The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 256

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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 256

Episode 256.

[One Acknowledged by the Sword Emperor]

-Grade: Hero

-Description: A great title given to those acknowledged by one called the Sword Emperor in an era.

One acknowledged by the Emperor of Swords, there would be no need to prove such qualifications.

-Effect: Can substitute this title when qualifications need to be proven.

Swordsmanship proficiency experience gain increased by 10%.

All stats + 6

A smile formed on Dohyun’s lips as he checked the title effects first.

‘Oh, this is good?’

Just receiving acknowledgment alone was Hero grade.

If he had actually defeated the Sword Emperor, it seemed like they would have given him Legend grade.

‘That’s actually possible though?’

It was a joke that somehow seemed credible, but since it was meaningless speculation, Dohyun quickly turned his attention away.

How could he possibly defeat that monster of an old man.

‘Substitute when proving qualifications… It’s somewhat conditional, but the proficiency experience increase and all stats +6. Just this alone is worthy of the Hero name.’

The all stats increase was decent too, and options that boost proficiency increases were quite rare.

Especially considering his swordsmanship proficiency that refused to rise lately, this was like sweet rain in a drought.

In the late game, even a 1% difference in damage increase was quite significant.

Now the next thing to check was the Sword Emperor’s gift…

“Take this.”

Since it was a gift as the name suggested, the Sword Emperor handed it over directly rather than through the system.

[The Sword Emperor gives you a gift for being acknowledged by him.]

[You obtain the Sword Emperor’s gift, ‘Seven Rivers Silver Sword Token’.]

Dohyun’s eyes widened as he checked the information.

[Seven Rivers Silver Sword Token]

-Grade: Hero+

-Description: One of the iron tokens given to Seven Rivers, an iron token symbolizing the swords of Seven Rivers.

Among the five colored iron tokens, silver is the token symbolizing iron and metal.

Special benefits can be obtained limited to blacksmiths contracted with the Sword Emperor.

However, once used, it is recorded in the registry and loses its effect.

‘Seven Rivers sword token. I’ve heard of it. I know it’s quite hard to obtain?’

Seven Rivers possesses iron tokens of five different colors in total.

Among them, the red one symbolizing the family is unique, but they own multiple of the others for the purpose of giving them to loyal retainers or acknowledged individuals.

And obtaining a Seven Rivers iron token was an honorable thing.

Getting an iron token meant being able to enjoy Seven Rivers’ benefits.

The benefits varied greatly depending on which Seven Rivers and what color…

‘If it’s Seven Rivers’ silver sword token… Even if it’s not exceptionally good, I know it’s not bad.’

Among them, Seven Rivers’ silver sword token was decent.

No, actually comparing such things was meaningless.

The number of players who obtained Seven Rivers iron tokens could be counted on one hand.

Whatever he got, he should receive it gratefully.

“This is a workshop where skilled blacksmiths who made names for themselves even in this Great Empire gather. What you’re wearing is no different from rags. The durability seems almost gone too, so take this opportunity to go and ask them to make you some armor.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

This was also why Dohyun just smiled brightly and listened attentively even when the old man showed off like that.

‘Heh… This makes it worthwhile to have desperately received those sword strikes.’

He got clues about the next technique, a Hero-grade title, and even that precious sword token?

That monster-like old man suddenly felt as exciting as Santa Claus, and it wasn’t just his imagination.

Perhaps Dohyun grinning away as if he’d never frowned was irritating.

The Sword Emperor furrowed his wrinkled brow. Deep lines formed in a shape between his eyebrows.

“Vulgarly flaring your nostrils like that… What a disgusting fellow. Disciple, are all your companions such fellows?”

“…It’s hard to deny.”

“? Why me? I don’t know about this Samchicken, but I’m fine, aren’t I?”

Ast, who was lumped together as ‘such a fellow’, protested his innocence as if wronged, but…

“Shut up. I still remember you in your underwear and it’s utterly revolting.”

“…”

He was immediately shut down by the Sword Master who looked at him with disgust. It was an awkward situation, but that wasn’t the problem right now.

“…In underwear? You remember and find it revolting?”

The Sword Emperor, who had been blankly repeating the Sword Master’s words, had killing intent in his eyes.

As an aura surpassing even when he swung his sword at Dohyun directed toward Ast, Ast, feeling death, hastily explained.

“Fa-fashion! I aimed for a veteran look in the previous world so I dressed rather uniquely. It’s absolutely not what you’re thinking.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Are you asking me to cut out your tongue?”

“That’s not it… Hey, man! What are you doing not helping me!”

Only after Ast’s desperate struggle for survival and the Sword Master’s explanation could the Sword Emperor finally contain his aura.

By this point, they couldn’t help but catch on.

‘Huh? I think the Apostles said something about this. Was he a daughter-fool?’

‘Rizariza…’

‘Hmm, seems like he’d die for his disciple.’

‘He’d just die for her, so why try to kill me? Ugh, my heart is still pounding.’

Sword Emperor, Gawain Drew.

That he was a terrible disciple-fool.

“But Master.”

“What is it, my disciple.”

That thought gradually gained credibility as they saw the Sword Emperor smile benevolently as if nothing happened when the Sword Master called him.

“You told us not to break the sparring room, but didn’t you end up breaking it all, Master. I think those sword strikes were too excessive.”

“…Is, is that so? Hmm, I was a bit excessive.”

“Yes. And did you finish all your work? I remember it being an amount that would take at least two more hours. You didn’t dump it on poor Sir Dade again, did you.”

“…Ahem.”

Watching the Sword Master deliver nagging disguised as facts made them gradually more certain.

His appearance of sweating coldly while playing dumb looked like an eight-year-old child caught not doing homework.

‘…Was he originally like this?’

Who would have thought that lofty Sword Emperor had such a side.

Conversely, the Sword Master’s nagging appearance was also unexpected.

While he did give Kukkudakkukku the most grief among his companions originally, he was generally taciturn.

“Ahem. So how was it.”

“You mean me?”

“Didn’t you agree to tell me the difference between my sword and the Forgotten King’s sword.”

“Ah.”

Dohyun, who had been puzzled by the Sword Emperor suddenly deflecting, nodded.

Come to think of it, that was the original purpose. After thinking briefly, Dohyun opened his mouth with a blank expression.

“…The King at that time wasn’t in a state of full power, so comparison is ambiguous. Both were tremendous strikes.”

“Hoho… So that’s how it is. Interesting.”

The Sword Emperor muttering so had a smile on his lips as if he’d never been flustered.

Who had the upper hand didn’t seem important to him. He just seemed to purely enjoy the process of comparing and discussing their levels.

‘Seeing that, he’s exactly like that guy. Is that why he took him as a disciple.’

A chuckle escaped at the sight that somehow overlapped with the Sword Master.

The Sword Master seemed to have similar feelings as he stopped nagging and wore a gentle smile, when he parted his fine lips as if something occurred to him.

“But why did you come here? You’re not really skipping work, are you…”

“Of course not, so don’t worry, my disciple.”

“Then why?”

She tilted her head as if she didn’t understand.

It was then that the Sword Master turned his head. Meeting eyes with Dohyun, he grinned wickedly.

“I came because I have business with that guy.”

‘With me?’

The moment Dohyun felt puzzled by the incomprehensible statement.

The Sword Master, with a supremely solemn expression, spoke in a heavy voice as if making a declaration.

“Disciple who made the greatest contribution to preventing a calamity that could have become a disaster for the continent. I wish to meet you. We shall discuss the details afterward.”

“…?”

“These are the words of His Imperial Majesty.”

Dohyun’s eyes widened as he belatedly understood.

Meeting Dohyun’s eyes that seemed to ask if he understood correctly, the Sword Master added with certainty.

“His Majesty wishes to see you.”

Ding-

Messages appeared simultaneously.

[The Emperor of the Arniss Empire, ‘Baharun de Arnis’ invites you.]

[Emergency Quest, ‘The Emperor’s Invitation’ has occurred.]

[The Emperor’s Invitation]

-Grade: Emergency Quest

-Description: The great Emperor Baharun de Arnis of the great empire Arniss on the Main Continent wishes to meet and converse with you, the greatest contributor to the World Quest.

Follow the Sword Master and enter the Imperial Palace.

-Reward upon completion: 2,000 gold, abundant experience, chain quest occurrence.

-Risk upon failure: The Emperor’s favorability may decrease.

‘Greatest contributor… I guess this is a quest only given to the 1st place in the conquest ranking.’

It could be called an event-type quest that was a kind of hidden piece.

‘Come to think of it, I did get that as a World Quest conquest reward.’

Dohyun nodded as he recalled the box in his inventory.

It was certainly a good reward, but he had wondered if this was all there was for being 1st place, and there was such a hidden event.

Though it was an unexpected situation, Dohyun had no reason to refuse.

After all, he had desperately cleared the Lion King’s trial to gain qualification to enter the Imperial Palace.

[The Forgotten King’s Request]

-Grade: Emergency Quest

-Description: The King’s soul wishes for you to accomplish the task he could not complete.

His wish is for the Empire’s peace.

After sealing the great calamity, investigate whether there are those in the Imperial Palace who are in communication with the Abyss or the Moon Order.

-You can clear the World Quest by sealing the calamity.

-Upon quest success: Chain quest occurrence, main quest clue acquisition

-Upon quest failure: Chain quest deletion, main quest clue deletion

[Fifth Fragment of Fate (2)]

-Grade: Main Quest, Job Quest

-Description: You heard clues about the fifth fragment of fate from Gamillion Adran. Since it’s presumed to be in the Imperial Palace, enter the Imperial Capital and search for clues.

-Upon quest success: Chain quest Fifth Fragment of Fate (3) occurs.

-Upon quest failure: Destruction of Fifth Fragment of Fate (3) quest.

-Time limit: None.

Looking at the two quests occupying the list, Dohyun’s eyes gleamed.

Whether it was the fragment of fate or the Moon Order.

‘I’ll learn everything if I go to the Imperial Palace.’

The time had finally come to obtain clues about the main quest.

Ding-

[Connection time limit has ended.]

[Forced logout in 5 seconds.]

“….”

If only it weren’t for the message that suddenly appeared.

Dohyun, who had been setting the mood with a very serious expression, had to ask with trembling pupils.

“…Will my qualification be revoked if I go tomorrow?”

While swallowing tears.

* * *

Arniss Empire, Imperial Palace.

For players, the weight that name carried was considerable.

A place that didn’t easily permit entry even to the Top 10 Guilds.

A place countless high rankers desperately wanted to enter just to become acquainted with the Emperor but couldn’t.

A place that could disband guilds with a single imperial decree.

A place teeming with countless monsters.

That was the Imperial Palace’s position and value.

There was even talk that a guild’s recognition varied depending on how many times they had stepped on Imperial Palace grounds.

Godseeker was still a game where the Emperor’s command was law.

‘There may be some exaggeration… but it’s natural that influence grows the closer you are to such an Emperor.’

Should it be called fortunate?

The number of players who had entered the Imperial Palace could still be counted on one hand.

The last player to enter was already half a year ago?

Even that was just lucky entry once or twice, and they hadn’t established proper connections.

“…Huh? What’s that, isn’t that Kaiser?”

“Next to him is the Sword Master?”

“What? Why is Kaiser traveling with the Sword Master?”

“Wait. They’re stopping in front of the Imperial Capital?”

“…Could it be?”

“No way…”

That had been the stance until now.

Until the Sword Master and Kaiser stood side by side in front of the towering gates of the Imperial Capital.

With the murmuring of players behind them at the unmistakable combination, the Sword Master spoke first.

“This is the place. You bast… Hmm. What did you say your name was?”

“It’s Kaiser.”

“Right, Kaiser. Making His Majesty wait a whole day… If you weren’t the greatest contributor, His Majesty would not have shown such magnanimity. Consider it an honor.”

“…Yes. Thank you.”

“Tsk, arrogant bastard.”

After a brief exchange, the Sword Master clicked his tongue as if displeased and opened the door.

The two people entered the castle like that.

“…?”

“Huh?”

“Did they just go in together?”

“…What?”

And among the players who stared blankly at those two, silence flowed for several seconds.

Soon, exclamations filled with shock echoed around like thunder.

“Holy shit, crazy!?”

“K, Kaiser entered the Imperial Capital!!”

“First place in the World Quest and now Imperial Palace entry too?”

“But more than that, what’s his relationship with the Sword Master? Why are they going in together?”

“Don’t know. Something… something is about to happen.”

“Kaiser! Kaiser! Kaiser! Kaiser! Kaiser!”

It was the moment a six-month record was broken.

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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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