Ranker Who Shatters Myths - Chapter 107

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Broken Ranker

Devours Myths

 

Chapter 107

Tower of Five Elements (7)

 

 

 

The unsealing of the Ruyi Jingu Bang had actually been happening for a while now.

 

[‘Trait: Demon Sense’ has been enhanced. From now on, you can engage in battle based on demon perception.]

[You have grasped the basics of the Fighting Style (鬪戰流).]

[The Ruyi Jingu Bang has acknowledged its owner as the chosen one.]

[You have gained the qualification to completely unseal the Ruyi Jingu Bang.]

 

[Will you release the seal?]

 

The conditions for unsealing the Ruyi Jingu Bang that Lee Hyeon hadn’t known about were exactly two things.

Demon sense.

Fighting Style.

One needed to be able to use mental energy to properly wield the Ruyi Jingu Bang’s abilities, and one needed the Fighting Style to utilize it well.

Since the Ruyi Jingu Bang was the central key to the Son Wukong revival project,

its activation conditions had to be much more stringent than other Sacred Relics.

But now that he had completely mastered mental energy and awakened to the Fighting Style,

Lee Hyeon could finally use the Ruyi Jingu Bang.

Thud!

Thud!

He dropped both axes from his hands.

The axes crashed into the ground with a loud noise,

and the Ruyi Jingu Bang, freed from its joints, began to stretch out long.

However, Lee Hyeon had one concern.

‘Using the Ruyi Jingu Bang would be good. It has various functions like Super Recovery and Super Sense, and it’s compatible with other Sacred Relics. But if I handle it in staff form, I won’t be able to use axes as my main weapon anymore.’

 

[The Golden Headband accelerates your thinking speed!]

 

Whirrrrr!!

A circular ring appeared above Lee Hyeon’s head and began rotating.

The sight of it glowing white-hot above his head.

It looked like an archangel wearing a halo.

‘Sha Wujing changed the Demon-Quelling Staff into the Mask of the Golden Arhat to suit me. Sacred Relics are the culmination of myths. So they would appear in the form that best suits a god.’

Time in the world slowed down considerably.

So much so that it seemed almost stopped.

Thanks to this, Lee Hyeon could feel not only his physical senses and demon senses, but also his mental energy more deeply.

There was another world different from what he had seen with the Golden Eyes of Truth just moments before.

The Ruyi Jingu Bang also came closer, more deeply.

‘That also means I can change it into a form that suits me, who will inherit the myth.’

Lee Hyeon aimed for a reversal of thinking.

Couldn’t he handle Taotie’s Fangs like the Ruyi Jingu Bang?

There was a way.

If only he could connect them.

A method came to mind just then.

‘Lightning Chains.’

He drew inspiration from the magic he had mastered while playing Gwiroae.

‘If I can unleash the Ruyi Jingu Bang in the form of Lightning Chains… I can not only handle Taotie’s Fangs, but also utilize all of Gwiroae’s magic.’

Lightning Chains were formed by twisting together multiple Curse Incantations. They contained all the abilities of the Golden Arhat Mask.

And since Lightning Chains were made of lightning techniques, he could also raise the temperature with flame magic.

If he combined and utilized the Sacred Relics of Sha Wujing and the Bull Demon King in the Ruyi Jingu Bang…

‘Let’s try it.’

Lee Hyeon thought that transforming the Ruyi Jingu Bang was the first step to finding his own answer.

It meant walking a completely different path from Son Wukong, despite being strongly influenced by him.

Whirrrrr!!

 

[The Golden Headband attempts to integrate the three Sacred Relics!]

[Mobilizing all necessary operations and calculations to refine mental energy into the required form.]

 

This integration of Sacred Relics was possible entirely thanks to the Golden Headband.

And,

Clank-clank-clank-

The transformation of the Ruyi Jingu Bang, filled with mental energy, began.

The elongated bracelet soon took the form of golden chains and coiled around Lee Hyeon.

Whoosh!

It even contained crimson flames like a freshly forged object.

Just standing nearby was enough to break out in cold sweat.

The black-gold chains writhed violently like a dragon.

 

[The Ruyi Jingu Bang has been transformed into the Ruyi Chain (如意鎖)!]

 

[Ruyi Chain]

A Sacred Relic representing ■■■■ ■■■, the Ruyi Jingu Bang transformed to suit its new owner’s needs.

Originally a tool made by Taishang Laojun for Yu, who achieved merit by controlling the Yellow River’s floods, but it was taken by the Dragon King of the East Sea and then stolen by Son Wukong to use as a weapon. It is also known to have been used by Pangu, the primordial giant.

-Type: Sacred Relic.

-Origin: Myth ‘Journey to the West’

 

The Ruyi Chain instantly burrowed into the ground.

Crash!!

“…!?”

Son Wukong’s clone looked somewhat flustered and quickly retreated.

The moment the Ruyi Jingu Bang was unsealed, the mental energy surrounding Lee Hyeon completely changed.

There wasn’t much difference in quantity or quality.

But the momentum was different.

Sharp like lightning and blazing like fire…

The Ruyi Chain burst out from where the clone had been just moments before, turning the ground upside down.

Swift movements like a snake targeting its prey.

Crackle-crackle-crackle!!

Blue-white lightning and black-gold chains.

The mixture of these two contrasting colors made viewers feel a chill in their hearts.

The clone wrapped the Somersault Cloud around his feet and performed a great somersault. He thrust the Ruyi Jingu Bang in his hand forward powerfully while grinning.

Extend, Ruyi Jingu Bang!!

The Ruyi Jingu Bang stretched out long and collided with the chain.

Kwang!

The chain bounced upward.

But Lee Hyeon had already appeared in that spot, gathering the chain back to himself.

His movements were indeed much more agile than before.

Right after the Ruyi Jingu Bang’s awakening, the fusion of intent and magic power flowed as smoothly as if floodgates had opened.

 

[The awakening of the Ruyi Jingu Bang allows a greater amount of Divine Power to attempt connection between the Golden Headband and Golden Eyes of Truth.]

[The Golden Headband’s computational bandwidth increases dramatically.]

[The Golden Eyes of Truth’s cognitive abilities expand greatly.]

 

[All characteristics are enhanced through the connection of 3 Sacred Relics!]

[You can now understand the martial arts style more deeply.]

 

This too was a function of the Ruyi Jingu Bang.

Lee Hyeon felt firsthand the blessing that Son Wukong must have once experienced, heightening his senses even further.

Paaaat-

‘But this isn’t enough. That guy must be feeling the exact same sensation. No, he has far more Sacred Relics than me, so it’s still too early to close the gap.’

As time passed, more Divine Power would be granted, and the connection between Sacred Relics would become tighter.

Even now, Lee Hyeon’s intent was becoming sharper and sharper, but he still thirsted for more.

‘If I could take that guy’s intent for myself,’

Click!

Lee Hyeon caught the chain in mid-air with his left hand and hooked it to the ring part of the axe handle.

Ziiiiing!!

 

[Taotie’s Fangs resonate with the chain!]

 

Intent naturally flowed into the axe as well.

Now Taotie’s Fangs were also Sacred Relics.

Sacred Relics meant only for himself.

‘Not only can I fill the lacking intent, but I might get closer to the answer I seek.’

Pajijijik!!

Lee Hyeon melted the Bulgasal bracelet he had once received as a gift from Executive Director Ho with heat and added it to the chain and axe.

Perhaps because it was originally a lump of metal, the absorption was surprisingly easy.

 

[The characteristic ‘Appetite’ of Bulgasal has been added to Taotie’s Fangs and the chain.]

[From now on, you can plunder 10% of the magic power and intent of opponents you hit.]

 

As soon as Lee Hyeon saw the message he wanted appear,

Kwarrrrrung!!

He threw the axe in his hand toward the clone with all his might.

 

[Dueoksini’s Specter explodes!]

 

The clone wrapped several layers of golden mist around its body and thrust the Ruyi Jingu Bang forward long once more.

Chaeaeng!

The lightning-infused axe couldn’t pierce through the Ruyi Jingu Bang and was blocked midway, but,

Chwarrrrruk-

Like a living snake, it coiled around the Ruyi Jingu Bang and instantly slithered down to the bottom.

“……!?”

The clone, completely unprepared for this fighting style, tried somehow to pull the Ruyi Jingu Bang back.

But strangely, it couldn’t budge an inch, as if nailed in place.

This was because the chain wrapped around the Ruyi Jingu Bang was greedily devouring intent and magic power.

“……!!”

 

[Successfully plundered part of the opponent’s intent and magic power.]

 

Taotie’s Fangs, Iron Devourer, reached the clone’s nape in an instant.

Just before the sharp blade fell, the clone hastily let go of the Ruyi Jingu Bang and retreated.

Lee Hyeon immediately gave chase.

Chwarrrruk!

Paat-

He used the propulsion generated by pulling the Ruyi Jingu Bang tight to close the distance in one go.

Flesh Thirster in Lee Hyeon’s left hand shot up vertically.

The clone pulled back its upper body just before its jaw could be split and extended its left hand.

An offensive filled with intense magic power.

Lee Hyeon blocked it with Blood Biter, the third axe he had newly drawn from his inventory.

Kwang!!

Multiple exchanges of offense and defense occurred in an instant.

Martial arts against martial arts.

Intent clashed with intent, instantly turning the surroundings into a battlefield.

Paaaat-

Meanwhile, Lee Hyeon succeeded in completely absorbing the Ruyi Jingu Bang he had seized from the opponent with his chain.

The clone’s Sacred Relics weren’t real Sacred Relics to begin with, but fakes made by shaping intent.

If he could just take them from the opponent, understanding their composition wasn’t too difficult.

 

[Based on the intent absorbed by the Golden Headband, your understanding of martial arts increases dramatically.]

[Black and white are added to the 7-color spectrum detectable by demonic senses, making it 9 total.]

 

Lee Hyeon chewed over the intent Son Wukong had put into the clone again and again.

And reflecting on himself, he gauged what direction he had been pursuing.

Son Wukong had embodied freedom and independence.

But,

No matter how much he thought about it, those two things didn’t suit him.

‘Even being able to fight like this now… in the end, I didn’t accomplish any of it alone.’

The Golden Eyes of Truth were given by Moon Su-chan, Dueokshini’s Deep Breath was given by Lee Gun-san, and martial arts were given by Son Wukong. Sha Wujing and the Peng Demon King had each given parts of themselves too.

He had merely woven all those many things together.

He would continue receiving help from many more people in the future,

and he would strive to extend his hand to them as well, as much as possible.

Everything he had built

had been built ‘together’ with good people around him.

‘…This is it.’

In that moment, Lee Hyeon realized what kind of martial arts he should pursue.

 

—Relationships.

 

His acquaintances and colleagues were always giving him so much.

And,

 

―Salvation.

 

Always saving him from crises, giving him new opportunities.

To him, they were all saviors.

‘If possible, I too…….’

If he could become such a person.

Wouldn’t his own fighting style be able to shine brightly too?

Like Son Wukong.

Swoooosh!!

Lee Hyeon infused the axe with the will born from that realization and powerfully slashed diagonally upward,

and the clone, which had been reaching its arm toward him, stopped mid-motion as a deep blood line was drawn across its upper body.

The clone was smiling.

As if this fight had been extremely entertaining.

Pssss-

The clone turned to ash and disappeared.

At that moment,

Ding!

Ding!

 

[You have passed the final test!]

[All achievement conditions have been completed. Additional rewards are granted for successfully completing the ‘Event: Apostle Trial’ which boasted extreme difficulty.]

[‘Trait: Demon’s Senses’ has been upgraded to ‘Fighting Style’.]

……

[Your Achievement is being inscribed on the . Your ranking has risen dramatically.]

[You have chosen private mode. This information will not be disclosed to the outside.]

[Unknown rumors about your great Achievement and fame begin to spread little by little in the .]

……

 

Messages appearing without pause.

“……Phew.”

“You finally did it.”

While Lee Hyeon was relieving his excited physical tension, Son Wukong approached slowly with a smile.

“I thought you might be able to pass the test, but I didn’t expect you to find the answer too. Is that the answer you found?”

Son Wukong’s Golden Eyes of Truth gazed directly at him. Lee Hyeon’s Golden Eyes of Truth also gazed directly at Son Wukong.

Intense blue flames of will.

 

[■■■■ ■■■ has acknowledged you for the first time.]

 

That single line of message seemed to release all the fatigue that had accumulated in his heart.

“Yes. That’s right.”

Son Wukong nodded.

“It was unexpected since it’s different from the direction I pursue, but I think it suits you well too. You worked hard.”

“……Thank you.”

“For what. However, fighting style only begins when you establish its direction. Its depth is deeper than the deep sea, to the extent that even I haven’t completed it yet.”

Son Wukong spoke in a deliberately strong voice while crossing his arms.

“So you too must continue to strive and make constant progress.”

“That sounds like an old-fashioned lecture.”

“What did you say, punk?”

Son Wukong scowled fiercely at Lee Hyeon’s light joke.

Pfft.

Lee Hyeon chuckled lightly.

“Just kidding. I’ll keep it in mind and work to complete my fighting style.”

Lee Hyeon’s Golden Eyes of Truth glowed mysteriously.

“Even faster than the Great Sage.”

“Hmph. That’s still a million years too early for you, youngster. As they say, when a sparrow tries to follow a stork, its legs get torn apart. You should know your place. Tsk. In my day, I wasn’t like that and was always humble. These youngsters nowadays, tsk tsk.”

Son Wukong grumbled as if displeased, but a satisfied smile hung on his lips.

“Anyway, since everything’s finished, let’s head back.”

Son Wukong turned his body around.

In the distance, a new door appeared.

Thud!

 

[You have acquired 3 apostle qualifications as a reward.]

[Acquisition targets: ■■■■ ■■■, ■■■■ ■■■, ■■■■ ■■■■.]

[Would you like to receive the rewards?]

 

The moment Son Wukong took a step, a new message appeared on Lee Hyeon’s retina.

The broken words that were respectively ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven Son Wukong’, ‘Golden Body Arhat Sha Wujing’, and ‘Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven Bull Demon King’.

Son Wukong didn’t even check if Lee Hyeon was receiving the rewards.

As if accepting them was only natural.

However,

Lee Hyeon hesitated for a moment before choosing to receive them.

……Is this really the answer I want?

The answer he gave was,

 

[You have refused to receive them.]

 

‘No.’

“……What are you doing?”

Son Wukong stopped mid-motion while trying to open the door leading outside, and looked back at Lee Hyeon with blazing eyes.

Lee Hyeon was holding Taotie’s Fangs in both hands while letting his chain weapon hang long.

“Why does it have to end here?”

Lightning sparks were flying from Lee Hyeon’s eyes.

“I have no intention of being satisfied with something like a mere apostle.”

Son Wukong’s expression hardened.

“‘Mere’……? Do you know what you’re babb-“

“I want to become your successor, Great Sage Equal to Heaven.”

Lightning blazed fiercely.

“Give me your position.”

“……!!!”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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