Chapter 277 - Cooperation
The goddess of vengeance, Nemesis, bowed her head politely with her hands clasped together.
It was a rare expression to see her biting her lower lip with anxiety.
"Nemesis."
"Yes, yes."
Nemesis startled at the grave voice and lifted her head.
"What has happened to the task I assigned you?"
"W-well, still not..."
"You still haven't retrieved Black Scythe?"
"I'm sorry. But don't worry. Michael has descended, so you will soon hear good news..."
"It seems I've heard similar words before. Didn't you say Gabriel and Raphael would soon bring good news last time?"
"Well, this time is different. The number one ranked Archangel is personally leading..."
"Nemesis."
The tone was as heavy as an abyss.
"Can you guarantee Michael will not suffer any harm?"
"Yes, of course. Of course..."
"Can you take responsibility?"
"..."
Nemesis closed her mouth.
She should be prepared to disappear if she answered that question.
"I thought you wouldn't answer."
"..."
"It seems you will fail again this time. Should I send Artaros after all?"
"No, I don't think that will be necessary. I will definitely resolve this on my own..."
"You are just accumulating empty promises you can't fulfill."
"..."
"Don't you know better than anyone what happens to gods who only talk but do not act in front of me, Nemesis?"
"I-understand. I know, I know..."
Nemesis trembled with fear.
She had watched with her own eyes what had happened to those who defied the will of the god of destruction.
"Stop making excuses if you know the truth. The only thing that matters to me are results. Do I need to say how much energy is at stake in this war?"
"Y-yes, yes."
"Go and bring the results. The only way to prevent Plunictos from getting involved in the war is by delivering Black Scythe."
"I will definitely bring good news."
"I hope this time it won't be just empty words."
With those words, the communication was cut off, and Nemesis breathed deeply.
Finally, she felt she could breathe.
"If the angels don't win in the Seventh Great Celestial War, we will lose a lot."
Not only would she face the wrath of numerous gods betting on the angels, but her own existence could disappear.
After all, it was she who had attracted other gods, believing in the potential of the angels.
"Damn Michael! Why the hell did he decide to use the Demon Resurgence at his own discretion?"
Though it had actually been with her approval, Nemesis didn't have time to blame herself.
If she didn't deliver Black Scythe to Plunictos immediately, this war would also end in defeat, and she herself would fade away.
"The survival of the gods is at stake with Michael."
Nemesis remembered.
Michael's performance, which led to the only victory during the Fifth Great Celestial War by annihilating the demons.
Didn't he even earn the title "God of Battle" at that time?
"Though they lost all the other wars..."
Of the six total wars, the angels had only won one during the Fifth.
But it was a significant war as they won without the help of human mercenaries.
"Though they lost again in the Sixth, the Seventh will be different."
With that hope, she made sales pitches and attracted several gods to bet on the Celestials.
She even managed to get a figure known as the God of Destruction, whom she had recently spoken to, on her side.
Therefore, everything is at stake in the seventh Great Celestial Tournament.
"Won't I be defeated by Black Scythe again this time?"
The situation was already grave, having lost many Archangels, including Gabriel.
Even if she delivered Black Scythe, if she lost Michael too, there would be no hope in the next Great Celestial Tournament.
"How long has Michael been missing? Why are there no news? Wait, could it be?"
Suddenly, an ominous thought crossed Nemesis' mind, plunging her into reflection.
"No, no, it shouldn't be."
Hoping that the grim premonition wouldn't come true, Nemesis quickly used her divine power.
The power to see all things.
"Eh? Eh?"
Finally, Nemesis was bewildered.
She couldn't find Michael's presence in the other world.
"What? He's not here! He's not...!"
Had the ominous premonition become a reality?
While Nemesis felt downcast and confused, she received a signal.
And then she understood.
That her worries were unfounded.
"Nemesis, Michael is here. As you ordered, I have brought Black Scythe."
Upon reading that message, Nemesis couldn't help but react with surprise.
"Where is he? Where?!"
Quickly tracking Michael's location, Nemesis soon brightened up.
"He was in the Celestial Realm! And along with Black Scythe!"
To capture that happy reality with her own eyes, Nemesis tore through space.
And with one step, she was in front of Michael.
"Ah, Nemesis!"
Alongside Michael, with his entire body bound by chains of light, was the sinner, Black Scythe.
"So this is Black Scythe."
"That's right."
"Damn, I'll tear you to pieces! You've disrupted the celestial order so much! You scum!"
How much had she suffered because of this despicable insect?
Though she cursed and screamed in anger, Black Scythe showed no emotion.
"I wish I could lock him in hell to be devoured by worms forever, but I can't."
Looking away in disgust, Nemesis diverted her gaze.
"Michael!"
"Yes."
"Immediately, contact Plunictos. Tell them I will deliver this miserable human."
"I will do as you command."
After casting a look that seemed to want to kill Black Scythe, Nemesis tore through space and disappeared.
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Each step resonated with the sound of clashing chains.
"How far do we have to go?"
"Don't complain. Just a little more."
"We don't have much time."
"I know, I know."
While muttering to himself, Michael remembered the conversation he had with Ryu Min 30 minutes ago.
I'll save you. How about we do this?
What do you mean?
Call for reinforcements. Call the Battle Angels. About 75?
Why call the subordinates?
To kill them all.
What benefit is there in killing them?
None of your business.
Only willing to sacrifice the subordinates? Impressive.
Why? Don't you like it? Then die here.
Do you think I'm stupid? If you wanted to kill me, you would have done it already.
In the past, I let you live while seeking information, but now things are different. I've already obtained all the information I needed.
-... A cunning human.
I consider you better than a mere vermin. So, what are you going to do? Do you want to die? Do you want to call your subordinates?
I would rather die than sacrifice my subordinates. After all, if I can't take you to heaven, my life is already lost.
Hmm... You're not cooperating. This is the only way to accumulate stacks...
What are you murmuring? Hurry, kill him.
How about this? If I told you there's a way to save you, would you cooperate?
The only way I can be saved is if you take me with you.
Then take me with you.
What?
Take me with you. To heaven.
-... Are you serious?
That's right, I need to be delivered to the main demon called Plunictos. This will prevent the war from breaking out early and calm the gods' wrath. Isn't that right?
Eh? Eh...
Then take me. To heaven. Well, I actually don't intend to be caught, I'll just pretend to be captured.
Pretend?
If I manage to dominate Black Scythe and take you to heaven, won't you be free from your obligations? Isn't that so?
Yes, that's true.
Then take me to the gods. After that, they won't be able to blame you for what I do, right?
What... what are you planning to do?
I'll escape. By killing some battle angels.
Escape? How?
It's simple. While pretending to take me with you, we'll pass by the battle angels. At that moment, I'll break free and kill the battle angels before fleeing to the other world. If I return in less than an hour, won't I lose my player status?
That might be true, but...
Why? Worried about being scolded for losing Black Scythe on the way?
No, it's not that.
Still, you're the only archangel. Are you willing to kill? If you're scolded for negligence, they won't be able to say anything. After all, haven't we fulfilled the order to take you to heaven?
-...
This way, I can kill the battle angels as I wish, and you can save your life. Isn't it a win-win for both of us?
It sounds like a plausible plan. But...
But what?
If I betray you and sell you out to the gods, then what? What if, despite your strength, you're nothing more than a pup in front of the gods?
Seems like you're worried about facing the gods. Well, don't worry. If you betray me, I'll kill you on the spot. And while we're at it, we might even fight against the gods, don't you think?
Fight against the gods? Are you out of your mind?
That's why, don't betray me. If you don't want to die.
-...
Besides, don't you have the desire to become a god by saving me until the 20th round?
How...?
There's a play everyone knows. So don't think about betraying me. Now we are comrades.
"Comrades? With this human?"
Michael, after reflecting, glanced at Black Scythe out of the corner of his eye.
Despite having faced the gods just a moment ago, his expression was calm.
He showed no signs of nervousness.
"Is it because he knows I won't betray him?"
He doesn't know how he understands his desires, but he certainly is cunning.
He is definitely not a human that can be reduced to a mere insect.
"How much further to my subordinates? We need to get back within the next 20 minutes."
[There. Just pass by the training field.]
Michael decided to believe in him.
The only immediate way to save his life was to cooperate with him.
[Eh? Michael?]
[It's Michael!]
[Really? Where, where?]
The battle angels who were training reacted with excitement as if they were seeing a celebrity when Michael appeared.
Some didn't know what to do with themselves, appearing surprised, while others sent looks of admiration.
Unaware that their idol had handed over Black Scythe.
[They're fifth-ranked battle angels. There must be about a hundred.]
"Thank you."
Ryu Min stopped his steps and undid the chains that wrapped around his body.
Originally, it wasn't something prepared by Michael, but chains created by Ryu Min with runes.
"So, are you going to let me live as promised?"
"Yes, of course."
Without finishing his sentence, Ryu Min struck Michael's abdomen with force.
Smack!
Michael, unable to cry out, collapsed and flew away.
"For a while, at least."
Ryu Min laughed as he looked at the surprised battle angels.
It was a look similar to that of a beast seeing its prey.
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