Chapter 252: End of the 15th Round (Part 2)


    At that moment, Heo Tae-seok’s hand hesitated over the keyboard.


    Feeling exposed, he debated whether to delete hisment. Ultimately, he decided against it.


    “Why should I delete it? It’s true.”


    Heo Tae-seok let out a long sigh, looking as dejected as someone nursing a heartbreak.


    Strictly speaking, his dejection wasn’t over a person—it was over a god.


    ‘No matter how much I think about it, I just don’t understand. What is the ck Scythe thinking…?’


    The fact that he had given everything in the 15th round to help the ck Scythe was a source of pride for him.


    At that moment, Heo Tae-seok was ecstatic, overflowing with joy.


    But his excitement was short-lived.


    When he saw his ranking, the euphoria quickly dissipated.


    “I’m in 10th ce? Me, 10th ce?”


    He hadn’t dared to hope for 2nd or 3rd ce.


    To be honest, he had secretly hoped for a top-three position.


    After all, he was the founder and leader of the Death Church.


    As the ck Scythe’s “right-hand man,” wasn’t that reasonable?


    ‘No, I should be realistic. I can’t be greedy. I didn’t do enough in the 15th round to justify that rank.’


    He admitted that 2nd ce Christine’s Sanctuary skill yed a huge role inpleting the third mission.


    Simrly, 3rd ce Min Juri’s buffs had been crucial to seeding in the first and second missions.


    Given their contributions, aiming for 2nd or 3rd ce was absurd.


    “But why was I pushed all the way down to 10th ce?”


    He understood that rankings had no practical significance, but still, it hurt his pride.


    Being ranked 10th felt like he had been forgotten—like he didn’t matter as much.


    ‘To the ck Scythe, what am I? Did my efforts mean anything to him?’


    Even though he was ready toy down his life for the ck Scythe, the rewards he received in return felt disproportionately small.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The only tangible benefit he had received was the relocation of the Death Church’s headquarters from a rural area to Seoul.


    ‘Hmm… when I think about it, that building is worth hundreds of millions. And he also provided 100 million won a year for operational costs.’


    While it seemed like adequatepensation on the surface, in reality, it felt less so.


    The building wasn’t technically his—it was more like borrowing a space.


    The operational funds? Barely enough to cover the basics.


    Most of the money went toward supporting and managing the Death Church’s members and maintaining the building, leaving Heo Tae-seok with little for himself.


    ‘I’m not asking for material rewards.’


    He wasn’t expecting grandpensation.


    What he wanted was simple recognition.


    Acknowledgment of his efforts and validation of his role as a leader.


    “Should I just ept being 10th?”


    As Heo Tae-seok grappled with his feelings of disappointment, he suddenly froze, startled by his own thoughts.


    How could he—a mere servant—feel resentment toward a god?


    p! p!


    He pped himself across the face, trying to suppress his wavering faith.


    “Unworthy… I am unworthy. My faith iscking…”


    “What’scking?”


    Startled by the sudden voice, Heo Tae-seok whipped around.


    Standing there was Cardinal Em Jun-seok.


    “What are you mumbling about, Leader?”


    “Ahem, it’s nothing.”


    “This isn’t the time for idle thoughts.”


    “What’s going on?”


    “Some visitors have arrived at the Death God Sect. Follow me.”


    Without further exnation, Em Jun-seok led the way, and Heo Tae-seok followed him, confused.


    It wasn’t a time when worshippers usually gathered, so who could it be?


    ‘Huh?’


    As they stepped outside into the courtyard, they saw a group of people—ten in total.


    All foreigners.


    ‘Who are these people?’


    Had they heard rumors about the Death Church ande for a tour?


    At first, he thought so, but he quickly realized otherwise.


    Several of them were equipped with yer items.


    “They’re yers?”


    “Is this the temple of the ck Scythe?”


    Since the trantion system only worked in the otherworld, Heo Tae-seok couldn’t understand them.


    “Cardinal Em, what are they saying?”


    Fortunately, Em Jun-seok spoke English.


    “Wait a moment.”


    After a brief exchange, Em Jun-seok turned back, his face full of surprise.


    “They said they want to join the Death Church.”


    “All of them?”


    “Yes.”


    “Why?”


    After another exchange, Em Jun-seok ryed their response.


    “They said they survived thest round thanks to the ck Scythe choosing them. They were also deeply moved by his self-sacrifice and are determined to join.”


    “Haha…”


    Given the dwindling number of yers, weing new members to the sect could only be a good thing.


    The ck Scythe had already made it clear—new members were always wee.


    “Very well. Let’s arrange an interview. I’ll call the ck Scythe.”


    Weing ten new members was a blessing, but Heo Tae-seok had no idea.


    This was just the beginning.


    Soon, all 175 yers saved by the ck Scythe woulde flocking to join.