Chapter 139
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: A Long-Awaited Meal Out
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[Temporary Skill – Reaperization]
- Effect: All stats, damage, attack speed, and movement speed increase by 44%. All damage taken from enemies decreases by 44%.
Additionally, the probability of enemies detecting you decreases by 44%.
Lasts for 4 minutes, and the duration resets upon killing an enemy.
Can be canceled upon reuse, with a 44-minute cooldown.
It’s an overpowered skill that boosts all abilities by 44% and cuts incoming damage by nearly half.
‘Might as well test it out since I’ve equipped it.’
Ryu Min chanted the activation phrase.
‘Reaperization.’
At that moment, Ryu Min’s body turned semi-transparent as dark energy seeped out.
[You have entered Reaperization state.]
[All stats, damage, attack speed, and movement speed increase by 44%.]
[All damage taken from enemies decreases by 44%.]
[The probability of enemies detecting you decreases by 44%.]
Everything’s 44.
In Korea, 4 is usually seen as the number of death, so they must have set it that way.
‘Still, the effect is insane. Plus, it hides my face too.’
To others, Ryu Min now looked like a pitch-black shadow.
His body was shrouded in black energy rising like smoke, and it even applied to his equipment.
‘From head to toe, just a black silhouette. Even the scythe.’
They might guess it’s a black scythe from the weapon, but his face was invisible.
‘It lasts 4 minutes, but resets if I kill an enemy.’
Meaning, if I keep killing within those 4 minutes, I can maintain it indefinitely.
That’s why it’s great for prolonged fights—use Reaperization when a battle drags on, and it’ll last quite a while.
‘Especially useful on the battlefield.’
In a kill-or-be-killed bloodbath, it’d stay active until the war ends.
Perfect skill for those moments.
‘But the cooldown’s longer than expected, so I can’t spam it.’
44 minutes—not 4—is a pretty burdensome cooldown.
That’s why Ryu Min had no intention of using Reaperization unless it was crucial.
Knock knock.
“Hyung?”
Just then, the door to Ryu Min’s room opened, and his younger brother walked in.
“You’re in your room?”
“Yeah.”
Ryu Min had sensed him coming with Presence Detection earlier and canceled Reaperization. He smiled in casual clothes.
“It was so quiet, I thought you’d gone out again.”
“What’s up?”
“It’s almost dinnertime. How about we eat out together for once...?”
“No eating out. You know how dangerous it is outside these days.”
“I do. But staying cooped up at home all the time is suffocating.”
That was fair.
For a full 8 months, Ryu Min had told his brother to avoid going out.
His brother had listened, ordering delivery and sticking to the house.
‘We ate out occasionally, but only a handful of times before players started running wild.’
For Ryu Won, it must feel stifling.
‘I’ve kept him locked up like a bird in a cage while I’ve been out and about for work. No wonder he’s upset.’
Sure enough.
Reading his thoughts, Ryu Min saw his brother was quite resentful toward him.
Keeping him caged for safety while the “owner” roamed freely—how could he not be?
‘I restricted him because of that kidnapping incident before... but maybe I’ve been too selfish.’
Time to cheer him up a bit.
It was still too risky for free outings, but players had thinned out lately, so it should be fine.
Plus, Ryu Min would be right there.
“You’ve been stuck inside too long, huh? Alright. Let’s eat out for dinner tonight.”
“Really? Woo-hoo!”
Ryu Won cheered like a kid, more excited about fresh air than the food.
‘That happy, huh.’
Seeing him like this, maybe once a week wouldn’t hurt.
Then, an idea popped into Ryu Min’s head to lift his brother’s spirits even more.
‘If I call that person, he’d love it, right?’
He figured he’d give her a call to join them for dinner. Ryu Min made the promise with his brother.
They’d head out for a meal tonight—the first in ages.
* * *
Evening.
“The world’s gone to hell, but this place is still packed?”
“Guess that’s what happens with a famous charcoal galbi spot.”
The brothers settled at a famous charcoal galbi restaurant and started grilling.
Sizzle—
The sound alone made their mouths water.
“Coming out like this with you after so long feels great, hyung.”
“Same here.”
Ryu Won hesitated for a moment before mustering his courage.
“Honestly, I was a little upset with you. Telling me to stay home while you roam free...”
“I’m a player. You’re a regular person. And you’ve seen the news—how dangerous it is out there.”
“I know. I get it... but it still hurt.”
For his patient brother to say that, it must’ve been tough lately.
Ryu Min felt genuinely sorry.
‘I’m grinding hard for our future—a normal life again. But obsessing over goals while neglecting the present would be foolish.’
Ryu Min resolved to pay more attention to his brother.
“Sorry. I haven’t been thoughtful enough. Hang in there a bit longer. Once this month’s over, most Korean players will be gone, and public safety will stabilize. No more crime sprees like now.”
“Really? So next month, I can go out freely?”
“Yeah. You can trust your prophet brother on that.”
Ryu Min wasn’t exaggerating.
Only about 3,000 Korean players left now.
After Round 10, just around 700 would remain.
‘Only a quarter survive Round 10.’
Even if some criminals are among those 700, how many could there be?
They’d be a known few—no way they’d risk public exposure.
‘Even if they want to commit crimes, they won’t be able to operate openly.’
Plus, as Black Scythe’s fame grows, mindless looting like this will stop.
Assuming he gets appointed as vice-captain of the Anti-Player Force first.
‘I told Yamtti to push for it, so the call should come when the time’s right.’
Either way, in a month, Korea’s safety won’t be an issue.
‘The problem is, crazies aren’t just in Korea.’
Worldwide, there’s trash everywhere that needs killing.
If it flows into Korea, that’s a whole other problem.
‘That’s why we need to elevate Korea’s status and solidify Black Scythe’s position.’
Controlling players with national-leader-level power.
That was the best way to steer humanity from dystopia.
“Alright, it’s ready. Dig in.”
“You too, hyung!”
Ryu Min and Ryu Won each grabbed meat and layered it in lettuce wraps.
Garlic, ssamjang, chili, and green onion slices went on top, wrapped neatly.
As they opened wide to bite—
Bang!
A loud crash came from the opposite table.
“Fuck, where’s the owner? Get out here!”
His voice was so loud that nearby customers stopped grilling to stare.
Ryu Min and Ryu Won chewed slowly, turning their heads.
“Wh-what’s the problem, sir?”
“Look at this! There’s a hair in the meat! You selling this shit? Huh?”
The owner bowed repeatedly at the man’s shouting.
He had no choice.
The guy looked like he was in his twenties.
A player, beyond regular human limits.
‘Probably just a drunk making a scene.’
Whether players could even get drunk was another question.
“Sorry, sir. Looks like one of our staff’s hairs got in by mistake. We’ll bring fresh meat right away.”
If he kept apologizing with bowed head, it’d blow over.
Normally.
Normally, yes.
Crash! Smash!
The table shattered, dishes clattering to the floor.
The customer smashed it, still fuming.
“Fuck off. You think new meat fixes this? What about my ruined mood? My lost appetite? You’re responsible for all of it!”
“Sir, please... even so, destroying things like this...”
“This fucker talking back? Ha, what restaurant owner talks back to a customer? Especially some lowly regular!”
Like a medieval noble scolding a peasant, the man bellowed and changed his gear.
Shing—
A gleaming axe appeared in his hand. Only then did the owner grasp the severity.
This wasn’t just a regular troublemaker.
Rubbing his hands like a true commoner, the owner pleaded earnestly.
“Sorry, sir. Truly sorry for upsetting you.”
“Sorry’s not enough. Where’s the compensation?”
“Wh-what kind of compensation would you like...?”
The man instantly formed a circle with thumb and index finger.
“Money. All you got.”
“H-how much exactly...?”
Crash!
A table on the floor splintered under one kick.
“Fuck, I said all of it.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
While the owner fetched cash, the man brandished his axe, glaring at the crowd.
“What’re you looking at, you fucks? Show’s over?”
Only after his barking did the onlookers avert their eyes.
Most in the restaurant were regulars in their thirties or older.
No one had the guts or strength to challenge a player.
-Crazy, what’s that guy’s deal? A player?
-They say all players are potential criminals. Looks like it’s true.
-Damn, better eat fast and bounce before shit hits the fan.
As Ryu Min read the customers’ thoughts, his brother spoke worriedly.
“Hyung, why’s that guy acting like that?”
“Why? He’s throwing a tantrum on purpose to extort money legally.”
“But why do players do that? Can’t they just work for it?”
“No time for that right now. This month might be their last hurrah—who’s gonna flip burgers? Just loot and done.”
That’s why players targeted street vendors.
They were at a dead end.
It was easy money.
“I thought incidents like this dropped after the Anti-Player Act, but guess not. The shamelessness... We need that force up and running ASAP...”
Meanwhile, Ryu Min’s right hand was busy.
“Hyung, what’re you doing?”
“Messing with the system.”
Fingering the air, he customized his inventory to two grades below Regular and equipped it.
Shing—
“Why equip gear all of a sudden?”
“Seems I’m the only player here. Can’t just sit back.”
As Ryu Min stood, his brother panicked.
“H-hyung! It’s dangerous—stay put.”
“Leaving trash like that is what’s dangerous.”
Adding he’d be right back, Ryu Min approached the man.
He’d swapped to plain Regular gear—no cause for suspicion.
By then, the owner returned with a wad of cash.
“Owner. Took you long enough for that pittance. You didn’t call the cops, right?”
“N-no way. Here’s...”
“What’s this?”
The man snatched the cash, raising an eyebrow.
“This all you got?”
It was a measly 200,000 won.
Chump change for a hit spot pulling 1 million daily.
“Fuck, you messing with me? 200k for who?!”
“W-we mostly do cards now, so cash is low. It’s really all!”
“Then I’ll give you an account. Wire 10 million.”
“Ten... million?”
“What, too little? I’ll take more for my mental anguish. Cheap at half the price. Why? Want me to up it?”
“N-no, sir.”
“Then do as I say nicely. Phone? Transfer now, in front of me.”
“I-I don’t have that in my account...”
“You lying fuck? Think I’m a pushover?!”
As he menacingly raised the axe—
Clack!
Ryu Min grabbed his wrist.
“That’s enough.”
“You little fuck... who the hell are you?”
Ryu Min squeezed.
“Just a customer quietly grilling in the corner.”
“...!”
Did he feel the immense strength?
The man’s face tensed instantly.
Ryu Min had held back to avoid breaking it.
“Can’t make a racket like this with people around. Too noisy—might choke on my food.”
“You, you fuck—let go of my hand?”
“Will you stop causing trouble if I do?”
“Fine, I get it! Let go already!”
As pressure teetered on snapping, the man grew desperate.
Of course, Ryu Min had no intent to break it.
Just scare him off.
But that was just Ryu Min’s hope.
Reading his thoughts, the man had no plans to leave quietly.
“Let go, you fuck!”
“Even if I do, you won’t back off peacefully?”
“So what! What’ll you do?!”
“Wait for the cops, then.”
“Cops? You’re dead!”
Fearing police, another axe appeared in his free hand.
Turned out he was a dual-axe gladiator.
“Die, fucker!”
As he swung for Ryu Min’s head—
‘Hm? Shield?’
Ryu Min eyed the barrier unfolding before him.
Clang!
The axe bounced off.
Ryu Min released the wrist and turned.
A familiar woman appeared, leading a fairy.
Seo Ah-rin.