The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 123

123.

Fuse.

It was a skill that thieves in the Dem Locke era both cherished and resented.

The reason was simple.

‘Because it’s so damn hard to use.’

Powerful explosive damage, flashy effects, short cooldown.

Looking at these alone, the specs are amazing, but the problem is that it’s hard to use in actual combat due to the nature of trap installation.

Fuse was even worse.

Fuse required installing a thread of 10 meters [approximately 33 feet] to see a proper effect.

‘It would be better if I were an archer.’

From the start, they are specialized in traps, and as ranged classes, it’s easy to secure a safe distance using traps.

But what about our Do-Boong?

‘They gave a trap skill to a super close-range dealer… They were bound to get a ton of flak [criticism].’

A super close-range dealer who uses daggers as their main weapon, like an assassin.

Unlike assassins, who are specialized in mobility and even have the cheat skill of stealth, they are super close-range dealers with nothing.

Perhaps that’s why they added the element of traps.

‘Well… there were many thieves who went all-in on trap builds.’

Since it’s a class that lacks one screw to properly fulfill its role as a dealer, there were quite a few who deliberately utilized tactics and ambushes using traps.

In that respect, this Fuse skill wasn’t that bad.

If prepared in advance, it was a skill that showed considerable power in PvP [player versus player combat].

‘The problem is that it’s only strong in PvP.’

Perhaps it’s a similar plight to assassins.

There was no way to properly use Fuse in boss raids, and the compromise was to use it as an instant skill.

Of course, there was no way to draw out proper damage.

The cooldown is short, so the total DPS [damage per second] isn’t too bad, but it’s hard to say it lives up to the name value of a Heroic skill.

‘What can you do? Thieves can’t even throw this away as a damage skill.’

In many ways, it can’t help but be an unfortunate class, but Do-Hyun was an All-Master, not a thief.

‘It’ll be useful if I combine it well with other class skills.’

He could think of a few ways to use it right now.

There are still many skill slots left, and anyway, since he got a Heroic skill, it’s better than nothing.

He was shocked that a thief skill came out after expecting so much from the legendary combination of the Golden Dragon Dream and three yellow cards, but it wasn’t that bad of a situation.

Do-Hyun was trying to think positively, but his expression didn’t seem to reflect that.

-My lord, are you alright…?

-…Shh, Master’s nostrils are shrinking. It’s best not to talk to him. He’s in a bad mood.

-Rizariza….

-Indeed…! You know everything about our lord. I’ll learn a thing or two from you.

Do-Hyun closed the skill window, ignoring the whispering guardians.

‘Okay. Today isn’t the only opportunity.’

As long as he continued the main quest, and as long as he had the Eye of Truth, there would be many opportunities in the future.

Do-Hyun shook off his disappointment and moved his feet.

-Master, are we finally going?

-Riza!

Do-Hyun grinned at the two excited questions.

“Yeah, it’s time to move on.”

Brion, the city of promise.

It was time to graduate from this place where many things happened and many things were gained. Do-Hyun left the Great Temple and immediately stepped into the warp.

[You are qualified.]

[Would you like to move to the City of Night, Sargis?]

[You will not be able to return to Brion if you move to Sargis.]

“Yes.”

As soon as he answered without hesitation, a message appeared,

[Moving to the third city of the mainland, the City of Night, Sargis.]

With a dazzling light, Do-Hyun and the guardians’ figures disappeared.

It was the moment he finally set foot in the third city.

* * *

[You have entered the third city of the mainland, ‘City of Night, Sargis’.]

[The City of Night, Sargis, is also known as the City of Outlaws, the City of the Full Moon. Be careful of outlaws on nights when the full moon rises.]

[The Night Field becomes a lawless zone where PK [player killing] is allowed.]

[Tip. Be careful of the night.]

‘This is Sargis….’

Do-Hyun looked around in admiration as he opened his eyes.

It was a completely different atmosphere from the bright and dazzling Brion.

As the name City of Night suggests, the moonlight was subtly contained in every corner of the city, creating a relatively gloomy yet beautiful atmosphere.

The buildings and scenery, reminiscent of 19th-century London, also played a part.

‘That must be the castle where the lord resides.’

But the most striking thing was the castle.

As a city ruled by the lord, the enormous castle, which was so grand that the word magnificent came to mind, was placed at the very end.

It was as if the entire city was the garden of the castle.

Thanks to this, everyone here had to look up at the castle.

Overall, it was a magnificent and romantic castle, and the huge red bell occupying the space just below the top further emphasized its grandeur.

‘It has a certain feel.’

It felt like a clock tower.

Thanks to its enormous size, which was visible from here, the interior design felt even more alive.

Do-Hyun was admiring the castle when.

-…Master.

-Riza….

A cautious voice came from the side.

It was the voice of the nervous Jihad and Eliza. Even Charlie next to them had his hand on his sword.

‘Could it be that an enemy is here…!?’

Do-Hyun looked ahead, wondering what was going on, and was surprised.

It wasn’t because an enemy or something strange had appeared.

There were just various NPCs [non-player characters] and users all around.

Nevertheless, the reason Do-Hyun was surprised was simple.

‘Why is everyone looking at me?’

All the users in the vicinity stopped what they were doing and turned their heads to look at Do-Hyun, still in that position.

It was a situation similar to when everyone stares at you when you realize you’re dreaming in a dream.

For a moment, goosebumps rose, and when he placed his hand on Cheonbyeon, those who met his eyes looked away, pretending not to notice.

“……It’s Kaiser.”

“Wow…… He came over today.”

“Is that really Kaiser? He didn’t wear armor like that.”

However, they couldn’t hide the sound of them talking among themselves.

“Looking at the robe and silver-armored knight next to him, it seems like it. Maybe he spent money on items.”

“Isn’t it a reward for the graduation quest?”

“I think Berze said it wasn’t that kind of reward… Maybe it’s an item that came out after catching the boss in that video.”

“Wow…… But he looks exactly like Charlie. Is that really Charlie?”

Perhaps it was because he caused such a big stir yesterday.

Even though they couldn’t take their eyes off Do-Hyun’s changed appearance, no user rashly approached him.

“The legend of 100 to 1…….”

“The Death Warrior Orc Salt? Tell him to screw off, the boss in the video was stronger, if anything, and he caught it alone.”

“Seeing that he just came over, he must be level 35 now? How can a level 35 be so strong?”

That’s because what Do-Hyun showed was too unconventional and certain.

In the face of achievements that didn’t even give them the slightest thought that it was worth trying, even the scouts were watching.

“……Should I go talk to him?”

“Are you crazy? After watching the video, I don’t think I can ever win.”

“It’s an order from above not to make contact without orders.”

“To try to catch a monster like that…… Are the Brion users all fools?”

That was Do-Hyun’s position now.

A strong person who is certain to lose even without trying.
The position of a strong person who even large guilds are hesitant to touch.

It was a completely different reaction from when he was in Brion, where he was gleaming with greed like a tempting golden goblin.

-Kireuk kireuk.

-Riza!

Perhaps it was because they sensed the changed reaction that the two of them seemed much more comfortable.

In particular, Jihad was very excited and grinning.

-Hmm!

Charlie had already taken his hand off his sword and was maintaining a solemn posture.

As if the current scene was natural.

‘Master is right. Look at how they can’t even come close because he’s strong.’

‘Rizariza!

‘Hmm! How dare anyone rebel against our lord.’

‘Whatever, it’s only here. When the level limit is lifted, it’ll be a mess again. What’s the Empire? Even the next city will have different eyes.’

He answered as if it was nothing, but Do-Hyun’s lips were slightly raised.

‘Well, it’s not bad.’

Perhaps he received too much attention too quickly.

But as long as there was a ranking system, and as long as he had returned, it was an inevitable process.

To borrow Gamilion’s expression, it was fate.

He had simply brought that moment forward.

‘There’s nothing different now.’

And this situation was very familiar to Do-Hyun.

Proving himself as a latecomer was something he had done plenty of in Dem Locke.

He just had to move forward confidently, as he always had.

Step by step.

“Wow…… Look at them all backing away.”

“His aura is amazing.”

Every time Do-Hyun passed by, the crowd parted like the Red Sea [a biblical reference to the parting of the sea by Moses].

He was the lowest level and the latest to enter this place, but his influence was stronger than anyone else here, at least in this moment.

Everyone was focused on Do-Hyun and expected him.

“Where is he going?”

Where will those steps, heading unhindered while receiving everyone’s attention, lead?

That became even bigger as time passed.

Every time Do-Hyun took a step, the users moved out of the way as if they had promised, and then their eyes followed.

Thud.

The place where Do-Hyun, who had received everyone’s attention, stopped was in front of the huge castle.

It was the castle where the lord lived.

“Gasp!”

“Crazy…… Is he going to the lord as soon as he arrives this time too?”

“How does Kaiser always see the final boss from the start?”

“Is this class…….”

It was natural for the users to be shocked.

Here, the lord was the law. The lord was in the same position as the High Priest Gildete in Brion.

No, it was even more extreme.

Even if Gildete had tens of thousands of users who had seen him, there were almost no users who had seen the lord.

“Jackpot…… Is Kaiser going to show us this time too?”

“This is crazy.”

How could they not expect it when Kaiser, who had just crossed over to Sargis, was trying to see such a lord?

Everyone was watching with half a mind of ‘no way’ and half a mind of anticipation.

Squeak-

Soon, the castle gate opened and a guard appeared.

And Kaiser was talking to the guard with a calm face.

The atmosphere was unusual.

‘Could it be?’

‘Is he really going in?’

As the scales of the users’ doubts and expectations tilted towards expectation.

“Good work.”

“……?”

Kaiser, who had said a short greeting, turned his back without regret.

They were stunned for a moment at the sight of him going back the way he came.

Soon, they realized the situation and blinked at each other.

“……Did Kaiser just get rejected?”

“I think…… so?”

Was it because he had shown too much?

Or was it because of the aura he had while parting the crowd like the Red Sea?

They couldn’t believe what they were seeing with their own eyes and were following Kaiser’s footsteps.

And soon they could see.

“Oh my, you’re the Apostle of God. Do you have any trouble? Hmm…….”

“Hey, want to have a beer? Hmm? What are you looking for?”

“I don’t think I’ve seen anything like that…… More than that, you look strong. Can you do me a favor?”

The sight of Kaiser going around talking to NPCs here and there.

Only then did the users finally believe.

“……Ah, he got rejected.”

“I didn’t know because he was so confident…….”

That Kaiser was cut off at the entrance.

* * *

Do-Hyun was thoroughly rejected by the guard and wandered around.

“Yeah, I said it didn’t make sense. Brion was weird. This is normal.”

“Even Kaiser is helpless.”

“I was curious about what he was doing, so I watched him, but he just kept looking for NPCs. I guess he’s grinding quests [repeatedly doing quests to gain experience].”

“Well…… If it’s not a direct quest, that’s all he can do.”

“Tsk. It’s a waste of time to watch anymore. Let’s just go hunting. I need to catch a lot before nightfall.”

The users who were tired of Do-Hyun’s consistent behavior left one by one.

It was then that Do-Hyun stopped looking for NPCs.

Do-Hyun opened his mouth after confirming that the attention had decreased a lot.