The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 229

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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 229

Episode 229.

The Fragment of Destiny, the core of the main quest, is in the Lion King’s Tower?

It sounded absurd, but it wasn’t just empty words.

Given the circumstances, it seemed plausible, and considering there were more routes leading to the main quest, it wasn’t impossible.

‘This has better prospects than defeating the Iron-Blooded Demon Dragon.’

At least with this, there was a possibility of clearing it naturally as the power balance increased over time.

Defeating the Iron-Blooded Demon Dragon in the tutorial was insane even by Dohyun’s standards.

Come to think of it, he wondered how he had even managed to clear it.

Perhaps such an anomaly wouldn’t happen again in the future?

‘…Now that I think about it, the route I obtained was the strange one.’

The “three years later” that had been mentioned several times was probably when the main quest would properly be revealed to players.

Dohyun had recklessly accelerated the process, and that snowball effect was causing these unexpected events.

‘Sigh… I really am the culprit, aren’t I?’

Somehow all his efforts at self-rationalization had become useless, but what did it matter now.

What was done was done. He’d think about the aftermath later.

Right now, what lay beyond that door was more important.

‘He said he felt the Fragment’s aura from the two princes.’

According to Gamillion, he had felt the aura of the Fragment of Destiny from the Empire’s two princes.

That would make three Fragments of Destiny…

Considering the Empire’s size, it wasn’t impossible, but there was a more plausible assumption.

‘The Fragment’s key.’

A key like the yin-yang energy of Sargis or the Purification Ember seen in Pratel.

Wouldn’t it be quite plausible if such a key was hidden here?

Unlike other places, he hadn’t even heard what this place’s key might be, so Dohyun was staring intently at the door with growing interest when—

[Ho… You can sense the aura over there. Whether you have good intuition or… my confidence in you grows even stronger.]

The Spirit of the Lion King raised the corners of his mouth with interest and extended his hand.

[But before that, would you accept this first?]

“This is…”

What he handed over was a sword.

The very sword used by the Decaying Corpse of the Forgotten King, the body he was possessing.

It had been a sword of the dead that emanated an ominous aura, but when Dohyun received it, it transformed into something completely different.

Crack— Flash!

Like something cracking, the ominous aura that had been emanating from it broke away.

White light poured through the cracks, and terribly cold air rose around the sword like a mirage.

But it wasn’t the spine-chilling cold from before.

It was a cold that felt like breathing air on a snowy mountain, even carrying the energy of nature.

-Ho… So this was its original form.

-It looks really pretty. Just like a work of art.

-Rizariza.

Far from ominous, its appearance now even seemed beautiful.

The handle was shaped like a white lion, and the white blade had crystal formations like snowflakes.

A longsword that seemed to express a single flower blooming on a snowy mountain.

However, despite such patterns, the overall feel was rugged and masculine—a peculiar design.

[The process of not just learning but overcoming the Forgotten King’s swordsmanship… I watched with deep impression. Originally, I had no intention of entrusting this to anyone, but you seem qualified to wield this sword. Would you please accept it?]

His expression as he offered it was resolute to the point of determination.

Swept up in that atmosphere, Dohyun unconsciously accepted it, and a message appeared.

[You have obtained the forgotten relic, White Lion’s Snow Flower Sword.]

‘…What?’

At the same time, Dohyun’s eyes widened beyond bulging—they became perfectly round.

He couldn’t help it.

[White Lion’s Snow Flower Sword]

[Grade: Legend (Unique)]

[Description: A sword expressing a white lion living on snowy mountains swept by blizzards and a single flower.

It was once the symbolic sword of a great king, but now it’s a forgotten relic. It contains part of the Forgotten King’s brilliant swordsmanship.]

[Level Restriction: 80]

[Equipment Restriction: One who has received the Forgotten King’s sword]

[Physical Attack Power: 2081 ~ 2137]

[Durability: 100 / 100]

[White Lion’s Song: You can perform the White Lion’s Song, one of the Forgotten King’s sword techniques and his most powerful strike. (Cooldown: 10 minutes)]

[Master of Cold: Damage received from cold-natured attacks is reduced, and the effects of ice attribute options are amplified.]

‘Unique? This is insane…!’

Unique.

Literally a modifier attached to things that exist as only one.

Dohyun’s Eye of Truth also fell into this category.

However, while only the Eye of Truth among his traits had the word “unique” attached, items occasionally had the unique modifier as well…

‘I thought these only appeared in the New Continent, but one’s showing up already?’

Unique items were supposed to only have a chance of appearing after reaching max level at minimum.

Moreover, a Legend-grade unique item was an extremely rare item that was hardly ever obtained even after entering the New Continent.

He had thought they might give something amazing since the rewards were enhanced, but he never imagined it would be unique-grade.

Befitting a weapon with such a grand title, its effects were also exceptionally outstanding.

‘Attack power of 2000… twice that of the scythe.’

If he registered this with Heavenly Transformation?

All weapons would boast attack power reaching 2000.

Such damage from a mere level 80 weapon.

This wouldn’t be lacking even as a level 90 legendary weapon.

And that wasn’t all. The raw damage was already insane, but the special options were even more outrageous.

‘Ice attribute effect buff and cold resistance… I’d be overwhelming against ice attribute enemies.’

The amplified ice technique effects were exactly what Dohyun needed. Lately, he’d been facing only strong enemies and couldn’t properly utilize his ice techniques.

But what caught his eye most was definitely the first option.

White Lion’s Song.

‘I can perform the Forgotten King’s sword strike… this must be that one from earlier, right?’

That terrible sword strike he had just parried.

Of course, since the user was different, he couldn’t display that level of power, but even half of half of that would be more than enough.

No, it would be overflowing.

‘I’ve essentially gained two signature sword techniques.’

Even though he had learned different swordsmanship, he had honestly been somewhat disappointed.

Moreover, since he gained it as an option without taking up additional skill slots, it couldn’t be better.

This was something he couldn’t have dreamed of if he had simply accepted the swordsmanship straightforwardly.

Indeed, high risk, high return was a law of truth.

‘I want to try it. I desperately want to try it.’

He wanted to use it immediately, but tearfully, he couldn’t.

He was exactly one level short of the equipment restriction.

For now, he had no choice but to tearfully put it in his inventory.

“Thank you. I’ll put it to good use.”

[I trust you’ll use it well. But… you don’t think this is the end, do you?]

The Spirit of the Lion King, who had been grinning at Dohyun’s heartfelt gratitude, suddenly swept his hand to the side.

Then, with a creaking sound, the massive door opened.

Befitting its overwhelming size, just the door opening created an atmosphere that captured one’s attention.

[The door to the Lion King’s Treasure Vault opens for the first time.]

[You have proven your qualifications. You have gained the right to enter inside.]

[The reward has been enhanced due to an incredible Achievement.]

[You may choose and take any artifact you desire.]

As the door that had been emitting dazzling light finally opened completely, the Spirit of the Lion King smiled broadly.

[Just one weapon for someone who completed the trial. I’d rather not be made into such a cheapskate.]

“…Insane.”

[I’d like to give you everything if I could… but it’s a promise with the Tower, so it would be difficult to break it any further. Instead, choose whatever you want, anything at all.]

At the incredibly cool appearance of the Spirit of the Lion King, Dohyun let out sincere praise from the bottom of his heart.

The Spirit of the Lion King smiled slyly and responded in kind.

[More than anything… you’ve been quite curious about what’s beyond that door for a while now. Go in yourself and see for yourself. What’s inside.]

With that, the Spirit of the Lion King subtly stepped aside.

Dohyun gulped at the brilliant light seeping out from beyond the door.

Those words were right. He had been curious ever since it appeared along with the Forgotten King’s rotted flesh.

However, he had been cautious, wondering if he could just enter on his own, but now he was given the opportunity to enter boldly.

Moreover, with that opportunity came the chance to take an artifact.

‘Not a single person had ever taken two.’

There was even less mention of anyone choosing directly.

They simply received whatever artifact the Spirit of the Lion King tossed to them based on their performance, thinking it would suit them well.

There were no exceptions to this for anyone.

Even Demroc, who had passed all the trials, received only one execution sword and that was it.

‘The execution sword he obtained here is still being used as his trademark to this day.’

The weapon that became the Execution Guild’s trademark.

It was an artifact significant enough to still occupy one of the five weapons that Demroc mainly wielded even now.

The White Lion’s Saga Sword was already more than enough, but to get another piece of equipment comparable to the execution sword?

‘Wow, I can’t resist this. Owner.’

‘…R, Risa!’

‘My heart feels the same as yours. How can we resist this?’

‘…I wholeheartedly agree, Master.’

Faced with a situation no gamer could resist, Dohyun immediately moved his feet.

The moment he entered through the door with such an excited heart.

“…!”

Dohyun’s eyes widened.

-Wow…!

-Indeed, this place is the King’s treasure vault… what an incredible sight.

-Rizariza!!

The same was true for the ones following behind him.

Pure admiration. No other words came to mind. Who could see this sight and not be amazed?

A massive space befitting the size of the door. That space was filled with weapons emanating brilliant light.

‘These are all artifacts… incredible.’

Looking left, looking right, looking behind.

Everything was an artifact, and even the gravestone sitting alone at the very front, the decorations, and the single sword were all artifacts as well.

But those were secondary priorities. The most important thing right now wasn’t the reward.

[Eye of Truth activates.]

‘Is that it….’

The only space that wasn’t piled up like a mountain but was completely empty.

Red light was seeping from an object sitting alone on the gravestone visible at the very front.

Without hesitation, he approached and picked it up, and a message immediately appeared.

[This is not an item designated as a reward. Confirming qualifications.]

[Title, ‘One Who Completed the Lion King’s Trial’ has been confirmed.]

[You acquire an item related to the Main Quest.]

[This will not be considered as the artifact received as a reward.]

‘As expected…!’

At the message that matched his expectations, Dohyun clenched his fist.

He hadn’t read the description yet, so he didn’t know if it was a Fragment of Fate or a key, but whatever it was, it had to be one of the two.

That’s what he was thinking when it happened.

[You acquire a World Quest item.]

[If you accept this item’s Quest, a World Quest will open on the Main Continent.]

“…?”

…What Quest is going to open?

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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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