Ranker’s Return

Black magicians suddenly appeared on the battlefield and changed the status of the battlefield. The monsters that the black magicians brought weren’t contaminated by black magic, but they only existed in the Demon World. The undead created by the black magicians were also completely different. They weren’t the low-grade undead but powerful ones such as the dullahan and various giant skeletons.

“Back away to the walls! Keep your formation!!”

The paladin Dahan and Knight Commander Brown felt uneasy as they gave orders.

“Sir Dahan, I think the battle has changed.”

“I don’t think the normal soldiers can help anymore. The black magic energy I’m feeling is considerable.”

They tried to calmly grasp the situation, but this didn’t mean they did not feel anxious. It had been quite a long time since the black magicians launched such a large force, which had been the last time they were born.

“However, there are priests including the high priest. Won’t it work out?’

Dahan shook his head at Brown’s optimistic words. Brown could say this because he didn’t feel the mighty black magic energy.

‘Those present in Brigs’ temple alone can’t wipe out all these black magicians.’

“No, it will be hard to win even if our temple has the upper hand.”

In addition to the leader who had powerful black magic, many of them appeared to be high ranking black magicians to Dahan. At first glance, their skills were considerable.

“Huh?”

It was at this moment that a dark energy reminiscent of black magic energy poured out from the walls. The solid magic power flew like a light toward the black magicians.

“Use defensive magic!” One of the black magicians shouted after seeing the pure energy that contained an eerie momentum. Immediately, black clouds sprang up in front of them. It was the defensive magic of the black magicians, Cloud Barrier. The dark crescent started to cut through the clouds. However, the clouds were too dark, and it wasn’t long before the crescent moon was buried in them.

The man suspected of being the master of the pure energy jumped from the wall. Dahan found the man’s clean landing on the ground quite impressive.

‘Such a feat!’

Just then, a scream emerged from the mouth of Brown next to him, “Viscount!”

‘Viscount’ was a word that was familiar to Dahan. It referred to the fourth title in the distinguished merits rankings. However, the weight of this title wasn’t simple if the target was this man. The identity of the man was the only disciple of Duke Lebron, the best knight of the empire. He was also an adventurer.

“Is that person called Gang Hyeonu a viscount?”

“Yes. He is the only disciple of Duke Lebron.”

‘He is worthy of being his master’s disciple. His pure energy is powerful. I can’t believe he is an adventurer.’

Dahan was thinking this when Brown started to speak again.

“We can’t just be like this either. I think all the knights should resume the battle...”

“I will tell the priests to bless them. They are to enter the battle as soon as they are blessed.”

***

Hyeonu stared at the black magicians in front of him.

“Are you the lord of this place? Did you get the emperor’s favor? Otherwise, it wouldn’t be easy to push the original lord out. It’s amazing,” the old black magician in the lead said. Then he continued, “The rebellion has already failed. Don’t you know this?”

The words were out of the blue, but Hyeonu listened in silence. In any case, it was to his advantage to buy time. The paladins would kill the monsters and eventually deal with the black magicians. Until then, he needed to deal with this magician without overdoing it.

The black magician continued, “Do you know why I’m here? There is only one reason... I have a formal disciple, but I don’t like them. They are an adventurer... In any case, the reason I came here was to get revenge for another disciple. He was a good person. I raised him since he was a newborn child, so it was a strong feeling of kinship rather than him being a disciple. Yes, it is the affection of being blood.”

Just then, the unknown black magician’s face distorted, and he started to emit a powerful black magic energy.

Full of desire for revenge, his face was like that of a demon.

‘Is he that guy?’ Hyeonu seemed to know the identity of the unknown magician’s disciple.

“By the way, that disciple is dead. It was a few months ago. It was so futile. Now do you know why I’m here?” 

The unknown magician’s description meant one thing.

Hyeonu replied to the magician’s question calmly, “Is it... for revenge?”

“I didn’t pour alcohol on his grave, so I have to pour it now.”

It was clear that the liquid would be the blood of Brigs’ NPCs.

“Can I ask for the name of your disciple?” Hyeonu asked carefully. He had a vague guess about what it was.

“Adele. His name was Adele.”

The moment he mentioned the name of the disciple, a smile appeared on the face of the old magician. The rather demonic black magic energy disappeared. As the old magician thought of his disciple, his anger faded away and he was filled with a sense of calm.

‘It was that guy.’

The novice black magician, Adele, was the master of the dungeon Hyeonu, Yuri, and Yeongjun cleared. He was also the owner of a giant owlbear called Pepe.

“I see...”

The unknown magician felt there was something strange about Hyeonu’s answer and started to question Hyeonu as it seemed like Hyeonu knew his disciple. “Do you know him? Or...”

Hyeonu didn’t answer. There was no need to.

Instead, he walked slowly to the old black magician. “Who knows... It is a familiar name... I’m not sure.”

Come to think of it, this old magician’s voice was also familiar. The identity of the old magician was Felion, who had been in the rebel camp of Lipa Castle that Hyeonu infiltrated in the past.

“It is hard to hear the answer in this state. I’m really curious about how long you can keep your mouth shut.” As Felion spoke, black smoke billowed from his back. The identity of the smoke was black magic energy. In some ways, it looked darker than Edward’s.

‘He will be a good opponent.’

He was as powerful as Edward, who was the scenario boss. Just based on strength, Edward could be called the public boss while Felion was the hidden boss. After the third class advancement, Hyeonu had never fought with all his skills and buffs. This battle was a great opportunity for Hyeonu to learn about his limitations.

“Then open my mouth yourself. It won’t be easy though.”

Hyeonu pulled out Dark Star. Then Hyeonu’s various buffs were demonstrated.

[Master of Combat is activated.]

[Your stats have increased.]

[The stat ‘fighting energy’ has caused your stats to rise.]

[The other party is stronger than you.]

[Your stats have increased.]

[The stat ‘dignity’ has caused the opponent’s stats to fall.]

[Mindset of a Murderer has activated.]

[All stats have increased by 15%.]

The beginning was light. He didn’t use the giant skills nor did he use One Who Yearns that was attached to his new item, Kallu’s Desire. There were only Yuri’s buffs, Tang-E’s buffs, and his own buffs. Of course, these alone were enough buffs.

Hyeonu naturally swung Dark Star without moving one step. The sword moved fluidly, and the black pure energy revealed its presence. Felion naturally created a shield when he saw the pure energy that stretched toward him. He had already figured out from his previous experience how much magic power to use.

‘I’ve seen this technique before.’

It was a technique that operated magic power naturally, utilising a strong pure energy that appeared like a ghost.

‘Lebron.’ Felion’s speculation burst from his mind and into his mouth, “What is your relationship with Lebron?”

While ignoring Felion’s words, Hyeonu carried on swinging his sword, and pure energy continued to emerge from it. He launched some strong attacks using pure energy as well as the usage of Heavy Blow and Magic Power Explosion.

“Kuek,” Felion groaned at the pure energy that was stronger than before. There was no time to be angry about his words being ignored. The young knight’s sword slashed at him.

‘This can’t continue.’

In any case, Felion’s style wasn’t such a confrontation. Although he was confident in a confrontation, his specialty was to use black magic to fight.

“Pipi,” Felion called out someone’s name. Then a giant magic circle appeared before him. The magic circle endlessly sucked up the black smoke surrounding Felion’s body. Soon, a three-meter-tall undead appeared in the dark yet shining magic circle. It was a knight in armor on a ghost horse. This was the brilliant appearance of a death knight.

“Death knight...” Hyeonu frowned when he saw the death knight that appeared from the magic circle. He had expected a fairly strong undead to be summoned, but he never imagined that a death knight would emerge. While Hyeonu was astonished to see the death knight, Felion started to place all types of buffs on the death knight. It started from Haste, which sped up basic movements, to Strength, which increased his strength stat. There was also Drain Health, which restored the death knight’s health through Felion’s own black magic energy. So far, it was the buff magic that the death knight had given him.

Then it was time to use debuffs and curse magic on Hyeonu. Felion used that magic that hadn’t been possible under Hyeonu’s incessant attacks.

“Grudge of the Dead, Frozen Soul, Magic Power Split.”

These limited movements, prevented physical recovery, and made the use of magic power unnatural.

They were three types of curse magic.

‘This is my specialty.’

Felion used curse magic and smiled warmly as he imagined Hyeonu stagger.

Hyeonu was perplexed by the messages that suddenly came up.

[The curse magic, ‘Grudge of the Dead’, has been used.]

[Grudge of the Dead has been ignored under the influence of fighting energy.]

[The curse magic, ‘Frozen Soul’, has been used.]

[Frozen Soul has been ignored under the influence of fighting energy.]

[The curse magic, ‘Magic Power Split’, has been used.]

[Magic Power Split has been ignored under the influence of Immovable Heart.]

“Debuffs?”

Hyeonu succeeded in resisting the previous two spells with his fighting energy stat, but the last curse, Magic Power Split, couldn’t be resisted with fighting energy. Fortunately, he succeeded in resisting it using Immovable Heart, a skill he obtained as a reward for clearing Laek’s 9th stage.

[Immovable Heart]

[You possess an unwavering heart.

A disciplined mind rules the body.

Type: Continuous

Rating: Unique

Skill Proficiency: F

 You will be immune to an opponent’s abnormal condition skill in a situation where the opponent’s magic power value is lower than yours. There is a 5% chance of resisting an opponent’s abnormal condition skill in a situation where the opponent’s magic power value is higher than yours.]

No matter how high Hyeonu’s magic power was, it was only high in comparison to players of the same level. In comparison to an NPC, especially a high ranking black magician, Hyeonu’s magic power value was definitely low. This was normal. In other words, Hyeonu activated it through the 5% probability.

“What type of magic did you use? My body feels ticklish.” Hyeonu laughed at Felion while tapping on his brightly smiling child’s mask.