abcnovels
Chapter 246 (Part 1)
Chapter 246 (Part 1)
Chapter 246: The Start of Round 15 (Part 1)
The person approaching hesitantly was none other than Min Juri.
Was it because she had confessed? An awkward feeling lingered for some reason.
Not that she showed it outwardly.
“You came early.”
“I had something to ask you, Black Scythe.”
“To me?”
What could she want to ask?
Unable to contain his curiosity, Ryu Min read Min Juri’s thoughts.
‘Ah, she came to ask for advice.’
Seeking advice in the otherworld?
It might sound strange to others, but Ryu Min understood.
‘This place is a lawless zone where no laws apply. No action is too strange.’
This otherworldly realm was no different from reality, but most people acted as if they had forgotten that fact.
For instance, being rude to strangers, throwing fits like someone with anger management issues, or, at worst, committing murder.
People did things here that they wouldn’t dream of doing in reality.
‘Even introverts in the real world change completely when they come here. It’s like they’re wearing the mask of their avatar.’
Because of this peculiarity, many players changed when they entered this world.
Wasn’t Ryu Min himself playing a character completely different from his real self?
The same went for Min Juri.
‘Things you can’t talk about in real life become possible here.’
It was like posting your worries to strangers on the internet.
‘In that sense, it’s an honor. It means I’m someone she can open up to in this world.’
Feigning ignorance, Ryu Min asked,
“So, what do you want to ask?”
“It might be a long story. Is that okay?”
“Go ahead.”
“Well, my friend confessed to someone she liked…”
Pretending it was a friend’s story, Min Juri began to spill her own concerns to Ryu Min.
Watching her, he felt a twinge of regret.
Regret that he hadn’t held off until the end.
‘If I’d known it would be this mentally taxing, I should’ve kept delaying it.’
Seeing how much distress he was causing her made him feel he might have been better off rejecting her outright.
Not that he was planning to accept her, either.
“…And so, my friend doesn’t know what to do now. What would you do, Black Scythe?”
“So, it’s relationship advice.”
“Y-Yes, something like that.”
“Do I look like someone who’s been in many relationships?”
“Well…”
“Judging by your hesitation, you don’t think so.”
“Haha…”
Min Juri scratched her cheek awkwardly.
“Why are you asking me for advice, anyway?”
“I just wanted to hear your thoughts. I don’t know how you are with romance, but… you’re insightful. I thought you might have something to say.”
“It’s simple, isn’t it?”
Ryu Min spoke as if it were nothing.
“Your friend confessed and got turned down, right? And they want to stay friends? Then they should stay friends.”
“But, I mean, my friend doesn’t want to just stay friends…”
“So? Are they willing to lose that friend?”
“…”
“If you can’t be lovers, at least be friends.”
Min Juri’s face showed disappointment; it wasn’t the answer she had hoped for.
‘Keep your expression in check. Anyone could tell this is about you.’
Suppressing a smile, Ryu Min asked,
“Why was the confession rejected?”
“They said they only see them as a friend, not a romantic interest.”
“Then they just need to become someone who can be seen romantically.”
“It’s not that simple…”
“Just because there’s a goalkeeper doesn’t mean the ball can’t go in. Besides, that friend doesn’t even have a significant other, right? If the goal is open, isn’t there plenty of opportunity?”
“…”
Min Juri’s eyes widened.
Now that she thought about it, he was right.
There was still a chance.
Just because she had been rejected didn’t mean she had to give up.
“If you fail, you just try again. If you give up, that’s the end. Are you going to stay down after one rejection? Didn’t you say it’s been four years of unrequited love? Isn’t that time too precious to waste?”
“It… it does feel like it would be a waste.”
“Then keep trying. Don’t act as if the world has ended just because you were turned down once. Wanting to stay friends means there’s still a chance.”
With newfound determination in her eyes, Min Juri, after contemplating for a moment, flashed a bright smile.
“Thank you for the advice, Black Scythe. I feel completely relieved now.”
“You said it was about a friend. You’re talking like it’s your own problem.”
“Huh? Ahaha… I was just really worried for my friend, that’s all. Haha…”
Seeing Min Juri’s awkward laughter put Ryu Min at ease.
‘Good. It seems there’s nothing to worry about.’
Thanks to his advice, Min Juri no longer seemed to be troubled by the matter.
She wasn’t gloomy or dispirited; she was back to her old self.
‘Or maybe she’s a bit different now?’
Her eyes sparkled with the enthusiasm of someone who had a new goal.
For some reason, that made him feel uneasy.
‘It’ll be fine. It’s better than her being downcast, right?’
An eager Min Juri was better than a disheartened one.
Though anything excessive could become a poison.
“Black Scythe?”
“Greetings, Black Scythe.”
As soon as the relationship advice ended, the members of the Death Church started gathering one by one.
Key members like Christine, Seo Arin, Huh Tae-seok, and Jo Yong-ho were there, as well as newcomers like Russell, Victor, and Sophia.
They had gathered because Ryu Min had ordered them to come to him once they reached the realm.
‘It makes protecting them easier.’
Looking around, he also saw minions like Yamti, Jeffrey, and Ju Seong-tak.
Only John Delgado was absent.
He couldn’t bring himself to call him.
‘If Christine sees him, she’ll attack immediately.’
The two were mortal enemies, so it was best to keep them apart.
“Receive your buffs, everyone.”
“I’ll strengthen your weapons.”
“You’re with the Death Church, right? Here, take a potion.”
While the supporters Min Juri, Russell, and Victor were busy, a light flashed from the sky.
[Hello, humans? Welcome to Round 15. Now, shall we check the quest?]
The angel smiled, as if saying there was no need for lengthy explanations, and flapped its wings.