Chapter 295 - Have a Good Time.
Seo Arin tossed and turned in bed. Lately, she hadn't been able to sleep. This was because she had many intrusive thoughts, and the cause of those thoughts was none other than Black Scythe.
"Black Scythe is the Prophet...."
When Yamti found out that Black Scythe was known to Seo Arin, she honestly felt envious. Her desire was to meet him at least once in real life.
"But we have already met, haven't we? And as neighbors too."
Don't they say it's hard to see what's right under our noses? Black Scythe lived right below her, and she hadn't even suspected it. The Prophet and Black Scythe not only had different appearances but also different personalities. Of course, Black Scythe being the Prophet was simply the Prophet's assertion.
"But he didn't seem to lie. He also showed proof."
She saw him transform with her own eyes. He even showed her how Black Scythe speaks, as she knows him. If that's the case, how can I not believe?
"The Prophet is definitely Black Scythe. Definitely..."
Both in tone and feeling, it was like the Black Scythe she knew. That was something she could trust. Then, suddenly, anxiety struck her.
"Wait a minute. Didn't I make a mistake with the Prophet? If I did, that would be a big problem..."
Worried, Seo Arin frowned and rubbed the acupuncture point on her temple. She went over her recent actions, wondering if she had been rude to the Prophet without realizing it or if she had shown an ugly side of herself.
"I don't remember being rude. Fortunately, it doesn't seem like I made any mistakes."
With a sigh of relief, Seo Arin pulled the blanket up to her chin. With her mind full of thoughts about Black Scythe, she suddenly felt embarrassed.
"What should I do?... The more I think about it, the more he comes to mind..."
Especially the fact that he lives next door made her heart beat faster. If just a few yards away lives the guy she likes, anyone would feel that way.
"I miss him. I desperately want to see him."
A heart that couldn't calm down seemed to be soothed suddenly as she fell asleep without even realizing it. But when she woke up in the morning, once again, Black Scythe came to her mind, tormenting her heart.
"Ah... I only slept about four hours."
She rubbed her eyes, washed her face, and then took a sandwich she had bought from the convenience store the night before out of the refrigerator. Along with some milk, she ate her simple meal and then, still dressed in her pajamas, sat on the sofa and turned on the TV. It was a reflexive act to seek distraction in the TV to drive away her thoughts, but it was a mistake.
Because on TV, there was a program about Black Scythe.
"Only 143 players left in the world right now?"
"That's right. After the 18th round, the 900 million players have been reduced to just three digits."
"There's not much time left, is there?"
"No. But the players consider even this an achievement. They say they've survived this long thanks to Black Scythe."
"It seems Black Scythe is doing quite a bit in the other world, isn't he?"
"That's what they say."
"They say? What does that mean?"
"We, civilians who can't go to the other world, have to completely believe what the players who return alive tell us, right?"
"So, according to the players, has Black Scythe been helpful in some way?"
"According to their claims, Black Scythe has been supporting the creation of items and revealing strategies for the next round to help as many players survive as possible. It's considered a miracle that 143 players have survived because of this. In short, he is leading the group and playing a leadership role."
"So he's like a savior to the players?"
"That's right. But this doesn't apply only to the players. Black Scythe has also performed significant actions for civilians. From eradicating the terrorist organization EI in Nigeria, maintaining national security with the CPF, to eliminating coup players and preventing the early summoning of monsters in the 16th round, among others. He has already saved countless civilians."
"It's amazing when you list it like that. How has the public responded?"
"Naturally, he is being treated as a hero who appears only once in a century. Survey results show that the negative perception of players, which once reached up to 79%, has now fallen to 5%, thanks to Black Scythe. Moreover, Black Scythe has gained great notoriety even among non-players."
"I see. But they say Black Scythe's true identity has not been revealed yet."
"That's right. He always wears a white mask in front of the media, and no one knows his true face. The only known fact is that he is over 180 cm tall and has copper-colored skin..."
Seo Arin murmured as she turned off the TV.
"That's not true. That's just an image that has been built..."
For someone who knows who Black Scythe is, the comments on TV are inevitable.
"I'm thinking too much."
Thanks to the TV program trying to forget Black Scythe, her thoughts only intensified. Now, she really wants to forget about Black Scythe. She wants to erase him from her mind. But suddenly, a question arose.
Why should I forget him? Why do I feel so tormented?
"I don't know. Why do I feel this way?"
If she wants to see him, why can't she just go see him? Why does she need to find an excuse?
After considering that, her mind, which had been tangled, suddenly cleared up. But a new problem arose.
"What excuse should I give to go see him?"
Even though they are neighbors, she still needs an excuse. Wouldn't it be strange to just show up at his door saying she brought food?
"Alright! I'll go with the excuse that I need to repay a favor with food."
As neighbors, it wouldn't seem strange if she brought food, right?
"Besides, didn't I say I moved in a while ago?"
Moreover, she had enjoyed a meal at Ryu Min's house. Well, not from Ryu Min, but from his brother, but she had received hospitality with food and had not yet returned the gesture.
"Alright! I'll make food as an excuse and visit him."
Seo Arin, after organizing her thoughts, let her imagination fly with joy. She imagined Ryu Min enjoying the food she had prepared, and that brought a smile of happiness to her face.
However, there was a problem...
"That's right... But do I know how to cook?"
Seo Arin realized that she had never cooked anything other than instant noodles in her life. Usually, she had satisfied her hunger with takeout or convenience store food.
"Oh, what should I do?"
Seo Arin's expression turned sad, like a puppy in the rain.
"Ring-ring, ding-dong, ding-dong~♬"
As the doorbell rang, Ryu Won looked at his brother sitting on the sofa.
"Brother, did you order takeout?"
"No."
"Then who is it?"
On the iPad screen, there was a woman standing shyly with a shopping bag. Ryu Won's expression instantly brightened, and he ran to the door.
"Arin!"
"Huh? Oh, it's you, Won?"
"What's going on at our house? Why did my brother call me?"
"Oh, it's nothing. I just wanted to give you this..."
Seo Arin shyly lifted the shopping bag.
"Really? Come in first. Come in."
Ryu Won let Seo Arin in as if he didn't care what was in the shopping bag.
"Who is it?"
When Ryu Min curiously stuck his head out, he saw Seo Arin being pushed in by his brother.
"Miss Seo?"
"Oh, hello. Ryu Min."
Even though it wasn't the first time they had seen each other, the way Seo Arin greeted Ryu Min seemed strange. It didn't take long for Ryu Min to understand why she had come. With his high intelligence, it took him only a moment to decipher Seo Arin's thoughts.
"She came to see me because she missed me...?"
That was the only purpose of Seo Arin's visit. She simply wanted to see Black Scythe in person. Without realizing that her feelings had already been deciphered, Seo Arin timidly offered the shopping bag to Ryu Min.
"Uhm, here you go."
"What is this?"
"They are cookies. I made them myself in a cooking class, so they are still warm. Please try them."
Even though Ryu Min already knew the reason, he decided to ask as if he didn't.
"Why...?"
"Well... I've received a lot of help from you as the Prophet. Besides, I ate at your house once, so..."
"Nuna! Last time I cooked. And now you only give to him?"
"Oh, no. I also made something for you separately."
"Oh, really?"
Ryu Won searched inside the bag with an excited expression and found cookies with his name on them. Ryu Min also showed a surprised expression when he saw the carefully packaged cookies.
"Did you make all of these?"
"Well... Actually, I got quite a bit of help. Hehe..."
"Thank you. I will enjoy them a lot."
When Ryu Min smiled and said that, Seo Arin also smiled and then turned her head shyly. She was worried that her blushing face might reveal her true feelings. But she didn't realize that she had already been discovered.
"Then, we have something to talk about..."
"Then, let's go to my room. Won, if my brother tries to do anything strange, call me. Understood?"
"What are you saying, kid? You have no right to say that."
As Ryu Min prepared to give him a knock on the head, Ryu Won raised his hands in surrender.
"Oh, that was just a joke. A joke. Haha."
"I'm sorry, miss. I apologize on his behalf."
"Oh, no, it's not necessary. It was just a joke."
Even though she knew it was a joke, Seo Arin blushed up to her ears. Finally, after taking Seo Arin to the room, Ryu Min closed the door and asked.
"Tell me. What do you want to say?"
"Prophet. I mean... Black Scythe. What's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"I received a message from the Messengers Sect this time. They said they didn't get any information about the next round. Is that true?"
Ryu Min, who had been considering whether to tell the truth or not, made a decision.
"Actually, I have information about the next round."
"Really?"
"But I couldn't tell the truth because I thought it would cause confusion among the people."
"Oh... I understand."
"This is all I can tell you. Please understand that I couldn't tell Arin about this."
"Oh, I understand. You don't need to give me the information. You've already done a lot for us."
Seo Arin nodded, and Ryu Min asked again.
"Is there anything else that interests you?"
"Oh, eh... hmm..."
She wanted to keep talking, but nothing came to mind.
"That's... hmm..."
Seo Arin, racking her brain for a topic of conversation, finally opened her mouth.
"Try... try a cookie. I just want to see your reaction."
"Haha, sure. Let's try them."
Just as Ryu Min was about to step out of the room laughing.
Click-
His brother was opening the front door.
Someone had come to the house and was opening the door.
"Brother, there's a visitor."
"Who?"
When Ryu Min looked towards the entrance, he saw a familiar face.
"Min Juri?"
"Min. I was at home..."
Min Juri's greeting expression hardened in an instant. That was when she saw Seo Arin coming out of the room with Ryu Min.
"Oh."
Ryu Min quickly explained to Seo Arin to avoid misunderstandings.
"Just a moment ago, Seo Arin came..."
But Min Juri left without listening, leaving only one word.
"Sorry. Have a good time."