Chapter 252 - End of Round 15
"John Delgado!"
(Number 576 is 'John Delgado.')
(All 576 survivors have been determined.)
(The remaining players will be automatically eliminated.)
"Wait a moment! Elimination?"
"I don't want to die! I don't want to die!"
"Black Scythe, damn it! I asked you to save me!"
"You cursed son of a...! I'll curse you even in hell!"
"Go enjoy your good life, you damned...!"
The words couldn't continue.
Zzzzzz...
Disappearing at the molecular level, only scattered ash remained.
"Seeing them lament, it seems I did well not to choose them."
Despite the hundreds of resentments, Ryu Min's expression was indifferent.
He wanted to go to the next round with a thousand people, but it was impossible due to the system.
"Before, there weren't even fifty alive, so there was no one to choose..."
Now, it wasn't a matter of scarcity, but of having too many to choose from.
He inevitably had to eliminate them.
Like pruning a tree branch.
"I'm sorry. But it's inevitable for round 20. I can only save those who will help in the strategy."
Especially, John Delgado had to be saved at all costs.
Using him meant another additional reward.
However, the reason he pretended to hesitate in the end was nothing but...
"Because I feel Christine's gaze."
When Ryu Min turned his head slightly, Christine was looking at him with an expressionless face.
-Black Scythe... Why John Delgado...?
Reading her thoughts, she seemed not to understand why he had saved John.
Ryu Min also fully understood her reaction.
"It's the same as saving a known enemy..."
He decided he would have to explain it later, then turned and saw Min Juri and Seo Arin.
-Are you okay, Black Scythe? It must have been a huge burden...
-Having to choose who will disappear with your own hands... I could never have done it if it were me.
Both were secretly worried about themselves, but there was no need.
They had already seen too many deaths around them.
"Choosing someone to disappear with my own hands is no big deal."
Since he knew he couldn't challenge the rules of the system, he had no choice but to obey.
This time, Ryu Min's gaze fell on the followers of the Church of the Four Gods.
-Phew, I'm still alive. I almost died.
-If it weren't for the Church of the Four Gods, I would have been the one to disappear, right?
-Joining the Church of the Four Gods was the best thing I did in my life.
The followers were calm and grateful.
They attributed their survival to joining the Church of the Four Gods.
"Finally, all 576 survivors have been determined. Congratulations to those chosen by Black Scythe."
Ryu Min's eyes widened.
For some reason, the angel's words sounded sarcastic.
When their gazes met, the angel Millen coughed and looked away.
The angel also knew.
That the beast that killed the archangel was Black Scythe.
"So, should we see the results of the tally?"
★ Round 15 Tally Result ★
[Integrated Area CA-EA001]
1st Place: Black Scythe (Level 95, Reaper)
2nd Place: Christine (Level 65, Priest)
3rd Place: Min Juri (Level 65, Buffer)
After the ranking results were formed not based on records but on connections, the rewards were established.
[As a reward for clearing Round 15, experience and gold are awarded to all members.]
[Experience +237.9%]
[Gold +1,000,000]
[You have leveled up!]
[You have leveled up!]
Ryu Min leveled up 2 levels, while others reached 4 to 5 levels.
Most approached level 70.
[Congratulations! You have achieved first place in the area and completed the mission!]
[Currently, Black Scythe holds first place in this area.]
[As a reward for holding first place in the area, an "Infinite Material Bag" is awarded.]
[As a reward for holding first place in the area, a "Special Reward Selection Box" is awarded.]
An Infinite Material Bag was one of the rewards.
An item that provides up to five random ingredients when used.
However, Ryu Min, who had reached the rank of God, didn't really need those ingredients.
"Nevertheless, I can't just leave them unused."
Since a penalty is applied that makes them disappear if not used before the next round, he had no choice but to use them.
"I'll have to try them out after returning. Although I'll probably only get ingredients I don't need."
When he got ingredients, he would have to decide whether to keep them or give them to others.
Or he could craft higher-grade items and give them to his acquaintances.
"However, the Special Reward Selection Box should be used by me."
Ryu Min had no doubt about using it.
[You can select one of the following special rewards.]
[Touch the desired reward.]
Temporary Skill - Sweep (Valid only for Round 16)
Temporary Skill - Clairvoyance (Valid only for Round 16)
Information about Round 16
This time, there were two temporary abilities.
Sweep was a passive ability that applied as soon as it was learned, turning the weapon into an area attack.
"Literally, it's a good skill for wiping out multiple monsters at once."
But it was a useless skill for Ryu Min.
He could already expand the area of his weapon with the Black Scythe of Thanatos.
"In this situation, there's only one clear choice."
He selected number 2, Clairvoyance.
A temporary ability he had already used in Round 11 and had taken advantage of in the casino.
"It's not as useful as it was at that time, but it still has its uses in Round 16."
There were no other options available.
◀ END OF ROUND 15 ▶
[Consolidated Area CA-EA001]
Survivors: 576
"Soon, their souls will be transferred back to their bodies in the original dimension."
"Round 16 will begin on April 1, 2023, at midnight. Until then, congratulations on surviving."
----------------
When they returned to reality, ordinary citizens were shocked to see the Knights.
[Breaking news! After Round 15, there are 576 players remaining worldwide.]
"After 14 months of the Cataclysm, the population decreased from 1.8 trillion to around 500..."
"Of the remaining 576 players, 174 are Korean players."
What was once a large number of players had now dwindled to three digits.
For some citizens, the decrease in the number of players might be welcome news, as it meant fewer threats to the world. However, there were also voices of dissent.
"This is serious. If the number of players decreases, it means there aren't enough people to defend."
"Now is the age of players."
"If players unite and wreak havoc, no one will be able to stop them, right?"
"That's true."
"Shouldn't we establish some measure against this?"
Though there were negative opinions, they were only from a minority.
The vast majority didn't worry much.
After all, there was a leader guiding the players.
─ What is there to worry about if Black Scythe is present?
─ Right. He severely punished players who committed crimes.
─ If it were me, I wouldn't commit crimes. I'd live as if I were scared to death.
─ But is Black Scythe really that powerful? What if other players were to unite against him?
─ Nothing would happen, they would simply be defeated.
─ I heard there's still a big level difference. Some barely reach level 69, but he's alone at level 97.
─ Anyway, there's nothing to worry about as long as we have Black Scythe. There are 174 Korean players, all members of the Church of the Four Gods, so they'll obey the rules.
─ Sir above, what is the Church of the Four Gods?
─ It's a religion created by Black Scythe, but more than a religion, it's a community created by the players themselves.
─ Ah, something like a players' café?
─ The players' café no longer exists.
─ But 174 out of 576 are Korean players? What a surprise, Korea is a powerhouse in the game?
─ They already explained the Church of the Four Gods. If you want to know, educate yourself properly. The Church of the Four Gods wasn't created by Black Scythe, but by a leader named Heo Taeseok. And it's a true religion, not just in name. Black Scythe is worshipped as a god in the Church of the Four Gods. You should inform yourself before speaking.
─ Ah, is it really a religion? I didn't know.
─ Don't be foolish. What kind of god is Black Scythe? He's a human. And who is Heo Taeseok if not a stranger?
─ He's not a stranger, he's a level 69 necromancer. He's the leader and founder of the Church of the Four Gods.
─ I don't care about Heo Taeseok or whatever.
─ Let it be. The one who commented must be Heo Taeseok.
Heo Taeseok's hand stopped upon seeing the last comment.
He hesitated whether to delete the comment he had made or not.
"Deleting it is pointless. It's the truth."
Heo Taeseok said that with a deep sigh.
His face was grim, like someone who had been rejected by a woman.
Strictly speaking, it wasn't a woman, but a goddess.
"It's a situation I simply can't understand. What is Black Scythe thinking...?"
The fact that he had sacrificed himself completely in Round 15 was truly inspiring.
Up until that moment, Heo Taeseok was excited, almost euphoric.
But that was also for a moment.
When he checked his ranking, the excitement instantly cooled.
"I'm in tenth place... me, in tenth place...?"
He didn't expect to reach second or third place.
Well, to be honest, he expected it a little.
After all, wasn't he the founder and leader of the Church of the Four Gods?
Being in such a prominent position as Black Scythe's right-hand man was natural.
"No, a man should have some decency. I should desire it at least a little. What did I do in Round 15?"
He knew Christine's success in the third mission had been crucial.
And he admitted that without Min Juri's various buffs in the third and second places, he would have struggled in the first and second missions.
Therefore, he didn't expect to be in second or third place.
"But, why am I so far behind in tenth place...?"
He knows it doesn't make sense in terms of rewards, but isn't it natural to feel this way?
Being behind in the ranking means he realized late.
He felt marginalized by his importance.
"What do I mean to Lord Black Scythe? Does he appreciate my efforts?"
He had sworn loyalty to the point of risking his life, but the rewards weren't as plentiful.
Was the only recognition he received securing the location of the Church of the Four Gods from the field to Seoul?
"Well... thinking about it, this building is worth hundreds of billions. Plus, they provided us with an annual subsidy of 100 million."
Though it seemed he had received some reward for his effort, it also seemed it wasn't enough.
In reality, it wasn't even his own building, it was only loaned as a place.
"The subsidy isn't much compared to the work..."
Actually, Heo Taeseok barely received money for himself.
Most of it went to cover the expenses of maintaining the followers of the Church of the Four Gods and the operating costs of the building.
It could be compared to volunteering, only receiving a modest stipend for basic expenses.
"I'm not seeking material benefits."
He didn't expect a big reward.
He just hoped for a little recognition for his efforts so far.
"Should I be content with just being in tenth place?"
Heo Taeseok felt resentful towards himself for a moment.
How dare he feel disappointed before God about something as trivial as rank?
Knock, knock!
Slapping his cheek and readjusting his faith, Heo Taeseok mentally scolded himself.
"It's insufficient. It's insufficient. My faith is insufficient..."
"What do you find insufficient?"
The sudden voice made Heo Taeseok jump.
It was Eom Jun-seok, a priest who had entered.
"Why are you muttering like that, Leader?"
"Hmm, it's nothing."
"Now is not the time for that."
"What's wrong?"
"Some people came to the Church of the Four Gods. Come with me."
Following Eom Jun-seok, Heo Taeseok went out.
It wasn't time for the followers to gather, so this was unusual.
"Eh?"
When he stepped out into the courtyard of the Church of the Four Gods, he saw several people gathered there.
There were ten in total.
And they were all foreigners.
"What are these people doing here?"
Had they come in a group to see the Church of the Four Gods after hearing rumors about it?
That was his first impression, but he soon realized.
Some people were carrying items.
"Players?"
"Is this the temple of Lord Black Scythe?"
Since the interpretation function only applied in the other world, he couldn't understand what they were saying...
"Eom Priest. What are they saying?"
Fortunately, Eom Jun-seok could speak English.
"One moment."
After some back and forth in English, Eom Jun-seok said in astonishment.
"They say they want to join the Church of the Four Gods."
"To the Church of the Four Gods? All of them?"
"Yes."
"Could you ask them why?"
Eom Jun-seok asked in English and brought back the response.
"They say thanks to Lord Black Scythe's nomination in the last round, they were able to survive. They are also deeply grateful for the sacrifice they made and want to join..."
"Ha, ha..."
If the faithful came in times of player scarcity, there was nothing wrong with that.
Lord Black Scythe had always welcomed the entry of new faithful.
"It's okay. Since an interview is needed, we should call for Lord Black Scythe."
Although he was happy to have ten new faithful, Heo Taeseok didn't know what awaited him.
This day marked the beginning of the congregation of the 175 players who were saved by Black Scythe.
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