Broken Ranker Devours Myths - Chapter 27

—————
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 27

Sha Wujing (2)

 

 

 

The faces of Son Wukong and Sha Wujing changed strangely for a moment.

「Pahaha! You’re running a scam targeting gods who are among the best in the Heavenly Realm?」

Son Wukong looked extremely amused.

Sha Wujing asked Son Wukong.

“Did you teach him Transformation Arts too?”

「No way. But I did give him that Zeus bastard’s signature.」

“…That seems even worse. Well, anyway,”

Sha Wujing let out a hollow laugh while scratching the back of his head vigorously, then soon looked at Lee Hyeon with deeply sunken eyes.

“The fact that you said that means you have your own thoughts about all this, right?”

Lee Hyeon nodded.

“Yes. So what I’m asking is, could I possibly borrow your Sacred Relic?”

“I see… You want to disguise it as defeating my remnant and monopolizing the relic?”

“If it’s something like a mask that can conceal identity, that would be even better.”

“Kekeke. Our senior brother’s temporary apostle certainly wants a lot. But,”

Sha Wujing plucked off one of the black skulls he wore around his neck like a prayer bead necklace.

“That’s exactly why I like you more. Your confidence reminds me of senior brother in his younger days. Kekekeke.”

「You’re comparing me to that brat?」

“If we’re just talking about personality, this child is much better. At least he doesn’t act like a thunder-naked fool.”

「What did you say?」

“Kekeke.”

Sha Wujing tapped the black skull with the Zen Staff he held in his right hand.

At that moment,

Paaaa…!

The Zen Staff instantly transformed into a mass of light and seeped into the black skull.

At the same time, the black skull gradually shrank and took the form of a mask, while the light mass crossed over its surface and was carved like patterns.

Two small horns also sprouted on both sides of the head.

A mask that looked like a Goblin Mask.

“Take this. Keke.”

 

[Mask of the Golden Arhat]

A mask touched by the hands of a being who started as a water demon but became a Buddha. His prized Sacred Relic ‘Demon-Quelling Staff’ protrudes like horns, boasting great style.

Perhaps resembling its owner, it seems very friendly toward you. It possesses over ten thousand curse incantations, so examine them slowly.

-Type: Sacred Relic. Mask.

-Origin: Myth ‘Journey to the West’

 

“In the myth, my Demon-Quelling Staff is described as a staff made by cutting branches from the Cassia Tree raised in the distant Moon Palace, inserting an iron core, and wrapping the outside with jade-threaded silk. Because of this, it can change its length and thickness at will, so I embedded it like this.”

Sha Wujing held out the Goblin Mask to Lee Hyeon.

“And the skull that forms the base of this mask belonged to a high monk with very powerful Dharma Power in life, so it should be able to fully utilize your Lightning Power as well. Kekeke.”

“…!”

Lee Hyeon clenched his fist as he received the Goblin Mask.

Following the Fiery Eyes and the Ruyi Jingu Bang, now even Sha Wujing’s Demon-Quelling Staff.

Various treasures from Journey to the West were being passed down to him.

Just how much stronger could this make him?

What made him even happier was,

Ziiiiing!

The fact that the previously so finicky Ruyi Jingu Bang was extremely welcoming toward the Demon-Quelling Staff.

Perhaps because they were weapons that had been together for a long time.

Click!

Lee Hyeon put the Goblin Mask on his face.

Ding!

Ding!

 

[‘Sacred Relic: Mask of the Golden Arhat’ has been acquired. The Sacred Relic has been bound according to the original owner’s will.]

[Congratulations! You have been appointed as a temporary apostle of ■■■■ ■■■. You inherit a large portion of his karma.]

[You can use all unique functions of the Sacred Relic.]

 

“…!?”

「Hey! You!」

Lee Hyeon looked at Sha Wujing with surprised eyes. Son Wukong was equally shocked.

But Sha Wujing was smiling.

“If you’re going to receive help anyway, shouldn’t I support you wholeheartedly to get proper help?”

Kekeke.

“I’d like to appoint you as a full apostle right away, but then I’d just get cursed out by senior brother, so this youngest brother compromised with this much. There’s no limit to the number of temporary apostles, right? Kekekeke.”

 

[Your cognitive range expands and your senses become more precise.]

[Your understanding of Magic Power deepens.]

[Your understanding of curses increases.]

[You can combine the various curse incantations possessed by the Sacred Relic with various Skills.]

…

 

On top of that, even the original source of the curse incantations that made this Dungeon impregnable.

 

[You have achieved a great Achievement. As a reward, all stats have increased by 10.]

 

‘I had hoped that someday I might be able to receive Sha Wujing’s Sacred Relic or techniques too… but I never thought he’d hand it over so readily.’

Lee Hyeon liked Sha Wujing’s generous nature.

“Thank you.”

“Think nothing of it. I’m the one receiving help. Kekeke. Well then, I’m counting on you.”

「You… really… Anyway, let’s talk about this later when this is over.」

Son Wukong made a groaning sound, then waved his hand as he moved toward Sha Wujing’s shoulder.

The presence of both of them disappeared as if by magic.

They would probably move to a very deep secret location within the Underground Waterway.

“Whew…”

Lee Hyeon took a long breath.

 

[00:01:46]

 

There wasn’t much time left until the apostles arrived.

‘But it’s enough time to prepare to face them.’

Lee Hyeon quickly racked his brain.

‘The ones coming here, they said they were apostles of Nezha and Indra, right? Then would that be Qing Xiao and Mukesh Ambani?’

Both of them were fairly famous rankers.

They were better known by their respective nicknames ‘Lotus Queen’ and ‘Vajrason’.

They were people Lee Hyeon was acquainted with.

‘Especially Qing Xiao was close to Seo Chang-woo.’

It was natural if you thought about it.

When gods are close, their apostles tend to be close too.

‘I can’t let my identity be exposed either, so I need to hide it more thoroughly.’

Lee Hyeon turned his gaze toward the Hidden Boss who was still lying unconscious in one corner.

“If you’re awake, why don’t you get up already?”

“…How did you know?”

The Hidden Boss’s eyelids trembled before slowly opening.

Both pupils were still filled with hostility.

 

* * *

 

“The breathing of someone who’s really unconscious and someone who’s awake is different.”

“What do you plan to do with us now?”

The Hidden Boss couldn’t understand Lee Hyeon.

Why he had kept him alive.

At first, he thought it might be to steal the curse magic, but,

‘That strangely dressed man from earlier… he must be the original owner of the skull. If he received recognition from him, then we would have no more value…?’

Though he hadn’t seen everything, the Hidden Boss had seen all of Sha Wujing.

The psychological pressure he felt then was hard to express in words.

“That depends on what you do from now on.”

“What do you mean…”

“Don’t you want to live?”

“…”

“Then help me.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“No. I’m sincerely asking you to help. You have eyes too, so you must know that something terrifying is coming to this place.”

The Hidden Boss bit his lower lip tightly.

As he said, though Lee Hyeon had turned off the core’s switch, his senses were still vividly alive.

The entire underground waterway was his domain.

Two terrifyingly powerful enemies were rushing toward them at high speed.

“Those people absolutely won’t care whether this place gets destroyed or not. They won’t care how much damage is caused.”

“…”

“Shouldn’t you at least protect your brothers and friends?”

“If you Outsiders hadn’t come, this wouldn’t have happened!”

“I don’t know about that. They came looking after seeing the power you possess.”

The Hidden Boss clenched his teeth.

Lee Hyeon’s eyes visible through the mask were cold.

“Anyway, will you help or not? Just answer that.”

“What if I refuse to help?”

“Then there’s nothing I can do.”

Lee Hyeon extended his index finger toward him.

The Hidden Boss reflexively pulled his body back, thinking he might harm him, but.

‘…This is?’

The lightning that had been embedded in the core came out and was retrieved back to Lee Hyeon.

His magic power returned.

“You’re more cowardly than I thought.”

“…”

Under the mask, Lee Hyeon let out a light laugh.

“Go.”

“…You’re letting me go just like this?”

The Hidden Boss was momentarily dazed.

He couldn’t understand what Lee Hyeon was trying to do.

“Should I keep you here then? Just go. You’d only be a hindrance anyway. Your comrades are all gathered in the room next door, so take them all with you.”

“…!”

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going?”

What?

Why is he just releasing me, his enemy?

Is this also a trap?

Countless questions flashed through the Hidden Boss’s mind, but,

Lee Hyeon no longer paid him any attention and walked toward the passage.

He even showed his back.

As if daring him to attack if he wanted to.

An attitude that showed he didn’t care about him at all.

“…What if I target your back?”

Somehow his pride was hurt.

“Try it if you can.”

“!?”

“But if I were you, I wouldn’t. If you’re a proper leader, you wouldn’t do something stupid that would hurt your brothers and friends.”

“…”

It was sound logic.

The kind that left him speechless.

“They’re almost here. If you delay any longer, you really won’t be able to leave. I have no intention of catching you, but I also have no obligation to protect you.”

Various emotions were complexly reflected in the Hidden Boss’s eyes as he looked at Lee Hyeon’s back.

He was the enemy who had destroyed their sanctuary, but he was also a strange person who didn’t harm them.

He was different from the other Outsiders they had met.

Don’t let your brothers get hurt.

Those words kept echoing in his heart like a refrain.

…They were words that reminded him of someone.

Finally,

“What do we need to do?”

The Hidden Boss didn’t ask why he hadn’t harmed them. He didn’t ask why he was trying so hard to protect the city’s people either.

Instead, he only thought about how he and his comrades could stay safe.

Pfft.

Lee Hyeon turned around with a light laugh as if he found him admirable.

And…

“…Understood.”

After hearing all the explanations, the Hidden Boss made a strange expression and disappeared from the spot.

 

[00:00:37]

 

“Still, I’m glad we could communicate.”

Lee Hyeon’s smile grew slightly wider.

The Quest’s completion condition was [Safety of Hamelin Citizens].

Naturally, this category of [Citizens] included the Hidden Boss and the curse magic group as well.

That’s why he had spared those guys and let them live.

The Hidden Boss seemed to have some misunderstanding about him because of that.

But Lee Hyeon didn’t bother to correct it.

‘It’s not exactly a lie anyway.’

He had read deep friendship and loyalty in the appearance of the Curse Mages.

A sight that reminded him of the old Blue Thunder.

He didn’t want to make them lose that.

Even if this place was a ‘false’ world.

‘I hope he does well.’

Lee Hyeon slowly circulated his mana circuit while thinking of the guy who had tried so hard to act like an adult until the end.

Well, he did have some cute aspects too. With that thought,

Crackle!!

“Shall we begin then.”

 

[Kéraunos awakens!]

[Components of Diovis are attributed to Dueoksini’s Sigh (B+).]

[Skill potential greatly increases.]

…

[‘Sacred Relic: Mask of the Golden Arhat’ links with Dueoksini’s Sigh (B+). Lightning attribute is imbued into the unique function ‘Curse Incantations’.]

[Skill proficiency increases.]

…

[Mana circuit overheats due to rapid mana changes.]

[Ice Jade Heart activates, rapidly cooling the heat.]

…

 

Lee Hyeon rapidly connected everything he had obtained.

Thanks to this, he was able to crudely mix curse incantations into each lightning bolt as he had initially planned.

 

[Proficiency exceeds 100%.]

[Dueoksini’s Sigh (B+) is promoted to ‘Dueoksini’s Deep Breath (A)’!]

 

Thanks to that, Lee Hyeon was able to complete a lightning bolt boasting tremendous output just as the two apostles appeared.

‘It’s better to make a strong first impression from the start.’

What Lee Hyeon was currently trying to imitate was the chief god of , Zeus.

His personality was so famous that almost no one didn’t know it.

Arrogance, haughtiness, brutality, lust, and so on.

But since it was also true that he possessed exceptional skills to match, his apostle should also follow both his personality and abilities.

Meanwhile, Lee Hyeon didn’t forget the fact that his real skills were still just short of ranker level by a hair’s breadth.

So,

He needed to fill that gap with the abilities of the sacred relics he possessed, various curse incantations, and the destructive power of the lightning attribute.

At the same time, appropriate deception and intimidation would be necessary too.

‘Kéraunos’s characteristic is condensation. Then, matching that,’

 

[00:00:01]

[00:00:00]

[Unauthorized appear in the clearing!]

 

The moment Qing Xiao and Mukesh entered the clearing,

‘I’ll mix in curses too for a welcoming greeting.’

Rumble!!

 

[Dueoksini’s Specter awakens and causes chaos!]

 

Lee Hyeon unleashed the lightning he had condensed to the maximum. Pure white lightning bolts poured down before them.

“…!?”

“…!!”

The two rankers’ faces turned white from the light.

Crash crash crash crash boom!

Rumble-

When lightning suddenly struck where Qing Xiao and Mukesh naturally thought Sha Wujing and Son Wukong would be, they were startled and had to scatter to both sides, rolling on the ground.

Crash! Crash crash!

Rumble-

Boom boom boom boom…!

‘What kind of power is this…!’

‘No, more than that, this lightning is!?’

Qing Xiao and Mukesh broke out in cold sweat as they raised their heads.

The underground waterway, which seemed ready to collapse at any moment, was filled with dust clouds.

The white sparks flickering between them sounded like beast cries, sending chills down their spines.

Screech-

On top of that, there were spine-tingling chills.

They interpreted this sudden hot wind as ‘tension’.

Something… was there ahead.

 

[‘Curse: Chills’ succeeded.]

[‘Curse: Intimidation’ succeeded.]

…

 

‘The curses I infused in the lightning energy seem to have worked quite well.’

Lee Hyeon could tell from their expressions that his intention had succeeded.

Though they were merely low-level curses individually, when unleashed together with condensed lightning, the effect was substantial enough to fool even rankers.

Lee Hyeon smiled with satisfaction,

“How dare you think this place is some safe haven,”

He slowly revealed himself, cutting through the dust clouds.

“And carelessly set foot on my land?”

Crackle!!

While wrapped in the white lightning that symbolized Zeus.

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