The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 267

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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 267

Episode 267.

Ding-

[An ‘Imperial Quest’ opens in the Arniss Empire.]

[Emperor ‘Baharun de Arnis’ requests all players in the empire to conquer the ‘Labyrinth of Denial’.]

….

[The player who opened the Imperial Quest is ‘Kaiser’.]

“Well, look how quick he is to act.”

-Rizariza.

Dohyun chuckled at the notification that greeted him as soon as he left the Imperial Capital.

As he stroked Eliza’s head with his index finger in response, he recalled his conversation with the Emperor.

-…What. Did you just say there’s an Abyss there.

-Yes, Your Majesty. There were over ten statues modeled after the Abyss, and I could feel traces of the Abyss. Most importantly, what I saw at the end… it seemed like we’d need a raid party.

-…I see. Since there were demonic beasts of the Abyss in the Forgotten Tomb, it wouldn’t be strange for a labyrinth emanating the same energy to have traces of the Abyss.

The Emperor stroked his chin with his hand in displeasure and answered without hesitation.

-I cannot stand to see such impious things lingering in my empire. I’ll take your words into consideration and issue a conquest request to the Apostles.

-…Thank you.

-However, there’s one thing I’d like you to do separately. Will you hear me out?

-Of course.

That was the end of the recollection.

True to his reputation as an unrestrained Emperor, he had opened the Imperial Quest immediately after that conversation.

However, it wasn’t a Quest that all Apostles could participate in.

[Conquest of the Labyrinth of Denial]

-Grade: Imperial Quest

-Description: The Labyrinth of Denial that suddenly appeared in the empire one day.

Something ominous seems to be happening there.

The Emperor, who couldn’t leave something that might endanger the empire alone, has requested qualified Apostles to conquer the labyrinth.

Let’s conquer the labyrinth according to the Emperor’s will.

-Conquest of the Labyrinth of Denial (0 / 1)

-Rewards upon completion: 30,000 gold, abundant experience, differential rewards based on conquest ranking.

-Risk upon failure: Imperial Quest deletion and decreased favor with the Emperor.

[Participation conditions: Those recognized by the Emperor to participate, those who passed the Imperial Knight Order’s qualification exam.]

[Time until Imperial Quest participation deadline: 3 days]

‘I’m probably the only one who got recognition from the Emperor to participate.’

For the latter case, it was obvious that only players who had reached max level at minimum would qualify.

Probably only top-tier players among them would be granted entry.

If they let just anyone enter, it would only cause chaos, so this was the Emperor’s intention to form a raid party of proven strong players.

‘That’s the right approach.’

Even with those restrictions, a considerable number would participate.

Anyway, this solved the problem he’d been worrying about.

If top-tier players were conquering it together, there was no need for Dohyun to separately recruit a raid party.

‘To get that thing, it’s actually more convenient to move separately.’

That wasn’t all.

Dohyun had another Quest that others didn’t have.

[The Prince’s Illness]

-Grade: Emergency Quest

-Description: The 2nd Prince Iden de Adnis suffers from an incurable disease of unknown cause.

The empire’s renowned physicians examined him but couldn’t even properly identify the cause, and no method to cure the disease could be found across the continent.

They only discovered that gold alone could slightly suppress the worsening of his condition.

Therefore, the Emperor thinks there might be some clue in the Labyrinth of Denial, the only place he hasn’t investigated.

Let’s look for anything that might be a clue.

-Clue to the 2nd Prince’s illness (0 / 1)

-Rewards upon completion: Special event occurrence, 10,000 gold, abundant experience, chain Quest occurrence

-Risk upon failure: Special event deletion and decreased favor with the Emperor.

At the last moment, the Emperor entrusted Dohyun with this Quest as he was about to leave the audience chamber, earnestly requesting:

-Don’t tell anyone else, and I’d like you to investigate this alone. That includes both Apostles and our own people.

Recalling those words as he gazed at the Quest, Dohyun’s expression became subtle.

‘Hmm, does this mean the Emperor isn’t connected to the Abyss?’

The reason all the corridors in the Imperial Capital glittered with gold seemed to be not for luxury, but to prevent the 2nd Prince’s condition from worsening.

When talking about the Abyss, his reaction was more displeasure than guilt.

‘Circumstantially, the 2nd Prince seems suspicious… Sigh, I wish I could meet the 1st Prince once too.’

It was regrettable that he was nowhere to be seen, wandering around who knows where.

It was while he was lost in such thoughts.

Murmur murmur-

The city appeared particularly bustling compared to usual, and among them, players especially were whispering with excited faces.

“Damn, what’s with this Imperial Quest?”

“This is crazy for real. We get to do an Imperial Quest after the World Quest?”

“Hey, but the entry conditions look pretty tough. To get accepted by the Imperial Knight Order, basically only rankers can participate, right?”

“Ah… you’re right.”

Dohyun felt awkward at hearing his name pop up here and there.

His fame had been growing since the World Quest, and now it seemed like everywhere he went, people only talked about him.

-Ahem!

-Rizariza!

“…Why are you two acting proud?”

-Master’s fame is our fame too, isn’t it? Kehehe!

-Riza!

Dohyun was shaking his head at the two who were puffing out their chests and going “Ahem!” when:

“But isn’t this really amazing? Beating Sina and all, just how many major incidents has he caused in the past few days?”

“Hey hey, be careful. You might get assassinated for bringing that up carelessly.”

“Still, he’s just some nobody compared to Kaiser. It’s not like I made anything up, right?”

Dohyun’s mouth closed at the conversation that slipped in between the Imperial Quest talk.

‘…Caught Sina?’

That was just a moment ago, how do they know about it?

It was then that a message flew in through the friend window.

[Ast: Hey man! What kind of trouble are you stirring up now!?]

[Ast: The Imperial Quest is already absurd, but you caught Sina? How did you even… no, that’s not what’s important right now.]

[Ast: There’s so much I don’t understand, but I’ll let it slide for now. Be careful during the Imperial Quest. The atmosphere doesn’t feel right.]

[Ast: Because you caught Sina, the hostility from the Top 10 Guild members has intensified. Who knows what they might pull inside the labyrinth.]

[Ast: I think you should be careful. I’m participating too, so let me know if you need anything.]

“Ugh…”

A storm of messages pouring down.

His reputation from Demroc days when Kukkudakkukku called him a nagging bomb hadn’t gone anywhere – he was still the same. Still, thanks to him, Dohyun learned how the situation was unfolding, so it was appreciated.

After replying that he understood, Dohyun checked the community.

‘As expected, someone spread the rumor.’

Sure enough, it was all about his fight with Sina.

Looking at the photos uploaded as evidence, they were well-covered within legal limits – this wasn’t someone’s first time doing this.

‘Was there a hidden player? When we first started fighting, there was no one around… it could be a player who happened to pass by and hid.’

It seemed he had relied too much on the Eye of Truth and hadn’t paid enough attention.

Although it was an incredibly overpowered trait, what the Eye of Truth could see through was only what was systematically hidden.

It couldn’t see someone hiding their body behind terrain.

‘I’ll have to be more careful from now on.’

Dohyun clicked his tongue and closed the Quest window.

Though he had stirred up their hostility, the unfolding situation wasn’t entirely bad.

‘Capturing Sina was bound to be revealed anyway.’

A stage where not only the Top 10 Guilds but many rankers would participate.

While he was important to them, they would surely aim to become the main characters of this stage.

Rather, since they were wary of him, they would try even harder to prove their superiority.

‘Main characters? Go ahead and be them.’

Dohyun’s lips curled into a sinister smile.

‘The more you do that, the easier it becomes for me.’

While they bought him time, all he had to do was secure what he wanted.

Dohyun grinned and turned his steps.

There was only one thing to do now.

‘The dungeon for solo play was over there, right?’

To grow as much as possible during the remaining 3 days until the raid.

The moment for explosive leveling had arrived.

* * *

And so time passed, and 3 days later.

When night had passed and the sun rose brilliantly high in the sky.

“Wow… look at all those Top 10 Guilds gathered.”

“How many people is that?”

“They’re overshadowed by the Top 10 Guilds, but all those visible players are well-known users.”

Deep in the Southern Forest, an unusually large number of people had gathered.

The number easily exceeded ten thousand.

“At least 3,000 of them must be ranked within the top 10,000, so it’s natural.”

“How can there be 3,000 dungeon raid members? It really makes my heart swell with excitement.”

“Can’t we sneak in?”

“If you do that, you’ll get marked by the Emperor and have to deal with the consequences. Look, the supervisors standing at the entrance have the list.”

“Ah. Then I’ll give up cleanly.”

This was the result of both those participating in the Labyrinth of Denial raid and spectating players gathering.

Among them were those who couldn’t participate in the World Quest, so excited players bustled about, and the Southern Forest was enjoying unprecedented popularity today.

“Four of the Top 10 Guilds… At this point, being in the New Continent seems like a loss.”

“With so many incidents happening lately.”

“Those guys must be feeling quite envious.”

Watching Leon giggle, Demian kept his mouth shut.

Those words didn’t sound particularly unpleasant to him.

Being in the New Continent is a loss? Being in the Empire is more advantageous?

‘To think the balance of the Top 10 Guilds is being shaken by just one person.’

Since when have the Top 10 Guilds lived being swayed by others?

The Top 10 Guilds reign at the pinnacle of Godose.

They should exert influence on other players to make them follow, not struggle under their influence.

‘This is a mission. We must use this opportunity to clearly show those foolish players that we are superior.’

So that no more nonsense comes out.

So they can realize once again that the Top 10 Guilds are ultimately the strongest.

Of course, that process might not be entirely peaceful.

[The recruitment period for the Labyrinth of Denial raid has ended.]

[The Empire Quest ‘Labyrinth of Denial Raid’ begins.]

[Would you like to enter the Labyrinth of Denial?]

“Let’s go in.”

“Good.”

The moment a sinister smile formed, Demian stepped forward without hesitation at the message that appeared.

With Demian and Leon in the lead, Xiao entered with a snorting laugh,

“…Follow them as closely as possible. Report immediately if you sense any suspicious behavior.”

“Yes, Master.”

Ast, who had been glaring at them as if monitoring, gave a brief order and followed them in.

As the four Top 10 Guilds entered, thousands of waiting rankers filed in like sausages in a line.

“Waaah! The raid is starting!”

“They’ll turn on live broadcasts, right? I really hope they do!”

“This isn’t the time. Log out quickly!”

“But where’s Kaiser? Why don’t I see Kaiser?”

“Huh? You’re right. Was he mixed in with the crowd? I don’t think I saw him.”

“Well, it’s Kaiser, so he’ll handle it himself. He’s the one who opened the Empire Quest.”

It was the moment when the Labyrinth of Denial raid officially began.

And at that time.

As they said, Kaiser was preparing to enter.

Except the location wasn’t the forest, but the Blacksmith’s Workshop.

“You’ve come. Here, take this.”

“It was completed at just the right time.”

“I pushed myself a bit since you said you received a request from the Emperor.”

Atram, handing over a large box, was smiling like a child with his wrinkled face.

As if he couldn’t be more proud.

Dohyun’s eyes widened as he opened the box under the urging gaze that seemed to say ‘hurry up and open it.’

Seeming even more excited by that reaction, he asked.

“How is it?”

“…This honestly surprised me.”

“Hehe, of course it would. Even I was surprised. I can confidently answer with certainty.”

At Dohyun’s honest admiration, the childlike smile disappeared and Atram laughed like an old man, adding with a confident tone.

“This is my masterpiece of the ages.”

Dohyun didn’t deny it.

[Master Craftsman Atram has created a masterpiece beyond a masterwork.]

[Atram releases his long-held resentment.]

[It is recorded in the Adventure Log.]

[The effect of the title ‘Max Favorability from the Start?’ amplifies the favorability increase.]

[Atram’s favorability increases greatly.]

‘It’s beyond expectations. I’m dying to try it out quickly.’

The text floating above his head proved those words were true.

He was too excited about the moment to enter the labyrinth.

Meanwhile, when Dohyun was itching to enter the labyrinth as soon as possible.

Step.

Deep in the Southern Forest.

A woman appeared in front of the now quiet labyrinth entrance after all the players had left.

“Hmm…”

Tall for a 170cm woman.

Jet-black long straight hair and black eyes.

The woman wearing fluttering black clothes that seemed like a mix of martial arts uniform and dress exuded a noble atmosphere as if reigning over people.

“I went to the meeting and it was already over, and now there’s not even a fly buzzing around.”

It seemed she was late again.

This time she only got lost three times, yet they couldn’t wait for that brief moment.

“They don’t understand the aesthetics of waiting.”

The woman clicked her tongue, straightened her back nobly, and stepped into the entrance.

Then the woman’s figure disappeared.

It was the moment when Cheonma, the leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect, one of the Top 10 Guilds, entered the Labyrinth without anyone knowing.

—————
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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