The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 317

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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 317

Episode 317.

Bound Draconic Abomination of the Iron Blood.

There would be no one in Godseeker who didn’t know that name.

It was the boss of the tutorial, the main culprit with the greatest responsibility for the Arren catastrophe incident, and the being that first brought death and overwhelming despair to players starting Godseeker.

“Crazy… why is the Bound Draconic Abomination of the Iron Blood appearing here?”

“It suddenly changed to the Draconic Abomination of Sloth, so I was wondering what was going on, but it was inside Garion’s body?”

“But the name says Draconic Abomination of Darkness? What’s that about?”

“The Draconic Abomination of Darkness is the Bound Draconic Abomination of the Iron Blood, and the Bound Draconic Abomination of the Iron Blood is the abyss that invaded Garion’s body… Damn, what is all this.”

It was only natural that violent reactions erupted from all directions at the appearance of such a boss.

As time passed, the reactions became more intense, with most being questions.

Charlie felt the same way.

No, precisely because it was Charlie, he couldn’t understand it the most.

‘That thing definitely died.’

And by his master’s hand at that.

Though he hadn’t seen it directly with his own eyes, he had felt that thing’s massive presence scatter and disappear.

Moved by that, he had formed a knight’s oath.

It should have been certain…

-…Why is it alive?

An illusion?

It wasn’t anything like that.

The sensation of his legs going weak just from meeting those red eyes blooming in the darkness proved that it was indeed that thing.

[Why am I alive… How strange.]

To Charlie’s question, Garion… no, the draconic abomination answered as if puzzled.

[As if I had actually died.]

-…Are you saying you didn’t die?

[Why would I die? I simply left because it wasn’t an environment where I could descend to the mortal world for long.]

-You were definitely summoned by an abyss summoner…

[Summoned? Ah, you mean that. It’s laughable that a mere summoner thought they could command me. What that fool summoned was merely my shell that had been stolen by that damned goddess.]

-…?

Shell? Stolen?

The red eyes looking at Charlie, who was stunned by the incomprehensible answer, narrowed.

[I am a draconic abomination born from the darkness of the abyss. Darkness is my nest and my source. Darkness has no form. Therefore, to withstand the physical forces of dimensions and descend, I need a vessel to serve as a host.]

In other words, the being called a calamity and nightmare was merely a host.

Put differently, it meant that the Bound Draconic Abomination of the Iron Blood summoned by the summoner was nothing but an empty shell left behind after the real one had already departed.

As Charlie was about to open his mouth in this confusing situation.

[In that regard, how fortunate.]

The thing’s voice cracked as it shrugged its shoulders, then began to be heard overlapping in two.

[To be able to meet a contractor with matching intentions.]

A bizarre voice that human vocal cords couldn’t produce.

[We were beings who needed each other.]

And the middle-aged man’s voice mixed within it was definitely Garion’s.

The voices continued to overlap.

[I, to turn the continent into an abyss and descend completely.]

[I, to achieve my long-held purpose.]

The two were no longer separate living beings.

Garion was the draconic abomination, and the draconic abomination was Garion.

Unlike the superficial contractors who were merely invaded by their hosts, this was a high-level contractor who had become completely one.

-Good God…

Charlie couldn’t hide his bewilderment and opened his mouth.

This was an impossible thing.

‘Humans are born with bodies that inherently cannot become one with the abyss.’

There was only one way for two beings that couldn’t mix to mix.

To be assimilated by the stronger side.

That was why those who contracted with the abyss lost their humanity and were devoured.

Human minds couldn’t handle the endless abyss.

In Gaemin the Destroyer’s case, it was possible because he had a fragment of fate.

No, even if it had been him, he couldn’t have become one with a being like the Draconic Abomination of Darkness.

[You look troubled.]

A voice filled with laughter pulled Charlie from his thoughts.

Laughing in the darkness, it was impossible to tell whether he was Garion or the draconic abomination.

[You must be curious. The secret behind achieving such a great achievement.]

Was it Garion?

The thing continued speaking as if praising itself.

[The bloodline of the Arnis royal family is special. Their firm minds grant them the will to resist even the abyss.]

-…

[Of course, it’s just being able to resist a little more than others… but what if their blood was concentrated and refined over a long time?]

-That crazy bastard…!!

-Risa!!

Before the thing could finish speaking, angry shouts erupted from Jihad and Eliza.

No further words were needed.

It was proof that Bairan, whom they had seen in the tomb, was alive.

And if what he said was true, the 1st Prince would be next.

-How dare… how dare you do such a thing…

Not content with sucking the marrow from his master whom he considered a brother, the thing was even touching his bloodline’s children.

-Can you truly be called human?!

That thing had gone beyond the category of human.

Even at Charlie’s rage-filled roar, Garion showed no reaction.

He simply faced Charlie calmly and slowly tilted his head to the side.

Creak- Screech-

But the angle of the tilt was grotesque.

The moment Charlie flinched at the head turning 180 degrees with eerie sounds.

The corners of the thing’s mouth curved upward.

[Charlie… Hope of Arren… Light of Dawn…]

And the voice that followed was not human.

An unforgettable voice.

The Draconic Abomination of Darkness was speaking.

[You asked me why I was alive. Rather, I want to ask you.]

-…

[When… did you prevent the catastrophe?]

-…What?

The truth of history that Charlie didn’t know.

[Knight who failed to become light and perished. How are you the one who is alive?]

-What does that mean…

[You died that day without protecting anything.]

Just as the thing’s voice was about to continue while Charlie looked confused.

-No! Darling!!

-R, Risa!

Crash!! Roooooar-!

Jihad’s urgent cry cut off the words, and almost simultaneously, the Undead Legion led by Suffering and Ugeo pounced on the thing.

[Activating Requiem.]

[Mana is severely insufficient.]

[The weapon of the 1st Legion Commander, ‘Suffering’ disappears.]

A desperate strike that scraped together even the last remaining mana.

But that strike ultimately failed to reach its target.

Swoosh-!

The massive black wings spread behind the man’s back erased the Requiem without a trace.

That was just the beginning.

Crack-

-Fa, father!

The man’s form became blurry, and in an instant, Suffering’s neck bones snapped in his grasp.

[The 1st Legion Commander, ‘Suffering’ is being reverse summoned.]

The scene that unfolded afterward was truly horrific.

Crack! Bang!

Crunch-

One strike.

With each single attack that followed, the undead’s flesh burst open and their bones shattered.

And when about 3 seconds had passed.

[The 2nd Legion Commander, Ugeo is being reverse summoned.]

[The Ogre Undead is being reverse summoned.]

…

[The Outlaw Undead is being reverse summoned.]

[All mana has been exhausted and undead cannot be summoned.]

Not a single undead remained.

Even considering they were just consuming mana while occupying space, this was combat power that exceeded all limits.

Hiss-

Garion standing atop the undead remains had a completely different appearance than before.

An appearance so monstrous it would be embarrassing to even call him a dragonkin.

A message appeared before everyone watching this massive something that barely retained half of its human form.

[Dark Knight Garion begins complete assimilation with the Dark Demon Dragon.]

[Forced entry into Phase 3.]

[Current assimilation rate with the Dark Demon Dragon is 30%.]

[Warning! This is an existence of overwhelming disparity.]

“Wow, this is insane…”

“We’re screwed.”

“Is it really supposed to get even stronger? How do we kill this thing?”

“Good lord…”

Charlie could hear the players whispering at the overwhelming presence, but he had no mental capacity to care about such things.

Drip, drop-

The same went for the rain that suddenly began falling drop by drop.

Swoosh-

The gradually intensifying rainfall soaked his head and filled his armor, but Charlie didn’t even seem to notice as he didn’t blink an eye.

Step, step.

He simply stared at the darkness approaching one step at a time.

-…Tell me. What do you mean I died?

-Risa…

Eliza tried to dissuade him with a trembling voice from beside him, but Charlie didn’t look away.

And the man gladly answered him.

[Heh… hehehe…]

Laughing as if delighted.

[Is there anything difficult to explain? It’s a very simple answer.]

-…

[Pitiful knight who bore so much. You ultimately failed to protect anything.]

Arren Castle, family, house, the master you served, countless subordinates.

[And even your own life.]

The knight who vowed to become the light of dawn ultimately failed to kindle that flame and perished.

Beneath the feet of himself, who was not even the main body but merely a shell.

Crushed and trampled while crying out miserably until death.

[I don’t know how you’re still alive, but that is the truth.]

-…

[Charlie de Ravion.]

Ding-

[‘Charlie de Ravion’ learns the truth of the Arren Calamity.]

[Guardian Quest ‘Dawn of Light’ reacts.]

[Restriction conditions are added to Guardian Quest ‘Dawn of Light’.]

…

-…Ah.

It was the moment Charlie finally learned the truth.

* * *

Swoosh-

It rained that day.

Fierce raindrops that seemed like the sky was angry struck their heads and pooled on the ground, grasping at their ankles.

The rain was so fierce that even their vision became blurry.

Swoosh-

“Waaaaah-!!!”

“Sob… sob sob…”

“Uaaaah!!!”

But even while receiving that fierce rainfall, they did not take shelter.

They simply raised their heads and accepted it completely.

To them, fierce rain was of no importance whatsoever.

“Long live Lord Abar!!”

“Ah… thank you. Thank you…”

“Ah, to bestow such grace even upon us who are residents of foreign lands…”

“Daddy… do we not have to starve anymore? Are the bad men gone?”

“Yes, daughter. We no longer have to live under oppression. Sob, sob…”

Even if it hadn’t been raining, their vision would have been blurred all the same.

From young girls to young men.

Middle-aged couples with two emaciated children and elderly people with bent backs.

Regardless of age or gender, they were expressing gratitude while washing away their tears in rainfall that seemed capable of washing away even ten-year-old stains.

“Another day has passed safely.”

A man watching them from afar smiled warmly.

A benevolent smile like that of a wise ruler looking upon young subjects.

But that was only for a moment.

“…Let’s move to the next region.”

As if it had never happened, the man put away his smile and became expressionless as he turned around.

Then shadows fell across the face of the knight in silver armor standing beside him.

“Are you alright? You’re pushing yourself too hard.”

The pride of House Ravion.

A man born with the greatest talent in the family, and the Knight of Light whom all lords hoped would become their knight.

It was Charlie de Ravion.

“I’m fine. We don’t have time, so we’d better get moving.”

“Didn’t you collapse from overexertion just yesterday? Someone with a weak constitution like you will fall ill if you push yourself like this.”

“Being sick isn’t just a day or two thing for me. I was born sickly from birth… Whether I go in now or a little later, I’ll get body aches either way, so it’s fine.”

“How can you call that reasonable?”

“What wouldn’t be reasonable about it?”

Charlie, who had been trying to dissuade him, seemed at a loss for words and made an incredulous expression.

Abar de Arren.

The young Lord of Arren Castle.

As he himself said, everyone knew he was born weak and would often fall ill with just a little movement.

Even now it was the same.

‘His breathing is rough, and his hands are trembling. His body is already at its limit.’

Even while breaking out in cold sweat and breathing heavily, he continued to move.

For Charlie, who was born not just healthy but robust, he couldn’t understand why Abar would push himself this hard.

Especially when the reason wasn’t even for himself, but for complete strangers from other lands.

“…Why do you go this far?”

Finally, Charlie couldn’t hold back and asked.

Abar was already regarded like a sage king by the knights and residents of Arren.

No one would say anything if he rested a bit or showed a lazy side.

Conversely, there was no one who would appreciate him moving now either.

“But why do you abuse your body to this extent? Your health has gotten even worse recently. You really need to rest.”

“…Abuse.”

At Charlie’s desperate voice, Abar stopped walking for the first time.

Then he raised his head to look up at the sky.

It was then that regret settled in his eyes as he gazed at the cloudy sky filled with mist.

“If I’m sick for just one day and it ends there, they can harbor hope for the future.”

“…”

Hope for parents who almost had to helplessly send away their young children because they couldn’t feed them.

A future for children who might become great figures someday.

“This short journey of mine could become a turning point in someone’s life, or even salvation.”

“You can’t do this forever. And… don’t you know?”

That while those brief moments your efforts reach might gain hope, they’re just momentary.

That society ultimately doesn’t change.

That a single human being cannot save everyone.

Because the world was too big and vast for that.

So why go through unnecessary hardship.

Why walk a path no one else walks, especially one that won’t even be rewarded.

That’s what Charlie was asking.

“Why…”

To this, Abar answered with a resolute voice as if he didn’t need to think about it.

“Because the world is chaotic.”

“…Pardon?”

“Someone has to step forward, don’t they?”

“What kind of…”

Before Charlie could finish his words, Abar continued speaking.

“I know too. That one person’s influence can’t change the world.”

“…”

“Far from changing it, by tomorrow everything will return to how it was.”

Not only that.

“Perhaps I won’t even see a changed world before I die.”

Nobles are wealthy, commoners are poor.

That had been like a truth continued for hundreds of years.

It wouldn’t change just because one person devoted decades to it.

But it didn’t matter.

“Just because you open the beginning doesn’t mean you must remain at the end.”

What Abar hoped for wasn’t such grand honor.

“Leaving very small footprints. That’s enough for me.”

“…”

“The beginning may be humble, but the end will be magnificent. That’s my favorite saying.”

Looking at Charlie standing there dazed, Abar slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

“Think about it. If this small change I leave behind becomes footprints that guide a Hero in the distant future. How meaningful would that be?”

As if he truly believed it, Abar’s voice carried deep conviction.

Enough to make the listener’s heart race.

Even knowing it was an impossible dream, somehow Charlie couldn’t deny those words.

Was it because he was persuaded by him?

Or was it because he too hoped for such a future?

Chuckle-

Seeing Charlie’s troubled expression, Abar chuckled and lightened the mood.

“If you’re really worried about me, how about becoming my knight? We seem to have that kind of relationship.”

As always.

At his playful suggestion to become a knight, Charlie also chuckled and shook his head.

“Not a chance. I plan to grab onto a rope with a bright future. Don’t you know that a Knight of Light only serves one master in their lifetime?”

“Wouldn’t being the exclusive knight of the Arren Lord be bright enough?”

“If I get involved with you, my lord, I won’t live to see my natural lifespan.”

“Oh my, that’s too harsh. I think I could be a good master.”

“Pretending to be hurt won’t work. Let’s get going now.”

“Really, how can a person be so heartless… Do you know that among the lords, you’re called the Iron Knight instead of the Knight of Light? The rumor is so widespread about how well you build iron walls that people confuse your nickname.”

Though Abar complained as if hurt, Charlie just crossed his arms with a stern face as if it was out of the question.

Eventually, their conversation ended with Abar saying he gave up and starting to walk.

Though he said this, Charlie had actually already made his decision.

‘After this matter is over.’

To make a knight’s oath with him.

In about a month, he would formally serve him as his master.

‘It’ll be busier than now when that time comes.’

The thought of caring for his master’s health already gave him a headache.

Despite such thoughts, a gentle smile hung on Charlie’s lips.

But he didn’t know then.

That he would regret not making the knight’s oath today for a long time to come.

That such a moment would never come again in the future.

* * *

“…lie!!”

“Char… lie.”

“What are you doing…”

His ears felt muffled.

In a muffled world as if submerged underwater, a distinctly clear shout pierced his ears like an awl.

“…Charlie!!”

“!”

Charlie, who belatedly came to his senses, could finally see his surroundings.

The castle burning and collapsing.

People dying crushed under fallen debris and residents fleeing in panic.

In a place filled with the stench of blood, knights frantically swinging their swords at terrible demons.

“Get a hold of yourself! Quickly escort the Lord… Kugh!”

And even his companion who had been shouting at him while fighting the demons being crushed under a massive foot.

Though thick shadows covered the surroundings, this terrible calamity was being constantly conveyed through his ears and nose.

At that horrific sensation, Charlie had no choice but to realize.

This place was a battlefield.

‘Dragon species…’

The owner of that massive foot.

The darkness and great evil that had devoured his companions, subordinates, and even the citizens entirely.

With that monster’s sudden appearance, they had been fighting.

And…

“…Cough.”

Fierce war was bound to bring countless deaths, and among them, there was bound to be the death of someone close.

Abar, who was coughing up blood in front of Charlie, was one such case.

“…My… Lord?”

Abar de Arren.

He had collapsed with his organs pierced through, and was grasping Charlie’s hand.

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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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