The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 112

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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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Episode 112

Chapter 112.

Just before entering combat with the man, Dohyun thought.

‘Madness alone isn’t enough.’

No matter how he thought about it, Madness alone wouldn’t be enough to take down the man.

Even though the man had received every debuff possible, he was still a boss designed to be impossible to defeat.

Just showing this much cunning wouldn’t be sufficient.

Even the Quest itself told him to hold out until Lvebed arrived.

Fighting to survive and fighting to kill are fundamentally different things.

‘After using Madness… even a glancing blow would kill me.’

He might manage a somewhat even fight, but could he really avoid taking even that one hit?

He shook his head.

No matter how confident Dohyun was in his control, he couldn’t avoid every single attack from a superior opponent.

That was impossible both realistically and physically.

‘I need to use Madness to seize the flow when he lets his guard down.’

That was the only timing available.

Fortunately, that plan worked perfectly.

The creature that had been cautious finally let its guard down after seeing Dohyun constantly being pushed back.

Though he couldn’t aim for a vital spot, he was still able to deal significant damage from the start.

‘No. This still isn’t enough.’

But even so, it wasn’t sufficient.

If he was going to attempt killing something designed not to be killed, he needed to prepare countless strategies.

Just one trump card wouldn’t be enough.

‘What else do I have? Anything I can utilize… Huh? Wait a moment.’

That’s when the rings came to mind.

Rings he’d been wearing ever since defeating Karuk, but had never once used.

‘With this…?’

As he recalled the ring’s effect, a plan formed.

If he used Madness as if it were his trump card, then put on an act of meeting a glorious death…

Could that bastard really not fall for it?

‘He’ll definitely take the bait.’

For whatever reason, that bastard felt extreme rage toward him, so he would surely try to kill him with his own two hands.

A psychological battle possible because this was a humanoid boss, not a monster-type boss.

[What is this…!]

As expected, the man took the bait.

And quite thoroughly at that.

“Peek-a-boo.”

Dohyun, having caught a prize fish, reached out his hand like an angler reeling in his line and summoned Cheonbyeon.

The assassin’s dagger flying fiercely from behind.

Whoosh-.

The creature showed the skill of dodging with senses alone as if it had eyes on its back, but Dohyun’s purpose wasn’t attack to begin with.

Click.

[Cheonbyeon (Thousand Changes) transforms into ‘Bastard’s Training Sword’.]

[The damage increase from Swordsmanship Proficiency LV14 is applied.]

The weapon that allowed Dohyun to deal the greatest damage – a sword. As he gripped it, the sword was shrouded in darkness.

[Using ‘Darkness Coating’ on Cheonbyeon (Thousand Changes).]

This wasn’t the end.

[Gamillion’s Ring is activated.]

[Stats temporarily increase in proportion to the blood absorbed by the ring.]

[Gamillion’s Ring has absorbed the maximum amount of blood.]

[Maximum effect is applied.]

The Gamillion’s Ring he had obtained this time.

As he activated the ring’s effect after continuously building stacks during combat, he felt power surging through his entire body.

[Gaemin the Destroyer’s health is below 5%.]

Just as Dohyun consumed health when using Madness, that bastard also consumed health when using the Fallen Paladin’s techniques.

Thanks to that, the man’s remaining health was now only 5%.

He had no doubt this would kill him in one strike.

“This ends it.”

However, the creature was truly tenacious.

[You think things will go your way-!!]

Even though it was a desperate strike gathering his last remaining mana, the bastard still reacted and tried to dodge.

Perhaps desperation had sparked some wit.

At point-blank range, he managed to create a physically impossible evasion angle.

But it was fine. Even this was within the expected range.

-Risa!

[…Risa?]

The beast hiding its fangs in Dohyun’s pocket, Eliza, suddenly popped her head up.

Pew!

Then she fired webbing without hesitation.

The webbing that flew at tremendous speed stuck to the Destroyer’s ankle and the floor,

[What is this…!?]

Gaiman, who never expected a spider to pop out of a pocket in such a tense situation, lost his balance and fell.

Graaah! Graaah!

Then, as if they had been waiting, the undead threw themselves forward to grab Gaiman’s arms and legs.

They had definitely come to save Dohyun’s life, but somehow ended up helping with the restraint.

This was truly force majeure.

[N-no…! I cannot die so futilely…]

“No, you can! Just die already.”

Conflicting emotions crossed, and finally Cheonbyeon (Thousand Changes) pierced through the man’s chest.

Cracks spread from his chest, splitting apart like shattering glass,

[You have defeated ‘Gaemin the Destroyer’, the Summoner of Darkness Contracted with the Abyss who violated the taboo.]

[Your level has increased.]

[You have reached the graduation level. A graduation Quest is being generated.]

…

Finally, the man’s body shattered into pieces as the message appeared.

Confirming this, Dohyun let out a roar.

“UAAAAH!”

Finally, he had really finally done it.

To someone else it might have been less than 10 minutes, but to Dohyun it felt like 10 hours.

Without a doubt, this was the most difficult challenge he’d faced while playing Godose.

In some ways, it was even harder than the tutorial.

-Kuu… Owner! I believed in you!

-Risa risa!

-Yes, Eliza. You did well too! I’m proud of you!

-Risa!

But he had overcome it.

He had conquered countless crises and finally brought it down.

The timing was perfect as he even leveled up.

Now he just needed to obtain the Fragment of Destiny and complete the Quest…

‘…Wait a moment.’

Dohyun’s expression hardened. A chilling sensation crawled up his spine.

‘Where’s the Fate Fragment?’

He had definitely pierced through the man’s heart.

Since he had struck while avoiding the Fate Fragment, the man should have died and spat out the fragment.

No, even if it wasn’t a Fate Fragment, he should have dropped something else. It was only natural for a boss to drop essence when killed.

And this wasn’t just any boss – it was an unprecedented, uncatchable boss.

‘There’s no message saying the Quest was completed either.’

Dohyun’s gaze turned toward the clerics.

He didn’t know why he looked at them at this timing. It could only be explained as pure instinct.

And sometimes instinct was more accurate than reason.

“Th-this is impossible…”

“What in the world is that…”

They were in shock.

The problem was that it wasn’t shock in a positive sense. Their pale faces were filled with urgency.

‘Don’t tell me…?’

…Just as a truly absurd thought crossed his mind.

Rustle-.

-Owner! Look behind you!

A spine-chilling sensation washed over him, followed by Jihad’s urgent voice echoing out.

Without needing to look back, Dohyun could tell what had happened.

[The Summoner of Darkness Contracted with the Abyss who broke taboos, ‘Gaemin the Destroyer’ has been resurrected!]

[Maximum health is fixed at less than 10%.]

[All stats are reduced by 70%.]

[Entering Hidden Phase.]

‘This is insane! A Hidden Phase?’

The message that appeared before his eyes was explaining the situation.

This was ridiculous.

Common sense dictated that bosses usually consisted of 2 to 3 phases.

Occasionally, very occasionally, there were those with hidden phases, but…

‘What a fucking bumper crop!’

Of all things, it had to be this bastard, and who could have imagined he’d resurrect twice!

Making a boss that was already impossible to catch resurrect twice?

The urge to tear open the head of whatever bastard developed this surged within him.

This was clearly intended to say “even if you somehow catch him, we won’t count it as caught.”

[I’m dying… huh…!]

The appearance of the man when he turned around was pitiful.

His lean, muscular body was nowhere to be seen – he was emaciated and even that form was unstable, wavering like a mirage.

But that made him all the more desperate and terrifying.

Shrieeeek-!

A final strike containing all his remaining strength.

[Cheonbyeon (Thousand Changes) transforms into ‘Special Silver Shield Made at Special Forge’.]

He instinctively raised Cheonbyeon as it transformed into a shield, but,

Crash! Whoosh-.

He was sent flying pathetically, making drawing it seem pointless.

In his improperly positioned state, blocking the man’s desperate final strike was impossible.

—-!

The man’s flash strike reflected in Dohyun’s pupils grew larger, as did the emergency alarm in his head.

[Using Backstep.]

[Cannot use due to insufficient MP.]

‘Damn it!’

When he had killed the man earlier, he had consumed all his mana.

Cheonbyeon was flying far away.

Even if he called it back, the man’s sword would cut him down faster than the shield could return.

-No!

Jihad urgently tried to step forward, but he had also exhausted all his mana.

[Guardian Jihad Black has insufficient mana.]

[Cannot summon undead.]

Eliza?

Pew! Pew!

She desperately shot webs, but they were only effective during surprise attacks – they wouldn’t work on someone with eyes wide open and alert.

The webs burst futilely upon contact with the man’s sword.

[Danger!]

[Current health is 1%. Please be careful.]

Even if he ran, an attack of that magnitude would inevitably catch him in its range.

With only 1% health remaining, even a graze would be fatal.

Whoosh-.

The man’s sword swing appeared to move in slow motion.

A brief moment that might last 0.1 seconds.

Thousands, tens of thousands of thoughts flashed through his mind, only to crumble just as quickly. After being swept away like a receding tide, his mind went completely blank.

‘…There’s no way out.’

He couldn’t think of any method to overcome this crisis.

‘I’m going to die like this? Really?’

After all that suffering, to fail so futilely?

Wasn’t this level of unfairness too much?

Rage that boiled up from his core surged to his throat, then disappeared, replaced by extreme despair.

‘Ah.’

It’s over.

Just as he thought this while watching the sword flash before his eyes.

A cheerful notification rang in his ears.

[You have reached level 35 and met the conditions.]

[The second special option of the Blood Oath Necklace is unlocked.]

[Special option ‘Knight of the Oath’ is now available.]

[Would you like to use it?]

‘…What?’

His brain froze momentarily at the unexpected message.

Like someone drowning underwater suddenly being pulled up by the hair, Dohyun’s mind snapped to attention and he quickly accepted.

He didn’t know what Knight of the Oath was, but now wasn’t the time to be picky.

‘Please, please let this be helpful right now…!’

As long as it could block that one attack, he didn’t care what it was.

Perhaps his desperate wish reached someone.

[Activating Knight of the Oath.]

[According to the oath, your sword and heart will guard your side.]

As the message appeared, light flashed brilliantly.

Through the blinding light, a man’s shadow fell, accompanied by the sound of a sword being drawn.

Clang-!

It was a knight.

A knight wearing silver armor and wielding a longsword.

He easily deflected Gaemin’s strike.

[Kraaaah! What are you supposed to be now! Why, why can’t I kill you!]

Just when he finally had his prey cornered.

Gaiman was truly furious at the knight who had suddenly intervened at such an incredibly timed moment, like a twist of fate.

-I have no name to reveal to you. The crime of daring to endanger my lord shall be repaid with death.

A heavy, low voice flowed out.

Thwack!

The leaping knight closed in on the man and swung his longsword.

The dazzling sword seemed to contain light itself, flashing brilliantly before the knight’s form vanished.

Swoosh-.

One strike.

A clean horizontal slash that couldn’t have suited those words better.

As he sheathed his longsword, light flashed and illuminated the pitch-black darkness.

While frowning at that bright light.

“One who made a knight’s oath to become his lord’s sword. I have manifested after eons of time to keep that oath.”

The knight turned around with discipline, approached, and knelt on one knee in respect.

“Your first sword greets his lord.”

However, Dohyun wasn’t looking at him.

Rather, he was looking slightly higher, at the numerous messages floating above the bowing man.

[The oath-bound knight, ‘Kaiser’s First Sword, Charlie’ manifests.]

[‘Kaiser’s First Sword, Charlie’ becomes your Guardian.]

[Charlie’s favorability is at maximum.]

[You acquire the title ‘Max Favorability Right After Getting a Guardian?’]

[You acquire the title ‘Veteran Tamer.’]

‘…?’

The former Knight Commander of Arren Castle, and the man who had shown the essence of reactions in the tutorial while giving him a necklace.

Charlie had appeared, breaking through eons of time.

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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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