Chapter 130
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: Sharing
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Mid-August had passed.
In the meantime, Ma Kyung-rok had been steadily dealing with the trash as planned.
‘Ma Kyung-rok’s already taken out nearly 300 pieces of trash.’
Yet PleSeBa still had plenty of vermin left.
The kind that would surely harm ordinary people if left alone.
That was why Ryu Min had the Chairman mobilize to produce wanted posters diligently.
Of course, they were Photoshopped fakes.
‘These small-fry with brains the size of peas bite every time.’
A warehouse different from where Ma Kyung-rok was operating.
Ryu Min used Erase Traces there, and five corpses vanished.
Just like Ma Kyung-rok, Ryu Min was fully focused on cleaning up the trash.
‘Sure, I’m not getting Black Magic Power from them, but I can still loot their items.’
The floor where the bodies had been was littered with items Ryu Min had extracted through torture.
Mana stones, unique material items, shop equipment items, miscellaneous junk, and more.
Even criminals who’d survived up to Round 8 had a decent haul of gear.
‘I should combine shop equipment with unique materials to craft some unique gear.’
Unique materials were popping up on the market, but no unique equipment was for sale.
No one knew how to make it.
‘Unique blueprints haven’t fully circulated yet.’
Unique blueprints started dropping properly from Round 9.
No one had found the recipes yet.
‘Even if someone did, no idiot would list a unique item for sale.’
If they had one, they’d use it themselves rather than trade it for real-world cash.
Ryu Min had no intention of making uniques to sell either.
He had more than enough money.
With PlePle’s stock soaring, Ryu Min had wealth enough for three generations to live off without working.
The reason Ryu Min was crafting unique gear was simple.
To distribute it to future allies.
‘They need to survive for my sake too.’
For now, he decided to make items for Min Ju-ri and Christine.
Combine agility gear with unique materials for Min Ju-ri’s, intelligence gear for Christine’s unique.
‘Oh, Ma Kyung-rok might get jealous, so I should make his too.’
Russell’s, Seo Ah-rin’s as well.
Even for Ahn Sang-chul, Heo Tae-seok, Jo Yong-ho, and Yamtti.
‘Why do I have so many comrades to look after…?’
On second thought, that wouldn’t work.
Not enough materials to equip everyone.
Shaking his head, Ryu Min decided to prioritize those he’d take to Round 20.
‘For now, just Min Ju-ri and Christine. The rest… later.’
Even thinking about it made him sigh.
That was when his phone rang—Ma Kyung-rok.
“Yes, Representative.”
—Prophet, you free?
“Now?”
—Yes. I have something for you.
“Something?”
—I’ve been collecting items for you.
“Items? Ah, you mean you looted them from the criminals before killing them?”
—Of course. Wouldn’t want to waste them.
Turned out Ma Kyung-rok had been doing the exact same thing as Ryu Min.
—I’ve got a good haul. Come pick what you want.
“Ah, thank you. You could’ve kept them all, but you saved some for me…”
—I can’t just take the invaluable info you give me without giving back. Gotta have some give and take.
Ma Kyung-rok sounded affable, but Ryu Min knew there was more to it.
‘He wants to bind me materially to keep getting next-round info.’
A bribe, essentially.
Either way, perfect timing.
He needed materials for unique items.
Given how many Ma Kyung-rok had killed, there’d be plenty.
“Where are you? I’ll head over now.”
* * *
In the hotel room, Ma Kyung-rok sipped whiskey while admiring the night view, waiting for Ryu Min.
A glance at the floor showed the items he’d looted over two weeks, piled high.
‘Prophet’ll be shocked. Or maybe he foresaw it.’
He hadn’t sounded surprised on the phone, so probably.
‘Does he know I plan to give them all?’
He’d said come pick, but he intended to hand over everything if wanted.
That way, he could keep milking info for the next round, and the one after.
‘Creates a debt.’
Ma Kyung-rok smirked, unaware he was the one dancing in Ryu Min’s palm.
Knock knock.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me, Representative.”
Ma Kyung-rok rushed out barefoot to greet Ryu Min at the voice.
“Come in, Prophet.”
“Calling me to a hotel room at night. People might misunderstand.”
“Haha, good one. This way.”
As Ma Kyung-rok turned with a grin, his lip twitched.
‘Throwing jokes now. He’s grown.’
He praised Ryu Min outwardly but saw him as easy prey deep down.
Not without reason—without prophecy, Ryu Min’s combat skills seemed pathetic.
Hadn’t he admitted it recently?
No confidence against Ma Kyung-rok.
‘How does the Prophet even fight? Barely survives on future info?’
A question he hadn’t pondered before.
“Prophet. Sudden thought… how do you fight?”
“Me?”
Ryu Min, having read his mind ahead, answered brightly without missing a beat.
“Secret.”
“Huh?”
“Gotta have some secrets. Can’t spill everything or what do I live on?”
“Ah, fair point. Haha.”
Ma Kyung-rok hadn’t expected refusal.
‘Combat’s one thing, but that sly fox mind… can’t underestimate.’
His head said stay vigilant, but his heart was opening.
Inviting him here was proof.
“These the items looted from the criminals?”
“Yes. Quite a lot, right?”
Ma Kyung-rok grinned, unaware Ryu Min had a comparable stash.
“Take what you need. As many as you want—all yours.”
“Haha, in that case…”
Ryu Min picked without hesitation.
Mostly unique materials.
“Hm? What for…?”
“Representative Ma, I told you before. Prophecies give me all sorts of info.”
“Yes… but what does that…”
Ryu Min showed instead of telling.
Opened the synthesis window, loaded unique materials.
Expert-grade armor as base, hit synthesize.
Flash—
Light consumed the materials, birthing a gleaming item.
Ma Kyung-rok’s eyes bulged.
“Th-this?”
“A gift.”
Ma Kyung-rok checked the armor’s options and gasped.
“Ex-Expert with unique grade?”
His best was regular epic from the shop.
This was a step above in every way.
His pupils darted wildly.
“How did you make this?”
“Told you. I pick up info unavoidably.”
“Saw unique recipes in the future?”
Ryu Min nodded, drawing a sigh from Ma Kyung-rok.
‘Knew it, but recipes too…’
Prophet’s value skyrocketed.
Must stay close, no matter what.
“Um… Prophet. You’re really giving this to me?”
“Yes. You thought of me with these items, so this is fair return. Get to level 40 quick and equip it. Oh, and I made one for your fiancée too.”
“Even Christine’s?”
“You deliver it personally.”
“Ah, thank you. Truly.”
Ma Kyung-rok couldn’t tear eyes from the unique armor.
He loved it.
“Can I take the rest? Need them.”
“Of course. Take it all. Leave anything useless—I’ll sell on market and send cash.”
“No need to go that far… thank you.”
Ryu Min smiled; Ma Kyung-rok smiled back.
“Whiskey?”
“No thanks. Don’t like alcohol. Heading home.”
“Ah, right?”
Ma Kyung-rok looked disappointed.
“No car? I’ll have Manager Ahn see you off.”
“Thanks, but I drove.”
“Ah.”
“See you next time.”
After Ryu Min left, Ma Kyung-rok smacked his lips.
Almost had a drinking buddy.
* * *
Using materials from Ma Kyung-rok, Ryu Min crafted uniques and went to Min Ju-ri.
“Here.”
“Hm? What’s this?”
“Made it for you to wear.”
Min Ju-ri glanced at Ryu Min, checked the info, eyes widening.
“Th-this is unique?”
Ryu Min gave the same prophecy excuse as with Ma Kyung-rok.
Works every time.
“Round 9 info plus gear like this…”
She seemed touched, then shook her head.
“Can’t take it. You use it.”
“Don’t need it. Already have mine.”
“Still can’t. I owe you enough, getting help every round. No face to accept this.”
‘True, I’ve gotten plenty from her buffs.’
They’d helped Ryu Min shatter records.
He’d more than broken even.
But couldn’t tell her.
How to admit he was Black Scythe now?
“Take it anyway.”
“No. Can’t.”
Her firm stance forced Ryu Min’s hand.
“Fine, call it a loan. Pay back when you grow. Deal?”
“…”
Not giving—lending.
That shook her.
“Pay it all back later. Useless to me now.”
“Sigh… if you insist, fine. I’ll borrow gratefully. But remember this: I’ll repay this debt many times over.”
“Good. Pay big later.”
Ryu Min offered; Min Ju-ri took it reluctantly.
* * *
After distributing uniques to his comrades, Ryu Min returned home.
“Bro, dinner not yet? Wanna eat together?”
“Eat first. I’ll eat later.”
“Huh?”
Ryu Won tilted his head at his brother skipping dinner for his room.
“Something up?”
Ryu Min flopped onto his bed.
No time for leisurely meals.
He had to decide his next moves.
‘PleSeBa purge ends this month. Transform into a normal player group, not criminals.’
But public perception was the issue.
Citizens saw players as ticking time bombs.
Without changing that, they’d hinder fixing society.
‘Can’t have that. My goal is making Black Scythe a national leader-level power.’
Black Scythe’s real-world name value was underwhelming.
Top rank made him known to players, but civilians treated him like a nobody.
‘Black Scythe needs real-world influence. Then one word can rally and control players worldwide.’
Control rampaging players to save the world.
For that, immense power in both otherworld and reality.
Elevate Black Scythe to presidential level.
‘Key is Representative Lee Seong-hyun’s bill.’
Form player organizations to summarily execute criminal players.
Passed, but implementation lagged.
‘Need to accelerate it.’
Ryu Min sat up, grabbed his phone, dialed.
“Hey, Yamtti. Orders.”
—Yes, Master.
To speed it up?
“Someone for you to seduce. Big fish.”
Dominate a high-power figure.
Like the police chief.