Chapter 267 - Why Didn't You Tell Me?
[Refined Ether]
Category: Items
Description: Refined ether is the purest form of ether among all. With it, you can create Divine quality or higher objects. Depending on the angle from which it is viewed, it emits a radiant glow with the colors of the rainbow.
Ryu Min was surprised by something.
"Can you create Divine quality or higher objects?"
Ryu Min had always thought that Divine quality was the highest possible.
"But, what else?"
"Are you saying that Divine quality isn't the best?"
It was so absurd that it almost made him laugh.
He was sure he knew all the strategies and information of each round after completing 99 repetitions, but...
"I never thought an item I had no knowledge of would appear."
He didn't know what to do or how to assemble it.
I don't know if I'll come up with something if I combine it, but I don't have time for that.
"It would have been helpful if there was at least a pattern..."
It's regrettable, but anyway, a gain is a gain.
I discovered the existence of an item I didn't know existed.
All thanks to catching an archangel of rank 3 or higher.
"What will happen if I get first place?"
He was curious, but what was important at that moment was protecting his younger brother.
I think I'll have to meet Heo Tae-seok later.
To increase the hero's runes as before, I'll need Heo Tae-seok's demon summoning skill.
As I leave the room, Ryu Won signals me to hurry up.
"Brother, is this really delicious? Try it."
"Really?"
I muttered.
"It's delicious."
As I watched TV and ate, Ryu Won, who had finished first, rubbed his stomach.
"Ha, it was a good meal."
Then, he looked at Ryu Min and smiled.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Haha, nothing. As much as I think about it, I can't believe it. My brother is the famous Black Scythe...".
"If you don't believe me, should I show you the scythe at least?"
"No, I believe you, I believe you."
Even without bringing out the terrifying scythe, Ryu Won believed him just by looking at him.
He had no other choice but to believe him.
How could he not believe it when he had seen with his own eyes the massacre of archangels?
"I thought my brother was extremely weak because he was a prophet."
"That's prejudice."
"That's right. I had prejudices."
Seeing his younger brother obediently acknowledging him felt a bit strange to him.
After finding out he was Black Scythe, had he gained a respect he didn't have before?
"Now that I think about it, my stance is quite soft too."
On the outside, he pretended not to care, but inside, he was as nervous as a new recruit who had just joined the unit.
"Come on, relax."
"Eh? Did you notice?"
"Aren't we strangers, we're family, so why are you nervous? Whether it's Black Scythe or a prophet, I'm your unwavering older brother."
When I smiled and spoke, as if telling him to relax, my younger brother finally relaxed his tense body.
"I'm sorry. I was nervous without realizing it."
"Anyway, we decided to talk about something we couldn't finish, right? If you have any questions, ask."
As if he had been waiting for me to say that, Ryu Won suddenly asked a question.
"The last time you went abroad, were you scolding the bad guys or visiting your girlfriend?"
"Of course. Where's my girlfriend? Japanese? I've never been close to Japan."
"So you're saying you made an excuse because you were too lazy to explain?"
"Yes."
"Oh my..."
Black Scythe's actions were well known to the general public.
From defeating EI in Nigeria to establishing the CPF unit, improving internal security, and providing aid to other needy countries.
For Ryu Won, it was shocking that he used his Japanese girlfriend as an excuse for the whole process.
"You misunderstood from the beginning. I had a lot of work to do abroad, so I thought it would be a good time to use it."
"Then what about the Prophet class? Was that also an excuse? You're the only Shinigami class."
"How did you know my class was unique?"
"That's it. If you look it up on the platform, everything will appear. Is there any article summarizing the missions that have been carried out so far?"
Ryu Min opened his eyes wide in surprise.
"Information exchange is more active than I thought."
It's not that ordinary people knew nothing about the players.
"As far as I know, I've never heard of the Prophet class except from my brother. Was that a lie too?"
After thinking for a moment, Ryu Min obediently nodded.
"Yes. There is no such thing as the Prophet class."
"Oh my god. Was seeing the future also a lie?"
"Yes. I needed another job to replace the Shinigami."
"Then how did you guess the lottery numbers?"
"Well, that's..."
Ryu Min, who was speechless in an unexpected section, was worried.
Whether to reveal the most important information to his younger brother or not.
"Should I say it?"
I hesitated, but my concerns didn't last long.
As long as it's like this, there won't be any problem if I say it.
"Do you want to know the truth?"
"Really?"
"You might be a bit surprised, are you okay?"
"There's no more shock than this."
Ryu Won smiled and replied confidently, but his expression soon hardened.
"I'm a regressor."
"What?"
Because he heard an unexpected bombshell.
"Well, what did you say? Regressor?"
"In a way, it can be seen as something that comes from the future. No, should I say it's the past?"
"What are you talking about? Regression? There can't be such a thing...".
"There's something called a time inversion rune. It's a rune that allows you to go back 100 times."
"..."
"With this, I've done countless rounds over and over again. There was a lot of trial and error. Because I didn't have talent or anything."
Ryu Won just heard his brother's confession with a look of astonishment on his face.
"If you die, you go back 10 minutes before entering the game. I did it over and over again. Catch the same monsters, complete the same rounds, eat the same people and teams, etc..."
Ryu Won held his breath as he watched Ryu Min recalling the past days.
A moment ago, he thought it was a joke, but it wasn't.
He realized by looking into his eyes.
That his brother wasn't lying, but simply talking about memories.
"They were tough days. For someone without talent like me. In a way, 100 lives was also an opportunity. An opportunity to reach round 20 and get out of this damn survival game."
"..."
"Everything I've done so far has been to win the round. A life strategy achieved after going through all kinds of trial and error to find a safer and more efficient path. The result is the current Black Scythe."
"Ah..."
Ryu Min, who was smiling, put his hand on his younger brother's frozen shoulder.
"Do you believe me?"
"Uh, to some extent...".
"I'm sorry for not telling you earlier. But there was a reason I hid it."
"Reason?"
"There was an incident in the past where you were kidnapped because you were related to a regressor. I couldn't be honest with you because I was afraid it would happen again."
"Ah...".
Ryu Won understood.
He hid the fact that his older brother was a regressor to protect him.
"Of course, I say this based on the criterion that it is safe now. No, actually there's nothing more dangerous. Angels are starting to target you."
Those words reminded Ryu Won of the angel that attacked him.
"Why is the angel targeting me?"
"Because you're my only family. They can't treat me by force, so they're trying to hold me hostage in a sneaky way."
"..."
"Don't worry too much. Even if angels appear, I'll protect you."
"I'm relieved to know that Black Scythe will protect me."
Ryu Won smiled as he said that, but inside he was trembling with anxiety.
It had to be this way.
Because he was just an ordinary person.
"I understand, Won. But you really don't have to worry. Because I'll protect you at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing my life."
The reason he had fought so far was not just for his own survival.
It was about living happily with his younger brother.
"If I could live a life like before, I wouldn't have anything else to wish for."
To do that, the first thing was to ensure his younger brother's safety.
"I need to meet Heo Tae-seok as soon as possible."
As he thought that, his younger brother murmured.
"Your brother is a regressor only seen in novels... Did you know the future?...".
"Don't be too surprised. If you can resurrect people, what's the problem with regressors?"
"But this is different. Not just once, but 100 times? If it's averaged out one year at a time, it lasts for 100 years... Hey!"
Was it because he realized his age?
His younger brother suddenly looks at him as if he were an old man.
"Tell me honestly, brother. How old are you?"
"How old am I? I'm 21."
"No! How old are you if you add up all the years you've lived so far?"
"It's been over 100 years. That's all I know."
Ryu Won's mouth dropped open.
"What episode is this now?"
"100 times. It's the last episode."
"..."
"If I die this time, it will be over for me too. It means there are no more chances to change the future."
"Ah...".
It was then.
Suddenly, Ryu Min's cell phone vibrated again.
He looked at the sender and saw that it was Seo Arin.
"Yes, actress."
-Prophet. Are you okay? The house was a complete mess... .
"I'm fine."
-And your younger brother?
"My younger brother is also safe. Don't worry."
"I'm glad you're okay. What the hell is going on?"
Seo Arin's voice on the phone was full of concern.
I think she called just out of concern as a neighbor, not to get information.
"I don't know either. When I came back, it was like this."
-So, where are you going to stay now?
"I think I'll stay at a hotel while I take care of the repairs."
-I was really surprised. I was so shocked to see what happened while trying to go through the Prophet's house... .
"Haha, thanks for your concern."
-Will you come back when the repairs are done? Neighbor?
"Whatever happens, it should be. How much does that house cost?"
-I'm really glad you didn't get hurt. Then, when I have the chance, I'll call you again.
"Yes."
As soon as he hung up the phone, his younger brother asked.
"Who was that?"
"The actress Seo Arin."
"Since you're worried about your brother, I guess you don't know her identity?"
"Of course I don't know. Where can we go to talk about this? No one else knows except you."
Actually, Christine knew, but she didn't reveal it.
There's no need for my younger brother to know.
"Why didn't you tell Seo Arin? My brother is Black Scythe."
"Because you'll be surprised."
"You can't surprise me like you surprised me."
"Didn't you understand?"
"And and...".
Did he remember that a moment ago he was so surprised he couldn't keep his mouth shut?
My younger brother scratches his neck with a shy expression.
"But she accepted it quickly. You explained the reason."
"Because we're family. No one else will understand it?"
"What if we at least say something? You never know."
Ryu Min shook his head.
As much as he thought about it, he was skeptical.
Would it be beneficial to reveal one's identity in this situation?
Rather, it's lucky that it doesn't turn into a handshake that destroys the relationship.
'But I can't hide it forever...'.
It was a question he had to think about at least once.
At that moment, Ryu Min's cell phone vibrated again.
Ryu Min, seeing the sender, widened his eyes in surprise.
---
(Up to '45' more ch4pt3rs)
Publication of up to 6 weekly ch4pters, thank you.