The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 97

97.

Clang.

Taksnel and Zerdic, nodding at Gildetti’s signal, locked the door.

The auditorium had only one central door.

In other words, this place was now a sealed room.

“What…?”

“Huh?”

Before they could even register the sudden action, Taksnel drew his sword from its scabbard.

The chilling sound of steel echoed in the room.

The nervous priests flinched. They were, after all, influential figures, some even high priests from other orders.

No one would tolerate such treatment.

An old man in blue divine robes, who had been observing the situation, stepped forward.

It was Verzid, a high priest from a well-regarded temple in Brion.

“…What is the meaning of this, High Priest Gildetti?”

“Please, I ask for your understanding.”

“Understanding? Since when did locking the door and drawing a sword fall under that word?”

“Are you familiar with Article 71 of the Doctrine?”

Despite the pointed question, Gildetti remained calm.

His previous benevolent demeanor was gone, replaced by a cold, mechanical tone.

“Article 71… Surely… it states that when someone commits a taboo, the most influential priest can execute the sentence… Wait. A taboo? Does that mean…?”

Overwhelmed by the implications, High Priest Verzid muttered, then asked in surprise.

A taboo serious enough for another priest to execute the sentence?

It certainly existed, but it was practically a nonexistent clause.

To meet those conditions, one would have to be an evildoer disrupting the entire city.

Such a sentence under Article 71 had only been carried out twice in 30 years.

And both times, it was for the same reason.

“One who has made a pact with the Abyss.”

“…Gnash.”

At someone’s seemingly entranced murmur, Zerdic bit down hard.

Blood flowed from his tightly clenched fist, running down his sword.

The priests, recoiling from Zerdic’s murderous gaze, pleaded.

“D, does that mean there’s someone among us who has made a pact with the Abyss!”

“T, that’s just speculation! What proof do you have…?”

“That’s right! Just because there were no traces in the fishy Rock Forest, you’re suspecting us!”

“Before that, are you doing this based on just that person’s word!?”

But the protests were quickly silenced.

It was because of the box Gildetti took out from his pocket, or rather, the black substance contained within. As the high priest gestured, an intense white light emanated from the surface of the black substance.

“Do you know what this is?”

“…That’s clearly…”

“Yes, it’s divine power. And quite dense at that. At this level, it would have to be at least a high-ranking priest.”

“You already confirmed it before calling us…?”

“…Then, could it be that inviting us was…?”

Gulp. Gildetti didn’t bother answering the priest’s question as he swallowed hard.

He simply uttered the words he had to say, as if it were his duty.

“This is a detection orb specially crafted by a skilled alchemist based on my sensory abilities. It detects impure energy. Since preparations have been completed in advance, it will be able to measure everyone here.”

“…”

“I hoped the moment to use this wouldn’t come. I wanted to believe that the divine power was accidentally absorbed over time, and that the truth was something else… That’s why I asked the esteemed guest, but… I have no choice.”

Gildetti’s voice, which had shown genuine regret, turned cold.

“From now on, place your hands on the orb in order and channel your energy.”

If a white light flashes, you’re normal.

If it’s stained with black energy, you’re a contractor of the Abyss.

Gildetti, who briefly added those words, placed his hand on the orb first.

Then, a white light flashed and disappeared.

“I am normal.”

Then, upon his signal, Zerdic took the orb.

Zerdic’s appearance, with the blood vessels in his eyes burst from suppressing his ferocious bloodlust, was terrifying.

It seemed he would cut down anyone without hesitation if even a hint of black was seen.

“High Priest Verzid.”

“…Huh?”

“Measure.”

Somewhat hesitant, overwhelmed by the pressure, Verzid closed his eyes tightly and placed his hand on the orb.

Whirr-.

The orb flashed, absorbing the mana from his hand.

Then, the detection orb turned white before returning to its original appearance.

“Passed.”

“Hoo…”

As Zerdic moved to the side without looking back, Verzid unknowingly let out a sigh.

His body, which had been stiffened by the young knight’s bloodlust, relaxed.

That was the same for the other priests.

“Haa.”

“Hmph…”

Every time Zerdic announced “Passed,” they all wiped away cold sweat and sighed.

Except for a few elders and high priests, everyone had the same reaction.

Watching the scene from afar, Dohyun nodded.

In front of Dohyun, a quest window was floating.

[Rat in a Trap]

-Rank: Rare+

-Description: Right now, all the prominent high-ranking priests are gathered in the auditorium of the Lyre Grand Temple.

Gildetti is certain that there is a contractor of the Abyss among them.

The moment someone is judged as a contractor or attempts to flee, a bloody battle will immediately break out.

Pass the measurement safely.

-Success Reward: Linked quest ‘???’ generated.

-Failure Penalty: Hostile relationship formed with the priests of Brion.

[A forced linked quest is currently in progress. It will be forcibly linked until all quests are completed.]

‘So that’s why he told me to investigate the traces.’

Gildetti probably knew from the start.

That divine power could be felt in the traces of the Abyss.

Even so, sending Dohyun was just bait. Bait to gather everyone in one place.

There was also the intention to have him thoroughly investigate just in case, but there couldn’t have been anything more interesting to the high-ranking priests than a stranger knowing about the Abyss.

‘Well, he also hoped it wasn’t true, but…’

The key was that he kept it a secret even from Dohyun.

Not even giving him a hint meant that his trust in Dohyun wasn’t that high.

Perhaps there was also a test purpose in sending him to investigate.

Whether he truly possessed the abilities of a top graduate of Raven…

Dohyun passed that test, and now all that was left was to safely complete the measurement.

‘There’s nothing difficult about it.’

Dohyun was the successor of Kasiyar, who could be said to be hostile to the Abyss.

There was no way traces of the Abyss would appear.

He just needed to keep an eye on the contractor of the Abyss who might appear, or anyone trying to flee.

An easy quest compared to the warning message that popped up.

‘It seems the forced linked quest isn’t just one… The aftermath might be dangerous.’

Or perhaps an unexpected situation might arise in this quest that seemed easy.

Dohyun’s eyes sharpened.

‘You never know when something might appear. I have to watch carefully.’

‘Yes, Master.’

‘Liza!’

Leaving behind the two guardians with determined expressions, Dohyun focused his gaze.

It was so quiet that it was hard to believe so many people were gathered.

“Passed… Everyone is normal.”

“Then the only ones left are…”

The sound of Zerdic’s footsteps stopped abruptly.

And as he lifted his head at the sound of rustling clothes, countless eyes were fixed on him.