"There's no reason to refuse."
Despite that, Ma Gyeong-rok hesitated a bit.
There was a factor that held him back from accepting so easily.
It was the burden.
It wasn't just private murder but murder carried out in collaboration with the prophet.
Sharing the stain of murder means a different burden.
Ryu Min was also aware of that fact.
"I'll need some kind of motivation."
Not a grand motivation is needed.
With a small push, he'll move on his own.
Ryu Min took an object from his inventory.
"Accept this."
"Eh? Is this...?"
Upon receiving something suddenly, Ma Gyeong-rok felt bewildered.
"This is a dark magic potion. It seems it will be necessary for the leader of our guild."
"Oh."
It was then that Ma Gyeong-rok, after seeing the options of the object, was surprised.
It truly was a potion intended for him.
"It's a bribe. Don't think we're asking for your help for free, so don't feel too pressured."
"Oh..."
The feeling of receiving an unexpected gift. At that moment, the burden feeling of Ma Gyeong-rok disappeared.
"Even preparing food and now this gift..."
"Even if it's food, it's not something easy."
"I'll use it well. Prophet. Let the trash cleanup be on my shoulders."
Ma Gyeong-rok and Ryu Min smiled satisfied at the same time.
-----------------------
"Ugh..."
Ma Gyeong-rok slapped the face of the player exhaling his last breath.
"Is this all?"
"Ugh..."
"Answer. Don't you have anything else with you?"
"Uh, no... Everything in my inventory, I've vomited..."
Ma Gyeong-rok asked again as he looked at the items spread in front of him.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Uh, definitely. So please..."
The player trembled as he spoke.
"Please, get rid of this monster... Ugh!"
In the lower half of the man's body, a Dark Howler was attached, devouring his vitality like a voracious parasite.
It was painful, but the fear of being devoured by beasts was even greater.
"Understood. Trust me."
Ma Gyeong-rok concentrated his magic.
The Dark Knight enveloped the Dark Howler.
"I'll kill it gently, as I promised."
"Thank you..."
Before the words could finish, the player's head fell to the ground.
Ma Gyeong-rok stored the sword in his inventory.
"Anyway, they will die anyway. There should be no problem in taking some items."
A satisfied smile formed on Ma Gyeong-rok's lips.
He had picked up more items than he expected.
Most of them were intended for the prophet.
"A Korean must have a sense of gratitude."
Ma Gyeong-rok laughed as he used the skill to erase traces.
The five corpses disappeared as if they were a lie.