The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 294

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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 294

Episode 294.

Clack clack.

Suffering, who had bowed deeply at Dohyun’s command, turns his body around.

Then the Undead Legion turns to follow Suffering, glaring at the Insect Horde.

Dohyun gulped down dry saliva as he watched Suffering’s back slowly spreading both arms wide as if taking a ready stance.

‘I wonder what kind of skill it will be.’

Since it wasn’t a skill he had chosen himself, he couldn’t even guess, which made him even more excited.

Just then.

Flash.

As Suffering’s red eyes flashed, something black spread out around him.

That sticky and eerie thing was a swamp.

[Swamp of Agony is activated.]

[While in the swamp, the legion becomes stronger in proportion to the number of subordinate soldiers killed, and reduces the movement speed of enemies in the swamp.]

A vicious swamp made of the resentment and agony of dead soldiers.

The insects half-submerged in the black swamp that writhed as if made of pollutants showed sluggish, slowed movements.

‘Is this the advanced skill he used during the Forgotten King battle?’

The advanced skill he could only use temporarily back then could now be used freely.

It was certainly a significant improvement, but…

‘Hmm…’

He couldn’t help feeling strangely disappointed.

It was like looking forward to what the lunch menu would be, only to find it was the same pork rice bowl as yesterday.

Not bad, but slightly disappointing – that kind of feeling.

Clack clack. Clack.

Unaware of such thoughts, Suffering straightened his back proudly and looked triumphant.

Since he couldn’t blame innocent Suffering, Dohyun nodded appropriately.

“…Right. I saw it well. You’ve grown a lot.”

Clack clack.

-He says it’s thanks to Owner. He’s always grateful that you gave him a chance when he was about to give up.

“Right, right.”

It was a very pleasant mindset, but it didn’t resonate well right now, so he answered halfheartedly.

Clack. Clack clack.

-Oh, and he says there’s one more thing.

“Right, right, I see… What did you say?”

-He says there’s one more.

At that, Dohyun stopped picking his ear and straightened his posture.

“Ahem. You should have said that earlier.”

-Huh? Your nostrils are flaring. They were all scrunched up just a moment ago…

“Hey now. Be quiet and tell him to show me quickly.”

Clack clack. Clack.

Suffering, who understood Dohyun’s words directly without translation, bowed his head.

Then he turned around again and reached out toward the insects.

Whoosh-

An eerie energy leaked out, then began to split into streams and scatter from a certain point.

What was scattered in the air soon took on a form.

‘Dark orbs?’

Those things rippling in a color similar to the Swamp of Agony resembled what Jihad had used in the past.

The difference was that they were darker and more ominous?

The changes didn’t end there.

As if using the space ahead as a canvas to draw sheet music, the scattered energy began drawing massive lines.

Kiii…i?

The moment the lines finally encircled the insects.

[1st Legion Commander ‘Suffering’ activates ‘Melody of Agony’.]

Grrrr… Krrr…

Countless dark orbs fell upon those caught in the lines, and from the insects struck by the dark orbs, a melody filled with agony echoed.

It wasn’t the sound the insects were making.

It was the screams of the undead filled with deep resentment.

[The power of Legion Commander ‘Suffering’ is amplified by the number of times the Melody of Agony resonates.]

[As the 1st Legion Commander grows stronger, the power of the legion he leads increases.]

‘Oh?’

So it was a buff skill after all.

A skill that manipulates agony, possible only for Suffering who had felt the pain of the Outlaws in their place.

‘So this was why he used Swamp of Agony first.’

It must have been to show a combo of debuffing with Swamp of Agony and then strengthening with Melody of Agony.

Graaah! Graah!

The strengthened Undead Legion began massacring the slowed insects.

The sight of the Undead Legion persistently chasing with daggers and stabbing them to death was spine-chilling to watch again.

Already obsessive by nature, with enhanced physical abilities their attacks were merciless.

[1st Legion Commander ‘Suffering’ uses intermediate dark magic ‘Horrible Sensation’.]

[1st Legion Commander ‘Suffering’ uses Outlaw-style Battle Mage techniques.]

Among them all, the most outstanding was still Suffering.

Based on his noticeably enhanced strength, he displayed martial arts while unleashing dark magic, truly showing the dignity of a legion commander.

‘Huh? What if I use that on top of this?’

If he’s already this strong, and if he uses an advanced skill…

His contemplation was brief, and his action was swift.

“Jihad!”

-Yeah, I was just thinking of trying it too, Owner!

“Okay.”

Jihad, who was quick to catch on to such things, immediately reached out his hand.

Then darkness that leaked out like cigarette smoke crept into the bodies of the Undead Legion.

[Guardian ‘Jihad Black’ uses ‘Legion Rampage’.]

[Due to Legion Rampage, the 1st Legion’s physical abilities temporarily increase.]

[The 1st Legion’s senses sharpen and their personalities become violent.]

Graaah! Graah!

Kieee!? Kie!!

-Hooh? I can’t just stand by and watch either.

As the Undead Legion with half-rolled eyes began rampaging, Charlie also seemed stimulated and his sword-swinging speed became even faster.

But Dohyun’s gaze wasn’t directed toward either of them.

The robed skeleton fighting alone in a slightly distant place, Suffering.

[Legion Commander ‘Suffering’ is receiving the effects of ‘Legion Rampage’.]

[Just once, he can use a skill one level higher than his current level.]

Because he was more curious about the advanced skill that guy would show.

Unfortunately, that expectation could only be half fulfilled.

[The advanced skill’s level is too high to reach.]

[He can select and use one skill from those at his existing grade or below.]

He could use a new skill, but it wasn’t an advanced skill.

Disappointing, but not bad.

He could now select and use a skill on the level of Swamp of Agony.

Above all.

[1st Legion Commander ‘Suffering’ selects ‘Orb of Agony’.]

[Creates dark orbs with damage proportional to the suffering inflicted on nearby targets.]

Kieeeeeeek!!

A signature skill created by Suffering himself.

The performance of the Orb of Suffering was enough to satisfy the disappointed Dohyun.

All the insects here were suffering at the hands of the strengthened Suffering, the Undead Legion, and Charlie.

The damage proportional to that suffering was at critical levels.

Moreover, this wasn’t even the end.

[It is confirmed that you are leading a legion.]

[Legion Commander effect is activated.]

[While leading a legion, all stats increase and attack power and defense are amplified.]

‘Huh?’

The fourth insignia of the Legion Commander of Ruin.

Its second effect had activated.

‘I didn’t expect this…’

Jihad leads the Undead Legion. And Jihad’s owner is himself.

It seemed that hierarchical relationship had been applied.

He thought it was an option that could only be used in specific situations like during labyrinth conquests, but this was an unexpected benefit.

[You have defeated a Mutant Cave Insect.]

[You have defeated a Mutant Cave Insect.]

…

[You have defeated a Mutant Cave Insect.]

Messages that kept appearing without pause even in the midst of this.

Dohyun finally couldn’t hold back and let out an exclamation of admiration.

‘Wow~’

With the Guardians, Legion Commander, Undead Legion, and even himself properly upgraded, how could he not be satisfied?

The amazing thing was that it still wasn’t over.

[Guardian ‘Jihad Black’ can create additional undead.]

[Up to 20 entities are possible, and you currently possess 16 entities.]

[Since over 50% of the legion’s undead are classified as Lower City monsters, mana consumption is reduced.]

The number of undead that the greatly grown Jihad could handle had increased.

This wasn’t simply about being able to add 4 more entities.

With 20 entities, he could even create another legion.

‘This means there’s room to recruit a second Legion Commander.’

It would be hard to find a Legion Commander of Suffering’s caliber, but that didn’t matter.

The difference between having one more Legion Commander or not was enormous.

That was also why necromancers’ combat power increased dramatically in units of 10,

-Master, Master. What should we do? Should I increase the undead right away?

Dohyun was as pleased as the excited Jihad, but his actual answer was firm.

“No.”

-Huh…?

At his resolute face and voice that couldn’t be more decisive, Jihad shrank back and read the mood.

His rolling eyes seemed to be pondering whether he had done something wrong.

But Jihad was innocent.

“…You really want to turn those things into undead? Make the 2nd legion into an Insect Horde? Ugh, just thinking about it is too horrible for me to watch.”

If anyone was guilty, it was those disgusting insects.

Jihad, who had been pondering Dohyun’s horrified reaction, soon agreed.

-…That’s true. An Insect Horde would be a bit much. It would be better to do it next time.

“But didn’t you handle spider undead when we first met?”

-Those guys were going to explode anyway. Whether spiders explode or orcs explode, it’s all the same. Actually, they were more unique so it was better… Oh, now that you mention it, I want to feel that sensation again after so long…

“Gaaaah!!”

-Ah, no. I’m just saying, Master. I’m really happy with how things are now.

But commanding an Insect Horde wouldn’t be stylish.

That was the reason Jihad agreed.

Having convinced Jihad and successfully nipped the rebellion in the bud, Dohyun finally caught his breath.

‘I should think about what concept to match the legion with when we leave the dungeon.’

Until now, he had included undead like goblins and orcs to receive the mana consumption reduction effect…

‘But the situation is different now.’

With the increase to 20, he could fill over 50% with Lower City monsters even if he matched them with at least trolls or higher.

Since things had come to this, he planned to organize the legion according to a concept.

The Empire had various monsters in abundance.

Tap, tap.

-Master, I have returned after completing the mission.

“Oh, already?”

When he looked up at the voice that suddenly came, he saw Charlie and Suffering approaching and bowing respectfully.

It seemed like there were still over ten left when he saw them just a moment ago.

It was definitely tremendous firepower.

‘Isn’t this like auto-hunting level? Idle RPGs can step aside.’

He wasn’t just saying it – it really seemed like most dungeons could be cleared even with his hands off.

To think that Jihad, who used to be such a loser, had grown into such an overpowered necromancer.

Was this what being deeply moved felt like?

The necromancers’ saying that a well-raised Undead Legion was no less enviable than a Divine Beast wasn’t just boasting.

-…Master, your gaze is creepy.

-Rizariza?

Jihad instinctively stepped back and retreated.

Eliza on his shoulder tilted her head in confusion, but Dohyun lightly ignored it and turned his gaze to Charlie.

Looking at Charlie, who was loyalty itself, reminded him of something.

“Charlie. Could you come closer for a moment? I have something to give you.”

-Yes? You said you have something to give…

Charlie approached without complaint despite his questioning, treating it as an order.

There was a strange anticipation in his eyes.

This was because Dohyun had never given such a direct gift before.

Dohyun chuckled at the deep anticipation showing through his face that was trying to look dignified, and reached into his inventory.

“It’s nothing special, but I thought this would be perfect for you.”

-Th-this is!

When he finally took something out of his inventory and handed it over, Charlie’s eyes widened.

Charlie, trembling as if honored, spoke in an equally trembling voice.

-May I dare to receive such a thing, Master.

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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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