Chapter 209
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 209
Chapter Title: Parking Lot
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Ryu Min had decided that since he was already abroad, he might as well meet up with Russell.
There were things they needed to discuss in person, and he was curious about Russell's financial situation as well.
"Mr. Ryu! Long time no see!"
At New York's JFK International Airport, Russell approached with a friendly wave.
Ryu Min smiled and went over to shake his hand.
"Did it take long to get here?"
"Nah, not at all. I watched a movie, took a nap, and it was over before I knew it."
It was a seven-hour flight from the UK to the US.
It was quite a distance, so Ryu Min had planned to go to him, but Russell had insisted against it and come all this way himself.
"You're the boss now, right? How about we grab lunch and talk?"
"Oh, how'd you know I'm starving? Let's do it!"
Ryu Min took him to a steakhouse in the airport and ordered a bunch of dishes.
"You look hungry. You can eat all this, right?"
"Oh yeah, no problem. Gotta fuel up if I want to blacksmith properly."
"And don't worry about the bill. It's on me."
"Hey! What are you saying? I should pay, obviously. Can't mooch off you when you're already giving me free prophecies. I've got plenty of money now?"
That brought up the previous advice when money came up.
"Speaking of which, did you sell the stocks?"
"Oh man, yeah. Sold 'em the second I heard. Made a killing thanks to you. First time in my life I've seen that much cash hit my account."
"How much did you make?"
"Forty thousand pounds."
Russell had invested 14,000 pounds in Ma Kyung-rok's company.
Now it had nearly tripled into a whopping 40,000 pounds.
That was about 65 million won in Korean currency.
No more scraping by—he could blacksmith for years without worry.
"Nice haul."
"From having zilch to touching this kind of money... It's all thanks to you, Prophet. So, about that account..."
Before he could finish, Ryu Min shook his head.
As if he already knew what was coming.
"Use all that money yourself, Russell."
"Huh? But you provided the initial capital, didn't you, Prophet? I borrowed it, so of course I should pay it back..."
"Do you remember what I said when we first met?"
Russell thought for a moment, then nodded.
"You said you were investing in my potential."
"Exactly. Consider me your investor. I'm not planning to withdraw until you've reached the top as a blacksmith. And it's not like I need the money."
"..."
"Money belongs with the person who needs it. So use it, Russell. If it feels burdensome because it's borrowed, just keep the principal and spend the rest freely. In a way, it's money you earned through your own investment."
Strictly speaking, both the seed money and the tip came from Ryu Min, so it wasn't really Russell's.
But since Ryu Min wanted to frame it as an investment, Russell could only accept it gratefully.
"I understand your intent, Prophet. It's shameless of me, but I'll put this money to good use for my living expenses. Thank you so much. Really."
"No need to thank me for that amount. More importantly, there's something crucial I need to tell you, Russell..."
"Ah, that's why you came here, right? Go ahead."
Russell leaned in, ready to listen, and Ryu Min spoke with a serious expression.
"Have you heard of the nickname Black Scythe?"
"Black Scythe? Of course!"
Even Russell knew the ranking one player.
"In the next round 13, Black Scythe will come find you, Russell."
"Huh? B-Black Scythe?"
It was shocking enough that the number one ranker was coming to see him, but how would someone he'd never even met know where to find him?
"How do they know about me?"
"They don't. But they will soon. I'll tell Black Scythe to meet you."
"What?"
The implication was clear.
"Y-You're saying you know Black Scythe in real life too?"
"Yes. We ended up crossing paths somehow."
Russell's stunned expression turned to understanding as he nodded vigorously.
A prophet who could see the future would surely know Black Scythe's true identity.
It wasn't that strange for them to be acquainted.
"To think you have that terrifying Black Scythe as a personal connection... Haha, you don't have the heart of a normal person either, Prophet."
"Is Black Scythe scary?"
"Absolutely. Everyone else is barely finishing one lap on the track, and that guy's doing ten all by himself. Topping the rankings like it's nothing. Scary in every way."
From others' perspectives, yeah, that made sense.
"But what am I supposed to do when I meet Black Scythe...?"
"To grow in round 13, you'll need Black Scythe's help. In detail..."
Ryu Min explained the round 13 strategy along with exactly what Russell needed to do.
"Ah, so that's why Black Scythe... Got it."
"I'll mention it to Black Scythe later too. Tell them to seek you out and help."
"You think Black Scythe will agree to help me just like that?"
"Probably, since it's my request. But just in case, prove your worth when you meet."
"My worth?"
"If you apply your blacksmith class buffs, they'll definitely see the value in helping."
"Ahh, I get it."
As Russell nodded, Ryu Min smiled to himself.
'Now I've set up the connection between Russell and Black Scythe.'
He'd played matchmaker to forge that link.
'Blacksmiths are a support class specialized in buffs like a buffer. If they stick together until round 20, it'll be hugely useful.'
As Ryu Min smiled, his phone rang.
It was Joo Seong-tak calling.
'Looks like it's started.'
He had no choice but to excuse himself.
"Excuse me for a moment."
"Oh, take your time on the call."
After getting Russell's permission, he stepped aside and answered.
"What's up?"
-Ma Kyung-rok just arrived at a remote warehouse. He's pacing outside, smoking like he's waiting for something.
"Waiting for the sacrifice, I suppose. Where exactly?"
-Bongbae Mountain in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do.
That matched.
It was Ma Kyung-rok's go-to workshop.
"Good work. Text me the exact location. Keep watching, and when the time comes, link up with Jeffrey and move as instructed."
"Understood."
He hung up and immediately called Jeffrey.
"Jeffrey. Christine?"
-She just arrived in Korea.
"Perfect. Lure her to the spot I'll send. You remember how to phrase it?"
"Of course."
"Then get on it right away."
"As you command."
Ryu Min sent the location to Jeffrey, then called Seo Ah-rin.
In none other than the voice of Black Scythe.
* * *
Ma Kyung-sang and Ma Kyung-su hadn't originally been close.
Raised under their strict father learning the ropes of business, they saw each other as rivals.
They bickered like typical siblings, but it was all because of the succession battle.
They'd realized early that money ruled the world, so brothers were just obstacles to remove.
But their rivalry and resentment had only lasted until last year.
As the eldest, Ma Kyung-rok's company started thriving, they grew anxious.
When it looked like he'd meet their father's conditions, they joined hands.
A temporary alliance to eliminate their common enemy.
"Hyung Kyung-sang. Think about the plan?"
"Yeah, I did. Kyung-su, looks like your idea's the best."
"Right? Most realistic and feasible, yeah?"
"Seems so."
The youngest, Ma Kyung-su's plan was simple.
Ambush Ma Kyung-rok on his way back from work, mask up, kidnap him, and propose a duel.
They'd set the duel conditions in their favor.
Make it impossible to lose.
He'd refuse the unfair terms, of course, but Ma Kyung-rok would have no choice.
Threaten to kill him right then—what could he do?
He'd have to swallow his tears and accept.
"Hyung. If we stick to my plan, we can send Kyung-rok hyung off clean. Winner of the duel steps down as successor. We'll win for sure anyway."
"So once he accepts the duel, it's over?"
"Yep. Victory's ours. Add a clause that neither side talks about it, and we exclude Kyung-rok hyung from succession completely."
"Then we have a friendly competition between us?"
"Exactly. No backstabbing until then. Got it, hyung?"
"Hey! Do I look like the type? You better not stab me in the back."
"I know, I know. Just saying it out of caution, don't take it to heart."
Ma Kyung-su soothed him not to take it personally, but inwardly he sneered.
'Once I deal with Ma Kyung-rok, you're next, you bastard.'
They'd allied only to take out Ma Kyung-rok. The successor spot would go to him, the third son.
No matter how dirty the methods.
"But what if Kyung-rok hyung fights back? We gonna have to actually cut him with knives, brother on brother?"
'Pathetic bastard. Second son's got flowers in his head! Seriously.'
Ma Kyung-su pitied him but didn't show it.
After all, Ma Kyung-sang was a useful second brother to exploit.
"We'll have to. Better not to kill if possible, but if he resists too hard..."
Murderous intent flickered in Ma Kyung-su's eyes.
"Then we kill him. Eldest or not."
"Hey, isn't that going too far? Even so, killing..."
"Then kidnapping's fine?"
"Better than murder?"
"Hyung. You think you can inherit Oseong Group without that resolve? Or are you laying groundwork to bail later? You're already in too deep."
"N-No, not that. Just wondering if there's a better way than killing..."
"That's why we're giving him a chance. Accept the duel, and Kyung-rok hyung lives."
"But can we two even beat Kyung-rok hyung?"
"Why not? We're all similar levels. We outnumber him—how could we lose?"
"Still. You know that feeling. Didn't you sense it?"
"What?"
"About Kyung-rok hyung. Sometimes his eyes are creepy as hell. Like a serial killer when he looks like that."
"What're you talking about, hyung? What's scary about Kyung-rok hyung? You chickening out and laying more bait?"
"N-No, not chickening. Just happened sometimes."
"No need to chicken, hyung. Ma Kyung-rok ain't Black Scythe. We two can't take down that one punk?"
"Y-Yeah, probably?"
Unlike the confident Ma Kyung-su, Ma Kyung-sang looked a bit worried.
'Ugh, idiot second brother. Freaking out over this crap. I'm the only real successor material.'
Thinking that, Ma Kyung-su arrived at Ma Kyung-sang's apartment underground parking lot.
"Hyung. Detailed meeting tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Plenty of time. Text me the time."
As Ma Kyung-su nodded and got in his car, Ma Kyung-sang waved.
"Drive safe."
"Got it, hyung. Huh? Fuck."
Starting the Porsche, Ma Kyung-su saw the warning light and got out.
"What's wrong?"
"Tire's flat, looks like."
"Suddenly?"
"Dunno. Ah, here. Hole punctured here, fuck."
"See, told you to drive easier. You still racing with your club guys at dawn?"
"Come on, quit that. I stopped ages ago."
"Then why's a good tire flat?"
"Yeah."
"Someone puncture it on purpose?"
"Maybe. Fuck, which bastard..."
Sighing, Ma Kyung-su looked at his brother.
"Guess I gotta borrow your car, hyung?"
"Ugh, hassle... Fine, wait. I'll grab the keys."
While Ma Kyung-sang went up to the apartment, Ma Kyung-su smoked and waited.
Chik-chik-
"Fuck. Why won't this light..."
Presence detection pinged someone, and Ma Kyung-su looked up.
"Hyung, back alrea—"
Wham-!
Shielded in the face, Ma Kyung-su passed out. Three minutes later, Ma Kyung-sang appeared.
"Kyung-su. Where you at? Got the keys. Huh?"
Looking around, Ma Kyung-sang spotted the cigarette and Zippo lighter where his brother had been.
"What? That's Kyung-su's..."
As he picked them up, presence detection caught someone approaching fast from behind.
Thinking it was his brother, he turned—and a shield smashed his face hard.
Thud-
Ahn Sang-chul, having knocked out the brothers, loaded them into the van and called.
"All set, sir. Yes. Taking them now."
Soon, Ahn Sang-chul's van sped out of the parking lot.