Chapter 246 - The Start of Round 15
Min Juri approached with hesitant steps.
For some reason, she felt uneasy after the confession.
Although she didn't show it at all.
"You're here early."
"I have something to ask Black Scythe."
"Me?"
What could she want to ask?
Intrigued, Ryu Min tried to read Min Juri's thoughts.
"Oh, so you've come to seek advice on your concerns."
Advice in this world?
Though it might sound strange to others, Ryu Min understood it.
"This is a lawless territory where rules don't apply. Whatever you do, it won't be strange."
Even though this world is similar but different from reality, most act as if they forget that fact.
For example, being rude to someone they've just met, exploding in anger as if they have intermittent explosive disorder, or even resorting to murder.
They do things they couldn't do in reality without hesitation.
"Even introverted people in reality change drastically when they come to this world. After all, they're using a mask called an Avatar."
Many players change when they come to this world because of this peculiarity.
Even Ryu Min is playing a character that is completely different from reality, isn't he?
The same goes for Min Juri.
"In this world, it's possible to openly talk about things that can't be spoken in reality."
It was similar to posting a concern about someone unknown on the internet.
"From that standpoint, it's an honor. The fact that you want to speak openly with me in this world means a lot."
Ryu Min asked casually.
"So, what do you want to ask?"
"It might take a while, are you okay with that?"
"It's fine, go ahead and ask."
"Well... it's about my friend, whom I confessed my feelings to someone I've always liked..."
Min Juri confided in Ryu Min as if she were talking about a friend's situation.
As she watched that, what she felt was regret.
Regret for not postponing it until later.
"If I had known this would happen, I would have postponed all of this."
She felt guilty for making her friend worry so much.
It doesn't mean she'll accept it, though.
"...In this situation, my friend doesn't know what to do. If you were Ryu Min, what would you do?"
"Ah, it seems like this is about love advice."
"Ah, yes, more or less."
"Do you think I have a lot of experience in love?"
"Well..."
"It seems like you don't have a positive answer because you're taking so long to respond."
"Haha..."
Min Juri scratched her cheek with a puzzled expression.
"Why are you coming to me for advice?"
"I just want to hear Black Scythe's advice. Although I don't know much about love, you have insight. I just want to know how you would handle it, Black Scythe..."
"Isn't it just a simple problem?"
Ryu Min said with an expression indicating it wasn't a big deal.
"You confessed, but they didn't accept you, right? They said they just want to be friends, right? Then, just be friends."
"But I... ah, no, actually, I don't want to just be friends with that person..."
"And? Are you going to lose your friend over this?"
"..."
"If you can't be lovers, at least you can be friends."
Min Juri's expression showed disappointment at the unexpected response.
"Control your facial expression. Anyone could tell you're talking about yourself."
Ryu Min restrained his laughter and asked.
"But why did your friend reject you?"
"They said they only see me as a friend, that they don't feel anything romantic towards me."
"Then, should we consider it from a rational standpoint?"
"It's such a simple problem..."
"It's not like having a goalkeeper stops the ball from going in. Plus, didn't they say they still don't have a partner? If there's no goalkeeper in the goal, isn't there enough opportunity?"
"..."
Min Juri's eyes widened in surprise.
Now that she thought about it, he was right.
There was still a chance.
There's no need to collapse just because she was rejected.
"Yes, if you fail, you can get up again, but if you give up, that's the end of it. Are you just going to sit there? Four years of unrequited love? Wouldn't it be a shame to give up after all this time?"
"It would be... a shame."
"Then keep trying. Don't collapse as if the world is ending after a rejection. You still have a chance to be friends from that side."
Min Juri, who was lost in thought, showed a relieved smile.
"Thank you for the advice, Black Scythe. Thanks to you, my concern disappeared completely."
"Is it just a friend problem? You're talking as if it were your own concern."
"Eh? Oh!... Well, it was because of a problem with a friend. Haha..."
Seeing Min Juri trying to cover up with an awkward laugh, he felt relieved.
"What a relief. It seems like there's nothing to worry about seeing her state."
Min Juri, apparently having accepted the advice, no longer worried about this matter.
She didn't seem depressed or discouraged, unlike before.
"But is it just my impression or is it a bit different this time?"
Her gaze was filled with enthusiasm like someone who has found a new goal.
For some reason, he began to feel anxious.
"It'll be fine. At least it's better than remaining indifferent, right?"
An enthusiastic Min Juri is much better than a discouraged Min Juri.
Though excess of anything can be harmful.
"Black Scythe?"
"Hello, Black Scythe!"
After finishing the love consultation, the followers of the Church of the Four Gods gathered one by one.
From main members like Christine, Seo Arin, Heo Taeseok, Jo Yong-ho, to newcomers like Russell, Victor, Sophia, everyone gathered in one place.
It was on instructions that they gather upon arrival to this realm.
"So it's easier to protect them."
Looking around, she also saw slaves like Yamti, Jeffrey, and Joo Sung-taek.
However, there was no trace of John Delgado.
She couldn't help but feel relieved.
"If Christine sees him, she'll come running with her eyes lit up."
Since they were sworn enemies, it was better not to encounter if possible.
"Everyone receive your buffs."
"I'll reinforce your weapons."
"Church of the Four Gods, right? Here are some potions for you."
While Min Juri, Russell, and Victor, the supports, were busy, a light shone in the sky.
"Hello, humans! Welcome to Round 15. Shall we review the mission now?"
The angel appeared with a smile, as if he didn't have much to say.
◀ ROUND 15 ▶
<Main Mission>
Overcome three missions
[Integrated Area CA-EA001]
Participants: 2,304
Completed: 0/576
"Three missions?"
"What kind of missions are those?"
"Anyway, look at the number completed."
"It's a total disaster, isn't it?"
The angel frowned upon hearing the players' murmurs.
Previously, didn't other angels say that the difficulty would increase every multiple of 5 rounds? This round is no exception. Out of 2,304 participants, only 576 will survive.
"Not even reaching 600..."
"Will I be able to rank among the top 576?"
Although they seemed worried on the outside, inside they held hopeful thoughts.
I can't finish worse than top 500...
Surely there's a place for me...
However, unlike people's expectations, this round is more challenging.
And much more.
"Not only will 500 people not survive, not even 50. Though that was in previous rounds."
This round will be very different from the previous ones.
Since the situation has changed and they can no longer afford to have people die carelessly.
"This time we'll fill the 576 spots."
Considering round 20, it would be better to save one more person.
"The competition to qualify will be fierce, right?"
"Why compete? Aren't we all a team?"
"Angel! Is this round individual or team-based?"
Upon a player's question, the angel smiled and replied.
"I cannot say. But I can tell you that you're not in a group."
"Aren't we in a group?"
"Then it's not an individual competition?"
Although people had doubts, Ryu Min knew the answer.
"It's not exactly an individual competition. If we don't cooperate, we'll all be annihilated."
He wanted to tell them about the mission right away, but kept silent because the angel was watching.
It wasn't time to intervene yet.
"Angel! And what about the three missions?"
"What kind of missions will there be?"
"They're also secret. It would be boring if you knew them beforehand, hehe."
The angel, who was laughing alone, suddenly became serious and flapped his wings.
"Shall I then send you to the mission location?"
Once the angel finished speaking, darkness engulfed the 2,000 players.
-----------------
"Where are we?"
"Is anyone there?"
"I see nothing."
The colorless space instantly changed to a dark place.
After a brief moment of confusion, when their eyes adjusted to the darkness, they could vaguely see each other's figures.
The issue was they couldn't see any terrain in the place they had been transported to.
"There's nothing here, right?"
"It's just a flat space."
"It looks like outer space, doesn't it? I can feel the ground."
"Anyway, where's the angel? I don't see him."
"I guess we'll have to figure it out ourselves now."
What kind of mission are they trying to assign in this dark and endless space?
Curiosity dissipated when they read the message that appeared.
"Welcome to the location of Round 15's Mission!"
"If you complete the three missions within the time limit, you'll survive this round."
"So, we'll begin the first mission."
<First Mission>
─ Survive the Dark Illusions for 30 minutes.
"If you succeed, you can attempt the second mission."
[Current number of survivors: 2,304]
Time remaining until the next mission: 00:29:59.
"What are Dark Illusions?"
"Is it the name of a monster?"
"Anyway, if we survive, that's it, right?"
"Chase and escape is my specialty."
Although some players showed confidence, it wouldn't be easy.
"Darkness is the optimal environment for the Dark Illusions."
At that moment, some players expressed doubts.
"Do we necessarily have to flee, right?"
"Yeah. Isn't it enough to kill whatever it is, whether it's a monster or not?"
"If we kill it, we don't need to flee."
But the message that seemed to be waiting made the players feel confused.
"By the way, the Dark Illusion is in an invincible state."
No matter how strong Ryu Min is, he can't break the invulnerability.
In the end, Ryu Min also has to avoid the Dark Illusion.
"But there's a way to easily defeat it without fleeing."
Nothing but invisibility.
The Dark Illusion can't detect players using invisibility.
They just need to stay still after using it to pass safely.
The reason Ryu Min gave invisibility potions to the key members was here.
"Use them. Right now."
Without forgetting the order to consume them as soon as the mission started, Christine, John, Min Juri, Yamti, and Seo Arin disappeared.
Ryu Min could have hidden himself too, but he didn't do it on purpose.
"In this round, we can't survive alone. We have to survive together."
Because he has to lead the other players who don't have invisibility.
It was when.
Uuuhhh-
With a strange cry, the Dark Illusion revealed itself.
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