The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 102

Chapter 436

Part 2, Episode 102.

A ceiling stained black.

Like dark clouds gathering in the sky before a storm, the once-clear ceiling was now tainted with a murky, black haze.

And in that moment.

—–!!!

Something streaked down in a straight line, plunging towards the ground.

It was lightning. Lightning as black as pitch.

At first glance, it felt similar to when Lightning Dragon Descent was activated, but the effect and power were worlds apart.

Kwaaaa-!

The density of the lightning alone felt drastically different.

Unlike Lightning Dragon Descent, which spread out widely upon impact, turning the surroundings into a zone of electricity, this black lightning relentlessly bored in, as if trying to pierce through the body.

Pzzzt, pzzzt.

“Kuaaaaaaa!!”

The intense current flashed incessantly, blurring the vision to the point where it was hard to open one’s eyes properly.

Only Raon’s screams and the smell of burning flesh, along with the intense crackling of sparks, described the current situation.

“Crazy… what is that?”

-Wow, that looks really painful.

-Rizariza! Riza!

-Hmm….

The group watching from the tree was so shocked that they were speechless.

-Am I the only one who finds this weird? The mana density feels unbelievably concentrated. Is that really an attack from the owner?

Click, clack.

-Rizariza! Riza!

Jihad, Eliza, and Goton were particularly astonished.

Even Goton, who was less sensitive to mana compared to the other two, felt something foreign.

And that went for Do-hyun, the caster, as well.

[Black Dragon’s Wrath has been activated.]

[Inflicts damage equal to 777% of Lightning Dragon Descent on the target.]

[Black Dragon’s unique trait, ‘Heterogeneous Mana’ [mana with an altered or foreign composition], pierces through all mana-based defense systems.]

[Darkness attribute partially ignores defense.]

[The dense mana temporarily paralyzes the target’s mana circuits.]

[The target struck by Black Dragon’s Wrath cannot use skills or special options for 7 seconds.]

[Additionally, mana cannot be used for 2-5 seconds, depending on the quality of the target’s mana circuits.]

‘…Crazy, why is the power like this?’

777% damage, ignoring barriers and other defense systems, partially ignoring defense, and even skill sealing.

The message windows flashing before his eyes were already unbelievable, but even without reading them, the backlash felt directly on his body was insane.

Like the greater the recoil of a powerful firearm, his body was thrown back as if hit by a car the moment he cast the skill.

Crack.

He even felt the mana inside his body becoming jumbled and tangled.

[This is a power that cannot be handled with your current level.]

[Mana circuits are twisted due to strong side effects.]

[The Mana Circuit of the Magic King prevents fatal side effects.]

If it weren’t for the Magic King’s mana circuit, Do-hyun would have self-destructed before Raon.

But the real problem wasn’t this.

[Warning! You are using the power of an existence with an overwhelming difference in level without permission.]

[You may be caught by the Black Dragon.]

[Caution! Survival cannot be guaranteed if caught.]

‘…What?’

No, how could activating a single skill threaten his life?

It was absurd, but on second thought, it made sense.

The Black Dragon Descent that Do-hyun used was essentially a bug-like ability that arose from a shortcut.

Until now, it had only been a buff to Lightning Dragon Descent, but now he was clearly using the Black Dragon’s power.

What if some uncivilized lower species was using his power without permission?

‘…He’d be angry if he found out.’

The Black Dragon’s pursuit.

Wouldn’t that be more terrifying than being chased by the Empire?

‘I don’t know if the Black Dragon is a dragon or a wyvern [a dragon-like creature with two legs and wings]….’

Judging by the overwhelming difference in level, whatever it was, it would be more dangerous than being chased by human NPCs [Non-Player Characters; characters controlled by the game, not a player].

He was lost in serious thought when.

Kwaaaa-!

“Keuheok!!”

‘…But why isn’t this over yet?’

Do-hyun tilted his head, watching Raon still being scorched by the black light.

He was puzzled because the duration was longer than expected.

The reason was soon revealed.

[The enhanced Avison’s Accessory Set effect ‘Effect Duration’ is in effect.]

[The duration of the active effect is increased by 1.5 times.]

[The activation time of Black Dragon’s Wrath is increased, extending the hit time.]

[A certain amount of additional damage is applied.]

‘Ah, it applies here too. Jackpot?’

It was a shame that it could only be activated in the late stages of battle due to the condition of needing to be in combat for a long time.

But once activated, it was an option that showed more power than expected.

About two more seconds passed.

Pzzzt.

“Keu, keuheok….”

Finally, the sparks that had been blurring his vision stopped, and the screams subsided, signaling the end of the skill’s activation.

[‘Raon’ has 10% of his health remaining.]

‘Wow, he didn’t die.’

Well, it was a satisfactory result since it had blown away over 60% of his health in one hit.

But that was from Do-hyun’s perspective, and Raon, who had barely survived, was beyond dumbfounded.

60%? That was ridiculous.

[Heroic Skill, ‘Wall of Fire,’ has been activated.]

[Heterogeneous mana pierces through ‘Wall of Fire.’]

[A critical attack has been detected, and the special option ‘Celestial Barrier’ of Ranvider’s Protection Ring has been activated.]

[Ranvider’s Protection Magic ‘Celestial Barrier’ is activated, forming a shield equivalent to 40% of health.]

[Heterogeneous mana pierces through ‘Celestial Barrier.’]

[The owner of the stronghold has suffered critical damage, reducing influence. The intruder cannot be prevented from escaping.]

‘It destroys skills and item effects? What kind of nonsense is this…!’

This wasn’t just a simple 60% damage.

It had inflicted this much damage even after shattering barriers and skills.

As a mage with low health, Raon had many defense-related items and equipment, but he wouldn’t have been able to block it no matter what defensive effect he activated.

Raon’s instincts told him so.

[Legendary Consumable Item ‘Blessing of the God of Life’ has been used.]

[For 3 seconds upon use, health will not drop below 10%.]

[The duration of ‘Blessing of the God of Life’ has ended.]

‘If I hadn’t obtained this just in case….’

Raon swallowed hard, his eyes shaking as he thought.

‘…Could I have blocked it with my black flames?’

That lightning was also considered a projectile, so it should have been burned away… but he wasn’t sure.

Even if he had blocked it, he felt like he wouldn’t have been able to block it completely.

It was that foreign and threatening.

‘…But I survived.’

It was somewhat dangerous, but he had endured it.

The remaining duration of the bind?

[Legendary Consumable Item ‘Bind Dispel’ is being used.]

[‘Bind Dispel’ is purifying ‘Blessing of the Execution God.’]

[The ‘Blessing of the Execution God’ is of a high level, requiring 4 seconds for purification.]

That was already being dispelled the moment he was bound.

[Purification is complete after 4 seconds.]

[Released from the constraints of the Blessing of the Execution God.]

“Kaiser….”

And now.

Raon, finally freed from his restraints after a time of patience, reached out his hand.

The message that he couldn’t use mana due to the aftermath of the foreign lightning kept popping up, but he didn’t care.

[Unique Ability ‘Hellfire’ is being cast.]

[Signature Trait, ‘Black Flames that Burn Everything,’ is being cast.]

Whirr-

Raon mainly used his unique abilities and traits, not skills.

But then.

“Keuheok.”

Raon coughed roughly, feeling a strong backlash in his chest.

No matter how hard he tried to ignite the flames, they flickered and disappeared from his fingertips as if blocked by something.

The more he forced mana into it, the stronger the backlash he felt in his chest.

‘What is this…?’

Raon’s pupils shook aimlessly in a situation he had never experienced before.

And reflected in his shaking pupils was….

[Mana circuits have been damaged.]

[Mana circuits are temporarily paralyzed, preventing mana use for 4 seconds.]

‘…Even mana is sealed?’

Along with a line of messages,

Thud.

“Why, can’t you use mana?”

It was Do-hyun, approaching leisurely with an indifferent voice.

One step.

And another step.

Swish.

As Do-hyun took a sword stance and raised his sword high, he felt a pressure as if a mountain was unfolding behind him.

[The Second Form of Reverse Heaven Style, Destruction, can be used.]

“I’m glad I prepared this just in case. Without that crappy flame, there’s no way to stop it now.”

“You crazy bastard…!”

Raon’s pupils shook violently as he watched the energy of a mountain gathering at the tip of the sword.

The urgency was conveyed through his eyes alone.

‘I, I have to stop it.’

But how?

Hellfire and black flames were blocked, and all the defensive items and skills he had left were sealed….

No matter how hard he racked his brain, it felt like only his brain cells were burning.

One second felt like an eternity.

But even in that eternity, he couldn’t find an answer.

“Farewell.”

Raon squeezed his eyes shut as Do-hyun swung his sword down.

Dding!

[The effect of the Tears of God has ended.]

[Lightning Dragon Descent is canceled due to the consumption of all mana.]

[The power of the Black Dragon, obtained through an abnormal route, disappears.]

[You have used the power of an existence with an overwhelming level with an unprepared body.]

[The body cannot withstand the backlash. All stats are temporarily reduced by 80%, and all skills are sealed.]

“…Keuheok.”

Along with the suddenly appearing notifications, all the muscles in his body stiffened.

The energy of the mountain that had been gathered at the tip of the sword also disappeared without a trace.

Reverse Heaven Style was a signature swordsmanship.

In other words, it was a skill, so it was canceled due to the backlash.

‘Damn it, why at this timing.’

He thought the Magic King’s mana circuit had prevented the side effects, but it seemed it had only prevented the side effects on the ‘mana circuit.’

The timing couldn’t have been worse.

“Ha. Haha. Haha…!”

Raon, who belatedly grasped the situation, burst into laughter, retracting his red eyes.

A situation where joy and sorrow were reversed in an instant.

“I admit it. That was dangerous just now.”

“….”

“But I clearly said it, didn’t I? There’s only one chance. You did your best, but… in the end, it seems God was on my side.”

To make matters worse, Raon, who said that, stretched out his arm, and black flames that had sprung from his fingertips engulfed his entire body.

And blue flames that surrounded and soared around him.

[Mana circuits are restored.]

[Unique Ability ‘Hellfire’ is being cast.]

[Signature Trait, ‘Black Flames that Burn Everything,’ is being cast.]

The risk was lifted after 4 seconds.

On the other hand, Do-hyun was still suffering from side effects, with all his stats reduced by 80% and his skills sealed.

His remaining health was also not much different, at less than 20%.

“It’s all over, Kaiser. It’s your defeat.”

So it was natural for Raon to be confident, with a face that was sure of his victory.

But even in this situation, Do-hyun laughed.

As if the sight of him rejoicing without knowing anything was ridiculous.

Raon’s face gradually soured at that.

“Well.”

Do-hyun, who had removed the laughter, spat out indifferently.

“Didn’t you lose something?”

“…What?”

“Did you forget why I came here in the first place?”

“…No way.”

Raon, belatedly realizing the meaning of his words, frantically rummaged through his pockets.

…It wasn’t there.

The piece of Rasha’s clothing that he had put in his pocket to provoke him.

[Torn Piece of Great Sage Rasha’s Clothing]

“Looking for this?”

“…!”

The piece of clothing was in his hand.

When did he take it?

There was no situation where he could have rummaged through his pockets….

‘Could it be when he lifted me into the air?’

He wondered why he didn’t use a fatal blow and instead tripped him, but he was aiming for the piece of clothing in such a tense situation.

Black flames soared above Raon’s head.

Everything was blacked out except for his red eyes, but it wasn’t just his imagination that his face was flushed red and blue.

[You have acquired the Torn Piece of Great Sage Rasha’s Clothing.]

[You have obtained a clue to Great Sage Rasha. The Torn Piece of Great Sage Rasha’s Clothing will guide you to ‘The Path Left by Rasha.’]

[Reach the end of the path to complete the quest.]

“It’s a shame I couldn’t kill you… but this is all I need. Judging by the contents, it doesn’t seem like the Great Sage is here anyway.”

“You son of a bitch…!”

Raon, who had been furious, tried to calm himself and stopped his trembling hands.

‘…No, there’s no need to get excited. I can just take it back.’

The current him looks so weak that he would fall if touched. He can take it back as much as he wants if he sets his mind to it.

Above all, he is the owner of this stronghold.

Whether those guys leave or not is up to him….

‘…Wait.’

Raon, who had paused for a moment, hurriedly turned his head.

Because of the situation, he had been too focused and had forgotten something.

Right after being struck by lightning and barely surviving.

A line of messages that decorated the finale of the feast of numerous messages that blurred his vision.

[The owner of the stronghold has suffered critical damage, reducing influence.]

[The intruder cannot be prevented from escaping.]

Do-hyun, as if he had just realized it, gave a bitter smile to Raon and uttered one word.

“Escape.”

Dding-

[The dominance of the stronghold’s owner is significantly low.]

[Conditions have been met.]

[The party leader is trying to leave the stronghold.]

[Party member ‘Astral’ agrees with the party leader’s decision.]

[The Kaiser Party is leaving the hidden stronghold, ‘Black Temple of the Forest.’]

“Oh, so it turns out like this.”

-Rizariza!

-I believed in you, Master!

-Hmm, weren’t you clearly covering your eyes until the last moment?

-Cough, cough! When did I ever….

Starting with that, the Guardians, including Astral, disappeared in a streak of light.

Do-hyun also, just before disappearing for the last time.

“Well, see you later.”

He didn’t forget to quietly raise his middle finger in farewell.

“Kaiserrrrrr!!!”

Only Raon’s scream, filled with resentment at losing the only clue to the Great Sage and being left alone, echoed through the forest.