The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 231

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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 231

Episode 231.

[Why is a Hero chosen by the spirit absolutely necessary?]

To Dohyun’s cautious question, asked with a glimmer of hope, the Spirit of the Lion King answered as if it were obvious.

[Well, you need a Hero to create the crystal, so it’s only natural.]

“A crystal?”

[The Forgotten Tomb is a place where countless disasters my dear friend experienced are recreated. Forming a crystal in the center slows down the progression rate of the disaster recreations.]

That wasn’t the only effect.

[After a certain time passes, it will reveal the location of the sleeping King. Then you’ll be able to rescue him before the recreation rate reaches 100 percent.]

“…What if we find him after it reaches 100 percent?”

[…Then it’s too late. He’ll already be consumed by memories and become the final form I remember. Even though it’s already a dead body, he won’t be able to display even half his power from his prime… but even that alone would be threatening enough.]

“Then what if. Just what if there’s no crystal?”

The Spirit of the Lion King’s eyes suddenly changed.

[…There’s no Hero?]

When Dohyun couldn’t answer the question, the Spirit of the Lion King nodded.

Then he stroked his chin as if finding it strange.

[Hmm, even so, I don’t understand why you’re worried. Since the tomb has opened, a Hero chosen by the spirit will soon appear.]

“Well, there’s always the possibility.”

[Unless the spirit was destroyed while sealed in the gravestone, there’s no way that could happen, so you don’t need to worry too much.]

“…”

Dohyun, who had no words to respond, closed his mouth.

He couldn’t exactly say that he had completely destroyed that gravestone himself. He tried to think of other words, but nothing appropriate came to mind.

Fortunately, not seeming particularly suspicious, the Spirit of the Lion King readily satisfied his curiosity.

[Though it’s unlikely to happen, if there’s no crystal… you’d have to fight the perfected King. Finding his location while defeating those disasters in the shortened time would be nearly impossible.]

In other words, the difficulty would increase several times over.

World Quests themselves were quests that all players on the Main Continent could participate in.

Considering that they were basically high difficulty to accommodate numerous participants, this wasn’t a welcome development.

So the first thing that came to mind was NPC assistance, but…

[Ah, I didn’t mention this. The Forgotten Tomb is a tomb not permitted to the residents who forgot the King that saved their people. Only Disciples can enter the Forgotten Tomb. So you must rescue him before he’s completely consumed. Remember this.]

‘…’

Dohyun nodded at the boundary-setting that came with ghostly timing.

He hadn’t expected much from that anyway.

In one of the two previous World Quests, they hadn’t received help from NPCs, so he thought it was entirely possible this time too.

And honestly, help wasn’t absolutely necessary.

‘Objectively speaking, the probability of not being able to clear the World Quest itself should be low.’

The current level of players was by no means low.

A game with 1 billion players that had been released for almost 2 years now.

There were plenty of people who could be called veterans.

Especially if the Top 10 Guilds joined forces with determination, it would be quite manageable.

In fact, in the previous World Quest, three Top 10 Guilds had joined forces to defeat a legendary-grade named World Boss.

‘Then what about me? What can I gain?’

No matter how strong Dohyun was, he was only level 79.

Now he could confidently say he had become strong enough to easily defeat someone like Berjhe without using God’s Tears.

But that was only being stronger than a Top 100 Guild Master.

Compared to Top 10 Guild Masters, he was woefully inadequate.

Could such a person really win against the Forgotten King who had regained nearly half his power from his prime?

‘…I’m already struggling with just one rotting corpse, so what could I do.’

At this rate, despite obtaining a World Quest, the person involved wouldn’t gain much.

He had no intention of just watching that happen.

If he did, it would eat at him for a long time.

‘If I had known it would get this complicated, I should have at least tried talking to that specter once.’

He had merely proceeded with his Main Quest.

Who could have known that the Hero Guild route that had branched off would be exactly the work needed for the World Quest?

‘Now that I think about it, it’s ridiculous. Are they telling Kashiyar’s successor not to clear the World Quest or what?’

Dohyun voiced his complaints, feeling unfairly treated, but this was actually his fault for forcibly opening what should have opened in 3 years.

It was also his choice to attempt it at level 73 instead of waiting for max level.

Dohyun covered his face with both hands.

‘I’ve made porridge and given it to a dog.’

He thought about it for a long time, but no matter how much he considered it, no answer came.

-Rizariza…

Watching Eliza patting his index finger, Dohyun chuckled and decided to boldly give up.

He honestly acknowledged that he was still lacking to be active in World Quests.

‘Still, the person who opened the World Quest gets bonus points in the strategy ranking. And the qualification to enter first is also given.’

It was disappointing, but he’d be satisfied with that.

That’s what he thought.

[Ah, come to think of it, there was this method. It’s practically impossible, so I remembered it late…]

Until the Spirit of the Lion King spoke up, saying something had just occurred to him.

[When the recreation rate of the Forgotten Tomb rises to a certain level, something appears in a specific location.]

“…What is that?”

[The King’s conviction that overcame the disasters of that time. A crystal formed from that conviction.]

The Lion King was about to finish saying that obtaining it would allow them to locate the Forgotten King, when he hurriedly added one more thing.

[There will be a guardian protecting the crystal of conviction. Not only is it powerfully strong, but it has such a distinct personality that it will be very difficult to deal with.]

“…A guardian.”

[I hear the guardian possesses a treasure containing the essence of the master it served. The sword once called the Demon Sword was also a treasure the guardian possessed.]

Dohyun’s ears perked up.

A treasure – that was welcome news to hear.

‘Demon Sword? That sounds impressive just from the name.’

In any game, when the term “demon sword” was attached, performance was guaranteed.

Well, the treasure he’d obtain this time probably wouldn’t be a demon sword, but it was certainly an enticing term.

Most importantly, even the players who received the Lion King’s treasures were gaining tremendous fame, and the fact that this was a treasure from the Forgotten King, who was stronger than that Lion King, made it more believable.

‘The White Lion’s Legendary Sword is proof of that too.’

Seeing Dohyun’s grinning expression, the Spirit of the Lion King chuckled.

[I can clearly see what you’re thinking. Unfortunately for you, it’s an impossible dream.]

He wondered if it was again because there was no Hero chosen by the spirit, but fortunately that wasn’t the case.

However, in some ways, it was a more troublesome reason than that.

[Even I, who was a close friend for so long, find it hard to guess what the crystal of conviction might be. Moreover, searching for it in a tomb that recreates countless disasters… it might be better to look for a needle in a desert.]

“…”

[I think even explorers praised as legends wouldn’t be able to find it. Most importantly, touching the crystal summons a powerful guardian. That guardian can only be faced alone. In many ways, it’s right to consider it impossible.]

The Spirit of the Lion King chuckled and added one more comment.

[Well… who knows. If someone had the ability to find whatever is hidden and powerful enough force to earn the guardian’s recognition, it might be possible.]

But the Spirit of the Lion King soon shook his head.

[I spoke nonsense. Such a person couldn’t possibly exist. Let me stop this pointless talk here…]

As he reached out his hand, a crack appeared in the air.

It was similar to the portal from the village to the field, but felt more crude and rough.

[The Tower accepts the will of the Spirit of the Lion King.]

[A portal to the World Quest dungeon, ‘Forgotten Tomb’ has opened.]

[Please enter within the time limit.]

[Once entry is confirmed, entrances will open in various cities of the Main Continent, including the Empire.]

[Connected Quest, ‘Rescue the Forgotten King’ has been generated.]

[Rescue the Forgotten King]

-Grade: World Quest

-Description: Soothe and save the soul of the Forgotten King sleeping in the Forgotten Tomb.

Any method may be used, and once the Forgotten King is deemed saved, it will be cleared. Upon completion of the World Quest, differential rewards will be given based on contribution ranking.

-Quest Success: Differential top-tier rewards for ranks 1-100, S~D grade rewards based on contribution for ranks below 100.

-Quest Failure: The tragedy of the Forgotten Tomb may be recreated on the Main Continent.

‘Oh, I didn’t know I could enter directly from here.’

As he let out a small exclamation of admiration, the Spirit of the Lion King spoke boldly.

[You can enter whenever you’re ready. It lasts for 1 hour, so please keep that in mind.]

Grin.

A smile formed on Dohyun’s lips as well.

Being the first to enter was nice, but that wasn’t what was filling his mind right now.

‘Crystal of Faith and Guardian…’

The Guardian’s treasure he had just heard about.

If he could obtain that, he would surely receive tremendous rewards and make a significant contribution to the overall progress.

It was enough to make Dohyun, who had been content just to participate, feel greedy.

Of course, he had been warned it was harder than finding a needle in a desert… but honestly, it didn’t really resonate with Dohyun.

[Eye of Truth]

‘I believe in you, Eye of Truth.’

The overpowered trait that had never disappointed him would surely work its magic this time too.

He desperately wanted to enter right away, but there was something he needed to do first.

‘One hour, right?’

Not one hour—ten minutes would be enough.

As he turned around, Dohyun grinned while looking at the treasures visible beyond the door.

‘Now then, shall I choose my reward?’

It was time to select the reward he had been saving.

* * *

Heiden Castle, in front of the gravestone.

This place was now bustling with countless people.

Easily over several thousand.

No, if you counted those who couldn’t enter and were lined up behind, it was over ten thousand.

It was unprecedented for so many people to gather at the Knight’s Castle, where usually only flies buzzed around, even forming lines, but today no one questioned it.

“Wow, it’s really black. Amazing.”

“How is this real? This is crazy.”

“No, how does someone who started just a few months ago do this? What the hell has he been doing to achieve this?”

“You can tell from his track record so far. He’s just not human.”

“So does anyone know how long it’s been black now? A little over an hour?”

And for good reason—the very first second Hidden Stage was in progress.

The gravestone emitting a unique black light that even those prestigious Top 10 Guilds, and even when the Sword Master entered, had never been seen before.

The fact that this was Kaiser’s doing made it impossible not to draw attention.

“Ah, move aside.”

“You’re really pushing hard. Should I just shove everyone?”

“…Your head would fly off first if you did that. Look at the instructor’s eyes flashing.”

“Ahem. Good me will endure it.”

The minimal order maintained despite this crowd was thanks to the Vice Captain of the Heiden Knights watching with eagle eyes.

It was no exaggeration to say it was Abeir’s doing.

‘A performance that surpasses the Knight Commander…’

He didn’t know whether the black color was a good sign or not, but regardless, the skill had already been proven by achieving three early passes in just 30 minutes.

He couldn’t believe that fact.

The Sword Master was such a monster that it was understandable, but was that Apostle he saw earlier really that remarkable?

‘To think I looked down on a knight with such tremendous talent… I’m so ashamed I want to die.’

Abeir’s face reddened.

He thought he had developed quite an eye as a knight, but it seemed he had only been full of hot air.

If he could, he wanted to grab his past self by the collar and stop him.

But embarrassment aside, he was honestly curious.

‘That mysterious black light trial is something no one has experienced.’

What would he experience and come out with? And what would he obtain?

He was too curious about that.

That was why Abeir had canceled all his delayed training and schedules to sit here and control the Apostles.

It was then that a gasp of “Hup!” was heard from behind.

Flash—!

There was no need to wonder why they reacted that way.

The ominous black light emanating from the gravestone turned white, then with an explosive burst of light, the form of a giant lion appeared.

Gasps could be heard from here and there.

A giant white lion, and white light swirling around it.

It was like seeing a brave white lion of the north with gleaming eyes in a blizzard.

A brilliant effect never before seen in the Lion King’s trials.

It was when everyone was staring blankly at that effect as if mesmerized.

Ding—

“Ah.”

Someone let out an exclamation at the cheerful notification that rang simultaneously.

They instinctively checked the message before their eyes.

And,

“Shit, what?”

“What the fuck. What is this!?”

“Crazy…!”

Curses erupted from all directions at once.

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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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