Chapter 139 - Dinner out after a long time
[Temporary Skill - God of Death]
Effect: Increases all attributes, damage, attack speed, and movement speed by 44%, and reduces all damage received from enemies by 44%.
Additionally, decreases the probability of enemies perceiving you by 44%.
Lasts for 4 minutes and resets upon eliminating an enemy.
Can be canceled upon reuse and has a cooldown time of 44 minutes.
It's an astonishing skill that boosts all attributes by 44% and almost halves the damage received.
"Now that I have it activated, should I give it a try?" Ryu Min thought aloud.
"Transformation into God of Death."
At that moment, Ryu Min's body became semi-transparent, and a dark energy flowed slowly.
[God of Death Transformation State activated.]
[All attributes, damage, attack speed, and movement speed increase by 44%.]
[All damage received from enemies is reduced by 44%.]
[Probability of enemies perceiving you decreases by 44%.]
Everything is 44.
Since the number 4 is considered a death number in Korea, it seems they configured it that way.
"Still, the effect is incredible. Plus, I can hide my face as an additional benefit."
To others, Ryu Min seemed to be little more than a dark shadow.
His body was covered in a dark energy rising like smoke, and this also applied to his equipment.
"From head to toe, I probably look like a dark figure. Even the scythe."
Since he's using a scythe, he's likely to be called the God of Death, but his face is not visible.
"It lasts for 4 minutes, but if I eliminate an enemy, the time resets."
That is, if he continues killing something within the 4 minutes, he can maintain the God of Death Transformation indefinitely.
"Especially useful on the battlefield."
In a battlefield where a fierce battle of life and death is fought, the God of Death Transformation could last until the end of the war.
"However, it's not an ability that can be used frequently due to the cooldown time."
44 minutes are not 4 minutes, and it's a somewhat inconvenient cooldown time.
Therefore, Ryu Min had no intentions of using the God of Death Transformation unless absolutely necessary.
Ding-
"Brother?"
At that moment, Ryu Min's door opened, and his younger brother entered.
"Were you in the room?"
"Yes."
Ryu Min, who had already noticed his brother's presence with his perception, deactivated the Transformation and smiled in normal clothes.
"It was so quiet; I thought you had gone somewhere again."
"What's up?"
"It's dinner time later. I thought we could go out to eat after so long..."
"We can't eat out. You know how dangerous the situation is these days."
"I know. But staying home all the time is frustrating."
It's understandable.
During the long 8 months, Ryu Min had told his brother to avoid going out as much as possible.
His brother only listened to Ryu Min's words and stayed home, ordering takeout and following the rules.
"I did go out to eat sometimes, but not too often."
Talking about going out to eat referred to a few times before the players started spreading.
"From a gaming perspective, it must be frustrating."
The brother, who was practically locked at home while Ryu Min went about his work, was probably frustrated.
And just as he thought, reading his thoughts, Ryu Min could see that his brother felt quite upset with himself.
The owner, locked in a cage because it's dangerous outside, strolls around freely, why is that?
"Due to memories of the previous kidnapping, I restricted him from going out... seems like I've only been thinking about myself."
It's time to cheer up his brother a bit.
Although it's still dangerous to roam freely, with the decrease in players lately, it should be fine.
And, above all, isn't he around?
"Have you been home for too long? It's okay. Let's go out for dinner tonight."
"Really? Oh, yes!"
Ryu Won was happier like a child just by smelling the outdoor air than thinking about eating something delicious.
'Is it really that good?'
If he likes it so much, maybe they should go out to dinner at least once a week.
At that moment, Ryu Min came up with an idea to cheer up his brother.
"How about we call that person? My brother will surely like the idea of eating together."
Deciding to call her to eat together, Ryu Min made a promise with his brother.
Tonight, they will go out for dinner after a long time.
-----------------------
Dinner time.
"In this chaos, are there still so many people here?"
"It's probably because it's such a famous restaurant."
The brothers settled in a famous barbecue restaurant and began grilling the meat.
Chiiii-
The sound alone makes the mouth water.
"It's really nice to go out after so long with you."
"I believe so too."
After hesitating for a moment, Ryu Won gathered courage.
"Actually, I felt a bit hurt by you, brother. You told me to stay home, but you were freely going around..."
"I'm a player, you're a regular person. Plus, you know how dangerous the outside is just by watching the news."
"I know. I know, but... still, I felt hurt."
If the brother who has endured until now says something like that, it must have been quite difficult for him.
Ryu Min sincerely felt sorry.
"I'm sorry. Can you bear with it a little longer? After this month, there will be very few players in Korea, so security should improve. The era where criminals roam freely like now will come to an end."
"Oh, really? Can I go out again from next month?"
"Yes. You can trust the words of the prophet, which is me."
Ryu Min's words were true.
Currently, there are around 3,000 players in Korea.
After the tenth round, there will only be around 700 left.
"In the tenth round, only 25% will survive."
How many criminal players will there be among those 700?
Even if there are, they will be a minority elite who knows the ins and outs, and they wouldn't risk engaging in public criminal activities.
"After all, even if they want to commit a crime, they won't be able to carry out external activities."
Above all, when Black Scythe's reputation increases, irrational looting like before will not be allowed.
Of course, as long as he is designated as the commander of the large player division.
"I already told Yamti to do it, so we'll get a call when the time comes."
Anyway, a month later, security in Korea won't be a concern.
"The problem is that these lunatics are not only in Korea."
If we expand on a global scale, the trash that needs to be eliminated is overflowing.
If the trash reaches Korea, that becomes a whole different problem.
"That's why we must elevate Korea's position and consolidate Black Scythe's position."
Controlling players with the power of the head of state.
That was the best solution to steer humanity away from the path of dystopia.
"Well, that's enough. Eat a lot."
"Yes, brother, you eat a lot too."
Ryu Min and Ryu Won put meat on their wraps respectively.
On top of that, they added garlic, wrap sauce, peppers, and chives in order, then carefully rolled up the wraps.
And just as they were about to open their mouths to eat...
BANG!
A loud noise came from the next table.
"Darn it, where is the owner?! Owner, come out!"
Since the voice was so loud, people around stopped grilling meat to look.
Ryu Min and Ryu Won also turned their heads curiously.
"What's happening?"
"Look at this! There's hair in the meat! Are they selling this for us to eat? Huh?"
Upon the man's outcry, the owner bowed in apology.
He had no other choice.
At first glance, the opponent's appearance was in his twenties.
He was definitely a player who was out of the category of ordinary people.
"Maybe he's spreading the truth after getting drunk."
Though it wasn't known if players also got drunk.
"I'm sorry, customer. It seems that a hair from our employee mistakenly got in. We'll bring new meat immediately."
Bow apologizing, he hoped the issue would be resolved quietly.
Normally, that would be the case.
Normally.
CRASH!
The table broke, and the utensils on it fell to the ground.
The customer, as if unable to contain his anger, smashed the table.
"Will the problem be solved if you bring another portion of meat? And what about my ruined mood? What about the appetite I lost? Shouldn't you take responsibility for everything?"
"U-um, sir, it's not right to smash the utensils like that..."
"Is this brat talking back? What kind of restaurant owner dares to answer a customer? Especially a measly common citizen!"
As if he were a medieval noble reprimanding a commoner, the man changed his attire.
Fuuuuu
When he grabbed a red axe, the owner finally realized the gravity of the situation.
This customer was no ordinary citizen.
Even if the owner really was a commoner, he clasped his hands and spoke desperately.
"I'm so sorry, sir. Really sorry for causing you trouble."
"Sorry? Is that all? There should be compensation, compensation!"
"W-well, exactly how much...?"
CRASH!
The table on the ground broke again with a single stomp.
"Darn it, I told you, right? Give everything you have."
"Ah, okay."
While the owner went to get cash, the man held the axe and looked at the surrounding people.
"What are you looking at, darn idiots? Have you never seen something like this?"
After releasing that exclamation, the people who were timidly watching averted their eyes.
Most of the people inside the store were over 30 years old, ordinary folks.
Players didn't seem to fear or have strength against them.
Incredible, who is that guy? Is he a player?
They said all potential players were criminals, and it looks like they really are.
Wow, we should eat quickly and get out before sparks fly.
While Ryu Min read the minds of the customers, his younger brother expressed his concern with an anxious voice.
"Brother, why is that guy like that?"
"Why is he acting like that? He's probably trying to legally steal money by causing problems on purpose."
"No, why do players act like that? Can't they earn money by working?"
"They don't have time for that right now. This might be their last month of life, who would want to work part-time to earn money? It's better to steal."
That was why players looted market stalls.
Because they were in a dead-end.
Because it was easy to earn money.
"However, even with the High-Level Player law, I thought it would decrease after its implementation, but it seems not to be the case in reality. Seeing someone doing such shameless things, we should quickly activate the police force against the major players..."
While Ryu Min said that, his right hand was quite busy.
"Brother, what are you doing?"
"I'm manipulating the system a bit."
By touching the air with his fingers, Ryu Min set his team window to a regular level two degrees lower and memorized the equipment ignition.
Tsuee-eu-eu-eut-
"Why are you suddenly putting on equipment?"
"There are no other players among the customers besides me, right? We can't just leave it like this."
When Ryu Min stood up from his seat, his younger brother stopped him in surprise.
"Brother, stay still, it's dangerous!"
"Leaving someone like that loose is even more dangerous."
Adding "I'll be back soon," Ryu Min walked toward the man.
Since they even changed their equipment to regular grades, there would be no reason to suspect.
At that moment, the owner returned with a pile of cash.
"Owner, why are you taking so long to bring that little money? Haven't you reported it to the police, right?"
"W-well, of course not. Anyway, here..."
"What's this?"
The man who received the cash raised his eyebrows.
"Is this all you have?"
The money the owner brought was no more than 20,000 won.
It wasn't the kind of money you would expect from such a successful place that should earn at least a million won a day.
"Darn it, are you kidding me? What do you want me to do with 20,000 won?"
"W-well, it's just that lately, we mainly make card payments, so there's not much cash. It's true!"
"Then, I'll call my bank and transfer ten million won there for you."
"E-eh? Ten million won?"
"Why are you surprised? It's a steal for my psychological compensation. Too little? Want more?"
"N-no, it's fine."
"Then do as I say when I say something nice. Do you have a phone? Transfer the money directly in front of me now."
"W-well, I don't have money in my account, so that's difficult..."
"Does this guy think he can trick us while saying 'wait, wait'? Is he kidding me? Eh?"
It was at that moment when he threateningly raised his axe.
Tak!
Ryu Min's hand grabbed the man's wrist.
"That's enough."
"Who the hell is this guy?! And who are you?"
Ryu Min squeezed the hand he grabbed.
"I'm a customer who was quietly grilling meat in the corner."
"...!"
Did he feel the incredible strength from the grabbed wrist?
The man's expression tensed in an instant.
Although he had controlled the situation not to break his front.
"You shouldn't cause a ruckus where there are people. You might choke on the food with so much noise."
"Are you not going to let go of this hand, huh?"
"Do you think I won't do anything if I let it go?"
"Yeah, understood. Since you understand, let go already!"
When the strength seemed about to break, the man's expression became anxious.
Of course, Ryu Min had no intention of breaking the man's wrist.
He just wanted to threaten him a bit and kick him out.
But that was only Ryu Min's wish.
Reading his thoughts, the man had no intention of leaving.
"Release this darn hand!"
"Do you not intend to step back even if I release it?"
"Yes, understood. Since you understand, let go already!"
"So this is how it's going to be. You'll have to wait until the police arrive, won't you?"
"What? Police? Does this guy want to get caught?"
Was he trying to escape before the police arrived?
In an instant, another axe was grabbed from the man's opposite hand.
It turned out to be a gladiator wielding two axes.
"Just die, you darn bastard."
Just when he was about to cut off the head.
'Huh? A shield?'
Ryu Min looked at the shield unfolding in front of him.
Bang!
The axe bounced off the shield.
Ryu Min let go of the man's wrist and turned his head.
A familiar woman appeared leading a fairy.
None other than Seo Arin.