Chapter 243: The Variable (Part 1)
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Ryu Min’s eyes caught sight of an exceptionally beautiful woman as he stepped out of the arrivals area.
It was Christine.
She waved enthusiastically, greeting him with a bright smile.
“Mr. Ryu Min. Welcome to our country. Was your trip comfortable?”
“I came in first class, so yes, very comfortable.”
“Well, it makes sense now that you’re a billionaire from selling stocks... Oh, but please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not being envious.”
Christine was well aware of the fact that Ma Kyung-rok’s company had collapsed, as she was his fiancée. She also knew that Ryu Min had sold off all his shares during that process, but she did not hold it against him. After all, Ma Kyung-rok had been no ordinary fiancé—he was one who had tried to kill her.
“Shall we go before the mood turns somber? I’ve reserved a good restaurant. How about foie gras?”
“Goose liver is a bit...”
“Haha, just kidding!”
After finishing their meal at a nearby steakhouse, Christine led him to a cocktail bar.
“How about this place? It’s spacious and nice, right?”
“Yes. It’s a bit loud, but that might make conversation easier.”
The bar was crowded, and the music was loud enough to drown out their voices, which made it perfect for discussing secrets. The only downside was that they had to lean in closely to talk.
“Would you like a cocktail or a beer?”
“Let’s go with a cocktail.”
After choosing from the menu and placing their orders, the bartender brought them their drinks.
“Do you drink often?”
“No. I quit it. But that doesn’t mean I won’t drink at all.”
“You sound like someone who’s had their fair share of drinking.”
‘Try living through 99 regressions. Let’s see if you’d stay sane.’
It had been mentally taxing when people died and even his only family, his younger sibling, was lost. He had once lived with a bottle in his hand but managed to break free from the addiction with each regression. Now, he was completely sober.
“First, take this.”
Ryu Min took out a potion from his inventory.
[Top-Grade Invisibility Potion]
Type: Consumable
Grade: Unique
Effect: Grants invisibility for 30 minutes.
Usage Restriction: Expert grade and above.
Description: Allows the user to become invisible. However, it will deactivate upon attacking or being attacked.
Reading the information, Christine muttered, “An invisibility potion?”
“Use it the moment the first mission starts. You’ll be able to navigate it without getting hurt.”
“Thank you for giving me this...”
“The second part should be approached as we discussed. But in the third mission, your role is crucial, Christine. You need to cast a wide-area healing spell to minimize casualties.”
“Will that be enough to save everyone?”
“It will be. Can you maintain it for 30 minutes?”
“With enough concentration, I can keep it up indefinitely. The problem is... wide-area healing doesn’t affect me.”
Christine’s expression turned anxious.
“What should I do? If it’s that painful, I might die before saving anyone...”
“Don’t worry about that. The Black Scythe will protect you.”
“The Black Scythe?”
Her eyes, previously full of worry, now sparkled like a child’s.
“He’ll protect me?”
“Yes. I’ve made it clear that protecting you is essential. He will ensure it.”
“Oh, you’ve told him.”
It bothered her that it wasn’t a voluntary decision on his part, but Christine still looked relieved. After all, receiving help from the Black Scythe was reassuring.
“Drink up! This round is on me.”
Even a player who could smash walls barehanded was still human.
If they drank enough, they got drunk. That was the state Christine was in now.
“How much did she even drink...”