Chapter 229 (Part 2)
Chapter 229: The Delegation (Part 2)
In a quiet chapel, Christine ended the call and set down her phone. She had been praying that her savior, Black Scythe, would call.
‘Did Lord answer my prayer?’
As she smiled quietly, a voice came from behind her.
“Who were you talking to with such a bright voice?”
She turned to find her father, Nathan.
“What? Did you hear me?”
“You were speaking so loudly. Who was it?”
“…It was Black Scythe.”
At the mention of Black Scythe, Nathan’s face lit up. He knew well who the man was—the one who had saved his daughter’s life during the 11th round. As a father, he couldn’t think badly of him.
“You were on the phone with him at this hour?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t know you were dating him.”
“Wh-what? Dating? Who said that?”
Christine’s face turned bright red.
“I thought you were. I hope you are.”
“W-we’ve only just met! We’re not dating.”
“You had no problem dating that scum, Ma Kyung-rok.”
“That was because you pushed me into it.”
“Hmm, sorry about that. I clearly have no eye for people.”
Nathan grimaced at the mention of Ma Kyung-rok, the man who had attempted to kill Christine to hide his crimes in a bid for succession.
“If you had married that psycho, it would’ve been a disaster.”
“Exactly.”
“You never know a person’s true nature until it’s too late.”
Nathan couldn’t stand to even mention Ma Kyung-rok’s name anymore. The psycho who had killed his own siblings for power, and nearly killed his daughter—just thinking about him filled Nathan with rage.
In contrast, Black Scythe was the complete opposite.
He had saved Christine without asking for anything in return, and now he was publicly declaring his intent to save nations suffering under the rule of corrupt players. If anyone was a saint, it was Black Scythe.
“You went to Korea two months ago trying to find Black Scythe but came back empty-handed. Now you’re in contact with him? This is promising…”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying you should make a move on Black Scythe. Opportunities like this don’t come every day. Go for it!”
“Dad!”
“What? Don’t you like him? If you don’t, there’s always that prophet…”
“Dad!”
“Haha, just kidding. So, why did Black Scythe call?”
Christine explained the conversation to her father.
“He’s created a religion called the Death Church and is in America to promote it. He asked if I could help.”
Christine watched Nathan carefully. Though it wasn’t an official religion, it was still asking for help from a different faith, and that worried her. But Nathan was surprisingly open-minded for a clergyman.
“Helping with promotion isn’t a bad thing. Even if it’s for another religion.”
“Really?”
“Yes. But I’m only allowing it because it’s Black Scythe. If it were anyone else, no sir!”
“You know slang?”
“I’ve been learning what young people say these days…”
“Not even young people use that phrase anymore…”
Christine didn’t realize it, but Nathan was trying to change—to bridge the gap between himself and his daughter.
‘We may not have much time left together, and I can’t waste it.’
After nearly losing her, he had softened, not just toward her but toward the world as a whole.
*
[This is Captain Seo Tae-seok. We will soon be arriving at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas.]
After a long 14-hour flight, Ryu Min and the Death Church delegation set foot on American soil.
“You’ll need to show your face to pass through.”
The immigration officer blocked Ryu Min, who was still wearing his mask. His companions had already passed through, but there was no problem.
“Is this enough?”
He showed his face only to the officer, concealing it from everyone else.
Even if his face were exposed, there was no need to worry. He was using his alter ego, Lostyak, for security.
‘Double protection, you could say.’
After passing the inspection, Ryu Min rejoined his group.
“All clear. Let’s go.”
As they exited the airport, Christine waved enthusiastically from afar.
“Mr. Black Scythe!”
Beside her, Jeffrey, now Yamti’s subordinate, quietly nodded.
“You’re right on time.”
“Of course! I promised to guide you.”
Christine saw this as an opportunity to repay a bit of the debt she owed him. But it wasn’t just a sense of duty that motivated her.
“I thought you’d be alone, but I see some familiar faces.”
“I didn’t have the confidence to promote it by myself.”
Seeing the large group, Christine let out a quiet sigh of disappointment.
“You mentioned gathering players for the Death Church, right? I know just the place!”
“Sorry, but there’s a slight change.”
“What?”
“I came to the U.S. for some personal matters, too. Could you take the group ahead? I’ll join you after I finish.”
“O-okay…”
Christine’s disappointment was palpable, and she wasn’t the only one feeling it.
“Mr. Black Scythe, where are you going?”
Seo Arin, who understood English, asked, drawing attention from Min Juri and the other members of the Death Church.
“I have something urgent to take care of.”
‘I need to deal with the Messiah bastards.’
Ryu Min smiled behind his mask.
“I’ll be back soon. Yamti, let’s go.”
“Why do you need Yamti…?”
“She’s needed for this task.”
With that, they left, and Christine’s frustration turned into a sharp gaze. Seo Arin and Min Juri weren’t pleased either.
‘Why do I feel like I’m being stared at…?’
Feeling the uncomfortable pressure, Yamti quickly followed Ryu Min.