Chapter 144
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Travel Preparations
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Ryu Min spent the next few days conducting field training with the CPF unit members.
Whenever a report came in, they activated the sirens and raced to the scene as quickly as possible.
They swiftly scanned the crime scene to grasp the situation at a glance.
It would be ideal to encounter the perpetrator right there, but most had already fled.
In those cases, they utilized the surrounding search skill to track the criminal's traces.
If they managed to find the perp that way, great—but if not?
They hunted for witnesses or visited shops to conduct inquiries.
Of course, if another report came in midway, they had to hand over the search to regular police and move on.
Their top priority was to take down as many criminal players as possible.
Conversely, once they located the criminal, they subdued them and slapped on the cuffs.
Not ordinary handcuffs, of course.
"These are player-exclusive cuffs distributed to regular police. You'd need strength over about 150 just to break free."
After cuffing criminals with the cuffs provided by the unit leader, they handed them over to the police for legal processing.
Wasn't it risky entrusting players to regular cops?
The state had authorized firearm use against players, so regular police could handle criminal players just fine.
No matter how much of a player they were, they couldn't dodge bullets.
Not yet, anyway.
Even with guns, an uncuffed player was dangerous.
But if they acted threateningly, police could execute on-the-spot disposal, so armed officers could manage to some degree.
'This should be enough training.'
Ryu Min felt at ease watching the unit members.
After several days of real action, they handled cases on their own without his intervention.
They'd even killed several criminal players.
They looked innocent, but having been through four rounds already, the unit members had little aversion to killing.
'And they became cops out of contempt for criminals to begin with.'
At the very least, none hesitated on summary executions.
"You all worked hard this past week. That wraps up theory and practical training. Now I can leave with peace of mind."
"Sir? Leave?"
"Did you think I'd stick around forever watching your backs? I'm a busy man myself."
He'd already notified the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport a week ago about chartering a flight to Nigeria.
They were just awaiting flight path approval now.
He'd even gotten a passport under Lost Ark's name.
His mind was already set for the trip.
"You'll manage fine without me when it comes to catching criminal players, right?"
"......"
That was true, but no one spoke up.
They hadn't said it, but in just a week, the unit members had grown attached.
It was true—they trusted, followed, and respected him as their leader.
Their mental pillar.
Hearing that pillar was leaving left them feeling empty and bittersweet.
"Don't look so down. I'll drop by whenever I have time to check if you're doing well."
With those words, Ryu Min left a word of encouragement for each member.
"Go Nam-cheol. You completely fixed that dialect in a week. Folks might mistake you for a Seoul native."
"Haha, you're too kind, sir."
"Hwang Man-gi. Your performance has been solid lately. Don't forget I'm always expecting great things from you."
"Thank you, haha."
"Kang Si-hyeok. You're always on point. Just keep it up. Huh? Your eyes are turning red? Not crying because I'm leaving, are you?"
"N-No, of course not, sir?"
Despite his words, Kang Si-hyeok turned away and wiped his tears with his palm.
"You all did great. Stick to the three-shift, two-team rotation I set up. You can't patrol like vigilantes 24/7. Call me anytime if issues arise. Got it?"
"Yes, sir! Thank you for everything!"
"What is this, you make it sound like I'm retiring."
Ryu Min turned away, smiling beneath his mask.
He now had reliable unit members.
* * *
[The newly formed anti-player unit CPF, launched this month, shows unexpected success...]
[The new CPF unit processes 52 players in one week! Easing the burden on police officers...]
[CPF effect? Crime incidents drop 32% compared to last week...]
[Heard of the CPF unit? The new player vigilante squad!]
[The unit that summarily executes criminal players? Everything about CPF!]
└This is the unit that catches players? They can execute on sight?
└Seems effective for sure. Number of player crimes has plummeted.
└Of course it works. They kill you if you commit a crime.
└Fr real? Get caught committing a crime and you die? Lmao I'd hole up at home too.
└They don't kill indiscriminately—just heinous criminals. And those doing dangerous stuff.
└The country's gone mad. Players are people too, can't just kill them willy-nilly.
└Sword-----------hell
└Criminal apologist detected above.
└Better to kill them before they cause more damage.
└Criminal scum deserve to die. Damn right.
└Should've done this ages ago. Tch, government always fixes the barn after losing the cow.
└Yeah, well, at least Rep. Lee Seong-hyun did something.
└Heard the unit leader's rank 1 among players? Nickname Black Scythe?
└Black Scythe—that the guy who saved Rep. Lee Seong-hyun last time?
└So he got in through politician connections lol.
└Connections? Police chief decides the unit.
└Heard Lee Seong-hyun actually recommended him. Check the articles.
└With skills like that and a history of saving lives, special hire makes sense.
└Still connections tho. Tch.
└But the unit's handling things cleanly without incidents, so leader spot seems legit.
Ryu Min set down his phone after scrolling the comments.
'Overall reaction to CPF is positive. Makes sense—they're showing clear results.'
He smiled warmly, but his own fame as Black Scythe hadn't risen much by comparison.
That was natural.
No matter how much a single unit accomplished, people saw it as just doing their duty.
The leader's name wouldn't become an issue.
Unless he pulled off something huge personally.
That's why he was heading to Nigeria.
To pull off something huge.
'What if Black Scythe takes down a public enemy? My fame would skyrocket. At least more than now.'
If he asked Seo Ah-rin, now at the peak of her trajectory, to promote it then?
The unit's recognition and prestige would soar even higher.
Criminal players would rampage far less.
'I'll need Seo Ah-rin's help after all.'
Ryu Min called Seo Ah-rin using Lost Ark's phone.
He even transformed into Lost Ark's face for voice modulation.
But.
'She's not picking up?'
Probably ignoring unknown numbers.
He tried several times, same result.
No choice—he sent a text.
[Seo Ah-rin? It's Black Scythe. Need to talk. Call when you see this.]
Barely ten seconds after sending, his phone rang from her.
Guess she really skipped unknowns.
—U-Um, is this really Black Scythe?
"Yeah, it's me. You can tell from the voice, right?"
—Ahh, yes, it really is Black Scythe.
Seo Ah-rin remembered the real Black Scythe's voice from their last meeting.
The mask made it stick even more.
—H-How did you get my number? I never gave it...
"Got a higher-up feeding me info."
—Oh, right—you're the CPF unit leader?
"Already saw the articles, huh."
—Of course. No way I'd miss ones mentioning Black Scythe...
"......"
—N-No misunderstanding! Just stumbled on it surfing the net like always for work.
"No misunderstanding."
—R-Really? So, um, why the call?
"Thinking of offering you an ad deal."
—P-Pardon?
"Our unit wants a PSA to get the word out. Figured you'd be perfect as promo model."
—P-Promo model? Me?
Seo Ah-rin sounded flustered, but only briefly.
—I'll do it. I want to.
She accepted so readily it was almost suspicious—no hesitation.
"Deciding that fast? No need to think it over more?"
—What's to think? If it's helping Black Scythe, I shouldn't question it.
"Promo model secured, then."
He'd worried she might refuse, but her eager yes was a relief.
"I'll contact you once the schedule's set."
—Thank you. For giving me a chance to repay you.
"Repay? I'm the one who's grateful.
—Th-That... um, if you're grateful, c-could I ask a favor? N-No, is that too shameless?
Ryu Min blinked at the sudden request.
"A favor? What is it?"
—C-Could we maybe have a meal together? I-If you're free, that is. If not, no worries...
"Eating with the mask on... That'd be tough."
—Ah, right, the mask.
Even transformed as Lost Ark, he couldn't reveal his face to her.
"And I'll be away for a while, so time's tight."
—Really? Where to...
"Not something I can say."
—Ah, s-sorry...
She was so flustered, it was hard to believe this was the cool Seo Ah-rin from the barbecue joint.
"Anyway, I'll call when the ad schedule firms up."
—Yes, got it. Black Scythe.
Ryu Min grinned after hanging up.
'Got the promo model, CPF's running smooth without me.'
Things were going according to plan.
'How's PleSeBa doing?'
On that note, Ryu Min called from his own phone.
Yamtti's delighted voice answered.
—Master! What's up?
"Home?"
—Yes, home. Are you thinking of coming over to our place...
"Cut the nonsense. How's PleSeBa management? Going well?"
—Yes. Gave the chairman detailed instructions, so membership's proceeding smoothly.
"All current members passed the personality test, right?"
—Exactly. Thanks to you purging those thousand existing members last month, the muddy waters are gone—replaced with fresh blood.
"Good to hear."
After his and Ma Kyung-rok's efforts, PleSeBa's trash was fully cleaned out.
Filtering rotten water and admitting only proper folks meant a complete turnaround.
"Tell the chairman: manage it so he can mobilize cafe members anytime with a word."
—Already instructed him, so no worries.
"By the way, the charter flight—no issues securing it?"
—Of course. Reserved for the Nigeria route you requested last week. Got approvals from Land Ministry and airports.
The charter Ryu Min planned to take was none other than the one prepared by PleSeBa chairman Song Jae-gyeom.
Pushed aside by Ma Kyung-rok, but still top-tier chaebol.
LC Group's eldest son—naturally had a private jet.
"So we can depart tomorrow as planned?"
—Yes. But... why Nigeria?
"Not for phone. We'll talk in person tomorrow."
—Siiiigh, a trip alone with Master. I've been dying for this moment. So happy!
"Don't overdo it—pack your luggage and passport properly. We leave tomorrow morning."
—Got it, Master! Hehe!
Ryu Min shook his head after hanging up.
'Maybe should've just told her over the phone?'
He hoped she wasn't getting the wrong idea.