Chapter 211 (Part 1)
Chapter 211: The Witness (Part 1)
Three Hours Earlier.
Christine had come to Korea merely to hear the Prophet’s prediction for the next round. She also intended to inquire about the Black Scythe.
‘That was the plan, but…’
As soon as she arrived at the airport, she encountered someone unexpected.
“How did you get here, Jeffrey?”
Christine’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, as old, unresolved feelings surfaced.
“Are you following me on my father’s orders?”
“No, I’m here on the orders of the Black Scythe.”
“The Black Scythe?”
At the mention of the Black Scythe, Christine’s anger subsided, though she never expected to hear that name from Jeffrey’s mouth. This unexpected turn made her even more suspicious.
“How do you know the Black Scythe? What connection do you have with him?”
“We were in the same party in the 12th round. When he found out I knew you, he asked for my phone number.”
“What?”
Someone exchanged phone numbers with him without her knowing? Jealousy flared for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.
“Don’t lie. As far as I know, the Black Scythe avoids meeting others in real life…”
Jeffrey suddenly handed her his phone.
“I just video-called the Black Scythe. See for yourself.”
“What?”
Startled, Christine took the phone. On the screen appeared a man in a white mask.
“Is that… Christine?”
“Black Scythe?”
The figure on the screen was dressed exactly as she remembered from the otherworld. The scythe was identical too.
“Is it really you, Black Scythe?”
“Yes. You look the same in both the otherworld and reality.”
‘I thought I had made some changes to my face and skin…’
Though she was slightly disappointed that he hadn’t noticed, this wasn’t the time to worry about that. This was a call with the savior she had longed to meet.
“I never imagined I’d be speaking with you in reality.”
“I didn’t expect this either. I had no idea you and Jeffrey knew each other.”
“You exchanged numbers after hearing about me? Do you have some business with me…?”
Christine asked with a hint of expectation, but the response was not what she hoped for.
“There’s something I want to show you. I’ll tell you the place, so meet me there. Jeffrey will guide you.”
“Ah, I see.”
After the call ended, Christine gave an embarrassed smile.
“I’m sorry I doubted you, Jeffrey. You really did make contact with the Black Scythe?”
“Yes. It’s quite a curious connection, isn’t it?”
“It is. How did you end up in a party with the Black Scythe?”
“I’ll explain on the way. For now, let’s get moving.”
Christine got into the car Jeffrey had prepared, and they set off.
‘What could it be that he wants to show me? Will the Black Scythe himself be there?’
Suppressing her curiosity, she watched as the car veered onto a secluded mountain path.
“We’re here.”
“Is this the place?”
“Yes. Please step out.”
Together, they began to climb the mountain path. If she had come with a stranger, she would have been wary, but Christine trusted Jeffrey. After all, she had just spoken to Black Scythe, and it was Jeffrey leading the way.
‘Jeffrey wouldn’t harm me. I’m sure of it.’
She had known him since childhood and was confident he was someone who would protect her. That was why she followed him without hesitation.
“Hm? There are people over there.”
She noticed two figures, a man and a woman, standing behind a tree. The woman, in particular, was someone Christine recognized.
“Seo Arin?”
“Chrissy?”
The two women called out each other’s usernames simultaneously. They had partied together just a few days ago in the 12th round, so there was no way they wouldn’t recognize each other.
“Hello. I never thought I’d meet you here, Seo Arin.”
“Same here, Christine. I knew someone else was coming, but I didn’t expect it to be you.”
Christine widened her eyes at Seo Arin’s fluent English.
“You speak English well?”
“I picked it up while taking acting classes. It’s awkward if the pronunciation is off during English lines.”
Christine already knew Seo Arin was an actress. They had exchanged introductions and shared stories when they partied together. That was when Christine found out that Seo Arin was under Ma Kyung-rok’s company.
“You look exactly the same as you do in reality.”
“You do too, Christine.”
“I did tweak a few things though…”
“Really? I didn’t notice. You’re so beautiful in both worlds…”
Was it because they had been party members? Or perhaps it was because they shared the common bond of Black Scythe? Though they hadn’t known each other long, their relationship wasn’t bad. In fact, they were busy complimenting each other like old friends reuniting after a long time.
“And who is this?”
“Ah, this is someone Black Scythe knows…”
“My name is Ju Seong-tak. I was in a party with the Black Scythe in the 12th round.”
Noticing Christine’s gaze, Ju Seong-tak quickly introduced himself. Although there was a language barrier, Seo Arin was there to facilitate the conversation.
“Oh, this is Jeffrey. Please, everyone, introduce yourselves…”
Jeffrey and Ju Seong-tak merely exchanged glances without speaking. They didn’t need to exchange words; they already knew each other. Both were servants of the Black Scythe.
“You were all summoned here because the Black Scythe has something to show you.”
“What exactly does he want to show us?”
Ju Seong-tak pointed beyond the trees. Below, there was an old, dilapidated warehouse, in front of which stood a familiar figure.
“Is that… Ma Kyung-rok?”
“Why is Ma Kyung-rok here?”
Christine asked, and Seo Arin replied.
“The Black Scythe said he wanted to show us Ma Kyung-rok. His true nature…”
“True nature?”
Christine looked at Ma Kyung-rok again. He appeared to be waiting for someone in front of the warehouse.
“What could the Black Scythe possibly want to show us…?”
“He said we’ll find out if we wait and watch. So that’s what I’m doing.”
Since Seo Arin said she was waiting, Christine had no choice but to watch quietly as well. She didn’t know what aspect of Ma Kyung-rok she was supposed to see, but she continued to observe.
Ma Kyung-rok took a call and then entered the warehouse. They were too far away to hear the conversation, as they had stayed over 30 meters back to avoid detection.
“Hey, someone’s coming.”
A van arrived at the mountain path, and a man got out. It was An Sang-cheol, Ma Kyung-rok’s right-hand man, whom Christine also recognized.
The man opened the back door and dragged out two unconscious or dead people. As he carried them into the warehouse, Christine and Seo Arin were shocked.
“What… What is that? Is this a kidnapping?”
“No, that can’t be… right?”