Ranker Who Shatters Myths - Chapter 257

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

The Broken Ranker

Devours Myths

Chapter 257

Perfect (1)

“…Ugh.”

Lee Hyeon barely suppressed his burning body and forced his eyes open.

“Senior, are you feeling a bit better?”

A familiar face.

Kim Min-jeong was looking at him with a worried expression.

“Where is this…?”

“It’s the U.S. Military Base.”

“Military base?”

“Yes. After the dungeon suddenly collapsed, you were…!”

Kim Min-jeong was about to give some answer when suddenly other familiar faces entered the tent.

“I thought it was about time for you to wake up. You’ve finally opened your eyes, our hero!”

“Incredible recovery ability. Can I ask what you usually eat to maintain this?”

Zhu Bajie disguised as Manager Kaileb, Logan, and behind them even Rudranath approaching while carefully reading the mood.

They all looked disheveled from having fought fierce battles, but their faces were full of smiles.

Seeing this, Lee Hyeon intuitively realized.

The fact that everything had gone according to plan.

“What happened?”

“Isn’t that what we want to ask you? I mean, what kind of magic did you use to make U.C.O. disappear and even make the Great Rift vanish so completely?”

Especially Logan seemed excited and eager to hear Lee Hyeon’s heroic tale right away.

Lee Hyeon told them appropriately edited facts while learning about what had happened outside.

That the conflict between the nine powers became even fiercer when the Great Rift occurred.

That in the process, Nat almost died but survived safely with Logan’s help, essentially ending in a draw.

Especially that Oleg assessed the war situation and judged there was no more hope, so he retreated.

In reality, at that time the battle between the Z Team alliance and Sama Society had resulted in a major victory for this side.

The result was the annihilation of Sama Society’s main forces.

“Despair has been captured as a prisoner.”

“Seo Yun-a?”

For a moment, Lee Hyeon’s eyes lit up.

Kim Min-jeong nodded heavily.

“Yes. She’s currently detained with sealing stone handcuffs. After some investigation, she’ll be handed over to the International Criminal Court.”

Seo Yun-a was also Seo Chang-woo’s older sister. She was also a senior from the history department to Lee Hyeon and Kim Min-jeong.

Lee Hyeon didn’t miss the bitterness flowing in Kim Min-jeong’s eyes.

“You worked hard.”

After all the battles ended, they waited for the Great Rift to disappear.

Lee Hyeon had said he had a method and to leave it to him, but they couldn’t just believe his words completely.

Especially if U.C.O. awakened in the Great Rift, an even bigger disaster could occur, so they were waiting on standby with extreme tension in the surrounding area…

“The Great Rift suddenly vanished! The process of over 20 dungeons disappearing all at once was so magnificent…! You should have seen that majestic sight!!”

Logan’s eyes were sparkling brightly, unsuited to his large frame.

To the point where even Lee Hyeon felt burdened.

“And U.C.O. was nowhere to be found, with only you lying there leaning against a rock? Kugh! You don’t know how cool you looked at that moment. It was like a photo shoot!”

Anyone would think he’s a fan meeting an idol. Zhu Bajie said with a laugh from behind.

Lee Hyeon pleaded with his eyes to Zhu Bajie to please remove this large man instead of just talking.

Zhu Bajie just brushed it off with a grin.

“Where on earth did U.C.O. go?”

“U.C.O. is…”

“U.C.O. is??”

Logan’s face came even closer.

Not only Kim Min-jeong, but even Nat, who had been hesitating behind, unable to make eye contact with Lee Hyeon, focused on his words.

“Ugh… My head hurts. I need to rest.”

Lee Hyeon lay back down with poor acting and pulled the blanket up to the top of his head.

“What, you’re cutting it off here!?”

“…Even live broadcasts that said ‘final results will be announced in 1 minute’ didn’t do this, senior.”

Criticism came back, but Lee Hyeon just ignored it.

* * *

It was decided that all content related to this incident would be organized into reports and handed over.

U.C.O. was content that anyone from various groups including White Burn, Astra, U.S. military, and UN forces would inevitably be curious about.

Especially the circumstances and evidence that Sama Society tried to privatize U.C.O. sent chills down the spines of many special agencies.

If such a thing were to become the property of White Burn, or fall into Jet’s personal hands, there would inevitably be significant changes in the international balance of supernatural power.

Naturally, it couldn’t be handled carelessly, but,

“Hahahaha! Tell everyone to raise hell if they want to. What can they do when I crush it?”

[You have entered Flower Fruit Mountain.]

Zhu Bajie burst into loud laughter while climbing the shadowy Flower Fruit Mountain with Lee Hyeon.

Pfft.

Lee Hyeon couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh at the content.

“Won’t there be talk within Astra too?”

“I told you. I’ll just pass it all off as top secret and that’s that.”

Zhu Bajie put a cigarette in his mouth and grinned wickedly.

“Do you know what’s good about being the head of a special agency?”

“What?”

“When shitty things happen, you can make everyone shut up with just one stamp. Who would dare touch content that could threaten national security? Especially in America?”

Lee Hyeon shook his head.

Indeed, the weight class of the superpower called America seemed to be truly formidable.

“Isn’t that abuse of power if done wrong? There will be talk from within too.”

“Huh? Originally, power exists to be abused, doesn’t it?”

This couldn’t be denied.

Zhu Bajie laughed and added more words.

“Still, I’m keeping within bounds, so don’t worry too much. For now, U.C.O. will be processed as recovered by 【Malakh】 through twisting causality. You were controlling U.C.O. with the ‘leash’ until then.”

Lee Hyeon nodded.

Certainly, with that much, even if not completely convinced, it seemed they could muddle through somehow.

It was also Lee Hyeon who exposed Sama Society’s schemes to international society.

“Of course, since Astra and 【Malakh】 wouldn’t have proceeded with this matter trusting only one ranker, your identity from now on will be rumored to be… a former agent jointly, long-term, and secretly trained by America and Korea.”

“What’s with that complicated setting?”

“Originally, such settings work surprisingly well in this field. You don’t know where the truth ends and lies begin. America is the source of all international conspiracies anyway. Then everyone will just curse saying ‘America smuggled U.C.O. to Area 51 again’ and wrap it up.”

Saying it like that left nothing to argue with.

“And,”

Zhu Bajie’s gaze toward Lee Hyeon was full of mischief yet warm.

“As long as I’m sitting here, you’ll receive suspiciously much protection from America from now on. Isn’t that right?”

Meaning he would more blatantly take his side whenever various international disputes arose in the future.

Lee Hyeon could only be grateful.

“Thank you.”

“What are you talking about. I’m the one who should be sorry. Most of the upcoming conflict with the Dark Side of the Moon will… end up being your burden to bear.”

While Lee Hyeon was unconscious, it seemed that conflicts between Astra and the Dark Side of the Moon had already begun in earnest behind the scenes.

Centered around Oleg, the special agencies and intelligence services of four countries – Russia, South Africa, Brazil, and India – had begun moving in alliance.

And responding to this, there were guilds, military factions, and even axes of evil moving in step with them…

Things seemed to be getting quite complicated.

“Among them, quite a few were found to have identified your identity and were planning some kind of scheme. We blocked it beforehand, but still, be careful.”

“Understood. But it’s fortunate that China doesn’t seem to be included in that group?”

“The Party believes they should align with the existing four countries, but Lu Wucheng seems to be stubbornly holding out somehow. The image of being associated with the Sama Society must be quite burdensome too. I think they’ll exercise restraint for the time being.”

Lee Hyeon nodded while thinking of Lu Wucheng.

A man with empty eyes and gaze.

And like Feng Jinghao, someone who possessed an ‘extinct’ inheritance.

‘If the being Lu Wucheng has as his inheritance is also from the Outer Sea…’

Lee Hyeon thought of the divine power from the Outer Sea that would be integrating within his mana circuits by now.

Were the owner of this divine power and Lu Wucheng’s inheritance the same being?

Or were they different beings?

‘If I analyze this, I’ll be able to know the exact details. Including why the Outer Sea suddenly became interested in me.’

What was fortunate, though, was that injuries that should have required at least six months of recovery had almost completely healed.

Now only minor internal injuries remained. These would be completely cured in just a few days.

Yeo-ui Swae’s Super Recovery ability and the Vajra Indestructible Body ability that Zhu Bajie had given him were this remarkable.

However,

What Lee Hyeon was truly absorbed in wasn’t this.

—Trinity .

A desire arose to experience once more that infinite sense of ability he had felt when Lee Hyeon, Son Wukong, and Xuanzang Tripitaka became one body.

No, more precisely, a goal arose to pioneer that position himself without the help of others.

If he could reach that place someday,

Then wouldn’t he be able to know everything – the secrets of the Outer Sea, the truth of the world, and even the gaze that Son Wukong had been watching with?

‘Perhaps,’

Then he suddenly thought of something else.

‘Even the secret about my brother.’

Lee Hyeon thought of a country he had marked as his next destination, one that was said to be working with the Dark Side of the Moon.

The complexly intertwined events were leading Lee Hyeon to one place as if by fate.

‘South Africa…’

* * *

At the entrance to Huaguo Mountain Shuilian Cave sat a man with a familiar face, perched on his bottom.

“Yo! Hisashiburi!”

“…Where did you learn that greeting?”

A man with hair scattered like a lion’s mane.

It was Sata Wang, whose smile gave off a feeling quite similar to Logan’s.

His human form was also in Bull Demon King’s memories that Lee Hyeon possessed.

But the way he raised his hand in greeting was rather strange.

“Huh? Isn’t this how you do it? These days among humans, when you meet someone you’re happy to see, you greet them like this, what was it? The rule? Anyway, something like that – that’s what Sha Wujing told me.”

“Kakkakkakka! Sata Wang is following along very well. Just a little more and you’ll be able to become an insider.”

Sha Wujing appeared from behind Sata Wang, letting out clear laughter.

“Huh? Insider? What’s that?”

“It’s short for the word ‘insider,’ usually referring to people who are outgoing and have excellent social skills. It’s a perfect word for trend setters like Sata Wang and me, who like to win the favor of many people and interact with them! Kakka!”

“This effort to escape from being a… what was it, an outsider? is quite difficult indeed. But thanks to Sha Wujing, I’m learning many things. How reassuring!”

“I’m also happy to have a friend I can communicate well with, unlike my antisocial senior brother who does whatever he wants! Kakkakkakka!”

Sata Wang and Sha Wujing laughing while praising themselves.

It was a combination he had never imagined.

Lee Hyeon unconsciously covered his face with his hands.

‘This is just a conversation between uncles who want to keep up with young people…’

But even if he said this, those uncles would probably just say they’d work even harder to follow trends and wouldn’t come out of the internet.

It was as clear as day.

“Anyway, the reason I came out here to wait for you was to thank you.”

Sata Wang suddenly bowed his head to Lee Hyeon.

“Thank you, truly. For saving me, big brother, and all the other brothers too.”

A sincere greeting.

“Before, there was no time and I wasn’t in my right mind either, so I couldn’t say it properly… but I really wanted to convey these words.”

Sata Wang’s eyes blazed as he looked at Lee Hyeon.

Lee Hyeon recalled from Bull Demon King’s memories that Sata Wang was a passionate yet equally pure man.

It really seemed that way.

“So if you need anything, just say the word! This Isan Great Sage Sata Wang Luo will drop everything and come running at your call!”

Lee Hyeon really felt that Sata Wang was very similar to Logan.

Of course, accepting immediately when someone offers to give something wasn’t the way of a gentleman(?).

“You don’t need to go that far…”

“No! I’m doing this because it’s the only way my heart will feel at ease, so don’t feel burdened!!”

Whoosh!!

The flames in his eyes really seemed to blaze like that.

Lee Hyeon barely managed to calm his twitching lips and slowly opened his mouth like someone who had been pondering for a long time.

“Then… may I ask one favor of you?”

“Just say it! What is it?”

“Kakka! As expected of our Chosen One! There’s no way you’d miss an opportunity like this!”

Sata Wang grabbed Lee Hyeon’s hands and nodded, while Sha Wujing, who had caught onto Lee Hyeon’s intention, burst into clear laughter again.

Grin!

Both corners of Lee Hyeon’s mouth curled up to their fullest.

* * *

“…What the hell! Why did you come back with more weird stuff hanging all over you again, you bastard!!”

Son Wukong had been waiting for Lee Hyeon and Zhu Bajie inside Shuilian Cave when he pointed in shock and horror.

Lee Hyeon had a confident expression, while Sata Wang looked like ‘Will this really do? It’s still not enough.’

He looked ready to pull out his own inner core and offer it if Lee Hyeon wanted it right now.

“I decided to become friends with Sata Wang.”

Ahem.

Lee Hyeon puffed out his chest proudly.

Of course, for Son Wukong, this was maddening.

“Aaaahhh!! This damn bastard, again!!”

[You have successfully formed a Chosen One contract with Isan Great Sage Sata Wang!]

[The Chosen One trial is replaced by the Sata Wang rescue event. The narrative of 【Journey to the West】 changes once again.]

[You have formed Chosen One contracts with all currently surviving Seven Great Sages. You have achieved an unbelievable Achievement.]

[‘Trait: Cavern Warrior’ has been added.]

[Your rank has increased.]

[Your rank has increased.]

…

[News of the Seven Great Sages and Four Dharma Kings facing a common enemy will spread even more widely throughout the Heavens!]

Moreover, the messages appearing before Son Wukong kept grating on his nerves.

A common enemy!

Say something that makes sense! That bastard is my disciple!!

But Son Wukong’s desperate cries could never affect the system.

Lee Hyeon responded with a tone of ‘What can we do about it now?’

Son Wukong trembled his fists, saying he wanted to give him a knuckle sandwich.

“You little bastard… Just wait and see later. Grrrr…!!”

Son Wukong ground his teeth, then sat down irritably in his chair and looked around.

On the left stood Jiaoma Wang, Roc King, Sata Wang, and Wuyong Wang,

On the right were Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and Xuanzang Tripitaka who appeared belatedly.

Son Wukong’s sworn brothers and dharma brothers, and even his disciple. Most people related to him had gathered in one place.

All scattered connections had come together.

Looking at it this way, there were really many.

Son Wukong let out a deep sigh, then suddenly opened his Golden Eyes of Truth wide.

“The reason I requested everyone to gather here today is because there’s something to discuss.”

A solemn voice.

The power to command the assembly was contained within it.

Indeed, the dignity befitting a demon king who stood in a position comparable to the Jade Emperor by his very existence and was known to have finally taken the Buddha’s seat.

“I’m thinking of proclaiming our proper revival to the Heavens…”

The Seven Great Sages and Four Dharma Kings were those who had fallen from heaven by the heavenly gods.

Their gathering in one place meant only one thing.

A declaration of war.

“Could I hear everyone’s thoughts on this?”

In that moment, Son Wukong’s Golden Eyes of Truth glowed eerily.

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