Ranker’s Return

Beyond the red door was a huge space, and there was a pale light shining down from the ceiling. The light wasn’t very bright, but it was enough for the party to see the entirety of the space. This space was 10 times the size of the corridor they had just walked. The corridor was around 10 meters wide, so this space was 100 meters in all directions. The problem was...

“This is really...”

“Very um...”

The vast space was covered with black coffins. Hundreds of coffins, which were approximately two meters long, were placed there standing up. Asu looked around and spoke cautiously, “No way. Don’t tell me that all of them will come out, right?” 

The situation that Asu mentioned would be the worst. The path they had walked so far wasn’t a sign of peace; it was just the calm before the storm.

‘One, two, three...’ Hyeonu gave up on counting the coffins.

There were too many to roughly estimate a total with his eyes.

‘I will level up today.’ Hyeonu was nervous, but he didn’t show any anxiety or fear.

He just accepted the situation and enjoyed it.

‘It isn’t dangerous anyway.’

Based on the blood wolves and black bats, this dungeon’s difficulty was lower than that of Mount Cruise. Even before crossing to the East Continent, Hyeonu held the record for passing through the monster wave at Mount Cruise. It would be even easier for him now that his specs had risen higher than at that time.

‘If the Pioneer Guild had come alone, they would’ve died.’

The problem was that the Pioneer Guild members weren’t at that level. Their individual levels weren’t low, but their party was too small in number. With just five people, it was a very small number, especially when considering the fact that large guilds usually used more than 50 people to break through Mountain Cruise.

‘I think at least three parties should come here...’

“Shall we go inside and have a look first? We can’t stand outside the door forever.” Hyeonu glanced at the Pioneer Guild members.

Like Hyeonu said, they had merely opened the door. They hadn’t actually taken a single step inside. Instead, they were just watching.

“I’m going first.” Hyeonu stepped inside with Tang-E on his shoulder. When Hyeonu moved, the other five quickly followed. Once all six people entered the room, a strange sound started to resonate throughout. It was like the sound of something heavy falling onto the floor.

The six people turned their heads at the same time and found the source of the sound. It wasn’t that hard to find... because multiple places were making the same sound. The identity of the sound was a coffin lid opening and colliding with the ground.

“Everybody, gather.”

At Ket’s words, the four other Pioneer Guild members moved quickly. The priest, Maha, was in the center and around him were the magicians, Asu and Nix. Lastly, they were guarded by the melee classes, Ket and Jewel. As for Hyeonu, he stood somewhere between Ket and Jewel.

The coffin lids opened, revealing the pale-faced men and women inside one by one. Hyeonu was very familiar with their appearance. They were wearing something similar to Roton’s Ceremonial Coat that Hyeonu had been wearing a while ago.

‘Vampires.’

“They are vampires. Please be careful. We don’t know when the boss monster will appear, so we need to use our skills appropriately.”

Of course, the members of the Pioneer Guild would already know this. They didn’t get the ranker position for nothing after all. Regardless, Hyeonu pointed it for a simple reason—to prevent mistakes that might arise due to carelessness.

‘There is still the priest. I’m not worried, but...’

“Just stick by his side, you know?” Hyeonu placed Tang-E near Maha and pulled out the Mysterious Sky Sword.

However, the vampires didn’t move. They didn’t even open their eyes. They just continued to lay in their coffins.

“Why aren’t they moving?” Hyeonu wondered with a frown.

Just then, the lid of a red coffin—which was the only coffin lying flat on the floor—flew into the air.

“Who disturbed my sleep?” A handsome blond-haired man with a pale face emerged from the red coffin. The name of the handsome man, who was dressed more colorfully than the other vampires, was definitely ‘South Rock’.

“South Rock?” Hyeonu muttered when he saw the handsome man. After hearing it, South Rock turned to Hyeonu.

“Are you the one who disturbed my sleep?” South Rock used coarse words that were unlike his noble-looking face.

Hyeonu closed his mouth and approached South Rock. He didn’t have time for this.

‘I have to kill him quickly and then go hunt the drake.’

Time was gold. Hyeonu had to clear the dungeon quickly and send the Pioneer Guild to the East Continent. This was Hyeonu’s promise and commitment.

‘First save the item buffs.’

“Give me buffs!”

His item buffs had to be kept because he needed them to hunt the drake, but there were alternatives. They were the buffs he hadn’t received from Maha until now.

“I’ll give them to you right away!” Maha responded to Hyeonu’s sudden shouts.

[You have received divine energy.]

[Your weapon is filled with a high divine power.]

[Attack power has increased.]

[You have received the goddess’ blessing.]

[All stats will increase.]

[Movement speed has increased.]

[You have received Prayer of Joy.]

[Movement speed has increased.]

[Health recovery speed will increase for five minutes.]

[You have been rewarded by faith.]

[Your two highest stats will rise.]

[Your agility stat has increased.]

[Your magic power stat has increased.]

‘It’s the third class change, so the buffs are good,’ Hyeonu remarked inwardly.

Maha’s buffs were good—really good. His skill proficiency seemed very high. Perhaps it was because he had been buffing the other four people in his guild from the beginning till now.

‘Isn’t he much better than Yuri? There is a difference of at least two stages.’

Hyeonu determined that Maha’s buffs were much better than Yuri’s. If Yuri’s proficiency was B, then Maha seemed to be around A- or A. Just then, Tang-E stretched out his arms like Maha had done and used his buffs on Hyeonu. It was only after receiving Tang-E’s buffs that Hyeonu swung the Mysterious Sky Sword, firing the black pure energy at South Rock who was still talking. Moreover, it was done with a very intense air.

“You who acts recklessly without fearing the consequences. You dare to ignore me?” South Rock saw the intense black pure energy and swung his hand.

In an instant, red energy formed around South Rock’s body and shot like a whirlwind toward Hyeonu’s pure energy. The red whirlpool and Hyeonu’s pure energy were destroyed together. No one had the advantage; it was a mutual destruction.

Then a ghostly black pure energy appeared. It was the effect of the earring, Ghost Fragment, that Hyeonu wore. South Rock got frightened when he saw the ghostly black pure energy and dodged it.

“It is pretty good for a human,” South Rock said, barely managing to avoid the attack. 

His expression distorted as Hyeonu’s skills were better than expected. Furthermore, South Rock had been totally unaware of the covert follow-up attack. He wondered, ‘When did he attack? Oh, yes...’

Then the Pioneer Guild members and Tang-E behind Hyeonu entered South Rock’s vision.

“Rise,” South Rock commanded.

The vampires lying in the coffins started to regain consciousness one after another. They opened their eyes and left the coffins.

“Take care of the intruders.”

The vampires received South Rock’s command and took action. They used light movements to fly toward the place where South Rock’s gaze was directed. Hyeonu’s mouth curled up in a smile, and he aimed the Mysterious Sky Sword at South Rock. More pure energies started to emerge, following the movements of the Mysterious Sky Sword.

This was Mysterious Sky Range. Numerous pure energies were shot at the vampires who were trying to attack the Pioneer Guild.

“Where are you going?” South Rock shouted and waved both hands.

10 blood-red pure energies flew toward Hyeonu. At this moment, the Mysterious Sky Sword became momentarily longer, ultimately forming a black crescent moon. It was Crescent Moon Cut. The crescent-moon-shaped pure energy was also striving to do its part today.

However, there were obstacles blocking its way—the red pure energies. The black crescent moon passed through them by throwing forth a part of itself. In the end, it achieved its mission. A piece of skin the size of a child’s fist was dug out of South Rock’s forearm.

“Kuah!” South Rock screamed and swung his unwounded arm.

It was because he found something white. The red pure energy broke the ghostly crescent moon and rushed toward Hyeonu. Nevertheless, Hyeonu used Mysterious Sky Steps to escape easily.

‘Ghost’s Remnant is pretty good.’

It was of considerable use. He normally didn’t feel it because combat was so boring, but he could gradually feel the efficacy of Ghost’s Remnant when facing human-type NPCs with quick responses. With a moment of spare time, Hyeonu turned his head to look at Tang-E’s location.

‘Over there... I don’t have to worry about him.’

Due to Mysterious Sky Range, a large number of vampires were on the ground. Tang-E was fighting hard while Jewel, in particular, was showing off his strength as a paladin. The vampires who were struck with Jewel’s sword and shield stepped back while emitting grsy smoke.

“Again! Looking elsewhere!!!” South Rock attacked Hyeonu again suddenly. He judged that mid-ranged engagement was impossible and changed to close combat. The choice seemed to pay off. In very close combat, South Rock—who fought with bare hands—was more comfortable than Hyeonu. At least, that was the case until Hyeonu put the Mysterious Sky Sword back in his sheath.

Hyeonu grabbed South Rock’s hand with a burning black hand.

“Did you think you would win if you stuck close to me?” Hyeonu spoke in a light tone that could be called a sneer.

Hyeonu’s fists had become even stronger after Memories of Murder was upgraded. It was natural since the gauntlet’s damage had increased from 2,000 to 3,200.

“Does this human not know who I am?” South Rock gritted his teeth at the human in front of him.

“It doesn’t matter who you are. Just give me a title.” The moment his words finished, Hyeonu used Fighting Energy Emission and Area Proclamation.

Speed was life in melee. If someone slowed down at a close range, then the probability of being hit was higher. Placing his hand on South Rock, Hyeonu pushed him. Simultaneously, black-red energy burst through South Rock’s body.

[South Rock has received the abnormal condition ‘slowed down.’]

South Rock’s movements became terribly slowed down. Hyeonu aimed his fist at South Rock. South Rock reached out to block the fist, but he moved so slowly that his hand only waved in empty air. There was a clear gap between thought and reality.

A black fist slammed into South Rock’s white face, sending him flying off in a cool manner. South Rock was suspended in the air and flew back several meters. It happened quickly, without dealing him any major damage. However, South Rock did receive some mental shock from the blow, and his expression wasn’t very good.

“Blood Field.” South Rock’s anger-filled voice echoed throughout the space.