Ranker Who Shatters Myths - Chapter 145

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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 145

Rain King (1)

 

 

 

Seo Yoon-ah’s group was able to completely escape from the Ping Xin base safely.

But they couldn’t simply rejoice.

During the escape process, more than half of their personnel had died, and they confirmed that their leader Han Cheol-woo had also fallen in battle.

“Ha… haha…”

Moreover, they had even received help from Blue Thunder during the escape process.

The communication Kim Min-jeong left at the last moment before departing still couldn’t be forgotten.

 

-I think this is enough to repay my gratitude for the past. Next time we meet, I won’t be greeting you.

 

Her face was filled with self-loathing.

She even felt regret about why they had turned their backs on their homeland and organization to choose such a path.

“……”

“……”

“……”

The remaining ten or so comrades felt the same way.

Everyone was silent.

“Where should we go now?”

And there was even less of an answer to the question Seo Yoon-ah asked with a hollow laugh.

Ping Xin had completely collapsed.

It was hard to believe that a mere combat unit, not even a guild, had achieved such results.

If this fact spread throughout the world soon, the aftermath would be tremendous.

The Committee, whose reputation had already hit rock bottom, would try to pin the blame on them and purge them somehow.

Returning would be tantamount to suicide.

They briefly considered joining the axis of evil like the City Cartel or the Underground Doctrine,

but ultimately excluded that option as well.

‘It’s not just the Committee that got their face shoved in the toilet this time. The City Cartel and Underground Doctrine will also try to get revenge somehow… Would they accept us? Probably not.’

They also couldn’t apply for refugee status in other countries.

By now, they would have been issued a red notice by Interpol as terrorists or villains.

Moreover, this was the middle of China.

Finding a smuggling ship would also be a task.

‘…Is it over? Seo Yoon-ah’s life too? Without accomplishing anything? So futilely like this?’

It was then that Seo Yoon-ah bit her lower lip tightly.

Crackle.

『You must be looking for a place to rest your bodies. Would it be alright if this old man offered some help?』

Suddenly, all the group’s radio items rang simultaneously.

A familiar voice.

The gazes of Seo Yoon-ah and her group briefly crossed.

Seo Yoon-ah carefully brought her hand to the radio.

“…Is this the Chairman?”

『Hehehe. To still call this wretched old man who has lost everything by such an excessive title. How truly grateful.』

It was indeed Feng Jinghao.

But something was different.

‘His spirit has changed!’

If before he had always tried to give a good impression, now his voice was filled with malevolent energy.

It felt like he had taken off the mask he had been wearing.

Even though they were simply conversing over the radio, she could feel a silent force that seemed to covet human souls.

Was this really the same person who had been purged of all positions and power?

…Gulp.

Seo Yoon-ah unconsciously swallowed dry saliva and asked.

“But what do you mean by offering us help?”

『Exactly what I said. You all, when you met this old man before, didn’t you say you had something you absolutely wanted to achieve? That you had convictions you must fulfill even if it meant burning your lives.』

“That’s correct, but.”

『I’ll help you with those convictions. How about it? Since we’re both in the position of being cast out anyway, how about we work together with a feeling of sympathy for fellow sufferers?』

It was a scouting proposal.

‘He’s trying to make a fresh start.’

Seo Yoon-ah’s eyes sank deeply.

She looked at her group. Everyone nodded.

Crackle.

Seo Yoon-ah brought her mouth to the radio again.

“May I ask about the details?”

『The first detail is very simple.』

From beyond the radio, it seemed like Feng Jinghao was smiling.

『Obey everything I say. Otherwise, you die.』

Very coldly.

 

* * *

 

Lee Hyeon slowly opened his eyes.

“Jet, are you feeling a bit more conscious?”

His head felt like it was ringing.

His body was still heavy.

When he forcibly circulated his magic power and stared ahead, a familiar face was looking at him.

“Michael?”

“Haha. Fortunately, it seems your consciousness has fully returned. Do you know how surprised we were when you were found unconscious?”

“Where is this…?”

“A transport plane from the home country. We’re currently returning to Korea.”

Lee Hyeon could finally roughly deduce what had happened.

‘Daeseong was protecting me while I was unconscious, and when his comrades arrived late, he immediately handed me over and hid himself. After that, ASTRA would have stepped forward to command the withdrawal operation.’

In special operations, withdrawal is as important as assault.

Plus the IV pack currently inserted in his arm.

The emergency treatment was perfect too.

This was still an area where Z Team was lacking.

They needed to learn things like this.

Lee Hyeon bowed his head slightly.

“Thank you. Without ASTRA’s help, we couldn’t have completed this operation so successfully.”

“Hahaha. What did we even do? I just think Jet and Z Team are amazing. If this incident becomes known, the world will be in an uproar. Data about you will now be classified as ‘beyond specifications’ by all intelligence agencies.”

Michael seemed to be enjoying this as if it were his own achievement.

“You should have seen how the CIA personnel shut their mouths after this report was shared… It’s really a shame you missed that. Haha.”

Lee Hyeon responded with a subtle smile instead of words.

Michael narrowed his eyes slightly and whispered softly.

“That’s why I’m asking, but would it be possible for you to have a brief phone call with our Director later?”

Director?

“If this is about a naturalization offer or HUMINT matters…”

“No! It’s absolutely nothing like that, so please don’t misunderstand. The Director says there’s something really important to discuss with you.”

Lee Hyeon was a bit confused.

No matter how much he thought about it, nothing came to mind.

Especially since matters related to ASTRA’s Director were shrouded in such secrecy that even the National Intelligence Service and various intelligence agencies couldn’t properly grasp them.

‘If it’s a useless proposal, I can just refuse it.’

Lee Hyeon decided to take it easy and nodded his head.

“Understood.”

“Haha. Thank you. Well then, I’ll call in my colleagues.”

Lee Hyeon watched Michael Shepherd’s departing figure, then turned his gaze toward the window.

In the distance, he could see familiar Korea.

‘It’s over. Really over.’

Only now was it starting to feel real.

 

* * *

 

Brief reports were made, treatment of the injured began…

White Burn moved very efficiently.

They took all the team members to their affiliated hospital for complete health checkups to ensure there were no problems.

And individual hospital rooms were provided separately.

Those without injuries could use them as rest rooms and be discharged the next day.

It was quite impressive welfare.

‘Was there always something like this?’

“It was a special order from the CEO.”

Lee Hyeon let out a hollow laugh as he looked at Im Won-young, who had come for a hospital visit carrying a fruit basket.

“What’s this?”

“A hospital visit gift.”

“I’m being discharged tomorrow. This is too much for me to eat alone.”

“Better too much than too little. You can give the leftovers to the hospital and they’ll distribute them to other patients.”

Lee Hyeon smiled lightly and nodded.

“But you’re really okay, right? I heard that Team Leader Jang handled Seo Chang-woo and the main forces almost single-handedly…”

“The team members are exaggerating. Everyone worked incredibly hard.”

Im Won-young let out a hollow laugh at Lee Hyeon’s modesty.

He didn’t probe deeper.

Instead, he organized and handed over materials about matters Lee Hyeon needed to know immediately.

“These are files organizing the movements of various intelligence agencies and major powers after the dawn mission. I’ve also compiled how headquarters plans to respond. Look through them while you rest, and contact me if you have any questions. Get plenty of rest for now.”

“Thank you.”

“Then I’ll see you in a week.”

Im Won-young left coolly as always.

Judging by the energy in his steps, he seemed to be in a very good mood.

With the powerful force called Z Team created and gaining the upper hand in the power struggles with major forces.

More cards meant more things they could do. Lee Hyeon trusted Im Won-young’s abilities.

Lee Hyeon roughly skimmed through the documents, then carelessly tossed them onto the bed.

「Why did you stop reading? Can’t focus?」

Before he knew it, Baby Monkey was sitting on the bed, grinning.

“Yes. After using my body so intensely, my brain won’t work.”

「It would work if you used the Golden Headband?」

“Why would I use that for something like this? I should save it for other things.”

Lee Hyeon grinned as he brought up the message log.

 

[Due to the restoration of the myth, you have obtained a location hint for the new Sacred Relic ‘Somersault Cloud’.]

[Check your inventory.]

 

He opened his inventory.

Inside was a new key.

A golden key shining with golden light.

 

[Golden Key]

A Dungeon Gate key obtained as an event reward.

Connected to the location where ■■Great■ ■■kong’s Sacred Relic, ‘Somersault Cloud’ is enshrined.

-Origin: Key. Dimensional key.

 

The vacation he received as a reward for his hard work on this mission was a full 7 days.

Lee Hyeon had many things to do during that time.

‘I need to ask the old man to repair the broken axe, search for the Somersault Cloud… I also need to check the thoughts and Divine Power sealed in Han Bing’s insignia.’

After that, he also needed to monitor the movements of the Underground Doctrine and City Cartel.

Especially the City Cartel, since there were already rumors that Camila Duarte was stirring things up here and there, so he needed to look into it.

Ah! He also needed to have that phone call with ASTRA’s Director as Michael Shepherd requested.

Since they seemed to want to keep it secret from outsiders, he had arranged to meet with Michael privately in a quiet place soon.

The life of a busy modern person(?), you could say.

Lee Hyeon planned to mercilessly keep himself busy for a while.

That way he could forget about matters related to Xu Changyou.

And…

‘Now I should gradually start tracking down Na Ye-bin’s… whereabouts too.’

Lee Hyeon thought of his former lover who had betrayed him along with Xu Changyou four years ago, but unlike that bastard, had completely disappeared without a trace.

「Seriously. Wonder who you take after with that greed. Tsk tsk.」

Then Son Wukong’s sarcastic comment brought him back to reality.

“Who would I take after? Like master, like disciple.”

「Today I especially want to bite that mouth of yours, my disciple?」

“But I found your brother for you, so cut me some slack.”

「If not for that, you’d already be dead, you bastard.」

Son Wukong looked like he wanted to punch Lee Hyeon just once, but Lee Hyeon smiled brightly and asked.

“How is the Mighty Bull King?”

Instantly, all emotion drained from Son Wukong’s face.

A face tinged with bitterness.

On one hand, anger remained.

「Want to come see him with me?」

“Yes. I’d like to see how he is.”

Son Wukong nodded and lightly formed hand seals.

Then his shadow stretched out long and rose up to embrace us.

A Taoist art that Son Wukong had restored after regaining his second name.

It was the Earth Vein Art.

A Taoist art that partially folded the dragon veins flowing through the earth to create a subspace separated from the external world.

Son Wukong had installed such a subspace in his own shadow, creating a space where Sha Wujing and the Roc Demon King could rest separately.

And now it was also being used as a treatment room for the Mighty Bull King.

Whoosh!

As the view inverted, the place that appeared.

“Where is this…?”

“A mental landscape usually represents the place most familiar to oneself. I decorated it as Flower Fruit Mountain.”

The same scenery he had seen in .

Lee Hyeon was amazed that such a separate world was hidden within Son Wukong’s shadow, but at the same time felt bitter knowing how much he longed for the past.

「I deliberately placed the healing center a bit away from the entrance here. Follow me. If you fall behind, I’ll abandon you?」

“Ah.”

Whoosh-

Dash-

Lee Hyeon chased after Son Wukong who had instantly sprinted far ahead.

“Are you really doing this!? If I lose the Great Sage here, how am I supposed to get out later?”

「What do you mean how? You’ll be trapped here forever.」

Why was that red bottom bouncing along on all fours so annoying?

He was seriously considering giving it a kick when Son Wukong asked.

「By the way, you look like you have something you want to ask. What is it?」

Lee Hyeon quietly set aside his thoughts and asked.

“About the Jade Emperor.”

「…….」

Instantly, the atmosphere grew heavy again.

“He seems to have gained confidence now. Will this be alright?”

「What’s it matter?」

But Son Wukong twisted his lips into a wide grin.

Revealing his fangs completely.

「If he wants to come, let him come as much as he wants. When that time comes, I’ll just smash his skull.」

“……!!”

It was a boldly spirited remark, so very like Son Wukong.

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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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