The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 222

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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 222

 

Episode 222.

 

Meanwhile, at that time, quite a few people had gathered in front of the gravestone at Heiden Castle.

 

Though it was only about 30 people, it had roughly doubled compared to the beginning.

 

“Why are so many people gathering?”

 

“It’s natural since it’s the first trial in half a year.”

 

“Especially if the subject is Kaiser… well, that says it all. Good thing we secured front seats.”

 

It was thanks to people who had already heard the rumors and gathered.

 

Even now, people were increasing in real time, so at this rate it would obviously become crowded soon.

 

In that regard, those who had been in the castle from the beginning were fortunate to comfortably secure the very front.

 

It had been so lamentable to just beat iron dummies in Heiden Castle where only flies buzzed around, but there were times when that helped.

 

“Since he entered, it’ll start soon, right?”

 

“Probably. Limit trials are conducted right after entering.”

 

“Wow, after the Berjhe discipline broadcast, he became so popular it was hard to even approach him… it’s amazing to meet him like this.”

 

“And to think he came to the castle where we are. Incredible.”

 

Naturally, their topic of conversation was none other than Kaiser.

 

Kaiser, who was already a hot potato, had come to take the Trial of the Great Lion King at the Knight’s Castle where they were.

 

Wasn’t the timing just perfect?

 

Just as they were excitedly chattering about this strange coincidence, one person looked around cautiously and spoke carefully.

 

“So… what do you think will happen?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“What else could I mean, man.”

 

“Ah.”

 

The other trainees who had been responding indifferently also became serious.

 

They understood what he was trying to say.

 

“Hmm…”

 

After thinking carefully for a moment, the answer came quickly.

 

“Well… even if it’s Kaiser, wouldn’t it be a bit difficult?”

 

“His level is barely in the early 70s. Experts said he’d be around level 73 at most.”

 

“No matter how much of a Kaiser he is, this time was too rushed. There’s no reason he had to enter now. How much better would it have been if he safely hit level 100, transcended, and then entered?”

 

“Passing… well. He probably can’t produce red light. If he were at least level 85, I’d consider it, but this gap is too big.”

 

No matter how they thought about it, only negative opinions emerged.

 

Of course, there were opposing opinions too.

 

“Anyway, the trial is conducted according to one’s level, so does that matter?”

 

“It does matter. There are systematic benefits you get after hitting max level. Since those aren’t reflected, hitting max level is definitely advantageous.”

 

“True… even setting aside transcendence, the number of skill slots differs from the start.”

 

“Hey, but it’s still Kaiser, right? He even crushed transcended Berjhe, so what can’t he do?”

 

“Let’s skip the Sword Master’s record since it’s ridiculous, but still, he’s a divine being, so couldn’t he reach red light if he does well?”

 

“When you put it that way, it does seem possible?”

 

Still, there were things Kaiser had shown, and seeing how confidently he entered, didn’t he have something to rely on?

 

Though opinions were somewhat divided, there was one opinion they all agreed on.

 

That Kaiser seemed to have entered too hastily.

 

Was there a need to consume this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so quickly? That was their question.

 

“Could it be a main quest?”

 

“Or maybe he got some kind of strategy guide?”

 

“Where would there be a strategy guide for the Lion King’s trial? It’s the kind that emits yellow light saying it’s not satisfied even when you finish all the trials the same way.”

 

“Well, that’s because the trial’s passing criteria is based on process, not results… Huh? What’s that?”

 

“What, why are you… Huh?”

 

It was while they were racking their brains in their own way.

 

A trainee who had turned his head in puzzlement at his companion’s shocked expression soon showed the same reaction.

 

That was the beginning.

 

“Whoa… what is that?”

 

“Wow, is this real?”

 

“I’m not seeing this wrong, am I?”

 

The players waiting spread out behind them cried out in surprise.

 

The same went for the players who were continuously streaming in behind them.

 

The reason everyone was shocked was none other than the gravestone.

 

Flash—

 

“…Why is it already emitting light?”

 

The magic circle-like effect in the shape of a lion drawn beneath the gravestone.

 

And the light that was not just wrapping around the entire gravestone but rising brilliantly above it.

 

Light that shouldn’t appear yet was being emitted.

 

This meant he had reached the second grade level within just 10 minutes of entering the Lion King’s Tower.

 

“It’s only been about 10 minutes since he entered!?”

 

“No, 10 minutes would be time for at most the first stage of the limit trial, but what is this…”

 

“And it’s not even green light, it’s yellow light!?”

 

“This is impossible!”

 

The time alone was shocking enough, but it wasn’t even green light—it was yellow light.

 

It was an impossible occurrence.

 

This wasn’t an expression of admiration, but truly impossible.

 

“There are plenty of people who only get yellow light even after finishing all trials, and he got yellow light in 10 minutes?”

 

“That means he got perfect scores on at least two trials.”

 

“Crazy…”

 

Green light, yellow light, silver light, golden light, red light.

 

The measurement criteria for the five-stage grading system was none other than the number of trials passed with perfect scores.

 

And the light the gravestone was currently emitting was yellow.

 

This meant Kaiser had broken through two trials given by the Lion King with perfect scores in 10 minutes…

 

“…But is that even possible?”

 

“Just clearing the limit trial takes at least 4 hours.”

 

“Even decent high rankers take 2 hours. It doesn’t make sense time-wise.”

 

No matter how much of a Kaiser he was, this was physically impossible.

 

If it were 1 hour, they might somehow believe it, but 10 minutes?

 

This was time that wouldn’t work even if Kaiser’s grandfather came.

 

Then there was only one assumption.

 

“The Lion King’s recognition…”

 

The Lion King’s spirit dwelling in the tower recognizing a knight.

 

Though conveniently expressed as “recognition” when grouped together, everything that makes the Lion King’s spirit submit, surprised, or acknowledge is reflected in the score.

 

And when that value exceeds the standard, one sometimes receives early passing grades for several trial categories.

 

And receiving early passing naturally meant being treated as a perfect score.

 

“My goodness…”

 

“He achieved that? In 10 minutes?”

 

Though it was an official setting, the moment they recalled the words “Lion King’s recognition.”

 

They couldn’t help but be shocked.

 

“Even high rankers like Demroc and the Empress only managed one.”

 

“And that was achieved after several hours…”

 

“Who has passed in less than an hour? Isn’t this a first?”

 

“…No, there is someone.”

 

That was when someone mentioned the name of an NPC.

 

“…The Sword Master.”

 

The Sword of the Seven Rivers.

 

Sword Master, Gawain Drew.

 

“The Sword Master was the only one who achieved two early passes in less than 30 minutes.”

 

“…Wait, does that mean Kaiser is faster than the Sword Master?”

 

“Crazy… not 30 minutes but 10 minutes…”

 

“Ugh, should I post this on the forums or hold back? They probably won’t believe it anyway.”

 

The Sword Master’s overwhelming record, which had been unique, was being broken for the first time.

 

Naturally, people’s conversation had shifted to comparing the Sword Master and Kaiser.

 

“At this rate, isn’t Kaiser going to surpass the Sword Master’s record?”

 

“Wow, would that make him the first player to clear the hidden test?”

 

“Nah, that’s not happening. Do the Seven Strongholds look like a joke to you?”

 

“Right. Besides, the Sword Master has three early passes. No matter what, he’s not really comparable to the Sword Master…”

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Flash-!

 

“Hiiik!?”

 

“Holy crap, that scared me.”

 

“Wh-what is it?”

 

Startled by the massive light suddenly erupting in front of them, they instinctively looked ahead.

 

And they couldn’t help but be stunned.

 

“…Silver light?”

 

“A third early pass?”

 

Brilliant silver light was pouring out from the gravestone.

 

Silver light meant he had received a third perfect score.

 

Not just since Godose’s release, but even considering Godose’s background setting, this was the first time since the Sword Master.

 

Gulp.

 

The sound of someone swallowing dry saliva could be heard from somewhere at this unbelievable event.

 

But no one paid attention to it.

 

Everyone was showing similar reactions.

 

Among them staring blankly at the gravestone emitting silver light, someone muttered quietly.

 

“…What the hell is happening in there?”

 

It was impossible to imagine, but one thing was certain.

 

Everything happening inside would be a first.

 

‘Could he really break the Sword Master’s record?’

 

‘Holy… shit… I absolutely have to record this.’

 

‘I don’t know what it is, but this is insane… My hands are literally shaking.’

 

Kaiser, he was about to cause another incident.

 

* * *

 

[The Lion King’s spirit is shocked.]

 

[This will be reflected in your grade.]

 

[The Lion King’s spirit cannot contain its surprise.]

 

[This will be reflected in your grade.]

 

[The Lion King’s spirit protests that this is cheating.]

 

…

 

[The Lion King’s spirit holds its head, saying something is wrong.]

 

[This will be reflected in your grade.]

 

The Lion King’s spirit was feeling dizzy.

 

‘This… this doesn’t make sense.’

 

It was because of that one knight who had entered the tower.

 

A guy who came dragging guardians around like a tamer despite being a knight.

 

Perhaps that’s why. He had been dismissive, thinking inwardly that the knight lacked skill and relied on guardians.

 

‘What the hell is all that!’

 

An absurd scene was unfolding.

 

Bang! Crack-!

 

Boom! Scrape- Thud!

 

One graze from him and the skeleton soldiers’ bones would shatter, two grazes and they’d be done for.

 

Even when skeleton soldiers swarmed and charged at him, his movements were so swift that it was hard for attacks to properly graze him.

 

What was even more absurd was that even when attacks did hit, he didn’t take much damage.

 

‘Could my measurement have been wrong?’

 

That was impossible.

 

The Lion King’s eyes were eyes that could see through a target’s level.

 

In the terminology of those called apostles, they were eyes that could check levels.

 

He had perfectly measured even that guy called the Sword Master of this era, so how could he fail to measure a mere apostle?

 

‘Though apostles often had large gaps even when achieving the same level…’

 

That’s why the limit test existed.

 

Measurement by eye alone couldn’t determine a knight’s limits.

 

Even if there were differences, they were usually roughly similar, and normally they would fall without even overcoming the limit test.

 

[You have cleared Stage 1 with perfect completion.]

 

[Stage 2 begins.]

 

…

 

[You have cleared Stage 2 with perfect completion.]

 

…

 

[You have cleared Stage 4 with perfect completion.]

 

‘…How should I explain that? Isn’t it like a transcendent being beating up lowly goblins?’

 

But what was that guy?

 

His destructive power, durability, and speed far exceeded the level he should originally be at.

 

Not only that, his mana circuits were abnormally solid too.

 

It wasn’t just that his physical abilities were abnormally strong either.

 

Swish- Crack!

 

-Ugh, look at that head snapping. Gives me chills.

 

-Mm! That naturally flowing movement as always… Master’s combat always looks like watching a work of art.

 

-Risa! Rizariza!

 

Each movement was overwhelming his targets based on thorough distance calculations as if everything was calculated.

 

‘Even the knights of my era couldn’t do that. That’s… isn’t he on a different level compared to other so-called apostles?’

 

At this moment, what came to the Lion King’s spirit’s mind was a man who had entered a year ago.

 

A man who conquered everything with a single sword.

 

The strongest swordsman of this era who had reached such an incredible level that he would want to cross swords with him at least once if he were alive.

 

‘…Sword Master.’

 

For some reason, the Lion King’s spirit found himself thinking of that man.

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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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