Ranker’s Return

“I will start lightly.”

Hyeonu relaxed as he stared at the fast-approaching black wild boar.

‘How long will it take to die?’

He had previously hunted the black wild boar on the stream. At that time, he killed the black wild boar instantly using pure energy. The Hyeonu of that time was very different from Hyeonu now. In fact, the difference was too big. His level had changed, so his stats had naturally changed as well. Additionally, the ranking of his skills had increased.

The greatest difference was this Mysterious Sky Sword, which gave off a subtle blue light. The Mysterious Sky Sword cut through the air like it was splitting cloth, and at the end of its trajectory, there was an angry wild boar with yellow eyes. The black wild boar had an unsightly appearance. Its sharp teeth, which gave off a feeling of pressure, were cut like tofu, and its mouth was torn to twice its initial size.

“It is a bit short, but the attack power has become overwhelmingly stronger.” 

Hyeonu’s attack timing was perfect, but the black wild boar momentarily braked, reducing its speed. Then Hyeonu swung the Mysterious Sky Sword lightly. The black sword energy flowed through the air, striking the back of the black wild boar in a fierce manner. A small explosion occurred, and a deep hole was dug into the back of the black wild boar.

[The black wild boar has been killed.]

[Experience has been acquired.]

This was the end. Having had its flesh dug out, the black wild boar could no longer stand out.

‘Isn’t the effect terrifying?’ Hyeonu admired it inwardly. The effect of the enhancement was better than he thought. It wasn’t even comparable to the sword’s performance the other day.

-Two blows this time? What?

-It doesn’t feel that strong?

-The damage seems to have gone down since the enhancement.

However, some viewers didn’t know the difference between Hyeonu of the past and the present. They only remembered the number of blows he dealt—one blow then and two blows now. Hyeonu saw the chat and kindly added an explanation about the situation: “No, it is a huge difference. It’s because I used pure energy at that time, while now I’m doing nothing, just waving my sword. For the finish, it was too bothersome to walk over, so I just shot out some sword energy.”

‘There are many people who are coming in for the first time.’

Hyeonu’s stream still had an influx of viewers. It never stopped, continuing to grow little by little. Consequently, this was a natural consideration for them.

-I understand. It is a huge difference compared to pure energy.

-Enhancement seems pretty efficient.

-It isn’t junk that only consumes gold coins.

-Quency is different from the money-sucking companies.

-Those warriors from Gamepia are really trash. It costs money any time you try to do something.

After hearing Hyeonu’s explanation, the viewers immediately understood. This was natural because the content wasn’t very difficult. Admiration emerged the moment they understood. They admired Alley Leader’s strength and Quency for providing quality content. It seemed they had a different policy from that of other game companies.

However, it was a bit different for Hyeonu.

“Isn’t this completely a black hole that eats gold? What’s good about it? It’s better not to try it. Take a look. I lost 20,000 gold alone today. The amount of money spent on my land is only 14,000 a week. Huh? Isn’t it a gold eating hippopotamus?” Hyeonu screamed in a rotten mood.

His warehouse assets had been stolen. All the money he’d earned from killing monsters and selling items had flown away.

‘I didn’t intend to exchange it for cash...’

Of course, he had no intention of changing Arena’s gold for cash, but he just felt good seeing his gold. Now that the gold had disappeared, he had a pained feeling like his heart was being squeezed.

-Yes, this is the only captain who has a territory.

-We should just buy enhanced items.

“Oh, is it just me? Is that so?” Hyeonu shook his head like he really didn’t know. Then he started moving silently. From the back, his shoulders were obviously drooping.

***

The stream ended, but Hyeonu didn’t log out. He immediately tore the return scroll to Yuanyang.

‘Today is the last time.’

It was the day they’d agreed upon. The ending moment of the long quest was coming.

[Defeat the Remnants of the Gucheon Secret Department]

[Defeat the remnants of the Gucheon Secret Department hidden on Mount Cheon.

Rating: S+

Conditions: Kill the remnants 0/666

Rewards: Experience, Chen Long’s gift.]

‘I don’t think it is difficult...’

666 people—in terms of number, it was definitely a big number. It just wasn’t so big when thinking about the entire quest.

‘Chen Long will also bring some subordinates...’

He just had to fight moderately, and the quest would be over. However, it seemed he would have to put a bit of effort into battle with the leaders. Hyeonu entered the castle of Yuanyang as naturally as if it were his own home, and no one stopped him. They all knew his status because he had already visited several times before.

“Your Highness, how are you?” Hyeonu greeted Liu Yongyun.

There was still a bit of time before he had to meet Chen Long, so he came to Liu Yongyun using that time.

“Earl, why have you come this time...?” Liu Yongyun looked confused when he saw Hyeonu, who had arrived suddenly.

Liu Yongyun hadn’t received any reports. Be it the castle’s guards or the attendants, someone should’ve announced Hyeonu’s appearance. Yet no one had informed him. Therefore, it was only natural for him to feel flustered.

“I brought some good news. Soon, the wish of the imperial family will be achieved,” Hyeonu said with a smile.

Today’s visit had no real purpose. It was just to say this.

‘Of course, the idea is to prepare for a reward.’

Hyeonu believed an NPC like Liu Yongyun would understand that well. Liu Yongyun asked with wide eyes, “Did everything work out well? I know that you delivered the information about the Secret Camp to His Majesty last time...” 

He was really surprised. It was natural since Hyeonu was progressing through the quest at a speed that surpassed the scope of common sense.

“Today, we are going to wipe out Chen Tai of the Gucheon Secret Department. From tomorrow onward, it will be a new Gucheon Secret Department,” Hyeonu spoke confidently.

Then he added in a friendly tone, “I’ll see you soon at Taeyang’s palace. Shouldn’t we see it altogether after the work is done?”

Liu Yongyun recognized the meaning behind Hyeonu’s words and responded with a slight smile, “Once the work is over... At that time, I’ll see you in Taeyang, not Yuanyang.”

***

After exiting the castle, Hyeonu immediately left Yuanyang and headed to the place in Mount Cheon where he’d agreed to meet. On the way there, Hyeonu met some unexpected people.

“It has been a long time, Alley Leader,” several people, not just one or two, greeted Hyeonu.

However, Hyeonu didn’t remember their faces.

‘Who are they?’

It was clearly not the first time they had met. He vaguely remembered them, but their encounter hadn’t been significant enough to leave a deep impression in his mind. The image of them were just there.

‘Still, I couldn’t have met this type of people in the East Continent, right?’

“Who are you? I can’t remember. I am the kind of person who can’t really memorize the faces of others...” Hyeonu spoke some embarrassing words as he asked for the identity of the people before him.

“I understand. Alley Leader is a busy person. We are called the Venom Guild. We’ve met a few times before,” the man standing at the front of the group revealed their identity.

‘Venom? Ah...!’ The memory came to mind once Hyeonu heard the name.

The Venom Guild—he had met them in the Balder Mountains.

‘The terminally ill chuunibyou.’

The one who just spoke was the chuunibyou. He was a person who gave others goosebumps just by looking at him. In a way, he was the scariest person. It was frightening to get close to him. Hyeonu couldn’t talk leisurely because he didn’t have enough time, so he asked his question so quickly that he seemed stiff: “What is going on today? I’m a bit busy right now. It feels like you’re waiting for me in a place like this.” 

“You must be in a hurry. I understand. I just wanted to say a few words to you today. The quest you are going on now will probably be harder than you think.” 

“What?” Hyeonu asked like an idiot when he saw the man speaking surprising words with a casual expression.

“There are quite a lot of players who got involved. There are people you know and others you don’t. Then we’ll be going now.” The man and his group disappeared as quickly as they appeared.

While looking at them, Hyeonu muttered, “The real thing appeared... Seriously...”

***

Upon arriving at the appointment place, Hyeonu once again met some unexpected people.

“Brother? Reina? Why are you here?”

All the people that Hyeonu had introduced to Chen Long were present. To be precise, they had come here with their guild members.

“Chen Long called us. We also received a quest to kill some people today,” Reina calmly explained the situation to Hyeonu.

The others nodded quietly.

‘It is indeed strange for them to call only me after all.’

Hyeonu had introduced them to Chen Long so that they would be called in this way. They should still receive quests even if Hyeonu wasn’t around.

“I see... I will go and meet Chen Long. I have a few things to talk to him about.” Hyeonu nodded at the gathered players and wandered to the place where Chen Long was supposed to be.

‘There he is,’ Hyeonu thought.

Chen Long was sitting on the ground, leaning against the tree. By his side, Bakar was constantly moving his mouth.

“You’re here? I've been waiting for you.” Chen Long found the approaching Hyeonu and stood up.

“You’ve been waiting? Then I’ve arrived too late,” Hyeonu spoke slowly to Chen Long. Then he bowed and greeted Bakar.

Chen Long opened his mouth and said, “Bakar, tell me about the plan today. I have to hear it now.”

Hyeonu laughed helplessly when he heard Chen Long’s words: “Pfft... Don’t you know it?” 

Chen Long looked at Hyeonu and said, “If I listen one time, I’ll have to hear it twice. Why should I listen first?”

He was shameless. He didn’t like hearing things twice, so he’d waited.

“I have something to say first,” Hyeonu interrupted before Bakar could open his mouth. Then he first delivered the message from the Venom Guild: “I don’t think it’s just the leaders who escaped over there.”

Bakar’s eyes widened as he stared at Hyeonu who had cut off his words. It was the same with Chen Long.

“What does that mean?” A sense of seriousness appeared on Chen Long’s playful face.

“It seems that adventurers have intervened. Moreover, there must be quite a lot of them. Maybe more than us,” Hyeonu replied.

Hearing that, Bakar’s expression became even more solemn. The words that came from Hyeonu’s mouth was a serious matter.

“Is that so? I will just ask one thing then. Will there be an adventurer like you?” Chen Long asked.

Hyeonu shook his head at Chen Long’s question. There were no players like Alley Leader in Arena. There was only one Hyeonu.

“Then it’s fine. Let’s listen to Bakar’s story together.” Chen Long smiled.