Chapter 151 - Meeting
He ignited the Crimson Moon and swept through Moonlight Island.
Every swing turned fifty players into dust, making them disappear.
After sweeping half of the forces in five attempts, he raised the Fallen God's Rake Scythe.
Chac-chac!
The Rake Scythe, extending like a giant's claw, swept without exception.
Although it was night, he didn't need to activate the skill; still, he noticed a significant increase in the attack speed and damage of Moonlight Island.
It was a one-sided massacre.
It was easier because he wasn't wearing any equipment.
For Ryu Min, it was like a bonus for walking.
"......"
"......"
Watching the massacre in real-time, Victor and Yamti couldn't say anything.
They had neither sympathy nor joy for it.
They simply hoped the situation would end as if they were witnessing an inevitable natural phenomenon.
At that moment, when almost everyone was about to die, a pleasant notification appeared in front of Ryu Min.
[It has been confirmed that you are the player who has killed 1,000 players.]
[You obtain the title 'Slayer.']
The corner of Ryu Min's mouth curved slightly under the mask.
It was the title he had been waiting for.
[Title - Slayer]
Acquisition Condition: Kill 1,000 players.
Effect: Increases damage dealt to players by 50%. Infuses the 'terror' state for 3 seconds to all players witnessing the killing.
Combining the number of Pseva members he had killed earlier and the current ones, he reached 1,000 players.
As a result, he gained a title that ensured he had no worries in individual battles.
"Increases damage, makes it easy to kill, and additionally infuses the terror effect in the surroundings after killing."
As expected.
With 50 subjects in front of him, he immediately killed them with his scythe.
Squish-
After killing one, the others stood still like toys with drained batteries.
Not only did they lose the will to fight, but they also remained paralyzed with fear.
The terror state was applied correctly.
'Only the duration of terror is 3 seconds.'
It might seem like a short time, but it's not short at all.
If applied continuously, it's a different story.
Squish-! Squish-!
By killing another, terror seized them again, resetting the time.
Kill and reset, kill and reset.
While Ryu Min massacred, the others trembled and didn't move from their places.
Due to the continuous application of the terror state.
'That's why this title is so useful in individual battles, especially in confrontations with multiple players.'
The downside is that it only applies to players, so its utility is not that high.
'However, it's better than not having it.'
At first, he didn't know such titles existed.
He discovered it later thanks to Ma Gyeong-rok and Joo Sung-taek.
"While watching those guys massacring players, I thought there must be something special about experiencing fear witnessing killings."
It was after killing EI that he finally fully understood the meaning of titles.
"But anyone hearing this will say something like, who in their right mind would kill a thousand people?"
There was.
It happened in round 11.
When the country unified and the number of players increased, Ma Gyeong-rok and Joo Sung-taek carried out a massacre.
They indiscriminately killed players from other countries.
All to gain cursed points.
"Probably, in this process, I'll also get the title of Slayer."
He didn't care if someone else got the title of Slayer.
However, Ryu Min didn't like his opponent gaining the strength to resist him.
"It's even annoying to feel fear."
Of course, even if someone caught him in three seconds, he would release it in 0.3 seconds with high resistance.
But, in fact, he didn't even like that happening.
Especially if people die that way, the number of survivors in the following rounds decreases.
That's why Ryu Min wants to deprive the other two of the opportunity to get the title.
"The title of Slayer should be mine alone."
There would be no problems if he continued as he did in the last round.
Although it was still a bit early to reach round 11.
Clang! - Tack!
Ryu Min picked up his scythe extended to its original state and unequipped his equipment.
No enemies were left standing.
"It smells as bad as garbage."
Lifting his head, he realized that piles of corpses formed hills.
Half of them disintegrated without a trace due to the unbearable damage.
A fight of about 500 against 1.
The result of the uneven battle was an overwhelming victory for the number 1.
Ryu Min wrinkled his nose and erased the traces by burning the bodies.
Given the large number, erasing them was a job.
After a while, once the desolate scene was cleared, Ryu Min turned his head to the side.
The items that the dead had willingly dropped were scattered on the ground.
"Fortunately, the inventory storage capacity is infinite. I can absorb all these items."
From the human trafficking ring in Nigeria to finding EI and rescuing the alchemist, everything was planned.
After subduing Al-Baghdadi, he used him to spit out items.
Then, he killed unarmed players, filled a thousand people, and obtained the title.
Everything went according to plan.
"Now, all that's left is to win the heart of the alchemist."
Turning his gaze, he saw Victor and Yamti coming out of the building.
Victor, who had fainted at the sight of the massacre of hundreds of people, regained composure and asked Ryu Min.
"Is it all over...?"
"For now, I've eliminated the pests that were here. Although there's one I haven't touched."
Ryu Min's gaze turned toward Al-Baghdadi.
Turned into Yamti's tool, he stood still with a rigid posture like a statue.
"How did you make the leader of EI betray...? What kind of skill is that, Yamti?"
"Thanks to Yamti's skill, the player. It's an ability that controls the mind and turns it into a puppet."
"Ah..."
The fact that such a terrifying woman was right next to him.
Victor, in an instant, became so worried that he even shivered.
Perhaps he, too, was being controlled in that way.
Ryu Min chuckled under his breath reading his thoughts.
"Don't worry. This skill doesn't work on players. It also has many restrictions."
"Ah... well, that's a relief."
Though it was a lie, Victor believed it immediately.
To him, the only person he could trust was Black Scythe.
"I really appreciate your help, Black Scythe-nim. I thought facing EI would be impossible, but now that you've done it... When you said you would face EI, honestly, I didn't think it was possible... But thanks to you, the hope we didn't have when we were trapped by EI has returned. All thanks to you, Black Scythe-nim."
"It's nothing."
He had definitely succeeded in earning Victor's sympathy.
Reading his thoughts, he could feel respect and gratitude in Victor's heart.
"But... Victor no longer has the desire to keep fighting."
Ryu Min could understand this by reading Victor's mind.
Like an old man retiring to his homeland to spend the rest of his life in peace, Victor wanted to let go of everything.
"Victor has to accompany me until round 20. But with this weak heart, he won't be able to endure at all."
That was the problem.
But the solution was clear.
Ryu Min had been silent for a reason.
"What do you plan to do with the EI leader? Are you going to kill him now?"
"I can't do that. EI hasn't been completely eradicated yet."
"Then..."
"I'll use him until the end and then kill him. By using him, I'll gather remaining forces to end the insect plague. Don't worry. EI will disappear from history."
"Ah... so, that's good news. It seems like you really have everything under control. Oh!"
Victor, who was smiling, suddenly opened his inventory.
"Accept this."
"Isn't this the potion you were going to give me earlier?"
"Yes. I've collected the potions I've created by type. Please accept it as a friendly gesture."
Ryu Min accepted the potion since he couldn't refuse it twice.
"Thank you. I'll use it wisely."
Examining the received items, he found healing potions, stat potions, resistance potions, etc.
"Are these potions that a level 40 alchemist can make?"
They weren't legendary quality, but they were useful enough.
"I don't have enough to pay for life, but if you ever need potions, come and tell me. Oh, the address of my house is..."
Victor, who gave his address, smiled cunningly.
Now it was time to say goodbye.
"Feel free to visit me without feeling overwhelmed. I'll provide them for free to Black Scythe. Whether in reality or other worlds. Of course, as long as I survive the rounds..."
"Thank you."
"Then, I'll leave now. I want to see Ricky and the kids as soon as possible. Both my family and yours."
"Of course. You can take one of those trucks there."
"Thank you. Please take care of both Black Scythe and Lady Yamti. I am very grateful to them."
After shaking hands, Ryu Min bid farewell to Victor without hesitation.
As they walked a bit away, Yamti asked:
"Do alchemists say goodbye like this, leader?"
"Yes, he promised to provide me with potions anytime."
"So, did he achieve his goal?"
"No."
Ryu Min shook his head as he looked at Victor's back.
"What I want is to take Victor to round 20. But he doesn't have that desire right now. He's tired. Since he fulfilled his goal of seeing his family before dying. He doesn't care about the rest of his life."
A player without a desire to survive and face round 20 together?
That was impossible.
It didn't align with Ryu Min's wishes.
"So, what will you do now?"
"Well. I'll have to change the alchemist's heart."
Rumble-
Looking at the truck starting and driving away, Ryu Min gave instructions to Yamti.
"Talk to Al-Baghdadi. Lead her to where the alchemist has prepared potions. Meanwhile, I..."
Ryu Min took off his mask and spoke.
"I'm collecting some items."
------------------
Marcus was an innocent man also trapped in EI.
As a Lagos school teacher, he was also the most reliable figure after Black Scythe.
"Mr. Marcus!"
"Oh, Victor. You're safe."
When they went to Marcus's house, they could see Ricky and the children running towards him.
"Mr.!"
"Ricky! Were you okay?"
"You really came."
"Yes, I said I'd come to get you."
"But what about EI?"
Victor explained the situation to Marcus as they shared moments of reunion.
"EI brought more than 500 players, but they were all defeated by Black Scythe. Now you don't have to worry."
"Really? They won against 500?"
Marcus, recalling Black Scythe's strength, asked Victor.
"And now what?"
"Well, we have to go back home."
"Are you leaving already, sir?"
To Ricky's melancholic question, Victor affectionately ruffled his head.
"I have to go. After all, I came to make sure you were safe."
"Hmph..."
"Don't worry. Since Marcus's house and ours are close, I'll come to visit you often while I'm here. Take care."
"Yes, I understand."
Victor, smiling, prepared to leave.
"Mr. Marcus, please take good care of the children until you find their parents. If you need help, let me know. Remember the address of our house?"
"Yes, I understand. Go without worrying and come back home quickly. Your family must be worried."
"Yes, thank you. Goodbye."
Victor shook hands with Marcus and soon left in his car.
"Visiting them after a whole year?"
A year ago.
Victor, who lived with his parents and his 5-year-old sister, was kidnapped by EI.
Just for being a doctor.
"They threatened me, saying if I didn't treat the wounded, they would come and kill my family."
Threatened this way, Victor spent a year serving as EI's doctor.
During that time, the only motivation that kept him going was his family, despite the horrible experiences he witnessed.
He dreamed of the moment he would reunite with his family and endured.
And now, that moment is about to come true.
"Finally, we arrived."
Victor, who reached near his home, left the car and walked towards his house.
As he walked, his heart pounded as he saw the familiar landscape.
And finally.
Click-
Victor, who opened the front door, could see them.
The family he missed and longed for.
"Vi, Vi, Victor?"
"Mother..."
Crying, they embraced without even having time to wipe away the tears falling.
"Victor? Has Victor come?"
The father, who was in the room, also came out and joined the hug upon seeing his son.
Parents and children embraced tightly, confirming that both were alive.
"You were alive. Fortunately, really fortunately."
"I thought you were dead."
"Hehe, I'm alive and well, Dad, Mom."
"This isn't going as it should. Let's go inside. Once inside, let's talk about what has been happening lately."
"Yes. But, what about Sophia?"
Sophia was Victor's younger sister.
It was a natural question as the younger sister was not seen, but somehow confusion appeared on his parents' faces.
"Oh, that's what happened."
Upon hearing the explanation, Victor pleasantly surprised responded.