I Became The Rankers’ Number One Pick [EN]: Chapter 232

232.

Contrary to the expectation that he would simply detonate the [Nightmare Bead] and retreat, Yoo Ji-an stood a short distance from his doppelganger, [Yoo Ji-an]. Then, he spoke.

“You probably can’t hear me properly, Yoo Ji-an. Nor can you see me well.”

But it would recognize his presence. The current [Yoo Ji-an] was stronger than the Yoo Ji-an of the 3rd round. Even enhanced by becoming [Yoo Ji-an], it couldn’t be ignorant of its original self.

So, even if it didn’t perceive Yoo Ji-an as an enemy, it would consider his presence a threat.

【I was clearly facing the ‘Final Enemy’… and you, you resemble me.】

It was referring to their shared magic power and presence, not appearance.

“Anyway, whether it’s a memory or a lingering image, I don’t like the idea of someone who looks like me running around in this state. It would be better for both of us if you just disappeared.”

As Yoo Ji-an produced the bead, [Yoo Ji-an] flinched and flew backward. It had learned from their previous encounter that inhaling the smoke would cause adverse effects.

Yoo Ji-an looked at [Yoo Ji-an]. He had mixed feelings, but the fact that it had to disappear remained unchanged.

At that moment, the Elf, who had been quietly standing by, launched a bolt of light towards [Yoo Ji-an]’s feet. She seemed to think [Yoo Ji-an] was trying to escape. The ground beneath [Yoo Ji-an] softened like a swamp, sucking him in.

Unintentionally, the Elf had helped.

Yoo Ji-an didn’t miss the opportunity and threw the bead at [Yoo Ji-an]. Since the Elf clearly recognized [Yoo Ji-an] as an enemy, there seemed to be no need to further intoxicate her.

[Yoo Ji-an] quickly escaped the swamp, but thick smoke had already spread, forcing him to inhale it.

[Yoo Ji-an] raised his sword and charged towards the Elf.

Bang!

After confirming the smoke’s effect, Yoo Ji-an retreated and returned to the Hunters.

As soon as he arrived, Seo-ah grabbed Yoo Ji-an’s hand.

“Are you okay?”

The gentle, warm feeling unique to Seo-ah spread from her fingertips into his body. His confused mind gradually calmed.

Yoo Ji-an smiled faintly and nodded to reassure her.

“I’m okay.”

However, Yoo Ji-an already knew the battle’s outcome. [Yoo Ji-an] would defeat the Elf. Then, he would have to face [Yoo Ji-an] afterward.

Yoo Ji-an’s gaze was fixed on the battlefield.

“What am I even watching? Fire, water, wind, earth, electricity… he’s using five types of magic?”

Choi Eun-gyeol muttered in admiration. Jackson also hardened his expression as he looked at the Elf.

The Elf, [Selene], was an even more amazing mage than he had thought. She mixed magic to block [Yoo Ji-an]’s approach.

As a mage, she knew that close combat was disadvantageous.

However, [Selene]’s magical power was gradually weakening. She had already exhausted too much magic in the battle with [Iron Claw], and she couldn’t sustain her magic for long.

On the other hand, [Yoo Ji-an] seemed to have taken some damage from the magic attacks, but his energy seemed fine.

“Which side do you predict will win?”

Cha Tae-woon, who had been quiet, asked Yoo Ji-an.

“That guy, I guess.”

Yoo Ji-an pointed with his chin at [Yoo Ji-an], who had just torn through [Selene]’s water barrier.

“Then, what method would be best to use to defeat you?”

Yoo Ji-an smirked.

“Your question sounds a bit strange.”

“It’s just your imagination.”

Cha Tae-woon said with an utterly serious expression, which was somehow funny. Even though it wasn’t a laughing matter, Seo-ah burst out laughing.

“Ah, it looks like it’s slowly coming to a conclusion.”

Choi Eun-gyeol muttered, rubbing his chin. Looking at the battlefield, [Yoo Ji-an] was now unilaterally pressuring and pushing back [Selene].

[Selene] barely dodged the Ruin Blade and defended herself by blocking it with her staff.

Considering that a mage had held out that long against the swordsman [Yoo Ji-an], it was quite impressive.

Clang!

The metal staff was broken in half by the Ruin Blade. Now, nothing blocked [Selene]’s path.

The Hunters tensed up and took out their weapons.

The moment the Ruin Blade pierced [Selene]’s chest, the sharp part of the broken staff pierced [Yoo Ji-an]’s shoulder.

Crackle, crackle-

[Selene] used electric magic in her dying moment, and the electrocuted [Yoo Ji-an] staggered back and knelt.

[Yoo Ji-an], who had suffered a serious internal injury, vomited blood. But [Selene], whose heart had been pierced, died on the spot.

[‘Selene’ defeated! Remaining S-Class monsters (8/10)]

“…Ah.”

While Seo-ah sighed with some unknown regret, Yoo Ji-an retrieved the Ruin Blade. His expression looked very dark.

“I’ll finish it.”

“Hey, what are you saying?”

Baek Eun-hee stepped forward, dumbfounded.

“Does he think he’s some kind of hero? He’s going to do it all himself. Just stay out of it.”

“That’s right! It’s not like we get many chances to beat up Ji-an hyung… no, haha. Just kidding.”

While Choi Eun-gyeol retreated, laughing awkwardly, Jackson grinned.

“That sounds fun.”

“…Everyone seems quite excited.”

As Yoo Ji-an muttered, looking at them, they avoided his gaze and cleared their throats.

“Oh, Seo-ah?”

In the meantime, Seo-ah had disappeared.

Seo-ah was already close to [Yoo Ji-an].

“It’s dangerous, Seo-ah!”

Everyone ran after Seo-ah, but she raised her hand to signal that she was okay.

Yoo Ji-an approached her and called her name in a slightly angry voice.

“Park Seo-ah.”

“It’s okay, stay there.”

[Yoo Ji-an] looked up at Park Seo-ah, panting. He was seriously injured and exhausted. Although he possessed great abilities, it seemed that fighting a large number of Hunters in this state would quickly end poorly for him.

Seo-ah carefully approached and placed her hand on [Yoo Ji-an]’s shoulder.

He visibly flinched, but soon calmed. [Yoo Ji-an] didn’t attack anyone unless they had inhaled the smoke.

[Skill ‘Gentle Sunlight’ is activated.]

[Skill ‘Quiet Night’ is activated.]

Seo-ah used healing skills. It wouldn’t be of much help for such serious injuries, but she hoped it would alleviate the pain.

The Hunters watched, holding their breath.

【Are you… a human?】

“I am a human.”

【I don’t understand what that means.】

[Yoo Ji-an] was breathing heavily, as if even those few words were difficult.

【But I understand the situation.】

[Yoo Ji-an] looked up at Seo-ah, Yoo Ji-an beyond her, and the Hunters.

【I have memories of seeing you in the previous rounds.】

The Yoo Ji-an of the 2nd round had also met Seo-ah and the Yoo Ji-an of the 4th round at the last moment.

【Back then, I thought of you as monsters, but now I understand.】

[Yoo Ji-an] vomited blood again. Seeing him pick up the Ruin Blade, Baek Eun-hee shouted.

“Seo-ah, step back!”

Seeing him pick up the weapon, Seo-ah was startled and stood up. Yoo Ji-an pulled Seo-ah towards him.

[Yoo Ji-an] silently stared at them. How would they be seen in his eyes?

【The monster… was me. Probably a lingering image made from my memories.】

“Ah….”

Seo-ah seemed to know what would happen next. Yoo Ji-an covered Seo-ah’s eyes, and the sound of flesh and bones tearing and breaking was heard.

Seo-ah’s eyes, covered by Yoo Ji-an’s palm, became wet.

[‘Yoo Ji-an’ defeated! Remaining S-Class monsters (9/10)]

Only after the system window appeared did Yoo Ji-an remove his hand. [Yoo Ji-an], like the other monsters, disappeared without a trace.

From this, it could be known.

‘Monsters’ were beings created from the memories of the destroyed rounds. He vaguely knew that they weren’t real, but now that he knew for sure, a sense of emptiness washed over him.

Who is doing this, and for what purpose?

While the Hunters lingered with complicated feelings, someone said.

“But… there’s still one left. Why isn’t it coming out?”

Only the sound of gentle waves echoed on the quiet island. The gate was swirling with only red, the black hole having disappeared.

Then, the system window displayed a warning message in red.

[The Legend Gate has been cleared abnormally!]

“Huh? Cleared? What’s with the ‘abnormally’? Is it our fault that we didn’t catch one monster!”

“Wait, the ground is shaking.”

Amid the confusion, Yoo Ji-an pulled Seo-ah close.

“Get ready, we’re going in now.”

“Where, where to?”

“The final battlefield.”