The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 224

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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 224

 

Episode 224.

 

And at that moment, in front of the gravestone at Heiden Castle.

 

“What are you all doing right now!? Hurry up and bring the knight!”

 

“The rumor has spread all over the community. Right now! Come quickly!”

 

“Wow, look at all these people gathered. Looks like over 100.”

 

“There are hundreds of people flocking here right now, so 100 isn’t the issue. This is really crazy.”

 

There was an unprecedented commotion in Godose over a player’s third early advancement.

 

And for good reason, as it was the very first Achievement of its kind.

 

Including not just players but NPCs as well, it was the first Achievement seen since the Sword Master, so word was bound to spread.

 

Moreover, the person who achieved that Achievement was none other than Kaiser.

 

“What the hell does Kaiser do? How is there not a single day he doesn’t cause trouble?”

 

“Pratel’s first hidden raid boss kidnapping incident, single-handedly half-destroying the Hero Guild, and now the first third early advancement in the Trial of the Great Lion King? Is this guy even human?”

 

“Damn, there hasn’t been a day without overtime because of Kaiser lately.”

 

“Kashin or whatever, please just stay quiet. I want to go on a date.”

 

“Ah, so you have a girlfriend? This bastard won’t do. Kaiser sir, please work harder! I’ll dedicate my freedom to you!”

 

“Hey, you bastard!”

 

Since Kaiser happened to be the hottest figure right now, all sorts of media outlets, journalists, and guild representatives had no choice but to move busily.

 

And that wasn’t all.

 

“Ah, brothers! This is Heiden Castle where Kaiser entered to take the Lion King’s trial. I came here in a hurry after hearing truly shocking news…”…”

 

“Yes, Maeng-friends. Your Maeng Hyorin is here~ There’s amazing news today! It’s about Kai…”

 

Now that Kaiser-related broadcasts saw explosive increases in viewer numbers, streamers were also bustling about.

 

In this situation where the cramped area in front of the gravestone was chaotically crowded with countless people.

 

Many were making speculations with excited expressions about this unprecedented situation.

 

“It’s been about 40 minutes now, right? At this rate, he might clear it within 2 hours.”

 

“Come on, no matter how the limit trial proceeds randomly according to the person, I heard from stage 9 onwards it gets ridiculously difficult. Would a 2-hour clear really be possible?”

 

“Why not? The Sword Master did a 2-hour clear. Kaiser is following that record right now, so it might be possible, right?”

 

“…Is that so? If that happens, it would really be legendary.”

 

“Whatever the case, I hope he comes out quickly. If I can get even one word in an interview, today will be a success.”

 

“Ah! I want to get Kaiser’s autograph!”

 

“Damn Kaiser! My overtime!!”

 

Among people chattering about breaking records or not, and it being legendary, there were even those sincerely hoping they wouldn’t have to work overtime.

 

It was when everyone was excitedly chattering away in such chaos.

 

Flash-

 

“Hiiik!?”

 

“Wh-what!?”

 

Those standing at the front were startled and stepped back at the brilliant light that suddenly burst forth.

 

In the silence that followed.

 

The gravestone they looked at had changed from before.

 

Instead of silver, brilliant golden light was coloring the area around the gravestone.

 

“Crazy… fourth early advancement…?”

 

“No, should this even be considered early advancement? At this point, isn’t this just actually clearing the trial rather than early advancement?”

 

“What the hell is going on… huh?”

 

“What!?”

 

But that wasn’t the end.

 

The golden light that had been brilliantly illuminating the surroundings rapidly darkened, then suddenly began emitting pitch-black energy.

 

It happened so quickly that people who arrived late didn’t even see the golden light.

 

“Huh? What? Why is the gravestone that color?”

 

“…Black?”

 

“Was there such a color?”

 

They said golden light appeared? Where did the gold go and why is it black?”

 

“No, but surely after golden light comes red light, right? I don’t think I’ve heard of such a color…”

 

An ominous feeling from the jet-black darkness like pitch.

 

It was the first light seen since the Trial of the Great Lion King began.

 

At this moment, journalists, scouts, industry workers, streamers, and even players who simply came to watch were all left dumbfounded.

 

“…Is this good? Or bad?”

 

“Isn’t something going wrong? How is this happening?”

 

“And the color has to be ominously black of all things.”

 

“Damn, won’t he turn on a live broadcast? I’m dying of curiosity, really.”

 

When everyone’s minds were filled with questions about the gravestone’s appearance they’d never seen before.

 

“…Could it be a new hidden piece?”

 

Someone’s muttered voice.

 

Strangely, the voice came through clearly, and everyone flinched and stopped.

 

“…Huh?”

 

“Hidden piece…?”

 

“What?”

 

But that was only for a brief moment.

 

Understanding the situation was quick, and action was even quicker.

 

“Crazy, it’s a new hidden piece!”

 

“Damn it, move quickly!! If you’re late, you won’t be able to go home!!”

 

“Holy shit, brothers and sisters!!!! Our Kaiser bro seems to have done something again!!!!”

 

It was the moment when the first anomaly occurred in the Trial of the Great Lion King.

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, at that time…

 

[Hidden Stage, Forgotten King opens.]

 

[Warning! There is an overwhelming gap. You may lose your life.]

 

‘What is this about?’

 

Dohyun, who had no way of knowing this fact, was simply bewildered.

 

What was this hidden condition, and what was this Hidden Stage?

 

No, he knew Hidden Stages existed.

 

‘…But that was supposed to open when you get perfect scores on all trials?’

 

But the method wasn’t like this.

 

Far from getting perfect scores on all trials, he’d never heard of deleting all trials.

 

Above all, the content of the Hidden Stage was too different.

 

Rumble-

 

-Wow, what is that thing? Look at the size.

 

-Rizariza…

 

-It’s like looking at a door for giants.

 

The Hidden Stage that the Sword Master was known to have cleared was called the King’s Trial.

 

It was a stage where a king, presumed to be the Lion King, gave trials.

 

This was no exception even for high rankers like the disciples Demroc, Empress, and Sword Master.

 

Though the trial content differed slightly for each individual, nowhere in the impressions they shared was there mention of seeing such a giant door.

 

By this point, unless Dohyun was an idiot, he had no choice but to realize.

 

‘A new Hidden Stage…’

 

That he had opened a different route, another Hidden Stage from theirs.

 

The Hidden Stage for those who got perfect scores on all trials, and

 

The Hidden Stage for those who deleted all trials.

 

‘…The latter has to be better, right?’

 

Both were hidden pieces all the same, and it was ambiguous since there was nothing to compare it to.

 

But since the existing Hidden Stage had suddenly disappeared, this one had to be better.

 

‘Still, wouldn’t being the first make it even better?’

 

He was running his positive thinking circuits to shake off the uneasy feeling.

 

Ding-

 

[Eye of Truth is activated.]

 

The Eye of Truth suddenly activated.

 

Dohyun’s eyes widened as he instinctively looked at the massive door that had just appeared.

 

‘Red!’

 

Red light was seeping through from beyond the door.

 

Very faint, but unmistakably clear light.

 

‘Could it be a Fragment of Fate? Or some other hidden piece?’

 

Perhaps it might be a Quest item like in Brion.

 

Whatever it was, it hadn’t been there before, but appeared when that massive door emerged, so it was definitely a hidden piece.

 

He wanted to open that door and go inside right away, but he couldn’t.

 

Hissss-

 

-…I sense an ominous aura, Master.

 

-Ugh, the energy feels weird. It’s creepy.

 

-Risa…!!

 

Because a chillingly ominous aura was emanating from that place.

 

An aura that would instinctively make any living being frown.

 

It was the aura of the dead.

 

Even considering it was virtual reality, the incredible realism was enough to give him goosebumps.

 

[Cheonbyeon (Thousand Changes) transforms into ‘Scythe of Terrible Nightmares’.]

 

Dohyun immediately gripped Cheonbyeon.

 

‘Let’s focus.’

 

He was curious about the identity of that red light, but now he needed to concentrate.

 

Creak- Creeak-

 

Because that massive door was slowly opening.

 

The more it opened, the stronger the ominous aura grew, and soon Charlie and Jihad had also taken battle stances.

 

-We will help as well, Master.

 

-My children, awaken.

 

Groooar- Groar-

 

Watching Jihad summon undead and Charlie grip his sword, Dohyun also prepared to activate his skills at any moment.

 

In Dohyun’s judgment, it seemed best to bring out full power from the start.

 

…Clack, click.

 

Even Commander Suffering, who had been summoned, seemed to quickly assess the situation from the ominous aura, positioning his legion without any orders.

 

It was truly befitting behavior of one who had been king of a race.

 

‘Good, let’s go all out from the beginning.’

 

After all, the greater the gap, the more a preemptive strike shines.

 

He planned to ambush whatever emerged from that aura, but that plan was completely destroyed from the start.

 

Creeeeak-

 

[The Forgotten King, ‘Decaying Corpse of the ??King’ reveals itself.]

 

The moment the door opened and a knight’s silhouette was revealed.

 

[You have encountered an Eternal Knight.]

 

[This is an Eternal Knight using the body of a knight who reached the supreme realm.]

 

[Due to its high rank, despite being only in the initial stage, it can use some of its powers from when it was alive.]

 

[Warning! You may lose your life.]

 

A festival of countless messages greeted Dohyun.

 

“Damn…”

 

Curses naturally escaped from his throat.

 

Speak of the devil – he had just talked about Eternal Knights, and one really appeared.

 

But the reason Dohyun was so shocked wasn’t just because an Eternal Knight had appeared.

 

‘It can use powers from when it was alive? How is that initial stage!’

 

Even if only partial, that alone wasn’t initial stage.

 

This was a level that required at least mid-tier among Eternal Knights.

 

Not low-tier, but mid-tier.

 

A whole two stages above initial – this was balance breaking at its finest.

 

Flash-

 

At the same time, shield and sword shapes appeared above both the creature and Dohyun’s heads.

 

‘…What’s this?’

 

It was an effect Dohyun knew well.

 

It was the effect of that skill he had used during the final battle with Berjhe.

 

[The Forgotten King, ‘Decaying Corpse of the ??King’ uses Guardian Deity’s Protection.]

 

[You have been designated as the target.]

 

[Only you can deal damage to the target.]

 

[While engaged in combat with you, the opponent’s defense, magic resistance, and health greatly increase, and skill cooldowns are reduced by 20%.]

 

[While receiving Guardian Deity’s Protection, the opponent is immune to knockback.]

 

Guardian Deity’s Protection.

 

It had been activated on Dohyun.

 

-Good heavens…

 

-What the hell, isn’t this cheating!

 

-R, Risa!

 

Clack, clack-

 

This meant Commander Suffering and the undead legion, Charlie, and Eliza could provide no help.

 

Only a bloody battle between Dohyun and that creature was possible.

 

“This is maddening.”

 

Dohyun sighed at the unexpected forced duel.

 

Just when he thought things were going smoothly for once, this massive curveball was waiting.

 

Step, step.

 

‘Yeah, that’s just like me. I wasn’t even expecting it.’

 

Watching the red undead knight approaching calmly while reeking of unpleasant odor, Dohyun clicked his tongue and aimed Cheonbyeon.

 

[Guardian Deity’s Protection is activated.]

 

[Designating the Forgotten King, Decaying Corpse of the ??King as target.]

 

[Using Thunder Dragon Descent.]

 

—-!

 

At the same time, shields and swords appeared overlapping above both their heads.

 

And above that, the form of a blue thunder dragon descended.

 

BOOM-!

 

Crack- Crackle-

 

“Look how tough it is.”

 

Seeing the red eyes staring at him unflinchingly even after taking a direct hit from the thunder dragon, Dohyun grinned.

 

After all, duels should be met with duels.

 

This wasn’t the end.

 

[Cheonbyeon (Thousand Changes) transforms into ‘Brilliant Taksinel’s Blue Sword’.]

 

[Using Striking.]

 

[Using ‘Darkness Coating’ on Cheonbyeon (Thousand Changes).]

 

[Using Ice Current.]

 

After all sorts of buffs, Dohyun used his final buff.

 

[Using Fierce Strike Slash.]

 

[The aura of fierce strike gathers on the sword.]

 

Seeing the subtle aura gathered on his sword, Dohyun grinned, took his stance, and muttered.

 

“Let’s give it a try.”

 

As if understanding those words, the man moved, and simultaneously Dohyun thrust his sword forward to meet him.

 

Crash!

 

A heavy roar echoed from their collision.

 

It wouldn’t have been strange for either one to be sent flying, but neither was pushed back as their sword strikes continued.

 

[You are not knocked back due to the effect of the Guardian Deity’s blessing.]

 

It was because of the Guardian Deity’s blessing that neither could knock the other back.

 

Without giving an inch.

 

It was the moment when a duel that could only end with one of them dead began.

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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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