Chapter 253 - Integration
Ryu Min received contact from foreigners who wished to join, grateful for having saved their lives.
Although it seemed that their rescue had generated goodwill, Ryu Min thought differently.
"They probably realized late. They must have realized they have a high probability of surviving if they stay with me."
The fact that he provided a supply of potions to the Church of the Four Gods in Round 15 made them even more eager to join.
There were also those who thought of joining in the hope that he would teach them strategies for the next round.
"Anyway, it's a good thing. There's nothing better than unifying all players under the Church of the Four Gods."
Since there would be many cooperative missions in the future, it was important to unite the players into one.
The Church of the Four Gods would be a perfect medium for that.
"How many more will come, I wonder?"
As Ryu Min entered the courtyard of the Church of the Four Gods, all eyes turned to him.
It's not common to see someone with a white mask in real life.
"There he is, Black Scythe!"
"Black Scythe!"
Thanks to his exposure in the media, people easily recognized him by his mask.
"Master Heo."
"Has he come? Black Scythe."
"Why are there so many people? Didn't you say it was ten over the phone?"
"More have joined since then, haven't they? Haha...."
There were approximately twenty people in the courtyard.
All were players from different nationalities.
"Alright. Let's proceed with the interviews."
"Understood."
As Heo Taeseok moved swiftly, Ryu Min had no time to read his thoughts.
He simply sat in the designated spot in the courtyard and proceeded with the interviews.
"Those who wish to join, please line up."
At Eom Jun-seok's words, people moved in an orderly manner.
"Pleased to meet you. I am the sub-leader Eom Jun-seok. Here are the application forms. Please read them and sign the consent. It would also be helpful if you could provide basic information."
People who diligently completed the forms approached the masked man.
Ryu Min fluently spoke in English.
"Do you want to join the Church of the Four Gods?"
"Yes."
"What's your motive?"
"I was impressed by the sacrifice Black Scythe showed in the last round. I believe I can trust him and follow him without hesitation...".
Although the man gave a long explanation, his true reason was different.
-I have to rely on Black Scythe to survive.
Despite knowing his true thoughts, Ryu Min didn't reject him.
Following a strong person to survive was a very human reaction.
"Entry permitted."
"Thank you!"
Since he seemed to have a decent personality, he gave his approval without issues.
"Next."
Thus, he continued conducting the interviews, while new players kept arriving.
As soon as they opened their eyes, they lined up like sausages in a bun.
"It seems that after Round 15, they're feeling a great sense of crisis."
Since more people were joining, he continued the interviews without complaints.
And so, two days passed.
Ryu Min told his brother to stay outside and decided to stay at the Church of the Four Gods.
Since new applicants kept coming, he decided to lodge there and continue with the interviews.
By the third day, the number of new members already exceeded 150.
"Since we're at it, it would be great if only 25 more came."
If only 25 more people joined, it would become the enrollment of players from all over the world.
Especially among them were the Great Mage Alex and Dorothy.
"Even if we could only bring at least those two..."
He briefly thought they might not come, but quickly erased it.
"No, they have no choice but to come. If they want to survive in the next round."
Ryu Min waited patiently.
It wasn't until the sun was at its peak that the players appeared.
"Is this the Church of the Four Gods guild?"
"Yes. Have you come to register?"
"Yes. Is it possible to see Black Scythe...?"
"Of course. Here, you can complete your registration form and then have a one-on-one interview with Black Scythe."
The man who had filled out the registration form handed it to Ryu Min.
Ryu Min's eyes flickered slightly as he read the personal information.
[Name: Alex Pearson]
[Nickname: Alex]
[Nationality: German]
[Level: 69]
[Occupation in the Other World: Great Mage]
[Age: 25 years]
[Date of Birth: September 24, 1997]
[Intention of registration: To survive.]
"Is this man the Great Mage Alex?"
With a chubby figure and glasses.
Although his appearance and dressing style seemed extremely lazy, his determination in his gaze was clear.
And, of course, there were no doubts about Alex's talent.
"Understood. You're accepted."
"...."
Alex seemed surprised at how quickly he was accepted.
"What are you doing? Don't stand there staring, make room for others."
"Oh, yes, before that, may I ask a question?"
Seeing the anxious look, it was a question he had been waiting for all along.
"Go ahead."
"I would like to know why I was mentioned in round 15."
"Well, because you're a talent who survived until round 18."
He couldn't simply say what he thought in his mind.
After all, he wasn't a Prophet at this moment, but Black Scythe.
"Just that."
"Just that?"
"Yes, you just stood out, that's all."
"Oh..."
Although he was surprised, he didn't seem disappointed after reading his thoughts.
-"A bit disappointing. I thought there was a special reason, but it doesn't seem to be anything important, right?"
He accepted his mistake and took it positively.
Both now and before, Alex had no character issues.
"Thank you for your response. Good job. See you next time."
"That's right."
After Alex left, Ryu Min interviewed several more people.
And then, he also met someone who had been waiting.
[Name: Dorothy Clayton]
[Nickname: Dorothy]
[Nationality: Netherlands]
[Level: 69]
[Job in the Other World: Archer]
[Age: 22 years old]
[Date of Birth: December 24, 2000]
[Intention of Enrollment: Out of respect for Black Scythe.]
"Of course you came. Dorothy, the archer who survived until round 18."
The archer class was more common compared to the Grand Mage.
Not only was it not the only class, but it also had a relatively high proportion compared to warriors or assassins.
"However, that makes it even more extraordinary. She showed great talent in a common profession."
For a common person, handling a bow, a weapon, is difficult.
It's something they've never faced in their entire life.
But if you specialize as an archer, there's nothing to worry about.
The first thing you receive upon specializing is the [Archer Rune].
"The Archer Rune is a rune that exponentially increases accuracy when handling a bow. When you become an archer, everyone becomes masters of the bow."
But the accuracy only increases to a certain point, it's not 100%.
You become skilled like a professional archer immediately, but the accuracy remains the responsibility of each individual.
That's why the archer class is popular but challenging.
Surviving until round 18 with that job?
It's not a common talent.
Why wouldn't they call her "Divine Archer"?
"Approved."
"What? Oh, aren't you going to ask me anything?"
"I know."
He can understand it even without being asked.
Because he can see the true self of people through the rune.
"Your first impression is approved, Dorothy. You can be happy."
"Thank you."
Dorothy was simply stunned.
The subsequent interview proceeded quickly.
In three days, the 175 that Ryu Min saved joined the Church of the Four Gods.
In other words, all the players in the world joined the Church of the Four Gods.
"It's okay. Everything is going well."
Now is important.
He must conquer the rounds while saving his people as much as possible.
Just after the last member left the Church of the Four Gods, Heo Taeseok and Eom Jun-seok approached.
"You've worked hard, Black Scythe."
"Yes. Also, Leader Heo, Deputy Leader Jun-seok."
"Thank you, Black Scythe."
There was a strange change in Heo Taeseok's gaze for a moment, but Ryu Min was already turning his head.
"I'll leave now. Take a break until I contact you."
"Understood. Take care."
"Yes."
He spread his wings behind him and flew into the sky.
As he headed back home, Ryu Min briefly descended on the rooftop of a nearby building with a sudden thought.
"I'll have to meet Min Juri at some point. I can't keep going like this forever."
They must improve their relationship as soon as possible.
They must return to being friends without reservation like before.
That's necessary to not hinder their strategies.
Knock-knock-knock-
After quickly sending a message with his fingers, he received a response.
[Juri: Yes, let's meet.]
Seeing the brief response, he felt a little anxious.
"Should I make some item to break the ice?"
He checked his inventory.
He had to use the Infinite Material Bag anyway.
"Since I don't have Ether in the God rank, it'll be difficult, and she'd like me to make her some legendary item."
Since his luck stat is excessively high, he'll surely get good materials.
[You've used the Infinite Material Bag!]
[Congratulations! 5 material items have been obtained!]
[The items have been delivered to the inventory.]
Ryu Min smiled as he checked the materials obtained.
"I didn't even get legendary materials, just a bunch of unknown materials, right?"
Even God-rank materials didn't come out.
That means he can't make a legendary item right away.
"There's nothing I can do about it."
Ryu Min set aside his disappointment and flew to the meeting place for now.
------------------
Kururiring-
The door to the dimension information set opened.
Welcome, Mr. Michael.
[Rubuahí.]
Michael's expression upon finding the Akashic Records after so long was not favorable.
[There's a problem.]
[Is it because of the demon's resurrection?]
[You know well.]
[It seems you're worried about angering the gods.]
[It's not that.]
Michael shook his head decisively.
If the gods calm down, there won't be a problem.
[That's fine. The problem is that the gods want us to bring Black Scythe before round 18.]
[It's understandable they react this way, as Plunictos, the Great Demon, is intervening. There'll be nothing more boring for the gods than having him acting in their place.]
[Is there no other option?]
[......]
[We have to find a solution and skip round 15. There are no more excuses. If we keep postponing, Gabriel and Raphael will start to suspect.]
[There's no other choice. Attacking Black Scythe in round 16 is the only way.]
[Even me?]
[What will you do, Michael? Will you return pretending to have been defeated by Black Scythe?]
[......]
[If even you fail, the gods will suspect. For now, send Gabriel and Raphael.]
[Send both instead of just one?]
[Raphael is not a combat angel, so there's no choice but to send both, right?]
[Even with both of them, they'd be nearly invincible, wouldn't they?]
[Don't worry. With Black Scythe's skills, they'll be able to hold them off even if they're two.]
Michael seemed surprised.
[Are they that strong? Black Scythe in his current state?]
[Yes. After killing so many angels so far, isn't it time to trust them?]
[Yes, but Gabriel and Raphael are different from other archangels. There's a chance Black Scythe might be defeated...]
Rubeahí chuckled silently.
[Trust Black Scythe, What worries Michael won't happen.]
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