Ranker’s Return

While Hyeonu was busy with the professional league, there was a lot going on in Arena as well. Once the predator—Alley Leader—disappeared, many guilds rushed to take his place. Of course, it wasn’t that Hyeonu was doing the main scenario quest or a big quest.

He had already given up on this quest, though he might’ve got involved if he hadn’t received the information about Rondal. It was just that few people knew this fact. Kowloon and New World had direct contact with Hyeonu, so only these two guilds—who were associated with him—knew this.

Thus, the current situation in Arena became very chaotic, much like the days before Alley Leader appeared. They rushed at each other like monkfish and aimed their weapons at each other.

“So... ‘Look at us now, and step back.’ Is that what you’re saying?”

Dozens of people were currently standing face to face. The atmosphere was very cold and very sharp as if it would cut them at any moment.

“Isn’t it natural? The guild who finds it first is the owner. We found it before you.”

The men standing at the front of the opposing groups argued. They had only one purpose—drive away the opponent and find the clue to the quest that was somewhere around here.

“Has the peace lasted too long? To think that I am being challenged by these lowlives...” The mouth of the man spitting out the spiteful words, Luo Taoping, twisted into a taunting smirk.

The man who was belittled by Luo Taoping shouted with a red face, “What?! Lowlives? Just how do you see our guild that you’d say such things? No matter how you...” 

“Don’t you know? Finding it first is useless. It's just an ideal story in a dream.” Luo Taoping interrupted the man and drew the sword at his waist.

“What does that...?”

“If you die here, it means we found it first.”

A brilliant light shot from Luo Taoping's sword. The opposite man had to receive the pure energy attack with his body. He couldn’t cope with the sudden blow that flew at him unexpectedly.

“Look for the quest before the other guys come back here,” Luo Taoping ordered the people behind him. After receiving his order, Luo Taoping's subordinates drew their weapons and attacked the opponent.

‘I will have to contact Liu Shei.’ Luo Taoping was the fourth dragon of the Kowloon Guild.

***

Hyeonu returned home and immediately accessed Arena. He always logged into Arena even if he didn’t have much to do. It was routine for him—a very natural routine like breathing.

“Is the construction over?”

“Yes, My Lord. The restoration and development project of Phinis has been completed. There will be no more construction unless there is a war.”

“Really? I understand. Then I’ll be going. Ask me later if you have any other questions,” Hyeonu said and waved his hand at Johnny to dismiss him.

Johnny bowed to Hyeonu and left the inner office in a hurry. After sending Johnny out, Hyeonu immediately checked the territory status window to see Phinis’ current state.

‘Territory status window.’

[Territory Status Window]

[Territory Name: Phinis Earldom (formerly the empire’s direct territory)

Lord’s Name: Gang Hyeonu

Territory Development: Economy: 70   Military: 87   Magic: 68   Culture: 60

Territory Population: 192,901 people.

Territory Assets: 16,438 gold.

Consumption Cost: 7,020 gold.

Levy Amount: 12,220 gold.

Security: Very good

Owned Facilities: 19 (excluding residential facilities)

Current Status: The Knights of Keon are watching over the territory. They are nurturing troops and preventing the invasion of monsters. The territory development work is complete. Nobles and merchants are flocking from all over the empire.]

Hyeonu knelt on the ground when he saw the territory status window. A miracle had happened.

‘I don’t have to spend any more of my money...’

The territory’s income was now higher than consumption. There were many reasons for the consumption amount—the aftermath of the construction and also the fact that Phinis had developed further. Still, this didn’t matter to Hyeonu. The important thing to Hyeonu was that his gold no longer had to flow to Phinis. It was just this one fact.

‘I’m glad, really glad.’

In the future, gold would be available. Hyeonu intended to use them all as enhancement costs. The gauntlets, the mask, the coat, and Caruso’s set—there were eight items left to enhance. Even if he only did it up to +7–8, the gold consumed for the enhancements would be enormous. Thus, he was even happier now.

‘It isn’t just a bottomless pit anymore. It is now a bottomless pit that gives money.’

There were many other changes. The territory’s development rate as a whole had increased slightly, and the population had increased significantly.

‘The number of facilities has increased by 8?’

In addition, eight more of Phinis’ facilities had also completed construction. This gave Phinis the conditions to develop further.

‘I should invite Lebron sooner or later.’

Construction was done, so Hyeonu should recover the empty promises that had been scattered about. Lebron was Hyeonu’s master and should be invited since Hyeonu said so previously.

‘I’m also going to call Edchan.’

Hyeonu was thinking of calling Edchan too. He thought about serving Edchan alcohol from the East Continent and arranging his reconciliation with Tresha.

‘I should take care of them once in a while for the sake of the future.’

This invitation was also a carefully calculated plan as Hyeonu’s relationships with NPCs had always been precious.

‘I should go while I still remember.’

Hyeonu wanted to give out the invitations right away. Through his many experiences, he knew it was best to get things done right away. So he took out a scroll to the capital and tore it. Then Hyeonu disappeared from the inner office.

***

“Don’t look at me that way, Master. I’m not here today to ask for anything.” Hyeonu waved his hand at Lebron, who was looking at him strangely.

“Really? Then why have you come?” Lebron asked, only withdrawing his suspicious look after hearing Hyeonu’s words. He waited for Hyeonu with an expression that was telling the latter to speak.

“The construction of Phinis is over. Don’t you think you should come once, even if there isn’t a party, Master?” Hyeonu emphasized the word ‘Master’.

Lebron felt something from the nuances of Hyeonu’s words.

Hyeonu noticed that and struck first before Lebron could respond: “It has the feel of a recreational city from the East Continent. There are also many foods and alcohol from the East Continent. Of course, the current stock was all brought over here by me alone, but... As time goes by, this issue will be resolved on its own.”

Lebron’s frown went away at the word ‘alcohol.’ He was completely caught by the implication that the quantity of alcohol was limited. If he were late, there would be nothing left. Lebron became determined due to these words. He couldn’t miss out on the precious alcohol because of his own stubbornness.

“Of course, I have to go. I naturally have to know how my disciple’s territory has changed. I will look while I’m there,” Lebron said with a smile.

Everything changed in a flash. Then he probed, “So how much have you prepared?”

“Master, I am ready to satisfy you. No matter what it is.” Hyeonu also smiled at Lebron.

The master and disciple were exactly the same.

***

After exiting Lebron’s mansion, Hyeonu moved straight to Derek Castle. Derek Castle was near the Balder Mountains, and the Balder Mountains had Hyeonu’s second guest—the chief of the Red Anvil Tribe, Edchan. However, Edchan’s workshop was cold when Hyeonu arrived there. No heat could be felt outside the door.

Hyeonu hurriedly opened the door of the workshop and called out, “Edchan?”

Fortunately, Edchan was inside the workshop. He looked very strange though.

“Human? You came at the right time. I was just about to go out,” Edchan answered, appearing ready to leave. He had a bag on his back and a small hand axe hanging from his waist.

Hyeonu asked with surprise, “Where are you planning to go? You never leave the workshop.”

He had visited the workshop several times before, but this was his first time seeing Edchan look like this.

“Where else would I go? I’m going to your home. I want to see the stupid Tresha and have some drinks,” Edchan spoke while making a drinking gesture.

‘We almost missed each other.’ Hyeonu sighed inwardly. If he had been a bit later, he wouldn’t have met Edchan. Of course, Edchan’s destination was Phinis, so they would’ve met sooner or later. However, there was no guarantee that Hyeonu would be in Phinis when Edchan arrived.

“I was lucky. I came to invite Edchan over. Let’s go together then. I will guide you there.”

Hyeonu took the lead in coming out of the workshop.

***

It took less than 10 seconds to bring Edchan to Phinis. Hyeonu simply pulled out a return scroll from his inventory and tore it. Then he led Edchan to Phinis’ workshop where Tresha was located. When Hyeonu and Edchan entered the workshop, the room was filled with the sound of hammering. It was clear and clean.

“It seems Tresha is working,” Hyeonu said to Edchan, who was standing beside him with a sullen expression.

Edchan shook his head and stated, “No, this isn’t his hammering. It is the sound of a human hammering.” 

This wasn’t what a Golden Hammer would sound like. It was of a very low standard. That was fine by human standards, but it was really insignificant compared to a Golden Hammer.

‘A human’s hammering?’ Hyeonu wondered. It seemed there was a slight difference between what he heard and the sound that Edchan heard. Just then, Edchan moved.

‘Huh?’ Hyeonu uttered inwardly.

Edchan pulled out the axe hanging from his waist and went into the workshop. Surprised by Edchan’s actions, Hyeonu quickly followed him in. Inside the room, a human was hammering away, just as Edchan said earlier. Meanwhile, Tresha was lying in a corner sleeping. Seeing this scene, Edchan threw his axe with a yell, “Tresha!! You!!!”

The axe flew through the air and accurately inserted itself right beside where Tresha was sleeping. At the sudden shaking and sound, Tresha’s eyes opened and saw Edchan standing in front of him with an angry expression. Tresha paled at the sight. “Brother? Why are you here?”

“Brother? That word is popping out of your mouth right now? I thought you were struggling outside the tribe... But in truth, you are slacking! Slacking!!” Edchan approached Tresha and reached for his head.

While avoiding Edchan’s fists, Tresha started making excuses, “Brother, this isn’t....”

Nevertheless, Edchan had no intention of listening. He just swung his fists faster and harder.

Hyeonu held back the desire to laugh as he watched this scene. Just then, someone sent a whisper to him. Every time he received a new whisper, Hyeonu’s expression changed dramatically. At the end, the smile disappeared entirely from his face.