The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 75

75.

‘Abyss……!’

What is the Abyss?

Aren’t they the decisive beings that led humanity to defeat in the war against the Gods?

Beings so dangerous and frightening that they were erased from history.

Now that even the original humans have disappeared, I heard that very few in God’s World clearly know about the existence of the Abyss.

It was no different for the users.

‘They probably only know about the Iron-Blooded Demon Dragon.’

Although you encounter the existence of the Abyss in the tutorial, that’s only for those who have completed the hidden piece.

Ordinary users don’t even know what the Iron-Blooded Demon Dragon is.

Even those who know its identity are the same.

‘They probably just think there’s something called the Abyss. I was like that at first.’

Most likely, most people don’t know much about the Abyss.

Even Do-hyun only heard about it after becoming the successor of Kasiar.

But how long has it been since he heard the truth of the world, and it’s already appearing.

‘How can the timing be like this?’

It’s such perfect timing that it makes you wonder if someone has already set the stage.

No, before that, why is that name coming out here?

This is none other than a temple.

And it’s a temple located in only the second city of the main continent.

Although its reputation reaches even the empire, I never expected something about the Abyss to come up.

To make matters worse, the quest suddenly changed to this, which made it even more perplexing.

‘It changed because the top graduate reacted. It’s a kind of hidden piece…….’

It seemed to be a synergy quest that occurs when a user with the ‘Top Graduate’ title obtains the ‘Ominous Energy’ quest item.

There are often quests like this.

They present several difficult conditions and seem to laugh, daring you to obtain them if you can.

‘Huh, this is how it gets caught.’

Whether this should be considered simply good luck or the power of the Eye of Truth…….

Whatever it was, it was good for Do-hyun.

Since it’s a hidden piece, the reward will be amplified even more.

He suddenly wondered if Gamillion also knew that there were traces of the Abyss in Brion, but decided to focus on the present for now.

‘He said that dealing with this trace was an obligation, right?’

If that’s the case, then they are the ‘few’ who know about the Abyss…….

It was a bit strange.

‘When you think about it, the Abyss was created because the Gods invaded…… but do they not know that far?’

Anyway, I heard that the current humans blindly believe and follow the Gods.

Since the truth of human history has been erased, the Abyss is probably just known as the villain, and the Gods are perceived as benevolent fathers.

Thanks to that, the power and strength of the Gods’ forces have only become more solid.

“The Abyss, which has existed since the beginning, their danger was so great that even the omnipotent Gods were wary of them. Because their power of assimilation was not ordinary. Therefore, the benevolent God Lair gave us the duty to erase their traces so that the young lambs would not be deceived.”

It was as expected.

Listening to Gildete’s words about the benevolent God and the existence of the beginning, Do-hyun nodded appropriately.

Now that he knew the truth, he was taken aback by the shameless attitude of the Gods, but the Abyss was, after all, a common enemy.

It wasn’t a wrong statement.

“And so…… hmm.”

Was it because he showed a somewhat indifferent attitude?

The High Priest, who had stopped speaking for a moment and was looking at Do-hyun, had a strange light in his eyes.

“Usually, they are horrified…… so you know about the Abyss?”

“……I’ve heard about it roughly.”

“……! A stranger knows about the Abyss!? It’s already spread that far……!”

A shout erupted from behind when Do-hyun readily admitted it.

It was that blond knight from before.

Was that what it meant to have one’s eyes turn over? Do-hyun clicked his tongue inwardly at the sight of Zerdic, who was panting with an extremely excited look.

‘His personality is something…….’

Before Do-hyun, who barely managed to hold back the word ‘crazy,’ could frown, a reprimand immediately came.

“Zerdic.”

“……I’m sorry.”

Seeing him back down so quickly, it didn’t seem like his nature was bad…….

Or is it?

Rather, it seemed like there was something wrong with his mind.

Isn’t that what people with bipolar disorder do?

Even a common merchant would be avoided if they acted like that, but it was even more concerning because he had a red name tag [indicating a powerful or hostile NPC].

“……I’ll go out.”

“Yes, that would be good.”

“Yes, excuse me.”

Sir Zerdic, who said he would leave on his own as if he had heard his thoughts.

As he passed by Do-hyun’s side, he muttered in a small voice.

“……I’m sorry for showing you such a sight.”

“?”

Do-hyun’s expression became strange as he instinctively looked at Zerdic.

It was unexpected.

He never expected him to apologize. Whether he did or not, Zerdic quickly passed by and opened the door to leave.

“Tsk tsk, poor thing.”

The High Priest clicked his tongue as if he felt sorry, looking at the spot where Zerdic had left.

The High Priest looked very pitiful.

“He is originally a brilliant child. Only when it comes to the Abyss does he get so worked up…… Please understand.”

“It seems like there’s a story behind it.”

It was an unintentional remark, but at this point, he was genuinely curious.

What on earth was it that made him react so explosively whenever the Abyss was mentioned, as if a trigger button had been pressed?

“I cannot rashly comment on that child’s circumstances…… He is a child who lost a lot to the Abyss at a young age. He is moving forward with the determination to erase the Abyss from the world.”

“……Has the Abyss ever appeared?”

“The Abyss appears anytime, anywhere. By using the bodies of those who have been assimilated.”

“Ah.”

Now that he heard it, he remembered.

The Iron-Blooded Demon Dragon he met in the tutorial was also a creature summoned by a summoner who had made a contract with the Abyss.

But what Gildete was saying was a little different from that.

“The beings of the Abyss can basically only live in the Abyss. Therefore, they spread their traces everywhere and manifest themselves through the bodies of those who have been assimilated. In this case, it is easier to control…… but the problem is the contractors.”

He sighed and continued.

“They exist occasionally. Corrupted beings who make contracts with the Abyss.”

“Those who have given up on being human.”

It was then that Taxinel, who had been silent all along, added.

“Those who give up a part of their body to the Abyss and coexist with it in exchange for gaining great power…… It is a phenomenon that often appears among high-ranking priests or magicians. They are incredibly foolish. In the end, they are walking a path where destruction is inevitable. Because of that foolish choice, Zerdic lost his family…… Tsk.”

Taxinel, who had become increasingly agitated, stopped talking and clicked his tongue.

But that alone was enough.

‘He must have lost his family to those contractors.’

It’s a common story.

The story of a knight who loses his family to the enemy and burns with revenge. But it didn’t seem to be the case for Jihad and Eliza.

‘Ah, so that’s why he was so rude…… Damn it, I feel sad for no reason. Why does he have a story?’

‘Liza…… LizaLiza!’

‘……He’s surprisingly sentimental.’

Seeing him wipe his nose because it was getting stuffy.

He looked mean, but he was surprisingly soft-hearted.

Well, Eliza had a history of losing her master for 150 years, so it was understandable.

Thinking about it that way, is Jihad in a similar situation?

‘No. That guy has been forgetting about it all this time.’

While he was lost in other thoughts, Gildete continued to speak.

“Still, he is a commendable child. Without giving up, he achieved the feat of becoming the youngest knight in Brion at the age of 14, and now, at the age of 19, he has even become the High Priest’s escort knight. It’s not for nothing that Lord Leved has marked that child as the next candidate for the Commander of the Holy Knights. Isn’t that right, Lord Taxinel?”

“……There are still many shortcomings, but his potential is definitely there.”

Taxinel answered reluctantly as if he was dissatisfied, but there was an undeniable sense of pride in it.

At that, Do-hyun’s view of Zerdic also changed.

‘The youngest knight and the future Commander of the Holy Knights…… So that’s why he was red [a strong NPC].’

Even if he didn’t know his current strength, there was no doubt that he was an NPC with tremendous talent.

The Lair Holy Knights of the Lair Great Temple in Brion were one of the strongest knight orders with tremendous fame.

The reason why that was possible was none other than the existence of the Holy Knight Commander Leved.

‘I heard he cut through a tsunami with a single sword? It was a big deal in the community.’

Just once, Leved showed his power in front of the users because of an event, and the power he showed at that time was still being talked about even after a year had passed.

His name was often seen in the NPC strongest discussion section that he visited for fun.

He wasn’t one of the Seven Strong, but it was safe to say that he was a strongman comparable to them.

He was a talent who could replace that position in the future, so wouldn’t his potential be enormous?

“I’ve been talking too much nonsense.”

Do-hyun snapped out of his thoughts at Gildete’s voice.

Gildete reached out his hand to him.

“Traces of the Abyss are always the top priority. We will take care of this, so would you please check if there are any monsters that have been assimilated?”

“I understand.”

“Those that have been assimilated to some extent will have the appearance of a mutant at first glance. But those that are still in progress will not be noticeable, so please collect their blood.”

Ting-.

[Would you like to accept the linked quest ‘Finding Traces of the Abyss’?]

[Finding Traces of the Abyss]

-Rank: Rare+

-Description: Traces of the Abyss are very dangerous and stimulating.

If a monster with low intelligence consumes it, it will be quickly assimilated and show extreme aggression, which will soon lead to danger for the citizens.

Gildete is trying to find out why the traces came out.

Look for any monsters that have become mutants and get the blood of the Orcs.

-Concentrated Orc Blood (0 / 50)

-Explore the Bitter Rock Forest (0 / 1)

-Quest Success: Gildete’s Favorability Increase, Intermediate Skill Gacha Ticket, Linked Quest ‘???’ Creation.

-Quest Failure: Linked Quest Unavailable.

‘Kuh…… Intermediate Skill Gacha Ticket!’

The rank also rose to Rare+, and the reward also changed significantly.

The reward was upgraded from a Low-Grade Skill Gacha Ticket to a whopping Intermediate Skill Gacha Ticket!

At that, a smile appeared on Do-hyun’s lips.

‘It feels good.’

If it’s already an Intermediate Skill Gacha Ticket, then a reward beyond that will be given at the final stage.

Besides, he liked the content of this quest as well.

It was a win-win quest for Do-hyun, who had to catch a thousand monsters because he was in the middle of the main quest.

In that sense, it was better for Do-hyun to collect a lot of blood now than to have to get materials in the past.

“I understand. I’ll find out soon.”

“Then I’ll ask you to do that.”

As he exchanged greetings and came out of the door, a cold voice was heard.

“Hey.”

“?”

When he turned around, he saw a familiar face.

The handsome man with glossy blond hair, Zerdic, was leaning against the wall.

‘What is it again?’