The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 234

Episode 234

It had been roughly an hour since Do-hyun first entered the Forgotten Tomb.

After much deliberation, the moment he chose his reward and stepped inside, he was greeted by a scene that was hardly a cataclysm.

‘This is…….’

More like just a tomb.

As the name suggested, it had been forgotten by people for a long time. It was completely unmanaged, with moss-covered buildings and weeds on the floor so withered they were crumbling.

And tombs and tombstones were placed everywhere.

At first glance, it’s just a slightly eerie, unremarkable landscape.

‘Ugh, this is unpleasant. What is this sticky air?’

‘Hmm…… It doesn’t feel very good.’

‘Lizariza…….’

However, Jihad, Eliza, and Charlie frowned as if they felt uncomfortable.

This was because of the unique unpleasant sensation emanating from the dead, which they felt throughout their bodies.

It was especially strong for those sensitive to energy.

The message popped up then.

[You are the first to enter the World Quest Dungeon, ‘Forgotten Tomb.’]

[Save the Forgotten King from the site of the Cataclysm.]

[The current Cataclysm Reenactment Rate is 0%.]

[As the first beneficiary, you have priority, and other users can enter after 1 hour.]

‘The Cataclysm hasn’t happened yet.’

It already has a chilling aura, but how will it change when the Cataclysm is reenacted?

Since it’s about reenacting the Cataclysm that the Forgotten King walked through, I was more curious, but I’ll find out soon enough.

Do-hyun, who had put his curiosity aside for a moment, took out the Thousand Transformations and held it.

His eyes narrowed.

‘One hour…… I need to monopolize it as much as possible.’

The one-hour priority given as a benefit for discovering the World Quest.

The value of this one hour is enormous.

Unlike the users who have to compete as soon as they enter, I have time to fully understand this place.

Especially for Do-hyun, who has the Eye of Truth, it was an invaluable time.

‘The most beneficial thing I can do right now is to find the Guardian.’

Or find a Hidden Piece.

Because I won’t be able to accumulate enough strategy points to rank in with ordinary methods. But the problem is how to find it in this vast space…….

Do-hyun clicked his tongue and turned around.

‘No choice, I’ll just have to wander around.’

In times like this, the orthodox method was the answer.

Do-hyun, who decided to search as much as possible before the users came, moved his steps.

How long had he walked?

[The current Cataclysm Reenactment Rate is 2%.]

“Tsk, I feel like I’ve been wandering around for 30 minutes already, but there’s nothing.”

-I know…… I’m getting tired.

-Lizariza.

Searching every nook and cranny around.

Deliberately going to places where footsteps wouldn’t easily reach.

Even going inside the eerie building, but the Eye of Truth never activated.

Just in case it was a type that the Eye of Truth couldn’t detect, Do-hyun also looked around in detail, but it was the same.

‘I even saved time from hunting to wander around, but at this rate, it’s all for nothing?’

If I had hunted, I would have leveled up or increased the Reenactment Rate, contributing a little to the strategy.

At this rate, I’m just going to waste a precious hour.

Do-hyun clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction, but it was actually within his expectations to some extent.

As a World Quest Dungeon, it had to accommodate a large number of users, so the map itself would be very large, and he thought it might be difficult to find even if he filled the entire hour.

[After a certain amount of time, the Cataclysm Reenactment Rate has increased.]

[The current Cataclysm Reenactment Rate is 3%.]

[The frequency of the dead appearing increases.]

Groan- Groan-

It was then that a hand burst out through the rotten ground as the message appeared.

Five dead bodies twisting grotesquely as they emerged from the ground.

I’ve seen the dead wandering around in the distance, but this is the first time I’ve seen them popping out like this in front of me.

‘I don’t have time to deal with those…….’

Just as he was about to ignore them and pass by as usual.

‘……Wait a minute.’

Do-hyun’s expression became strange.

Jihad, who had stopped abruptly at that, tilted his head.

-Huh? Why, Master? Are you giving up on finding it and going hunting? Should I step back then?

It was a question asked because he was already familiar with Do-hyun’s pattern of fighting alone in the first battle to assess the level, but Do-hyun shook his head.

The reason he stopped now was different.

[The Eye of Truth is activated.]

‘……Why is it all red under their feet?’

Under the ground where the dead had risen.

Red light was leaking from there.

It was a very small light, close to a dot, but it was definitely red.

Groan-!

As Do-hyun narrowed his eyes and stared, the dead, who had met his eyes, rushed in without hesitation.

They even took out swords and swung them.

Whoosh-

‘Look at this? They’re aiming for my head first.’

Do-hyun, who dodged the sword of the guy who came to the front by tilting his head, grabbed his elbow and broke it.

Crack, even though it was broken at a grotesque angle, there was no hesitation in his movement.

Do-hyun, who kicked the guy who was clicking his teeth and lunging at him in the stomach, slammed down the Thousand Transformations, which had turned into a ‘Grim Nightmare Scythe.’

Squeeze-

After confirming that the fallen guy was grabbing the sand, Do-hyun immediately changed his trajectory and slammed down on his hand first.

Swish- Thud!

Like that, one hit, two hits, three hits…….

After about four hits, the dead man’s body stopped trembling.

[You have defeated the ‘Grudge-Filled Mercenary Undead.’]

‘Even though I didn’t use the skill properly, I used Striking and Darkness Coating, but it took four hits…….’

As expected of a World Quest, their bodies were tough.

Like the Undead, they were bold even while being hit, but unlike the Undead, they had a sly and efficient combat sense.

It felt like fighting a human who had rolled around on the battlefield.

‘Are they using the skills from their mercenary days?’

This was only 3 percent Reenactment Rate.

If 3 percent is a mercenary, what kind of guy will come out at 10 percent, 20 percent, and 50 percent?

Do-hyun let out a hollow laugh.

I think I know why the Lion King’s spirit said it would be difficult when it reaches 100 percent.

-This is……. The way you wield your sword is worse than a street beggar. How can your center of gravity be so unstable……? Are there clients who hire mercenaries like you? They must have two lives to spare.

-Liza! Liza!

-Even a gang leader who learned by eye would be better than you. I think I know why you became a grudge-filled mercenary. I wouldn’t have been able to rest in peace either.

-Lizariza!

-……Well, good job!

Looking to the side, I saw Charlie and Eliza, who were senselessly holding onto the dead.

Charlie, who always puts in lip service, and Eliza, who agrees from the side. And Jihad, who claps behind those two.

Groan!!!

Groan!!!

The dead, who were very angry, were shining their eyes fiercely and swinging their swords.

It was a somewhat sad scene, but Do-hyun’s eyes were lowered. His eyes were not directed at them.

Slightly below that.

[The Eye of Truth is activated.]

The red light that was shining like a dot under their feet.

‘It disappeared from the dead I caught.’

And the same goes for under the dead man who was just knocked down by Charlie’s sword.

Thinking that maybe, Do-hyun pierced the neck of one of the guys from behind, and the light under the dead man who collapsed powerlessly also disappeared.

‘I’m sure of it.’

Do-hyun smiled as if his thoughts were correct and shouted.

“Charlie! Eliza! Don’t kill them, just hold onto one of them.”

-Liza?

-Understood, Master.

Next to Eliza, who was tilting her head as if asking what that meant, Charlie immediately carried out the order without asking.

After deflecting the dead man’s attack with his elegant swordsmanship, he took the sword and strangled him from behind.

-I’ve got him.

“Okay.”

Do-hyun, who nodded, immediately jumped towards the dead.

Do-hyun, who swung his huge scythe and quickly dealt with the remaining two, slowly approached Charlie.

Groan- Groan!

The dead man, who was clicking his teeth and struggling even in the captured situation.

Ignoring the guy who was spitting and revealing his intention to attack, he stabbed the Thousand Transformations, which had turned into a spear, under his feet.

There was no change. It was the same even after repeating it several times.

‘Is this not it?’

Do-hyun, who changed his mind, changed the Thousand Transformations into a shield and started digging under the ground.

-……Huh? What are you doing, Master? Why are you suddenly digging in the ground?

-Liza?

Even with the reactions expressing doubt, Do-hyun did not stop.

How many times had he dug like that? Do-hyun, who had gotten closer to the red light to some extent, gently dug out the soil with his hands.

The cheerful notification rang as he picked up the red crystal that was revealed.

[You have discovered a hidden fragment of the Cataclysm.]

“A fragment of the Cataclysm…… It doesn’t sound good just by the name.”

Do-hyun’s eyes were filled with conviction at the radiant red crystal that was emitting light even though it was covered in dirt and moss.

Instinctively, he felt it.

He had a feeling that this was related to what the Lion King’s spirit had said.

‘But where should I use this…….’

Pop, Groan-!

It was then that a rotten hand popped out of the fragment.

It was a dead man. The same appearance as the dead men he had just dealt with.

Do-hyun, who was just staring blankly at the non-sensible phenomenon that was far from the laws of physics, instinctively stabbed the Assassin’s Dagger.

Thud! Thud thud! Thud!

[By destroying the fragment of the Cataclysm, part of the Cataclysm disappears.]

[The Cataclysm Reenactment Rate increases rapidly.]

[The current Cataclysm Reenactment Rate is 4%.]

[You have leveled up.]

“…….”

-……Huh?

Do-hyun’s eyes shook at the unexpected situation. It was the same for Jihad, Eliza, and Charlie, who were standing next to him.

Instinctively, they looked at each other and blinked.

“……Crazy.”

-T, this is what I’m thinking, right, Master?

-Good heavens.

Do-hyun nodded with a hollow laugh at Jihad’s question, who was clearly flustered.

“I think that’s right.”

-Wow, is this okay? You have to cheat in moderation. This is too much, Master. No, more than that, what does this have to do with that Belief Crystal?

“Well, maybe it’s not related.”

But Do-hyun’s expression was bright.

Far from being disappointed, he was raising the corners of his mouth as if he couldn’t be happier.

‘Raising the Cataclysm Reenactment Rate is the same as considering that you have solved many Cataclysms. It will contribute greatly to the strategy.’

There is a disadvantage that it becomes more difficult, but in terms of strategy points alone, it is advantageous to raise the Cataclysm Rate to a certain stage.

‘One fragment raised it by 1 percent.’

In that sense, this fragment of the Cataclysm was like a cheat key.

Because he could raise it by 1 percent just by picking up and destroying one fragment.

Not only that.

It even seemed to give a huge amount of experience points because it was judged that all the Cataclysms contained inside had been resolved.

‘In other words, just destroying fragments will allow me to take first place in the strategy……?’

Do-hyun couldn’t help but flare his nostrils when he thought that far.

“This is so sweet?”

-……Sigh, an unfair world. Is this a country?

-As expected of our Master. To find something like this, this humble sword. My eyes are blurred with emotion.

-Li…… za.

Before he knew it, the Guardian, the treasure, and the Belief Crystal had disappeared from Do-hyun’s mind.

Treasure? It doesn’t come out even if you find it anyway, so what’s so important about that?

‘If I just destroy the fragments, I’ll get experience and strategy rewards at once!’

That’s how Do-hyun’s search for fragments began, and the process proceeded smoothly.

“Charlie!”

-Yes, Master! Hurry up and come up, we don’t have time.

Gr, groan?

When the dead wandered around and stretched out their hands through the ground, Charlie grabbed their hands and pulled them up.

Thanks to that, the dead man came up much easier and tilted his head with a bewildered face.

Charlie hugged such a dead man from behind as if comforting him…… No, he immediately strangled him, and Do-hyun worked hard to dig the ground.

[You have acquired a fragment of the Cataclysm.]

[You have destroyed a fragment of the Cataclysm.]

…….

[The current Cataclysm Reenactment Rate is 5%.]

“Next!”

-Yes, Master!

Then Charlie threw the dead man away, and Do-hyun immediately pierced the dead man’s brain, the vital point, and cut off his breath.

Then, the repetition of searching for the dead again.

When five of them came out at once like the first time, Do-hyun’s mouth was raised as if it would tear.

[You have destroyed a fragment of the Cataclysm.]

…….

[The current Cataclysm Reenactment Rate is 13%.]

At some point, it took destroying two or three to raise it by 1 percent, but considering that only 20 minutes had passed, it was an amazing speed.

If I just make it 50 percent like this, taking first place is a sure thing.

[You have leveled up.]

‘Kya! This is why I do Hidden Pieces!’

Even the level, which was said to be really hard to raise after level 80, rose.

With this, Do-hyun’s level is 81.

There was no such bonanza.

It was when Do-hyun was trying to calm down his heart, which was getting hot with excitement, with a cold reason and exploring the surroundings.

[C, can’t you stop.]

“Huh? What. What did you say?”

-I didn’t say anything?

“Then Charlie?”

-I didn’t say anything either, Master.

Do-hyun, who tilted his head at the urgent voice he heard from somewhere, soon began to dig out the ground with the fragment of the Cataclysm again.

Groan- Groan-

With the dead man crying sadly with his neck strangled behind him.

[Stop it right now!!]

It was then that a loud voice spread.

Do-hyun frowned, feeling a strange sensation as if it was ringing directly in his brain.

It was then that the change occurred.

Kugugugu-

The ground he was digging hard shook violently and moved on its own.

It wasn’t just here. The entire area was shaking and moving on its own, matching one shape.

Under the ground that was split to the sides like the Miracle of Moses, a huge door was revealed.

[The Eye of Truth is activated.]

[You have discovered a hidden place, ‘Guardian’s Cave.’]

[You are the first to discover it, so you are given the first benefit.]

[Experience increases by 20%.]

[Drop rate increases by 20%.]

“Ah.”

-Oh my god.

It was the cave where the Guardian he had been looking for was.

He was stunned to see the Guardian who had come on his own like a gourd rolling in, but once again, a very angry voice rang out.

[I can’t stand to see it anymore, so come in.]

-Uh?

-L, Liza!

At the same time as those words, the door opened and sucked in Do-hyun and the Guardians.

Do-hyun had unintentionally succeeded in a high-level strategy of making them come and find him directly if he couldn’t find them at all.

* * *

After being forcibly sucked in, what he saw when he opened his eyes was a huge cave.

And the statue of a huge lion filling the cave is baring its teeth with fiercely flashing eyes.

[You have entered a hidden place, ‘Guardian’s Cave.’]

[The Guardian is angry.]

[You may face death if you fail to prove your faith by passing the Guardian’s test.]

Do-hyun muttered as he looked at the message floating above the lion statue.

‘Wow…… I didn’t know I’d find it like this.’

This was the reason why the Cataclysm Rate had risen abnormally as soon as other users entered, and the reason why Do-hyun had entered the Guardian’s Cave.