The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 146
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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 146
Episode 146.
After that, his life changed.
His kinfolk could be freed from that hellish suffering.
Because he took on all that suffering himself.
-Ah… Aaaaah…!!
In those moments, burning pain seized his entire body and corrupted his mind.
The boiling rage made him stronger and more cruel.
-O, Outlaws… R, run…!
-Please… Please don’t leave me behind…!
That’s when it began.
When they no longer rejected them but started fleeing instead.
When the Ghost Soldiers came to be called not as mere worthless foreigners but by the name ‘Outlaws’.
Now there was no one who ignored them.
As if paying back everything they had suffered, he showed no mercy.
[You become immune to pain once received from a target.]
The power of a name was truly amazing and remarkable.
Pain received once from an opponent never had to be endured again.
Pain that couldn’t kill only served to make him stronger,
[You inflict pain upon the target.]
When he grasped a target and used the power of his name, they all felt terrible pain.
Grasping their head, he could inflict the pain of a burning brain, and grasping their arm, he could give them the pain of a twisting limb.
They all couldn’t bear the pain and repented their past wrongs and apologized, but…
-With death… I will… repay…
Suffering only sneered.
Past wrongs don’t disappear just because you repent.
The pain caused by them cannot be erased.
It can only be forgotten or forgiven.
-Remember… clearly…
He hated that.
That those who had killed countless comrades could live comfortably just because they were ‘forgiven’.
That the pain they felt could be so easily forgotten.
Therefore, he wanted everyone to feel this pain and remember.
-Kraaaak!
-Save me… Please…
-What, what crime did we commit…! That wasn’t something we did!!
…But when did it start?
From when he completely destroyed three generations of families that killed his comrades?
-Outlaws! Outlaws have appeared! Everyone run!
-To the Lord… Report to the Lord!
-Waaaah! Mom, Dad!! Don’t leave me!!
-S, sorry… I’m sorry…
Parents who looked back at the child they dropped while fleeing, yet chose to escape alone.
Was it from when he killed an innocent child whose parents abandoned their own child after barely a second of consideration?
-Kheuk!
-Kraaaaaaah!!
-S, save me…
Or when he burned down an entire district?
He didn’t know.
But one thing he could understand.
The revenge that had started with hatred toward a world that rejected them had at some point transformed into something ugly.
That he had been consumed by the flames of vengeance.
-You have committed too many sins.
-…
When he realized this, it was too late.
-Murder, torture… Whoa, you only did these two things but look at this count? Even I wouldn’t do this much… W, would I? Well, anyway.
-This can’t be helped. According to the laws of the Gates of the Underworld, I have no choice but to exterminate your race.
The Sovereign.
An absolute ruler who managed in place of the absent master of the underworld, whose words became law.
Caught by him, his entire race faced the crisis of extermination.
-Isn’t it fascinating? When we first met, you were in the victim’s position, but now you’ve become the perpetrator. I never thought we’d reunite with you as a lunatic who commits such large-scale massacres.
-…The one… who committed… sins… is me. Please… end it… with me alone…
-I can’t do that. If I don’t hand down punishment according to the law in trial, I’ll be stripped of my lordship, you know?
He was far too strong.
Even when he used the power of pain to gain immunity, new pain came flying.
It was pain that absolutely could not be endured.
Over ninety percent of his kinfolk died, and his precious comrades and subordinates died.
-Why… am I… still alive.
Ridiculously, what remained alive were himself and fifty soldiers who had followed behind him.
Though he thought he had fought at the forefront ahead of anyone else, his instincts had feared death.
-Aah…
At the final moment, despite saying he would take on all the pain, he had wanted to live.
He had disgustingly accepted his comrades’ sacrifice.
-…Ah… Aaaaah!!
He absolutely could not bear his own patheticness.
On a cliff where a Lava Waterfall melted the earth, ‘Suffering’ howled endlessly.
That’s when it happened.
They say opportunity comes by chance.
-Damn… Who keeps making all this noise?
A man appeared, breaking through the Lava Waterfall.
With an annoyed expression as if he had just woken up, he was a being that even they, who had been in the underworld for ages, had never seen before.
But one thing was certain.
Just looking at him gave the feeling of an incredibly powerful being that seemed infinitely vast.
-…Who… are… you…
-You don’t need to know. This is why I shouldn’t have lost at rock-paper-scissors… I finally fell asleep during infiltration and what’s all this commotion, tsk.
The man answered coolly and grumbled to himself.
Why was it? At that moment, ‘Suffering’s’ instincts told him.
If he could grab hold of this person, he might be able to escape this crisis.
-What? Help you? You’re facing extermination?
So he grabbed on with the desperation of clutching at straws, but what returned was mockery.
-What does that have to do with me? No way. I absolutely hate troublesome things. I was forced to come here too.
-…I’m not… asking for… much…
-Then what.
-You seem… to have come… from outside. Could… could you let us… live… in the Mortal Realm…
-Wow. What is this guy saying? How is that not asking for much?
-…Is it… impossible… after all…
Well, they were beings born in the underworld.
Except for special situations like when the Gates of the Underworld accidentally opened before, they couldn’t go to the Mortal Realm.
There was no way he could make that possible…
-No, well… It’s not impossible. That monster-like Commander bastard… No, if it’s the Commander, it might be possible.
-…If that’s… the case…!
-No way. You’re not one of our members. The Commander doesn’t see anyone other than our members as living beings. …Actually, I don’t think we’d see you much differently either.
-Then… I’ll become… a member….
He who possessed the power of Suffering.
He was certain he would be helpful.
He tried to appeal that point, but the man let out a mocking sneer as if it were ridiculous.
-Ha, you who’s just running away in a place like this? You should know how lucky you are. It’s because it’s me that I’m letting this slide, if those guys knew you spouted such nonsense they wouldn’t have left you alone.
-….
As he drew up his energy, the lava overturned.
The lava that had been flowing like a waterfall stopped as if by magic, and the flowing lava ceased its movement as if it had hardened.
All of the Outlaw’s senses warned of danger.
This was just like….
When facing the Overlord.
‘No, perhaps even more than that….’
But that was only for a moment.
He quickly released his energy and chuckled.
Then the world returned to normal.
-It’s a system that operates with 5 people anyway, so it’s impossible. Well… there was a vacancy recently so that monster joined. But that’s an exception.
That’s when it happened.
-Over there! There are Outlaws in that place!
-Everyone prepare magic! The Overlord’s command is to completely annihilate them!
The Overlord’s legion that had discovered them from behind poked their heads out.
The distance was considerable, but skilled fighters like them would reach them within 20 seconds.
There was no more time.
-Looks urgent.
-…If you’re not… going to help… then never mind….
Just as ‘Suffering’ gritted his teeth at the mocking man’s appearance and was about to lead the Outlaws in escape.
The man who had been looking back and forth between him and the legion visible in the distance smiled with interest and his eyes flashed.
Soon the man took something out from his chest and tossed it over casually.
-What… is this…?
A half-key imbued with negative energy that seemed to cut through flesh.
It was such powerful negative energy that even he, accustomed to the cold of the underworld, felt chilled.
-On nights when the full moon rises. Only then can you descend to the mortal realm with that.
-Look for the fragment of fate. It will guide you. It’s something quite important to us.
-…Why… to me…?
-It’s a kind of test. We can’t move yet because it’s not time. If you bring the fragment, we’ll accept you as a member. The Commander should be satisfied with that much, right?
The man stepped forward as if he had shown generosity and extended his hand.
Kwagagagagagak-!!!
Then the shockwave that poured out swept across the area.
With just one attack, he had swept away the entire legion beyond the rocky terrain.
While he was stunned by that overwhelming majesty.
-What are you doing? Not going? Don’t you want to save your species?
-…Thank… you…. I won’t… disappoint….
-Ah, your speech is really frustrating. Just go quickly. It happens to be a full moon right now.
-….
Thus the Outlaws crossed over to the mortal realm.
And on that day when they crossed over riding the moonlight.
On that day when they were planning to find the other half and capture Sargis Castle.
-What… are you….
-…Me?
Some unlucky-looking human ghost was discovered.
-Uh…. Call me the handsome phantom thief.
He winked cheekily and then ran away quickly.
After being dumbfounded for a moment, they could grasp the situation. Their previously clear vision became cloudy as if shrouded in mist.
-My…, Your Majesty…. The compass… was stolen….
-…Catch… him…. No matter what…!
-Keu… Kuaaaaa…!
That day was when they had their Soul Compass stolen, which created the current situation.
And so today came to be.
* * *
[Phase 3 has been activated.]
[The Leader of the Outlaws, ‘Suffering’ opens his eyes.]
[It was… just… one… step… forward….]
Red flashing eyes.
Those weren’t eyes. Just suffering.
Beyond those chilling eyes stained as if with the blood of countless people, the suffering of countless living beings could be seen.
[…It was just… one… step… forward…!!]
Tears of blood flowed from his eyes that bore all that suffering.
The desperation was chilling to the bone.
Players brushed their arms as the smoke cleared to reveal the creature’s tragic appearance.
“Chills….”
“This is phase 3…? The presence is insane….”
A profound emotion that humans who had lived at most a few decades couldn’t imagine.
Therefore, in that moment when even Dohyun hesitated at the chilling desperation.
Swoosh.
The creature that had approached in an instant reached out its arm.
He missed the movement, but thanks to instinctively pulling his body back, his neck wasn’t caught.
Grab.
However, having his arm caught was unavoidable.
And the price was horrific.
[Your arm breaks from the power of Suffering.]
Crack!
His caught left arm literally twisted and broke.
‘Crazy…!’
It was an impossible situation.
No matter how realistic, a game was still a game. Even if you took damage that would rupture organs or got stabbed in the heart, only critical damage would be applied, not actual damage.
There were no cases where arms would break just from taking damage.
‘A special status ailment skill…!?’
Except for a few boss patterns.
The creature was casually using an ability that was so overpowered it should be difficult to use easily.
Though it was a bewildering situation, Dohyun wasn’t just going to take it.
Slash-!
In the midst of it, he swung Heavenly Transformation wrapped in darkness to cut a vital point.
But the creature didn’t budge at all.
[The target has already experienced this suffering.]
[The Leader of the Outlaws, ‘Suffering’s power is not complete.]
[The power of Suffering grants immunity to attacks received once for 20 seconds.]
‘What kind of ridiculous cheat is this…!’
Skills were one thing, but an invincibility pattern that even negated basic attacks?
And with a pattern that crippled you just by touching?
It was truly an insane combination and difficulty level.
[Using Blue Peacock.]
Still not giving up, Dohyun unleashed attacks that bordered on desperation.
One of the few skills that guy hadn’t been hit by.
[Using Charge Slash.]
[Using Rising Dragon Kick.]
He tried mobilizing all those skills, but even this much wasn’t enough.
[Leader of the Outlaws, ‘Suffering’s health is below 10%.]
Blue Peacock, Charge Slash, and Rising Dragon Kick.
Even after taking a direct hit from this entire combo to his vital points, he couldn’t kill the man.
‘Unused skills… more skills…’
There were none.
There were no more remaining options now.
All skills were on cooldown, and they were all skills he had used on the man at least once.
[Suffering’s immunity effect has 6 seconds remaining.]
Meanwhile, the man’s invincibility time still had a full 6 seconds left.
Snap.
‘Suffering’ easily grabbed his throat and ground his teeth as if unbearably frustrated.
[That… man… because of him… comrades who didn’t need to die… died…]
The 50 soldiers had now dwindled to barely sixteen.
Though they had tried to escape by hiding behind the Lava Waterfall where The Man had stayed, they couldn’t help the deaths of comrades caught in their encirclement.
Each time, ‘Suffering’ could only grit his teeth and tear at his arms while helplessly watching his comrades die.
[The one who… interferes… I will… eliminate…]
There must be no more interference.
He would kill this bastard, tear that damn ghost to pieces, and then achieve his great cause.
-My, my lord!!
-N, no!
-Risa!!
With the Guardians’ screams behind him, ‘Suffering’ tightened his grip on the throat he held.
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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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