The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 190

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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 190

Episode 190.

Among the brilliant clusters of light, a particularly striking red glow caught the eye.

It was something he had seen before.

‘…The necklace.’

The Broken Necklace of Truth.

The necklace Angela wore and the fourth Fragment of Fate. Something he had already seen once when he first came to this place.

However, the intensity of light it emitted was on a completely different level than before.

If previously only the necklace itself glowed red, now it was radiating brilliant light all around it.

[The fourth Fragment of Fate, the Broken Necklace of Truth, reacts to the ‘Purification Ember’.]

[The fragment reacts to the key’s material.]

‘Was it because of the Purification Ember?’

He had thought a hidden event would open right here on the spot.

It seemed the Fragment of Fate was reacting to the Purification Ember.

Unlike the beginning when only Dohyun’s eyes could detect the reaction, now the light was bright enough for everyone to see, leaving Gilberun speechless.

“…What is this.”

“The necklace… seems to be reacting.”

“How can it react when Angela isn’t here?”

It was an amazing sight, but also a familiar one.

When Angela wore it, it would always emit brilliant light during purification rituals.

It was the light of purification that only Angela, who could see the flow of mana, could produce.

In other words, it was also a light they hadn’t seen even once since Angela fell into eternal slumber.

“Moreover, this level of light… wasn’t it difficult even for Angela to draw out?”

“Your Majesty, look where the light is heading.”

“Hmm…? That is…!”

“As expected… Is it reacting?”

Gilberun’s eyes widened as he looked where Knight Commander Hyde was pointing.

Luliel was also muttering something, and what they saw was such a mystical sight.

The light that had brilliantly covered their vision weakened and gathered in one place, then stretched toward Dohyun.

The most flustered by this strange phenomenon was Dohyun himself.

‘Eek! What’s that? Why is a beam suddenly shooting from the wall? Run…! Huh? It doesn’t hurt?’

‘…You, please maintain some dignity.’

‘Says the guy who I saw flinch because he was scared too?’

‘Ahem. I think you saw wrong.’

…No, in terms of being flustered, those guys seemed worse, but there was a difference between their panic and Dohyun’s.

[Traces of forceful handling in a broken state are detected. The necklace struggles to contain the fragment’s power.]

[Hurry and complete the key to restore its complete form.]

‘This is a first.’

The necklace’s violent reaction wasn’t simply to show off its presence.

This was a message to Dohyun.

A message saying it was hard to endure, so hurry up and complete the Fragment of Fate.

Though he was momentarily flustered by the phenomenon he’d never seen before, thinking about it, there were things he could guess.

Gaiman the Destroyer’s Hourglass of Faith.

Sargis’ Bell of Harmony.

While they all gained power from Fragments of Fate, that was simply power obtained by possessing them.

They hadn’t forcibly drawn out power to perform purification rituals like these people.

The broken fragment was unable to handle the power.

‘Are there other people who draw out and use the power of other fragments?’

If so… what would happen if they continued using the power of broken fragments?

Would they shatter completely?

Or would they go out like a drained battery?

The latter would be fortunate, but if it were the former, how would he find them?

‘…Surely I don’t have to find and complete every single broken fragment piece, right?’

Dohyun shook his head at the horrifying thought.

No matter how insanely difficult the Main Quest boasted to be, surely it wouldn’t be that crazy of a difficulty level.

…It wouldn’t be.

Anyway, that was something to think about later, and now was the time to focus on the situation at hand.

[Hidden event ‘Last Lantern Ritual’ has opened.]

[You must carefully choose at the crossroads and perform the Last Lantern Ritual.]

[Emergency Quest ‘Angela’s Wish’ occurs.]

[Angela’s Wish]

-Grade: Emergency Quest

-Description: The woman who handled the power of the fourth Fragment of Fate.

The tragic woman Angela, who broke taboos and fell into eternal slumber, wishes for something.

Please grant her wish.

-If you grant her wish: The second route of the hidden event proceeds and the first route is deleted.

-If you don’t grant it: The first route of the hidden event proceeds and the second route is deleted.

-Time limit: 40 minutes

‘So the route splits into two.’

A hidden event that opened as the special event was deleted.

It seemed there were two routes for that as well.

Though it was puzzling how the still-sleeping Angela could give a quest, it didn’t matter.

He would be able to confirm it soon.

“Hero, are you alright?”

“Did something happen?”

“Ah, I’m fine. The necklace seems to have reacted to the Purification Ember.”

“It’s the first time the necklace has reacted to anyone other than Angela, so it was bewildering. Indeed, the Apostle of Prophecy is different… You didn’t ask for the necklace for nothing.”

Dohyun gave appropriate responses to Gilberun and Hyde’s words as they expressed their honest feelings with admiration, then changed the subject.

“Then… shall we go now?”

“Ah. That’s right… You said you defeated Luidra.”

“Your Majesty…”

In the solemn atmosphere, Dohyun turned around first.

The tragic woman, Angela.

Now it was truly time to go wake her up.

* * *

Fortunately, the journey took only a few seconds.

[Using movement scroll.]

[Moving to designated location, ‘Central Restricted Forest’.]

[Location changed, Guardians are forcibly moved.]

‘Is this royal privilege?’

Thanks to Gilberun taking out a movement scroll, there was no need to circle around the forest like last time.

After all, if someone of royal status frequently headed to the access-restricted forest, many people would find it strange.

Since Angela’s existence was a secret, it was natural when he thought about it.

‘I thought the quest time limit was short, but there was a reason.’

He had prepared for at least 30 minutes of travel time, but this was actually better.

Anyway, the forest he returned to was exactly the same as before.

The forest where no human presence could be felt, and the clean central area that seemed disconnected yet well-maintained.

And Angela sleeping in the glass chamber there.

“Ahh… Angela. I have come.”

Upon seeing her, Gilberun immediately walked toward her with heavy steps.

With a face contorted from barely holding back tears that seemed ready to burst forth at any moment.

Thud, thud.

Thud.

Finally arriving within arm’s reach, Gilberun dropped heavily to his knees.

Though the king was dirtying his knees, no one tried to stop him.

“I’m sorry. This pathetic husband was so incompetent that I left you alone for so terribly long, when you hate being alone.”

“….”

Crack-

“I’m growing old while you remain forever unchanged. Time itself must have been denied to you.”

“….”

“That was always my fear. That I would age alone and eventually die without being able to wake you. That you would be forgotten forever.”

How could anyone stop him after seeing that sight.

Holding her delicate hands preciously with both of his, crying out not just lovingly but mournfully.

There was no lord or king of a city here now.

Only a man who had lived for years longing for his wife, afraid of losing her.

‘…Somehow touching, Owner.’

‘Mm. No matter how strong a man may be, he is always weak before his woman.’

‘Risa….’

‘…Indeed.’

Dohyun nodded at Jihad’s words.

Perhaps it was because he had heard some of their story, though not in detail.

Or perhaps it was because of Gilberun’s desperate voice and the sight of him kneeling and holding her hands so preciously.

Watching made his chest feel heavy and tight.

“You don’t know this, but Luliel has been such a great support. This person is the Disciple that Luliel prophesied. The benefactor who made our reunion possible. Also, Guard Captain Betar’s wife gave birth this time.”

“….”

“I have so much I want to tell you. I want you to wake up soon so we can share many stories.”

Squeezing her hand tightly and gazing fondly at Angela, Gilberun finally stood up.

His knees were numb from kneeling so long, but even that felt precious.

“Thank you so much for waiting. Let us begin now.”

“Understood.”

“Then this….”

As Dohyun nodded, Hyde carefully took something from his chest and handed it over.

An old necklace set with a gem like a ruby crystal.

[You have obtained the fourth Fragment of Fate, ‘Broken Necklace of Truth’.]

It was the Broken Necklace of Truth.

After long hardship, it was finally being placed in Dohyun’s hands.

‘Finally….’

Perhaps it was because of the atmosphere.

Somehow he felt moved to sentiment. It might have been because of all the time he had invested.

The moment Dohyun swallowed dryly and carefully received the necklace.

Flash!

“Ugh?”

“Huh?”

Suddenly a blinding light burst forth.

The same phenomenon as before. But this time it wasn’t from the necklace.

“Angela…?”

Angela sleeping in the glass chamber – light was pouring out from her.

At the same time, Dohyun could see.

[Eye of Truth activates.]

A thin thread connecting her and the necklace.

-Ah… Rune.

And at the end of that thread, the form of a woman rising above Angela’s body.

It was a soul.

A translucent silhouette with a blue-tinged spirit.

It was also a soul that Dohyun was familiar with.

[With Luidra’s defeat, a tiny crack is detected in the eternal slumber.]

[You encounter the hidden event NPC, ‘Angela’s Soul’.]

[Recorded in the Adventure Log.]

[The fourth Fragment of Fate, ‘Broken Necklace of Truth’ reacts to the key.]

[The Fragment of Fate desires the power of the fragment melted into her body.]

‘…What?’

She was none other than Angela’s soul.

“Just now… I definitely heard Angela’s voice just now. Hyde, did you hear it too?”

“…Yes. I definitely heard it. It was unmistakably Lady Angela’s voice.”

“Ah, Angela. Finally… have you finally awakened?”

But it seemed they couldn’t see her.

Well, it was perfectly natural common sense that humans couldn’t see souls.

Dohyun with his Eye of Truth was the unusual one.

-A peculiar mana flow… I see. Can you see me?

When Dohyun nodded, she seemed surprised and covered her mouth with her hazy hands.

-I thought it would be success enough to stimulate the mana flow so only my voice could be heard… but someone who can see my final appearance has appeared.

Angela smiled gently, closing her eyes softly.

Seeing her smile, he understood Gilberun’s description of her as a rabbit-like woman.

She was a woman who radiated pure energy, as if she would never cause harm.

The woman who had been smiling in amazement turned her head to the side. Then she became gloomy as if she had never smiled.

“Angela, Angela. Why won’t you wake up? Please speak to me just once more. Please….”

“….”

What reflected in her eyes was Gilberun desperately shaking her body.

It seemed he couldn’t hear her voice right now.

-Since you seem able to see me, I only touched the mana flow between you and me first.

…Was that even possible?

Perhaps she truly deserved to be called someone born with eyes that might appear once in a hundred years.

He was naturally amazed by her mysterious ability.

At the same time, a question arose.

“Why me?”

Why had she specifically spoken only to him?

Logically, if she was going to speak separately, it would be more natural to designate Gilberun to speak to.

-My body was asleep, but I heard and saw everything through the mana flow. I was always curious about the owner of that brilliantly shining mana, and it was you. I wanted to express my gratitude to you for trying to help me. Thank you so much.

“Ah, well for that… I had my own purpose too.”

Just in case, Dohyun answered in a very small voice.

He was worried that Gilberun might hear.

Fortunately, Gilberun didn’t seem to hear and was clinging to Angela’s body, and confirming this, Angela also spoke carefully.

-And… actually, I couldn’t speak to him first. I didn’t think he would easily accept it.

“Accept what?”

To that question, she answered calmly.

-That I must die.

“Ah, I see… What?

The words that came from her mouth were truly shocking.

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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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