The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 154

154.

Do-hyun blinked, wondering if what he was seeing was real.

‘Is this even possible?’

It was like a ray of light for Do-hyun, who had all but given up, deeming it impossible.

Even after lowering it by two stages, ‘Agony’ was still a Hidden Field Boss.

Moreover, not just any field boss, but the king of a race residing in the underworld, an existence that had devoured an entire nation.

‘Can I really make a guy like that Undead?’

This wasn’t just about possessing Agony’s soul.

Without doing ‘that’ after reaching the max level, ordinary users would never be able to make him a host, no matter how much they lowered the grade, even by two or three stages, or with the help of special materials.

No, even with special materials, success wouldn’t be guaranteed.

Jihad’s grade itself was overwhelmingly high.

‘Does this guy really have something special?’

Come to think of it, he remained calm even in front of the Will of the Dark King, unlike Charlie.

He must be more amazing than Do-hyun thought.

-So, what happened? It keeps sucking my mana?? Can you make me a legion commander, Master? Huh?

“…….”

Looking at that ugly goblin, fidgeting and excited like a child, the situation felt unreal even when seeing it right in front of him.

But this time, Do-hyun was no different.

“Yeah, so hurry up and create the legion commander.”

-Wow! Really? Okay, just wait a bit!

Do-hyun was just as excited and expectant.

No, he was even more so than Jihad.

He knew how strong the leader of the Outlaws was, having faced him directly. How could he not be excited at the prospect of having such a formidable enemy under his command?

-So, I’ll do it?

“Yeah, hurry.”

-Heeup!

At Jihad’s innocent question, Do-hyun urged him on. Jihad didn’t hesitate any longer and used the skill.

—-!

Then, black light exploded from the soul of Agony that received the mana.

Black light, dazzling to behold.

Just as he had that thought.

At the same time as a cheerful notification rang in his ear, a silhouette emerged from beyond the black light.

Tuk… Taddak…

A chilling sound of bones colliding.

A tall stature of about 190cm [approximately 6’3″], clad in a black robe, his trademark.

[The leader of the Outlaws, ‘Agony,’ sleeping in the soul of Agony, awakens.]

[The vessel’s grade is high, so the will remains.]

[Persuade the vessel within 20 minutes.]

[If you fail to persuade within the time limit, you cannot make him a legion commander, and the soul of Agony will disappear.]

It was the moment when the king of the Outlaws, Agony, awakened.

-Ah…….

The black energy dissipated, and the form of the guy he encountered again was the same as before.

A lich-like appearance and red eyes burning with agony.

And even the unique eerie atmosphere.

It was the same as the last time he saw him.

The only difference was that the chilling atmosphere of clinging to life until the dying moment was gone.

-……I…… don’t…… know…… what’s…… going…… on……. I…… should…… have…… died…… for…… sure…….

He was merely questioning the situation.

Jihad nodded as if he sympathized.

-Yeah. I know that feeling well.

-Oh, you know it too! The emotion when I reunited with my lord was indescribable. I would like to feel it again if I have the chance.

-……Never mind.

-Liza?

Leaving their conversation behind, Do-hyun stared intently at ‘Agony.’

Then, ‘Agony’s’ expression slightly frowned as their eyes met, but he sighed as if he accepted the situation.

-So…… that’s…… how…… it…… is. You…… called…… me…….

-No! I called you!

-……Gob……lin?

Agony tilted his head, looking at Jihad.

He didn’t say it, but it was felt in his expression.

He was saying, ‘Someone like you?’

-Eek, eek……!

“Yes. We called you. You have to become a legion commander.”

Do-hyun cut off Jihad’s words when he was about to get angry.

Was it because he liked the expression ‘we’? Jihad, who had been angry, just pouted and didn’t interfere anymore.

But Agony was silent. He just stared.

“Do you have any complaints?”

-……Of course, he would, Master? You took out the key in front of him, did a taunting ceremony, and killed him. If it were me, I would think I got lucky and immediately start a second round……. Keek!

-You, how about developing some tact? Your bump on your head won’t disappear like that.

-Lizariliza…….

Charlie and Eliza shook their heads as Do-hyun lightly flicked Jihad’s head, who invariably wanted a head-butt.

It was hateful, but Jihad wasn’t wrong.

Even Do-hyun would hate it if he were in that guy’s situation.

His goal was right in front of him, but he was mocked and killed, and now he was supposed to lead the Undead?

‘Even I think this is an insult.’

It was difficult.

He thought he could make him a legion commander right away if he used the skill, but he had to persuade that guy.

Well, there had to be this much penalty.

That guy was originally an existence that could never be made into a mere legion commander.

There had to be this much trial to be balanced.

‘The problem is that it’s coming to me.’

He went out strong, but Do-hyun’s head was complicated.

He was wondering what to do when.

-……I…… don’t…… have…… any…… complaints.

Contrary to expectations, Agony shook his head.

-You…… and…… I…… fought…… with…… our…… own…… ideologies……. from…… each…… other’s…… standpoints.

He continued in a low voice, meeting his eyes.

-I…… was…… just…… weaker…… than…… you. You…… brilliantly…… protected…… your…… people. And…… I…… couldn’t…… protect……. them…….

“…….”

-……That’s…… all.

Agony, saying that, had a bitter smile on his face.

Do-hyun had a strange expression as if he was surprised.

He could have resented him enough, but there was no anger or resentment in his expression or voice.

He just had bitterness about his weak self and the future.

He was a great guy in many ways, but that was even more of a problem.

“So, you’re accepting to become a legion commander because you’re a loser?”

-……As…… a…… warrior, I…… want…… to…… have…… a…… sacred…… death…….

‘How do I persuade this guy?’

It was very difficult to break the beliefs of those guys.

He had to do it in 20 minutes, even if he had to do it three times or give it compulsion?

No, not even 20 minutes.

[Remaining time: 00:14:05]

The time left until forced logout was only 14 minutes.

In fact, if he couldn’t persuade him within 14 minutes, the soul of Agony would disappear, so the opportunity for the legion commander would be gone.

‘I’m going crazy.’

Should he have created the legion commander next time?

‘What could make that guy’s heart flutter… Damn it, I can’t think of anything but the fragment of fate.’

But he couldn’t give the fragment of fate.

He had to find another way, but he had too little information about that guy. All he knew was that he once came down to this world and almost devoured a country.

And he didn’t know exactly.

Thinking about what he said and how he looked while fighting…

It seemed like he was looking for the fragment of fate to protect his race…….

‘Wait a minute. Race?’

Something flashed through his mind at that moment.

Do-hyun raised his head and looked out the window.

Seeing the moonlight still shining down and gently enveloping the city, Do-hyun slightly raised the corners of his lips.

‘This might work?’

No, this was the only way.

Do-hyun, who had come up with the best solution in the current situation, looked at Agony and said.

“Then follow me one last time. There’s something I want to show you.”

-……?

“If you still don’t like it after seeing this, I’ll give up too.

-Ehh, Master? Why are you deciding on my legion commander as you please…….

Jihad was surprised and tried to refute, but his words were quickly buried.

-I…… understand. But…… you…… must…… keep…… your…… promise…….

“Of course. A man doesn’t go back on his word.”

-I’ll…… trust…… you…….

Jihad, the person who summoned him, didn’t care, and Jihad grabbed his neck, watching the two of them playing by themselves.

-Aigo……, my blood pressure…….

-Liza!

When Jihad barely regained his mind with Eliza’s comfort, everyone was already turning around and leaving the castle.

-Ehyo…….

-Liza!

Jihad had no choice but to follow them hastily.

And Eliza was just smiling brightly on top of Jihad’s head.

* * *

Forest with moonlight.

The traces scattered throughout the dense forest showed what a difficult battle had taken place here.

It was where Do-hyun had the Outlaw Challenge.

And Do-hyun reappeared about 100M [approximately 328 feet] away from there.

-……Why…… did…… you…… come…… here.

With the guardians and ‘Agony,’ the second protagonist of this stage.

Perhaps because he was moving with stealth, there were no people around.

Everyone logged out due to the lord’s speech incident or gathered around the castle.

‘I was worried that guy would stand out.’

He thought he would have to endure it even if users followed him, but fortunately, he didn’t seem to be visible to other users.

No one saw him even when he followed Do-hyun, who openly used stealth.

The only crisis was that Jihad screamed strangely when he passed through the users.

“Wait, you’ll find out soon. Ah, it’s coming out there.”

As Do-hyun said, he felt a presence behind the bushes.

The Outlaws, who had now become a symbol of the full moon.

The ghost soldiers who had lost their king were appearing one by one.

-Ah…….

-King…….

Even though they couldn’t see, did they feel the presence of their king?

The footsteps of those approaching this way were clear. They didn’t feel the same force as before.

Not only were there wounds and dirt all over their bodies, but the number itself was different.

-Only…… only…… this…… much…… is…… left…….

Only six.

Almost half of the number had returned to nature [died].

‘Agony’ couldn’t bear the fact and had a self-blaming face.

He couldn’t dare to stand in front of them.

He had vowed to take on everyone’s pain instead.

He had decided to achieve the great cause with everyone’s sacrifice, but he was defeated by a mere human.

What face could he have to meet the soldiers with such a subject?

He had nothing to say even if they resented him.

Thud.

It was then.

Chuck. Chuck. Chuck. Chuck.

The Outlaws surrounding all sides knelt on one knee at the same time.

-King…… do…… not…… blame…… yourself.

-You…… are…… our…… savior.

-Infinite…… gratitude…….

Voices of gratitude were heard from all over.

Agony had a dumbfounded face as if he hadn’t expected it at all.

Do-hyun smiled at the guy.

“They’re betting everything on you. That’s impossible without respect.”

-Hmm! Fear or a weak heart that wants to lean on can’t give loyalty. You’re already a great king.

-Ah…….

Come to think of it.

He had never properly heard their voices before.

Agony didn’t know what they were thinking.

He said he would take on their pain, but he never thought deeply about what they were following him with.

What a foolish king he was.

-King…… have…… you…… gained…… a…… second…… life…….

There was no blame in the soldier who asked that. There was no hope or wish.

Only worried eyes were visible.

Even at this moment. They were worried about his safety.

On the other hand, what about himself? He was just thinking about accepting death as a warrior.

“If you become a legion commander, you can live a second life. Although you’re Undead, well, you guys are from the underworld anyway, right? I don’t think it’ll be any different.”

-…….

“It’s not now or never. It’s your last chance. Are you really going to abandon them like this and accept death?”

Agony didn’t answer.

He just silently looked at his soldiers.

About 10 seconds passed.

He seemed to be lost in thought, and he finally opened his mouth.