Ranker’s Return

[Demon noble killed 4/???]

[Kill boss monsters above level 400 4/33.]

[The quest has been updated.]

[Infiltration for Life or Death]

[Winning the trust of the demon nobles is a paving stone for a greater purpose. You are actually aiming at their backs. To do so, you must not lose their trust.

Rating: MS

Conditions: Falsely report to Earl Delrun 0/1

Rewards: Experience, Damanos’ psychological change, postponement of the demons’ attack.]

Hyeonu’s quest was changed, and the contents of the quest were completely reversed. It wasn’t on the level of an update; it was a completely different quest.

‘By the way, what is with the rewards?’

The compensation was a bit strange. The experience wasn’t the issue as it would unconditionally be included in the compensation list, no matter what quest he accepted. It was the other two rewards that caused Hyeonu to feel doubtful.

‘Of course, Damanos will be angry when the nobles die, and it is impossible for me to go to Etono immediately...’

He could guess what was meant by Damanos’ psychological change and the postponement of the demons’ attack.

‘I’m just curious about why it appeared as the rewards...’

Nevertheless, Hyeonu was eager to know the reason why they were listed as part of the rewards.

‘The details need to be broken down to know.’

Shaking his head a few times, he then collected the items Earl Carlsberg dropped. There was only one small ring, but Hyeonu wasn’t too disappointed. In any case, all Hyeonu needed was this ring.

‘Item Information.’

[Master of Barack]

[A ring meant for the master of Barack, the 61st magic power stone created by the demon god.

Rating: Epic

Restrictions: A noble that is a baron or higher.

Effect: The skill ‘Magic Power Absorption’ is available (cooldown time: 4,320 hours.]

This ring was proof of being Barack’s master. It was also the evidence Hyeonu needed to prove his innocence. For the demon nobles, the ring representing the master of a city was a treasure that everyone wanted. With it, they could grow by leaps and bounds. They would be able to periodically absorb magic power and use the magic power, even if it was limited to inside the city.

Hyeonu would be able to resolve some of the nobles’ doubts just by returning this ring. For someone to return such a great treasure, he must either have a clear purpose or no material desire.

‘This proves that my purpose is really revenge.’

Hyeonu put the ring in his inventory and logged out straight away. Today’s hunt ended here.

***

Hyeonu emerged from the cube and went straight to lying on his bed. He had no intention of washing up or drinking water. Tiredness filled his entire body, so he fell deeply asleep as soon as he lay on the bed. While he was asleep, a surprise activity was prepared for him in the United States on the opposite side of Earth.

Kale left the building of his office, Nike Management, and left for somewhere else. The place he went to was a quiet residential area in New York. There, Kale met an Oriental man.

“Has it been a month? I’m glad that you look brighter in the meantime,” Kale said.

Hearing that, the Oriental man nodded with a smile. “It is all thanks to the care Nike has provided. The operation went well in the hospital. Jisu is playing an active part in rehabilitation, so it’s natural that I look less tense now.”

The Oriental man’s name was Choi Yoon. He was the second graduate of Alley Leader Academy and the man who had prepared for a scheduled farewell with his daughter. Now, it was sunny in his life. His relationship with Hyeonu gave his daughter a future and placed a smile on his face.

“Then I’m glad. The rehabilitation exercises aren’t easy... She is very patient for her young age.” Kale was sincere. From the first time he heard Choi Yoon and Choi Jisu’s story from Hyeonu, Kale hoped the father and daughter would be able to live happily. Therefore, he visited the hospital or Choi Yoon’s house occasionally when he had time.

Choi Yoon realized that Kale was standing in the yard and led him inside. “Did you just come for a visit today? Let’s go inside and have a cup of tea while we talk.” 

Kale waved his hand. “No, I really do have something to say today.”

He was very busy. This was the busiest he had been in recent months. Arena Week was right around the corner, and many players from Nike Management would be there this time. In the past year, the number of players that signed with them had increased tremendously. The main reason was the presence of Hyeonu, Alley Leader.

First of all, the players of Crescent Moon were all part of Nike Management. Then Reina and Mascherano also signed with Nike Management due to their connection with Hyeonu. There were also a number of players who followed those two and signed with Nike Management. So, the number of players increased one after another like snakes successively biting the tail of the snake before it.

“You have something to say?” Choi Yoon asked as he looked at Kale, who was different from usual today.

“Hyeonu will come to the United States sooner or later to participate in Arena Week. He will probably come a few days before the competition to check your condition. At that time... why don’t you and Jisu meet him once?” Kale finally told Choi Yoon about Hyeonu’s visit to the United States.

“Is that true?” Choi Yoon’s eyes widened. He really had no idea. Since he came to the United States, all of Choi Yoon’s attention had been on Choi Jisu. From A to Z, it all started with Choi Jisu and ended with Choi Jisu. She was his precious daughter, and Hyeonu was the greatest contributor who ensured his precious daughter was healthy right now. That was why Choi Yoon was surprised by the opportunity to meet Hyeonu.

“Yes, I’ll call you separately for a detailed schedule. It’s just that... Jisu might be exposed to the media. Will it really be okay?” Kale said this. Nevertheless, if Choi Yoon refused, Kale would push for a secret meeting that wasn’t exposed to the media. It was good if their meeting became a hot topic, but Kale didn’t want to hurt this father and daughter. 

“This isn’t a decision I can make. Jisu’s opinion is more important than mine.” Choi Yoon didn’t make a hasty decision. If he were alone, he would’ve gone unconditionally. However, Choi Jisu was a child, and her rehabilitation wasn’t complete. So excessive public attention could be poisonous for her.

“I understand. There is no need to force yourself to be exposed to the media. If you tell Mister Gang, he will probably come straight here,” Kale offered Choi Yoon a different option. There was no reason to hide it. He didn’t want any problems to arise after all.

“Then I’ll be going now. The company is really in need of me right now,” Kale said while lifting up his smartphone that was constantly vibrating.

“I didn’t treat you as well as I wanted... Sorry, next time...”

“No, I didn’t come here to get anything. I’m really going now. Tell Jisu that I came by.” Kale turned around and headed to his car.

Not long after that, Choi Yoon’s smartphone started to vibrate. Choi Yoon didn’t even check his LCD screen and just answered the phone directly. “Is it over?”

His voice was very sweet when he picked up the call.

-Yes, I just called after the last one.

The person who called was his lovely daughter, Choi Jisu. She called him when her rehab was done.

“I’ll pick you up right now. Hang on for a bit more, okay?”

-Yes, I understand. You have to come quickly.

Choi Yoon smiled and put his smartphone back in his pocket.

***

The moment Choi Yoon entered the lobby of the hospital, a girl sitting on a chair in the lobby rose and waved her hand.

“Father!” Choi Jisu, the pale-faced girl, ran to Choi Yoon.

Choi Yoon hugged her. Choi Jisu had gained a lot of weight in the past few months, but she was still a bit lighter than her peers. Reminded of this, Choi Yoon smiled bitterly. Then he told Choi Jisu what he had heard from Kale. “Jisu, do you want to see that oppa?”

Choi Jisu briefly thought about the identity of the ‘oppa’ that Choi Yoon mentioned. She had been ill since she was young and didn’t have any proper relationships, so there were only a few people who could be called her ‘oppa’. Yet recently, there was someone she could definitely call like that. It was a person who had a great impact on her.

“Hyeonu oppa? Of course, I want to see him. Don’t I have to say thank you?” Choi Jisu said as she recalled Hyeonu’s face. Hyeonu had looked handsome and bright, but strangely, he had sad eyes.

“Then should we go see him? He will come to the United States in a few days.” Choi Yoon carefully stroked Choi Jisu’s head.

“Yes, I want to see him,” Choi Jisu replied.

“It doesn’t matter if people want to take photos?”

“Yes, it is okay.”

“I understand. Then let’s go home.”

***

“Aish, I didn’t know there would be so many people at the airport. Seriously.”

Crescent Moon arrived at Incheon International Airport to leave for New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport. There were many people at Incheon International Airport. It was safe to say it was swarming with people.

Crescent Moon couldn’t see beyond all the people at the immigration checkpoint, but it didn’t take that long to get past them. The actual time it took was a bit long, but it didn’t feel that way as they talked. The ones departing weren’t just Crescent Moon. Gang Junggu, Kim Seokjung, and Yeongchan had also come with them. In addition, there were those who followed Mason.

“I never thought I would fly on another private plane in my life, but I’m riding one again today,” Hyeonu remarked.

The reason why they were going together was simple. It was because the plane they were riding was one of the private planes owned by Mason’s family, the Rockefeller family. Mason held a glass of champagne in his hand and asked Hyeonu, who had taken out his laptop, “Hyung, don’t you think you should sleep?” 

Even Mason, who was less popular than Hyeonu, had a few schedules before Arena Week, so Hyeonu naturally had to have more schedules than him.

“Me? I don’t have to do anything in New York though? There’s nothing except for the party Nike’s hosting. I need to adjust my condition,” Hyeonu answered while shaking his head.

He didn’t have a separate schedule. Nike had made him dozens of offers, but he hadn’t accepted any of them. It would be fine to do them after Arena Week ended and he resigned as a professional gamer. Now it was just important to stay comfortable.

‘What is the point of doing advertisements or events?’ Hyeonu would rather party with his teammates. These things were a waste of his efforts. He wasn’t going to focus his attention on anything else before a big competition.

“By the way, did you hear? They say that the party is huge?”

“It will be like the last party. This time, many players and streamers from Nike will be watching Arena Week.”

“Won’t it be a lot of fun?” Mason smiled strangely.