The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 253

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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 253

Episode 253.

“A sparring match…”

It was a word he hadn’t heard in a long time.

At the same time, it was also a nostalgic word.

Back in the Demroc days, when there was no more content to do, he used to spend time sparring with his comrades.

‘It brings back memories… but for our first proper conversation to be “let’s have a match.”‘

During their first reunion, the situation was so chaotic that they couldn’t have a proper conversation.

So this could truly be called their first proper conversation.

And that first conversation was a sparring request…

‘Even after 2 years, you’re still the same. So consistent.’

But it wasn’t a bad feeling. Rather, he felt comfortable knowing she was still the same.

After all, one physical conversation was more reliable than a hundred words.

More than anything, Dohyun was also secretly curious.

How much had that sword-obsessed woman’s swordsmanship developed in the meantime, and exactly what level were the current top-tier Godose players at?

‘I can check it out while I’m at it.’

Dohyun grinned and replied.

“Good. Should we do it right here?”

“A guy who doesn’t look to be in good condition is still as cocky as ever.”

The Sword Master, confirming her comrade’s equally unchanged nature, chuckled and continued.

“There’s a decent place. It would be better to spar there while you recover.”

“If you’ve prepared a place to get beaten, I have no reason to refuse.”

“You’ll like it. It’s an excellent place to serve as an old comrade’s tomb.”

Sparks seemed to fly between the two as they locked eyes.

After briefly engaging in psychological warfare for the first time in a while, both simultaneously raised the corners of their mouths and tapped their scabbards together.

“Then I’ll guide you.”

“Yeah.”

The Sword Master, wearing a smile, turned around first, and Dohyun followed behind her.

“Oh, a sparring match. That sounds interesting. Let’s follow them too, Auntie.”

“It’s been a while since those two faced off. I can’t miss watching a fight, which is said to be the second most entertaining thing after watching fires. Let’s go.”

The Empress and Ast, who had been watching the two with interest, couldn’t possibly miss this opportunity.

As they hurriedly followed the two out of the tomb, the Devourer of Existence began to be sucked underground as if diving beneath the surface.

Swoosh-

The disaster site also faded, and now only the players who hadn’t managed to leave yet remained.

It was then that those who had been reading the mood finally found their voices.

“Ugh, how annoying. Why is he so irritating?”

“Look at him flanked by the Sword Master and Empress. I’m dying of jealousy. The world is so unfair. How does he have everything?”

While everyone was enthusiastic about Kaiser, there’s always a minority opinion everywhere.

“I heard 190 million people watched his live broadcast. He must be making tons of money. Sigh.”

“What reward did he get from this month’s quest? It’s definitely legendary grade, right?”

“Honestly, he’s just a game addict, but I don’t understand what’s so great about him that they suck up to him like that. It’s also annoying how he has main character syndrome and always appears at the last moment.”

Utterly ordinary faces and somewhat short stature for men.

These two had some confidence in their skills, but even that was mediocre, causing them to fail every attempt to join the top 10 guilds.

Dominated by their inferiority complex, they had constantly hoped for Kaiser’s failure, but seeing him succeed in the end was unbearably frustrating.

“You never know. There were lots of rumors that he wears a mask because he’s ugly, and that might be true. Otherwise, why would he bother hiding it? Isn’t it because he’s afraid everyone will leave after seeing his face? He’s probably scared that the female fans who squeal about how handsome he is will be disappointed when they see the reality.”

“Oh, that’s really possible…”

Since they couldn’t dare say such things in front of him, it was only after he left that they began their harsh criticism.

Slash-

“…What…?”

“Huh? Why all of a sudden… Hii, hiik! What the hell!?”

Suddenly there was the sound of something being cut, and his friend’s words trailed off.

The man who turned his head was horrified and fell backwards.

His friend, who had been talking with him, was lying there with his neck cleanly severed.

Before he could scream at the horrifying sight, he felt a hot sensation on his neck.

“Uh, uh…?”

That was his last memory of this place.

Just like his friend, his neck fell off and the gray screen welcomed him.

“How dare such insects…”

The one who clicked her tongue and sheathed her greatsword behind her back was a blonde woman in a robe.

Her coldly hardened eyes were glowing ominously.

But those eerie eyes, the moment they looked toward where Kaiser had been, changed to bright, clear eyes as if nothing had happened.

“Ahh… You remain as great as ever. Though I was a step late because the things I was preparing weren’t completed… it seems I can now come to see you.”

She closed her eyes, burning with religious fervor, and clasped her hands together in prayer.

Then her robe lifted slightly, revealing a glimpse of her flawless, perfect Western figure.

“I hope my small gift pleases you. My god.”

The fanatic had finally finished preparing to meet her god.

* * *

“…This is the sparring venue?”

“That’s right. Is there a problem?”

“No, it’s not that…”

The Sword Master responded calmly despite his bewildered reaction.

Dohyun scratched his head and carefully surveyed the scene spread before his eyes.

An area as wide as a decent school playground.

Solid and clean walls and floors made of high-purity mana stones.

Elegant and gorgeous decorations embroidered throughout the walls.

As she said, it was indeed an excellent place.

[Special Sparring Chamber for the Swords of the Empire]

“The Swords of the Empire means… the Sword Emperor, right?”

“He’s also called that.”

The problem was that this was the Sword Emperor’s personal special sparring room.

This place was quite famous among swordsmen.

It was a sparring room designed and built directly by the Empire exclusively for the Sword Emperor, and trespassing without permission would result in immediate execution.

“Is it okay to use this so freely?”

“Since it belongs to my master, how could there be a problem with his disciple entering?”

The Sword Master answered nonchalantly as she stepped into the sparring room.

“As master’s only disciple, I received permission from the Empire to use this place, so it’s fine. Don’t worry unnecessarily and focus on the sparring match.”

“If you say so…”

Dohyun decided to push his worries to one side of his mind.

That woman wasn’t someone who acted recklessly like Kukkudakkukku.

“Huh? What? Then why did you absolutely forbid me from entering?”

“Do you really not know why you’re asking? If I let you in, you’d obviously cause trouble, so what could I trust?”

“Trouble, what trouble? What do you take me for? What kind of accident could I cause in a sparring room?”

“Well. No bomb squad would actually let in a terrorist holding a bomb just because they say they have no intention of causing trouble.”

“…Then why are you letting me in now?”

“Because now there are many security guards to watch you.”

“Puhaha! Ah, this house is a metaphor restaurant.”

While Ast burst into laughter, the Empress was frowning with a puzzled face as if she didn’t understand, but Dohyun lightly ignored it and stepped onto the sparring room.

Only then did the Sword Master smile gently and draw a sword.

It was a sword where the handle, blade, and pommel were all dyed black.

Though it was clearly only black, that sword with its mysterious glow was definitely a Black Steel Sword.

‘A sword that grows stronger by absorbing the user’s mana.’

The extent of its power depended on how pure the black steel used was, and judging by that appearance, it was definitely top-grade.

However, Dohyun looked somewhat displeased as he gazed at that sword.

“Why are you taking that out? I was hoping to get a look at Chamyeol.”

“What an obvious thing to say… I cannot use such a thing in a sparring match meant to test swordsmanship.”

Ultimate – Chamyeol (Annihilation) Blade.

One of the three symbolic swords of the Sword Emperor, who was both a sword of the Seven Rivers and the continent’s greatest swordsman.

It was a famous tale that the Sword Master, his only direct disciple, possessed that blade which was said to cut and annihilate everything.

However, even that sword which every swordsman dreamed of had one weakness.

“And… right now I couldn’t bring it even if I wanted to. I’ll draw it when the opportunity arises later.”

Once a month, the aura of Chamyeol would inevitably surge forth, requiring forced refinement to suppress its energy.

Seeing that she hadn’t brought it even to the Forgotten Tomb, it seemed that time was now.

Though it was disappointing, Dohyun shook his head.

‘This won’t be the only opportunity.’

And to see the Sword Master’s skill and level, it was better without the Chamyeol blade.

As Dohyun gripped Cheonbyeon and took his stance, it soon transformed into a pure white sword containing the White Lion and snowflakes.

[Cheonbyeon (Thousand Changes) transforms into the ‘White Lion’s Snowflake Sword’.]

“No matter how many times I see it, it’s a fascinating weapon. A weapon that can change into any form…”

“Well, I’m putting it to good use.”

“Hooh… I see. So are you ready?”

“Yeah.”

The Sword Master’s gaze, which had been watching with interest, suddenly changed.

Her eyes, which had held a strange sharpness, now gleamed fiercely like a well-honed blade.

Her entire body seemed to become one with the sword, from the hand gripping it to each step she took, everything was chilling.

The realm of sword-self unity.

‘She’s gotten stronger.’

Her sharp yet well-refined appearance was enough to raise goosebumps.

How chilling would the swordsmanship displayed in that state be?

As Dohyun gripped Cheonbyeon with an amused smile, a voice reached his ears.

“Then shall we begin?”

“Yeah.”

Simultaneously, a thunder dragon descended from the ceiling.

* * *

Crackle-

Clang! Clank! Screech-

The sound of countless sword strikes echoed across the floor where electrical currents remained as traces of the thunder dragon’s descent.

Sparks flew with each clash of swords, followed by a chill down the neck from blades bent at bizarre angles.

‘Damn, that was my ace in the hole.’

Starting with Thunder Dragon Descent, then a surprise attack while she was confused!

Though this was a sparring match to test swordsmanship, buff skills could be used, so it was his carefully chosen strategy, but it was instantly blocked by the Sword Master’s sword technique.

Flexible overcoming rigid.

Dance of the Willow.

He had been defeated by the very swordsmanship he had learned.

If Dohyun hadn’t also used the Dance of the Willow to deflect the counter, his throat would have been pierced in that moment.

After that, it became purely a battle of sword against sword.

Thwack!

Claaang-

That was how the current scene unfolded.

Endlessly swinging swords, the dizzying sword strikes stimulated the ears.

When he retreated, she followed; when he pressed forward, she swung her sword accordingly.

The foundation of swordsmanship is footwork. Both were focused on catching each other’s feet and stealing space.

And in that fight, Dohyun felt challenged for the first time in a while.

‘Still insane swordsmanship. No, it’s even become more fluid.’

In sword sparring, Dohyun had never once defeated her.

A duel might be different, but handling her in pure swordsmanship was impossible.

Swish- Thunk!

Flexible overcoming rigid, air superiority.

The space within a 4-meter radius around her.

In terms of swordsmanship alone, she was virtually invincible in that space.

Whooom!!

Dominating Single Sword,

Genesis.

The sword that had been flowing gently suddenly swept fiercely as if to tear the sky.

With just two of her four sword techniques, Dohyun couldn’t rashly break through her defense.

But the same was true for her.

Swish-

[Parrying successful.]

[Attack deflected.]

It was because of Dohyun’s ghostly parrying that deflected attacks that could have been fatal strikes.

The Sword Master, who had been pressing the attack, slightly furrowed her brow.

It was a strange feeling.

“I seem to be pressing the attack, yet I cannot land a single blow. Instead, the distance only widens as the price for larger movements, making it feel like facing a mirage.”

“That bastard’s having another martial arts episode. Look at those poetic expressions.”

When the Empress made a snide remark from behind, the Sword Master’s face reddened slightly, but she tried to ignore it and hardened her expression.

Suddenly stopping still, the Sword Master turned her body sideways, pointed her sword with one hand, and said.

“At this rate, there will be no end. How about we stop testing each other and get serious?”

At that, Dohyun also stopped his feet for the first time.

She was right. Fighting ambiguously like this would only end unsatisfyingly.

More than anything…

‘I’m too outmatched in pure specs.’

She was a top-tier player.

He had expected a difference, but it was larger than he thought. His grip trembled with each sword clash.

Considering that wasn’t even her full power…

‘So this is roughly the level of a top-tier user… I still have a long way to go.’

Dohyun chuckled and corrected his stance.

Gripping his sword with both hands, he took a posture resembling kendo.

“Hooh?”

The Sword Master’s eyes gleamed with interest at the distinctly different aura from before.

Her intrigued eyes widened immediately after.

Cold air began seeping around Dohyun, and crystals gradually formed as a blizzard started swirling.

Grrrowl…

A white lion descended through it.

At the sight of the massive lion baring its fangs and growling, the Sword Master’s calm face rarely flushed with excitement.

“Finally bringing it out. Yes, that was the swordsmanship. Even after wandering for so long to see the pinnacle of the sword, I never once witnessed such swordsmanship…!”

It was a natural reaction.

For her, who was obsessed with swordsmanship, encountering new swordsmanship was indescribably thrilling.

“Right. So you bring out more too.”

“…Good. I want to properly experience that swordsmanship.”

Shing-

The Sword Master sheathed her sword, took a drawing stance, and slowly closed her eyes.

When she opened her eyes again, her sword had changed.

At first glance it looked similar, but it possessed an incomparably sharp killing intent.

Quick-draw technique.

Single Strike.

The first blow that had left an indelible scar on the Devourer of Existence’s body.

Dohyun’s instincts were telling him. That sword was dangerous. But that’s exactly why Dohyun took a step forward.

[Heaven-Defying Technique.]

[Using First Form: Beginning.]

Step.

A swordsmanship of one who defies the will of heaven and vows to overcome any disaster or adversity to ultimately destroy.

It was a swordsmanship that displayed stronger power the more difficult the path ahead.

With one step forward, power like Mount Tai was contained within.

With another step forward, energy circulated within his body and explosive force surged up.

At the same time, the Sword Master’s quick-drawn blade flashed.

Kwaaaaang!

The moment they clashed.

A fierce shockwave swept through the sparring room.

—————
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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