Chapter 181 - Douglas
"What's happening?"
Ma Gyeong-rok let out an involuntary sound of amazement.
This was because something strange was happening.
'The dark aura... isn't devouring him?'
The dark aura that attacked Hwang Yong-min strangely did not adhere to his epidermis.
No, rather, it seemed impossible for it to adhere.
It was maintaining a distance as if it were blocked by an invisible barrier.
'What on earth is this? Does he have immunity against the dark aura?'
No matter how many orders he gave, the aura couldn't envelop Hwang Yong-min.
It couldn't drain his vitality.
Instead, every time Hwang Yong-min walked, it simply recoiled.
For Ma Gyeong-rok, this was perplexing.
It's the first time he's seen someone the dark aura couldn't devour.
'Perhaps because he's an undead without life?'
The idea came to mind that if someone is already dead, this might be possible.
"Damn it, an opponent the dark aura can't devour."
Ma Gyeong-rok's bewildered expression appeared on his face.
Even the retreat strategy was blocked, and the situation became desperate.
Suddenly, the distance shortened as if he had made a spatial leap.
"Ah!"
And in an instant, Hwang Yong-min, who had unknowingly approached, threw a straight punch.
Plop-
The moment his chin was hit, Ma Gyeong-rok staggered back about 10 meters and collapsed.
"CEO!"
An Sang-cheol, whose protection had been lifted, hastily drew his sword.
Ting!
But Hwang Yong-min, with a simple palm strike, deflected the sword and knocked An Sang-cheol unconscious by cutting his jaw.
"Ugh."
Ryu Min, who had amicably rendered both unconscious, wiped his palm.
"It was difficult to control the force."
He managed to subdue both in a minute.
It was much harder to subdue them than to kill them.
'I thought of absorbing vitality with the dark aura, but that's impossible. After all, the reaper is a class superior to the dark knight.'
Just as light is weak in darkness, there are disadvantages among players' professions.
Sometimes, certain skills cannot be used at all against certain professions.
Just like now.
'Although the dark knight and the reaper handle the same darkness, they are indeed different. Could we say that the reaper is darkness of a higher level?'
It's like saying that, although it's the same darkness, the class is different.
The reason why the dark aura couldn't touch Ryu Min lay here.
"You can come out now."
When Ryu Min nodded, Joo Sung-taek, who was hiding in the forest, finally appeared.
"Is it over, master?"
"Yes. These guys, at least, will be unconscious for half a day."
"Wouldn't it be better to just kill them?"
Ryu Min glanced momentarily at Joo Sung-taek's suggestion.
"If that were the case, I would have killed them from the start, wouldn't I? Didn't I say that even those planning to kill innocent people for points deserve to die? However, they still have some utility value. We need to keep them alive at least to get Christine's cooperation."
Even if Christine may say she doesn't care about Ma Gyeong-rok, the psychological impact will be significant if this guy dies like this.
'If her feelings towards Ma Gyeong-rok have already disappeared, that's different.'
For now, killing Ma Gyeong-rok is not in the plan.
Since Ma Gyeong-rok is a card that cannot be easily discarded, as he is linked with the main reinforcements.
An Sang-cheol has an inseparable connection with Ma Gyeong-rok, so there is no choice but to take him too.
"First, tie them to the trees. Use the thin yet sturdy branches of the trees, which seem weak but are strong enough that even decent players can't easily free themselves."
"Understood."
Following the order, Joo Sung-taek tied the two unconscious people to the trees.
"Even if we only manage to delay them a little, it will take them quite some time to get out of the maze."
If all goes well, we could finish the round without them earning any points in 24 hours.
"Even if it's a team battle, we won't be annihilated."
Ryu Min was confident in his ability to keep the Korean team alive in this game.
With last-minute twists and cunning skills at his disposal, there was no way they would lose if they followed the plan.
"If everything goes according to plan, there's no way we can lose. I've already secured the first place in the entire area."
Now everything in the forest maze was settled.
There would be no need for Ma Gyeong-rok to kill 1,000 people as planned.
"We avoided a tragedy. Although there's still one more thing to avoid."
Quickly, Ryu Min looked at Christine with Clairvoyance.
The strength of the Church of Despair was also almost gathered.
It could be felt that something was about to happen soon, like the calm before the storm.
"We need to hurry. I won't let Christine die doing nothing."
Ryu Min hastened his pace alongside Joo Sung-taek, leaving only Ma Gyeong-rok and An Sang-cheol in the forest maze.
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Douglas counted the number of people crowded together.
"A total of 101 people... They're all here."
They were followers who came in search of the lone saint and Priestess.
"In reality, they're just bastards trying to leech off a saint."
Although he criticized his companions, Douglas maintained a smile on his face.
Since the second round, the Paladin receiving the grace of the saint couldn't be underestimated.
"I can't show my true nature until the saint dies. Damn it."
The reason he was trying to kill Christine in the Church of Despair was unknown even to him.
However, Douglas abandoned the Saint and joined the Church of Despair.
The reason for his betrayal was simple.
"The Church of Despair offers more benefits."
In fact, most people here joined Christine not for the free aid but to increase their chances of survival.
"Traveling with the Priestess naturally increases the survival rate."
Just by looking at the Priestess's basic skill, healing, it was evident.
A miraculous ability that could heal almost any wound.
She could even mend a severed arm and make it move normally with a simple healing touch.
Additionally, the buff "Blessing of the Saint" increased resistance to altered states and debuffs by 50%.
Even after reaching level 40, the Priestess could use a mass healing area.
"It truly is the most optimized profession for saving lives."
Of course, he also got benefits for himself, so there was no one complaining about receiving free treatment.
That was the reason why around 100 beggars gathered around the Saint.
"But I don't like it. Yes, traveling with Christine increases my survival rate, but that's it. There's no internal growth at all."
The Priest's skills were mainly focused on resistance.
Just resisting wouldn't be enough to conquer up to round 20.
Just like the saying that the best defense is a good offense, growing and strengthening beyond the current would provide greater chances of survival in the future.
Douglas, who realized that early, decided to betray Christine.
Unlike Christine, the Church of Despair was an organization focused on growth.
'The Church of Despair provides many items that aid in growth, including potions. After this job, we also plan to loot and share the items obtained.'
But what about the followers of the Saint?
They only desperately look to the Saint, picking up heals, without making any effort to grow.
They only cling and resist day after day.
'So, eventually it will collapse. So far, they have resisted well, but how much longer will luck favor them?'
It would be better to cut the relationship early rather than wait.
Switching to a more viable religion is much more hopeful and wise.
But that wasn't enough to move Douglas's heart.
The real reason he betrayed her wasn't things like items.
It was because he promised it in the Church of Despair.
'Let me play with you before killing Christine.'
Douglas, with a malicious smile, looked at Christine.
A beautiful flower shining alone.
He was very interested in how it would feel to pluck that flower.
'I wanted to have her several times. You, woman.'
Although he had harbored dark thoughts beside her, he never had the chance.
She seemed uninterested in men.
So she was more attractive.
People tend to be more drawn to new products than used ones, especially luxury items that no one else has had.
'Love? Loyalty? I don't need those nonsense. Pleasure is the most important thing.'
Therefore, whether Christine dies or not in this matter didn't matter to him.
As long as he could satisfy his sexual desires.
At that moment, Berber, who signaled him to come to him, appeared in Douglas's sight.
"Mr. Berber? Did you call me?"
Berber is a spy infiltrated by the Church of Despair to monitor the Saint.
He was also responsible for dragging him into the Church of Despair.
He was the only one in his favor among the 101 people here.
"I just got a call from the brothers. They're ready."
"Are all the members gathered?"
"Yes, about 200 brothers are waiting 500 meters away. We can attack anytime."
"Ah, finally..."
The preparation was complete.
He was ready to kidnap Christine, sweep away the followers here, and enjoy.
"Surely you'll give me a chance, right?"
"Chance?"
"That... isn't that so? Haha."
"Ah, that. Say no more. I admire your bravery in betraying from within, so the leader has granted us 30 special minutes for you."
"Wow, 30 minutes... haha, thank you!"
That would be enough to enjoy.
"Now, what should I do?"
"I'll go pick up the brothers right away. Meanwhile, distract Christine's attention. Use search skills or keep talking by her side so she doesn't notice. If the situation becomes critical, suppress her immediately."
"I'll do that."
The corner of the mouth of the Paladin, called the Knight of the Saint, lifted maliciously.
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Christine admired the gathered people.
'There are so many people who trust and depend on me.'
Just waiting for an hour, and over a hundred followers gathered.
"With this level, anyone attempting a surprise attack can feel relieved.
A solid human barrier has been formed.
"Is everyone here?"
The vibrations calmed with a word from Christine.
Soon, a silence as deep as to hear the sound of swallowing saliva took over the place.
"I really appreciate you trusting me and following me. Although I didn't say the word 'meeting,' it seems there's nothing else I can do for you."
Christine, with a sense of mission, raised her voice after a brief silence.
"It's to keep protecting and going together until the end. That would be my way of repaying the favor. Let's survive together until round 20."
"Wow!"
"Christine! Christine!"
Raising fists to the sky, the players were excited.
They might seem like devoted followers or even fanatics in certain aspects.
Applause.
Douglas, who was watching, approached applauding.
"Miss Christine is truly impressive. Every word of hers is elegant and trustworthy."
"No way. I'm just an ordinary woman in her twenties. It must be thanks to the good impression you have of me."
"How can you say protecting people is something ordinary? That many people trust in you, Christine, is thanks to your virtue."
"Well, thank you for saying that. Having such a good person like the paladin by my side must be a blessing too."
Douglas smiled seeing Christine smile.
"She really is a wasteful woman. It would be a pity to kill her like this."
Having kept her prisoner all her life and using her as a sex toy was reaching a point where he wanted to do it.
Would Christine be aware of those feelings?
"Hehe, I'm looking forward to seeing the expression she'll make when she's under me."
Douglas, who had swallowed dry, approached Christine as planned.
"Now that everyone is gathered, shall we do the mission?"
"Yes. Since there's been a slight delay, we should accumulate points as soon as possible, right?"
"Are there really missions that require the participation of so many people?"
"I don't know, but it would be good to move together for now. We've always done that, right?"
"Yes, but before acting, it would be better to plan the strategy first. I have a strategy in mind. Would you like to hear it?"
Douglas threw out the pre-prepared words to attract attention.
Although they were words meant to distract, Christine felt rather perplexed.
"Paladin, who used to speak little, why are you suddenly talking so much today?"
Would there be nothing more than unnecessary and forced words?
That was the reason for her strangeness.
"Weird. Really."
Perhaps due to the prophecy she received, she was extremely sensitive to precautions against surprise attacks.
That's why Christine used to check the environment search habitually.
Even now.
"Eh?"
By chance, she saw many red dots when activating the skill.
Douglas's face tensed for a moment, but Christine didn't see it.
Her gaze was focused on the approaching red dots.
"T-This look! Why are people coming this way? Ugh!"
Christine couldn't even scream.
Because Douglas's malevolent hand grabbed her and dragged her along.
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