Ranker’s Return

“Is that really the power of one individual?” Jamie’s mouth dropped open and couldn’t shut. It seemed like saliva was going to flow from his gaping mouth.

“He is a special NPC. He’s probably one of the best people in Arena’s world view,” Hyeonu spoke as casually as before.

The sight before them wasn’t surprising to him at all. Hyeonu had already expected Lebron’s level of swordsmanship, and the latter showed the strength that Hyeonu knew well.

‘I’ve seen and experienced it. This much isn’t surprising at all.’

The world was cut by a simple horizontal slash. The trees and monsters in front of Lebron were swept away like they were sorghum.

-Look at how calm this person is.

-Crazy. Is this a person?

-This is an NPC, not a person.

-There are goosebumps on my arms. Crazy...

The viewers were reacting no differently from Jamie. They rubbed their eyes and doubted what they had seen. This was on a whole other level from that of Alley Leader. It was different. A cheat key… 

It was really a cheat key. If Alley Leader’s cheat key was at the level of getting resources for free, then Lebron's was his invincibility. Lebron was simply a fraudulent existence.

“Eh? The monster in the back...!” Jamie raised his hand and pointed behind Lebron.

There was a monster about to lower a giant axe. The monster, who had fortunately avoided Lebron’s sword, was now aiming at him. Anyone would find this to be a dangerous sight.

“Don't worry. Just relax and watch. Think of it as a hero movie. Heroes aren’t defeated or killed. They always win...” Hyeonu continued to be calm.

Unagitated, he stood and watched like he had nothing to do with this. He was less immersed compared to the viewers and Jamie. The axe fell heavily in order to split apart Lebron’s head into two pieces like a log of firewood.

-What else is it this time?

-Does he have eyes on the back of his head?

-It was so natural that I originally thought he was trying to swing it back.

Lebron’s response to the monster was simple. He wasn’t surprised or embarrassed. Instead, he acted as if he already knew and just turned while swinging his sword around. Then Lebron’s sword cut through the large iron axe that was falling toward his head. It was just like cutting tofu.

His sword moved forward without any hesitation. The monster’s head was behind the part where the axe had been cut. Lebron’s sword momentarily lengthened and sliced the monster’s neck. Upon losing its head, the monster fell to its knees, and the monster raid ended so absurdly.

“Did you see? It is a waste to worry about that. Just feel free to watch.”

***

Since then, there were no major difficulties. It was a very large procession, but Hyeonu and Lebron killed the monsters first.

“It feels like I’m enjoying too much luxury,” Jamie said while looking at Hyeonu.

Jamie never thought he could go directly to the East Continent. Yet he was now seeing monsters and NPCs that he had only watched in videos.

‘There is no better pleasure,’ he thought. 

This was the best thing for Jamie, who was a huge fan of Arena.

“What luxury? It is hard work. In fact, it’s just walking. There isn’t anything really special.” Hyeonu thought Jamie’s words were too exaggerated—too much lip service.

It wasn’t difficult to go to the East Continent. Just one return amulet in Hyeonu’s inventory was needed for that.

‘It isn’t good to walk around in a procession here.’

Hyeonu felt it was strange for anyone to like mountain climbing. He continued to walk without understanding Jamie’s words at all.

“There’s something I want to ask you now. Why did you scout me?” Hyeonu brought out the words he’d prepared beforehand. Now was the right time for it. They were currently working hard, but it was time to raise the audience’s scattered concentration once again.

“Well... there were several reasons. One reason at the time was because Alley Leader’s video was full of a star’s charm. Doesn’t everyone know it? How shocking the early videos were...”

The viewers agreed with Jamie’s words. The early videos of Alley Leader had been a great shock.

-In particular, his heyday before entering Nike...

-Don’t you know the fear of traffic lights?

-Honestly, I thought he wore a mask because he was ashamed of that fashion.

-By the way, was that really a concept? Traffic light fashion?

Strength was strength, but his weird clothes were more problematic. With a green top, red pants, and a yellow longsword, it was fashion that annoyed viewers’ eyes.

“What was wrong with it? I thought it was cool,” Hyeonu refuted the viewers’ words. At that time, Hyeonu had paid attention to his fashion. The effects were the effects, but everyone had their own style.

‘What about it? Didn’t everyone like it?’ 

Behind his mask, a bitter smile appeared on Hyeonu’s face. He didn’t understand the accusations about his fashion sense. Hyeonu had never been criticized about his clothing before in his life. It was just particularly severe in Arena.

“It wasn’t just the star quality. It was more than skill. Your level was low, but you were better than anyone else. That was Alley Leader at the time,” Jamie said with a smile.

This human touch was one of the reasons for Hyeonu’s popularity. It was charm beyond skill.

‘Now to say the comment I have prepared.’

The words so far had just been preparation for this.

“The biggest reason is that Alley Leader is... that person.” Jamie deliberately didn’t say a certain word.

His lips just moved silently. In addition, they showed a movement that had nothing to do with the original words. This was the precision of the CEO of Nike Management.

-Does anyone know what he just said?

-Did he say mineral?

-Mineral? Alley Leader is a nutrient? Why a mineral?

-Or what resources? Alley Leader getting together to construct a building?

Some viewers who had tried to read Jamie’s lips appeared in the chat window. However, they couldn’t figure out the original meaning of what Jamie said since he had intentionally spoken a different word. The questions grew and intensified until an answer emerged from Hyeonu’s mouth: “This answer will be told to you later, later.”

He continued in a mean voice, “So wait until then. In one month, my face will be public. Just mark X on the calendar and wait, everyone.”

This was the beginning of a brutal wait.

***

“The city over there is Yuanyang.” Hyeonu pointed to the gray castle in the distance.

“Sure enough, it will be slow if there is a lot of baggage.” Lebron shook his head from side to side. 

It seemed he didn’t like the long walk to Yuanyang.

“We’re moving pretty fast as it is, Master.”

However, this was already quite quick compared to when Hyeonu first went to Yuanyang. At that time, Hyeonu didn’t know the way, so he wandered here and there before reaching Yuanyang.

“Well, it doesn’t really matter. I will never come here again,” Lebron declared as he stretched.

“The lord of this place is called Liu Yongyun, and he is the third prince of the empire that dominates the East Continent. To my knowledge, he is a good candidate to be the next emperor,” Hyeonu said.

“Really? Do you know him?”

“It isn’t just the degree of knowing him. I have my own position in the empire of the East Continent. Aren’t I a bit competent?”

Listening to Hyeonu praise himself, Lebron raised an eyebrow. Still, it was true that Hyeonu was competent, so Lebron had nothing to say.

-Yes, our Alley leader did something big.

-Isn’t it at the level of bringing peace to the East Continent?

-It isn’t peace. It is empowering the empire.

It was also acknowledged by viewers. This was because he had resolved big quests one after another in his streams. There was evidence, so they coolly admitted it.

“Then I’ll go ahead first. It’s a sudden visit with no prior coordination, so I have to ask for your patience right now,” Hyeonu explained.

Lebron nodded. It was natural to be vigilant if hundreds of foreigners suddenly came.

‘Any normal person would be vigilant. If you aren’t vigilant, you are garbage.’

“Yes, go ahead and talk to them. It should be over soon, okay? I don’t know what happened before, but you should never lower your head now even if it is in front of the emperor of the East Continent. The Yusma Empire and I, we are behind you.” Lebron patted Hyeonu on the shoulder.

“Then sort out our companions here. I will take care of it and come back. Everyone will be tired.”

At Hyeonu’s words, Lebron turned his head silently. He was smiling.

***

Hyeonu didn’t move on foot. He tore the return amulet and moved directly to the inside of Yuanyang.

‘It will be the fastest to just talk to Liu Yongyun.’

It was crazy to talk to subordinates. Negotiations should always be done with the leader who could give orders.

“Everyone, do you know why I’m here? Talking to the guards is just a waste of time. I will go to the prince straight away.”

-He is worthy of being the Connection Leader... Ignoring the guards and just going straight to the prince.

-As expected, this quest is for Alley Leader. In just one move...

The viewers marveled at Hyeonu’s bold actions to complete the quest. To be precise, they admired the large backing he had behind him that allowed such bold actions. Hyeonu quickly arrived at Liu Yongyun’s office, and no one stopped him.

“Once again, you came without any notice Earl,” Liu Yongyun welcomed Hyeonu amicably.

He didn’t even pull out a weapon. Liu Yongyun just accepted Hyeonu’s appearance here like it was a routine thing.

“You aren’t surprised today,” Hyeonu stated.

“Why should I be surprised when you aren’t going to harm me?”

“That is natural. However, I’m here today with some amazing news.”

At Hyeonu’s words, Liu Yongyun carefully put down the pen in his hand onto his desk. Then he questioned Hyeonu, “What are you trying to say...?”

“Envoys have arrived.”

“E... Envoys?” Liu Yongyun repeated with a silly expression.

“Yes, envoys. I came with envoys from the Yusma Empire. They are taking a break outside Yuanyang right now.”

“Why are you only telling me this now? Let’s go together. No, I will report to His Majesty first,” Liu Yongyun said in a fluster.

Hyeonu’s words were too shocking. Envoys of the West Continent had come all this way, but no one even knew about it.

‘It might be because they’re still in their restructuring period, but... there was no word at all from the Secret Camp,’ Liu Yongyun remarked inwardly.

He didn’t know if he was too relaxed or if Hyeonu’s party was being too covert. The good news was that Hyeonu’s party didn’t have bad intentions. Liu Yongyun asked, “Would you like to go back first? I will come to greet you in a formal manner.”

Hyeonu nodded at the words and exited Liu Yongyun’s office, moving straight to the west gate of Yuanyang where Lebron and Jamie were waiting.

“How is it? Isn’t it an easy quest?”