The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 293

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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 293

Episode 293.

Scrape- Crack-!

Thud! Swoosh-

The eerie sound of slicing through shells and piercing flesh echoed through the cave.

Kieeeek! Kek!

Then the screams that spread like echoes.

Every time sparks flew in the dark cave, light flashed, and countless insects fell.

Just one man rampaging among dozens of insects.

Though it looked like a dire situation to anyone watching, the scene that unfolded was the man’s one-sided massacre.

[Using Jin – Song of the White Lion.]

Kieeeek!

Insects charging from all sides were blocked by blizzards, and insects aiming for his back were swiftly pounced upon and thwarted by the White Lion.

And the man’s sword that sliced through everything visible in front.

The middle-aged knight watching from behind let out an admiring sigh at the truly artistic movements.

-Indeed, Master… Your skill is always wondrous to behold.

-I’m not sure, but his movements seem different from last time? He’s practically flying.

-Rizariza.

-Yes! Knowing no limits and growing endlessly. Isn’t that the greatness of our Master!

It was Charlie, Jihad, and Eliza.

As they said, the man’s – Dohyun’s – movements were clearly different from before.

The sword he wielded was sharper, his body was lighter, and his steps were infinitely heavier.

[Reverse Heavenly Period]

[Casting 1st Form, Beginning.]

With each step as heavy as Mount Tai, insects were torn apart.

With each swing of his sword, an impossible path was carved open. Even dozens of insects were insufficient to block Dohyun’s way.

A sight that clearly showed his growth.

Indeed, Dohyun was feeling as if his body might take flight.

‘How much have my specs increased?’

He hadn’t been able to feel it recently since he’d only been facing enemies stronger than himself, but fighting ordinary monsters made it clear.

Just how ridiculously stronger he’d become in such a short time.

It could be said to be the result of struggling like hell all this time, but Dohyun was certain.

‘No, it’s different from when I was raiding the legion commander.’

He had clearly become stronger than even during the labyrinth, which was just before this.

Though it was something that defied common sense, the rewards he’d gained this time made it possible.

[One Who Slayed a General of Ruin]

-Grade: Legend

-Description: A great title given to the ten who contributed most to slaying a General of Ruin.

You unleash greater power when facing legion commanders.

-Effect: When facing legion commanders, you become immune to intimidation and all stats increase.

All Stats + 10

[One Watched by the Abyss]

-Grade: Legend

-Description: Due to an unbelievable Achievement, the Abyss watches you.

O one who receives the Abyss’s gaze.

Whether you walk the path of a hero or the path of ruin depends on you.

-Effect: Hidden effects activate when events related to the Abyss occur.

All Stats + 10

[Disciple Recognized by the Emperor]

-Grade: Hero

-Description: A title given to disciples recognized by the Emperor of the Arniss Empire.

You who achieved an extremely rare Achievement as a disciple. You must be tremendously skilled?

-Effect: You are recognized as a disciple by the Empire’s NPCs and it becomes easier to increase favorability.

All Stats + 5

[Top Conqueror of the Forbidden Labyrinth]

-Grade: Legend

-Description: A great title given to the one who contributed most to conquering the Forbidden Labyrinth.

-Effect: Attack power increases by 20% when entering dungeons.

All stats increase by 10% when facing enemies stronger than yourself.

All Stats + 10

Just the titles alone numbered 4, with 3 of them being legendary grade.

Looking at just the increased stats alone, a whopping 35 points had been added.

‘The options are a bit disappointing though…’

The first two were options related to the Abyss, and the next was for favorability work, but there would be uses for them all someday.

Most of all, he liked the effect of the last title.

[Attack power increased by 20% upon entering dungeon.]

Scrape- Kieeeek!

Thanks to his already enhanced attack power becoming even stronger, he could slaughter mere insects with a single sword strike.

Moreover, even the sub-option suited Dohyun, who wielded the Reverse Heavenly Period, perfectly.

And that wasn’t all.

[The effect of Beast’s Recovery increases health and stamina recovery rates.]

‘Damn. This is really insane.’

With the combination of the ring’s Beast’s Recovery effect and the Black Rain Mask, his stamina wouldn’t wear down as long as he didn’t overdo it.

‘My stats also increased from changing equipment… It was about time to graduate from these accessories anyway, so the timing is perfect.’

With the Song of the White Lion helping with offense and defense, the endlessly swarming insects weren’t burdensome at all.

Rather, they looked pitiful.

-…The insects are pitiful. They’re really being trampled like bugs.

-Mm. It doesn’t look like a situation where we need to help.

-Rizariza…

‘Ah, I got too excited and lost focus.’

At the voices of the Guardians standing around muttering in bewilderment, Dohyun stopped his sword for the first time.

Ki, kieek?

Keeek!

Then the insects hurriedly retreated, thinking this was their chance.

The insects, who had only instinct, felt the fear of death.

Being insects, they were quick on their feet and the distance widened in an instant, but it didn’t matter.

He was planning to pause around this point anyway.

However…

‘Ugh, now that I look at them, they are pretty disgusting. Was I swinging my sword in the middle of that?’

As he frowned in disgust at the sight of them swarming and fleeing, the Guardians approached and expressed their confusion.

-Huh? What, Owner’s just letting them run away like that? That can’t be right?

-Hmm… This too must be part of Master’s great plan.

-Risa?

Dohyun turned his head and chuckled.

Unfortunately, this time Charlie was right.

“I told you. This time, I’m not the protagonist.”

-Then are we?

-Risa?

At their reactions showing they didn’t understand, Dohyun showed them through action instead of answering.

He took out that thing from his inventory and used it.

[Please specify the target.]

[Using Bond of Proof on Guardians ‘Jihad Black’, ‘Eliza’, and ‘Charlie’.]

-This is…?

-Huh? What, what is it? Suddenly there’s light coming from my body?

-Ri, Risa! Rizariza!

Charlie flinched as a gentle light suddenly leaked from his body, while Jihad made a fuss.

Next to them, even Eliza was hopping around in surprise.

Despite the colorful reactions that burst forth, the light quickly faded away.

Then Charlie cautiously opened his mouth.

-I feel a strange energy inside my body. Something solid yet connected… What is this?

-It’s not something weird, right Owner?

-Rizariza.

Something weird?

Of course not. Rather, it was the opposite.

Rustle rustle- rustle-

“They’re swarming again right on cue.”

-Hmm… There are more of them than before.

-Looks like they brought friends when they realized being sneaky wouldn’t work.

Looking at the insect army that seemed almost twice as large as before, Dohyun pointed ahead.

“It’s your turn.”

-Yes, understood.

-You want us to catch them? That’s unusual… Gack. I can’t breathe, let go of my robe!

-Shouldn’t we follow our Master’s command?

-Ma, Master. He’s gotten even weirder since meeting that Blonde Lunatic.

Charlie grabbed the back of Jihad’s neck as he found fault as usual, then immediately drew his sword.

Though Jihad pointed accusingly, Charlie completely ignored him and charged straight at the insect army.

[Using Armor of Protection.]

[All defense and magic resistance increase proportionally to the number of aggro held.]

[Judged to be protecting someone, double values are applied.]

[Using Strong Will.]

[Chance of being knocked back decreases, and low probability of resisting status effects and critical hits.]

The buff skill he got at level 10 and even the rare buff skill he obtained before the Forgotten King battle.

He had equipped everything he could use.

Compared to Jihad who got the Hero-grade ‘Legion Rampage’, he was relatively unnoticed, but Strong Will was also a decent skill.

Though probabilistic, it contained all the effects a tank needed.

-Insects that only grew in size but have no intelligence whatsoever. Their mistaking devolution for evolution is utterly disgusting.

Screech!

[The effect of Armor of Protection is amplified due to holding many aggro.]

But indeed, for Charlie, Armor of Protection was much more efficient.

Charlie’s aggro skills, combining his characteristic eloquence with fluid swordsmanship, were unrivaled.

Against such armies, Charlie was the one who boasted even stronger tanking power.

But this time, the degree was more severe.

Crack, screech!

Crunch, crunch. Thud!

Even as insects swarmed from all directions biting and gnawing, Charlie didn’t budge an inch.

His appearance of ignoring them as if tickled and cutting them down was the epitome of manliness.

It was amazing even considering he was blocking all potentially fatal areas with his swordsmanship.

-What in the world…?

It was incomprehensible even to Charlie himself.

No matter how much his level had risen and he was maximizing Armor of Protection, he knew best that it shouldn’t be to this extent.

Moreover, it wasn’t just defense that had increased.

Slash-! Thud!

[Guardian ‘Charlie’ has defeated ‘Mutant Cave Insect’.]

The insects that fell with fewer cuts than usual.

Thanks to this, though not as much as Dohyun, he could at least stand alone against the insect army.

The amazing thing happened when he had killed about ten insects.

[Guardian ‘Charlie’s level has increased.]

[Guardian ‘Jihad Black’s level has increased.]

-Good heavens.

-Huh? This feeling is… could it be already?

The levels of the guys rose simultaneously.

Unlike the guys who were flustered by the fast speed even considering Dohyun had killed dozens, Dohyun smiled with satisfaction.

‘Yeah, this is the taste.’

All of this wasn’t mere coincidence.

[Bond of Proof]

[Grade: Legend]

[Description: Bonds are the shortcut to growth and the proof of trust.

Amplifies the bonds of Guardians to grant stronger abilities and promote rapid growth.]

[Bond: Amplifies the bond strength of Guardians to increase attack power, defense, and magic resistance, while boosting mana and health.]

[Growth: The experience gain of bonded Guardians greatly increases.]

[Bonds can be applied to a maximum of five Guardians.]

‘This is what Legend-grade means.’

Bond of Proof was a Legend-grade reward.

An all-purpose option that increased attack power, defense, magic resistance, and even mana and health, plus an unprecedented cheat item that even boosted growth speed.

‘It surpasses most Legend-grade items.’

Especially the growth speed increase was ridiculous.

Guardian growth, especially that of Divine Beasts, was famously slow and was like homework for Players.

‘I thought it would only increase by about 20%… but this is at least 1.5 times. Maybe even 2 times.’

If Violet-Flavored Auntie found out, he’d roll around for three days from stomach ache.

Thinking of that sight made Dohyun even happier as he smiled.

-I, I want to try too!

-Rizariza!!

The excited voices of Jihad and Eliza could be heard.

They seemed inspired by Charlie’s strengthened appearance.

Like a child watching a friend open a gift box in the previous turn, Jihad swallowed his saliva and urgently reached out his hand.

Groan- groan-

Then undead began crawling up through the cave floor.

Though not comparable to the insect army, they were undead that formed a decent army.

And the king of Outlaws leading that army.

[Summoning Legion Commander ‘Suffering’.]

[Legion Commander ‘Suffering’ reveals itself.]

Suffering appeared with flashing eyes and an imposing presence, looking around as if surveying the area.

Then it alternately looked at Charlie fighting bravely and Jihad stamping his feet with sparkling eyes behind him, and shook its head.

Clack, clatter…

-…Did you just sigh?

Clatter? Clatter.

-Huh? I think you just called me a quick-witted brat? Want to do a duck walk lap?

…

Suffering smoothly pretended not to hear Jihad’s indignant shout and gave Dohyun a polite 90-degree bow.

Then Jihad became even more indignant and shouted from behind.

‘Those guys are still at it.’

He was chuckling at the two who were filming their comedy routine without getting tired, when Suffering creaked and moved his mouth.

It felt like he was trying to say something.

Naturally, Dohyun’s gaze turned toward Jihad.

-…Sigh, what has my life become. Am I a translator now?

“You know it well. What’s he saying?”

-He says he has something to show you. He claims he’s regained at least some of the power he lost this time.

“Oh?”

Interest sparked in Dohyun’s eyes.

What could that mean?

“Don’t tell me you also gained a new skill?”

Nod nod.

Suffering nodded his head as if to say that was correct.

As Jihad, who could be called his direct owner, grew stronger, Suffering the legion commander had also grown and gained a skill.

‘I can’t resist this.’

Dohyun immediately gave the order.

“Try using it 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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