The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 205

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 205

 

Episode 205.

 

Aison Briem.

 

The idol of all blacksmiths who walk the path of enhancement.

 

One of the Empire’s greatest enhancement masters in both name and reality, who earned the Emperor’s trust even after refusing his scout offer for the sake of his beliefs.

 

“M-Master, how are you here…?”

 

“You’ve made quite the grand spectacle. I heard you were having an enhancement battle with someone who’s not even involved in this business, so I came to see for myself.”

 

To Leon, Aison was both an object of admiration and fear.

 

Though he was an NPC, he was extremely strict and eccentric, bringing back memories of being scolded while learning.

 

But what worried him most was that his current standing was based on being a craftsman who was once Aison’s disciple.

 

“I always told you to be humble, and here I thought you were trying to trick someone again… turns out you were the one being tricked. And yet you can’t even admit defeat and are struggling pathetically. How disgraceful.”

 

His master was looking down at him with a displeased expression.

 

Leon knew that expression well.

 

He had watched Aison’s moods more than anyone else, so he could tell what emotion it was from the slightest change in expression.

 

‘…I can’t let Master down.’

 

Hero Guild membership?

 

Berjhe’s massive support?

 

He didn’t care about any of that, but disappointing Aison was different.

 

He might not take great care of his disciples, but he did what needed to be done for them. However, once a disciple disappointed him, he would no longer cherish them.

 

All the support and authority he had gained by having Aison’s backing would disappear.

 

Moreover, that state wasn’t just disappointment.

 

“Don’t go around telling people you’re my disciple. I’m dying of embarrassment… Tsk.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Aison was ashamed that Leon was his disciple.

 

Sensing the dire situation, Leon’s mind snapped to attention.

 

It was as if someone had grabbed his head while he was submerged underwater and forcibly pulled him out.

 

“Master, that’s not it…”

 

“Shut up. I have nothing more I want to hear from you.”

 

“M-Master… Please listen to what I have to say…”

 

“Master? Who said I was your master? I’ve never had a disciple who can’t even recognize an opponent’s capabilities, let alone admit defeat.”

 

Aison delivered his sharp rebuke and glared at Leon with eyes he’d never seen before.

 

Actually, they weren’t eyes he’d never seen before.

 

He was a man sharp as a blade, who would mercilessly cut ties with even those he cherished if he judged they had crossed the line, and Leon had seen those eyes a few times before.

 

He was just seeing those eyes directed at himself for the first time.

 

“Leon.”

 

And when those eyes appeared, the outcome was always the same.

 

“You are expelled.”

 

“Ahh…”

 

Leon’s pupils shook at the outcome that came without exception this time as well.

 

Meanwhile, players watching Leon murmured among themselves.

 

“…Did he say expelled?”

 

“Then doesn’t Leon have to leave the Craftsman’s Association now?”

 

“Even though he rose up with Aison’s help, he already got the craftsman title, so maybe not?”

 

“Either way, his standing will definitely shrink.”

 

“So to summarize, he got expelled for pulling a scam because he was afraid of getting beaten by Kaiser in an enhancement battle. Wow, truly the ultimate in disgrace.”

 

Mockery about his disgrace continued in a chain, but Leon couldn’t hear any of it right now.

 

He was focused solely on somehow changing his master’s mind.

 

Thud-

 

Leon fell to his knees and immediately prostrated himself.

 

“No, Master. Expelled? Please reconsider just once more…”

 

“Are you going to make me say it twice?”

 

But even at his disciple’s pitiful appearance, Aison remained firm.

 

“Didn’t I always tell you, Leon? Even if the moment of death comes, you must maintain a craftsman’s pride. That was the condition for being my disciple. I only wanted that one thing – was it so difficult to keep?”

 

“Master…”

 

“I think you understand well enough.”

 

Saying that, Aison patted his shoulder and walked past the kneeling Leon.

 

That was the end.

 

A scene that was utterly shabby and hollow for the final moment between master and disciple.

 

Before the players could even murmur about it, Aison moved.

 

He approached Kaiser closely and spoke as if finding it interesting.

 

“I hear this is your first time with enhancement?”

 

“Hmm… Something like that.”

 

Kaiser – no, Dohyun – thought for a moment before answering.

 

He had done enhancement countless times in Demroc, but this was his first time here, so it wasn’t a lie.

 

But this only made Aison’s interest grow even more.

 

‘That hammering was from a beginner?’

 

He had only glimpsed the final enhancement, but for a craftsman of Aison’s caliber, it was enough time to assess the skill level.

 

Hammering that was more intuitive and precise than any apostle he’d seen before.

 

The clear sound that rang out with each strike was at a level where ordinary craftsmen couldn’t even present their business cards.

 

‘The only regret is not seeing what happens after +10.’

 

From +11 onward, the difficulty becomes dimensionally different.

 

The hit points decrease dramatically and become as small as millet grains.

 

Meanwhile, the critical points become overwhelmingly larger and more numerous.

 

And the difference between +11 and +12 was comparable to that. No, it should be seen as becoming more severe the higher the enhancement level.

 

It was no exaggeration to say it depended entirely on luck.

 

‘That’s probably why that pathetic Leon panicked and acted out.’

 

But why was it?

 

He had the feeling that this guy could easily succeed at +12.

 

It was strange.

 

To feel such confidence about someone when even craftsmen found it difficult to succeed in one attempt.

 

Aison knew this feeling well.

 

Having walked the blacksmith’s path for many years, he had seen countless craftsmen and novices, which had given him something resembling – though embarrassing to call it – foresight.

 

‘If properly nurtured, he could become a master craftsman…’

 

Aison’s intuition was telling him.

 

That young man could someday be called a master craftsman and make a name for himself.

 

‘A master craftsman material with an aura of misfortune, as if hated by iron itself… This is the first time I’ve seen such a case, but I suppose this could be called fate too.’

 

The somewhat puzzling point was that he could sense voices full of iron’s resentment from the young man, as if he had broken thousands of weapons.

 

…But what did it matter?

 

His hammering was genuine.

 

“This is a first for me too… It might be sudden, but listen without being flustered, young man.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“You’re material that could stand tall on your own, but having a master in this field makes a big difference. I’m asking seriously.”

 

“Don’t tell me…”

 

At the buildup that somehow suggested what was coming next, players were already covering their mouths.

 

Sure enough.

 

Soon, a shocking proposal came from Aison’s mouth.

 

“Would you consider becoming my disciple? I’ll make you a master craftsman… no, at least a blacksmith who surpasses me.”

 

Ding-

 

[Sub-profession Quest ‘Aison’s Disciple’ has occurred.]

 

[You have been invited to become a disciple by the enhancement master NPC ‘Craftsman Aison’.]

 

[Upon becoming a disciple, you will belong to Aison.]

 

[You will gain access to Aison’s Forge, receive instruction in all techniques, and earn the support of Aison and those associated with him.]

 

[However, your activities may be subject to various restrictions.]

 

[Do you accept?]

 

Sub-profession Quest.

 

A system that opens from the Empire, allowing you to choose a different type of profession as a sub-profession.

 

Combat classes could take production classes as subs, while production classes could take combat classes as subs.

 

Naturally, since the main class was central, skills from the chosen sub-profession could only be obtained in a limited way, but there were always exceptions everywhere.

 

‘If you become a disciple of a master-level NPC, you can achieve results comparable to your main class.’

 

That was one of the reasons why you needed to stay on good terms with NPCs, and why NPCs were important.

 

Aison was a renowned craftsman even among strengthening artisans, so becoming his disciple and gaining related skills would be nothing but beneficial.

 

His contemplation was brief, and Dohyun soon opened his mouth.

 

“Yes.”

 

A short answer.

 

But because of it, Aison’s eyes widened as he burst into hearty laughter with apparent delight,

 

“…What?”

 

“Crazy, amazing…”

 

“Wow! Did you see that? Did you see?”

 

The players also got excited, patting each other’s bodies as they couldn’t contain their excitement.

 

And among them, there was someone with the biggest reaction.

 

“…Ah, aah… My neck…”

 

“L, Leon sir! What are you doing, everyone help support him!”

 

“F, for now it would be best to get out of this place.”

 

It was Leon, clutching the back of his neck and swaying as if about to collapse.

 

‘To that kind of guy, I… Aah, th, this must be a dream… a dream…’

 

Craftsman Leon, whose wings were clipped and who was expelled just as he was about to soar high.

 

He was denying reality.

 

* * *

 

[Sudden fierce battle between Craftsman Leon and Cashin Kaiser!]

 

[Kaiser, does he have talent in strengthening too?]

 

[Master craftsman material recognized by Aison]

 

[Aison even offers discipleship to Kaiser, causing controversy…]

 

[Craftsman Leon loses to Kaiser in strengthening battle and shows disgraceful behavior, gets expelled by Aison… Is the Hero Guild okay like this…]

 

[Craftsman Leon declares he won’t give any damn interviews!]

 

-Damn, what the hell is this now lololololol

 

-Suddenly a strengthening battle with Leon? Wasn’t he supposed to be in Babylon.

 

-No, setting that aside, how do you beat a craftsman? Seriously how did he do it;;

 

-I even heard he got kicked out for acting like a fool after losing to Kaiser? What’s this about recruiting disciples? He tried to recruit disciples right after getting expelled? That’s crazy lol

 

-Huh, I heard rumors about this but it was so unbelievable I thought it was bullshit, but is this for real?

 

-Diaperza are you okay today?

 

-Yeah, I brought 10 extra copies just in case.

 

The strengthening battle between Leon and Kaiser that took place in the Alley of Strengthening.

 

And Master Craftsman Aison’s intrusion there, even offering discipleship.

 

This unbelievable news quickly spread as articles, and it took only a little time to reach players and netizens.

 

-Leon looks pathetic lol

 

-Disgrace of craftsmen. How do you lose to someone who’s not even in the industry.

 

-didn’t even have a sub job lol

 

-Is Kaiser amazing, or was Leon just all hype.

 

-Either way, did you see the video that came up? Leon’s disgraceful behavior was really ugh… I felt embarrassed just watching.

 

-Now Leon’s career in this industry is finished.

 

Naturally, countless daggers were thrust at Leon, who already had a poor image and many enemies.

 

It was also because the production profession industry was originally small, so everyone who needed to know, knew.

 

In fact, Leon was currently refusing interviews and holed up in his room, not coming out.

 

How do we know this?

 

Crash!!

 

“What the hell is this all about! Why is Leon acting like a shut-in muttering incomprehensible words like hobbies and shit-tama, and what are all these damn news reports!”

 

Because Berjhe saw it with his own two eyes.

 

Leon, who was brought in practically dragged and supported by guards, made eye contact and went into his room without saying a word.

 

Then he didn’t budge for hours.

 

-…Master. Interview requests are flooding in.

 

-M, Master! Journalists asking for explanations about what happened…

 

-Master! This is Vice Master. This is war! We must go to war! That guy is a monster. Before he gets bigger, right now…

 

-No, Vice Master. Right now, handling this situation first is the priority…

 

“Damn it all. What more do you want me to do.”

 

Thanks to that, all the cleanup became Berjhe’s responsibility.

 

The sudden sparks flying were already annoying, but those sparks were at a level that made fireballs look like nothing.

 

It wasn’t just a sting but heat spreading through his whole body, making him feel like he was burning up.

 

The affiliated craftsman he worked so hard to obtain got expelled by his master and was in that state, so who knows when he could return.

 

Journalists kept protesting, communities kept mocking.

 

The executives and the so-called Vice Master had different opinions – some saying to go to war immediately, others saying to handle the situation first…

 

‘No, I have a meeting soon, what the hell is all this!?’

 

Unable to bear the recent repeated stress, through an acquaintance’s introduction, he was about to prepare to attend a meeting just to cool his head for a day.

 

Berjhe had no idea what kind of disaster this was.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————