The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 154

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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 154

Episode 154.

Dohyun blinked his eyes. He wondered if what he was seeing was real.

‘Is this possible?’

It was like a ray of light given to Dohyun, who had been giving up while thinking it was natural.

No matter how much it was lowered by two levels, ‘Suffering’ was a Hidden Field boss.

Moreover, it wasn’t just any field boss, but a being that was the king of a race dwelling in the Underworld and had devoured an entire nation.

‘Can I really make such a guy into an undead?’

This wasn’t simply a matter of possessing Agony’s Soul.

Without doing ‘that’ after reaching max level, ordinary players wouldn’t be able to make it a host even if they lowered its level by two or three stages without the help of special materials.

No, even if they used special materials, they wouldn’t be certain they could make it a host.

This was because Jihad himself had an overwhelmingly high status.

‘Does this guy really have something special?’

Come to think of it, unlike Charlie, he had shown a calm demeanor even before the Dark King’s will.

He was definitely a more impressive guy than Dohyun had thought.

-So what happened? That thing keeps sucking my mana?? Can I make a commander, Owner? Huh?

“…”

Looking at that ugly goblin stamping his feet excitedly like a child, the problem was that even seeing it with his own eyes, he couldn’t quite grasp it.

But this time, Dohyun was no different.

“Yeah, so hurry up and try creating a commander.”

-Wow! Really? Got it, just wait a moment!

Dohyun was equally excited and expectant.

No, he was probably more excited than Jihad, if not less.

Having faced him directly, he knew how strong the Leader of the Outlaws was. How could he not be excited when he might be able to make such a formidable enemy his subordinate?

-Should I do it then?

“Yeah, hurry up.”

-Hup!

When he urged the innocent Jihad’s question, Jihad also used his skill without further hesitation.

—-!

Then black light exploded from Agony’s Soul that received the mana.

So black could feel dazzling.

When such a thought occurred to him.

Along with a cheerful notification ringing in his ears, a silhouette emerged beyond the black light.

Clack… clatter…

The chilling sound of bones clashing against each other.

A tall height that seemed to be about 190cm and the trademark black robe.

[The Leader of the Outlaws, ‘Suffering’, sleeping in Agony’s Soul awakens.]

[Due to the high status of the vessel, will remains.]

[Persuade the vessel within 20 minutes.]

[If you fail to persuade within the time limit, you cannot make him a commander and Agony’s Soul will disappear.]

It was the moment when the Outlaw King, Suffering, awakened.

-Ahh…

As the black energy cleared, the form of the guy he encountered again was the same as before.

The lich-like appearance and red eyes burning with suffering.

And even that characteristic eerie atmosphere.

It was exactly as he had last seen him.

If there was one difference, it was that he didn’t have that chilling atmosphere of clinging to life and reaching out even in his dying moments.

-…I don’t… understand… what’s happening… I… was… surely… dead…

He was just expressing doubt about this situation.

Jihad nodded as if he could relate.

-Yeah. I know that feeling well.

-Oh, you know too! That emotion when reuniting with my lord was indescribable. I’d like to feel it once more if I get the chance.

-…Let’s not talk about it.

-Risa?

Leaving the guys’ conversation behind, Dohyun stared intently at ‘Suffering’.

Then ‘Suffering’s expression frowned slightly when their eyes met, but soon he seemed to accept the situation and sighed.

-So… that’s… how… it… is. You… summoned… me.

-No! I summoned you!

-…A gob… lin?

Suffering tilted his head while looking at Jihad.

He didn’t say it, but it was felt from his expression.

That he was saying ‘Someone like you?’

-Th, this…!

“That’s right. We summoned you. You need to become a commander.”

When Jihad was about to get angry, Dohyun cut in.

Perhaps he liked the expression ‘we’. Even the angry Jihad just pouted but didn’t interfere further.

But Suffering remained silent. He just stared.

“Do you have complaints?”

-…Wouldn’t it be natural to have them, Owner? You took out the key right in front of me, did a mocking ceremony, and killed me. If it were me, I’d think ‘got you’ and immediately start round two… Gack!

-How about developing some tact? At this rate, the bump on your head won’t disappear.

-Risa risa…

When he lightly smacked Jihad’s head who was asking for another flick as usual, Charlie and Eliza shook their heads.

It was annoying, but Jihad’s words weren’t wrong.

Even Dohyun would naturally dislike it if he were in that guy’s situation.

When the goal was right in front of him, to be toyed with and killed like that, and now to lead undead?

‘Even I think there’s no greater humiliation than this.’

It was troublesome.

He thought using the skill would immediately make him a commander, but who knew he’d have to persuade that guy.

Well, there should be this much penalty.

That guy was originally a being that could never be made into a mere commander.

Wouldn’t this much trial be appropriate for balance?

‘The problem is that it’s coming to me.’

He had acted tough with momentum, but Dohyun’s head was extremely complicated right now.

When he was racking his brain about what to do.

-…There’s… nothing… to… complain… about.

Contrary to expectations, Suffering shook his head.

-You… and… I… fought… staking… our… ideologies… from… our… respective… positions.

Meeting his eyes, he continued quietly.

-It’s just… that… I… was… weaker… than… you. You… magnificently… protected… your… people. I… couldn’t… protect… mine…

“…”

-…That’s… all… there… is.

Suffering who said this had a bitter smile.

Dohyun made a strange expression as if surprised.

Though he had enough reason to resent, the guy showed no anger or resentment in his expression or voice.

He only held bitterness about his weak self and the future ahead.

He was impressive in many ways, but that made it more problematic.

“So you’ll accept becoming a commander because you’re a loser?”

-…As… a… warrior… I… want… to… meet… a… sacred… death…

‘How do I persuade this?’

Breaking the beliefs of such guys was a very difficult task.

Should I make three visits to recruit him, or should I impose some kind of force? And you want me to do it in 20 minutes?

No, it’s not even 20 minutes.

[Time Remaining: 00:14:05]

Only 14 minutes left until forced logout.

Essentially, if I can’t persuade him within 14 minutes, Agony’s Soul will disappear, and all opportunities for legion commander and everything else will fly away.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

If I had known this would happen, I should have created the legion commander next time.

‘Something that could tempt that guy’s heart… Damn, nothing comes to mind except the Fate Fragment.’

But I couldn’t give him the Fate Fragment.

I need to find another way, but I know too little about that guy. All I know is that he once descended to the Mortal Realm in the past and nearly devoured an entire nation.

And though I’m not certain.

Judging from his words and behavior during our fight, it seems like he’s searching for the Fate Fragment to protect his own kind…

‘Wait a minute. His own kind?’

At that moment, something flashed through my mind.

Dohyun suddenly raised his head and looked out the window.

Seeing the moonlight still descending and gently embracing the city, Dohyun slowly raised the corners of his mouth.

‘This might work?’

No, this is the only way.

Having thought of the best move for the current situation at least, Dohyun looked at Suffering and said.

“Then follow me one last time. I have something to show you.”

-…?

“If you still refuse after seeing this, I’ll give up too.

-…Huh? Owner? He’s my legion commander, so why are you deciding that on your own…

Jihad was startled and tried to object, but his words were quickly buried.

-I under… stand. But… you must… keep your… promise…

“Of course. Would a man speak with two tongues from one mouth?”

-I’ll… trust you…

Jihad, who was actually the one who summoned him, didn’t even care and watched the two of them playing both drums and gongs by themselves, grabbing the back of his own neck.

-Oh my… my blood pressure…

-Risa, risa…

When Jihad, who barely held onto his sanity with Eliza’s comfort, opened his eyes, everyone was already turning around and leaving the castle.

-Sigh…

-Risa!

Having no choice, Jihad hurriedly followed behind them.

And on top of Jihad’s head was Eliza, just grinning happily.

* * *

A forest bathed in moonlight.

Traces scattered throughout the dense forest told of what fierce battles had taken place here.

This was where Dohyun had conducted the Outlaw Challenge.

And about 100 meters away from that place, Dohyun revealed himself once again.

-…Why have we… come… to this place.

Bringing the Guardians and the second protagonist of this stage, ‘Suffering’.

Perhaps because they had moved using stealth, there were no people around.

It was thanks to everyone either logging out due to the Lord’s speech incident or gathering around the castle.

‘I was worried that guy might be spotted.’

I thought I’d have to accept it if players followed us, but fortunately, he seemed invisible to other players.

Even when he blatantly followed Dohyun who was using stealth, no one could see him.

The only crisis, if it could be called a crisis, was when Jihad let out a strange scream while watching him pass through the players.

“Wait and see, you’ll understand soon. Ah, there they come right on cue.”

As Dohyun said, movement could be felt from behind the thicket.

The Outlaws who had now become a symbol of the full moon.

The Ghost Soldiers who had lost their king were revealing themselves one by one.

-Aah…

-Our King… Your Majesty…

Even though they couldn’t see, could they sense their king’s presence?

Their footsteps approaching this way were clear. Those crawling out one by one from all directions didn’t have the same presence as before.

Not only were there wounds and dirt all over their bodies, but their numbers were different from the start.

-Only… only… this many… remain…

Just six.

Nearly half their number had returned to nature’s embrace.

Unable to bear this fact, ‘Suffering’ showed a face full of self-reproach.

He couldn’t dare to face them.

He had vowed to take on everyone’s suffering in their place.

He had decided to carry everyone’s sacrifice and achieve the greater cause, yet he lost to a mere human.

With what face could he greet his soldiers?

Even if they resented him, he had nothing to say.

Thud.

That’s when it happened.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

The Outlaws surrounding them from all sides knelt on one knee in unison.

-Your Majesty… Please do not… blame yourself.

-You are… our… savior.

-Our infinite… gratitude…

Voices of gratitude coming from everywhere.

Suffering looked dumbfounded, as if he hadn’t expected this at all.

Watching him, Dohyun chuckled.

“These are guys who bet everything on you. That’s impossible without respect.”

-Indeed! One cannot devote loyalty through fear or the weak desire to depend on someone. You are already a fine king.

-…Ah…

Come to think of it.

He had never properly listened to their voices before.

Suffering didn’t know what they were thinking.

While saying he would take on their suffering, he had never deeply considered what feelings they followed him with.

What kind of foolish king was this.

-Your Majesty… Have you… gained… a second life…

The soldier asking this had no reproach in his voice. There was no hope or wish either.

Only worried eyes could be seen.

Even at this moment. They were worried about his well-being.

On the other hand, what about himself? He had only thought of accepting death as a warrior.

“If you become a legion commander, you can live a second life. Though you’ll be undead, well, you guys are from the Underworld anyway, right? It shouldn’t be much different.”

-…

“If not now, there won’t be another chance. This is the last opportunity. Will you really abandon them like this and accept death?”

Suffering didn’t answer.

He just silently looked at his soldiers without a word.

About 10 seconds passed.

He who seemed lost in thought finally opened his mouth.

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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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