The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 197

197.

Arnis Empire.

The final stretch of the main continent and the symbol of Avartel.

The central region, uniquely called an empire rather than just a collection of cities.

-The real game starts in the Empire.

-Users who haven’t set foot in the Empire haven’t even experienced half of God of Creation Online.

That’s what some game critics said about the Empire.

It’s an arrogant statement, but those who have experienced the Empire even once couldn’t deny it.

Even if they wanted to, they couldn’t.

[Entering the Empire unlocks previously locked content and systems.]

[Raid-related content is now available.]

[Enhancement content is now available.]

[Blacksmiths, crafting rooms, and production-related content such as alchemy and cooking are now available.]

[You can now enter magic towers and knightly orders.]

[Users can enjoy various content through their affiliated organizations and may become members depending on the conditions.]

The release of numerous previously locked content and systems.

Whether you’re in a production job or a combat job, you can now join a massive organization.

“What? You want to become a great blacksmith and want me to take you as a disciple? Hmm, I don’t take in those without potential! Go heat up the furnace first!”

“We have prepared a small gift for you who have entered the Red Magic Tower.”

“Have you sworn the oath of a knight?”

As a result, many users had the opportunity to grow by doing hardcore grinding.

“Wow, enhancement is so good. I’m going to whale [spend a lot of money] right away.”

“Can’t resist enhancement. I’m spending 200 right now.”

“You crazy bastards, spending 2 million won [approximately $1,500 USD] on a single weapon enhancement? Your brains are pickled in this luck-based, pay-to-win game.”

“B, but… I’ve become someone who can’t be satisfied with just card packs.”

“Enhancement is the best. Always thrilling.”

Many P2W (pay-to-win) players also had the opportunity to open their wallets in earnest.

And that’s not all.

“Wow… this is the Empire.”

“That’s the magic tower I’ve only heard about. It looks like it’s going to pierce the sky.”

“The knightly order is almost on par with the lords of other cities.”

“How many magic towers and castles are there…? No wonder they say that even if all the cities combine their strength, they can’t even reach the Empire’s toes.”

“That’s the royal castle… where the Emperor is. Is it real that the knightly order looks so small?”

Looking at the vast land and forces that dwarf the cities, you can’t help but feel overwhelmed.

Moreover, the level restriction of the Empire is 71~100.

“Oh? Isn’t that the Phoenix Guild Master?”

“Baekdu Mountain [another prominent player] is here too!”

“Wow, all the celebrities are here. I can see the executives of the top 10 guilds too?”

“Wow, these are the people I only saw on TV… it doesn’t feel real.”

“How many people are there…”

Not only celebrities that everyone knows just by hearing their names.

In fact, most users, including the advance team, were gathered in the Empire, so there were roughly hundreds of millions of users gathered.

And as famous as them, there were the Arnis Knights, Lord Arlen, and the Magic Tower Masters, etc…

“The force is amazing… How can NPCs be like that? They’re like the strong characters in fantasy novels.”

“They say even the top 10 guilds can’t mess with them.”

“It really feels like an empire. I’m getting excited for no reason.”

Seeing the many famous NPCs, people finally realized they had come to the Empire and felt excited.

A different kind of emotion than when they first set foot in the previous cities.

Instinctively feeling that this is the real beginning, their hearts swell.

[You have entered the central empire of the main continent, ‘Arnis Empire’.]

[Enhancement content is now available.]

……

[Tip: The Emperor’s words are absolute. Be careful when playing.]

‘……My heart is pounding.’

‘Y, yeah…’

‘Hmm…!’

‘Lizariza.’

Do Hyun felt the same.

Like other users, the moment he first set foot on the Empire’s land, he was so impressed by the different kind of scenery that welcomed him that his heart swelled.

However, the reason for his heart swelling was a little different.

Step, step, step, step, step.

Buzz, buzz-

More than dozens of armed users were surrounding the warp gate, waiting for Do Hyun.

‘……I didn’t expect them to be really waiting from the start.’

It was right to assume that they had gathered their forces from the beginning in preparation for failing in Fratel.

It was a great obsession.

It meant that the entire guild was taking time off to move just to catch him.

‘Well, Biltan… no, Verze, that guy was especially thorough only at times like this, even in Dem Locke.’

The fact that he had fewer people waiting compared to Fratel meant that he was that confident.

Even after seeing the Ludra raid team, the fact that he only had 50 people waiting meant that those 50 people were worth 200 ordinary users.

“……What’s going on?”

“Isn’t that the Hero Guild? Why are they suddenly surrounding the warp gate?”

“How many people are there…? There must be 50?”

“Crazy, even the people standing in front are all high-ranking executives?”

“The people behind them aren’t just ordinary guild members either. They’re all rookies who made a name for themselves in the past.”

That guess was exactly right.

They were actually high-ranking executives of the Hero Guild, famous enough to be recognized by name.

Even those standing behind them like ordinary soldiers were not ordinary guild members, but elite combatants.

“What, haven’t you heard the news yet?”

“What news?”

“This time, the Ludra raid in Fratel… Kaiser stole it…”

“Crazy… is that even allowed?”

“I don’t know. They even got into a fight in Fratel right before warping, and suddenly the Knights stepped in?”

“What’s going on?”

Even in the Empire, the rare sight made passersby stop and glance.

For those who didn’t know the situation, they wondered what was going on.

For those who had already heard the news, they were ready to enjoy the popcorn in this exciting situation.

That’s when it happened.

Step, step.

“……It’s been a long wait, Kaiser.”

“Huh, h, huh… !”

“Crazy…”

The heavy footsteps coming from behind and the pleasant baritone voice that followed.

The users who turned their heads at that gasped and made way.

A path was created through the crowd like the miracle of Moses. And a long-haired man was walking confidently alone on that path.

Even from a distance, you could feel his handsomeness like a gigolo-like cold beauty.

Step, step.

Step.

A man who ranks in the Top 5 of God of Creation Online’s appearance rankings.

One of the most popular users among female players, and the master of the Hero Guild, which is in the top ranks of the top 100 guilds.

“……Verze.”

It was the appearance of Verze.

The sound of users whispering grew louder at the appearance of an unexpected big shot.

“Wow… Verze is stepping up himself?”

“Verze is here? Kaiser is done for now.”

“Why? Didn’t Kaiser steal the hidden raid boss and win 30 to 1? Isn’t it doable?”

“Is Fratel the same as the Empire? Just look at the enhancement and skill levels, they’re on a different level…”

“It’s just a different class. The Empire and Fratel. Especially with Verze… it’s game over.”

“This is why you have to join a guild. He didn’t know his place too much. Kaiser.”

“He thought the level restriction would protect him forever. He’s going to get it all at once when he comes to the Empire.”

The stories that were heard were all negative.

Of course, they were valid opinions.

No matter how much Kaiser was writing history with his unprecedented achievements, he was only level 71, just entering the Empire.

It didn’t make sense for a level 71 to catch a level 100.

If the situation was numerically unfavorable, there was no need to talk.

‘……What should we do, Master? Aren’t we in big trouble?’

‘L, Liza…’

‘Hmm… I can feel strong energies.’

The Jihad guys, who were sensitive to energy, seemed anxious as if they felt it too.

On the other hand, Verze, who approached with a relaxed look, stared at Kaiser and slightly raised one corner of his mouth.

“I wanted to see you, Kaiser.”

“……I don’t have a taste for men.”

Verze chuckled at Do Hyun’s blunt answer.

“I really wanted to see you. I don’t know what confidence you have to interfere with me every time… But you’ve crossed the line too much.”

Verze’s expression as he said that was smiling, but it wasn’t a smile.

His eyes were folded, but he was emitting murderous intent with his jaw clenched as if he was grinding his teeth.

Instead of answering, Do Hyun turned his head and slowly looked around.

Then he spat out with a sneer.

“Aren’t you the one crossing the line?”

“……You’ll be punished if you spit out anything with your mouth. Think carefully before you speak.”

“You guys should be punished. How many people have you guys cheated and backstabbed? Isn’t that right, Biltan?”

Verze, who was biting his teeth, paused.

Then he looked into Do Hyun’s eyes for a few seconds and then smiled.

“……You recognize me.”

“Well, it was a bit difficult because the customization was so different. Back then, you were full of chuunibyou [a Japanese term for someone who acts like they have special powers or knowledge], like you were about to shout Black Flame Dragon…”

“S, shut up! Kaiser.”

Verze, who hurriedly cut off his words, looked embarrassed.

Do Hyun smiled as if to say, ‘Look at this?’ at the sight of him as if he had dug up his dark history.

“Are you ashamed? Come to think of it, I don’t think your 말투 [manner of speaking] was like that either, so why did you become so refined? Ah, is that it? Forgetting the past that was a dark history, and making a new start in a new place…”

“Let’s stop with the useless words here.”

Step, step, step, step.

As he cut off his words firmly and raised one hand, his legion surrounding him took out their weapons and took a step forward.

It was now a distance where they could become iron skewers just by reaching out.

“……Is it okay to do this here? If there’s bloodshed, you’ll go to jail.”

“Of course, I’m not that thoughtless. I will never harm you here. I’m just going to block your way.”

“……”

“Ah, there’s a warp gate on the right… I’ll leave that one empty for you.”

Do Hyun, who looked at the place he pointed to, let out a hollow laugh.

The warp gate on the right was a warp gate to the field.

The meaning of those words was simple.

Follow me quietly to the field and get killed; you won’t be able to move a single step in the city.

“……You pathetic bastard.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Verze smiled and took another step closer, facing him.

Because of their similar heights, their eyes were vividly visible.

In Verze’s eyes, there was joy.

As if this moment was too thrilling.

Feeling unpleasant at the cathartic look, Do Hyun reached out to Cheonbyeon, and Verze took a step back and opened his mouth.

“I said we had a bad relationship, right? I’m glad you remember. Then do you remember this too?”

“……What are you talking about?”

“When I was fighting a guild war with Hermes, you broke in without permission and made a mess. Besides that, you interfered with me whenever you had a chance.”

That was definitely the case.

At that time, he was planning to annihilate both of them.

It was an act of openly attacking with hostility.

It was an act that he couldn’t say anything even if he crossed the line, but there was a reason for that.

“Ha, I guess you don’t remember being backstabbed after saying we should join hands because it’s a public enemy?”

“……It’s a strategy.”

The reason why Do Hyun had a full-fledged bad relationship with the Hero Guild.

The guild that made Do Hyun have the belief that ‘yesterday’s enemy is also today’s enemy’ was none other than the Hero Guild.

That petty bad relationship was once again holding a knife to his neck.