Ranker’s Return

Human—it appeared no different from a common human NPC.

It was just an average person.

‘This is a different species…?’

Hyeonu barely stopped his frown and did his best to smile. It was an act to make a good impression on the other person. Stage 3 was like an interview. Hyeonu was the one being interviewed, and the other species was the interviewer. Naturally the better the impression, the higher the probability of passing the test.

‘So smile. Smile, Gang Hyeonu.’ Hyeonu controlled his mind and maintained a bright smile. Just then, the human-like other species opened his mouth.

“That human... That human who came here before. Are you the one who came this time? The humans who came this time are also bad...” The other species’ words stopped for a moment. His gaze was on Tang-E, who was being held against Hyeonu’s chest.

“Don’t tell me that bear in your arms... Is it a Marionette Bear?” The other species man stared at Tang-E for a while before asking this question. He couldn’t take his eyes off Tang-E. In fact, he seemed completely fixated as he stared at Tang-E.

“Yes...? Is there a problem?” Hyeonu made a strange expression when he saw that the other species recognized Tang-E.

‘He recognizes Tang-E?’

As far as Hyeonu knew, there were no NPCs who recognized Tang-E. Perhaps the dwarves might know him, but ordinary NPCs were different. Raccoon recognized him, but it was due to a previous relationship. Of course, in Senu, the soldiers of the ancient Luos Empire accurately recognized Tang-E too. However, Hyeonu wasn’t there at that time. He had been fighting fiercely against the dark elves.

Just then, Tang-E turned his face, which had been buried in Hyeonu’s chest, to look at the man.

“Eh? It’s an adult I don’t know,” Tang-E said. 

Then he climbed down from Hyeonu’s arms, politely gathered his front paws together, and bowed at 90 degrees to greet the man: “Hello, I am Tang-E.”

The appearance of the man who received Tang-E’s greeting changed, transforming from a human to a bear like Tang-E. He was a bit bigger than Tang-E, around half as big. It was like having one more head. His fur was blue unlike Tang-E’s, and part of it was black. 

“Yes, you don’t seem to be an adult yet... Since you have a name, it seems that man is your master,” the blue bear said.

Hearing those words, Tang-E looked up and replied, “He is good to me. He gives me a lot of food and compliments. In addition... he hugs very well.”

Tang-E showed off Hyeonu proudly. While Tang-E spoke, the blue bear kept stroking Tang-E’s head.

“Yes, it should be like this if you are a child of that clan.” The blue bear stared into Tang-E’s eyes, which seemed very adorable.

Moments later, the blue bear shifted his gaze from Tang-E to Hyeonu and said, “I didn’t expect you to have a relationship with a child of our clan. Human, I don’t think I need to test you. You deserve the power.”

The moment the blue bear finished speaking, a loud voice was heard.

-You have completely passed the given test. The reward will be paid.

As the voice rang out, the blue bear watched Tang-E with a regretful expression.

“I will see you later.” Tang-E bowed again to the blue bear.

“Yes, child. Be good until then.” The blue bear disappeared after saying this.

[Experience has been acquired.]

[You have leveled up.]

[All health and magic power have been restored.]

It started with experience like always. However, due to Hyeonu’s high level, he only gained one level.

[The title ‘First Person to Clear Rondal’ has been created.]

[First Person to Clear Rondal]

[A title given to players who have completed the Luos Empire’s advanced academy, Rondal.

Effect: The strength of your magic power is increased by 25%.]

[A Rondal Completion Certificate has been acquired.]

[Rondal Completion Proof Ring]

[A certificate given to those who have completed the Luos Empire’s advanced academy, Rondal. It is also a sign of a guardian of the empire.

Rating: Unique

Restrictions: Rondal graduate.

Effect: All stats +150, the strength of magic power is increased by 20%.]

The rewards that followed were also obvious. They were a title and ring to prove the completion. This was unsurprising since these had been the rewards for Laek and Senu. It felt like only an event remained. A white ring appeared on Hyeonu’s palm. It was the Rondal Completion Proof Ring. Just then, the ring on Hyeonu’s finger and the Rondal Completion Proof Ring shone red.

[The Incomplete Red Guardian has absorbed the Rondal Completion Proof Ring.]

[The Rondal Completion Proof Ring has disappeared.]

[The effects of Incomplete Red Guardian have changed.]

It was a synthesis with the item from Senu, but what appeared wasn’t just the item synthesis message. Another message popped up.

[The title ‘Guardian of the Luos Empire’ has been created.]

[Guardian of the Luos Empire]

[A title given to players who have completed Rondal and became a guardian of the Luos Empire.

Effect: You can specify hostile forces. All stats will increase by 15% when fighting with hostile forces. In addition, all stats are increased by 25% when defending a territory.]

‘There is one more title?’

Hyeonu’s eyes widened as he closely examined the title. This was an unexpected harvest. He never imagined there would be such a reward. Hyeonu thought it would just be the rings joining together like in Senu.

‘Is the ring epic rated?’

[Red Guardian]

[A ring that is proof of the red guardian of the ancient Luos Empire.

Rating: Epic

Restrictions: Guardian of the Luos Empire.

Effect: All stats +450, the strength of magic-power-related skills is increased by 50%. The fire attribute is created.]

It was worthy of the epic rating. Of course, this was a result of the combination of three unique items. Nevertheless, the number of items that could be equipped was limited. It was every player’s hope to fill set places with good items at any cost.

‘The fire attribute is useless though.’

Due to Mysterious Sky Demonic Art, Hyeonu’s attribute was fixed on darkness. It couldn’t be changed. Still, there was the all stats +450, and the strength of magic-power-related skills was increased. The combination of these alone was a crazy effect.

Hyeonu placed the red ring on his finger that contained the original ring.

[The fire attribute is created.]

[The fire attribute will be removed due to Mysterious Sky Demonic Art.]

[The fire attribute has been added after being affected by Red Dragon’s Breath.]

[The darkness and fire attributes will coexist.]

‘Huh?’

Something strange happened. The fire attribute that should’ve disappeared ended up surviving. It was incomprehensible.

‘Ah, Dragon’s Breath!’

The Dragon’s Breath that was left in the ring created this result. Hyeonu quickly checked his status window. He wanted to see the information in the status window, not the message.

‘There really are two.’

[Status Window]

[Character Name: Gang Hyeonu

Level: 287

Class: True Knight of Keon

Title: Guardian of the Luos Empire and 30 others.

Stats: Strength: 629 (+3,350)  Agility: 1,020 (+3,300)  Physique: 413 (+3,400)  Magic Power: 836 (+3,400)  Fighting Energy: 731 (+3,100)  Dignity: 244 (+3,100)  Killing Intent: 18 (+3,100)

Remaining stat points: 0

Retained Attributes: Dark, fire.]

There really were two attributes in the status window. It wasn’t impossible to have two attributes. Some magician rankers even had up to three. However, this was only the case for magicians whose magic power acted as a type of filter. It was different from melee players who simply used their magic power to fight.

‘What will happen?’

It was a question that naturally came up. Would the attributes be chosen depending on the situation, or would the two always be applied together?

‘I will know once I try it out later.’

This wasn’t a problem that could be solved by worrying. It was only possible to know the result when he was actually using it in practice.

“Earl, is that your reward?” It was the emperor.

He was also in Rondal. Hyeonu had forgotten because he was so focused on the rewards.

“Yes, Your Majesty. It’s a sign that I’ve passed all the tests here. It is combined with what I received from passing through similar places before,” Hyeonu spoke as normally as possible to hide the fact that he had forgotten about the emperor.

“Really? Should I go over and take a look? It seems pretty good.” It wasn’t known if the emperor was sincere or joking.

Hyeonu heard this and felt that he should dissuade the emperor. The emperor was a moving bomb. Moreover, he wasn’t a regular bomb but one that could erase the whole world.

“There is no need. You must preserve the face of the emperor, Your Majesty.”

“Then will you preserve it? If you can’t, don’t stop me.”

Hyeonu couldn’t answer. He just kept his mouth shut.

“Your Majesty, haven’t you been gone from the great hall for too long?” Hyeonu finally managed to speak with difficulty. He hurriedly wanted to go back. The emperor nodded like he noticed Hyeonu’s intentions.

“If you want to rest, we should go. Let’s go back.” 

The emperor’s back was drooping.

***

A man knelt on the dirt floor.

In front of the man, another man was holding a sword. The man with the sword helped out the one who was kneeling.

“You’ve made a lot of progress.”

“I couldn’t attack properly, but it’s getting better. However, Hyung’s strength seems to be improving every day. I’m definitely improving, but...” Lee Hoon shook his head at Hyeonu’s praise.

It was natural. Lee Hoon had been practicing steadily since his professional debut was decided. He focused only on hunting and the arena to the point where the term ‘training maniac’ suited him. In addition, if Hyeonu had time, he would come and fight against Lee Hoon. Nevertheless, the gap between the two of them continued to grow.

“I’m working harder because you’re improving. Originally, the smaller the difference, the bigger it looks on the surface. Hoon, you should know this well?” Hyeonu comforted Lee Hoon who looked disappointed.

“I guess, but...” Lee Hoon understood what Hyeonu meant. He knew it as well. Hyeonu’s words were clearly compliments. It meant Lee Hoon’s skill had risen to the point where it was hard for him to see his own improvements. Yet Lee Hoon felt this definitely wasn’t the case.

‘It isn’t like that,’ he thought. 

His intuition was shouting at him that Hyeonu’s words weren’t true. He still had a lot of room to grow. Hyeonu placed an arm around the shoulder of Lee Hoon, who still looked uncomfortable, and said, “Then you can test it at tomorrow’s match. You go out first.”

“Huh? I’m the vanguard? What about Hyung?” Lee Hoon glanced at Hyeonu with a startled expression.

“I can go out at the end.”

“Last? Then you are after me?”

“Why am I after you? There are Dwayne and the others.”

“Still... Are you sure?” Lee Hoon asked with a disbelieving expression.