Chapter 166
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: Reaper Church
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Jeffrey couldn't even meet their gazes properly.
His neck flushed bright red with embarrassment.
"Did you really threaten the Prophet?"
"T-That..."
"I'm not asking for a long explanation. Yes or no?"
Jeffrey's lips twitched before he bowed his head deeply.
"Y-Yes. I'm sorry."
"Haa."
"Ha."
Sighs escaped both of them at the same time.
"Th-there's a reason. I can explain everything..."
"We just heard the reason in that recording. You did it for my daughter."
"Yes. I only wanted to give Christine the information..."
"That doesn't make threatening the Prophet okay."
Nathan, whom he'd thought would take his side, spoke firmly.
"I've told you time and again. The Prophet is like a goose that lays golden eggs. Cut open its belly, and you'll lose the gold instead."
"..."
"And you threaten someone like that to squeeze out information? Were you deliberately trying to ruin our relationship with the Prophet?"
"Ch-Christine's life was at stake. If we could prevent the crime in advance, what could be better than..."
"The Prophet already told Christine. There's a risk of changing the future, so no more information can be given. You overheard that and acted anyway."
"..."
"And yet you still decided to threaten him. It was reckless. Ignorant."
"I-I'm ashamed. I'm sorry, truly..."
"Your apology should be to the Prophet, not Father."
Christine cut in with a cold voice.
"What were you even thinking, Butler Jeffrey?"
"I-I'm sorry..."
"Father, you're not innocent either."
"Huh? Me? You're talking about me?"
Nathan panicked as the blame suddenly turned to him.
"You had Butler Jeffrey tail me, and that's how this mess happened."
"That was to protect you..."
"Do you think I'm an idiot? It wasn't protection. You put him on me to spy. Korea isn't some dangerous zone like Nigeria. What's there to be afraid of? And I told you clearly. I'd go alone. But you didn't listen, so we're in this mess. That's on you too. Am I wrong?"
"..."
She wasn't wrong, so Nathan fell silent, just like Jeffrey.
"Haaa... To begin with, we could prepare even a little more thanks to the Prophet's prophecy, but to ruin it like this... How am I supposed to face him now? Even if we survive Round 11, what about the next? How do we clear it without prophecies?"
"Don't worry too much. I'll apologize to the Prophet myself."
"Butler Jeffrey should apologize first!"
"R-Right. I'll apologize. Christine, please calm down. I'm sorry. Really sorry. It's all my fault..."
"If you're going to do it, do it now. And don't talk to me anymore. I don't want to hear it."
Christine, thoroughly furious, left without another word.
Jeffrey stared blankly after her, then heard a tongue-click behind him.
"Tsk tsk. Why'd you mess with the Prophet? Why touch him?"
"I didn't expect things to turn out like this. I'm sorry."
"As Christine said, this isn't something you apologize to me for."
"I-I'll call the Prophet right now."
"You think a phone call fixes this?"
Nathan stood up from his seat.
"We need to go in person and beg forgiveness. Bring a gift to smooth things over too."
"I-In person?"
Leaving the shocked Jeffrey behind, Nathan opened the door.
"What are you doing? Pack your bags. We're heading to Korea together."
* * *
Returning home, Ryu Min thought of Jeffrey.
'I wonder what happened to that guy by now. From Christine's reaction, she's not letting it slide.'
When the man had threatened him with a dagger, Ryu Min had used the two phones in his pocket to start recording.
He'd thrown one as bait to hide the other's presence.
Afterward, he'd asked Ma Kyung-rok for Christine and Nathan's numbers and sent them the recording.
'It must sting. He's earned the hatred of the girl he loves.'
Jeffrey would surely realize now.
What happens when you mess with the Prophet.
Ryu Min clicked his tongue and rubbed his neck.
He was probably the first player to get his hands on the number one ranker's neck.
'An assassin, huh? His strength wasn't that impressive. Trying to protect Christine with that level of power? Tsk.'
It didn't hurt.
Just left a bad taste.
Still, it was a chance to show the Prophet's resolve, so he was satisfied.
'Love really blinds people. Nothing more foolish.'
Then a text arrived on Ryu Min's phone.
Another person blinded by love.
[Min Ju-ri: Hey, do you follow any religion?]
'Why ask about religion out of nowhere? No way.'
Ryu Min played dumb and replied.
[Ryu Min: Nope. Why?]
[Min Ju-ri: Good. Then come with me somewhere. Got time?]
[Ryu Min: Where?]
[Min Ju-ri: If I was gonna tell you, I would've! lol Secret!]
[Ryu Min: Ok. Meet at the convenience store in 10.]
[Min Ju-ri: kk]
'Something feels off...'
She hadn't said which religion, but he had a hunch.
'That place... not thrilled to go.'
Still, checking it out once wouldn't hurt.
He was curious how they'd set it up.
As he changed into going-out clothes, his brother approached.
"Bro, where you headed?"
"Meeting a friend."
"Can I meet a friend too?"
The word "friend" put Ryu Min on alert.
"Who's this friend?"
"Someone from an online game. Lives in Seoul. They kept asking to meet at a PC bang, but I made excuses and put it off."
'So that's the "friend." A gaming buddy.'
Lately, stuck at home, he'd gotten hooked on games and made a friend.
He'd gamed in past regressions too, but Ryu Min hadn't known about friends.
Seeing Ryu Min hesitate, Ryu Won added,
"Planning to hang at the PC bang and come back. Okay? Bad players are fewer now, things are stable. You said we could go out."
Ryu Min nodded, figuring no harm.
"Fine. You're allowed."
"Really? Woo yeah!"
"But not too late."
"Got it."
"Reply to my texts right away."
"Okayyy. Hehe! Gotta message them now. Bro! Thanks! Have fun!"
Thrilled, his brother dashed off to make plans, barely saying goodbye.
'That happy, huh.'
Ryu Min smiled, then hardened his expression.
'Hmm. Better safe.'
Tap tap tap tap.
His fingers flew across the phone.
* * *
Arriving at the meeting spot, Ryu Min was a bit thrown.
Min Ju-ri was already in the passenger seat, gesturing to get going.
"Where we headed?"
"Yangpyeong."
"Why there?"
"The religion's there. Scared to go alone... You'll come, right?"
Her puppy-dog eyes made it impossible to refuse.
"What religion?"
"Go first. I'll tell you on the way."
Worried he'd bail, she was hiding it, but he already knew her intentions.
'As expected, heading to the Reaper Church.'
The one Heo Tae-seok founded was in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do.
Never visited, but remembered the promo post on the PleSeBa cafe.
'Last time in the otherworld, she showed interest, so he subtly gave her the address.'
Nothing pressing, and an hour from Seoul, so plenty of time.
'Not many months left hanging with Min Ju-ri like this. Might as well.'
Treating it like a drive, Ryu Min gripped the wheel without complaint.
Min Ju-ri appreciated it.
"Thanks for coming along. Can't do much... but buff up and stay strong!"
"Haha... Energized."
No driving help, but it definitely calmed him.
"Here."
After an hour, they reached a small village.
Hard to imagine a religious site here, but there it was.
A rundown building like a village elders' hall.
"Min. This it?"
"Yeah. Matches the address you gave."
Up close, the first thing catching the eye was a wooden sign carved with Hanja.
"Reaper Church? This is where you wanted to go?"
Min Ju-ri nodded shyly at Ryu Min's question.
"Yeah... The Reaper Church is..."
"I know. They worship the Black Scythe."
"Huh? You knew about the Reaper Church?"
"Saw a promo post on the player cafe."
Ryu Min asked in a serious tone.
"So, joining up?"
"No. Just curious what it's like."
'Liar. She's planning to join.'
Ryu Min was curious too.
Knew of the Reaper Church, but never visited HQ.
Its presence had faded at some point.
'Heo Tae-seok became famous as leader up to before Round 15.'
The hellish Round 15 wiped out even the Reaper Church leader.
'Different outcome this regression.'
Cultish vibes, but who wouldn't like a group revering you?
Plus, from Round 12, they unified other countries' groups, gaining many followers.
'Pick out some useful talents, raise them?'
They'd help Ryu Min later.
"Shall we see how they set it up inside?"
Entering with mild expectations, the Reaper Church interior fell short.
Dim atmosphere, only mats and cushions on the floor.
Like a shabby village elders' hall—no, worse.
Few people gathered too.
"That's it...?"
Besides Ryu Min and Min Ju-ri, about five strangers.
Everyone but them.
"Welcome, devotees."
Pushed by Heo Tae-seok, a man approached with a smile.
'Um Jun-seok?'
Neither Heo Tae-seok nor Um Jun-seok customized; their otherworld and real faces matched.
"Welcome to our Reaper Church. Here to join?"
"Oh, no. Just looking around..."
"You look like a player. Hmm? Familiar face?"
Um Jun-seok tilted his head at Min Ju-ri.
"Have we met?"
"Introduced in the otherworld."
"Huh? N-No way. You're the Buffer? Nickname Democracy?"
"Yes, that's me."
Learning she was a buffer, Um Jun-seok couldn't hide his surprise.
"Heo Tae—no, Leader? Leader!"
"What's up? Cardinal Um."
Their leader-cardinal talk drew a snort from Ryu Min, but he held it.
Influence tiny now, but in months, it'd boom.
The Reaper Church was no joke.
"Black Scythe's partner, Democracy, is here!"
"Ooh, really?"
Heo Tae-seok brightened and approached Min Ju-ri.
'Partner?'
The word bugged him, but not entirely wrong.
"You really Democracy?"
"Yeah. And you're... NoPain?"
"Haha, yes. NoPainNoGay here. Seemed mature in-game, but a young college student in real life? Early 20s?"
"Yes. 20."
Heo Tae-seok's gaze naturally shifted to Ryu Min.
"Then this must not be Black Scythe... Who are you?"
"My friend."
"Nickname...?"
After some thought, Ryu Min revealed a nickname even Min Ju-ri didn't know.