Broken Ranker Devours Myths - Chapter 52

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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 52

Tiger Calamity (2)

 

 

 

Ding!

A message window descended in the middle of the sky in the mental world.

 

[‘Emergency Event: Defeat Tiger Calamity’ has been created!]

 

[Event: Defeat Tiger Calamity]

[You are currently fighting against a massive curse called Tiger Calamity that has been injected by another in the mental world.]

[‘Tiger Calamity’ refers to the two disasters that people feared most in the past: tiger attacks (tiger calamity) and smallpox (mama).]

[From now on, defeat the Tiger Calamity that is trying to attack you.]

[Upon success: Acquire ‘White Tiger Evil’, acquire Spear Ghost]

[Upon failure: Fall to Spear Ghost]

 

But Lee Hyeon had no time to pay attention to the message.

If he let his guard down even for a brief moment, he could lose his life.

Kwaaaaang!

Crack!

The tiger was roughly thrown back, breaking a couple of chestnut trees.

Kheung heung heung!

But the creature got up without any injuries and moved again.

Such tough hide.

Rather, it seemed to be enraged by the fact that it had been overpowered by a mere human.

At the same time,

 

[Tiger Calamity brings out the Spear Ghosts from its stomach!]

 

The eerie wind it had been exhaling gathered and took human form.

Figures with blue faces holding spears or swords. They were Spear Ghosts.

However, if there was something different from the folklore,

「We, we’re awake!?」

「Outside… we’re finally outside!」

「Everyone snap out of it! If we want to survive, we need to replace ourselves with that guy!」

It was that they were dressed similarly to Hunters.

‘Are these people who died to the Mountain God long ago?’

 

[Spear Ghost]

There has long been a superstition that people eaten by tigers become slaves to the tiger even after death.

The enslaved dead try to somehow lure other people to replace themselves.

-Origin: Literature ‘Tiger’s Quality’

 

When dungeons had just opened and the world was covered with all kinds of .

During the time when Mountain God Mo Jeong-gyeon was active, everything was so chaotic that even the nation’s survival was uncertain.

The number of Hunters and demons killed by Mo Jeong-gyeon’s hands alone numbered in the hundreds.

If a considerable number of them were still being used with their souls captured by her even after death, this phenomenon wouldn’t be so strange.

‘The number of Spear Ghosts contained in Tiger God’s Protection Charm seemed quite substantial too. The key question is what level their skills are at…’

Lee Hyeon moved quickly while fully opening his Golden Eyes of Truth.

 

[‘Sacred Relic: Golden Eyes of Truth’ pierces through the opponent’s weaknesses!]

 

‘Let me check first?’

「Hmph! Obviously just a greenhorn, what’s there to be careful about!」

「If it’s not Mo Jeong-gyeon, they can’t be our match!!」

Buuuung-

Two flashes of light came stabbing at Lee Hyeon, loaded with magic power.

Lee Hyeon crossed Flesh Thirster and Blood Biter, deflecting both attacks with the axe faces, and at the same time,

Bang!

He firmly set his shoulders and kicked the ground fiercely.

A charge reminiscent of an enraged bull.

It was Jet’s specialty from his days of using overwhelming force to crush opponents.

Naturally, with Snow Soul Arm Strength applied, the power was incomparable to before.

「Kuk! What kind of strength is…!」

「N-no!」

Kwang!

Crash!

The two Spear Ghosts couldn’t withstand Lee Hyeon’s strength and were roughly thrown back.

‘Their skills are roughly A-grade to A+ grade. There seem to be some Ranker-level ones occasionally, but… they’re just at old standards.’

Lee Hyeon instantly saw through their combat styles and skills through his Combat Sense.

‘With my current skills, I can easily beat them all down and still have energy left.’

Lee Hyeon’s dash was packed with destructive power while condensing plenty of lightning energy.

Some of them even had to suffer the humiliation of having their spears broken.

And two lightning bolts flying toward their helmets.

Swaaash!

No, axe strikes.

 

[Fury Strike (E) is initiated!]

 

Bang! Bang! Kwaaaaang!!

Each time the axe exploded, the lightning bursting from the blade was truly like a bomb.

「This is impossible! He’s clearly not even a Ranker yet, how is this kind of power possible!」

The power contained in the axe was already so tremendous that barely blocking it was all they could manage,

But the blue-white lightning surging from the impact points was much more explosive, making it a disaster for the Spear Ghosts.

“How is it possible, you ask.”

The problem was that as Fury Strike stacked up, its power increased proportionally…!

“It’s because you guys are too weak to do it.”

 

[Stacks accumulate with each successful consecutive attack. 1 time, 2 times, 3 times…..]

[10 times successful.]

[All stacks have been accumulated.]

 

Pazizizizizik!!

The lightning that shot up into the air connected with each other,

 

[Lightning strikes down!]

 

Kwarrrrrung!

The lightning that fell from the sky met with the lightning formed in the air, becoming an even greater Lightning Bolt.

Kwakwakwakwang!!

Kukukung-

Urrrrrrr…!

「Kraaaaak!」

「Keheuk!」

「…You, just where did you come from! Are you a disciple of the Mountain God! Or are you his successor!」

The Spear Ghost that was directly hit by the Lightning Bolt was torn to shreds and disappeared without any chance to resist.

At the same time,

 

[Fury Strike (E) has been promoted to D rank.]

[Electric Field is formed!]

[Splash damage spreads across a 3-meter range forward from the impact point.]

 

A tidal wave of electricity swept through following the electric field formed around that point.

“Well. Let’s just say I’m someone who dislikes guys like you who can’t let go of their attachments even after death.”

Pajijijik!

「Keuk!」

「Kraaaaak!」

「I, I can’t move…!」

 

[All targets caught in the electric field have been afflicted with ‘Status Abnormality: Electrocution’!]

[Actions are stopped for about 2 seconds.]

[Movement speed and attack speed are each reduced by 30% for about 15 seconds.]

[Fury Strike (D) has been promoted to C rank again.]

 

Lee Hyeon moved freely among the Spear Ghosts who were electrocuted and couldn’t regain their senses.

Peok!

Peoeok!

「H-how… We’re clearly spirits, yet we’re taking damage…!」

「Dokkaebi! A dokkaebi is mocking us… keuk…!」

 

[You have defeated 1 enemy.]

[Fury Strike’s existing stacks have been reset, and 5 stacks have been automatically accumulated.]

 

Kwakwang! Kwang!

Kwakwakwakwakwa-

Lightning struck every time Lee Hyeon pushed and struck the Spear Ghosts.

This was the terrifying aspect of Fury Strike.

It was already frightening that it smashed through everything with force, but not knowing when lightning would strike made it even worse.

Moreover, the electric field flowing through the ground continuously gnawed at their health.

 

[Dueoksini’s Specter goes wild with rage!]

 

These beings might have been notable experts before they died to Mo Jeong-gyeon,

but now they were merely remnants of the past being split apart by Lee Hyeon’s Axe Technique.

Passsss-

「I can’t… die so futilely…」

And,

 

[Curse Incantations ‘Calamity Collapse’ and ‘Great Killing Absorption’ combine to absorb the energy of the destroyed Spear Ghost!]

[You have acquired Malevolence.]

 

The energy scattered as the Spear Ghost died was completely absorbed into Lee Hyeon.

Kwadeuk.

Kwadeuk.

Physical changes occurred simultaneously.

 

[Health has increased by 2.]

[Magic Power has increased by 1.]

…

 

‘Right. This is it.’

Surely Mo Jeong-gyeon would have wanted to learn how to handle Magic Power more sharply and improve immunity in the process of overcoming Tiger Calamity.

Because that was the real way to become a ‘blade.’

However,

Lee Hyeon reversed this and utilized the characteristic that Tiger Calamity was a curse.

The result was exactly this.

It was White Tiger Killing Intent.

 

[You begin to comprehend White Tiger Killing Intent!]

 

[White Tiger Killing Intent]

Also called White Tiger Great Killing Intent.

Fortune imbued with calamity dangerous enough to be mauled by a tiger, but when acting positively, it’s interpreted as special genius, professional ability, and strong concentration toward goals.

-Type: Trait.

-Origin: Legend ‘Four Pillars of Destiny’

 

White Tiger Killing Intent had the effect of further strengthening Lee Hyeon’s obsession, making Fury Strike more persistent.

In the end, the Spear Ghosts were pushed back without dealing any significant damage to Lee Hyeon and all fell with their heads shattered.

Just four breaths.

That was the time it took for all seven Spear Ghosts to fall.

And the thick shadow of Tiger Calamity that had leaped high covered over Lee Hyeon’s head.

Kraaaaang!

Its gaping maw.

Pitch-black darkness like an abyss was inside it.

Kwaaaang!

“Kheup…!”

The powerful fangs barely caught on the axe and couldn’t close.

Krrrrr…!

But Tiger Calamity put all its strength into its jaw with the sole intention of definitely chewing and swallowing Lee Hyeon,

“Your skills have improved quite a bit. Now you might be worthy of being a gatekeeper guarding my castle.”

From the sky, the Snow Queen smiled coldly and swept her hand downward.

Then icicles that had formed densely in the air poured down like rain, and frost settled on the ground as ice spikes sprouted everywhere.

Kwakwakwang! Kwang!

Krheooooong!

Large and small wounds appeared on Tiger Calamity’s hide as blood poured out profusely.

Lee Hyeon and the Snow Queen. Old nemeses had joined hands to drive out the uninvited guest who had invaded their territory.

 

[Tiger Calamity wags its tail to scatter misfortune indiscriminately!]

 

Then Tiger Calamity struck the ground hard with its thick tail.

A strong wind mixed with Killing Intent swirled around.

“…Damn.”

The Snow Queen’s approach was blocked.

It was a dangerous situation where fangs could strike from anywhere if she entered carelessly.

The strong wind tried to sweep Lee Hyeon away as well, but,

 

[Curse Immunity (SS) activates, making you unaffected by misfortune.]

 

Lee Hyeon instead pushed through the strong wind and succeeded in reaching right up to the beast.

“…!!”

“Stop with the useless tricks and let’s fight properly. That’s what makes hunting fun, right?”

Pazizizik!

Blue-white Lightning burst forth abundantly.

Lee Hyeon’s appearance, grinning with his fangs fully exposed, was like a Dueoksini mad with battle.

 

[Dueoksini’s Rage explodes!]

 

Pueok!

Puhwaaak!

Blood spurted violently from Tiger Calamity’s left forearm. In return, the beast bit Lee Hyeon’s right shoulder.

Kwaddddeuk!

A terrible sound rang out as if it had been shattered, but,

 

[Fury Strike (C) rises two grades to A rank and unleashes consecutive attacks!]

 

Kwang kwang! Kwang!

Lee Hyeon instead opened his eyes more fiercely and pushed his body even further forward.

Strength against strength.

A tense standoff where neither would yield even an inch.

“…Huh.”

The Snow Queen watched the fight between the two beasts with an expression of disbelief.

There was no room for her to intervene.

Gagagagak!

Right then, Lee Hyeon raised Flesh Thirster high with his remaining left hand.

Then he brought it down wildly.

One strike, two strikes, three strikes…

Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!

Each time the axe struck, fountains of blood erupted, and hide and flesh split open to reveal bone.

Krheooooong!

In the process, Lee Hyeon’s right shoulder was also brutally crushed.

This was the result of Tiger Calamity also forcibly enduring the pain while clenching its jaw tight.

Even though the beast’s claws raked deeply across his side, exposing his organs,

 

[Combat Sense (B) rises to A rank as adrenaline momentarily alleviates the pain.]

[The rage from pain condenses heavily into Anger Energy.]

[Stack accumulated.]

[Lightning strikes!]

 

Kwarrrrrung!

Lightning Bolt fell and turned the beast’s tattered right foreleg into a rag.

Finally unable to endure this, Tiger Calamity raised its head and let out a roar filled with pain,

Lee Hyeon didn’t miss this opportunity and released both axes while wrapping both arms around the beast’s right foreleg.

And then…

He twisted.

Udddddeuk!!

It was the goblin wrestling that goblins so loved.

Kraaaang!

Finally, the right foreleg couldn’t hold and was torn off.

The gushing fountain of blood completely covered Lee Hyeon. It instantly evaporated in the heat created by the lightning.

「Human! Humaaaan!!」

Tiger Calamity let out a telepathic scream for the first time.

Kung kung kung kung!

Its body couldn’t withstand the shock and staggered back several steps.

“Haah… haah…!”

Lee Hyeon carelessly threw the foreleg to the ground. His blazing eyes remained fixed on Tiger Calamity.

A thick smell of blood wafted up.

The fallen foreleg scattered into energy and was absorbed back into him.

 

[White Tiger Killing Intent reveals its fierce nature!]

[Tiger Calamity frowns at the aura you emit.]

 

Lee Hyeon swayed his body while covered in blood—whether his own or the tiger’s, he couldn’t tell.

But his eyes burned hot like lightning.

A ferocity that matched Tiger Calamity’s, or perhaps even exceeded it.

White Tiger Killing Intent.

Krrrrrr…!

Tiger Calamity writhed in pain while being wary of Lee Hyeon, who now boasted a spirit that matched its own.

「I have no choice but to acknowledge… When that person sent me, I never thought this could happen…!」

“I don’t need your acknowledgment.”

「This wretched one!」

Lee Hyeon attempted to dash again.

As if he could fight plenty even with his broken body.

Using magnetism, he launched all the axes scattered around into the air at once.

「If you want to see this through to the end, then I too will… What is this!?」

Tiger Calamity was about to pour out the remaining Spear Ghosts to begin round two when it suddenly widened its eyes at the phenomenon of its body stiffening.

Before it knew it, its joints were tightly bound by Lightning Chains.

“Sorry, but curse-type battles are fights I can never lose.”

「…!!」

“I know you, but you didn’t know me. That was your fatal mistake.”

「No, no…!」

Electrocution status and continuously accumulating Curse Incantations.

 

[Curse is added.]

[The curse is added.]

……

[Lightning Chains are enhanced.]

……

 

Tiger Calamity’s eyes, nose, and ears all closed. The moment all senses were covered in curse, darkness came.

Lee Hyeon snatched an axe with his left hand and brought it down.

 

[Dueoksini’s Rage explodes!]

 

Kwarrrrrung!!

Tiger Calamity’s head shattered and scattered.

Passs…….

 

[You have successfully defeated Tiger Calamity.]

[You have obtained ‘White Tiger Killing Intent’ and ‘Spear Ghost’ as rewards.]

[You have recorded an overwhelming performance. As an additional reward…….]

……

 

Lee Hyeon knelt on one knee on the ground, exhausted.

“Haa…… haa……!”

As all the remnant energy of Tiger Calamity was absorbed, his body transformed anew once more, but he was too tired.

And,

beside him,

 

[ gazes at you.]

 

The Snow Queen approached with an expressionless face.

 

* * *

 

The Snow Queen wiggled her fingers.

Each time she did, snow powder scattered.

Hands as white as ice.

“Why? Do I look tired, so you’ve changed your mind?”

Lee Hyeon looked up at the Snow Queen with sharp, flashing eyes.

Though he was exhausted,

as if he would face her anytime if she attacked or picked a fight.

However,

“Though I am not unaware of how you and your companions view me and my subjects,”

The Snow Queen lowered her posture.

“I am the great sovereign of Spitsbergen. The mother of all snow and ice. I neither execute nor contemplate dishonorable actions. The promises I make are like the faces of my subjects.”

She brought her hand to Lee Hyeon’s wounds.

Indifferent, but gentle.

“I will keep the promise I made with you.”

Paaaaa!

As the Queen’s magic power seeped into his wounds, white frost settled down.

At that moment,

Lee Hyeon’s breathing became much more comfortable.

—————
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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