The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 138

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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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Chapter 138

Episode 138.

[What nonsense were they talking about? They were having strange worries. Arragini is the gatekeeper of this place. There’s no way to take this creature out. Even I couldn’t manage that.]

-Th, that’s…

Since it was certified by none other than the Dark King, it had to be certain.

At that thunderbolt-like statement, Jihad’s voice grew louder.

-Then you’re saying he has to die like this? After protecting this place his whole life, being buried alive without ever seeing the light – that’s the role of a gatekeeper!? That’s too cruel!

-Risa! Risa risa!

Perhaps it was because Jihad had been trapped in Bidan.

Today he seemed particularly earnest.

It was the first time Dohyun had seen that guy talk back to such an extent, so he was wondering if he should step in to help when.

[You don’t need to worry about such things. This creature isn’t the main body.]

-Risa…?

The Dark King said with a sly smile.

[This creature is Arragini’s shed skin. There’s no life in this thing itself. It’s just the skin that Arragini shed. It merely shares thoughts and senses by connecting minds with the main body.]

In other words, even if the dungeon collapsed and the shed skin died, it would literally just be the disappearance of an old shell that was cast off.

This also meant that it had shown such destructive power and toughness with just a shell.

‘And considering its characteristics too… Is this what an ancient divine beast is like?’

Dohyun clicked his tongue at the strength that was clearly that of a top-tier divine beast.

Did he notice Dohyun’s thoughts?

[If this had been the main body, you wouldn’t have lasted even 10 seconds.]

At the Dark King’s words as he chuckled, both Jihad and Eliza scratched their heads in embarrassment.

-Ahem. Th, then you should have said so… Geez. I misunderstood.

-Ri, risa…!

-Mmm…!

Unlike them who were feeling awkward after their earlier momentum disappeared, Arragini’s eyes were still sparkling brightly.

He even seemed to be tearing up a bit.

Arragini, who had been looking at them with deep eyes, soon handed something to Jihad.

[Guardian ‘Jihad Black’ has obtained ‘Arragini’s Cherished Scale’.]

[Arragini’s Cherished Scale]

-Grade: Hero

-Description: A scale from the ancient divine beast Arragini.

Among them, this is the highest quality scale from the shed skin that Arragini molted through repeated transformations. Among serpent-type divine beasts, it’s used as a symbol of friendship.

-Amazing! What’s this, Arragini?

Hiss! Hisss!

-Whoa, really?

Hisss!

-Risa risa!

After some incomprehensible chatter, Jihad and Eliza’s expressions noticeably brightened.

The creatures hugged each other tightly.

Dohyun, who was watching this scene from a few steps away, scratched his head.

‘…Don’t they count as other races?’

The title ‘One Who Learned Forgotten History’ clearly said he could converse with other races, but he couldn’t understand their conversation at all.

It seemed that monsters and divine beasts weren’t included in other races.

Still, fortunately, the Dark King was beside him.

[He seems quite moved. That must be one of his most cherished scales, yet he’s giving it away. Well… this would be the first friend to show such sincerity to a shed skin.]

“Ah.”

[That creature may be big, but he’s weak to affection. Look there, isn’t he coming to greet you?]

Just as the chuckling Dark King said, Arragini, who had finished greeting the others, was approaching this way.

Hissss- Hiss!

Arragini approached Dohyun, said something, and bowed his head.

-He says he looks forward to seeing you again next time, Owner.

Jihad now tactfully provided translation.

Dohyun reached out and placed his hand on Arragini’s forehead.

“Yeah, I’ll look forward to it too. Sorry for hitting you.”

Hiss! Hisss!

-He says he doesn’t even remember since it was before their minds connected, so it’s fine. He was just confused because it hurt when he first opened his eyes, so don’t worry.

Hissss!

After exchanging a few conversations through Jihad’s translation, a message appeared.

[The effect of title ‘Max Favorability From the Start?’ activates. Favorability increases greatly.]

[The favorability of ancient divine beast ‘Arragini’ increases significantly.]

[Intimacy with Arragini is high.]

[A friendly relationship with Arragini is formed.]

‘It works on divine beasts too.’

Was it because he was a spiritual being with high intelligence?

Dohyun, who was amazed at this first-time experience, soon nodded. Somehow he had formed a friendly relationship with a divine beast, so good things were good, right?

‘Though I wonder if this will be meaningful…’

It was better than being in a hostile relationship, so he decided to take it positively.

[The dungeon is collapsing.]

[You will die if you don’t escape within the time limit.]

[10…]

A message appeared at that moment.

Rumble rumble-

-Ri, risa!

When the walls actually started crumbling, startled Eliza went into Jihad’s robe pocket.

It was regrettable, but now it was really time to part.

[9…]

[8…]

The countdown was being counted down.

-…Take care, Arragini. Let’s definitely play properly next time!

Hiss! Hisss!

-Risa risa!!

-Yes! Take care! Let’s meet again next time.

Hissss!

-He says for Owner to take care too. Thank you for letting him make good friends… Hueng, I’m grateful too. Arragini!

Watching the guys have a tearful farewell, Dohyun thought to himself.

‘…Weren’t they trying to kill each other just a moment ago?’

Whether they were overflowing with emotion, had good social skills, or held no grudges…

It was probably all three.

[6…]

[5…]

Anyway, after exchanging greetings and standing in front of the warp leading out of the dungeon, the Dark King, whose form had become so transparent it was about to disappear, raised his hand.

[3…]

[2…]

[I wonder if you’ll be able to handle those guys… Well, I trust you’ll do well. At least as our descendant, you won’t go somewhere just to get beaten up.]

Hissss-

[1…]

[Then I wish you good luck…]

With those final words, the King’s Tomb collapsed.

And Dohyun traveled through the warp.

* * *

[This is a collapsed dungeon. You cannot enter.]

“…So that’s how it is.”

Dohyun, who had instantly been transported to the secret space, tried touching the dungeon just in case, but couldn’t enter.

The situation where even information about what kind of dungeon it was had been erased.

Only traces that a dungeon had existed remained floating there, so anyone who discovered this place in the future would probably feel quite bitter.

-Sob sob… Arragini…

-Risa, Risa…

“…Are you that sad?”

-Of course! Those eyes that smiled and saw us off until the very end! How could I not be sad after seeing that! You emotionless person!

“This guy’s been talking back lately.”

When he tried to give a light flick to the forehead, Jihad panicked and hid behind Charlie.

-A retainer must graciously accept their lord’s punishment!

Of course, Charlie, who said that, quickly dodged so Jihad couldn’t hide, but Dohyun didn’t bother hitting him and just shook his head instead.

Right now he was busy with places to go.

‘Jin Ruddell.’

He needed to find him and complete the quest in order to see the lord as soon as possible.

Since the forest was quite large, it would take some time to get to where he had been.

However, when Dohyun left the cave and went into the forest, contrary to his expectations, he was able to find Jin Ruddell quickly.

-Oh, what? We meet here. Wow, I just got here, how do we meet here?

He was a hidden NPC who wandered around various parts of the forest.

Since his activity range was the entire forest, there was no need to go to the exact place he had been before.

Whether it was good luck, they met not long after leaving the cave, and he was still as talkative as ever.

-You couldn’t have already been there and back… You’re not directionally challenged, are you? I can’t draw you a map. I’ll explain it verbally just once so listen well… Huh? What did you say? You already brought it!? Come on, that’s not right. I’m not saying I’m a ghost. What kind of passing dog wouldn’t believe… Eek! That backpack! Don’t tell me…!?

When he made a fuss, Dohyun handed over the backpack, and Jin Ruddell was absolutely foaming at the mouth.

After checking inside the backpack, he kept muttering ‘It’s real… It’s real…’ while nodding his head.

[You have cleared the quest ‘Jin’s Request’.]

[As a reward, Jin Ruddell’s favorability increases and it leads to a linked quest.]

[The effect of the title ‘Max Favorability from the Start?’ activates. Favorability increases even more.]

[Hidden NPC ‘Jin Ruddell’s’ favorability increases greatly.]

‘…I wish this person’s favorability wouldn’t go up.’

Somehow the nightmare of Zrinna, whose mouth became even more chatty when her favorability went up, came to mind.

Sure enough, Jin Ruddell’s mouth got a motor attached.

-Good heavens… To return in such a short time. Where was this? It was safely in the place I hid it, right? Hmm? There was also a secret dungeon in the secret space? Eh? There was such a thing… Gasp, don’t tell me that’s the path leading underground where that monster is.

However, as he was casually responding while half-listening, he saw a rather interesting reaction.

Jin Ruddell knew about the King’s Tomb.

-It would be terrible if you mess with that monster! If such a thing appeared outside, the city would be turned completely upside down! Huh? Since you cleared the dungeon, there’s no chance of it appearing now?

When Dohyun nodded, Jin Ruddell clapped his mouth shut.

-Good heavens. Then don’t tell me you caught it? And in such a short time too?

Was he satisfied with Jin Ruddell’s excellent reaction that properly showed what being speechless meant?

Charlie nodded with a satisfied smile.

-Indeed! Nothing is impossible for my lord. You are someone who knows how to show admiration to someone worthy of admiration.

-Wow, that’s crazy… The monster wasn’t underground but here? At this rate, won’t you beat up outlaws too? Ah, is that going too far? Haha. Anyway, you’re really amazing.

Ding-

[The effect of the title ‘Max Favorability from the Start?’ activates. Favorability increases even more.]

[Hidden NPC ‘Jin Ruddell’s’ favorability increases greatly.]

Ignoring the favorability that rose again like that, they conversed several times.

As he was moderately listening with one ear and letting it flow out the other, a quest soon appeared.

[Linked quest ‘Uncle’s Belongings’ is created.]

[Uncle’s Belongings]

-Grade: Rare+

-Description: Jin Ruddell, who became a wandering soul.

He says there’s something he must deliver to the lord, who is his nephew.

He came down for that purpose but met an unjust death and became a ghost. In his place, deliver the belongings to the lord.

-Deliver to the lord (0 / 3)

-Quest success: Jin Ruddell’s favorability increases, Lord’s favorability increases, linked quest ‘Truth of the Castle’ is created.

-Quest failure: Linked quest impossible and quest deleted.

-Please definitely deliver this on behalf of this pathetic uncle. Oh, while you’re delivering it, please also tell him about the outlaws and my story. He should know how the situation is unfolding, since he’s the lord now.

Jin Ruddell handed over belongings and a letter while saying this.

-Thank you.

When he accepted them and agreed, an uncharacteristically calm word of thanks came back.

Dry and plain, but perhaps because of that, it felt more sincere.

“I’ll be going then.”

-Yes, please stay safe.

Dohyun turned away without lingering.

There was no getting lost.

The castle was so huge that it could be seen at a glance even from the forest.

“Oh? It’s Kaiser.”

“Looks like he’s returning from hunting. Did something bad happen? The atmosphere seems a bit heavy?”

“Is he going to dispose of junk items today and head back to the hunting grounds again?”

“After seeing him for several days, it’s amazing. It feels like staying in the same accommodation as a celebrity.”

When he entered the city, gazes focused on him, but Dohyun moved forward without a moment’s hesitation.

Players parted to both sides each time.

As always, countless gazes followed him today too, like he was a monkey in a zoo.

That’s probably why.

“Huh?”

“What?”

They could tell that today Dohyun wasn’t stopping by other NPCs and was going straight in a direct line.

They could immediately see Dohyun standing in front of the castle and meeting the guard.

“What, why is he standing in front of the castle again?”

“Don’t tell me it’s a second attempt? Did he get a hidden quest or something?”

“Come on, he was just hunting. No one saw him doing anything else. At most, he went to catch a Shadow Lycanthrope last, right?”

“Wow, Shadow Lycanthrope during a full moon? The real alpha male King God Kaiser really has no retreat.”

Thanks to that, even more players gathered and talked while looking at Kaiser.

The countless gazes were full of strange anticipation, curiosity, and questions.

But among them, there were almost none who thought he would really enter the castle.

Swoosh.

A castle full of secrets that had never once allowed a player’s approach.

Kaiser had already been rejected once, so they didn’t think he could enter just a few days later after doing some hunting.

It was common sense to think Kaiser was being stubborn.

“Yeah, that’s right. No matter how much of a Kaiser he is, what doesn’t work doesn’t work… Huh?”

“What the…”

“Don’t tell me that’s…”

But that was the moment.

When Kaiser handed over something, the guard’s attitude, which had always been consistently like an iron wall, changed completely.

The guard who checked what he received was startled and then opened the door.

Creak-

Thud.

Then the guard and Kaiser entered the castle.

The players who had been staring blankly at that scene looked at each other and blinked.

The reaction came out a beat late.

Such an unbelievable event had passed by that it took time for their brains to properly process the situation they were witnessing.

“Holy shit!!”

“Wow, fuck, wow… Wow, wow…”

“Wow… What the fuck!”

But the somewhat delayed reaction was more intense than ever before.

It was that unbelievable of an event.

The players, so excited they could barely speak properly, lost their language and spewed only curses like speechless primates for a moment.

Those who had been screaming at the closed castle gate soon shouted in unison.

“Holy shit, Kaiser did it again!!!”

“Kaiser, he is a god! Kaiser, he is a god! Kaiser, he is a god! Kaiser, he is a god!!!”

“Wooooo!!!!”

Kaiser.

He was about to write new history in Sargis.

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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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