Chapter 257 - Selection
In round 16 of the 68th contest, Ryu Min had fought against a battle angel.
"It wasn't a fight, it was a slaughter."
At that moment, ten battle angels appeared.
Their objective was simple.
"Their goal was to ally with the monsters to make the players' task more difficult."
It was the first time angels, who had not been involved in missions until then, intervened.
"It was confusing. It was also bewildering."
The sudden intervention was bewildering and, being weaker than expected, it was perplexing.
Of course, if they had used assassination, Ryu Min wouldn't have been able to resist and would have died immediately.
"But those angels couldn't use assassination at that moment."
According to the information gathered up to that point, they couldn't use assassination in round 16.
The reason is unknown.
"We must consider that the system imposed restrictions to maintain balance. If assassination were available, anyone could be killed in one blow."
It wasn't known why the angels were collaborating with the monsters.
The important thing was that they couldn't use assassination.
At that moment, for Ryu Min, who didn't have the title of "Supreme Being," which was a countermeasure to assassination, it was a pleasant thing.
"It was too easy. Without assassination, and just being sixth-rank battle angels."
The sixth rank is the maximum level of common equipment for players.
Probably, with the current level of 70, five people could face one alone.
"Even though I was alone."
In episode 68, Ryu Min was strong.
Strong enough to kill ten battle angels by himself.
"After killing all those angels, the archangel appeared."
It was supposed to be number one, but it didn't pose any threat or attack Ryu Min.
Ryu Min didn't even dare to confront its overwhelming strength.
"It just spoke incomprehensible things and then left. I don't remember well."
Probably, this time sixth-rank angels would appear again.
But they won't appear until the last sixth wave, so there's still plenty of room.
"Stupid angels, didn't they know we were gathered on the island?"
"Lord Black Scythe has managed to dominate them again."
"If we hadn't come to the island before, what would have become of our family?"
"It's all thanks to Lord Black Scythe. Thank you!"
The followers of the Church of the Four Gods around them expressed their gratitude towards Ryu Min.
Even Alex, who didn't believe in his strategy, now showed unwavering faith.
"It's lucky. It seems I've gained the trust of the newcomers."
The new followers, starting from this incident, would be loyal to him at heart.
That was also applicable to Alex, who stood in front of him.
Although the corner of Ryu Min's lips behind the mask showed satisfaction...
"Huh?"
Suddenly, he couldn't help but be surprised to see Min Juri talking to Alex.
He knew she was looking for the prophet.
---------------
"Here are your buffs."
When Min Juri's hand reached out to the followers, three types of buffs were applied.
"Oh, thank you."
Min Juri, nodding, immediately looked towards another player.
There was no time to rest with 576 people here.
Then, she saw a lone player among the crowd.
Speaking a little English, since he was a foreigner, she approached him.
"Hello, are you new here?"
"Yes, I'm Alex."
"I'm Min Juri. Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Although Alex was bewildered, it was only for a moment.
When Min Juri received the set of three buffs called Bless, Swift, and Safety Barrier, her eyes widened in surprise.
"This, this is..."
"They're buffs. They'll be useful for you. Well, now I must go..."
Min Juri averted her surprised gaze and headed towards another person.
Occasionally, her gaze shifted as if she were looking for someone.
"Where could he be?"
All the players in the world had joined the Church of the Four Gods.
There would even be a prophet like Ryu Min.
"But why can't I find him? Why doesn't his face and name match?"
Despite knowing his face and name in real life, Min Juri couldn't find him.
"Could he have changed his name without me knowing? Or has he undergone plastic surgery?"
It was an absurd idea, but there was no other explanation.
"Even though I suggested he come with me to the island..."
Even though she had suggested going together to the island, Ryu Min had refused, saying he had matters to attend to first.
But now that they were on the island, Min Juri couldn't find him anywhere.
She had even tried counting how many players there were, just in case...
"Thank you for the buff, Miss Min Juri!"
"Yes..."
In the end, Min Juri couldn't find Ryu Min.
The last one who had buffed her a moment ago.
"What happened? Aren't all 576 players supposed to be on the island?"
However, Min Juri had never seen Ryu Min's face.
She had checked all the faces while buffing.
Except one.
"Oh..."
Min Juri's gaze landed on a man with a white mask.
"Could it be Black Scythe...?"
But Min Juri shook her head in disbelief.
"It can't be Black Scythe, Ryu Min. They're completely different, even in height."
Black Scythe was tall and had a robust build.
His skin was also dark.
They couldn't be the same person.
"Then, where is he? Why can't I track him down?"
Min Juri sighed deeply.
It was a completely baffling situation.
"Black Scythe."
Min Juri searched for Black Scythe to report.
"I have buffed everyone present, as you ordered."
"Good, good job."
Min Juri silently watched Black Scythe nodding.
"It's ridiculous. Ryu Min being Black Scythe? Haha..."
From his physique to his voice and way of speaking, they were completely different.
Although there was no room for doubt, if he was Black Scythe, he would know.
"Black Scythe, have you seen the Prophet?"
"The Prophet?"
"Yes... The number of players is correct, but I can't find him no matter how hard I look."
Ryu Min's eyes blinked, but it was only a fleeting moment.
"If you can't find him, why don't you use tracking?"
"That... says the target doesn't match."
Ryu Min smiled to himself at that response.
"There's no other choice. He's transformed with the assassin's mask."
If you change your appearance, you can't be tracked.
Unless you remember that transformed appearance and name.
"I don't understand what's going on."
"Sigh..."
Min Juri, though disappointed, turned her gaze with determination, as if she wasn't willing to give up.
But even that seemed to be ignored like a message floating in the air.
"The first summoning will begin shortly."
"Prepare for the monster attack."
"Stop searching for the prophet and get ready for the attack."
"But..."
"Don't get distracted and end up stabbed for no reason."
"Alright... I'm sorry."
Ryu Min felt even more guilty seeing Min Juri disheartened.
"Lord Black Scythe."
Upon hearing his name, he turned to see Russell and Victor.
"We've reinforced the weapons and equipped the players as per your orders."
"I've also finished distributing healing potions."
"You've both done well."
"Lord Black Scythe?"
This time it was Christine who approached.
"I've blessed the 576 players on the way."
"Yes, well done."
"Thank you."
Min Juri, watching Christine with a smile, decided to speak up.
"Hey, Christine?"
"Yes, Miss Min Juri."
"You just said you blessed 576 people, are you sure you counted them?"
"Yes. We were 576, including myself. Why?"
"Well, it's just that...."
Min Juri looked around before whispering.
"Have you seen the prophet? We're looking for him, and he doesn't seem to be present."
"Ah...."
Christine seemed to ponder for a moment before shaking her head.
"I haven't seen him. I didn't confirm each person as I blessed them... I'm sorry. I haven't been much help."
"Oh, don't worry. It's not your fault... It's okay."
Convincingly, Min Juri disappeared into the crowd, still determined to search.
Unaware that Ryu Min was watching her from afar.
"She's persistent. She wants to find him to the end."
He could understand the reason behind her search by reading her thoughts.
If we fight together against the monsters, we could become much closer…..
It was the desire to strengthen their relationship beyond what it was now.
Not just friends, but something more.
"Even here in this world, you only think of me, don't you?"
There was no place for Black Scythe between Ryu Min and Min Juri.
She considered him a respectable, almost divine figure, and nothing more.
At that moment, his eyes met Christine's by chance.
She sent him a mischievous wink.
Wasn't I good? Prophet?
It was evident she was expecting praise by reading his thoughts, but Ryu Min pretended not to notice and looked away.
Soon, the monsters would appear.
[First summoning]
[576 Players vs 5,760 Blood Orcs]
[Within 30 minutes, the second summoning will commence.]
[Time remaining for the end of the round: 02:59:59]
Thousands of orcs appeared with their weapons ready.
They should have normally appeared near the city to massacre civilians...
"Gruu!"
"Gruu?"
The orcs, surprised to find themselves in a space surrounded by the sea, looked at the players bewildered.
They didn't expect to be summoned to such an isolated place.
"Damn orc brats!"
"No need for many words, let's kill them!"
"Aaah!"
"Grr! Gruu!"
On a remote island, orcs and players clashed.
Not even ten times more orcs could defeat the Church of the Four Gods!
Because the important thing wasn't the number.
"Tzzz- Tzzz!"
"Shhhk-! Shhk!"
"Kuieek!"
"Kuexk!"
On the isolated island, only the screams of orcs echoed.
"[You have defeated a Blood Orc!]"
"[The title effect increases experience by 1.5 times.]"
"[The loot rune effect increases experience and gold by 2 times.]"
"[+0.0006% experience]"
"[+3 gold]"
"[+1 additional gold]"
"[If there are too many members in the group, stat points and loot accumulations will not apply.]"
"[Current kills: 36/100]"
"[The massacre rune effect increases all stats by 36%.]"
"[There are 2,491 enemies within a 100-meter radius.]"
"[The one percent rune effect increases all stats by 100%.]"
Ryu Min swung his black scythe as the orcs approached.
"Kwakwakwakwang-"
"Kuieak!"
"Kuwaak!"
With a single blow, around 50 blood orcs died.
Thus, by clearing the area, the number of orcs decreased considerably.
"It's convenient to have a group. I don't have to worry about injured allies."
Ryu Min massacred the orcs without reservations.
It wasn't like the rank was determined based on contributions, like in round 14, so he didn't need to hold back his strength.
"But it's a shame stats and accumulations don't increase with the predation rune."
The predation rune grants stat points based on the level of defeated monsters.
However, due to the hundreds of members in the group, he couldn't get any at the moment.
Nor were the bonuses accumulating.
"Well, it's okay. There will be opportunities in the next round."
He could simply massacre monsters without worries until the fourth summoning ended.
"I plan to leave the island in the fifth summoning."
And all because of a side mission.
"The side mission for this round is to save common lives for the first time. Anyone who saves a civilian in danger can claim a reward."
The reward that was essential to obtain was the Yin-Yang rune.
So, for that reason, Ryu Min planned to leave during the fifth summoning.
"In the fifth summoning, a flying monster, the Little Dragon, will appear. If I can lure one out of the island and kill it, won't I be considered someone who saved civilians?"
Until then, he could massacre at his leisure.
Just as the third wave was ending, a message suddenly appeared in front of Ryu Min.
"[The target protected by the Hero is being attacked!]"
"[You can use the Hero's touch for 10 seconds.]"
"[Choose one of the following options.]"
Move towards the target
Charge Object
[Time remaining to choose: 00:00:10]
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