Chapter 107
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: What's Your Name?
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Before Yamtti kidnapped the congressman.
Ryu Min, disguised as Lost Ark, was contemplating.
When would be the right time to rescue Congressman Lee Seong-hyun?
'It would probably look better if I rescue him after he’s been kidnapped.'
What good would it do to deal with Yamtti and the others early and prevent the kidnapping from ever happening? Who would even acknowledge it?
'This is an opportunity. A chance to make the name Black Scythe known to the public.'
While the Black Scythe was famous among Players, the general public had no idea who he was.
There were even frequent voices that lumped all Players together and criticized them.
'Congressman Lee Seong-hyun is at the forefront of those voices. Though he says only criminal Players are bad.'
Having built a relationship with him in the past, Ryu Min knew.
He knew what had happened to the man’s only son and what feelings he harbored toward Players.
That was why he understood Lee Seong-hyun better than anyone and knew what the right path was.
'I need to set it straight. Congressman Lee Seong-hyun's twisted perspective.'
He wanted to make him realize that not all Players were bad.
He wanted to show him that nothing could be better than when a Player's abilities were used in the right way.
'That way, when I step forward as the representative of the Players in the future, I can gain the support of ordinary people.'
If Congressman Lee Seong-hyun helped, the public would willingly support the Black Scythe.
Therefore, Ryu Min needed to change his perspective, which was why he didn't act, even as the congressman was being kidnapped.
No, he was moving quietly in the background.
He was tailing Song Jae-gyeom, the chairman of PleSeBa.
'The moment Lee Seong-hyun is in real danger is when the six criminals hired by the chairman make their move.'
PleSeBa's scenario was to have the criminals publicly execute Lee Seong-hyun, then pretend to show up late to save him while taking care of the criminals.
That was why as long as the criminals didn't show up at the cabin, Lee Seong-hyun's life wasn't in danger.
This was also why Ryu Min was tailing Song Jae-gyeom while invisible.
The man's role was to pick up the convicts with criminal records.
"Excuse me, boss. Are you really going to pay us triple when the job is done?"
"That's right."
"You're not just going to take the money and run, are you?"
Song Jae-gyeom smirked at the anxious criminals.
"If you don't want to do it, you can say so now. Just transfer the 25 million won I gave you back to me."
"Haha, my, you're quite impatient. It was just a question."
"When did we ever say we wouldn't do it?"
"Killing one person these days is no big deal."
The smirking criminals immediately stopped talking about money.
Their lives were already ruined with criminal records.
Most of them thought that getting 100 million won for killing one person was a cheap price to pay.
'Tsk, whether they're Players or ordinary people, there's always trash everywhere.'
Ma Kyung-rok would probably have been drooling if he were here.
As he had that useless thought, Ryu Min waited for the right moment.
*Drrrn-*
As if on cue, Song Jae-gyeom received a call.
"Yes, yes, Ms. Yamtti. Understood. I'll bring them over now."
After finishing the call, Song Jae-gyeom instructed his bodyguards.
"Get all these men in the car and follow me."
"Yes, understoo— Gack!"
The bodyguard couldn't finish his sentence before collapsing.
"What's going on— Keuk!"
The other bodyguard met the same fate.
Ryu Min had struck the back of their necks, knocking them out in an instant.
It was almost embarrassing to call them Players.
Song Jae-gyeom and the criminals were startled by Ryu Min's sudden intervention.
Song Jae-gyeom, who recognized his face, shouted the loudest.
"Lost Ark?!"
"Now, Mr. Chairman, you should pass out too."
*Thwack— Thud.*
Having already knocked out the chairman, Ryu Min looked at the criminals.
"What should I do with you guys?"
"H-Hiiik!"
Realizing his movements weren't human, they scrambled to escape.
'A-A Player! We can't possibly win!'
The criminals knew.
They knew that an ordinary person trying to fight a Player was like an egg hitting a rock.
"I can't just let go of those who conspired to commit murder."
*Swish— Swish—!*
Ryu Min pulled out his scythe and instantly turned the six men into bloody messes.
'Just in case these guys cause trouble later.'
The criminals were dead men walking anyway, destined to be killed by PleSeBa.
Although they probably didn't expect to die without even receiving their contract payment.
After cleaning up the scene with Erase Traces, Ryu Min drove off with the unconscious chairman.
He then dropped him off in a suitable place, as if abandoning a corpse.
'It doesn't matter if the chairman wakes up later. By then, the situation will already be resolved.'
Ryu Min drove to the rendezvous point, the cabin.
When he went inside, the three new executives recognized their senior and bowed their heads.
"Hello, senior."
"Yeah, hey. Has Ms. Yamtti not arrived yet?"
"No. She said she'll be here soon with the congressman."
"Alright. I'll be on the lookout outside as planned."
While standing guard outside, he saw Yamtti arrive with the congressman.
'She's finally here.'
What he had to do next was simple.
He just had to rush in and rescue the congressman.
'Kill all the executives. Except for Yamtti.'
The reason for not killing Yamtti was simple.
'If I make Yamtti my ally, PleSeBa will naturally become mine as well.'
Nominally, the chairman led PleSeBa, but the real mastermind was Yamtti.
If he could turn Yamtti to his side, he could bring PleSeBa under his command.
'Plus, I'll gain a powerful tool called the Rune of Charm.'
The Rune of Charm that Yamtti possessed was as powerful as a Zone Representative's Dominion.
'No, it's even better. It has no level restrictions and can dominate anyone, whether they're a Player or not.'
It was so powerful that Ryu Min hadn't been able to approach Yamtti until now.
How was he supposed to deal with someone who could enthrall people with just a look?
'Of course, killing her wouldn't be hard. I could just approach her while invisible and *slice*.'
But Ryu Min never intended to kill Yamtti in the first place.
Using her was far more practical than killing her.
'That's why I needed the rune from the 7th round.'
Thanks to the Rune of Mental Barrier, he could now face Yamtti.
'The Rune of Charm is powerful, but it can't penetrate the Rune of Mental Barrier.'
Ryu Min then entered the cabin and killed the three new executives.
He then threatened Yamtti into releasing her charm on the congressman.
He let Yamtti live, as planned.
However, using Dominion in front of the congressman could cause a misunderstanding, so he had to lure Yamtti outside.
'She wants to live, so I'll pretend to spare her.'
When Yamtti showed a sign of remorse, Ryu Min acted as if he was letting her go.
Then he used a clone, slipped away, turned invisible, and followed Yamtti.
He maintained a distance of over 30 meters to avoid her Presence Detection.
"I've never seen such a sucker in my life. Keke."
Seeing Yamtti mock him, Ryu Min became certain.
He could never control someone with threats alone.
'In that case, there's only one way.'
Ryu Min used his one-time-use Dominion in reality on Yamtti.
'I don't regret it. Dominating Yamtti is practically the same as getting an additional Dominion.'
In fact, it was a better Dominion with fewer restrictions than his current one.
"Yamtti. Become my slave."
As Yamtti's eyes turned hazy, a message appeared.
[You have exhausted all uses of Dominion available in reality.]
[Temporary Skill – Dominion]
- Remaining Uses: 8
- Targets: Black Scythe, Yamtti
[The remaining uses of Dominion can be used in the other world.]
[The temporary skill 'Dominion' disappears from the skill window.]
With this, the powerful tool known as the Rune of Charm and the force called PleSeBa...
All came under Ryu Min's command.
"It is an honor to meet you, Master."
Yamtti bowed her head in a demure posture.
"Please give me your command, Master. I will do whatever you ask..."
"First, never use the word 'Master.' And don't you dare bow your head to me in front of others. I'm telling you to act naturally."
"Ah, I understand."
"People might find it strange, so drop the formal speech too."
"Ah... okay."
Although she spoke casually, he could read her mind and be sure.
'She truly thinks of me as her master.'
She had completely become his servant.
"You run straight down this path. The police will be swarming this place soon. Tell the chairman that Lost Ark was the traitor."
"Underst... uh. Master. N-No, Lord Black Scythe?"
"Don't even say the name Black Scythe. I'll kill you."
"Ah. S-Sorry, no, my bad."
A troubled look crossed Yamtti's face.
"Then what should I call you from now on...?"
"Use my name. Call me Ryu Min."
The corners of Ryu Min's mouth curled up.
* * *
'I've been kidnapped.'
The moment he opened his eyes, Lee Seong-hyun was able to quickly assess the situation.
His memory before passing out, the conversation with the woman after arriving here, his body tied to a chair.
Putting it all together, the only conclusion was kidnapping.
Of course, it was obvious who had kidnapped him.
'That woman. That woman kidnapped me.'
He didn't know for sure, but judging by the strength she used to knock him down, she was clearly a Player.
'She probably kidnapped me in retaliation for the bill I proposed.'
The only people who would pose a threat to him were Players, so he was certain.
Hadn't he hired bodyguards precisely for a situation like this?
'To think those bodyguards would go down so easily. Damn it. Worthless bastards.'
It was then.
*Creak—*
The cabin door opened, and a man entered.
It was the man with the copper-colored skin who had followed Yamtti earlier.
'That man. He definitely introduced himself as my rescuer earlier. But what's his relationship with that woman?'
The atmosphere didn't suggest they were on the same side.
The woman had been begging him to spare her life.
But that alone wasn't enough to conclude he was an ally.
That was why he watched him with wary eyes.
Who knew if he would suddenly stab him in the back?
'He might not be an ordinary person, but a Player.'
Just then, the man approached him and reached out his hand.
For a moment, Lee Seong-hyun flinched, thinking it was an attack.
*Snap— Snap—*
But the man simply grabbed the ropes and tore them apart.
"I apologize for untying you so late, Congressman Lee Seong-hyun. I had some business to settle outside."
"Business? With that woman?"
"Yes. As you've experienced, that woman is the main culprit behind the kidnapping. I've taken care of her, so you have nothing to worry about."
"..."
As Lee Seong-hyun stared at him searchingly, Ryu Min smiled.
"You must be curious about the situation. I'll explain everything. First, let me clean up the bodies."
When he used Erase Traces, the bodies vanished without a trace.
"Huh."
Startled by the ability he had never seen before, Lee Seong-hyun quickly regained his composure.
"You... you're a Player."
"Yes. I know you have a sour view of Players, Congressman... but to make such a face at the person who saved your life is a little disappointing."
"Are you saying you saved my life?"
Ryu Min nodded and explained the detailed situation.
"As you might have guessed, there are many Players who hold a grudge against you, Congressman. The group here is one of them."
Ryu Min concocted a story by mixing a bit of truth with a bit of a lie.
He didn't bother mentioning that it was PleSeBa's scheme.
"I received a proposal from a Player I knew. That's how I found out about the entire plan."
He explained all the details, including how they planned to kidnap Congressman Lee Seong-hyun, set up some vagrants they had bribed as the villains, and then pretend to be the heroes who saved him.
As he explained everything, Lee Seong-hyun's eyes widened.
'The way he's explaining it in such detail, it doesn't seem like a lie...'
As proof, Ryu Min showed him the schedule and route plans he had received.
"I've never held any ill will towards you, Congressman. I didn't think badly of the bill you proposed either. In fact, I thought it was a necessary law in times like these."
"..."
Lee Seong-hyun felt strange.
Unlike him, who despised Players, here was a Player in front of him supporting his bill.
"This is also why I betrayed them. I didn't want to let someone like you die in vain."
"Then the bodies I saw earlier were..."
"Yes. They were the Players who conspired in the crime, and I killed them all. I know all their identities. I can tell you if you wish."
"..."
"I know what you must be thinking. You must see me as a murderer. Ah, I am a murderer. But I have no intention of turning myself in."
"Why not? If you've committed a crime, you should turn yourself in."
"Because I still have a lot to do. There are only 13 rounds left. Surely you wouldn't tell someone like me, whose life is on a timer, to spend the rest of it in prison, would you, Congressman?"
"..."
When he thought about it, he couldn't bring himself to do that.
Even if he was a Player whom he despised, wasn't he the man who had saved his life?
"What do you want from me? If you're hoping I'll cancel the bill as a reward for saving me, that's absolutely..."
"Please proceed with the bill. Please see your beliefs through, just as you are now. That is all I ask."
"..."
Honestly, he was surprised.
It was the complete opposite of what he had expected.
To think that was the simple reason he had betrayed his comrades to save him.
"Is that all? Nothing else..."
"I ask for nothing else. I simply acted on what I believed was right, and I am not against your bill, Congressman."
"..."
A Player who supported his bill...
For some reason, Lee Seong-hyun felt ashamed.
"In any case, thank you. If you truly did save me, I'll find a way to reward you..."
Just then, the sound of footsteps approached.
"It seems the police have tracked the phone to this location. I must be going now."
'He's just leaving like that?'
As Lee Seong-hyun watched with surprised eyes, Ryu Min bid him farewell.
"It was a pleasure talking with you. You can report everything you saw and heard to the police."
"W-Wait."
At Lee Seong-hyun's call, Ryu Min, who was about to climb out the window, turned his head.
"What's your name?"
Lee Seong-hyun stared as if he needed to at least know the name of the person who had saved him.
"My name is..."
Ryu Min said with a slight smile.
"The Black Scythe."