The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 226

226.

“Amazing……!”

The Lion King’s spirit couldn’t help but be impressed.

How long had it been since he felt such astonishment? Even in his prime, he rarely felt this surprised.

It was that unbelievable.

‘To figure out the trial’s conditions so quickly.’

Inflicting damage with pure strength, not skills.

That was the condition of the hidden stage.

A knight should know how to trust himself in moments of crisis.

The trial reflected the Lion King’s belief that one who seeks answers from elsewhere at crucial moments can never become a great knight.

‘Is it a coincidence? No, that doesn’t matter.’

However, it wasn’t just achieving the trial conditions that amazed the Lion King’s spirit.

‘Not only did he inflict damage, but he was also recognized for his swordsmanship…… I can’t believe it.’

Thus, the Signature Swordsmanship was unlocked.

To reach something even the Sword Emperor couldn’t achieve.

From the start, the Sword Emperor wasn’t an ‘Apostle,’ so he didn’t need to take the trial, but who knew the ‘?? King’ better than himself?

No one could easily gain recognition.

This was an acknowledgment of the author’s [Do-hyun’s] qualities, including swordsmanship itself.

‘Originally, the trial should have ended here…….’

Things change once recognition is given.

A trial to assess the qualifications to obtain Signature Swordsmanship is added, and only after completing this trial does it truly end.

And although it’s unlikely, if he successfully proves his qualifications…….

‘That swordsmanship will be inherited by that guy.’

It was the first time in history.

Because it was the swordsmanship of a forgotten king, never inherited by anyone.

And inheriting this swordsmanship meant…….

‘……We’ll be betting our fate on that guy.’

It meant that the ‘qualified knight’ they had been waiting for had appeared.

How long had they waited to find a qualified knight?

It was an exciting thing.

Of course, realistically, it’s hard to expect more than this.

‘It’s amazing that he made it this far…… but a mere Apostle can’t receive that sword.’

Although only a rotten, festering body remains, unable to unleash even half of his power, it is the sword of one who reached the highest level.

There was no way he could withstand even a single exchange.

But why?

‘Yes, that’s definitely right.’

The Lion King’s spirit couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of anticipation.

A feeling that maybe that guy might show something.

It wasn’t just a vague expectation.

‘If what I saw is really true…… there is no one with better qualities than him.’

From the start, why was the Eternal Knight even mobilized to conduct the trial?

It was to confirm whether what he saw through the true Lion King’s eyes was real. It was such an amazing sight. The moment he activated his ability, a distant, unknown space unfolded before his eyes.

And countless possibilities filled that space.

It was an infinite potential that a mere human could not possess.

‘Above all, the six enormous energies that unfolded behind it…….’

They possessed tremendous power that a mere human could not dare to handle.

But only up to that point. He couldn’t know anything more.

Even with the true Lion King’s eyes, which see through all possibilities and qualities, he could only see faint fragments like the tip of an iceberg.

It was unbelievable that a mere Apostle possessed such potential.

To be precise, it was potential that the current Apostle could not possess.

‘According to the prophecy, it will take at least three years from now for a qualified knight to appear.’

The prophecy that a qualified Apostle would appear on the promised day.

The prophecy that only that Apostle would achieve the desired salvation.

It was almost as if that prophesied Apostle had appeared.

But that was three years later.

It was strange that it happened now.

So,

“……Show me what you’ve got.”

Prove it. Whether you are truly the one who can save us.

The Lion King’s spirit, swallowing the unspoken words, watched with clear eyes.

The forgotten king’s body, gripping the sword with both hands, and Do-hyun standing before him.

* * *

[Signature Swordsmanship Quest, ‘Forgotten King’s Swordsmanship’ has been generated.]

[Receive the Forgotten King’s Sword.]

[Forgotten King’s Swordsmanship]

-Rank: Signature Swordsmanship

-Description: The Forgotten King’s rotten body acknowledges you. He wants to pass on the forgotten swordsmanship he used in his prime.

However, his swordsmanship is dangerous and for those with a strong heart. He is not yet convinced of you.

Receive his sword and prove your worth.

-Quest Success: Signature Swordsmanship, additional points on the Great Lion King’s Trial score, linked event occurrence

-Quest Failure: Disqualification from obtaining Signature Swordsmanship and quest cancellation, Great Lion King’s Trial reward decreased by two levels.

[Rejecting will immediately end the trial.]

[If rejected, the results will be tallied based on previous scores, and the linked event will be canceled.]

“Huh……?”

Do-hyun chuckled, alternating between the suddenly appearing messages and the Eternal Knight taking a swordsmanship stance in front of him.

He understood the situation.

‘So, the condition for passing was to inflict damage with pure skill? And I got a good score, so I got an additional quest.’

It was truly an insane condition.

Who would think of stabbing such a monster without using skills?

No, even if they thought of it, it would be difficult.

That armor and body were so hard that you wouldn’t even feel like you were poking him unless you aimed for a vital spot.

‘What kind of crazy difficulty is this?’

He thought of using what he learned from the Sword Emperor, but it was absurd considering how hard it was to inflict damage even with all sorts of skills.

A curse came out, but Do-hyun barely held it in and sighed.

‘Haa, well, it has to be that hard to be the first hidden stage.’

Whatever, he cleared it.

He didn’t just clear it either.

‘Signature Swordsmanship…….’

Something that originally takes at least half a year of sweat and effort to obtain.

If ordinary skills are mass-produced, this is a unique skill.

In that sense, anything with ‘Signature’ attached had great significance, but Signature Swordsmanship had even greater significance.

‘Signature Swordsmanship is more powerful than Signature Magic.’

Because Signature Swordsmanship has a framework that serves as a stem [foundation].

Swordsmanship is usually passed down through schools.

Signature Swordsmanship is about creating your own swordsmanship skill, influenced by swordsmanship that has been passed down through generations and made a name for itself.

Naturally, its performance and stability are superior to rootless Signature Magic.

‘But it takes that much longer…….’

Because you have to go to the Knight Order, which has inherited the swordsmanship that will serve as the framework, and be taught.

Thinking about it that way, half a year was short.

That’s why there are those who obtain Signature Swordsmanship through other routes…….

Usually, Signature Skills derived from swordsmanship with a short history are often worse than ordinary skills, so they tend to quietly enter the Knight Order.

But what about the King’s Swordsmanship?

What if it’s the swordsmanship of a king, presumed to be the Great Lion King, who reached the highest level?

Gulp.

He couldn’t help but swallow.

‘……I have to clear this no matter what.’

He had to get it no matter what.

The level of Signature Swordsmanship is generally determined by the level or reputation of the first creator.

If it’s the swordsmanship of the Great Lion King, who reached the highest level, there’s no need to say more.

He could obtain the best skill.

Moreover, it doesn’t take any time, and he can get it immediately?

“Ah, how can I stand this?”

-……Master, shouldn’t you wipe your drool before talking?

-Liza…….

“Wow, the Lion King’s Signature Swordsmanship…… how fun will it be? Signatures are at least Heroic, what if a Legend comes out?”

-Huh? Charlie, did you flinch just now? You pretended not to, but did you also get PTSD [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder]?

-……You seem to be mistaken. There’s no way I would. The joy of the Lord is the joy of this humble sword.

-No, I definitely saw it.

Do-hyun chuckled as he watched the chattering guys.

But only for a moment. Soon, Do-hyun’s face became serious.

He said it like this, but it won’t be easy.

Sss-.

As if waiting for his choice.

There was no gap in that guy, holding the sword with both hands and looking at this side.

Rather, he felt a strong pressure as if facing a huge mountain.

‘If I can’t receive it, the event will be deleted, and the reward will drop by two levels.’

The risk of ruining what he had come all the way up to.

On the other hand, if he refuses, only the linked event will be deleted, and nothing will be lowered.

If he thinks wisely, he shouldn’t be tempted by the honey in front of him and boldly refuse.

‘Who are you trying to please?’

How sweet the Signature Swordsmanship will be.

And how sweet the linked event that will follow will be.

Do-hyun was the kind of person who couldn’t stand it if he thought about it.

Rather than being scared and giving up, it was a hundred times better to try hard and taste the bitterness if he failed.

‘High risk, high return.’

One of the policies that always decorated Do-hyun’s path.

He was going to follow that path this time as well.

[Would you like to accept the Signature Swordsmanship Quest?]

“Yeah.”

Tting-

[Signature Swordsmanship Quest, Forgotten King’s Swordsmanship is in progress.]

[The Forgotten King, ‘?? King’s Rotten Body’ perfectly recreates the swordsmanship of his prime, just once.]

[Receive the Forgotten King’s Sword.]

[If successfully received, a linked event will open.]

The guy’s atmosphere changed when he accepted the quest.

As if the wait was over.

The suppressed aura that had been leaking out subtly began to surge explosively.

-Ugh……!

-Lizar……za!

-Powerful energy…… tremendous concentration. Please be careful, Master.

The Guardians frowned at the powerful energy that sprang out in all directions and even engulfed the entire space.

Do-hyun felt the same way.

He felt goosebumps when the energy touched him, and he felt eerie.

He felt as if his body had been cut in half from his skull at once.

Step, step.

Moreover, that wasn’t the end.

The moment the guy…… no, the King slowly approached and narrowed the distance.

Paat-!

The tremendous energy soared and created a shape.

The shape of a huge white lion floated above his head, and then a blizzard raged and covered the space.

[You have seen a sword of immensely high level.]

[A sword strike of overwhelming power is falling.]

[Caution! You may lose your life.]

Even at this time, the King was just holding the sword.

But the next moment.

Sss-.

The King’s hand fell. A very slow motion. A sword strike that just seemed to slowly drop the sword.

It was a downward strike.

He could see it vividly with both eyes, but he could never avoid it.

The moment Do-hyun, who felt like a human facing a blizzard on a snowy mountain cliff, widened his eyes.

—–!!

The King’s sword fell above his head, and Do-hyun quickly stretched out his sword to face it.

That was the end.

Kwagagagaga-!!

With an explosive roar, the surrounding area was swept away, and a message appeared.

[The Forgotten King’s Sword Strike has ended.]

[The trial has ended.]

……..

[The Signature Swordsmanship Quest is terminated.]

……..

It was a message announcing the end of the trial.

-Uh, what happened?

-Lizariza…….

-I can’t see anything……!

The Guardians had no choice but to wait, as the distant dust blinded their eyes.

Finally, the moment they saw the blurry silhouette that appeared after waiting for what seemed like an eternity.

-Huh, huh……?

-Oh my god……!

-Li, Liza!?