The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 177

177.

I couldn’t stop laughing.

No matter how hard I tried to hold it in, the laughter kept bubbling out.

‘Perfect. It’s going perfectly.’

It was going exactly as planned, almost too perfectly.

Some of the comments were even unfolding exactly as I had predicted!

I ran so many simulations, and now I’m reaping the rewards.

The benefits of this raid team’s success alone were enormous. This isn’t just about restoring my image.

It’s a leap forward, not just one step, but five.

-But what if they fail after making such a fuss?

-I know, right? The first hidden raid boss must be incredibly strong. Are they even confident?

-If they fail miserably and get wiped out, it’ll be hilariousㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ [Korean slang for laughter, similar to ‘lol’].

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋThat would be even funnier. I’d love it.

There were many mocking comments predicting failure, but Verze scoffed.

‘You fools. Do you think I would proceed without any preparation?’

Even singers go through dozens of rehearsals before going on stage, so of course, I would have completed all sorts of preparations before the raid.

And that preparation naturally included practical training.

In fact, because it was the first raid, I had no choice but to practice in real combat.

Since there was no readily available information, I had to learn the characteristics and patterns by directly confronting them and researching the strategy.

‘I attempted it nine times. If I do as I practiced, it’ll be enough.’

That’s why, even after finishing the Luidra raid quest in three days, I needed four more days.

And now, the preparations are complete.

With Zerfak leading the elite Dark Horses, there’s no way we can fail if we stick to the plan.

As befitting the title of the first hidden raid boss, it was incredibly strong, but with 15 people trying, there’s no way we couldn’t take it down.

‘Once this blows up, I can continue with the Empire’s one.’

When that happens, no one will ignore the Hero Guild or the name Verze anymore.

It will become a true near-top 10 guild.

Verze closed his eyes, imagining a brilliant golden future.

‘Yes, there’s no way I can fail.’

How difficult has it been?

Since Kaiser appeared, nothing has gone right.

But that’s all in the past now. This time, no one can block my path.

Not even Kaiser!

“Hmm… Kaiser…”

Verze, who was determined, muttered the name that suddenly came to mind.

In fact, the biggest variable in this raid team was none other than Kaiser.

He is an irregular.

An unpredictable being who always produces extraordinary results.

I was wary of what strange route he would take to interfere with me.

So, when I said I would recruit anyone, I thought it wouldn’t be bad if Kaiser joined.

It was better to put him on the raid team and keep an eye on him.

‘I heard the report that he didn’t join the raid team. No one has seen him leave since he entered the castle.’

So, is he still doing quests inside the castle?

There are rumors that it might be a main quest, so it would be a lie to say I’m not worried, but it’s better this way.

The raid team has already departed, and he is inside the castle.

There’s no way he can interfere, even if he wanted to.

But why?

‘…What is this unease?’

I don’t know why, but the unease wouldn’t go away.

That Kaiser is so quiet.

Tap, tap.

Verze, who was drumming his fingers on the desk as a habit, shook his head.

It was an unnecessary worry.

Logically, it didn’t make sense for him to interfere in this situation.

“Zerfak just needs to manage the raid team well.”

The only realistic variables now are the users participating in the raid team.

And the executives of the Hero Guild were not so soft that they couldn’t control those ordinary users.

Verze smiled, objectively summarizing the situation once again.

“I should prepare to enjoy the feast.”

Verze leaned back comfortably in his chair, thinking about wine and steak for dinner.

* * *

Meanwhile, while everyone’s attention was focused on the Luidra raid team.

Dohyun, who heard the shocking secret of the Lantern Festival, was chuckling in disbelief.

‘So that’s why they called it a half-baked festival.’

Now I know why Ruriel clicked her tongue while watching the Lantern Festival.

Now that the Seed of Purification has disappeared, the Lantern Festival has become just a formality.

Was that why the residents’ expressions were so dark?

It was likely.

‘…So that’s why they broke the taboo.’

‘Tsk, there’s bound to be trouble if they do that.’

‘Lizariza [An expression of disapproval or regret].’

It’s as they say.

According to the teachings of Avartelt, people experience trials and tribulations to prepare for happiness.

It is considered a test from God to make them stronger.

Forcibly releasing that trial is not within human authority.

If Brion knew this, he would have flipped out long ago.

Wouldn’t Leved’s wave-cutting sword have been shown in Fratel this time?

“At first, everyone was happy. It gave will to those who had lost the will to live, and it was enough to just be with loved ones. Watching them, I believed I was doing the right thing.”

“…….”

“Until exactly half a year.”

Happy even if you don’t work, happy even if you just breathe.

Then who would bother to move forward?

There must be light if there is a shadow.

When the pain disappeared, the value of happiness decreased, and everyone stopped and stagnated in their place.

Gilberun and Angela, who belatedly realized the seriousness of the situation, tried to stop the purification ceremony.

“But it was already too late.”

All sorts of negative emotions, wounds, and pain.

When those disappeared, they awakened an existence.

The owner of nightmares and the witch of dreams, Luidra.

She was furious and woke up from her long sleep, and Fratel was devastated by her rampage.

“We, who were steeped in peace, were instantly hit by ‘it’ in a surprise attack. Thanks to that, many people fell into eternal slumber without even fighting properly. Angela also…” He gritted his teeth.

“Your Majesty….”

“I’m fine. I can’t fall yet.”

Hyde was worried about Gilberun, who was gritting his teeth so hard that his arms were trembling.

Gilberun’s face was full of regret and resentment.

“Don’t you know that you shouldn’t touch those who have fallen into eternal slumber carelessly? That was the best thing to do.”

“…I know. I wish I had been cursed instead.”

“Please don’t say that. What good is it if the king disappears?”

He was so angry that Angela sacrificed herself instead of him.

But more than anything, it was heartbreaking that he couldn’t even lay her down in her room so she could rest comfortably.

Because if you touch someone who has fallen into eternal slumber, they may never wake up.

For Gilberun, the only option was to announce that Angela was dead, put up a barrier to keep her safe, and twist the path.

“If it weren’t for Ruriel… I wouldn’t have been able to hold on.”

And it was Ruriel and the White Magic Tower Master who helped him.

The White Magic Tower Master gave practical help to protect Angela, and Ruriel gave hope that the Apostle of Prophecy would appear someday.

‘Many people are cursed with eternal slumber… So that’s why the residents’ expressions were dark.’

All of them must have loved ones in the same situation as Angela.

If they told the outside world, they would be burned at the stake, so they couldn’t say anything and were just groaning.

I understand up to this point.

However, there was one very puzzling thing.

‘Why can only the Apostle solve the problem?’

This place is the city right before the Empire.

At the same time, it is the only city where the residents call the lord a king, not a lord, even after the Empire’s declaration.

As such, the level of the knights was different from the previous cities.

Just looking at the knight commander or the prophet Ruriel, wouldn’t most users not even dare to think of competing?

‘Those guys can’t catch it, so they’re entrusting it to an ordinary Apostle?’

And apart from that, it was extremely obvious and common sense that NPCs were stronger than Apostles.

It didn’t make sense that they were relying on users when they couldn’t catch it.

Is there a limit that only Apostles can catch?

The answer to that question was roughly similar.

“It’s because of that witch’s characteristics.”

Luidra has two characteristics: the Dream Room and the Nightmare Room.

A characteristic that creates her own unique space and freely exercises her authority.

The Dream Room is okay because the area of ​​interference is small, but the problem was the Nightmare Room.

Those who have been invited to the Nightmare Room even once will have a Nightmare Mark.

“Those who have the Nightmare Mark cannot inflict fatal damage on her until they die.”

“…Unfortunately, I also have that mark.”

Knight Commander Hyde quietly showed his hand.

There was a screaming skull tattooed on it.

“Besides us, all the knights have this mark somewhere on their body. It’s a terrible mark that only disappears when you die.”

It was because they couldn’t prepare for the monster’s appearance.

In other words, the only ones who can catch the monster are the immortal users who revive even if they die.

Then, the question inevitably arose as to why they hadn’t commissioned the Apostles all this time….

“How can we commission it? Everyone in Avartelt knows that the Apostles are gossips. If it spreads that we broke the taboo, can we handle Brion and the Empire coming at us from both sides?”

“…That’s right.”

As soon as Dohyun catches one field boss, all sorts of news spreads.

I can guarantee that if you tell one user that you have broken the taboo, a knight will come up in less than 10 minutes and the news will spread to the Empire.

“You’re the only one left.”

You were the only straw they could grab.

“It’s embarrassing, but we can’t ask for help, and we can’t kill him ourselves. Please… can you help us? I promise you a reward in the name of Gilberun.”

“…….”

“I want to save the sleeping people, Angela. Please help me correct my mistake.”

Ding-.

[Angela’s Secret Linked Quest ‘Seed of Purification’ is created.]

[Seed of Purification]

-Grade: Hero+

-Description: Dream Witch, Luidra.

Only the Seed of Purification, which she stole, can free Angela and the people from the curse of eternal slumber.

Take the Seed of Purification from Luidra.

-Clear Condition: Seed of Purification (0 / 1)

-Clear Reward: 1,000 gold, a large amount of experience, special event occurrence

-Risk of Failure: If you fail to obtain the Seed of Purification and kill it, it will be considered a failure, and your favor with Gilberun may be greatly reduced.

-Time Limit: None.

A Hero+ grade quest, not even a Hero grade.

However, Dohyun’s expression was ambiguous.

‘The reward is too small compared to the difficulty.’

It’s rare to get 1,000 gold for one quest, but I’m not going to clear a Hero+ quest just to get some gold and a lot of experience.

There was no such objective reward. So Dohyun focused on the final reward.

‘There must be something in that special event.’

I don’t know what kind of event will occur, but that must be the key.

Of course, there was no guarantee that the event would be good.

In fact, in Demlock, there were cases where people were backstabbed after clearing quests where events occurred.

On the other hand, there were also cases where great benefits were given, or events that led to great quests.

It was a somewhat risky quest, but Dohyun had no reason to refuse.

‘I have to wake up Angela to get the Fragment of Fate.’

Dohyun wanted to wake up Angela as much as Gilberun did.

However, there was something he had to make sure of first.

“There are conditions.”

“…What is it? I will grant you anything that is within my power.”

Dohyun paused for a moment, watching Gilberun, who was slightly nervous.

‘I have to guarantee the ownership of the necklace.’

It was confirmed that Angela was not dead but a relic, and it was revealed that it was the source of this incident.

I could ask for it and he would give it to me, but I had to make sure of this.

“I need two things.”

“What is it?”

And Dohyun wanted a complete Fragment of Fate, not a broken necklace.

Dohyun said with a very firm face.

“I need the necklace and Angela.”

“……?”

And a moment of silence passed.

“…What?”

“Ah.”

Dohyun paused, watching Gilberun, who was twitching his eyebrows in the suddenly cold atmosphere.

I think I said something wrong.