Ranker Who Shatters Myths - Chapter 282

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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 282

Tiamat’s Nest (7)

Over ten years ago.

After Rabu’s descent, also known as the South Africa Incident,

humanity posed a single question.

―How could a god appear directly on the surface in the form of a dungeon, rather than a temple?

Most dungeons discovered so far that were related to mythology appeared in the form of temples or mausoleums.

Gods are beings whose karma and narratives have reached completion.

That’s why they’re called perfect and flawless, referred to as Logos meaning ‘the Word,’

and possess that can no longer undergo changes like revisions or editing.

On the other hand,

dungeons are phenomena that appear when incomplete narratives yearn for completion.

Naturally, myths could never appear in the form of dungeons.

There was only one exception.

‘Cases like the Great Sage.’

Only when those myths were broken and scattered into fragments.

Even if that weren’t the case, it was common ‘knowledge’ that due to causality’s self-correcting function, anything directly related to gods couldn’t appear on this earth.

But…

Suddenly, as if mocking humanity’s common sense, 【Primordial Dragon Tiamat’s Nest】 appeared in the Drakensberg Mountains.

Before humanity could even attempt to conquer , a massive break occurred,

and when Rabu appeared directly, he displayed shocking divine authority.

At that moment, humanity desperately realized how great the race called gods truly was,

while conversely fearing the fact that the maxim ‘gods can never appear on the surface’ was false.

Or if Tiamat, the owner of , were to appear, they wracked their brains over how humanity should respond.

However,

some scientists calmly posed several questions.

―How exactly was Tiamat able to appear on the surface? Doesn’t this conflict with causality?

―She’s also the leader of 【Sephusa】 and a chief god-level Logos. Could there be a reason for her myth to become ‘incomplete’?

―If we knew the reason, couldn’t we also predict when might go berserk again?

Of course, since it was a mystery that could never be solved until meeting Tiamat directly,

humanity could only cling to speculation. The truth remained unknown.

But,

it seemed he might have learned the reason.

An empty chest.

Perhaps due to the magical scent of the Outer Sea,

Lee Hyeon felt his chest grow coldly numb.

* * *

“I wondered what you were staring at so intently without a word. This must seem curious to you?”

Tiamat touched the area around her empty chest with her hand and burst into laughter.

Only then did Lee Hyeon realize his mistake and hurriedly bowed his head.

“I apologize if I made you uncomfortable.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for. I get startled myself when I look in the mirror from time to time.”

Tiamat waved her hand dismissively while laughing, “Ho ho ho.”

Conversely, Rabu’s gaze hardened coldly, and Yukimihiro became restless,

but Lee Hyeon was able to get a different impression of Tiamat.

[Brithra looks at Tiamat’s chest and lets out a light sigh.]

[Brithra clicks his tongue and grumbles about her still being in that state.]

[Brithra grumbles that this is what happens when you don’t listen to his words back then.]

‘Words…?’

Then Tiamat glanced up above Lee Hyeon and let out a light snort.

“Hmph, what a lecherous old man. Even at that age, does this kind of thing still catch your eye?”

Tiamat playfully covered her chest with one hand.

[Brithra looks at Tiamat with a dumbfounded expression.]

“Old man, take the hint and get lost. I’m having a chat with a young friend for the first time in ages, so where do you keep butting in?”

[Brithra says who exactly is being ridiculous…]

[Brithra’s channel has been forcibly terminated by Tiamat’s authority as administrator of this Sacred Realm.]

[Mahabali looks at Brithra’s channel with a dumbfounded expression, then terminates his channel with a polite greeting to Tiamat.]

[All channels connected to the Heavens have been forcibly terminated.]

“As expected, the emperor of 【Asura】 has gentlemanly qualities. Ho ho ho ho.”

Lee Hyeon scratched his cheek with his index finger.

It seemed difficult to add anything here.

“This isn’t really anything special, so don’t worry about it.”

Fortunately, it was Tiamat who relieved the slightly tense atmosphere.

“It’s just a glorious wound I got from fighting with those things from the Outer Sea. Originally, those guys really like well-ripen■ Logos like me■■■■. Hmph, does filtering apply to this too? What a fussy old geezer.”

For a moment, Lee Hyeon’s eyes gleamed with interest.

He could glean two pieces of information from Tiamat’s muttering just now.

‘If the filtered words were ‘ripened’ and ‘they like’…’

1. The beings of the Outer Sea are targeting ancient gods like Tiamat.

2. There’s something that manages systems like filtering.

The reason he reached conclusion number 1 was because he recalled how the Flame Emperor Shennong and Xuanhu Jinchuan had vanished in the previous battle.

What if someone from the Outer Sea had devoured the existence of those two ancient gods and disguised themselves, and was also targeting Tiamat?

‘So as an aftereffect, she suddenly fell from heaven to this earth…?’

His mind snapped to attention.

It meant the beings of the Outer Sea were exerting strong influence on the surface as well.

‘And Zeus, whose myth seemed to have vanished too…’

Several hypotheses quickly reassembled in Lee Hyeon’s mind.

And,

‘It’ll work.’

He could be certain.

In fact, until just moments ago, he hadn’t been sure whether his deal would work or not, but now he was confident it would.

“Now then, let’s hear your story. I detest beating around the bush.”

At Tiamat’s words, Lee Hyeon returned to reality.

“You want to make a deal regarding the Youngest Brother?”

“If the Youngest Brother that Tiamat-nim is referring to means Suchan hyung… Yes. That’s correct.”

“A deal is usually something shared between those of equal standing or conditions. You know this, don’t you?”

Her narrowed eyes pierced through Lee Hyeon sharply.

Beside her, Rabu was watching Lee Hyeon with wide, vigilant eyes.

“No, you’re wrong.”

“Hmm?”

“Isn’t a deal the act of exchanging something the other party doesn’t have but I do, for something I need? I don’t think standing is necessary for that.”

Pfft.

Tiamat let out a light laugh.

“Your words sound plausible. But what could you possibly give me?”

“Nothing.”

“Hmm?”

“What…?”

“L-Lee Hyeon?”

At Lee Hyeon’s brazen response, Tiamat’s eyes widened slightly, Rabu frowned, and Yukimiho grew anxious.

Lee Hyeon smiled playfully.

“How could a mere human like me dare to be of any help to Tiamat-nim?”

“…Just because Mother cherishes the Youngest Brother, a wretch like you dares show such disrespect…!”

Rabu flared up angrily, about to say something, but

“However, I should be able to help Tiamat-nim spend your time comfortably.”

At Lee Hyeon’s words, his steps suddenly stopped.

Tiamat smiled slyly.

“Time?”

But that smile,

Lee Hyeon didn’t see it as a simple smile.

The reptilian vertical pupils captured Lee Hyeon sharply.

“Yes. Don’t you need time, Tiamat-nim? Time to heal the wound remaining on your left chest.”

“Go on, continue speaking.”

[Dragonic Pressure dominates the forest!]

[‘Sacred Relic: Golden Headband’ activates to push back mental domination.]

Dragonic Pressure.

Dragon killing intent that was several levels above Dragonic Fear.

Whiiiiing!

As the Golden Headband appeared above Lee Hyeon’s head and spun rapidly,

“I’ve seen ‘fakes’ in similar situations to Tiamat-nim. They were…”

Lee Hyeon explained his hypothesis in detail.

“If we assume Tiamat-nim was also a victim who nearly suffered the same fate, everything falls into place. The reason Tiamat-nim suddenly appeared in the Lower Realm, and why the Jiseo Order is half-mad with desire for this place.”

As he continued speaking, he became somewhat accustomed to the Dragonic Pressure.

“I heard the Underworld Deities came from the Outer Sea. So while they’re targeting Suchan hyung for now, won’t they eventually target the wounded Tiamat-nim as well?”

Lee Hyeon’s gaze turned to Tiamat’s left chest, which still reeked with a foul odor.

Though it was disguised with magic,

[Neuan Cheongjeong gazes upon the hidden truth.]

It was clearly visible to Neuan Cheongjeong.

The terrible poison spreading from around the wound throughout her entire body.

‘Besides, the Eleven Evil Dragons I met earlier all had obvious injuries too. They were all wounds from recent battles.’

What if the Jiseo Order’s offensive wasn’t limited to just the Gate side, but was also occurring elsewhere?

‘Come to think of it, the Jiseo Order doesn’t need to defeat all the Eleven Evil Dragons. They just need to break the dungeon’s seal and cause a break.’

Even just doing that would force the entire world to deploy all their power to prevent Tiamat’s descent.

Then the Jiseo Order would only need to wait for the perfect opportunity.

“…The Youngest Brother praised his brother so much that he was spitting while talking about how smart you are. You certainly have sharp aspects.”

Tiamat let out a hollow laugh while crossing her legs the other way.

“But anyone could reasonably guess that much. So? How exactly will you buy me time? Are you planning to directly destroy those Jiseo Order fellows or whatever they’re called?”

“At the very least, I can prevent them from focusing on the Illusory Realm.”

“How?”

Lee Hyeon slowly revealed the plan he had harbored since his time in Korea.

The plan to make Zeus’s son clash with the Jiseo Order.

Tiamat’s eyebrows twitched, then soon changed to an incredulous tone.

“…You really think something like that would work?”

“Either way, it’s nothing to lose for Tiamat-nim, isn’t it? But I’m confident it will work.”

“Well, that’s true, but.”

“Mother! You mustn’t be swayed by this human’s words! Who knows what ulterior motives he has!”

Rabu stepped forward and shouted, but Tiamat frowned.

“Then do you have a method?”

“That’s…”

“What? Are you going to go outside again and come back with your remaining horn plucked out too?”

“…”

A mischievous question.

Playfulness formed at the corners of Tiamat’s mouth again, but Rabu pressed his lips tightly shut.

[Dragonic Pressure has disappeared.]

Tiamat glanced upward.

“What do you all think?”

“If there’s nothing to lose anyway…”

“I think it’s not bad.”

“Didn’t the Youngest Brother always say it? That his brother was very skilled at schemes like sowing discord and deception.”

“Hahaha. It was so entertaining to listen to the whole time! Originally, the most fun things in the world are watching fights and watching fires, right?”

The voices echoing from the ceiling all belonged to the Eleven Evil Dragons.

They had all been listening. Unlike Rabu, they were favorable toward Lee Hyeon’s proposal.

‘…Skilled at sowing discord and deception? Who? Me? What the hell has this guy been saying about me?’

For Lee Hyeon, some of the content was absurd.

「Kekeke! It seems the Chosen One’s tendencies were like this even before meeting his senior brother! You truly had potential from the start!」

…Let’s ignore Sha Wujing’s words, whether they were admiration or teasing.

“That’s what I mean. Good. Since these children, who are essentially guardians, agree by absolute majority, I’ll trust you.”

“Thank you.”

Lee Hyeon bowed his head slightly.

“Then what do you gain in return for taking on this task?”

“It won’t be difficult for Tiamat-nim. Please make Suchan hyung your Apostle.”

“The Youngest Brother?”

For a moment, a strange light flickered in Tiamat’s eyes.

“Anyway, this matter will require not only me and my companions, but Suchan hyung to participate as well. In that case, wouldn’t it be better if our strength was enhanced?”

“But then you wouldn’t gain anything, would you?”

“Why not? I’d gain a stronger hyung.”

“…!”

“And,”

Lee Hyeon raised his slightly bowed head and grinned slyly.

“It would be strange to expect anything more from my brother’s ‘mother.’ After all, you’re practically like a mother to me as well.”

“…!”

“Well, I’m sure mother will take good care of the rest, won’t you?”

Tiamat’s eyes widened to the size of lanterns,

“Ohohohohoho!”

Clear, ringing laughter echoed throughout.

It was a very pleased laugh.

Snort.

Snicker.

The same from the ceiling.

“This… it looks like I’m about to accidentally gain another child and get thoroughly wrapped around their finger!!”

All expression vanished from Rabu’s face, while Yukimihiro wore an expression that said ‘what kind of person is this?’

But Tiamat looked very pleased. So much so that she couldn’t even feel the pain from the scar on her chest.

“You’re absolutely full of a thief’s cunning. I’ve never seen a human greedier than us dragons.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It’s praise beyond a compliment. But what am I to do? I have no intention of accepting any more children.”

Tiamat stroked her chin with one hand and smiled mischievously.

“So how about this instead?”

“Anything would be fine.”

Lee Hyeon’s heart pounded.

What kind of grand gift was she planning to give that she was building up suspense like this?

But then…

“You said anything would be fine?”

“…?”

“Then become my mate.”

“…!?”

An unexpected proposal.

For the first time, Lee Hyeon’s face was colored with bewilderment.

「Oh my, oh my, it looks like quite the family tree is about to be created! Kakkakkakka!」

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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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