Chapter 241 - Goddess of Revenge
The figure that appeared was Nemesis, also known as the Goddess of Revenge.
The archangels, including Michael, showed respect.
"[Greetings, Goddess Nemesis of Rhamnus.]"
Given the divine nature of her arrival, it was natural to pay homage.
However, Nemesis's expression was not as kind.
"[Three out of the seven archangels have become three. What is this for just one human? Don't the rulers of heaven feel humiliated?]"
"[It is true, there is no justification.]"
"[Justification or not, lift your heads. I want to see how proud you are.]"
The archangels lifted their heads, but could not hold her gaze.
"[Tsk tsk, at least you have some conscience by your expressions.]"
Nemesis's cold gaze settled on Michael.
"[Michael, do you remember when you asked me to find a human with a thirst for revenge named Black Scythe?]"
"[Yes.]"
"[Do you remember what I told you then?]"
"[Of course. You said it should be fulfilled since we would use an artifact of the Great Demon. That it would appease Plunictos with the sacrifice...]"
"[Exactly. But, what has happened now?]"
"[...Unfortunately, we failed.]"
"[Do you know what has happened because of that failure?]"
Michael, who had been avoiding her gaze with a gesture of remorse until now, now met Nemesis's eyes.
"[What has happened?]"
"[Plunictos has issued an order for us to bring Black Scythe, the human who killed his avatar, before round 18. If we don't, he threatens war.]"
"[Black Scythe?]"
The archangels opened their mouths as if they had made a promise.
What began as the capture of Black Scythe had now turned into something unexpectedly large.
"[He is asking us to take responsibility for the careless use of the Demon Resurrection book. Sure, it's a pretext to create an excuse for war, but that's what's really happening.]"
"[...]"
The archangels fell silent.
Gabriel, in particular, had no words, though she might have had ten mouths.
Their strategy had led to war.
"[There could be a seventh Celestial and Demonic War because of this. We were in a truce, but this will advance the date. Because of your damn excuse.]"
Nemesis's forehead creased even more.
From her appearance until now, no one expected the goddess's forehead to furrow.
"[A war because of Black Scythe at a time when archangels are scarce... If they fight now, the defeat of the angels is inevitable. Plunictos knows it and is seeking this opportunity.]"
"[Is there no way to refuse it?]"
"[How can you refuse a war when the enemy wants it?]"
"[...]"
"[Well, if you had offered Black Scythe's soul as a sacrifice using the demonic resurrection book, Plunictos might have been satisfied. But, didn't you fail? You gained nothing from him and lost your avatar. So, what do you hope to achieve?]"
"[T-then, if we deliver Black Scythe, there will be no war?]"
"[That's correct. Can you break a deal with all the gods watching?]"
"[...At least there's a way to remedy it.]"
Though he said it like that, Michael knew there was no way out.
The desire to become a God might have to be brought down by my own hands.
[The agreed deadline is until Round 18. By then, you must suppress Black Scythe no matter what, and deliver him to Plunictos. I don't like having to hand over sinners who have killed archangels, but what else can I do? If we want to delay the war, we have no other choice.]
Nemesis looked at Gabriel, who bowed her head like a sinner as she spoke with regret.
"I've heard about this. Is this your plan?"
"...Yes."
"How is it that Gabriel, who used to receive the admiration of the gods by leading the last war to victory, ended up like this?"
"I'm sorry... it was all my mistake."
"I understand. So you have even more responsibility. Don't you know that the gods' expectations for the next war are high? Prove your worth in this opportunity, so that you may be called the prophet of the gods."
"I will bring results that meet the expectations."
"Do not disappoint me twice. If you want to continue receiving my support."
After saying this, Nemesis looked at Michael and Rafael, then disappeared in flashes of light.
Her last word was not just for Gabriel.
It was a warning to the three archangels.
"Well... this is serious. Is Plunictos trying to advance the war under the pretext of resurrection?"
Following Nemesis's words, if they were to start the war now, it would be a sure defeat.
"We should at least wait until Round 20 to have any chance. Are they going to start the war before bringing it at least to Round 18?"
There is a way to delay the war.
Deliver Black Scythe.
But isn't that easier said than done?
And furthermore, what about their own desires?
"Should I postpone the goal of becoming a god once again?"
As Michael sighed inwardly, in Gabriel's eyes burned a determination.
Because she had the responsibility to suppress Black Scythe no matter what.
"Michael, please, send me in Round 15."
"..."
"I will not fail, I will disable Black Scythe and bring him to heaven."
"Are you going alone to face something like that? I will come too."
"Rafael, it's not your place to intervene. This is something I will handle alone."
"It's not like that. Didn't you hear what Nemesis said? This is everyone's responsibility."
By saying "everyone," Michael couldn't stay out.
"Well, we still have time until Round 18, so there's no need to rush."
"But Michael..."
"Listen to what I'm saying this time. I don't want to mess things up again."
Gabriel fell silent in the face of Michael's firmness.
For him, who was practically a sinner, he had no right to speak.
"We must approach this cautiously. Don't the other archangels know what happened when they underestimated Black Scythe? And you too, this time."
"Wouldn't it be safer if the three of us go together and suppress him at once?"
"That might be true. But arrogance is poison. Haven't they failed time and time again as a result? Perhaps we should consider alternatives instead of following the usual path."
"Do you have any alternative ideas?"
"We should start thinking about it now."
The archangels fell silent.
Unaware of Michael's cunning ploy to buy time.
-------------------
Ryu Min, who was resting at home, received a call from John.
Depending on how you looked at it, it was either a report or a reprimand.
"Sir, we are preparing an attack by the Church of Despair against the Church of the Four Gods."
"And what's the reason?"
"They need to recruit new believers, but the Church of the Four Gods is interfering. It seems they've taken their reserve disciples..."
"Well, that's not a lie. But with what confidence do they think they can hit me?"
"We plan to kidnap Christine and use her as leverage. It seems Miss Christine is considered a weak point for Black Scythe."
"A weak point, huh?"
Christine is the key point of Round 15.
With her area healing skill, she can save many people in Round 15.
"But that doesn't mean we can't fight without Christine."
Instead, they would have to suffer more casualties.
That had already happened in previous rounds.
There were over two thousand challengers, but less than fifty survived.
All because Christine died too soon.
"I have to protect Christine even if it means taking as many people as possible."
Lost in his thoughts, John cautiously asks on the call.
"What should we do? I said I would consider it, but..."
"Just keep postponing it like this. Never get involved."
"Understood."
"And there might be variables, so I'll go there personally."
"To the United States?"
"Yes. To meet with Christine."
"Ah, I see. Let me know when you arrive. I'll pick you up at the airport."
"No need. I'll go see Christine first. Don't worry and act as usual. If there are any necessary orders, I'll contact you again."
"Understood. Sir."
After hanging up, Ryu Min changed his phone.
Calling Christine as a prophet instead of Black Scythe was somewhat strange.
"Oh, Christine? It's Ryu Min."
"Prophet! It's been a long time! I was thinking of contacting you."
"With me?"
"Yes. You've been a great help in many ways. From the strategy for the next round to meeting Black Scythe... In that sense, I thought about going to Korea to greet you."
"No need. I'll come there."
"To Dallas?"
"I have something to tell you in person. It's a prophecy about Round 15. Can you make time?"
"Of course. I have plenty of time."
"Then, see you in two days. I'll contact you again."
"Yes. If you come, I'll treat you to a meal."
"Haha, okay."
Laughing, Ryu Min booked his ticket as he shook his phone.
He booked the fastest flight and headed to the living room.
"I also have to tell Ryu Won."
His brother was relaxed watching TV in the living room.
On the screen, there were news about Black Scythe.
"Brother, isn't Black Scythe amazing?"
"In what sense?"
"He handled the bad guys alone and saved a bunch of people. They say he even killed the final boss in one blow in Round 14 to prevent further sacrifices. Is that true?"
"How do you know?"
"I got some information from FlagGall. Everyone is amazed by Black Scythe, both ordinary people and players."
"Really?"
Though he said that, Ryu Min didn't really feel it.
He wasn't someone who frequented the internet, and no one recognized him as a celebrity.
"It's natural to go unnoticed if I hide my identity."
While smiling ironically, his younger brother looked at him and spoke.
"Brother, why are you standing like that? Do you have something to tell me?"
"Yes."
"Are you planning to say you're going on a trip?"
"How did you know?"
"Lately, you've been going abroad frequently. I guess it's because of your girlfriend in Japan."
Even though he didn't have a girlfriend, it would be more convenient to let his brother misunderstand the situation with some excuses he made up.
"Anyway, this time too, I'll be gone for a few days. I'll be back within a week."
"Understood. Go and come back safe and sound. Don't worry about me. Now that Black Scythe has improved the world."
Does he know?
That in front of him stands Black Scythe, who is talked about so much?
"Yeah. Go ahead. Don't just ask for Chinese noodles when you feel lazy, eat something decent at home."
"Hey, am I a kid?! I'm a high school student now too."
"What can you do if you can't even go to school?"
"Ah! I miss going to school after so long!"
Leaving his brother behind, Ryu Min moved from his spot.
"In my opinion, you're still a kid."
With a slight smile on his lips.
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