Broken Ranker Devours Myths - Chapter 12

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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 12

Condensed Lightning (2)

 

 

 

Rumble rumble, crash crash boom!

Kim Se-jeong was running toward where her teammates were when she suddenly stopped at the sound of thunder coming from behind.

It was definitely a sound coming from the place where Lee Hyeon had fallen.

‘Did he already encounter the boss monster?’

She had thought he was quite skilled, but she didn’t expect it to be this fast.

‘I need to hurry.’

If Lee Hyeon was defeated too quickly, the time to rescue her teammates would be reduced accordingly.

Fortunately, the place where her teammates were imprisoned wasn’t far away.

A building made of stacked bricks.

She forcibly broke down the locked door and entered.

Bang!

“Manager Kim?”

“It really is Manager Kim!”

“I believed in you, damn it!”

Inside, as many as five teammates were imprisoned.

Color returned to their faces.

“Wait just a moment! I’ll unlock the handcuffs for you!”

Kim Se-jeong first broke the handcuffs of the leader, Raid Team Captain Heo Se-woon, with her dagger.

Fortunately, since they were only developed for mana control, their durability was weak.

“Manager Kim, what happened? Did you already bring a rescue team?”

When the raid team was busy getting lost in the Samadhi Divine Wind, the members had focused on getting Kim Se-jeong out of the stage first.

If she, who had stealth skills, brought a rescue team, their survival probability would increase accordingly.

They were already judging that this dungeon’s difficulty had become 2-star just from the Samadhi Divine Wind alone.

However,

“No. I hired a guide.”

“A guide…?”

An expression that showed they couldn’t readily understand.

Kim Se-jeong continued speaking.

“In front of the Boss Stage, I met a guide who came to explore this dungeon alone.”

“…!”

“And I hired him on the spot.”

Kim Se-jeong explained how she met Lee Hyeon while freeing the restraints of her other teammates.

And how she was able to come here thanks to that.

“A mere guide?”

“Does that make sense?”

Heo Se-woon was lacking compared to his Guild Leader brother, but he was still a high-ranking B+ grade expert known to be taking the A-grade exam soon.

The fact that a guide had come alone to this dungeon, which even he couldn’t easily overcome, was completely unbelievable.

“Maybe he has other teammates but is hiding them and planning to backstab us?”

While the members showed reactions of complete disbelief,

“He found the Yellow Wind Monster right away?”

Only Heo Se-woon asked with seriously sunken eyes.

Kim Se-jeong felt an inexplicable tension and swallowed dry saliva.

“…Yes.”

“Is he trustworthy?”

“Judging by his appearance alone, he looked like a freelancer.”

“You mean there won’t be any consequences even if problems arise?”

“Yes. That’s right. So I made a contract with him on the spot.”

“What were the contract terms?”

“We agreed to go back and help him once the rescue is finished.”

“Hmm…”

Heo Se-woon fell into silence for a moment.

A habit he had when lost in thought.

Kim Se-jeong glanced at him nervously, then asked another teammate.

“But…”

“You want to ask what happened to the other members, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Right after we sent Manager Kim away, the boss monster appeared. The damage was severe because of that.”

“…!”

“The Captain did injure the boss monster, but the situation was too unfavorable, so this is how it ended up. Everyone was in chaos because of the Samadhi Divine Wind.”

Kim Se-jeong pressed her lips tightly together.

The teammate who was speaking sighed.

“But I have no idea what that thing is thinking. The fact that it imprisoned us like this clearly means it has some use for us… Maybe it wants to use us as sacrifices?”

That was exactly what Kim Se-jeong was curious about too.

The boss monster seemed to be trying to subdue them rather than kill them from the start.

‘…If it had planned to just kill us there, we wouldn’t have been able to gather like this.’

Kim Se-jeong’s thoughts soon turned to Lee Hyeon, who would be clashing with the Yellow Wind Monster.

‘Then what will happen to that guide?’

Kim Se-jeong was about to ask some question when Heo Se-woon spoke first.

“First, after everyone finishes preparing here, we’ll move toward where the Yellow Wind Monster is as slowly as possible.”

Kim Se-jeong was startled.

“Won’t we support him…?”

“He’s a freelancer, right? Didn’t you bring him planning to use him as bait too, Manager Kim?”

“Yes, that’s true, but…”

Kim Se-jeong unconsciously trailed off.

This kind of thing happened often while being in a prestigious family, so it wasn’t that she felt guilty.

But something felt unsettling.

A feeling that they shouldn’t just abandon the guide.

Maybe it was because she heard the thunder sound that she thought she wouldn’t hear in this dungeon.

But Heo Se-woon was firm.

“We don’t even know what the Yellow Wind Monster’s real aim is, do we? We’ll be able to tell by watching how it treats the guide.”

The other members nodded, saying it made sense.

“If that guide has decent skills, he’ll be able to inflict at least some damage on the Yellow Wind Monster. If necessary, we can strike from behind and aim for the fisherman’s profit, so there’s no need to move recklessly.”

Heo Se-woon was someone who pursued only extreme efficiency. He had a ruthless nature that could easily abandon even his own team members if necessary.

“Who knows? Maybe by watching the guide fight, we can discover the secret of the Samadhi Divine Wind.”

“Haha. As expected, Captain’s insight is unmatched. Really.”

“Maybe that guide has skills related to pathfinding? Or perhaps a Sacred Relic?”

“Would a guide really have something like that? Still, he might have items of decent origin. That’s quite exciting, isn’t it? Since we went through this hardship, the boss monster’s rewards will probably be amazing too.”

“Hehehe. I thought it was all over. I guess a pumpkin rolled down with its vine intact?”

At that moment, the eyes of Heo Se-woon and all the members gleamed with greed.

Gulp!

In the end, Kim Se-jeong also swallowed her dry saliva and decided to go along with the atmosphere.

“Then everyone get your equipment ready first. And also look around to see if there are any items the boss mob left behind. We’ll move again in 30 minutes.”

“Order confirmed.”

“Confirmed.”

“Confirmed!”

While everyone was cheerful and excited, only Kim Se-jeong still couldn’t shake off her uneasiness.

 

* * *

 

Lee Hyeon was engaged in fierce combat with the Yellow Wind Monster.

Rumble! Rumble! Rummmble…!

 

[‘Dueoksini’s Wrath’ explodes!]

 

Kwakwakwakwa!

Where the axe filled with blue-white lightning struck, a tremendously tall pillar of sand shot up.

Destructive power amplified by about 20% compared to before.

But the mana consumption was less than 50%.

Lee Hyeon realized it clearly this time.

‘The way I’ve been activating Breath of Dueoksini all this time was wrong.’

It couldn’t be this efficient otherwise.

 

[The proficiency of Breath of Dueoksini (C) has greatly increased.]

[Mana has increased by 1.]

[Intelligence has increased by 2.]

 

Shrieeeeek-

Lee Hyeon quickly closed the gap with the Yellow Wind Monster that kept retreating.

“Stop following me, human! You persistent bastard! Please just die!”

The Yellow Wind Monster formed hand seals with its remaining left hand and continuously created sandstorms, but,

Ting-ting-ting-ting!

Each time, the sandstorms and waves couldn’t penetrate the barrier created by Dueoksini’s Collar and kept bouncing off.

No matter how toxic the Samadhi Divine Wind was enough to destroy an entire raid team, it was all for nothing if it couldn’t reach its target.

That was right.

In terms of compatibility alone, Lee Hyeon was already the Yellow Wind Monster’s natural enemy.

“Eeeeek!”

For the Yellow Wind Monster, it was maddening and infuriating.

It had been delighted that there were many humans to use as sacrifices after a long time, but now it had encountered a completely unexpected formidable enemy.

First, it had to shake off that persistent human as much as possible.

It formed hand seals again. Blood was still flowing from its right shoulder that had been blown away when they first clashed.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

 

[The boss monster activates ‘Skill: Yellow Mirage’.]

 

Instantly, nine phantoms centered around the Yellow Wind Monster appeared and rushed at Lee Hyeon.

Each had the appearance of the Yellow Wind Monster but carried different weapons like swords, spears, and hammers.

“Die!!”

“What pointless tricks.”

Kwabang! Bang!

But Lee Hyeon didn’t stop his charge and properly utilized the two axes in both hands.

The axe in his left hand was used like a shield to deflect attacks, while the axe in his right hand continuously poured out lightning.

Kwajijijik!

Each time Dueoksini’s Wrath exploded, at least one and at most three of the Yellow Wind Monster’s phantoms burst apart.

Moreover, the lightning energy that struck the ground spread out in concentric circles in all directions,

Kwakwakwakwa-

The desert terrain actually created waves that spread the lightning energy even further.

In the end, among the nine phantoms, nothing could stop Lee Hyeon’s charge.

Whoosh!

“…!!”

The Yellow Wind Monster’s complexion turned pale.

Lee Hyeon had gotten close enough that it could even hear his breathing.

“Try blocking this too. But this time it won’t be easy.”

Lee Hyeon was grinning so his fangs were fully visible.

Dueoksini, mad with battle, was right there.

Kwarrrrung!

 

[‘Dueoksini’s Wrath’ explodes!]

 

The blue-white lightning reached its forehead in an instant. The shadow of the axe covered its face.

I’m going to die.

That thought was the first to flash through the Yellow Wind Monster’s mind.

In the end, it had to play its last hidden card.

“Eeek…! I absolutely didn’t want to do this! Since you’ve made me into this state, I’ll definitely kill you!!”

The reason the Yellow Wind Monster had imprisoned Heo Se-woon’s raid team.

The reason it always captured alive rather than killed not only them but also humans who accidentally entered Yellow Wind Ridge was right here.

Gooooo!

 

[The boss monster gathers all the Samadhi Divine Wind it spread throughout Yellow Wind Ridge and the Yellow Desert. It uses the life force it absorbed as sacrifice.]

[Phase 2 begins!]

 

Instantly, the sand the Yellow Wind Monster was standing on shot up and embraced it. Dueoksini’s Wrath only pounded the innocent sand where nothing was.

Kukuku!

At the same time, with an earthquake, the sand dune crumbled and a giant Sand Giant appeared, blocking out the sky.

『I was going to use this only when I found those wicked ones who trapped me here…!』

“Do you know what characteristic all the boss mobs I’ve met so far had?”

The Sand Giant Yellow Wind Monster couldn’t continue speaking.

Lee Hyeon had already arrived right in front of its eyes.

It was too fast, way too fast.

“None of the talkative ones were any good.”

Flash!

Kurrrrung!

Lightning roughly clawed past the Sand Giant’s eye.

『Kaaak! Kaaaaaaak!』

Kwooooooo!

Sand exploded out. Sand chunks fell like bloody flesh mixed with tears from the giant’s eye.

Thud!

Lee Hyeon, who had blown away a third of the Sand Giant’s face, landed on its shoulder and smiled coldly.

“I don’t understand. When you get this big, it just gives me more places to hit.”

What followed was nothing but Lee Hyeon’s overwhelming massacre.

Boom! Thud!

『How could…!』

 

[Lightning bolts rain down! You are overwhelming the boss monster!]

 

Bang!

『This humiliation…!』

 

[The boss monster attempts Phase 3!]

[‘Dueoksini’s Specter’ activates and forcibly cancels it! As a side effect, the Sand Giant collapses!]

 

Crash!

『How… can you… use lightning energy… like a heavenly god…』

Hissss-

Each time the blue-white lightning flashed, the Sand Giant was mercilessly pummeled, eventually crumbling helplessly like a sandcastle swept away by waves.

In the end, where the sand had swept through, only the Yellow Wind Monster remained, so tattered it was barely recognizable.

“You… what exactly… are you…!”

Above the Yellow Wind Monster’s remaining eye, Lee Hyeon appeared with an axe shouldered.

He muttered quietly, just loud enough for the creature to hear.

“An apostle of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.”

“You! The one who imprisoned me…!”

Thwack!

Lee Hyeon brought his axe down on the Yellow Wind Monster’s head as its eyes widened.

As its skull shattered, a message window appeared.

 

[You have successfully defeated the boss monster in solo play!]

[Clear Rate: 99.1%]

[You have obtained the title ‘Slaughterer’.]

[You have displayed overwhelming prowess. The ‘Logos (λόγος)’ who crave martial are showing interest in you.]

[Logos who had previously left in disappointment at your decline are beginning to take notice again.]

…

 

[As an additional reward for your overwhelming clear, you have gained the karma of ■■■■.]

[Your rank has increased, raising all stats by 10 across the board.]

…

 

[Find the hidden oasis in the Boss Stage to complete the remaining Quest.]

 

Lee Hyeon swept back his bangs, soaked with sweat and dust, and smiled broadly.

How long had it been since he’d achieved a solo dungeon clear? He felt completely refreshed.

Now he finally had the confidence that he could start something. The sensations from his prime were still vividly alive within him.

‘Check status window.’

 

[Calling up user’s status window through ‘Sacred Relic: Golden Eyes Mirror’.]

 

[Jang Lee Hyeon]

-Age: 27 years old.

-Traits: Leader, Indomitable, Frozen Human, [Locked], [Locked]

-Abilities

Strength: 56 Agility: 52

Stamina: 49 Magic Power: 31

Intelligence: 50 Dexterity: 47

-Divine Authority: Golden Eyes of Truth, [Locked]

-Skills: Breath of Dueoksini(B), Combat Sense(C), [Locked], [Locked], [Locked]

-Resistances: Cold(S), Curse(S), Pain(D), Bleeding(D), Paralysis(D), Physical(E), Fatigue(C), Poison(E), Heat(D), Electric Shock(D)

-Current Status: You have gained too many resistances in a short time. Metabolic imbalance is becoming severe.

-Special Notes: Recovering abilities at a rapid pace. However, as a side effect, fatigue levels are too high.

 

Lee Hyeon was greatly satisfied not only with the ability coefficients accumulated while passing through the dungeon, but also with the overall stat increase he’d received as a reward.

His overall average abilities were approaching 50. It was growth so rapid it would be hard to find anywhere else.

Especially the [Heat Resistance] and [Electric Shock Resistance] he’d gained from passing through the Boss Stage would make his body even tougher going forward.

Of course, not everything was entirely satisfactory.

Such overwhelming growth came with significant side effects.

 

[Fatigue Level: 86]

[Current condition is ‘Heat Stroke’.]

 

Continuously pushing his body to its limits had brought his fatigue level to dangerous heights.

‘Well, it was something I deliberately intended. But I still haven’t gained ‘that resistance’ yet.’

Recalling that it had been 91 when he’d fought with the Snow Queen, he needed to finish the Quest immediately and take a long rest.

However,

“I know you’re all there, so why don’t you come out now?”

The fight wasn’t completely over yet.

Lee Hyeon forcibly kept his drooping eyes open and turned around with an expressionless face.

Where his gaze fell.

Behind the sandy rocks. Six Hunters walked out with stiff expressions.

It was Kim Se-jeong and her party.

—————
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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