Chapter 190
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 190
Chapter Title: Special Shop
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The first thing to greet Ryu Min when he woke up was none other than his younger brother.
"Bro, you're back! I was worried!"
"No need to worry. This round just took a bit longer than usual."
Truth be told, this was nothing.
There would be rounds ahead that dragged on even longer.
"You don't have to stay up staring like this anymore. Who knows when I'll wake up?"
"But still, I can't help but worry..."
"Just check if I'm breathing. That means everything's fine."
"Got it."
He was worried, but with his brother saying that, Ryu Won had no choice but to let it go.
Thud-
Ryu Min entered the room and let out a smirk.
'If he knew who I really was, he wouldn't worry like that.'
Of course, it was natural to worry.
Right now, he wasn't the Black Scythe—he was the pathetically weak Prophet.
'Well then, shall we take a look at the Special Shop?'
Ryu Min, lying on the bed, opened the shop window.
A new Special Shop button appeared, one that hadn't been there before.
He tapped it, and it switched to a new shop window.
Weapons to rings—all sorts of equipment items were on display.
These were leagues above anything in the regular shop.
'In the regular shop, you could only get up to Epic if you were lucky, starting from Normal...'
The Special Shop was different.
'The baseline is Epic, and if you're willing to pay top dollar, you can snag Unique too.'
The key difference? You could only buy with points, not gold.
And those points cost a fortune.
Just looking at the Expert-grade Unique gear on sale right now—it was priced at 100,000 points.
'Most players would be done after buying one Unique.'
Still, being able to purchase gear that was only available through combining? That was something.
And it wasn't just gear.
The Special Shop sold combining materials too.
No God-grade materials, though.
'Legendary materials nonetheless. Anyone who knows the recipes can craft with these.'
But the points were insane.
A single material cost 100,000 points.
Making one Legendary item would set you back at least 500,000.
'One material costs as much as a Unique. No way most people would even consider it.'
Most would probably balk at the prices and call it ridiculous.
But their eyes would change if they realized these were Legendary materials.
'And it's not just materials. Potions, consumables, EXP packs—you name it, Special Shop has it.'
Especially noteworthy were the EXP packs.
Items that granted EXP instantly upon purchase, available in whatever point amount you wanted.
'Think of it as converting points to EXP. Simple as that.'
Ryu Min could hit level 99 with these packs if he wanted.
It'd cost 5 million points, sure, but he'd still have 15 million left.
He could reach max level right now.
But Ryu Min had no intention of doing so.
'No need.'
He was already strong enough to make level 99 look like a joke.
Thanks to the Demon's Blessing stats, his base stats were already over a thousand.
Add buffs, and ten thousand would be child's play.
'No point drawing attention by rushing to max level in that state.'
Better to hold off for emergencies.
Hitting 99 restored full health and granted temporary invincibility.
'To make use of that effect, I should delay max level as long as possible.'
The time would come eventually.
When he needed that max level invincibility.
Until then, he'd hold back on purpose.
'Same for other players. Better to hoard points like me than blow them on items.'
Sure, with the Special Shop open and points capped, the temptation to spend was understandable.
But the angel hadn't mentioned one crucial thing.
'That points can be traded too.'
Using the trade function, you could give points to others.
With supply cut off and points being higher-tier currency than gold?
'They'll be worth whatever the market bears.'
That was the reason not to spend points.
Hoard them, and they'd rise in value like Bitcoin.
Of course, Ryu Min had more than enough to last a lifetime, so he didn't need to worry.
'For now, let's craft some Legendary gear.'
Ryu Min bought Legendary materials from the Special Shop and immediately combined them.
[Combination Successful!]
[Created 'Shadow of Death Boots.']
[Shadow of Death Boots]
- Type: Shoes
- Grade: Legendary
- Defense: 600
- Effects: Agility +100, Movement Speed +50% at night, Silent footsteps.
- Durability: 10,000/10,000
- Requirements: Master grade or higher
- Description: Shoes said to be favored by the God of Death during games of hide-and-seek. He was never caught at night.
[Combination Successful!]
[Created 'Demon's Pendant.']
[Demon's Pendant]
- Type: Necklace
- Grade: Legendary
- Effects: All Stats +20, Skill Damage +30%, Angel Taunt effect
- Durability: 10,000/10,000
- Requirements: Master grade or higher
- Description: A pendant worn by demons heading into war. Angels hate it.
[Combination Successful!]
[Created 'Ring of Super Resistance.']
[Combination Successful!]
[Created 'Ring of Super Resistance.']
[Ring of Super Resistance]
- Type: Ring
- Grade: Legendary
- Effects: Luck +100, Resistance +40%
- Durability: 10,000/10,000
- Requirements: Master grade or higher
- Description: A ring granting unbelievable resistance to abnormal statuses.
He'd crafted Legendary-grade shoes, necklace, and rings.
He made an extra Ring of Super Resistance since the expansion rune allowed two.
'It only cost 2 million points in materials total.'
A price ordinary players couldn't dream of, but it didn't faze Ryu Min.
'Now, how about some God-grade?'
He already had the materials ready.
Just combine, and done.
[Main Material]
-High-Quality Leather Gloves
[Sub-Materials]
-Condensed Ether
-Black Iron Powder
-Bubbling Mana Solution
-Shiny Horse Tail
-New Material Leather
Materials for crafting gloves.
He hit the combine button, and the item formed.
[Combining God-grade item.]
[Converting to item suitable for current class.]
[Combination Successful!]
[Created 'Thanatos's Gloves.']
[Thanatos's Gloves]
- Type: Gloves
- Grade: God
- Defense: 1,200
- Effects: All Stats +50, Grants skill 'Grip of Death.'
- Durability: 20,000/20,000
- Requirements: Master grade or higher
- Description: Gloves made using the divinity of the God of Death, Thanatos. Grants additional effects when wearing the set.
- Thanatos's Garb Set Effects (3/5)
- 2-Set Effect: Resistance +20%
- 3-Set Effect: Skill Damage +10%
- 4-Set Effect: ????
- 5-Set Effect: ????
Crafting the God-grade gloves activated the 3-set effect.
A nice boost to skill damage.
'My goal was three God-grade items before round 15. Finally done.'
Killing the Archangel had sped things up way ahead of schedule.
Equipping Thanatos's Gloves gave him a useful new skill too.
[Temporary Skill – Grip of Death]
- Effect: Use powerful telekinesis to pull or push enemies. Range: 30m. Higher-tier enemies may resist.
'With this, I can yank flying angels right out of the sky.'
No cooldown was a huge plus, letting him spam it freely.
Downsides: had to extend his hand to use it, and enemies could resist.
'One last thing left for these points.'
Reach level 99.
But now wasn't the time.
'Save the invincibility for when I need it—then hit 99.'
With that, he resolved to sleep it off until then.
Until Jeffrey's call woke him right up.
"What's up?"
-Hello, Mr. Ryu Min. I have a report for you.
Jeffrey had received orders from Yamtti.
Serve Ryu Min like a master and report anything important first.
That was why he was so deferential.
"Go ahead."
-Christine will soon be heading to Korea to meet you.
"Me? Why?"
-She wants to use prophecy to locate the Black Scythe. Seems she wants to meet you and your father in person to express her gratitude. She's also after clues on the necromancer.
Come to think of it, Christine had taken a liking to him.
She'd been persistent about following him from the other world.
'Is it really just gratitude? Or some ulterior motive?'
He couldn't fathom why both Seo Ah-rin and Christine were so eager to meet the real-world Black Scythe.
Meeting him wouldn't change anything.
"Got it. Hang up. No good if she overhears you talking to me."
-Yes. Then...
The call ended, and Ryu Min closed his eyes again.
No real dilemma here.
'Meet the real-world Black Scythe? Not gonna happen. Not now, not ever.'
To turn someone into an ally, better to leave them in your debt than cash in favors.
Keep them feeling indebted, and they'll help anytime.
'I'll just play dumb about the Black Scythe. Same for the necromancer.'
He needed to exploit the necromancer himself in round 12.
Couldn't hand info to Christine.
'Besides, the Messiah organization should be forming soon, and the necromancer's a prime candidate for membership.'
To forge ties with the UN group Messiah, he needed the necromancer alive.
Play dumb about Black Scythe and necromancer, problem solved.
What could they do if he claimed no prophecy visions?
The leash was in the Prophet Ryu Min's hands anyway.
'Instead, I'll toss her some round 12 info.'
That should satisfy Christine and send her packing.
As he thought that, his phone buzzed.
Caller ID: Ma Kyung-rok.
"Yes, Representative. Ah, I see. Understood. See you then."
He wanted to meet with Christine since there was something to discuss.
Just as expected.
But Ryu Min's expression soured after hanging up.
'No sleep for me tonight.'
Sleep had vanished completely.
* * *
Twelve hours after returning from the other world, John Delgado still hadn't gotten out of bed.
No, he couldn't.
The memory of losing his limbs there was too vivid.
'Are my limbs still there? Properly attached?'
Lying down, he wiggled his hands and feet. They moved fine.
Yet he lacked the courage to get up.
It felt unreal, awkward.
That his limbs were fully intact.
Still, he couldn't lie there forever. He forced himself up.
"Ugh..."
No pain, but it felt like there was.
He walked slowly, like rehab therapy.
Pacing the living room, he recalled the one who'd done this to him.
'Black Scythe.'
Rage surged—he wanted to kill that damn bastard.
But John Delgado was rational enough.
He knew he couldn't do it alone.
That revenge was a luxury in this situation.
'Revenge? Better call it quits and be satisfied.'
He hadn't killed the saintess, but slaughtering her followers achieved his goal.
With rival forces crushed, all that remained was growing the Despair Church.
'Build the forces, and opportunity might come. A chance to rip that bastard's face to shreds.'
As he thought that, John let out a self-mocking laugh.
Seconds ago, he'd called revenge a luxury, and here he was fantasizing.
"Sigh... Gotta let it go, even if it pisses me off. No choice."
Ding-dong-
The doorbell rang. Thinking it was a delivery, he opened the door.
But there stood a man in a suit and sunglasses.
"Who are you?"
"Are you Necromancer John Delgado?"
John equipped his gear in an instant.
"Who the hell are you? How'd you find my place?"
He aimed his staff with murderous eyes. The man raised his hands placatingly.
"Whoa, I'm not here to fight."
"Then why are you here?"
"Just to hand you this business card."
The man really only pulled a card from his pocket.
John took it. It had an organization name and nickname.
"Messiah? Spanyard?"
"Our newly formed UN organization, Messiah, is recruiting for the Twelve Apostles."
"Twelve Apostles?"
"Elite executives made up of top rankers from each country. That's why we're here to recruit America's finest, Mr. John Delgado."
"So you're offering me an executive spot in this Messiah group?"
"Exactly. Interested?"
John pondered briefly before speaking.
"Bottom line, one question."
"Ask away."
"Will the Black Scythe be joining those Twelve Apostles?"
Spanyard shook his head regretfully.
"No."
"Why not? Korea's Black Scythe should be top priority recruit."
"Well..."
Spanyard hesitated, then spoke quietly.
"Messiah was formed to oppose the Black Scythe from the start."
"Against the Black Scythe?"
As John's eyes widened in surprise, Spanyard elaborated.
"You know as well as anyone—he's unrivaled at level 90. Guys like us, barely 50? We'd just be his puppets."
"You're saying we need a way to fight back?"
"Right. Like workers forming a union against corporate abuse, we band together. We can't let the Black Scythe—who knows if ally or enemy—keep growing unchecked."
John nodded in agreement, and Spanyard knew.
He was almost hooked.
"What do you say? Join Messiah?"
"Join?"
For John, grinding his teeth in hatred, it was a no-brainer.
"Hell yeah, I will, fucker."