The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 198

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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 198

Episode 198.

Hero Guild and Kaiser.

At first, their relationship was somewhat ambiguous.

They found each other distasteful and couldn’t stand the sight of one another, but they had never actually properly fought.

‘I wondered why he disliked me so much.’

At most, they would pick fights when they occasionally ran into each other or engage in some petty interference?

Since neither crossed any major lines, they would just let it slide.

If it were now, Dohyun wouldn’t have let it go so easily, judging the signs to be bad, but back then it was the early days and Dohyun lacked experience, so he let it pass.

And that became the root of the problem.

‘I wondered why he suddenly wanted to join hands, but in the end he stabbed me in the back.’

Eventually, Dohyun, with his restraints removed, decided to pick a serious fight.

Just when it seemed like they would fight in earnest, those bastards suddenly disappeared, so he couldn’t even end their bitter relationship.

As a result, he wasn’t killed by those bastards or suffered major damage.

A lot of time had passed, so he thought the bad feelings had disappeared, but facing them like this, it was indeed an unpleasant memory.

That fox-like bastard who had shocked Dohyun back then, but Berjhe also had plenty to say.

“Kaiser, you were an obstacle. Even back then, you constantly interfered with my plans. I thought if I eliminated you, the irregular, the variables would disappear.”

“…?”

“You look like you don’t remember. Well, I suppose that’s possible. You were just mindlessly hunting bosses and destroying guilds.”

It’s just that the bosses, guilds, and players he hunted were often key points in Berjhe’s plans.

He had been unknowingly interfering with Berjhe.

Berjhe knew that Dohyun wasn’t doing it intentionally.

But there’s a limit to everything!

“No matter how much I predicted variables and made plans to proceed with quests, you would appear like a ghost and interfere. Why do you hunt 6-person hidden bosses alone, how did you find them, and for what reason do you suddenly fight major guilds solo?”

“…Then shouldn’t I have put up a solo clear notice? I just hunted bosses because I saw them, and beat up guys who picked fights with me.”

“That’s exactly your problem.”

No matter how unintentional it was, when it happened twice, three times, four times…

When it accumulated dozens of times, even Buddha would get angry.

At least if you moved as a guild, I could predict it.

It was maddening because he couldn’t get a read on someone who wandered around alone like some martial arts wanderer, causing chaos.

“And this recent incident… I absolutely cannot forgive it.”

“This incident… would you believe me if I said it wasn’t intentional?”

“That damn ‘unintentional’! I’m sick of it now.”

“…”

“If I leave you alone, you’ll interfere with me again like in the past.”

They say there’s no villain without a story.

Somehow having no words to refute, Dohyun scratched his head.

It happened this time too, so there was no law saying it wouldn’t happen next time.

Especially for someone like himself who took different routes from others.

Berjhe, having calmed his anger, spoke again with a composed demeanor.

“Actually, this is good. I’ve wanted to get rid of you all along, and that moment has finally come.”

“Why didn’t you get rid of me back then?”

“…The timing was bad. I never expected it to go downhill so quickly. I’m not someone who stubbornly holds onto unprofitable things.”

“…”

It was strange that Dohyun, with his legendary terrible luck, managed to endure that damn game until server shutdown.

Feeling somehow hit where it hurt, he touched his side.

At the same time, Dohyun could feel it.

The relationship between that bastard and himself wasn’t something that could be resolved through conversation.

It was a bitter relationship that could only be resolved when one of them was eliminated.

“Ha, fine then. That’s all good… Did you forget after not seeing me for so long? How many guilds I’ve destroyed, what happened to all the guilds that fought me.”

“You’re as confident as ever.”

Even at Dohyun’s provocation, Berjhe didn’t budge and looked completely at ease.

He even acknowledged Dohyun.

“I acknowledge it. You are excellent.”

“…”

“But so what? Are you going to charge in like back then? Are you confident?”

His attitude was that there was no need to engage in psychological warfare when facing a fight he absolutely couldn’t lose.

Dohyun couldn’t easily answer Berjhe’s question.

Was he confident?

‘…Honestly, it’s ambiguous.’

Even if he charged in right now, he wouldn’t lose pathetically.

He was confident he could deal significant damage to those bastards.

But that was about it.

There was an overwhelming gap, and being numerically disadvantaged, no matter how many people he brought, they would eventually die.

‘After that, they’ll make me wait in the city and drive me to the field like now.’

Then it would be infinite hunting.

Unlike himself who would gradually weaken, those bastards would gradually grow stronger.

“Right now you’re just a greenhorn who has barely entered the Empire. You’re not enhanced, there’s a difference in equipment and skill quality, and you haven’t experienced any of the numerous routes to become stronger in the Empire.”

It was infuriating, but that bastard was right.

The reason for the class difference starting from the Empire wasn’t simply because you get higher grades as you progress.

The numerous growth routes including enhancement that could only be done after entering the Empire.

Having or not having those was truly like the difference between heaven and earth.

“There’s no one to help you. Not the Top 10 Guilds, not the Top 100 Guilds, nor any other major guilds.”

“…”

“To guilds, your existence is nothing but a poisoned chalice. Dangerous to possess, annoying to leave alone. Meanwhile, I’ve built my kingdom, my legion, and everyone will be a great strength to me.”

“…”

“Do you understand? The world isn’t lived alone, Kaiser. And…”

Pausing briefly and looking Dohyun up and down, Berjhe smirked and added.

“Even if we fought now, I think I would win.”

“The guild masters who were dismantled by my hands all said the same thing.”

“Well… I don’t think we need any more conversation between us.”

The conversation ended there.

Swoosh-

As Berjhe lightly waved his hand, guild members gradually approached and began pressuring Dohyun.

Dohyun had no choice but to step back.

At this rate, he would soon be driven to the field.

‘Owner, you weren’t just bluffing, right? You’re really confident, right?’

‘Rizariza!’

‘…I was acting tough but I’m not really sure.’

‘Wh-what!? Then what are you going to do!’

‘Master, don’t worry. This humble sword will risk its life to assist you.’

Watching the anxious Jihad guys, Dohyun also racked his brain hard.

‘…Escape with backstab and lightning movement to buy time?’

Fleeing wasn’t a good option.

Even if he bought time to hunt, he would eventually be spotted.

In the end, he would only buy a little time before being quickly discovered.

Or if he logged out…

‘When I log back in, it’ll be this same situation, so what’s the point. Let’s just charge in.’

In that case, it would be better to just charge in.

It wasn’t a “whatever happens, happens” judgment.

There was a reasonable basis for his confidence.

[Cheonbyeon (Thousand Changes) devours the ‘Terrible Nightmare Scythe’.]

[You have devoured an item of higher grade than the existing grade.]

[Cheonbyeon (Thousand Changes)’s grade is being adjusted.]

[Cheonbyeon (Thousand Changes)’s grade is transformed to ‘Hero+ (Raid Equipment)’.]

[Attack power and options are being reorganized to match the grade.]

Luidra’s scythe obtained from defeating Luidra this time.

[You equip the Ominous Nightmare Earrings.]

[You equip the Disturbing Nightmare Bracelet.]

[Luidra’s Nightmare Set is applied.]

And the other two accessories as well.

Moreover, there was also the Ring of Karuk’s Essence that Splits Rock, which had completed its inheritance this time.

The current Dohyun was far beyond the level they knew.

If he could use that unexpected factor to deal explosive damage in an instant, it would be manageable.

‘Let me check the performance.’

And Dohyun had several more tricks up his sleeve.

Among them, the most reliable was the Demon King’s Ring.

He didn’t know what skill would activate, but it was the unique magic of the Demon King who had opposed gods, so it certainly wouldn’t be an ordinary skill.

‘It’s a bit wasteful to use it now… but if push comes to shove, there’s no choice.’

Just having a joker card to overcome crises was reassuring.

But this was a last resort to be used only in the worst-case scenario.

He intended to overcome this with his own power if possible.

[You have not yet confirmed the rewards for the 4th Trial.]

[Would you like to confirm the rewards?]

The enhanced S-rank graduation reward from this 4th Trial that might help Dohyun.

He wanted to leisurely enjoy the sweet rewards, but now wasn’t the time for such luxury.

Step, step.

Clack, clack, clack, clack.

“This persistent bad relationship ends here. I hope we never see each other again. Though that will be the case soon enough.”

He had been pushed back to the front of the warp leading to the field with nowhere left to retreat.

Just a few more steps and he’d be heading to the field. Then attacks would pour out immediately.

There really was no time left now.

‘Let me see what comes out…’

Just as he was about to check the rewards, hoping something useful for combat would appear.

“Then this is the end, Kai…”

“Huh…!?”

“Hmm?”

A sharp intake of breath from somewhere cut off Berjhe’s words.

That wasn’t the end of the sounds.

“What? Why does it suddenly feel empty behind us? Did everyone leave… Huh? Wha, what?”

“No way. That person appeared?”

“My goodness.”

“What’s going on? Why are they acting like that?”

Starting with that sound, everyone stopped moving due to the suddenly noisy spectators.

Berjhe was among them.

‘…What is it?’

Berjhe was feeling a strong sense of unease.

This was an unplanned situation.

For players to react with such a fuss in this situation meant someone important had definitely appeared.

‘Who is it? An NPC? Or a player?’

Either way, it was unwelcome.

At the same time, it didn’t make sense.

NPCs don’t interfere in player affairs as long as no rules are broken, and there was no one among the players who would interfere.

Therefore, Berjhe soon reached a conclusion.

‘…They’re probably just passing by.’

That was reasonable.

Logically, there was no one who would get involved in this matter.

“Ahem. Then… this is the end. Kai…”

Just as Berjhe, having assessed the situation, cleared his throat and was about to speak elegantly again.

“Gasp!”

“Cr, crazy!”

“…Damn it… What is it this time!”

Berjhe, whose words were cut off once again, shouted angrily.

What answered his furious shout wasn’t his guild members or the spectating players.

“Well, this is something… I came to see a welcome face after a long time, and what’s all this about.”

A distinctively thick voice that stood out among the crowd.

The characteristic voice that sounded like a construction site worker yet was strangely warm was one Berjhe knew well.

At the same time, it belonged to an unbelievable person.

Thud, thud.

“…You, you are?”

A massive height over 190cm and a muscular build to match.

A warm impression and manner of speaking like a neighborhood uncle that contrasted with his size.

Expensive equipment adorning his entire body.

And accessories and weapons that glowed brilliantly in purple, the symbol of high enhancement.

All of it proved his identity.

“The Owner of the Armory…!”

The master of Babylon, one of the top 10 guilds.

A hardcore spender and incarnation of grinding, more famous for the title “Owner of the Armory” than his name Astra.

‘What is this situation… Huh? Wait a minute.’

Dohyun, facing him from a distance, couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

That was because Dohyun also knew this person well.

‘That way of speaking, that swagger, that solid build… Could it be…’

No, he was someone beyond just knowing.

That fantastic trinity was pointing to someone impossible to forget.

The Owner of the Armory.

He was a hardcore high-ranking player who finished Demroc at 5th place and a ranker who had been Kaiser’s companion.

‘…Purple old man?’

It was Purple Taste.

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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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