Chapter 144 - Getting Ready for the Journey
Ryu Min spent several days conducting field practices with CPF members.
Upon receiving a real report, they would turn on the sirens and quickly head to the location.
They swiftly investigated the crime scene to understand the situation at a glance.
It would be ideal to encounter the criminal on-site, but most of them managed to escape.
In those moments, they utilized exploration skills to track the culprit's traces.
If they successfully found the criminal, it was fortunate, but what if they failed?
They searched for witnesses or conducted investigations in shops.
Of course, if they received another report during the search, they had to hand over the investigation to regular police and withdraw.
Given the urgency of eliminating as many player criminals as possible.
On the other hand, once they found the criminal, they subdued and handcuffed them.
Of course, these were not ordinary handcuffs.
"These are exclusive handcuffs for players distributed to the police. It takes a force of at least 150 to break free, meaning a considerable intensity level."
After capturing criminals with the handcuffs provided by the leader, they handed them over to the police and let the legal system take care of it.
Wasn't it dangerous to hand players over to regular police?
Since the country authorized the use of weapons against players, regular police could properly confront player criminals.
After all, even if you were a player, you couldn't dodge bullets.
At least, not until now.
Of course, even if they had firearms, players who were not handcuffed were dangerous.
However, since they could take immediate action if they exhibited threatening behavior, armed police could manage the situation to some extent.
"It seems like the training is about to finish."
Ryu Min relaxed as he observed the unit members.
After several days of practice, he found that cases were getting resolved even if he didn't intervene.
They also killed several player criminals.
Although they appeared innocent, unit members had already gone through four rounds, so they didn't have many scruples about murder.
"Besides, they became police officers because of their disdain for criminals."
At least none of the unit members hesitated to take immediate action.
"Great job this week. With this, both theoretical and practical training are complete. Now you can go with confidence."
"Go? Didn't you think I would keep taking care of you forever? I'm a busy person too."
He had notified the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport a week ago that he was planning to charter a plane to Nigeria.
He was currently just waiting for flight route authorization.
He had already made a passport in the name of Lost Yak.
Mentally, he was already prepared for the journey.
"No problem if you catch player criminals without me, right?"
"...."
Although no one said it out loud, unit members who had grown fond of him during the week thought so.
They were new recruits who had joined the unit in just one week, but they already saw him as their leader.
An emotional support.
The leader's departure was perplexing and bittersweet.
"Don't get too sad. I'll drop by whenever I have time to see if you're doing well."
Ryu Min left words of encouragement for the unit members.
"Go Nam-cheol, it seems like you've completely corrected your dialect in a week. Anyone would think you're a native of Seoul."
"Haha, you're exaggerating, leader."
"Hwang Man-gi, your recent achievements have been good. I'm always expecting the best from you."
"Thanks, haha."
"Kang Si-hyuk. You're always doing a great job. Just keep it up. Eh? Are you crying because I'm leaving?"
"Oh, no, of course not!"
Despite his words, Kang Si-hyuk turned, wiping tears with the back of his hand.
"Everyone has worked hard. Keep working in 3 groups of 2 shifts, as I assigned. It's tough being on patrol day and night. If any issues arise, call me anytime. Understood?"
"Yes, unit leader! Thank you for all your hard work so far!"
"Well, one would think I'm retiring due to age."
Ryu Min, laughing under the mask, turned around.
Now he had reliable members in the unit.
-------------------
[CPF, the Counter Player Force newly established for the first time this month, shows astonishing performance...]
[The new CPF unit processed 52 players in a week. Relief for police agents...]
[Is it the effect of CPF? Crime rate decreased by 32% compared to last week...]
[Have you heard of the CPF unit? The new player unit has been formed!]
└ Is this the unit that captures players? Can they execute immediately?
└ It definitely seems to have an effect. The number of players committing crimes has decreased dramatically.
└Of course, it must have an effect. They say they kill those who commit crimes.
└Damn, if you commit a crime and get caught, you die!? Haha, even I would stay home all the time.
└It's not just indiscriminate killing, only violent criminals. Even if they do dangerous things, they kill them.
└The country is crazy. They're killing players any which way.
└**********
└There are defenders of criminals among the defenders of criminals.
└They're doing it to prevent further damage. Don't you understand that?
└The sons of b**ch criminals deserve to die. Period.
└We should have done this from the beginning. Haha ****** government fixing the stable after losing the cow.
└Yeah, anyway, Congressman Lee Sung-hyun did it.
└True, the congressman recommended it. You can find the article if you look.
└They probably placed him as a favor. Haha.
└Yes, but still. Haha
└Even so, if the unit handles cases well without causing problems, it seems the leader's position is not just for show.
Ryu Min hung up the phone after reading the comments.
'Overall, the response to CPF is positive. It seems to be showing a notable effect, is it something natural?'
He smiled contentedly, but in comparison, his reputation as Black Scythe had not risen as much.
It was natural.
As much as a unit stood out, they simply fulfilled their duty.
The leader's name wouldn't become an issue.
Unless he did something big personally.
The reason to go to Nigeria was here.
To do something big.
'What if I hunt public enemies under the name of Black Scythe? Probably, my reputation would increase significantly. At least more than now.'
And what if he asked Seo Arin, who was on the rise, to promote it?
Who knows, but it would definitely raise awareness and the unit's position.
Then the frequency of rampant player criminals would also decrease.
'It seems like I'll need Seo Arin's help.'
Ryu Min called Seo Arin with Lost Yak's phone.
The meticulousness of transforming into her face was shown even for the voice.
However.
'Is she not answering?'
Perhaps because it was an unknown number, she didn't answer.
He tried several times, but it was the same.
He had no choice but to send a message.
[Seo Arin? I'm Black Scythe. If you have something to say, call me after reading the message.]
He sent the message, and after about 10 seconds, Seo Arin returned the call.
She might not have answered because she didn't recognize the number.
Um, are you really Black Scythe?
"Yes, it's me. Would you recognize my voice if you heard it?"
Ah, yes, you are Black Scythe.
Seo Arin remembered the voice of the real-world Black Scythe she had met before. In fact, she remembered it even more because he wore a mask.
How do you have my number? I've never told it to you...
"There's an important person above me."
Ah, you're the CPF leader?
"You've already read the news about Black Scythe, I assume."
Yes, of course. I wouldn't miss news mentioning Black Scythe...
"..."
Oh, don't misunderstand. It's just that, while browsing the internet as usual, I came across it by chance.
"I didn't misunderstand."
Really? But then, why did you call me?
"For a promotional offer."
A promotional offer?
"We are planning to do a charity advertisement to promote our unit, and we thought you would be perfect as a promotional model."
Oh, as a promotional model? Me?
Although Seo Arin seemed surprised at first, she accepted easily, almost without thinking.
"So, you decide so easily. Don't you need to think about it more?"
Is there anything to think about? If I can help Black Scythe, there's no need to ask or hesitate.
"Then, the promotional model is decided."
He had been worried that she might reject the offer, but he was glad she accepted it willingly.
"When we have the schedule, I'll let you know."
Thank you. For giving me the opportunity to return the favor.
"Favor? No, thank you."
Uh, well... Can I ask you something, if you don't mind? Or is it too bold?
The sudden request made Ryu Min blink.
"A request? What is it?"
C-can we... eat together? If you have time, of course. If you're busy, I understand...
"Eating with a mask... seems difficult."
Ah, yes, you had a mask.
Even if he transformed into Lost Yak, he couldn't reveal his face to Seo Arin.
"And I also have to go to various places for a while, so it seems like I won't have time."
Really? Where...?
"I won't say that."
Ah, I'm sorry...
Seo Arin, who had been so calm at the butcher shop, now seemed as confused as to question if it was really her.
"Well, when we have the advertising schedule, I'll let you know again."
Yes, I understand. Black Scythe.
Ryu Min smiled slightly as he ended the call.
"We've got a promotional model, and the CPF is running smoothly without me."
Everything was going as planned.
"How's it going on the Fake Beach side?"
Thinking about it, Ryu Min called someone with his mobile phone.
Yamti's thoughtful voice resonated.
Leader! What's up?
"Are you at home?"
Yes, I'm at home. If you're planning to come to our house...
"Don't talk nonsense. How is the management of the Fake Beach going? Is it going well?"
Yes. Since I gave detailed instructions to the president, we are accepting new members without any problems.
"Did all the recently joined members pass the personality test?"
Yes. Thanks to the leader handling the existing members, the muddy water is gone and has been replaced with fresh water.
"That's a relief."
After the efforts of Ma Gyeong-rok and himself, the Pseva garbage was now completely organized.
Filtering out the contaminated water and admitting only people with true integrity, it could be considered a complete transformation.
"Pass on to the president. Make sure to manage it well so that you can move the cafe members with a word at any time."
Don't worry, I've already given him those instructions.
"Speaking of which, can we charter the plane without any problems?"
Of course. We made a reservation for a charter plane on the Nigeria route you requested last week. We have also obtained approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport and the corresponding airports.
The charter plane Ryu Min was going to board was none other than the plane prepared by Pseva's president, Song Jae-gyeom.
Despite being pressured by Ma Gyeong-rok, it was also a conglomerate that could be counted on one hand.
Being the eldest son of the LC Group, it was expected that he would have a charter plane.
"So, can I leave tomorrow as planned?"
Yes. But why are you going to Nigeria?
"I won't talk about it over the phone; we'll discuss it in person tomorrow."
Haha, a solo trip with the owner. I really looked forward to this moment of happiness.
"Don't get too excited, just make sure to have your luggage and passport ready. We can leave tomorrow morning."
Understood, sir! Ji ji ji!
Ryu Min hung up the phone and shook his head in disbelief.
"Should I have said it over the phone?"
He hoped he hadn't caused any strange misunderstandings.