Ranker’s Return

“What is this...?” Reina’s face reddened; her embarrassment was evident. Who could take this situation calmly and accept it? This was a situation where a ring was extended as a gift.

“What? Are you dating?”

“What? Is it like that??”

“When did you start dating? Was it a long time ago?”

The other players made a fuss, chattering noisily like middle-aged women talking non-stop. They were like a living rumor generator.

“You will know once you check it. It is an item that will help Reina.” Hyeonu reached out to Reina without worrying about the other players’ jokes.

“Yes...” Reina carefully picked up the ring. It matched her white complexion very well.

‘Item Information.’

[Tears of Yongsal Mountain]

[A ring made of precious stones containing the essence of Yongsal Mountain.

It is also a ring that symbolizes the Yongsal Sect.

Rating: Epic

Restrictions: One who has learned the Yongsal Ice Martial Art.

Effect: All stats +30, magic power is increased by 3%, skill power increased by 3%.]

Reina’s eyes widened. She alternated between looking at Hyeonu and the ring over and over with wide eyes.

“Is this really for me...?” Reina asked.

“It is a gift. Right, don’t you need this as well?” Hyeonu said, once again placing his hand in the inventory and then emerging with a book. “You will be able to wear that ring with this.”

Hyeonu was holding out a skill book. It was the skill book for learning the Yongsal Ice Martial Art, which was needed to wear Tears of Yongsal Mountain. Hyeonu had obtained both items by defeating Nam Jun, the 32nd group leader of the Secret Camp and the leader of the Yongsal Sect.

‘In any case, the only person around me who can use it is Reina.’

Just like the Mysterious Sky Demonic Art, the Yongsal Ice Martial Art had a fixed attribute effect. Moreover, it was the ice attribute. Hyeonu didn’t know anyone else who could use it properly. There were people who would use the skillbook if Hyeonu gave it to them, but they had already progressed too far to change their attribute.

‘This should be considered as Reina’s luck.’

She was lucky to be connected with Hyeonu, that she was here, and that her class was related to the ice attribute. Everything was related to luck.

“Think of it as my sincerity for today’s matter. I hope you can accept it.” This time, Hyeonu put the book in Reina’s hand.

“Then see you next time, Reina. I hope you’ll be able to get your territory soon.” Hyeonu finished talking and left.

Even after Hyeonu disappeared, Reina stood blankly while holding the two items Hyeonu had handed over to her.

“What is that?”

“What is the ring? What is the item?”

“What is the real relationship between the two of you?”

The chatter had begun again. After listening to the players for a long time, Reina suddenly moved. She put the two items in her inventory and disappeared. Then she had logged out.

The players remaining cocked their heads as a group. “Why did Reina do that?”

***

After disappearing, Hyeonu—who hadn’t received PT at the gym in a long time—sat in his massage chair. He had a few hours of spare time now that he had killed Nam Jun.

‘The remaining five will be handled by the emperor. I’ll go to Chen Long.’

Nevertheless, it didn’t mean Hyeonu was resting without thinking. He thought unwaveringly about what he should do after accessing Arena. How should he prepare for the Pro League? What about the other clubs? He kept thinking about the future. His body was resting, but his mind kept moving.

Hyeonu had just entered a very relaxed state when his smartphone vibrated with a loud sound. His arm slowly moved through the air, groping about for a long time before finally making contact with his smartphone.

‘Who is it?’

Hyeonu barely pushed open his eyelids, and the screen of the smartphone filled his vision.

-Hyeonu, come to the hospital. It was a short but meaningful message from his mother.

‘Huh?!’

Hyeonu’s eyes widened. All the sleepiness that had filled his face disappeared. He shot up with an urgent look and quickly ran to his room.

‘Key, key, key!’

Hyeonu reached for a black car key ring that was well placed on the side of his desk, but he couldn’t grasp it like he usually did because his hands were trembling and covered in sweat. Finally, Hyeonu picked up the keyring and ran out.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Yeongchan shouted.

Yet Hyeonu ignored Yeongchan like he hadn’t heard anything.

‘Why is it so slow?’

Hyeonu felt like the elevator was coming even slower today. Unable to keep his hands still, he kept moving them, repeatedly pressing the button that was already pressed and knocking on the door of the elevator that wouldn’t open.

Dding-! The elevator doors soon opened. Hyeonu quickly got into the elevator and pressed the B1 button. The speed of the descent was fast. It could even be called instant in comparison to the time he spent waiting for the elevator.

Finally, the elevator stopped, and Hyeonu began running again, only coming to a stop once he arrived at a red car with smooth curves. He got into the car and started it. A short time later, the Panamera exited the parking lot with a loud exhaust sound.

***

“Mom!”

Upon arriving at the hospital room, Hyeonu cried out and walked to his mother. Hyeonu had never called her ‘Mom’ once since he turned 20. Instead, he always called her ‘Mother’ and used honorifics. Nevertheless, now wasn’t the time to be concerned about that.

“Hyeonu, you’re here?”

“What did you mean by your text? Do you think Father will wake up?”

“In fact, it has been a while. His fingers will move occasionally. The doctor said it is a sign of recovery.”

“Father...” Hyeonu stared sadly at his father, who was still lying in bed.

Then he quickly erased that expression. 

‘There is hope.’

It was no longer a wait without any promise. Now he could have some hope.

“Have you been in the hospital these days?” Hyeonu asked his mother.

“I don’t know when your father will wake up, so I naturally have to come every day,” she replied.

“Yes... Still, you need to take care of your health. Have a proper health check-up. I’ll make an appointment.”

“Yes, I have to be healthy.”

Hyeonu felt strong willpower emanate from his mother’s words. As the condition of Hyeonu’s father improved, many changes took place in the heart of Hyeonu’s mother.

‘She looks good.’

There was warmth in Hyeonu’s expression as he watched his mother. He felt it was nice to see her take on a different appearance, compared to how she had looked during the past days of hardship.

“He will wake up soon. Father is a strong man,” Hyeonu affirmed.

***

When Hyeonu returned home, he immediately accessed Arena. His expression seemed relaxed as he wandered around Linakalu. In a way, this was natural. The burden weighing on Hyeonu’s back was finally relieved. Still, that wasn’t all as more good news welcomed Hyeonu.

‘The emperor kept his word.’

[Leaders of the Secret Camp Killed 50/50]

The quest was 50%—no, 90% over. All that was left was to go to Chen Long, report it to him, and receive the next quest. Hyeonu carefully crossed the Samsungga’s wall, which was several meters high. He jumped over it with light movements and ran toward the place where Chen Long was sleeping.

After running for a long while, Hyeonu arrived at Chen Long’s residence and the training ground. For some reason, Chen Long was standing on the training ground, not in the house.

“Leader!” Hyeonu whispered.

It was at such a low volume that it was hard to hear. However, it was currently the middle of the night and extremely quiet, so Hyeonu’s whisper was like a clap of thunder.

“You’re here? How many people have been dealt with now?” Chen Long naturally greeted Hyeonu without any panic. The naturalness quickly shattered once he heard Hyeonu’s answer.

“All 50 people have been killed,” Hyeonu said.

“50 people?”

“Unless I wanted unnecessary variables to be created, I had to hurry as things had started going wrong,” Hyeonu casually replied to Chen Long’s question.

‘Quickly give me the reward and take out the next quest,’ Hyeonu urged inwardly.

Chen Long was relaxed like he knew Hyeonu’s inner feelings. To be precise, he proceeded to confirm that Hyeonu’s words were true. Chen Long raised his hand and someone came running from a distance. A man dressed all in black knelt before Chen Long. Chen Long asked the man a question: “How many leaders of the Secret Camp were killed?”

As if he had already expected it, the man answered, “All 50 people were killed. All the people that have been killed were connected to us.”

Chen Long continued to ask questions. He was like someone who wanted to know everything from one to ten.

“How did they die?”

“20 died due to adventurers. The other 30 seem to have been handled by the imperial family for various reasons.”

“I understand. Go back now.” Chen Long waved his hand dismissively toward the man. Shortly after the man disappeared, a message window appeared in front of Hyeonu’s eyes.

[Reported to Chen Long 50/50.]

[Kill the Secret Camp has been cleared.]

[Experience has been acquired.]

[The trust of Chen Long has been gained.]

“You have considerable abilities. It isn’t just your individual strength. Your mind works well too. You are reliable,” Chen Long praised Hyeonu with a bright expression in his eyes. However, the smile on his face wasn’t a bright one but a subtle one.

“The largest mountain has been crossed. It won’t be that hard next time. I’m not incompetent enough to lose against those who are blind and deaf...” Chen Long paused for a moment.

Just then, a message window appeared in front of Hyeonu. This time, it wasn’t a notification but a quest window.

[A quest has been created.]

[Attack the Yeokcheon Group]

[Raid and wipe out the Yeokcheon Group, who are coming back from an external mission.

Rating: S+

Conditions: Kill the Yeokcheon Group team members 0/75, kill the Yeokcheon Group team leaders 0/5 (However, the quest will fail if any of the members return to the Samsungga alive).

Rewards: Experience, Chen Long’s gift.]

‘Hmm... It’s trickier than I thought?’

Hyeonu’s expression changed subtly when he saw the quest window. The new quest wasn’t as easy as he thought it would be, especially to clear by himself. He would only succeed if he wiped out everyone and ensured no one escaped.

‘I will have to ask for help again.’

If he couldn’t do it alone, then he could do it with two people. If that didn’t work, then he could increase the number to three or four. Hyeonu wasn’t alone now. There were many people from whom he could ask for help—Kim Seokjung, Gang Junggu, Reina, Mascherano, Liu Shei, Yeongchan, and many more.

Even as Hyeonu thought so, Chen Long continued to speak: “I intend to shake up both the inside and outside at the same time. I am thinking of hitting Chen Tai while you wipe out the Yeokcheon Group. To be exact, I will reclaim my place in the Cheonryong Group. If that happens, the later days will flow along smoothly.”

It wasn’t until he heard Chen Long’s words that Hyeonu remembered. Why exactly had Hyeonu started this quest?

‘Chen Tai. Yes, there’s still him to deal with.’

Hyeonu’s revenge for the former Mysterious Sky Sect Leader remained.