Ranker’s Return

The red desert was hot. The dark blue sun, which was the same color as the sky, gave off an intense burning heat. There were many more powerful demonic creatures here than amongst those near Ergal’s city, as if indicating that it was the earl’s area.

Ergal’s city mostly had the lowest-grade and low-grade demonic creatures. Meanwhile, the low-grade demonic creatures were the minimum level in the red desert. Intermediate demonic creatures were also everywhere. From time to time, even advanced demonic creatures showed their appearance.

“Tang-E, ice!” Hyeonu urgently called out to Tang-E. He asked Tang-E for ice magic as it would have an immediate effect on the scorpion in front of them.

“Understood, Master dude,” Tang-E answered while creating more than 10 ice spears. The ice spears were over 5 meters long, but the dark red scorpion was so big that Tang-E’s ice spears looked like small sticks. Tang-E fired the ice spears like bullets. Flying quickly, the dark blue spears pierced the tail of the dark red scorpion. The hard shell broke, and black venom flowed out. As the black liquid fell onto the sand, the sand started to melt straight away. The venom was extremely potent.

‘I just need to hold on for 10 seconds.’ Hyeonu observed the figure and nodded. This venom was the dark red scorpion’s best weapon. It was like a sword in the hand of a normal player. There was nothing to fear as long as the most powerful weapon was gone.

‘The pincers aren’t scary at all.’

The scorpion had huge pincers, but these didn’t post a threat. A lot of preparation was needed to stretch them out.

...Just like right now. The scorpion was full of anger from Tang-E’s magic attack and moved its huge body. The joints attached to the scorpion’s large pinchers leaned back. Simultaneously, its entire body curled up slightly. The contracted body relaxed and shot forward explosively, with the pincers on both sides swaying roughly. It occurred with great momentum like it would soon cut Hyeonu’s and Tang-E’s bodies.

Just then, Hyeonu moved like a ghost, disappearing in an instant. The scorpion’s pincers struck, but there were sparks instead of splattering drops of blood. The pincers only hit empty air as Hyeonu had long since left this spot. While snapping its pincers, the scorpion looked around. Both its eyes were looking for Hyeonu.

Just then, a light flashed in the dark blue sky, and a huge lightning bolt struck the scorpion from above. It was Tang-E’s Lightning. The lightning bolt burned the scorpion’s wounds caused by the earlier attack from Tang-E’s ice spears. The part of the scorpion’s body that was covered by the shell was fine, but its broken tail couldn’t withstand the lightning. The scorpion momentarily flinched from the nerve-scratching pain.

It was then that Hyeonu reappeared like a ghost and gently swung the Mysterious Sky Sword. A black flame cut through the scorpion’s back. The fire instantly grew and engulfed the wounded creature. It was as greedy as its master and devoured the dark red scorpion ravenously. Using the demonic creature as fuel, the flames burned for a long time. The moment the flames went out, it was like the scorpion had disappeared from the red desert.

[The intermediate demonic creature, the venomous scorpion, has been defeated.]

[Experience has been acquired.]

Hyeonu and Tang-E gathered at the spot from which the scorpion disappeared.

“It was good this time. Aren’t you getting sharper? You are a real magician now,”

Hyeonu commented as he watched a playback of the battle against the scorpion. Tang-E’s magic was amazing. It had given Hyeonu the right timing to attack. However, it wasn’t just that. The power of the magic itself was overwhelming. If the magic of the past was a jab, now it was a heavy straight blow.

‘If he reaches level 300 and awakens once more, his magic will become a knife.’

Tang-E had a very bright future ahead of him. Thus, Hyeonu was looking forward to the third awakening even more.

‘Should I check the level for the first time in ages?’

It was only then that Hyeonu remembered Tang-E’s status window. He hadn’t thought about it at all whenever he looked at Tang-E. The status window...

‘Tang-E’s status window.’

Now that Hyeonu finally remembered it, he decided to check Tang-E’s status window. It seemed like he wouldn’t remember if he delayed it till next time.

[Status Window]

[Name: Tang-E

Level: 297

Species: Marionette Bear (Second awakening)

Title: Bung Bung Island’s Heir

Stats: Strength: 1,772  Agility: 1,795  Physique: 1,067  Magic Power: 3,748 (+562)  Wisdom: 84

The heir of Bung Bung Island. Bear-like physical abilities and high magic power are racial characteristics. He is very affectionate, unlike his prideful tone.

Intimacy: 100

Skills Possessed: Bear’s Momentum, Forest’s Blessing, Magic Power Affinity, Lightning, Giant Transformation, Roar, Ice, Fire, Subspace, Burning Magic Power, Breath of the Wind, Wish Bead Transmutation.

Retained Attributes: Corrupted.]

Tang-E’s status window was gorgeous. His pure stats without any corrections were overwhelmingly higher than Hyeonu’s pure stats.

‘Due to this, the effect of the buffs and Giant Transformation is huge.’

They were high enough for anyone to be envious. Even so, Hyeonu’s gaze didn’t stay on the stats for long. It moved toward the level. This was why Hyeonu opened the status window.

‘Level 297?’

It was high. There wasn’t much left; level 300 was right around the corner.

‘The third awakening will be in the demon world.’

Hyeonu closed Tang-E’s status window. There was no time to waste looking at this. He had to raise Tang-E’s level as quickly as possible. To do that, hunting was more important than anything else.

‘My quests... I can postpone it a bit.’

For Tang-E’s growth, it was okay to put Hyeonu’s quests second. Tang-E was one of the most important things to Hyeonu.

“Tang-E, let’s go hunting.”

A path was created during Hyeonu’s purposeless exploration of the demon world.

***

“Um... Is it a demon on our side? Or... where?” The man dressed in a dark purple suit murmured to himself as he watched the figure in the distance. The name of the man in a suit was Garcia. Unsurprisingly, he was a demon.

‘He is clearly a very strong demon...’ Garcia was troubled by the identity of the person in the distance. He couldn’t make a guess with certainty no matter how much he looked through his memories. A demon that could embody this type of magic power...

‘Ah, there is one?’

However, Garcia knew the face of that demon. There was no way he couldn’t. Everyone knew of the subordinate under the seventh demon king, Rubolle.

‘I should try to approach him once.’

Garcia had to find out some information. Ignorance always provoked anger. This man could be an unknown threat. He had to prevent that from being the case.

Kicking off strongly from the ground, Garcia shot forward. He didn’t forget to open his mouth simultaneously. “Excuse me! Wait a moment! I want to talk to you!”

***

Hyeonu instinctively turned his head when he heard the sound behind him.

‘What?’

A crazy guy was flying toward him. No, it was a crazy demon. Hyeonu frowned and stretched out the Mysterious Sky Sword toward the flying demon.

“Hello... I don’t seem to have said this.” Garcia waved as he softly landed on the ground. Even so, Hyeonu didn’t move the Mysterious Sky Sword. Rather, he injected magic power and prepared to cut Garcia down at any time.

“Why don’t we speak first? Shouldn’t you only fight when there is a problem?” Garcia continued speaking calmly even though a sword was on the verge of piercing his neck.

‘What is this?’ Hyeonu felt even more confused when he heard Garcia’s words. No, what he had was definitely a flustered expression. It was understandable. After all, a demon was telling him to talk.

“I will listen first.” Hyeonu took back the Mysterious Sky Sword, but he didn’t place it in the sheath. He remained ready to wield it at any time.

“If it isn’t impolite, can I ask you for your title?” Garcia requested politely. Anyone who didn’t know the situation wouldn’t have thought that Garcia was a demon. He was too calm.

“I am Baron Argon under the command of the seventh demon king, Rubolle.” Hyeonu casually gave the same name and title as when he was in Ergal’s city. Maybe it was because he was wearing a mask, but Hyeonu was becoming more and more brazen.

In contrast to Hyeonu, Garcia couldn’t hide his surprised expression. The seventh demon king, Rubolle—it was the name of the demon king Garcia also served.

‘It is natural if I don’t know him.’

Garcia nodded slightly. A baron was at the very bottom of the nobility. The appointment of a new baron wasn’t significant enough to spread rumors. It had to be at least an earl for rumors to spread.

“It is nice to meet you. I am Garcia, a viscount under Rubolle.”

This time, Hyeonu's expression behind the mask changed. He couldn’t hide his embarrassment.

‘Luckily, I am wearing a mask...’

In fact, he almost showed his expression. Hyeonu quickly controlled it and then revealed his characteristic shamelessness.

“I greet Viscount Garcia. I have met a number of nobles, but it is my first time meeting a nobleman who serves King Rubolle.” Hyeonu bowed to Garcia.

Lies gave birth to more lies. Hyeonu just said whatever came to mind.

“It is hard to see nobles since they rarely leave their estates.” Garcia nodded like he understood Hyeonu’s words.

Then Hyeonu tapped Garcia on the shoulder several times.

“Please speak comfortably. Aren’t you a viscount, while I’m just a baron?” Hyeonu became more shameless.

At Hyeonu’s behavior, Garcia smiled like he was in a good mood.

“Really? Then I will speak comfortably. Instead, why don’t we go to the castle to talk? Since I’m meeting a new baron, I should at least show some hospitality.” Garcia put forward a suggestion that was more like a notification.

Hyeonu wanted to refuse immediately, but he was worried that his identity would be exposed. Specifically, he hesitated about the suggestion. ‘Should I kill him? There are no eyes here.’

Should he kill Garcia or follow him to the city? Hyeonu was conflicted between the two options.

‘What should I do?’

While Hyeonu’s internal conflict was becoming worse, Garcia said, “We are going to Penn, Earl Carpe’s city. I am the acting lord there since the earl is away.” 

At Garcia’s words, Hyeonu’s conflict came to an end. He had no reason to refuse when this person was just offering to show him around a city.

‘Tang-E’s level-up is urgent, but... a small delay is nothing.’

Hyeonu was looking forward to Tang-E’s third awakening, but it wasn’t a big problem if it was delayed by a few days. There wasn’t a big battle or a difficult quest awaiting him, so there was no need to abandon a given opportunity.

“Thank you, Viscount.” Hyeonu gladly accepted Garcia’s offer. Tang-E was important and precious but ultimately not as much as Hyeonu himself.