Chapter 253: Integration (Part 2)


    epting the answer calmly, Alex maintained a positive outlook. True to form, his character was as reliable as ever.


    “Thank you for your answer. I’ll see you around.”


    “Take care.”


    After Alex left, a few more interviews followed. Finally, someone Ryu Min had eagerly anticipated appeared.


    [Name: Dorothy yton] [Nickname: Dorothy] [Nationality: Nethends] [Level: 69] [Otherworld ss: Archer] [Age: 22] [Date of Birth: December 24, 2000] [Reason for Joining: Out of respect for ck Scythe.]


    ‘She’s here—Dorothy, the divine archer who survives until the 18th round.’


    While the archer ss wasmon, surviving with such a ss was no small feat.


    “You’re approved.”


    “Pardon? But you haven’t asked me anything yet.”


    “I already know enough.”


    Without further ado, Ryu Min approved her application.


    Thus, in just three days, all 175 yers rescued by Ryu Min had joined the Death Church.


    The Death Church now held every surviving yer in the world.


    ‘This is perfect.’


    Now came the crucial part: ensuring the survival of his recruits while navigating the rounds ahead.


    As soon as thest applicant left the Death Church’s headquarters, Heo Tae-seok and Em Jun-seok approached Ryu Min.


    “Thank you for your hard work, ck Scythe.”


    “You too, Sect Leader Heo. And you as well, Cardinal Em Jun-seok.”


    “Thank you, ck Scythe.”


    For a brief moment, Heo Tae-seok’s expression shifted subtly, but Ryu Min had already turned his head away.


    “I’ll be leaving now. Take some time to rest until I contact you again.”


    “Understood. Safe travels, sir.”


    “Very well.”


    With that, Ryu Min unfurled the wings on his back and soared high into the sky.


    On his way back home, he suddenly paused and descended onto a nearby building’s rooftop.


    “I need to meet Min Juri. I can’t keep avoiding her.”


    It was high time to mend their rtionship. Returning to their old camaraderie was crucial to avoidingplications during future rounds.


    Tap, tap, tap.


    His fingers moved quickly across his phone, typing a text message. A reply arrived shortly after.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [Min Juri: Sure, let’s meet.]


    The short response left Ryu Min feeling a little uneasy.


    “I should bring something to ease the awkwardness. Maybe a crafted item?”


    Rummaging through his inventory, he recalled he had been meaning to use the Infinite Material Pouch for some time.


    “A god-tier item is out of the question without Aether, but a legendary-tier item should be enough to impress her.”


    With his sky-high luck stat, he was confident in obtaining excellent materials.


    [You used the Infinite Material Pouch.] [Congrattions! You’ve obtained 5 material items!] [The items have been added to your inventory.]


    As he inspected the materials, Ryu Min tilted his head in confusion.


    “Not a single legendary-tier material? And what are these unfamiliar ones?”


    To his dismay, there wasn’t even a god-tier material among them, leaving him unable to craft a legendary item for Juri.


    “Well, nothing I can do about it.”


    Slightly disappointed, Ryu Min took off, heading to their agreed meeting ce.


    ***


    Meanwhile, in a Different Dimension.


    Rumble.


    A dimensional portal opened, revealing an enormous repository of knowledge—the Akashic Records.


    [Wee, Michael.] [Greetings, Luvaiah.]


    The archangel Michael entered the grand space, his expression grim.


    [There’s a problem.]


    [Is it about the Demon Resurrection Codex?]


    [You’re well-informed, I see.]


    [Are you worried about the gods’ wrath?]


    [No.]


    Michael shook his head decisively. The gods’ anger could be pacified eventually, but this was not the issue weighing on him.


    [That’s trivial. The real problem is that the gods want ck Scythe captured before the 18th round.]


    [Understandable. Giving the demon duke a reason to intervene isn’t something they’d want. For the gods, his involvement would ruin their game.]


    [Do you have a solution?]


    […]


    [I skipped the 15th round to buy time, but there are no excuses left. If I dy any further, Gabriel and Raphael will grow suspicious.]


    [In that case, the only option is to strike ck Scythe during the 16th round.]


    [Do you mean I should be involved personally?]


    [What would you do? Pretend to lose and retreat?]


    […]


    [If you fail, the gods will doubt yourpetence. Instead, send Gabriel and Raphael.]


    [You want me to send both?]


    [Raphael isn’t abat specialist, but in this case, you’ll need them both.]


    [That pair is practically invincible together.]


    [Don’t worry. If ck Scythe’s abilities are as formidable as we’ve observed, he’ll be able to fend them off.]


    Michael’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.


    [Is ck Scythe truly that powerful? Even now?]


    [Yes. He’s in numerous angels already—don’t you think it’s time to have faith in his strength?]


    [Still, Gabriel and Raphael are on a different level. If ck Scythe isn’t careful, he could be killed.]


    Luvaiah smiled faintly, a silent assurance.


    [Believe in ck Scythe, Michael. The scenario you fear will never happen.]