Ranker’s Return

[Ghost Fragment]

[A piece of a soul that was forced to become a ghost by a shaman.

Rating: Unique

Restrictions: 400 strength, 1,200 magic power.

Effect: Defense +100, magic power +100, ‘Ghost’s Remnant’ can be used.

Ghost’s Remnant: A ghost will attack. Deals 10% additional damage.]

‘What?’

It was much better than his current earrings, Forest’s Spirit. Ghost’s Remnant, which had no restrictions, was much more versatile than Forest’s Spirit.

‘Why is it so vague?’

The only issue Hyeonu had with it was just that the explanation was too inadequate. In times like this, it was more convenient to try it out himself. Hyeonu took off Forest’s Spirit and put on Ghost Fragment.

[Ghost’s Remnant is activated.]

Hyeonu got rid of the information in front of him before looking at his hands and feet. He stretched out his hands and feet, but nothing had changed.

“What’s activated?” Hyeonu was continuing to look at his body when Tang-E abruptly let out a yell.

“Uhh! What is that? Master dude!!!” Tang-E shouted in Hyeonu’s ear, making Hyeonu quickly drop Tang-E to the ground.

“Ouch, my ears. What is it?” Hyeonu questioned.

Tang-E just pointed silently at Hyeonu.

“Why point at me? I didn’t do anything, Tang-E.”

“Master dude, something appeared behind your back. A ghost appeared. A ghost appeared...”

‘Ah!’ Hyeonu heard Tang-E’s words and realized the identity of Ghost’s Remnant—the white ghost that had appeared behind the menon’s back. Once the question was resolved, Hyeonu placed Forest’s Spirit in his inventory and took out the unidentified necklace.

‘Item Information.’

[Lightning’s Cry]

[A necklace made by processing ore that has been struck by lightning over dozens of times.

However, other attributes have been added after the processing.

Rating: Unique

Restrictions: 1,200 physique, 2,200 magic power.

Effect: Power of lightning attribute skills increased by 20%, magic defense penetration increased by 5%, and the ‘corrupted’ attribute is generated.]

“Isn’t this good?” Hyeonu murmured as he checked the necklace’s information. As a result, Tang-E’s expression darkened from where he was standing next to Hyeonu. If the necklace was good, Hyeonu wouldn’t give it to him. Yet contrary to Tang-E’s thoughts, Hyeonu extended the necklace to Tang-E and said, “Here, take it.”

Tang-E shook and didn’t immediately grab the necklace that Hyeonu handed over. Hyeonu grabbed Tang-E’s paw and placed the necklace on it. Then he stated, “It’s yours now.”

Tang-E glanced between the necklace on his paw and Hyeonu’s face several times. Then he handed out the necklace to Hyeonu again. “Master... place it yourself.”

Hearing Tang-E’s words, Hyeonu smiled and crouched on the ground while saying, “Come here.”

Tang-E walked into Hyeonu’s arms. Then Hyeonu removed Source of Corruption from Tang-E’s neck and placed it by Tang-E’s feet before picking up Lightning’s Cry. He carefully placed the necklace around Tang-E’s neck and said, “It’s over.”

The necklace suited Tang-E very well. The yellow gemstone had a slightly blue hue, making it quite beautiful.

“Thank you, Master. Thank you,” Tang-E spoke in a heartfelt voice as he embraced Hyeonu. 

***

The investigation into the match-fixing ended much faster than the public expected. Dozens of officials went in and out of the prosecutor’s officer in one day, and courageous reporters raised microphones to their faces. It was still the same today. Reporters gathered around those who appeared at the prosecutor’s office, pushing forward microphones, which had their station’s logo, or smartphones.

“Is it true that you led the match manipulation?”

“Is it true that you directed the gamers to act as proxy knights?”

“Do you acknowledge the connection with Park Jeonghyun, the executive administrator of the Korean Virtual Reality Game Association?”

Kim Junho was the person receiving the bombardment of questions, and he tried not to frown. Still, he was barely enduring it. If this were an ordinary situation, he would’ve let out the words that were in his mind, but this wasn’t the right place for that.

“I will go inside and be investigated truthfully,” Kim Junho spoke as calmly as possible.

He absolutely couldn’t fool around here. He couldn’t be seen like that. He couldn’t let his weakness be caught or it would be the end of him. Even if this were settled smoothly, he might still have to leave South Korea.

“What do you think about the rumors that Park Jeonghyun mentioned your name?”

“It is rumored that the former director of Big Stars, Yoon Hyeongu, also mentioned ‘Kim Junho’. Is that true?”

However, the reporters were persistent and asked question after question that would chip at Kim Junho’s will. Every time, Kim Junho gritted his teeth and endured it.

Dding—! This was the sound Kim Junho had been waiting for. The elevator doors opened, and Kim Junho barely managed to escape the crowd of reporters to enter it.

“I will be investigated truthfully.” Kim Junho bowed toward the camera flashes. The elevator doors closed.

“What floor...”

Kim Junho was muttering while looking at the numbers on the wall when someone interrupted his words.

“The 14th floor, 14th. I pressed it already.”

It was a man holding a paper cup and smiling. He was Kim Junsik.

“You will be investigated truthfully?” Kim Junsik asked. Kim Junho was embarrassed by Kim Junsik’s question and opened his mouth to respond, but no words emerged.

Dding-!

Once again, a cheerful sound was heard. Kim Junsik stepped out while Kim Junho was still standing blankly.

“I am looking forward to it. How truthful will you be? I’ll see you in a moment, Kim Junho-ssi.” Kim Junsik said that and then disappeared, whistling as he did so.

Thump!

Once Kim Junho was left alone, he leaned against the wall of the elevator like he had no strength in his legs.

***

A group of men exited the huge building. Most of them were busy staring at each other’s faces anxiously.

“It is too late to regret it. We have to get revenge. Isn’t it right to get payback after you’ve been hit?” Preby said as he turned to his men. He wasn’t trembling at all; there was no sign of fear. Instead, his eyes burned with anger.

“This is what will happen. Bi Yoon here has the perfect plan.” Preby pointed to Bi Yoon who had the same expression as him. There was even a bit of excitement in Bi Yoon’s expression. He was excited with the expectation that he could get revenge sooner or later.

Bi Yoon said, “Don’t worry. Shake off your fear of him. We were beaten in the past, but we’re different now. He killed a drake alone? We killed it too. Be confident.”

The anxiety was washed away from the men’s faces little by little as Bi Yoon’s words ended. Preby glanced at them before approaching Bi Yoon and whispering, “Will it take a few days?”

“It will take some time to figure out the situation. Isn’t it perfect for our side?” Bi Yoon chuckled.

The plan wasn’t quite reliable, objectively speaking. Nevertheless, Preby liked it very much.

“Good, good. Then I’ll ask the guild guys to contact you. We have to do this.” Preby raised his hand to his mouth while pressing his thumb and finger together.

Bi Yoon replied, “Yes, yes. There are many stupid guys. There aren’t just one or two blind ones in the East Continent.”

Preby and Bi Yoon stared at each other and chuckled. This was the moment when a conspiracy to target Alley Leader started.

***

A week passed, and many things happened in the meantime. Some of them were of interest to Hyeonu, in particular JT Telecom defeating its rivals and securing first place in the league. In fact, the Korean League was over. There was one match left, but there would be no change in the rankings.

It was a match between a strong and a weak team, so the current ranking would become the result of this season as long as there were no accidents. The players of JT Telecom gathered in the living room of the dormitory. They were holding a party like it was already confirmed they were taking the number one spot for the season. The next opponent was the weakest in the league, so it wasn’t too much to have a party like this.

“Jinyong hyung, we will start gaining imperial contributions from tomorrow, right?” Do Jeonghyun asked the team’s oldest person, Kim Jinyong.

“I think so? There is some push from the club side. I think they want to gain the territory on their own,” Kim Jinyong answered. 

Yoo Bin, the youngest, intervened in the conversation between the two: “So the focus is on monster subjugation as planned? That’s a bit boring...”

Do Jeonghyun pressed his hand onto the head of Yoo Bin, who was sitting beside him, and replied, “You can have fun after retiring. Understood? Now is the time to be a machine.”

“Ah, Hyung! It hurts!! Stop, stop it!” Yoo Bin tried to remove Do Jeonghyun’s hand that was on his head. However, Do Jeonghyun’s strength was overwhelming. No matter how hard Yoo Bin tried, he couldn’t remove it.

“Jinyong hyung, look at this.” Another JT Telecom player had just turned on the television in the living room. The television was connected to his smartphone, so the screen that was playing on his smartphone was displayed on the TV.

“What is this?”

“It is an interview with Mascherano. He is being interviewed about the next season. He will probably talk about the territory.”

“Really? Quickly turn up the sound. We should listen.”

The moment Kim Jinyong spoke, the voices of the men on the TV became louder.

-Our Red Bull America is already fully prepared for next season, Mascherano spoke in a confident voice as always.

“It hasn’t been disclosed, so I don’t think he has gained it. Why is he so confident?”

Looking at Mascherano now, it was like he had already gained a territory. Nonetheless, everyone knew this wasn’t the case. Otherwise, it would already be promoted news. It was natural. The disclosure of a territory was a boon to the team and its players. They would be a fool to hide it. Pro gamers needed just as much attention as they needed skills. That way, they could become stars.

“Really? Currently, all 12 members of Red Bull America are in the East Continent. How much can the miners gain?” Do Jeonghyun cocked his head like he couldn’t understand it.

It was the same with the interview host who asked, -What do you mean? Fully prepared? Are you saying you’ve obtained a territory?

On the screen, Mascherano shook his head. -Not yet. However, we can get it before the winter season begins. We have almost 300,000 contributions, and this number will increase more and more quickly.

An imperial contribution of 300,000 wasn’t a big deal. The important thing was confidence. Where did that confidence come from? The answer quickly popped out of Mascherano's mouth: -There is an answer in the East Continent. When you come, you will know how to get imperial contributions.  

Kim Jinyong raised the remote control and turned off the TV.

“Did you hear? Clean up this place—no. Listen first before cleaning up. Contact UK Heights or anywhere else. Find two trustworthy clubs. We are going to the East Continent.”