The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 41

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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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Episode 41

Chapter 41.

There are two paths for Necromancers.

Commander Necromancer and Explosion Necromancer.

Commonly called Jikeuro and Pokkeuro, though not official names, people called them that for convenience.

If the advantage of Jikeuro was commanding numerous undead including high-ranking ones while safely dealing consistent damage with high DPS (damage per second), then Pokkeuro’s advantage lay in instant burst damage.

And the skill responsible for that burst damage was none other than Corpse Mass Explosion.

A broken skill where even after getting beaten up the whole time, successfully landing just one mass explosion would make up for all mistakes.

There was a reason people called Pokkeuro a mass explosion one-trick.

‘That’s all there is to it though.’

But this also meant that without mass explosion, you were a corpse.

An extremely harsh character that could become either overpowered or complete trash depending on whether mass explosion succeeded.

Therefore, the moment Dohyun saw its corpse explosion, he didn’t stop being cautious.

‘With those specs, I’d die in one hit.’

Even Dohyun with his high stats couldn’t withstand a Hero-grade Named Boss’s corpse mass explosion.

It was easier to think of it as an instant death pattern.

An instant death pattern in Raven where only level 24 and below existed… It was a boss that urgently needed a difficulty patch, but by Dohyun’s standards, this was mild.

‘Later on, there are patterns where players have to die for the raid to progress.’

Not only that. They even put in patterns where you absolutely had to die.

Though it was milder than Demroc, they say there are many bosses with such settings in Godseeker too…

So instead of complaining, Dohyun devised a strategy.

If it was going to use mass explosion anyway, he’d make it so he could use it at the timing he wanted. He created a situation where the creature had no choice but to use its ultimate skill.

Sure enough, when he provoked it a bit and pretended to be in danger, it used mass explosion as if it had been waiting for it.

[The mark disappears.]

Never imagining that Dohyun had lured it while timing the duration of the backstab mark.

An Explosion Necromancer without mass explosion?

It was a weak existence that couldn’t lose even if it wanted to.

Since it had lost its undead on a large scale and even its main ultimate skill was gone.

What if it even gave up distance against close combat?

It would have to take hits whenever attacked.

[You deliver a critical strike.]

“Kueeek! Wa, wait a moment… Kheuk!”

…Just like now.

Thwack! Slash!

[Kreuk! Khehheuk!]

And for a whopping 4-minute long cooldown at that.

And 4 minutes was enough for Dohyun. It was time to use backstab four more times.

For Jihad who had consumed most of his undead, he could only get beaten like a dog on a hot summer day.

This was the fate of a Pokkeuro who failed to use mass explosion.

It was also the reason why most chose the path of Jikeuro despite having top-tier instant burst damage among all classes.

“Co, corpse explo… Kheuk!”

Smack!

“Ju, just wait a moment…”

Thwack! Thwack thwack!

“Ah, ah! Bone! Bone is cheating!”

Slash- Stab! Crack!

“You, you’ll pay for… Kueek! Ju, just go easy…”

At first, Jihad struggled by throwing and exploding the remaining corpses, but Dohyun wasn’t one to take such blind attacks.

Getting beaten as naturally as breathing, Jihad’s appearance that had seemed solemn and noble was reborn as the most pathetic sight in the world.

…Who would think that creature complaining about getting hit by bone was a Hero-grade Named Boss?

‘This kind of boss is a first.’

Even Dohyun was encountering such a creature for the first time.

This thing was a survivor of the so-called great Black Clan?

Though he didn’t know exactly what kind of clan they were, they’d be flabbergasted seeing this sight.

‘This is strange.’

Dohyun beat it even more enthusiastically because he found it disgusting to look at, but inwardly he found it hard to accept.

More precisely, he had doubts.

‘Is this really Hero-grade level?’

Dohyun had devised a good strategy and executed it well.

The power of mass explosion was certainly excellent enough to instantly kill even decent level 50 players if it hit.

Maybe even more than that.

Thanks to quick hand movements, the activation speed was faster than normal mass explosion, so if backstab had been on cooldown, he probably would have died without being able to move.

It even threw curse orbs, so if it cornered him in a corner with dark vision and used mass explosion, there would be no way to avoid it.

‘I understand that, but…’

Even considering that, it was weak.

While it was true that it would be difficult for a level 24 player to solo, was this really a Hero-grade Named Boss inhabiting a secret dungeon?

If you knew the strategy, it seemed like it would be easier than a field boss?

Even while harboring such doubts, Dohyun didn’t stop swinging his sword.

Thwack! Crack!

Slash- Stab!

“Kueek! Kkeuk! Khehheuk!”

Beating and knocking down, cutting and stabbing.

[The mark disappears.]

[You deliver a critical strike.]

When it tried to run away, he chased with backstab and delivered burst damage.

After repeating this several times.

[The HP of the secret dungeon boss ‘Jihad Black’ has fallen below 30%.]

[Phase 2 begins.]

[The trait ‘Bloodline Factor’ manifests.]

Dohyun hesitated for the first time at the message that appeared before his eyes.

And at that moment.

“Kheuh… Kheuhheuh…”

Jihad, who had been pathetically servile, burst into laughter for the first time.

And the atmosphere changed.

Whoooosh-.

Black gas darker than skin began rising.

The black smoke spreading as if coming from every pore in his body emanated a dangerous aura at first glance.

[I’ve been waiting for this moment…]

A voice crackling and splitting like scraping rusted metal.

The eyes that had been glowing green were dyed black as pitch, making it hard to distinguish the eyes unless you looked carefully.

It looked like a single darkness in the shape of a goblin.

[Though I haven’t properly refined it yet… I have no choice…]

In Jihad’s confident appearance, there was no trace of the servile behavior shown just moments before.

And rightfully so.

[Jihad Black is awakening the bloodline factor inherent in his body.]

[The bloodline factor is in an incomplete stage. It cannot produce its full effect.]

[When the manifestation of the bloodline factor is complete, Jihad’s rank will rise.]

A rise in rank.

Commonly used in fantasy as an elevation of existence itself, in this case it meant a grade increase.

Though he didn’t know how much it would rise, it would go up at least one level.

‘Hero+….’

Then it’s at least Hero+ grade.

Hero grade and Hero+ grade weren’t simply a difference of one grade level.

To exaggerate, it was such an extreme gap that it could be compared to the difference between a river and an ocean.

Since Hero+ grade was when raids truly began forming multiple strategy teams, that said it all.

Once that trait manifested, even Dohyun couldn’t guarantee anything.

Considering this secret dungeon was a solo dungeon, the moment it manifested, it was basically a system designed to make you fail the strategy.

[While awakening his bloodline factor, Jihad Black enters concentration and his stats increase during this time.]

[Health recovery increases.]

[Defense increases.]

[Magic resistance increases.]

Yes, if it manifested, that is.

“Invest 20 in strength.”

[Strength increases by +20.]

[Strength has exceeded 100.]

With this, Dohyun’s stats exceeded 100.

Precisely 110 strength.

Even setting aside all stat bonuses, it was an incredible stat value.

For a player who went through normal stat distribution, they’d need to be at least level 40 to reach such numbers.

Considering other stats and remaining points, the current Dohyun had potential beyond that.

‘Though somehow I ended up going all-in on strength….’

With agility also reaching a decent 71, this balance wasn’t too bad.

It was a perfect situation for pounding a stationary sandbag.

[What suddenly…! What is this ridiculous change!]

Did he sense the change in Dohyun’s aura as his stats increased?

Jihad had been performing mysterious feats, but now those feats were working against him.

It would have been better not to know and just take the hits, but now he had to take them while knowing what was coming.

Defense increase?

Health recovery boost?

[Warrior set is applied.]

[7% additional damage is applied to goblin-type enemies.]

[Rage effect deals 10% additional damage to bosses.]

[Level 10 swordsmanship proficiency increases sword-related damage by 10%.]

‘Before overwhelming DPS, all are equal.’

He didn’t know what the original strategy was, but he wasn’t curious now.

He planned to execute the best strategy of all.

Step by step.

[D-don’t come closer…!]

Was it his imagination that Jihad Black’s complexion grew paler as Dohyun approached?

[Ah… Ahhh….]

Feeling the pitch-black skin seeming to lighten slightly, Dohyun reached out his hand.

An elegantly drawn sword line pierced through Jihad’s neck, and soon the hideout echoed with one goblin’s agonizing scream.

* * *

[You have defeated the secret dungeon boss ‘Jihad Black’.]

[You have cleared the secret dungeon Black Goblin Sorcerer’s Hideout.]

[Rewards are amplified for clearing a secret dungeon for the first time.]

[It will be recorded in the Book of Adventures.]

[You have achieved a hidden Achievement.]

[Swordsmanship proficiency increases.]

[Swordsmanship proficiency has reached LV11.]

[Dagger proficiency increases.]

[Dagger proficiency has reached LV6.]

[Level increases.]

Watching the parade of countless messages appearing, Dohyun let out a sigh.

“Whew… That was close.”

30 seconds… no, if he had been even 10 seconds later, the bloodline factor would have activated.

It was that close of a timing.

The creature’s defense increase was so significant that he had considered raising his strength even more midway through.

‘They made this for level 24 and below to clear?’

Even a swordsman who went all-in on strength and agility would need to be level 40.

Considering all the additional damage effects Dohyun had, even level 40 might struggle with the overwhelming DPS strategy.

Even after clearing it himself, it seemed absurd, but anyway, Dohyun had succeeded.

“Hah….”

And the fruits of that success were incredibly sweet.

His level increased, his stubbornly stagnant swordsmanship proficiency went up, and he even managed to raise his dagger proficiency.

‘It would have been really nice if the Predation effect had activated too.’

The only flaw was that he couldn’t use Predation again since it was the same goblin type.

Since it was called the Black Clan and all, he had hoped it might work, but the system was unforgiving.

Well, hoping for that too would be too greedy, so he’d let it slide….

‘Rewards! Let’s check the rewards.’

These were rewards from clearing a secret dungeon discovered for the very first time.

And it was a Hero-grade secret dungeon at that. The quality couldn’t possibly be low.

[First clear guarantees boss-related equipment item drops.]

[Additional 30% drop rate is applied.]

There was even a guaranteed first clear reward this time!

Plus a 30% drop rate bonus applied on top.

‘Please be Hero grade!’

Normally he wouldn’t dare hope, but this time he could!

It would be strange not to hope for this!

[Would you like to harvest Jihad Black’s essence orb?]

“Huh.”

Essence orb.

Just like with the Warrior and Chieftain, it was an essence that appeared after defeating a boss—basically like a random reward box.

Without hesitation, he accepted, and the light of the essence that had been gathered in orb form scattered and sparkled like fireflies.

The items that appeared with it.

[You obtain Black Goblin Shaman’s Vengeful Spirit Orb, Trace of the Forgotten Clan, Black Goblin Shaman’s Robe, and Jihad Black Card as rewards.]

“Wow….”

Unable to expect anything more, Dohyun checked the rewards with an excited heart.

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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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