Ranker’s Return

Hyeonu pulled out some gold from his inventory—750,000 gold. He pushed it to the magic circle on the left side of the table.

“All-in on number two.”

[Do you want to bet 750,000 gold on the noble’s demonic creature?]

“Yes.”

The magic circle swallowed the gold coins. Then there was a message telling him the odds.

[I will tell you the odds.]

[1. Black Mane - 1.23 times

2. Noble’s demonic creature - 5.39 times]

Hyeonu’s face was as bright as the full moon in the night sky.

***

‘B-Big!’ This was Tang-E’s impression of seeing the wild boar, Black Mane, in front of him. Black Mane’s height of seven meters was quite overbearing. In particular, the black mane around his neck was very impressive, and his two-meter-long black fangs seemed like they would cause serious damage.

‘I have to grow bigger too.’

Tang-E thought ahead of time about how to fight. This was what he’d learned from Hyeonu. He practiced what he’d learned while watching from the sides when Hyeonu gave advice to others. The host spoke the moment the betting time was over: “The betting has finished. I’ll start the match straight away.”

He didn’t think there was any need to delay because the match would end quickly, and it would be with Black Mane’s victory.

“Kkieeeek!” Black Mane let out a loud cry. Then he stomped his hind feet hard, splashing dirt and sand in all directions. Black Mane started to move only when the dust had filled half of the stage. His movements were very quick for his huge size. He ran forward without hesitation with one purpose—to hit the enemy in front of him.

Black Mane quickly narrowed the distance to Tang-E, and it seemed like Tang-E would be hit in no time. It was a very dangerous situation. Once he got hit, the match would be over.

Tang-E getting run over by Black Mane was no different from a man being hit by a 10-ton truck. Yet just before Black Mane’s fangs pierced Tang-E, the small bear jumped toward the sky, leaving Black Mane to simply pass through under Tang-E.

Black Mane couldn’t stop. He was a runaway locomotive with a heavy body, so it was impossible for him to stop instantly. At this moment, Tang-E easily threw a dark-blue spear toward Black Mane’s butt. The flying dark-blue spear was covered with sparks, and it pierced Black Mane’s butt like it was piercing tofu. To be precise, half of his butt was pierced.

“Kkieeeek!” The squeals of a pig filled the Colosseum.

Black Mane turned around to look at Tang-E. His eyes were red, and he had a very murderous appearance. However, Tang-E was smiling.

‘This is nothing compared to Master dude’s eyes.’

Hyeonu’s eyes were several times sharper and rougher than Black Mane’s. In particular, the pressure he gave off when his territory was invaded was enough to tear up everything in front of him. Once again, Black Mane ran powerfully across the ground, with enough strength to even make the Colosseum shake. As he charged with the same momentum as a tank, it seemed like he would break everything in his path. Then something happened at this moment.

“The bear is growing bigger?!”

“What? He was hiding a special ability?”

Those watching the match shouted at the sight that unfolded before them. Standing in front of the charging Black Mane was a huge bear with exactly the same height as Black Mane—seven meters. The golden bear, who boasted a strong body, grabbed both of Black Mane’s fangs. The Colosseum’s ground started to crack as the two giant creatures fought by using their strength.

The winner was soon revealed. After all, their strength couldn’t be used indefinitely, so one side became tired first.

“Black Mane is being pushed!”

“This is Black Mane who won the battle of power against Red Horn...”

A black boar, Black Mane, was defeated in a power fight. He was pushed back while his hind legs inserted themselves into the ground. Feeling like he was going to be pushed out of the stage, Black Mane started to struggle. His neck burned red as his nostrils flared.

The red flames turned into a huge whirlwind that shot at Tang-E who was still holding onto Black Mane’s fangs. When Tang-E saw the flames, he cried out powerfully, “Kueong!”

This was Roar—a skill that he could only use in his Giant Transformation state. There were three main effects of Roar. The first was to reduce the opponent’s attack and defense. The second was to increase the attack power of the caster, Tang-E. The third and last effect wasn’t included in the skill description, but it could interrupt the opponent’s casting. It was the third effect that worked the most effectively right now.

Black Mane’s flames were made of magic power. They dissipated in a flash so naturally that it was as if it had never existed. Since Black Mane’s attack failed, it became Tang-E’s turn.

“Haaayaahh!” Tang-E injected magic power into his paws with a cute cry. Dark-blue flames appeared on Black Mane’s fangs and instantly swallowed up Black Mane’s entire body.

“Kieeeeeeek!” Black Mane shook as a terrible pain struck his mind. Tang-E released the power of his paws and stepped back. The ground trembled. This was natural since a seven-meter-tall boar was rolling on the ground with all his might. Regardless of how hard Black Mane tried to extinguish the fire, the dark-blue flames just burned more brilliantly. The group of people who saw this scene sighed. They all sensed that the end of Black Mane was approaching, and...

“I lost 500 gold.”

“I lost 1,500 gold. My entire fortune...”

“A noble’s demonic creature is truly different. Did they say he was a baron? Maybe he hid his ability. A baron can’t have such a powerful demonic creature.”

Tang-E’s ridiculous power caused the demons to question Hyeonu’s identity. A demonic creature that could use three attributes was at least an advanced or higher rated demonic creature. Black Mane had one additional attribute apart from darkness, which was the basic attribute of the demon world, and was an intermediate demonic creature.

Tang-E used three at will, so they naturally thought he was at least of the advanced level. Just then, a demon jumped onto the stage. He let out a pained cry while reaching for Black Mane, who was rolling on the ground. Black magic power flowed out of the demon and was absorbed into Black Mane’s body. It was only then that the flames burning Black Mane’s body started to go out.

Simultaneously, the host announced the results: “The match is over. The noble’s demonic creature has won.”

As anyone could tell, it was Tang-E’s victory. There was only one reason why the demon would come up. It was a judgment from the top that the demonic creature representing Ergal Colosseum couldn’t be lost in vain. Meanwhile, Tang-E returned to being a little bear. He heard the host’s announcement and became happy. ‘I won, Master dude.’

***

Tang-E’s smile was like a firefly in the sun. When Hyeonu saw the information in front of his eyes, he smiled like an enlightened man. A light seemed to be pouring from his face.

[Your pet ‘Tang-E’ has won the Colosseum match.]

[The fight money will be paid.]

[1,000 gold has been acquired.]

[The victory payment is paid.]

[2,000 gold has been acquired.]

[Dividends will be paid based on the betting amount and the odds.]

[Odds: 6.0 times.]

[4,500,000 gold has been acquired.]

4.5 million gold—it was 4.5 billion won in cash.

‘No matter how hard it is to enhance items, I can definitely finish it with this amount.’

He had earned all of his enhancement costs. Hyeonu would never have a shortage of gold in the future. Regardless of what content emerged that would require gold, he no was no longer worried. At this moment...

Knock knock knock.

Someone knocked on the door again. Hyeonu opened the door with an annoyed look. “Who...?!!”

It was once again the attendant, but he wasn’t alone. There was someone else behind him. This person gave off a very strong impression.

“This is Viscount Ergal. He says he wants to discuss something with the baron,” the attendant answered Hyeonu’s question.

“Hello, I am Viscount Ergal. I serve His Majesty Damanos. Do you know Rubolle? Your name...” The man with the strong impression, Viscount Ergal—his words trailed off at the end.

It was because he didn’t remember Hyeonu’s name. Hyeonu quickly gave the pseudonym he’d mentioned at the gate: “I am Baron Argon.” 

“Yes, it’s Argon.” Viscount Ergal scratched his cheek like he was embarrassed.

‘Why does this feel so uncomfortable?’ Hyeonu wondered.

Filled with a strange sense of anxiety, he opened his mouth first: “What did you want to say?” 

“Ah! It isn’t a big deal. I want you to sell me your demonic creature. I will give you a generous price. If you have any treasure you want, I can give it to you.” Viscount Ergal got to the point with a slight smile. This was why Viscount Ergal visited Hyeonu—to buy Baron Argon’s demonic creature.

“You mean... my demonic creature?” Hyeonu asked in a confused voice. Tang-E wasn’t something he could sell. Even if he could sell Tang-E, he wouldn’t want to sell Tang-E.

‘Hanging him over for a bit of money or an item? Bullshit!!!’

Tang-E’s value was infinite. It wasn’t enough to pass over for such a crude thing. However, it wasn’t good for Hyeonu to say this bluntly.

‘The fortunate thing is that Tang-E hasn’t come back.’

Luckily, Tang-E didn’t have to see this situation. If he had heard the viscount’s words directly, he would go on an angry rampage.

“He is someone I really cherish. I gave a lot to him. I’m not comfortable handing him over for things like money or treasure,” Hyeonu expressed his refusal.

Despite that, Viscount Ergal was already blinded by his desire to possess Tang-E and couldn’t hear Hyeonu’s answer. He had already decided on his own answer.

“Is it more precious than your life?”

A storm-like pressure poured out from Viscount Ergal’s body.

[You have been exposed to the spirit of Ergal, viscount of the demon world.]

[The influence of fighting energy has allowed you to ignore the spirit of the Ergal.]

Hyeonu lightly ignored the pressure. His fighting energy and killing intent weren’t low enough to be overwhelmed by Ergal’s pressure.

‘I will unconditionally die here if I fight...’

Fighting within the city was an act of suicide. He wouldn’t do such crazy behavior. Even if they fought, he had to fight in a place with as few demons as possible, or where Ergal’s influence was as small as possible.

‘Should I use the scroll here?’

Hyeonu was filled with an intense conflict. The scroll was for him to return to the middle world… but perhaps there was another way out.

“I understand. Then I’ll say my last greeting to him before handing him over.” 

Hyeonu’s choice was to find another way. Giving up here and going back like this didn’t fit Hyeonu’s taste.

‘I can’t fall for this crappy threat.’

Moreover, he was going to get payback for what he suffered.

“Go to your demonic creature then,” Viscount Ergal said.

Right after, the attendant started to guide Hyeonu to Tang-E’s location. Tang-E wasn’t far away, and they soon arrived. Even until the end, Viscount Ergal spoke ridiculous words: “Say your last greetings. Don’t think of it as there being no rewards. It’s good to think of keeping your life as a reward.”

‘Fucking bullshit,’ Hyeonu swore inwardly before approaching the smiling Tang-E. Then he grabbed Tang-E with one hand and rushed straight forward.

“Crazy bastard, just what the hell do you think I’ll give you?!!”