abcnovels
Chapter 235 (Part 1)
Chapter 235 (Part 1)
Chapter 235: The Archangel’s Proposal (Part 1)
‘Hey, angel? Angel?’
SoSo Food Show tried asking multiple times in his mind, but there was no answer from the angel.
‘Can’t he hear me?’
It seemed the angel could only communicate his thoughts one way, not read minds.
‘What business does he have with me?’
Soso, who had been following the angel, stopped and looked back.
Before he realized it, they had walked so far that the people on the grassland looked like ants.
‘What does he plan to do with me, taking me all the way out here, away from everyone’s eyes? Could it be…?’
A smile crept onto Soso’s face.
‘Is he trying to give me a hidden reward?’
Could it be that his relentless hard work all this time had finally been recognized by the angels?
Perhaps they brought him here in secret to give him a special reward.
Such hopeful thoughts continued until the angel descended from the sky.
[What are you grinning about, human?]
“Oh, no reason. Hehe. So, what business do you have with me…?”
[It’s not me who has business with you. It’s the Archangel.]
“The Archangel?”
[For some reason, the Archangel wishes to meet you. Consider it an honor.]
Soso couldn’t contain his joy.
‘Knew it! I knew it was a hidden reward!’
He wanted to jump for joy and shout, but he restrained himself in front of the angel. Still, he couldn’t stop the corners of his lips from rising.
[Why do you keep smiling?]
“Haha, no reason. It just makes me happy to think I’ll be meeting the Archangel.”
[You’re more perceptive than I thought. Well then, shall we go meet the Archangel?]
“Yes!”
[Take my hand for 10 seconds. I’ll transport you to the Celestial Realm.]
“Oh.”
For the first time, Soso took the angel’s hand. It was soft, like the warmth of a sunny spring day.
‘Oh, angel… I think I’m falling in lo—’
But before he could finish his thought, Soso was stunned. It wasn’t because the Celestial Realm that appeared before him was so dazzling, but because an incomprehensible message flashed in red letters.
[You have left the round in progress.]
[If you do not return to the playing area within 1 hour, your player qualifications will be revoked.]
[Time until disqualification: 00:59:59]
“What? What is this? Disqualification? Angel! I just got a weird message—”
Soso’s words stopped abruptly as he looked at the angel’s face. The angel, who had once looked like the warmth of spring, now had a wicked smile on his face.
[Kekeke, you stupidly followed just because I called?]
“A…angel?”
[What angel? You vermin. Don’t look at me with those disgusting eyes.]
The angel, who had always spoken so politely, had completely changed his tone. As if in the Celestial Realm, there was no need for formalities.
The angel sneered at Soso, who stood there in shock, and muttered into the air.
[Yes, yes. I’ve brought him. Ah, yes, I’ll be waiting.]
Soso, now realizing the situation, clenched his face in frustration.
“You tricked me! This wasn’t about giving me a reward!”
[Are you insane? When did I ever say I’d give you a reward? I never lied. The Archangel does want to see you, after all.]
“What…?”
At that moment, a brilliant light flashed before his eyes.
When he blinked, there was a new angel he hadn’t seen before. This one had wings and an aura that far surpassed the previous angel, a stunning male angel.
[The lowly one greets the mighty Archangel.]
[Rise, Millen.]
[Huh?! You even know my name? I-I’m honored!]
Soso couldn’t help but feel a pang of self-awareness as he watched the once arrogant angel now acting like a shy maiden. It reminded him too much of himself just moments ago when he had been head over heels.
[You may return to the round now. If you linger too long, you might arouse suspicion.]
[Understood. It was an honor to meet you. Then, I’ll be off…]
When Millen disappeared, only the male angel and Soso were left standing on the cloud.
[I am one of the Seven Archangels… or perhaps I should say the Three Archangels now? I am the second-ranking member of the Three Archangels, Gabriel. And your nickname must be ‘Soso Food Show,’ correct?]
“Y-Yes, that’s right.”
Without realizing it, Soso had instinctively responded in formal speech.
It felt as though he had no other choice. The aura and dignity of the Archangel were on an entirely different level from any other angel he had encountered so far.
[From the message, you should already know. In one hour, your player qualifications will be revoked simply because you’ve come to the Celestial Realm.]
“……”
[And of course, there’s no way for you to return. Only the angels here can travel between the Celestial Realm and the Mortal Realm.]
“W-Why are you doing this to me? Please, let me return.”
[You want to go back? But wouldn’t it be better if your player qualification were revoked? Then you wouldn’t have to participate in the survival game anymore.]
“Huh?”
Upon hearing that, Soso paused. If his qualification as a player was revoked, it would mean he was out of the game.
He wouldn’t have to fight for survival anymore.
[Of course, you’d lose all the power you’ve gained as a player and return to being an ordinary person. But wouldn’t that be a better life for you? Safer than risking your life every moment?]
“Y-Yes, that’s true.”
Though Soso had boasted he would clear all 20 rounds and make his wish come true, he wasn’t really confident. There was no telling how many difficult quests lay ahead.
‘If I could, I’d like to return. To my old life.’
Revenge or whatever, he didn’t care about the power of being a player anymore. He just wanted to live.
Such thoughts began to sway Soso’s heart.
“So… if I just wait here for an hour, I’ll return to being a normal person?”
[That’s right. But I won’t let you wait that long. I’ll send you back to the Mortal Realm before your disqualification. Unless you reject my proposal.]
“Proposal?”
[You know who ‘Black Scythe’ is, don’t you?]
The sudden mention of the name made Soso’s gaze turn icy.
“Of course I know…”
[You hold a grudge against him, don’t you?]
“……”
[You don’t have to say it. I already know. I’ve looked into it. You want revenge on Black Scythe, don’t you? That’s why I brought you here.]
“W-What do you want me to do?”
Gabriel looked a bit surprised at how quickly Soso grasped the situation.
[Hmm, you’re not as stupid as I thought. Before I get to the point…]
Gabriel’s hand flashed, and an item appeared. It was an old-looking book with a large purple gem embedded in it.
[Take this.]