Ranker’s Return

“To be precise, he is the secretary of the general manager. However, he does all the practical work.”

“Are you sane right now? Don’t you know who my management is?”

Liu Shei answered Hyeonu’s question, “Nike.”

“Yes, Nike is my management. Yet you want me to meet someone from Adidas? It isn’t even an ordinary employee but one that is quite powerful? Don’t tell me nonsense, and get lost.”

“You only need to meet him once. You can refuse him on the spot.” Liu Shei was now begging in a pathetic manner.

Hyeonu saw this and was convinced of something. “Did he threaten you? That’s why you came up to me and apologized?”

Liu Shei was visibly upset. His face reddened, and he started to stutter. “That... It isn’t like that. I’m the Third Dragon, Liu Shei. I’m not someone to be threatened!”

Hyeonu wasn’t concerned with Liu Shei’s words. He bowed his head and fell into his own thoughts. ‘I actually didn’t suffer anything, but Liu Shei’s intentions were disgusting. Still, I can use this to erase a debt. He is the Third Dragon. Additionally, Adidas? They’ll regret it.’

“Why approach me...” Hyeonu smiled wickedly. Then he raised his head and looked at Liu Shei. “Schedule it for after this subjugation expedition. Since you’re begging me like this, I have to make some time.”

Hyeonu left with these words.

Liu Shei was left alone in a huge building.

“Uwahh!”

It was shameful that the Third Dragon of Kowloon had to bow his head like this. He was Liu Shei, who would soon become the head of Kowloon.

“Rudd! Alley Leader!”

The more he thought about it, the more his anger grew. Liu Shei vowed that he would definitely get revenge.

‘I’ll pay you back for this humiliation.’

***

Hyeonu turned on his streaming mode. It had already been agreed upon in advance. It was a good idea to turn on his streaming mode when attacking the rebel base. This was a type of competition. Simultaneously, it was an opportunity to directly compare the popularity of their streams as they streamed at the same time.

“Hello, everyone. I am Alley Leader. It is nice to see you.” Hyeonu used an incomprehensible tone when speaking. The viewers complained as soon as they entered.

-Oh, the tone is extreme. Did he take medicine today?

-I quickly entered when the streaming mode was turned on. What’s wrong with him?

-Oh, I can’t stand this.

-This is what Tang-E is supposed to be doing. Why is a big guy like this?

However, Hyeonu wasn’t concerned with the dissatisfaction of the viewers. He stuck to the tone of a person who wanted something. “Yes, I haven’t taken any medicine. I am healthy. I don’t know if Tang-E can speak like this. That is why I’m doing it.”

-Ah, I can’t stand it.

-Someone stop him.

-Really, I’m sure he took medicine.

-Leader Groupie has gifted you 999 gold coins.

-Stop It has gifted you 111 gold coins.

-Do Something has gifted you 444 gold coins.

“Thank you Groupie for the 999 gold coins, thank you Stop It for the 111 gold coins. Stop it. Yes. I have to do as you want. Thank you Do Something for the 444 gold coins. Leader cosplay. Do I need to do it? A professional ordinary person—that’s me.”

Hyeonu discarded his strange tone and regained the original tone. The viewers only just noticed why Hyeonu had taken on the strange tone.

-Inducing gold coins using this method.

-Isn’t it a new concept? Getting gold coins like this.

-There is nothing really unique.

-It is very original to beg for gold coins.

Once the primary gold coin supply and demand ended, Hyeonu explained about today’s stream. “As you all know, today we will be going through the main scenario. It isn’t just me but many large guilds and professional teams.”

-Isn’t he the only individual participant? This is God Alley Leader’s class.

-Hey, don’t flatter him. He will be pretentious again.

-Still, I have to recognize his class. Participating in the main scenario as a lone hero.

-Rain has been buried since Alley Leader appeared. Who will watch Rain’s streams when he does nothing except for leveling up. Who will watch his stream now?

-What has Rain been doing recently? Only hunting?

-Don’t you know? He is taking a break from the main scenario this time because he is working on his third class advancement.

Hyeonu got good information from the words of the viewers. He had wondered why Rain wasn’t present at the previous meeting, but he found out the reason in the chat window. The third class advancement began at level 200. It wasn’t difficult to satisfy this condition. However, the quest differed depending on the class, so the time required was different.

‘The third class advancement... Spend another week there. I’ll catch up to you soon enough.’

Hyeonu wished that Rain’s third class advancement would take a while. The more Rain got stuck with the third class advancement, the closer Hyeonu would get to number one in the rankings.

“So today, we’re going ahead with the main scenario, and the main dish is to wipe out the rebel base. In addition to the large guilds, many NPCs are involved in this sweep. The great magician of the empire is also involved.”

-Eh? Then is Lebron coming out?

-Is there also a great magician here? It’s like I’m playing a different game. This is the first time I’ve heard of it.

-It seems that you’re not a magician. All the magician classes know it.

-Then does that mean a brilliant magic show will appear after a long time?

“That’s right. We can expect to be bombarded with spectacular scenes. This opportunity isn’t common. Where else can you see a ranker’s massive battle? You can see it in my stream.”

Hyeonu talked for a long time. It was because there was still quite a bit of time before the full-scale battle. After some meaningless chatter, he finally heard the sound of the fight beginning.

“We will go after the rebels who threaten the empire for the good of the empire!! The goal is to obliterate the rebels!”

[The quest has been updated.]

[Imperial Detached Force]

[-Find the location of Alkyl's base 0/1 -> Wipe out Alkyl’s base 0/1.]

‘It is a pity, but there was no guarantee I could find it...’

The quest was updated. Hyeonu gave up the Imperial Detached Force. In comparison to hunting boss monsters or playing PvP, he wasn’t able to beat a large guild in a fight that required manpower.

“Now, let’s start slowly.”

Alkyl’s base attack began.

***

-By the way, why does it feel like I hear sound and then I don’t hear sound?

-Is there a bug in A-World? This is the first time this has happened.

-I was digging at my ears just now. I thought I was the only one.

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ So stupid. Alley Leader turned off the microphone and then he turned it on. Why dig at your ears?

The viewers raised questions because Hyeonu’s voice always disconnected as he talked. Three years had passed since A-World was released, and they had never heard of this bug.

‘Have they noticed?’

Hyeonu felt a prick after he saw the audience’s words. In fact, he was adjusting his sound. This was the reason.

-From Sunny: Do you understand? You only need to come as I explained.

-From Sunny: Why aren’t you answering? Alley Leader? 

Hyeonu rushed to reduce the sound and whispered to Sunny. It didn’t matter if Hyeonu was known to have obtained information through Sunny. The problem was if it was revealed that the other person was Sunny. Indeed, the problem was Sunny, not him. 

-To Sunny: Yes, I understand. I’ll escape on my own when I get a chance.

“Everyone, you don’t hear any sound? Why is this? You still can’t hear me?”

Hyeonu started acting quickly. He had never been so grateful for his mask as he was today. If he spoke correctly without his voice shaking, then he would never be noticed.

‘In the past, I made a very smart choice.’

The viewers didn’t know and were outraged to learn that A-World was really in trouble. 

-No, if A-World has a bug...

-We have to protest. How much money have I spent on Quency?

-I can claim to be a shareholder since I hold 10 shares in Quency.

-By the way, Alley Leader really isn’t turning it off? Sound? It is an A-World problem, right?

-Hey, trust me. A streamer becomes one for wealth. If viewers leave, the damage would unconditionally be to himself.

‘Okay, it is done well.’ Hyeonu smiled as he watched public opinion in the chat room turn.

Then someone approached Hyeonu. 

“Alley Leader, we’re about to arrive at the rebel base soon. How about hunting together?” It was Pioneer’s guild leader, Ket.

“Um... I feel more comfortable working alone.”

“If that’s the case... I understand.” Ket left with a slightly sullen expression.

-Kyah, he doesn’t even care about Pioneer. This attitude... As expected of God Alley Leader.

-It is a bit unsuitable for his class. He is a giant.

-But is he really going to be alone this time? Isn’t a party better?

Shortly after Ket went back, someone found Hyeonu again. 

“Alley Leader, if you don’t have a good plan, why not hunt with us? It isn’t just me. The Ice Witch, a few other rankers, and I have formed a party. It is to take a share of this base sweep.” It was Mascherano.

Hyeonu was troubled by this loud voice. He wasn’t thinking about accepting or rejecting. Rather, he was wondering how to refuse.

‘What should I say...’

After contemplating, Hyeonu's answer was to sell out Kim Seokjung.

‘I’m sorry, Seokjung hyung-nim. I will only sell you out once.’

“I already have a promised party.”

“You already have a party?” Mascherano was amazed by Hyeonu’s unexpected response.

‘Was there a party? Who is it?’ Mascherano thought about how Hyeonu’s party members could be. However, he couldn’t think of anyone. In the first place, Alley Leader was alone. He wasn’t in a guild.

“If you can excuse me, can I ask who you will party with?” Mascherano couldn’t get an answer no matter how he thought about it. He was too curious to endure it.

There was only one way for Mascherano to find out, and it was to ask Hyeonu himself.

“Well, it isn’t a secret. I’m going to be in New World’s party.”

“New World... Is this true? I understand.” Mascherano was surprised by Hyeonu’s answer, but it was only for a moment. He quickly left Hyeonu with a look of acceptance.

‘If it is New World, then I have to give up.’

Mascherano knew this. Reina and her rankers had joined his party, but it wasn’t enough to compare to New World, that had many rankers including Kim Seokjung and Gang Junggu. Rather, there were so many classes present in New World that it could be called an ‘all-rounder’, making it more convenient than his own party.

-Is it really New World?

-Didn’t he say he would do it alone?

-The attitude change is almost...

Hyeonu answered the viewers’ questions.

“I’m actually going to do it alone. However, they will drag me all over the place if I say I’m doing it alone.” 

-Then what if Jin Sijong appears here?

-Honey!!

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Then he really will be pulled from every angle.

-His mouth will bleed.

Hyeonu laughed as he watched the audience chat. It sounded ridiculous. Why would Kim Seokjung show up here?

‘It is impossible. He has his own guild.’

At this moment, there was a voice that crushed Hyeonu’s hopes. “Hey, Dongsaeng. You said you were going to party with me? Don’t speak empty words. Then—”