Broken Ranker Devours Myths - Chapter 61

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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 61

Z Team (8)

 

 

 

Son Wukong spoke as they passed through the Water Curtain Cave.

 

-It’s probably closer to the concept of Flower Fruit Mountain itself, containing the memories of what was the overall foundation of my life.

 

It seemed like this dungeon’s Flower Fruit Mountain contained all eras of the monkey’s existence.

In fact, during Son Wukong’s time as king of Flower Fruit Mountain, he was rarely actually present in his territory.

After becoming king, he went to find Master Subodhi to learn skills, then visited the Underworld, obtained the Ruyi Jingu Bang from the Dragon Palace, and fought with the Heavenly Realm – he was far too busy traveling around.

And after being sealed by Buddha Shakyamuni for 500 years, he embarked on the long journey to Tianzhu following Tripitaka Xuanzang as punishment.

No matter how extraordinary his abilities were,

he probably couldn’t have been a very good king to the people of Flower Fruit Mountain.

This place, Flower Fruit Mountain, was created from the accumulation of such regrets.

The Havoc Demon King had comforted the hearts of those people.

That’s why they showed such loyalty to him.

However,

on the other hand, this thought also occurred to him.

‘Did they really resent Son Wukong?’

After Son Wukong suffered divine death from the attacks of the Chief Deities, his people wandered the Lower Realm making various arrangements.

So that Son Wukong could be resurrected.

If they truly resented Son Wukong, would they have gone to such trouble?

 

-So what I’m saying is…

 

What was it that Son Wukong wanted to tell Lee Hyeon but couldn’t?

What could that have been?

Whoooosh…!

A fresh breeze blew.

Where the flower fragrance had brushed past.

The Havoc Demon King collapsed weakly to the ground.

Blood flowed over the long wound remaining on his upper body.

Thud!

“Great King!”

“This cannot be! Great King!”

The soldiers tried to rush over urgently, but,

“Stop… there.”

He restrained their steps with a voice forcibly squeezed out.

“This is… a fight where warriors’… pride is at stake…”

Haa.

Haa.

Hot steam rose from his body.

“Will you… trample on my pride…?”

The soldiers couldn’t say anything.

They could only bite their lower lips tightly.

The Havoc Demon King’s gaze barely turned upward.

Lee Hyeon stood before him.

“Just now… that thing…”

“It’s called Fighting Victory Style.”

“Fighting… Victory Style. Heh. No matter who… hears it… that damn name… Water Curtain Cave… right?”

“Yes.”

Lee Hyeon nodded heavily.

In fact, his physical condition wasn’t very good either.

 

[Skill activation failed!]

[You forcibly attempted a skill that doesn’t match your level.]

[Warning! Stamina and magic power consumption is too severe. ‘Status Abnormality: Exhaustion’ will occur.]

[Warning! As a penalty, your mana circuit and core have been overloaded to their limits. Durability damage is severe, so please stop using magic power.]

[Warning!]

…

 

‘As expected… it was too much.’

Even though he had traced Son Wukong’s remnants with his Golden Eyes of Truth, what he had obtained was really just tiny fragments of thought.

The Fighting Victory Style that Son Wukong, who had been outstanding enough to overwhelm even the Chief Deities, created in his later years,

wasn’t something he could dare aim for when he had just barely gotten his name inscribed on the heavenly records.

Therefore, the backlash was too severe.

Severe enough to cause exhaustion in an instant.

Even his SS-grade additional functions and Sacred Relics couldn’t help at times like this.

However,

Lee Hyeon forcibly swallowed the blood that had risen to his throat.

The Monkey Soldiers surrounding him were one thing, but

he wanted to show at least final respect to the Havoc Demon King.

“Yes… seeing that… I also wanted to create… my own thing… But… it was too clumsy… so I gave up… heh…”

As expected, he too had seen the Fighting Victory Style.

Though he couldn’t obtain it, he had definitely received much inspiration.

Throughout the fight, there had been quite a few moments similar to his own style.

“I have something to ask.”

“Heh… It’s about the aroma buff… isn’t it…?”

“Where is the Peng Demon King?”

The Havoc Demon King’s eyes widened slightly, then he smiled.

“To think you’d figure that out… Really… haha.”

Peng Demon King.

The third of the Seven Great Sages, the demon king who became an idol to many demons because wherever she passed while fluttering her flame-made feathers, a fragrant body scent remained.

The aroma buff of Flower Fruit Mountain was precisely the body scent she had left behind.

‘Just standing nearby makes you feel good and sweet… So there’s only one race in this world that forcibly makes you peaceful.’

Precisely,

‘Gandharva.’

 

[1. Fragrance that relieves fatigue.]

[In legend, gandharvas are beautiful beings in the form of humans with a horse’s tail and two legs, or half-human, half-beast forms with golden wings and bird legs.]

[Because they always eat fragrant scents, they themselves emit good fragrances from their bodies that make people feel good.]

…

 

[2. Pursuit of Peace and Happiness]

[The Gandharvas have primarily taken on the main duty of carrying Soma, the elixir of immortality, or entertaining the gods with song and dance.]

[Naturally, such racial characteristics of theirs remain deeply embedded in their fragrance, and it is said that wherever they pass, laughter and happiness always overflow.]

……

 

[3. Beings Born from Water.]

……

 

The Peng Demon King was from this very Gandharva tribe.

However, she disliked the peaceful tribal atmosphere and came out into the world, becoming a demon king after enduring harsh hardships.

“She… gave me fire and sword… and left.”

“When was that?”

“Not long after… I became aware of the world…”

Cough!

The Demon King of Confusion coughed up blood.

Once again blocking the soldiers’ approach, he took something out from his chest.

“Take it… It’s what she left behind… She said to give it… when a destined one comes…”

“…!”

A bamboo scroll rolled up tightly.

The tied string knot bore the seal of a fire bird.

Suddenly, Son Wukong jumped down and hastily snatched the bamboo scroll.

Urgency could be felt in his movements as he tore open the seal and read at rapid speed.

“Originally… since I received something… and learned something… I should have given it right away, but, heh. There wasn’t really… any obligation to do so, was there…?”

His voice gradually lost strength.

“But… the Peng Demon King was like… a teacher to me… So if I delivered it like this… that should be enough.”

The Demon King of Confusion swallowed the blood welling up again and squeezed out his last strength to ask.

“Now… let me ask.”

Lee Hyeon nodded.

“Was I… useful?”

“You were,”

Lee Hyeon cut off his words midway, then spoke with strong emphasis.

“A king.”

The Demon King of Confusion’s eyes widened, then he soon smiled.

And,

“Haha…! Good. Then that’s enough…”

His head slowly dropped.

 

[Quest completed!]

 

‘…Already?’

Lee Hyeon looked up.

The quest’s completion condition was to bring happiness to the residents of Flower Fruit Mountain.

So he thought he would need to do something more after this,

but what on earth was going on?

 

[You have successfully read and understood the . You have acquired a large amount of ■■■■’s karma.]

……

[Your rank has increased.]

……

[You have obtained ‘Highly Nutritious Spirit Fruit’ as a reward.]

[You have cleared all hidden achievement conditions. As an over-achievement, the additional reward ‘Flame Heat Magic Path’ is granted.]

……

 

Ding.

Ding.

Amidst the constantly ringing message notifications.

 

[The dungeon is beginning to close. All participants must retreat to the Safe Zone.]

[10]

 

“Your Majesty!”

“No! You cannot leave us behind, Great King!!”

There were monkeys running over while shedding tears.

 

[9]

 

“If there’s one regret… it’s that I couldn’t show them… a better side of myself…”

“No.”

The eyes of the Demon King of Confusion, who was about to close them while buried among the soldiers, opened again.

Right in front of him was a baby monkey clutching the scroll tightly, no,

Whoosh!

Where a flower breeze had blown from somewhere, a handsome man with long white hair flowing down now stood.

The Macaque King.

Or the man who was called the Great Sage Equal to Heaven shook his head calmly.

“You did well enough. To them, you were a king so great that they wouldn’t even think of someone like me.”

“…!”

The Demon King of Confusion’s eyes widened slightly.

In his wavering vision, Son Wukong smiled and extended his hand.

“Thank you. For cherishing the people so much.”

 

[5]

[4]

 

At that moment, Lee Hyeon realized.

This dungeon’s quest had already been solved before they even arrived.

Happiness.

It had already been shared with everyone by the Demon King of Confusion.

 

[3]

 

Son Wukong had been silent all this time not because of traces of his former lover, the Peng Demon King.

It was because of the mixture of regret toward the people he couldn’t comfort,

and gratitude toward the Demon King of Confusion.

Pfft.

“…Haha. My life wasn’t meaningless after all. I even received recognition from the great Macaque King.”

A curtain of darkness descended. The dungeon began to close.

 

[2]

 

At that moment, Lee Hyeon suddenly had such a thought.

This guy,

He didn’t want to let go of the Chaos Demon King, no, Sahon.

“Hey, Sahon.”

If this guy who was searching for his own existence could go even further,

Where would that final destination be?

 

[1]

 

The more he looked, the more this guy resembled himself.

The sight of him desperately struggling to somehow reject his given fate flickered before his eyes.

It was regrettable that such a person would close his eyes in a place like this.

‘But if I could make him guard my side instead.’

Couldn’t he become a new stimulant?

And,

‘He seems like he could reliably guard my back too.’

Whoooosh!

When the curtain completely fell, Lee Hyeon somehow felt that Sahon had looked at him.

“If you were really given a chance to live anew, what would you want to do?”

No answer could be heard.

 

[0]

[Count ended.]

 

[The dungeon is closing!]

 

Just before the dungeon completely closed with the message,

 

[You have used the ‘Heart of Bennu’.]

 

Whoosh!

Flames blazed fiercely.

Rising from ashes,

The flames of the phoenix.

 

* * *

 

“Huh…?”

“What! It’s already over!?”

“Suddenly only a message saying the dungeon was terminated came down…”

The Z Team members had bewildered faces.

Judging by their faces being covered in soot, they looked like they had been doing hard labor where the monkeys had dragged them.

In fact, while Lee Hyeon was drawing aggro by clashing with the Chaos Demon King, they had moved to their respective assigned destinations, avoiding the loosened surveillance.

And soon they were able to obtain unexpected opportunities.

Though they didn’t know it, the places Lee Hyeon had instructed were all sacred sites where Son Wukong’s myths were created.

Moreover, since they were filled only with what each person needed,

The team members were still unable to escape from the euphoria of that time.

“Senior, about this dungeon…!”

So they had many things they wanted to ask Lee Hyeon,

But Kim Min-jeong had to cut off her question midway.

Lee Hyeon was standing still while holding a strange cube.

However,

‘…Somehow, it’s hard to approach him.’

Kim Min-jeong found Lee Hyeon’s atmosphere, which had changed drastically overnight, unfamiliar.

Even though his atmosphere and appearance were clearly the Lee Hyeon she knew,

It felt like he had become a completely different person.

“…Team Leader?”

“Wh-what is it? Something seems different…?”

Chief Seo Ae-ri and Manager Eom Ki-seon also seemed to sense something and stepped back with a start. The aura surrounding Lee Hyeon was suppressing their instincts.

Not to come any closer.

An instinctual warning that they could be in danger if they did…

Then Kim Min-jeong belatedly realized where she had felt this sensation before.

During the Thunder Unit days.

When Lee Hyeon, who was still a rookie, tried to save colleagues in crisis but instead found his own life hanging by a thread.

When he awakened. It was exactly like this.

“Senior, don’t tell me you’ve changed jobs to become a Ranker?”

“…!?”

“Ra-Ranker?”

Chief Seo Ae-ri and Manager Eom Ki-seon were also surprised.

Ranker, the ideal of all Hunters.

A position they too hoped to reach someday.

But Lee Hyeon, who had just started being a team leader, had reached it?

‘Looking at the speed of conquering dungeons, I thought it wouldn’t be long.’

‘But still, does this make sense!? Just two weeks ago he was crossing swords with me!’

Lee Hyeon smiled as he threw the cube he was touching into his inventory.

“You all must have had a hard time, but thank you for following along well without falling behind until the end.”

A warm smile.

Kim Min-jeong interjected.

“No, what I’m saying is…”

“Everyone’s joints must be creaking from the forced march, so how about we go get some lubrication at an after-party?”

“You should answer the question!”

“I’m buying beef. Anyone who wants to come, follow me.”

“I’ll go.”

“Me too! If it’s meat, it’s protein! How could I miss out on consuming protein! Team Leader, I will be absolutely loyal from now on! Loyalty, loyalty!”

Chief Seo Ae-ri and Manager Eom Ki-seon followed Lee Hyeon who was leading the way.

“What about the answer!!”

Finally, Kim Min-jeong, who couldn’t hold back, let out a shriek.

 

* * *

 

While all the team members were busy grilling meat,

Lee Hyeon came outside using the excuse of getting some fresh air.

“Phew… Now I can finally breathe.”

After eating something substantial and getting some fresh air, he felt like all his accumulated fatigue was melting away.

「What are you doing acting so pitiful? If you’re just going to put on airs like that, stop eating that tasteless stuff and go buy some ice cream!」

「Kekek. How absurd. Beef, especially the tender marbled meat of Korean beef that melts softly, is the essence. What’s so good about that frozen nonsense?」

「If it’s meat, it’s meat, what do you mean melts softly?」

「You really don’t know anything about memes, you old man.」

「What did you say, punk?」

Lee Hyeon smiled as he looked at Son Wukong, who had returned to how he was before entering the dungeon.

Now he finally seemed like the Son Wukong he knew.

「Anyway, that disciple of mine… Ugh. Really. What are you grinning about like that?」

“Nothing, it’s nothing.”

「Anyway, this guy and that guy. Tch.」

Son Wukong kicked an innocent stone with his foot for no reason.

Then he spoke with a sulky, pouty expression.

「Well, anyway, never mind that. Kid, let me ask you for one favor.」

Why did the word “favor” coming from Son Wukong’s mouth sound so awkward?

Perhaps feeling it too, he cleared his throat briefly, then looked at Lee Hyeon with deepened eyes.

Lee Hyeon somehow felt like he knew what Son Wukong was going to say.

「Save the Bull Demon King.」

—————
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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