Chapter 44
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Try to Live a Little Nicer.
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After parting ways with Ryu Min.
Ma Kyung-rok remained in his seat, recalling Ryu Min's final words.
-This much information should be enough to prove my abilities, wouldn't you agree?
More than enough.
Information about the 4th Round was impossible to obtain anywhere else.
'Of course, that's assuming the information turns out to be true.'
The information he'd heard from Ryu Min about the 4th Round was astonishing.
'Will such a tragedy really unfold?'
If it was true, he would have to be cautious from the very beginning.
He couldn't afford to let his guard down.
Just then, Ahn Sang-chul, who was beside him, suddenly bowed his head.
"I apologize, Representative. I got carried away and raised my voice earlier..."
"It's alright. You were only doing it out of concern for me, Manager Ahn, weren't you?"
"In that case... while we're on the subject, may I say one more thing?"
"Speak your mind freely."
"To be honest, I'm suspicious of this Ryu Min person. Seeing the future... if he had such an ability, he could just live well on his own. Why would he bother helping us?"
"He said he wants to grow with our company, didn't he? I suppose he wants to make more money."
"Is there really a reason for that? With 280 billion won, he already has more than he could spend in a lifetime of leisure."
"I guess that's not enough for him. Human greed is endless. If I had information that was a sure bet for making money, I'd jump at the chance to invest immediately."
"Even so, it's too risky to rely solely on his information. I'm also skeptical that such an incredible Rune even exists."
"I agree with you on that. However."
Ma Kyung-rok's gaze shifted.
Like a hawk eyeing its prey.
"If he truly is a Prophet who can see the future, we must make him our ally. Think about it. How helpful would it be to obtain information and prepare for every round? The company's growth in the process would be a bonus."
"But we can't be sure he's a Prophet..."
"Well."
Ma Kyung-rok raised one corner of his mouth.
"We'll find out in due time, won't we?"
* * *
On the way home.
Ryu Min's steps were light.
Everything was proceeding just as he had planned.
'Just like in the previous regression, I've managed to pique Ma Kyung-rok's interest.'
Although he hadn't managed to convince Ma Kyung-rok, there was no need to worry.
'After the 4th Round ends, he'll be convinced I'm a Prophet anyway.'
He hadn't mentioned important information like the sub-quest.
He had also intentionally withheld how to get a high rank.
'I'm busy enough looking out for myself. There's no reason to hand things over to others.'
He simply.
[The 4th Round isn't a quest to hunt monsters; it's a slaughter among players.]
He had only told him that much.
He had given him the shell, keeping the core for himself.
'That much should be enough to prove I'm a Prophet.'
A Prophet?
It wasn't wrong.
With dozens of regressions, he could indeed see the future.
The Rune of Foresight?
Such a Rune did exist.
But it wasn't a Rune that could see far into the future like Ryu Min had claimed.
'It's a Rune that can only see a few seconds into the future at best.'
Still, it couldn't be dismissed entirely.
It was also on the list of Runes he absolutely had to acquire.
'It's a Rune I can only get around the 8th Round. It's too soon for now.'
In any case, once the information he'd given proved to be correct, Ma Kyung-rok would have no choice but to believe him.
'Even though my home address was exposed to Ma Kyung-rok and Ahn Sang-chul, and I had to reveal that I'm a Prophet...'
Ryu Min was certain.
It wasn't dangerous.
They wouldn't harm or threaten him or his brother.
'On the contrary, they'll treat me with the utmost respect and protect me as a Prophet. From Ma Kyung-rok's perspective, it's far better to have me as an ally than an enemy.'
Having a Prophet as an ally would be more reassuring than anything.
'So, I should probably tell Min Ju-ri now, right? That I'm a Prophet.'
Since he had decided to go with the Prophet concept, he had to stick with it.
There was no benefit in hiding it.
If he told her too late, it could damage their trust.
'Though it's better to hide the fact that I'm the Black Scythe.'
Revealing he was the Black Scythe would place restrictions on his actions in the other world.
'My cruel side might earn me a bad reputation.'
It was best to hide the identity of the Black Scythe.
But it was better to reveal he was a Prophet.
That way, he could openly help Min Ju-ri by giving her information about the next round.
'She's bound to ask about my Class someday, so I might as well tell her now.'
Though it was sudden, he called Min Ju-ri.
"Hey, Ju-ri."
-What's up? You're actually calling me first?
"I have something to tell you. Can you spare a moment? I'll meet you in front of the convenience store."
-Huh? R-right now?
"Yeah. How about in an hour?"
-Oh, okay! See you then.
After setting the appointment, he waved down a taxi and got in.
"GS24 Yeonhui branch, please."
"You got it! Please fasten your seatbelt, sir."
As he was lost in thought, gazing out the window, his phone rang.
He thought it might be Min Ju-ri, but it was an unfamiliar number.
'Ah, this number is...'
Is it already time for the delivery?
He answered the phone with that thought, and sure enough...
-Sir, hello! This is supercar dealer Choi Tae-guk! The supercar you've been waiting for has just arrived.
'I wasn't exactly waiting for it.'
Still, he needed a car for various reasons, so it was better to get it today.
-I can deliver it right away. Where should I go?
'What should I do? I have to meet Ju-ri now.'
Telling him to come to his house right away would take time.
But telling him to come to the convenience store was also awkward.
It would attract attention, and the alley was too narrow.
"Can you come to Seodaemun District? I'll text you the address."
-Yes! I'll be there shortly!
As soon as he hung up, he sent the address and spoke to the driver.
"Driver. Instead of the GS24 Yeonhui branch, please take me to the residential area near the Seodaemun Fire Station."
"Yes, sir!"
The place Ryu Min mentioned was none other than his old, shabby multi-family house where he lived before moving.
'There should be space to park the car there, so it'll be fine.'
I should go and check if any mail has arrived.
* * *
"Please stop here."
"Alright, sir."
He paid the taxi fare and got out of the car.
Walking down the old alley to receive his car, he felt a sense of nostalgia.
'It's only been two months since I moved, but it feels like a long time ago.'
After living in a spacious apartment surrounded by a lush forest, he was now visiting a shabby residential area.
The contrast between the neighborhoods made it feel as if he had returned to his hometown.
He walked leisurely, checking the text from the dealer.
'He said he'll be here in 10 minutes, so I just have to wait a little.'
He arrived in front of his old house, planning to check the mail.
'Huh?'
Unexpected figures were loitering near the house.
"Dad, look! It's Ryu Min."
"Hm? Min?!"
Seeing the two people spot him and approach, Ryu Min frowned.
They were relatives he never wanted to see again, worse than strangers.
"It's been a while, Min. Have you been well?"
"What are you doing here, Uncle?"
As he asked back in a cold voice, the expression of his trashy cousin next to him soured.
"Hey, you bastard. What's with that tone to our father? You should be bowing your head after seeing him for the first time in a while!"
"Why should I?"
"What?"
"When my parents passed away and my world was collapsing, were you by my side, Uncle? Did you even act as my guardian and protect me? What kind of favor have I received from you that I should bow my head? You did nothing but turn your back on me."
"Th-this bastard!"
"You remember too, don't you, Uncle? You were always asking my father for money. And then after he passed, you didn't say a single word. Don't you think that's too much?"
"..."
His sharp, cutting words left the two of them flustered.
"Why the long faces? Did I say something wrong?"
"Th-this bastard wants to die! A-and why are you speaking informally to me?"
"Hyung? You're nothing like one."
"What? This son of a...!"
"That's enough, both of you!"
At his uncle's intervention, Ryu Min momentarily reflected on himself.
'Damn, I got emotional and lashed out without thinking.'
Was it because he had trusted his uncle that much?
Or was it because he thought this would be the last time he'd see them?
'I got worked up, which isn't like me.'
Ryu Min reflected on his behavior and quickly calmed himself down.
His uncle cleared his throat with a *k-hem* and spoke.
"Alright. I admit I was at fault. So, let me ask you for just one favor."
*Rustle-*
His uncle took a document out of his bag.
"Sign here to give your consent."
"What is this?"
"You don't need to know, bastard. Just do as you're told!"
His cousin barked from the side, but he ignored him.
*Snatch-*
He snatched the document and examined it.
"Insurance Payout Consent Form?"
He looked up at his uncle.
'Ah, this guy.'
Ryu Min could see the whole picture.
He had already read their true intentions.
"Let me tell you what that is. Did you hear that your grandfather and grandmother passed away recently?"
"How could I have? No one bothered to contact me."
"Right, I suppose so. Anyway, your grandfather took out a life insurance policy. He designated your grandmother as the beneficiary. But then your grandmother passed away too, so there's no one to receive the payout, see?"
"..."
"So I asked the insurance company, and thankfully, they said the grandmother's legal representatives—us relatives—can receive it instead. Including you."
"..."
"However, they said we need the consent of all legal representatives to receive it, so I need you to sign here."
'So this is why they were hanging around my old house? To get the insurance money?'
Listening quietly, Ryu Min let out a smirk.
"So if I don't consent? Does that mean none of the relatives, including you, Uncle, can get the insurance money?"
"Huh? W-well, yes. Not just us, but you too..."
"Then I won't consent."
His uncle's eyebrow twitched.
"Why?"
"Because I don't want the relatives who turned their backs on me to get any money."
"Sigh... Min. Think carefully. This isn't the time to be swayed by personal feelings. You're a proper adult now. You must have a lot of expenses, so shouldn't you take your share of the insurance money? You have a brother, too. How long are you going to live in a rundown place like this? Huh?"
"And I don't want to see you acting so pathetically just to get my consent, Uncle."
"Do you think I'm doing this just for myself? I'm being considerate so that you can get at least a little something..."
*Rip- Rip-*
As if there was nothing more to think about, Ryu Min tore the consent form he was holding.
"Wh-what are you doing!"
"You didn't seem to understand words, so I showed you with my actions."
"You stupid bastard with no upbringing!"
It was ridiculous.
The sight of his uncle getting worked up over a single piece of paper.
'To think I once tried to trust and rely on a money-grubber like that.'
As Ryu Min sighed in lament.
"I knew it! Dad, see? This bastard doesn't understand words!"
His cousin cracked his knuckles, looking at Ryu Min.
"Bastard, sign the consent form while I'm asking nicely."
"Why? You gonna hit me? You confident?"
"Look at this guy. You've gotten pretty cocky since I last saw you. I guess you're a Player now, huh?"
The cousin, who had been smirking, growled with a menacing look.
"Don't get cocky, bastard. Seeing as you haven't died yet, you must have somehow survived up to the 3rd Round, but I'm on a different level from you."
"What's your level?"
"Level 11, you bastard. I already have a Class, too."
"11? Pfft."
"Fuck, did you just laugh at me?"
His uncle grabbed the shoulder of his son, who was about to charge forward.
"Wait a moment. Let me talk to him first before you do anything."
His uncle looked at Ryu Min with a reproachful gaze.
"Sigh, Min. Why are you being like this? Why are you complicating things over something that's in the past?"
"..."
"Is it about money? Were you upset because I didn't repay my debt to your father?"
"..."
"Fine. Your father is no longer in this world, but I'll compensate you a little. How much do you want? How much will satisfy you? Let me hear it and I'll think abou..."
Just then.
*Vrooom- Vroooooom!*
The loud engine roar made the three of them turn their heads.
What they saw was a supercar that didn't belong in the shabby neighborhood.
"Th-that's! That's a Lamborghini Aventador, isn't it?"
Seeing his dream car, which he had looked up countless times, appear before him, the cousin spoke in an excited voice.
"Ha, I'm so fucking jealous. I wonder what kind of person drives something so expensive."
"He's right in front of you."
Ryu Min tossed out the remark, and his cousin frowned.
"What's this idiot talking about?"
"Try to live a little nicer, if you want to be treated like a hyung somewhere. And stop swearing so much."
After offering his words of advice, Ryu Min looked at his uncle.
"Same goes for you, Uncle. Try to live a little nicer. Don't just chase after money. And raise your son better. One day, you'll get stabbed in the back by him just the same."
"Okay, I get it. I was wrong. So just come to the insurance company with me and say you consent..."
"Ah, that's enough. I can't even listen to this anymore."
"Where are you going! I'm not finished talk...!"
His uncle stopped mid-sentence and blinked.
It was because Ryu Min was talking to the driver who had just gotten out of the supercar.
"What's this? Does he know him? Or is it a friend?"
But for an acquaintance or a friend, the driver was bowing a full 90 degrees to Ryu Min.
He even handed over the car keys before leaving.
"What? D-don't tell me..."
Ryu Min casually sat in the driver's seat.
The watching cousin's pupils darted back and forth.
His uncle looked bewildered, as if he still hadn't grasped the situation.
*Vroooom-*
Ryu Min drove the Lamborghini up in front of the two of them.
*Whirrrr-*
He lowered the window and left them with one last piece of advice.
"Life's short. Try to live a little nicer. Got it?"
"..."
"..."
With those final words.
Vroooooooooom-!!!
The Lamborghini let out a thunderous roar and sped out of the neighborhood.