Chapter 153: Return Home
[Our plane is scheduled to arrive at Incheon Airport in 10 minutes.]
Ryu Min, who was sleeping with a sleep mask, stealthily removed it.
"Have we arrived already?"
Looking beside him, he saw Yamti's head twisted like a ghost.
She was completely exhausted.
"You must be tired."
During the four days in Nigeria, Ryu Min achieved a lot.
He destroyed various organizations, including a human trafficking network, and also cleared out the EI's operational base.
In the process, he received thanks from many people who had been kidnapped and earned the title of "Slayer."
He also collected thousands of items and stored hundreds of potions hidden in the EI leader's inventory.
"The most important thing is that I was able to win over the alchemist completely without using Yamti's charm."
After giving his advice, Victor finally opened his heart completely to Black Scythe.
It was evident that he understood him by reading his thoughts.
What he gained in Nigeria was not the end.
"When it's known that Black Scythe eradicated EI, his fame will skyrocket like never before."
Everything was prepared, and he just had to wait.
Everything was perfect and satisfying.
Smirking maliciously, Ryu Min shook Yamti in the adjacent seat.
"Wake up."
"Umm, just a little more."
"Speaking informally to the owner? Are you crazy?"
"Huh? Ah, ow, owner?"
Upon discovering Ryu Min staring at her, Yamti was surprised.
"It seems you haven't received proper education to speak informally to the owner."
"I'm sorry, I thought I was dreaming."
"Let me overlook this once."
"Thank you. As always, owner, you're as generous as the sea."
"Wipe the saliva from your mouth and praise yourself."
"Ugh."
"We're about to arrive. Arrange your things."
"Got it!"
Finally, the two arrived at the airport.
Including the flight time, it was exactly a week of travel.
If it weren't for the private jet lent by the president of Pseva, it would have taken much longer.
"Yamti, you did a good job in Nigeria."
"Owner, you've worked hard too."
"Now, let's part ways here. Can you get home on your own?"
"Uh... Wouldn't it be great if the owner took me?"
"Go alone? Fine. Go first."
"Hng. Then I'll go first. Take care, owner."
Ryu Min nodded and headed to the parking lot, changing his appearance in the car.
Feeling nervous.
Ryu Min returned to his original form in Lost Yak.
Soon, he returned home in his Lamborghini and opened the front door.
"I'm back."
"Brother? Brother!"
His brother, who was watching TV leisurely at home, greeted him with an excited expression.
"You've returned safely! I was worried!"
"Of course. Where else would I go to get beaten?"
"The world is dangerous, isn't it?"
"Ah."
Now that he thought about it, his younger brother only knew him as a fragile prophet.
He didn't know that he was Black Scythe, the leader of the special CPF unit.
"I should advise my brother to reveal secrets to Victor while hiding his own secrets. Is there anything more ironic than this?"
Laughing ironically, Ryu Min looked at his younger brother.
"Was everything okay while I was away? Nothing happened?"
"Of course! In fact, it was so boring that I almost wished something exciting would happen."
"Don't joke with those words, even if it's a joke. After all, monotony is better than urgency. That's what peace means."
If he had been born in Nigeria, where crime is rampant, those words might not have come out of his younger brother's mouth.
"Well, he's still a high school student, so I understand."
It's a bit early to mature.
"But brother."
"Yes."
"Haven't you bought anything in Japan? Like souvenirs..."
"...No."
Ryu Min sighed silently.
Definitely, his younger brother was still young.
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The inventory that players use is really convenient.
You can put unlimited items with no quantity limit, and you can find the item you want just by thinking about it.
Ryu Min's ability to pull out the necessary items for combination is also for this reason.
"Out of the thousands of items ripped from those EI guys, there are only 105 unique materials. With this, I can make dozens of unique equipment and still have leftovers."
Probably, the organization members had them instead of selling them in the market.
He could combine them right away if he wanted, but Ryu Min doesn't need unique equipment.
He has fully equipped himself with unique gear and even has some legendary-grade ones.
"Well, so many unique materials and they're useless to me."
Strictly speaking, they do have a use.
He doesn't need them personally, but for his close friends, a single unique item would make them go crazy.
"I'll have to make some and distribute them. I also have to share some of the equipment I have."
It may be like a charity event, but it's a necessary task since the survival of his friends is directly linked to Ryu Min's survival.
Tap, tap, tap...
Ryu Min's fingers moved quickly.
He had agreed to meet someone through messages.
-------------------
"Prophet-nim?"
When Ma Gyeong-rok went to the agreed-upon place in response to Ryu Min's call, he had to open his eyes in surprise.
"What is all this?"
"It's a unique item."
"Oh no. I can see that in the information, but why...?"
"It's regrettable. Representative."
"Yes?"
Playing a prank, Ryu Min told Ma Gyeong-rok, who was surprised by the unexpected words.
"What kind of relationship do we have? Aren't we destined companions? Especially, I know about Representative Ma's secret hobbies. Why ask 'why' about sharing items in a relationship like ours? Aren't you distancing yourself too much? It's a bit bitter."
"Ah... No, it's not that intention. I only asked because I thought there might be a different meaning. Please don't misunderstand, Prophet-nim."
Trying to calm Ryu Min, who was sweating profusely, Ma Gyeong-rok couldn't help but feel uneasy.
In the current growing difficulty, if he confronts the prophet, the odds of surviving in the next round will decrease.
"Why are you so nervous? It's just a joke. A joke."
"Really? Haha, I thought... it wasn't a joke..."
Relieved, Ma Gyeong-rok looked at Ryu Min with grateful eyes.
It might have caused panic if it were someone else, but for Ryu Min, he could only laugh.
'Probably, my prophecy has a significant impact on Ma Gyeong-rok. Now, it's indispensable.'
Seeing how each of his emotions is being ignored, it's clear that he can no longer be tamed.
Having already tasted the flavor of prophecy, Ma Gyeong-rok won't be able to free himself from Ryu Min's grip.
"It could be said that I've reached the point where I can control Ma Gyeong-rok at will."
Even if it were a lie disguised as a prophecy, no one could avoid believing in Ma Gyeong-rok as if he were a piece of steel.
For him, the prophecy was nothing less than the last lifeline.
"I won't be able to tell if that lifeline is rotten or solid. But it's as urgent as not realizing it."
Ryu Min smiled as he tossed the prey towards Ma Gyeong-rok, who still looked around cautiously.
It was still necessary to have him by his side.
"I'll provide you with information about Round 10."
"Oh, this is what I've been waiting for. Go ahead, please."
Ryu Min shared only the crucial information to tackle Round 10.
"The difficulty increases in multiples of 5 in each round. In this Round 10, similar to the previous Round 5, only 25% will survive."
"25%?"
"Yes. After this Round 10, the number of players worldwide will decrease drastically. That will reduce the number of criminals, but it won't be good news for Mr. Ma."
"That's right... after all, players are clients of our company."
The decrease in the number of players implied a decrease in the number of users in the Player Place market.
This went against Ma Gyeong-rok's goal of being listed on the KOSPI.
"Don't worry too much. Haven't I prepared for this?"
"Is it the VVIP system?"
Thinking about the constant decrease in the number of players, the company's limits were evident.
However, the decrease in customers didn't necessarily mean the end of the company.
The survival of the company depended solely on revenue.
"Promoting existing members to VVIP, upgrading the ranking of new players to VIP to give them a special feeling and changing the atmosphere of the site. Also, strengthen existing benefits and shift the focus towards an auction system to help curb the income decline. Additionally, I can contribute by releasing my items in large quantities to expand the market."
"Wait a moment. I haven't heard about releasing items in large quantities..."
"I've accumulated quite a few items so far. I also have some specifically prepared for Mr. Ma. Since we're talking about it, let me show you."
Ryu Min pulled out dozens of unique equipment from his inventory.
Seeing the luxurious equipment that even made a sound of astonishment, Ma Gyeong-rok swallowed nervously.
"T-These... where did you get them?"
"I made them. I knew about the combinations thanks to seeing the future."
"And the ingredients?"
"Well, how? Haven't you been eliminating criminals day and night and collecting materials for Mr. Ma? I used them to make these. I also had some materials of my own."
"Oh..."
In reality, the materials Ma Gyeong-rok provided were insufficient, but he knew nothing about it.
He didn't even care.
At this moment, Ma Gyeong-rok's attention was fully focused on the unique equipment.
"I've prepared everything, from what Mr. Ma will use to what Director and actress Seo Arin will use, and also what your fiancée will wear."
"H-Have you done so much for us? I really appreciate it. Should I even give you gold through the trade function...?"
"Speak only what you feel in your heart." Though Ryu Min wanted to say that, he held back.
Instead, he just smiled benevolently in Gandhi's style and waved his hands gently.
"Take it all. I have no desires."
"Ah... really thank you, Prophet."
Although he wondered what the hell was going on, he didn't feel bad.
At least, his gratitude was genuine.
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"Min! I've got a reserved spot for you here!"
Ryu Min approached smilingly towards Min Juri, who waved from the café.
"Long time. Oh? Have you ordered mine already?"
"Yes. Double espresso, with an extra shot, right?"
"Haha, right."
Now that they met regularly, they knew each other quite well.
"We shouldn't advance further in our relationship."
Although Ryu Min knew how Min Juri felt, he had no intentions of falling in love amidst this situation.
"Especially, I've never felt emotions beyond friendship."
But every time he saw Min Juri, he felt his heart flutter a bit.
Looking at herself, small and not particularly attractive, it was understandable.
"In any case, first love is magical. It must be some kind of charm."
In a way, he was fortunate.
He couldn't afford to fall in love with her due to her magical charm.
"Did you call me again to tell another prophecy, Prophet?"
"So what else could it be, Buffer?"
After laughing between them, they enjoyed their coffee before starting to talk.
Usually, when Ryu Min spoke about prophecies, Min Juri simply nodded.
"The competition will be intense. You can occupy a quarter of the place, so during the limited time, try to complete at least one mission."
"So the competition will be intense."
"I know of some low-difficulty missions, so remember them. If you focus on these first, you can easily get into the ranking."
Ryu Min shared exclusive strategy tips so that Min Juri could get through.
After all, each one would have to move separately in Round 10.
"Understood. Such helpful tips that couldn't even be bought with money? Thanks."
"You want gold? I can give it to you, as there's a trade function now."
"It's okay. You're saying the same thing as everyone else."
"Hmm? Everyone?"
"Yes, there's someone. But more than that, focus on the round...".
At that moment, Ryu Min's phone rang.
It was a notification from a newspaper article he was subscribed to.
"Eh? What's going on?"
"Oh, it seems a big article has come out."
"What article is that?"
"Check the portal now. It's filled with that story."
Min Juri, also intrigued, looked at her phone.
And she couldn't help but be surprised.
The main news was about the leader of IS who had committed suicide.