The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 196

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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 196

Episode 196.

Hamode was extremely confused.

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand the current situation.

‘The king steps in because we touched a player? What did Kaiser do? That long-haired knight is even someone we’ve been building favorability with for over 6 months.’

While progressing through hidden quests, they had been building favorability with guard knights and residents just in case.

Perhaps thanks to that.

The strange wall they initially felt had somewhat crumbled, and now they had become close enough to exchange greetings and ask about each other’s well-being.

In the case of merchants, they would occasionally give discounts, and knights would take better care of quests.

Even if it wasn’t tremendous benefits, they had reached a level where they could say they had connections wherever they went.

‘But they’re protecting Kaiser instead of us? What exactly did Kaiser do?’

On the other hand, Kaiser?

At most it was a month. No, to be precise, it probably hadn’t even been a full month.

The relationship reversed in such a short time?

It was absurd.

Why was only Kaiser different again?

Murmur murmur-

It wasn’t just Hamode who thought this way.

The watching players also couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was strange, so they became noisy.

“…Doesn’t something seem off? Why is the king protecting Kaiser?”

“He’s the benefactor and hero who saved Pratel? Is it because he caught Luidra?”

“…Wait, then if we hadn’t been kill-stolen, the Hero Guild would be in that position right now?”

“Huh? Then that final lantern ceremony thing, could it be…”

“Whoa, it seems right based on the circumstances?”

“Crazy. If it were me, I’d die from jealousy, seriously.”

Crack-

And as that conversation reached a certain conclusion, the sound of Hamode grinding his teeth also grew stronger.

If what they said was true, then the king’s favoritism was originally meant for the Hero Guild.

‘…If Master finds out about this.’

Gulp.

Whether it was true or not didn’t matter.

What mattered was what reaction Master would show upon learning this.

Considering Master’s personality, who hated having his things stolen to death, he would throw a fit and then some.

In such a situation, after Jerpak, even he would fail?

‘…I’m screwed.’

He had to stop it somehow.

But how?

“Aaaah! Let go! Let me go!”

“Stay still. Interfering with execution is a serious crime, do you want to go to prison?”

“No, what exactly did we do?”

Ha, Hamode sir! Everyone is being arrested. At this rate, it seems like we’ll all be taken away.”

Even now the knight order was forcibly restraining guild members.

If they fought like this, it would be at least imprisonment. And he wasn’t confident he could beat them in the first place.

The other knights were also people who could easily hunt field bosses.

Moreover, Hyde Lakdrier, the knight commander, was a person of different caliber.

Naturally, those who rose to the position of knight commander possessed martial prowess that even ten knights charging together couldn’t scratch.

‘Hyde is among the top knight commanders in the city… He’s someone the Empire tried to scout.’

This was also something he learned while maintaining friendships with the knights.

Even if not as much as Lord Lvebed of Brion, he was certainly a tremendous expert.

Moreover, if they waged war against NPCs, they might even get marked by the Empire.

“You asked what you did wrong. What a ridiculous question.”

“What did we do! Why are you doing this!”

“How dare you threaten our hero and arrogantly block the path. Know that His Majesty showed mercy for a grave crime deserving death.”

“Crazy…”

Above all, those guys weren’t normal right now.

What do you mean death sentence for threatening one player!

Even communist countries wouldn’t be this extreme.

They were almost beyond being Kaiser fan club members to being crazy, reminding him of the Kashin Church.

“Ah, these NPCs know something. Those who insult Kashin should rightfully be repaid with death.”

“You have the vessel of an excellent Kashin Church believer.”

“We should inform the cafe manager of this news.”

“The cafe manager must be very busy right now… Hmm, well, he’d rather welcome such joyful news.”

Indeed, among the watching players, a few presumed to be from the Kashin Church could be seen looking satisfied.

If they were praising it, that said it all.

“Arrest them all!”

“Yes!”

“Uuuugh! Ha, Hamode sir. For now, please avoid… Heok! Let, let go! Let me go!”

In an instant, 40 out of 200 people were arrested.

At this rate, they would all be moving to prison.

It would be wise not to show unnecessary bravado and retreat here, but…

‘Damn, what should I do.’

Would it really be okay to leave like this?

After putting on all that show, if they showed such an unsightly fleeing appearance, their image would be ruined and he wouldn’t have the face to see Master.

‘If only it weren’t for the king and knight order…’

Did he hear those words?

“Looks like someone’s getting scared.”

Somehow knowing, Kaiser raised one corner of his mouth mockingly.

“What, you think you would have won if it weren’t for the knight order? Well, those so-called elites couldn’t land a single proper hit, so I doubt you’d be any different…”

“What, what? That damn bastard…!”

“What? What did you just say! Quickly arrest that axe-wielding ruffian who insulted the hero!”

Hamode immediately growled in anger, but Gilberun’s voice was even louder.

At that moment, a whisper reached his ears.

[Berjhe: …Hamode. Retreat for now.]

“…Master? We, were you watching?”

[Berjhe: So many people turned on broadcasts. People are watching. Don’t ruin the image further and withdraw cleanly.]

“Bu, but…”

[Berjhe: Hamode.]

At Berjhe’s cold voice, Hamode shut his mouth.

He knew from experience that when his voice sank this low, he shouldn’t argue back.

[Berjhe: Don’t make me say it twice.]

“…I’m sorry. I’ll retreat immediately.”

Hamode immediately answered and retreated, pulling the guild members back.

“Everyone, we’re retreating for now!”

“Is, is that okay?”

“It’s Master’s order. Avoid being caught by the knight order as much as possible and leave.”

“…Ah, yes! Understood!”

As those who had been gathered together hurriedly left, the path instantly opened up.

A path split like the Red Sea.

Hyde approached Dohyun and Gilberun standing on that path and carefully asked.

“…Should we chase them?”

“Hmm. Looks like we caught about 50 people. A disappointing number, but… Hero, what do you think? If you want, I’ll have them all captured.”

“No, this is enough.”

Dohyun shook his head.

It wouldn’t matter if they caught them all, but there was no particular reason to do so.

He was going to leave this place anyway. Whether they were captured or not wouldn’t affect his gameplay.

And…

‘I can’t beat them up if they’re in prison.’

Dohyun grinned as he caressed Cheonbyeon.

The eyes of that guy called Hamode or whatever hadn’t died yet.

He would surely come over to the Empire. Such a guy needed to be educated directly.

It wasn’t Dohyun’s style to just leave an enemy who had harbored hostility toward him.

“Hmm. I understand. If that’s your opinion, I’ll follow it. However, I don’t like that man’s eyes. I’ll keep watching his movements from now on.”

“Understood.”

“Then… is this farewell now?”

At Gilberun’s words, Dohyun closed his mouth for a moment.

Gilberun, whom he glanced at, looked somehow small and haggard.

But there was probably no need to worry.

The determination in his eyes was shining more brilliantly than ever.

Even the name of the completed hidden event was “Birth of a Brilliant Sage King.”

“Yes, it’s farewell now. Thank you.”

So Dohyun answered with a smile.

Gilberun, whose expression became more comfortable at that sight, also chuckled and replied.

“…I think I’m the one who should be grateful. Thank you so much. If you ever need our help, just say the word. I’ll drop everything and come to you.”

“Thank you for saying that. How do you plan to spend your time from now on?”

“…Well. I think I’ll be very busy. When Angela happens to look this way, I want this place to be somewhere she can feel proud of.”

“It will surely become that way.”

“Thank you.”

That was the end of their conversation.

No one person ended it.

They simply both felt it was time to part and nodded to each other.

“…The Empire is a place where fierce monsters rule. The reason so many strong people gather there is because it’s that dangerous. I want to tell you to be careful, but… you’ll do well.”

“Yes.”

“Then go now. I won’t let anyone touch even a thread of your clothes.”

Dohyun, who smiled softly, took a step forward.

Step.

Step. Step. Step. Step.

Then the knight order stood on both sides of Dohyun’s path like guards, controlling the way.

They held weapons in their hands as if they would execute anyone who dared to interfere.

Thus, escorted by countless knights, Dohyun began walking again.

-Kehem! Keruk.

-Mm!

-Rizariza!

Then the Guardians also followed behind, straightening their shoulders.

Perhaps because of this setting, this strange combination of Guardians looked particularly radiant.

Step, step.

Step.

At this moment, everyone had to agree.

No matter what anyone said, the protagonist of this stage was Kaiser.

“…That’s insanely cool.”

“Look at that class, being escorted by the Royal Knight Order and the King himself.”

“The romance is seriously amazing.”

Hero Guild or whatever, right now they weren’t even in their thoughts.

They were just busy staring blankly at Kaiser heading toward the warp.

And that was the same for the Hero Guild and Hamode.

Grind-

‘Damn, damn, damn…!!’

It was so frustrating to have to just watch that annoying bastard walk confidently despite bringing so many troops.

He hated how all the players were looking up at Kaiser alone as if watching a celebrity walking on a red carpet.

He felt like punching that protruding back of his head right now.

‘…Should I just do it?’

Just as he was seriously considering whether to go through with it or not.

[Berjhe: Hamode, don’t even think about doing anything foolish.]

“…Yes.”

Berjhe’s whisper came like a ghost.

When the startled Hamode flinched and answered, Berjhe spoke as if he knew everything.

[Berjhe: There’s no need to worry. I don’t know what trick he used to win the king’s favor, but it’s just flashy on the surface.]

“…But.”

[Berjhe: Hamode. Have you forgotten where that warp he’s heading to leads?]

“Ah.”

Only then did Hamode smile.

It was a vile smile.

Where would he go if he took the warp?

Naturally, he would move to the Empire.

‘And in the Empire, Master’s Legion is waiting.’

No matter how great Kaiser was, he only boasted overwhelming force here.

The NPCs and players in the Empire were on a different level from this place.

Moreover, if Master was personally leading a legion, there would be no need for words.

[Berjhe: I’ve finished talking with the Top 100 Guilds about not interfering.]

Then what about the Top 10 Guilds?

[Berjhe: They’re busy right now, and even if they weren’t, they don’t interfere in such things. Especially if it’s about Kaiser, they’d actually welcome it.]

From the Top 10 Guilds’ perspective, Kaiser was like a poisoned chalice.

Both in terms of symbolism and skill.

He would certainly be someone who could elevate them to the next level if they recruited him and raised him well.

Especially now when he was suspected of possibly progressing through the Main Quest.

Kaiser was an existence that could start a war if someone approached him carelessly.

[Berjhe: But to act directly, they have no justification and would ruin their image.]

The Top 10 Guilds wanted someone to eliminate Kaiser more than anyone.

In other words, there was no one who would interfere with the Hero Guild and help Kaiser now.

[Berjhe: Kaiser, he’s stepping into a tiger’s den himself.]

That red carpet he was walking on now.

Was actually no different from a path extending into a future made of his blood.

‘Kaiser, your era is ending now too.’

Step, step.

Kaiser, unaware of this fact even in his dreams, just walked confidently.

Finally reaching the warp, Kaiser, Dohyun, raised his head.

[You have qualified for graduation.]

[By completing all four trials of the continents located in the east, west, south, and north, you have gained the qualification to go to the central Empire.]

[Would you like to move to the Arniss Empire?]

[If you move to the Empire, you cannot return to Pratel.]

‘Finally, the Empire.’

About a month and a half since starting Godseeker.

He felt a new sense of emotion at the time that had passed in an instant.

Reaching the Empire in just a month and a half was such an insane speed that anyone who heard it would yell at him not to lie.

‘I didn’t know it would be this fast.’

Even Dohyun himself hadn’t expected to reach it this quickly.

Anyway, he had done it, and now it was time to step onto the main stage.

It probably wouldn’t be easy.

He had many enemies, and now, entering the Empire for the first time, would be his most vulnerable moment.

‘When has it ever been different though.’

But what did that matter.

Just as he had done until now, he would eventually succeed.

“Yes.”

As he answered without hesitation, a message soon appeared,

[Moving to the Arniss Empire.]

Under the gazes of countless Players and NPCs.

Along with blinding light, Dohyun and the Guardians’ figures disappeared.

It was finally the moment he set foot in the Empire, which could be called Godseeker’s main stage.

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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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