Chapter 129
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: Advice
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Gulp.
In the tense situation, Gu Yeon-seung swallowed dryly.
'What the fuck is this?'
He had been killing actors without any issues up until now.
Luring them in using Hong Seon-ah was a piece of cake, and snatching their items before killing them was even easier.
With Trace Erasure, he could cleanly cover up any evidence.
As long as their stories matched up, dodging police investigations wasn't hard at all.
That was how he'd used his fellow celebrity Players as fodder to build up his items and raise his own value.
Gu Yeon-seung prided himself on being a pro when it came to digging traps and cleaning up afterward—his criminal smarts were top-notch.
He never made mistakes.
But now.
'Where the hell did it all go wrong?'
He'd never faced a crisis like this while killing his thirty-second victim.
Sure, it made sense—gang-ups were unbeatable.
But Black Scythe?
The monster who'd dominated the rankings across all zones for eight full rounds and had just hit level 80?
Gu Yeon-seung couldn't believe it.
It was like tossing bait for fish and hooking a shark instead.
'No way, is that really Black Scythe? Not everyone with a scythe is Black Scythe, right?'
Doubt crept in, but it didn't last.
Seeing the two actors with their throats neatly sliced open, Gu Yeon-seung realized the man before him might really be Black Scythe.
'I didn't even see the swing. Didn't even hear their necks get cut.'
That meant insane agility stats where the attack was invisible, plus overwhelming damage.
Just one swing, but it was enough to feel the gap between them.
'Like heaven and earth. Can't even gauge his level.'
Assessing his opponent's strength, Gu Yeon-seung's mind raced.
Thud.
He dropped to his knees right away, unleashing the acting he was so proud of.
"P-Please spare me! I haven't done anything!"
Gu Yeon-seung pointed at the other actors.
"Those guys! They made me do it—all of them!"
The sudden betrayal left Hong Seon-ah and the four male actors looking dumbfounded.
"W-What are you talking about, Senior Gu?"
"Why are you throwing us under the bus?"
"You told us to do it!"
"Black Scythe! Don't believe that bastard! We did it on his orders—he's the ringleader!"
Enraged by that, Gu Yeon-seung shot to his feet.
"What? What did you just call me, you little shit? You talk to your senior like that?"
The juniors glared back, refusing to back down.
"What about you? Selling out your juniors to save your own skin—that make you a senior? You fucking asshole?"
"What was that? You wanna die for real!"
Gu Yeon-seung raised his staff like he was about to cast a spell any second.
The others grabbed their weapons, ready to fight back.
The actors glared at each other like they wanted to kill.
It was pure chaos.
But this was exactly what Gu Yeon-seung had planned.
'Perfect! Now it'll look like genuine infighting, right?'
Any bystander watching would have to let their guard down.
He glanced sideways and saw Black Scythe shaking his head at the pathetic snarling.
'Now!'
Gu Yeon-seung raised his staff like he was about to attack a junior.
"You fucking wanna die?"
Then he twisted toward Black Scythe's face in a surprise attack, activating his skill.
'Black Arrow!'
Normally, he'd bind them with Black Chains first, then fire Black Arrow.
But this was a sneak attack—no time for restraints.
'Even Black Scythe would drop if I hit his head!'
The mana-charged black arrow struck true—right at the head.
Splat!
'Got him! It landed per—!'
Gu Yeon-seung's triumphant expression froze.
The arrow he'd thought hit perfectly grazed by a hair's breadth and slammed into the wall.
'He dodged that split-second window?'
Insane reflexes.
The watching actors just rolled their eyes in shock, unsure what was happening.
Ryu Min smirked beneath his mask.
"Cut the shitty acting. You think pretending to fight your buddies would make me drop my guard?"
Embarrassment flashed across Gu Yeon-seung's face.
The juniors widened their eyes, playing dumb.
They'd really thought Gu Yeon-seung was selling them out and had gotten pissed.
"Told you not to play games."
"Y-You fucking bastard!"
Gu Yeon-seung openly aimed his staff.
No backing down now.
Shrrrrk—
He planned to bind Black Scythe with black chains and bolt.
But Ryu Min, who could read intentions and see seven seconds into the future, wasn't about to stand there and take it.
Whoosh—
He slipped out of the chains' range ages ago and ghosted behind Gu Yeon-seung.
"Not bad brains."
He swung his scythe, and Gu Yeon-seung's staff—along with his forearm—fell away.
"Arrrghhh!"
"Wrong opponent."
A mage's staff was like a gun's sight.
Even if he tried Black Arrow now, he couldn't aim for shit.
"F-Fuck, kill him!"
Sensing danger, the male actors charged Black Scythe at once.
But they were no match for Ryu Min.
Crack-crack-crack—
One strike, and four heads flew into the air; their bodies crumpled like marionettes with cut strings.
Thud.
Overwhelmed by that sheer power, Gu Yeon-seung collapsed to the floor.
His arm was wrecked—he couldn't resist anyway.
"......"
Ryu Min scanned the surroundings calmly.
Gu Yeon-seung trembled and groaned, clutching his arm; Seo Ah-rin stared with wide, shocked eyes.
One was missing, but no issue.
He'd already sensed her presence.
Stab!
"Kyaaak!"
Slamming his scythe into thin air unleashed a sharp scream.
Invisibility broke automatically, revealing Hong Seon-ah with legs shaking.
Ryu Min's scythe was embedded in her thigh like a fork.
Slash!
He pulled with force, blood spraying as both thighs were severed.
Thud!
"Kkheeeeh...."
Hong Seon-ah rolled her eyes back, convulsing like a worm.
Gu Yeon-seung couldn't bear to look at her agony.
"Seo Ah-rin."
"Yes?"
"First time seeing you in reality."
"Ah."
Seo Ah-rin blinked in surprise, then smiled brightly.
"Yes, nice to meet you, Black Scythe."
"......"
Gu Yeon-seung gaped at her in disbelief.
Hong Seon-ah stopped groaning, glaring daggers at Seo Ah-rin.
'Seo Ah-rin knows Black Scythe?'
'How the hell does a bitch like her know Black Scythe? No way?'
The same suspicion hit both their minds.
'Did that bitch call in Black Scythe?'
'Then we're the ones who fell into the trap...?'
Ryu Min knew they were misunderstanding but didn't care.
They were dead soon anyway.
'Though I won't be the one killing them.'
He planned to leave their judgment to Seo Ah-rin.
It'd satisfy her too.
"Seo Ah-rin. I'll give you the chance to kill these two."
"......"
"If you want to let them live, I won't stop you. Decide their fate."
Her eyes widened at the unexpected offer.
Gu Yeon-seung and Hong Seon-ah too.
Realizing their lives hung on Seo Ah-rin's word, they started pleading fast.
"Ah, Ah-rin. No, Ah-rin-ssi! Please spare me! It's me, Gu Yeon-seung! We worked on projects together, remember? For old times' sake, just this once..."
"Shut up, Senior Gu! If we're talking projects, I've done way more with Ah-rin! Ah-rin-ah! It's me, your lifelong friend Seon-ah! Think of all our memories together. Huh? Save me. I don't wanna die yet, sob-sob."
"Look at this crazy bitch bawling. Ah-rin-ssi, don't fall for it. She's trash. You have no idea how much she badmouthed you behind your back."
"When did I! Don't believe Senior Gu! It's all lies!"
"Wow, what a shameless slut. And she calls herself your friend. I'm better than that."
"Ha, unbelievable. Who was it shaking their ass at the thought of Ah-rin coming over to do that shit?"
"W-When did I! Don't make shit up, you fucking bitch!"
Their voices rose.
Seo Ah-rin, suddenly holding their lives in her hands, pondered.
But not for long.
No need to think about trash like this.
"You're both disgusting."
"......What?"
"I've decided."
"Y-Yeah? You'll let us live, right?"
"Yeah? We're friends, Ah-rin-ah."
They pleaded desperately, but Seo Ah-rin's gaze was ice-cold.
Cooldown was up, conveniently.
She summoned her fairies.
"Kill them both."
"W-Wait!"
"Ah-rin-ah!"
The fairies fired at their master's command.
Zzzzzzz—
"Arrrghhh!"
"Kyaaaak!"
Powerless without combat ability, they couldn't resist.
Beams aimed at their heads charred their faces beyond recognition.
Ryu Min felt a quiet pride at the sight.
'She used to worry about the lives of guys who tried to rape her. She's changed a lot.'
This was the second time he'd saved Seo Ah-rin—first after nearly getting taken by Hwang Yong-min's crew.
She seemed to know it too, bowing her head to him.
"Thank you, Black Scythe. You saved me before, and now again. I can't put into words the debt I owe. Truly, thank you."
"You believe I'm Black Scythe?"
"Of course. You think I wouldn't recognize Black Scythe's weapon? Outfit and voice are different, but..."
Everything else—the aura, build—matched Black Scythe.
Above all, that overwhelming power was proof.
That was why Seo Ah-rin was dead certain.
Ryu Min relaxed at her response.
'Good call transforming. My real build might've raised suspicions.'
Ryu Min had transformed into Lost Ark form and donned the mask.
So now he had extra height and a muscular frame, unlike before.
Had he stayed short, they might suspect Prophet.
"I want to repay you. Anything you want? I've thought about it, but I don't have much to offer."
"I didn't do it expecting payment. Don't worry."
"It's embarrassing to ask, but... how did you know to come here? Just curious—no offense."
Fair question.
Showing up right on cue in her crisis—and as Black Scythe, no less.
Ryu Min had his excuse ready and delivered it smoothly.
"Coincidence."
"Huh?"
"I happened to spot you passing by, got curious and followed. That's how I learned about this club."
"Ah...."
"Looked like trash Players preying on their own kind."
"Yeah. And I had no idea..."
Seo Ah-rin bowed her head, gazing at the corpses.
Ryu Min used Trace Erasure to dispose of the bodies, as if telling her to forget the gloom.
The site with nine corpses returned to pristine condition.
"Forget the past. Look ahead. Think only of yourself. Ignore everyone else."
"......"
"While I'm at it, one more bit of advice: Watch out for people. Enemies aren't far away—they're close. No letting your guard down. Always stay alert and suspicious."
Not exactly words from someone trying to earn her trust, but Ryu Min was sure.
This advice would make her suspect others, not him.
Sure enough, Seo Ah-rin thought of two people at his words.
Ahn Sang-chul and Ma Kyung-rok.
"Thanks for the advice that'll stick with me. I keep getting saved by you, Black Scythe. How can I ever repay..."
"Like I said, no need. If I wanted something, I'd have asked when I first saved you."
"......"
Seo Ah-rin's brow twitched.
I want nothing from you.
That stung her pride instead.
'Mission accomplished.'
Right on cue, Ryu Min turned to leave.
He tossed a casual goodbye.
"Leaving together might raise suspicions, so come out in five minutes. No evidence, so no need to call the cops."
"Ah, um, Black Scy—"
With that, Ryu Min left the room.
"......the."
Seo Ah-rin stood frozen, staring after him.
She planned to wait the full five minutes as instructed.
In the meantime, she mulled over Black Scythe's advice.
'He's right. I've trusted Manager Ahn and the CEO too much.'
She already harbored bad feelings toward Ma Kyung-rok.
He'd tried using her as entertainment staff before.
'And his loyal subordinate, the bodyguard...'
He'd follow immoral orders without question.
Meaning she could get stabbed in the back anytime.
Ahn Sang-chul had been assigned as her watcher from the start, after all.
'I've been too naive, trusting everyone around me.'
Was it because her trusted actor colleagues nearly betrayed her?
Or Black Scythe's words?
Caution and suspicion began blooming in Seo Ah-rin's heart.
At the same time, this incident confirmed it for her.
Thump-thump-thump—
Her feelings for Black Scythe.