The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 256

256.

[The One Acknowledged by the Sword Emperor]

-Rank: Hero

-Description: A prestigious title bestowed upon one who has gained the recognition of the Sword Emperor, a figure revered in their era.

One acknowledged by the Emperor of Swords needs no further proof of their worth.

-Effect: Can be used in place of proving one’s worth.

Increases Sword Skill Proficiency experience gained by 10%.

All stats +6

Do Hyun smiled as he checked the title’s effects.

‘Oh, not bad?’

To think he got a Hero rank just for being acknowledged.

If he had defeated the Sword Emperor, he might have gotten a Legend rank.

‘Is that actually possible?’

It seemed like a plausible joke, but Do Hyun quickly dismissed it as meaningless speculation.

How could he ever defeat that monstrous old man?

‘Replaces proving one’s worth… It’s conditional, but the increased proficiency experience and +6 to all stats are worth the Hero title.’

The stat increase was decent, and the proficiency boost was quite rare.

Especially considering how hard it was to raise his Sword Skill Proficiency these days, it was like rain in a drought.

In the late game, even a 1% increase in damage was significant.

Now, he needed to check the Sword Emperor’s gift…

“Take this.”

As the name suggested, it was a gift, and the Sword Emperor handed it over directly, not through the system.

[The Sword Emperor gives you, who has gained his recognition, a gift.]

[You have acquired the Sword Emperor’s Gift, ‘Silver Sword Token of the Seven Rivers’.]

Do Hyun’s eyes widened as he read the information.

[Silver Sword Token of the Seven Rivers]

-Rank: Hero+

-Description: One of the iron tokens given to the Seven Rivers, symbolizing their swords.

Among the five colored tokens, the silver one represents iron and metal.

Grants special benefits to blacksmiths under contract with the Sword Emperor.

However, once used, it loses its effect and is recorded in the registry.

‘The Sword Token of the Seven Rivers. I’ve heard of it. I know it’s quite hard to get.’

The Seven Rivers each hold five colored iron tokens.

Only one of them, the red one symbolizing their family, is unique, but they possess multiple of the others to give to their trusted subordinates or those they acknowledge.

Obtaining a Sword Token of the Seven Rivers was a prestigious honor.

It meant one could enjoy the benefits of the Seven Rivers.

The benefits varied greatly depending on which of the Seven Rivers and which color it was…

‘The Silver Sword Token of the Seven Rivers… It’s not exceptionally good, but I know it’s not bad either.’

Among them, the Silver Sword Token of the Seven Rivers was considered decent.

No, actually, it didn’t matter what he got.

The number of users who had obtained a Sword Token of the Seven Rivers could be counted on one hand.

He should be grateful for whatever he received.

“This place has workshops filled with skilled blacksmiths who have made a name for themselves even in the Great Empire. Your equipment looks like rags. The durability is almost gone. Go and have some armor made.”

“Yes, I will.”

That was why Do Hyun listened with a smile, even when the Sword Emperor acted like this.

‘Heh… It was worth risking my life to receive his sword.’

He got a clue about the next technique, a Hero-grade title, and the rare Sword Token?

It wasn’t just his imagination that the monstrous old man suddenly felt like Santa Claus.

Perhaps Do Hyun’s constant grinning, as if he had never frowned, bothered him.

The Sword Emperor furrowed his brow, deep lines forming on his forehead.

“To see such a low-class display of flared nostrils… You’re quite repulsive. Disciple, are all your companions like this?”

“…It’s hard to deny.”

“? Why me? I’m fine, unlike that brawler.”

Astro, who was also lumped in as ‘one of those guys,’ voiced his injustice…

“Shut up. The sight of you in your underwear still disgusts me.”

“…”

He was immediately cut off by the Sword Saint, who looked at him with disgust. It was an awkward situation, but that wasn’t the problem right now.

“…Underwear? The sight of you disgusts me?”

Murderous intent filled the Sword Emperor’s eyes as he repeated the Sword Saint’s words blankly.

The aura directed at Astro surpassed even when he was wielding his sword against Do Hyun, and Astro, sensing death, desperately explained.

“F, Fashion! I pursued a hardcore look in my previous world, so I dressed a bit uniquely. It’s not what you think.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Are you asking me to cut off your tongue?”

“That’s not it… Hey, you! What are you doing, not helping me!”

Only after the Sword Saint explained, thanks to Astro’s desperate struggle for survival, could the Sword Emperor calm down.

By this point, they couldn’t help but get a sense of it.

‘Huh? I think the Apostles said something about this. Was he a daughter-con?’

‘Lizariza…’ [Note: This is likely a reference to a character or situation that the readers would understand, perhaps a popular meme or in-joke within the game community.]

‘Hmm, he seems to dote on his disciple.’

‘He only dotes on her, why is he trying to kill me? Ugh, my heart is still pounding.’

The Sword Emperor, Garfield Drew.

He was terribly devoted to his disciple.

“But Master.”

“What is it, my disciple?”

That thought gained more credibility as the Sword Saint spoke, and the Sword Emperor smiled kindly, as if nothing had happened.

“You told me not to destroy the training room, but you were the one who destroyed it. Wasn’t that too much force?”

“…D, Did I? Hmm, I was a bit excessive.”

“Yes. And have you finished your work? I remember it would take at least two more hours. Did you pass it on to Lord Dade again?”

“…Ahem.”

The more they saw the Sword Saint offering gentle nagging disguised as facts, the more convinced they became.

His face, sweating and feigning ignorance, made him look like an eight-year-old caught not doing his homework.

‘…Was that his original image?’

To think that the noble Sword Emperor had such a side to him.

Conversely, the Sword Saint’s nagging was also unexpected.

She had always been the one to criticize Gugu the most among her companions, but she was generally taciturn.

“Ahem. So, how was it?”

“Me, you mean?”

“Didn’t you say you’d tell me the difference between my sword and the Forgotten King’s sword?”

“Ah.”

Do Hyun, who had been wondering about the sudden change of topic, nodded.

Come to think of it, that was the original purpose. After thinking for a moment, Do Hyun opened his mouth with a sulky face.

“…The king wasn’t at full power at the time, so it’s hard to compare. Both of you delivered amazing blows.”

“Hoo… Is that so? Interesting.”

The Sword Emperor, muttering to himself, wore a smile on his face as if he had never been flustered.

It didn’t seem to matter to him who was superior. He simply enjoyed the process of comparing and discussing their skills.

‘Looking at that, he’s just like that guy. Is that why he became his disciple?’

Do Hyun chuckled, seeing the Sword Emperor overlap with the Sword Saint.

The Sword Saint seemed to feel similarly, as she stopped nagging and wore a faint smile, but then she opened her beautiful lips as if she had suddenly remembered something.

“But why did you come here? Don’t tell me you’re really skipping work…”

“Of course not, don’t worry, my disciple.”

“Then why?”

She tilted her head, looking confused.

It was then that the Sword Emperor turned his head. He met Do Hyun’s eyes and grinned.

“I came because I have something to discuss with that guy.”

‘With me?’

The moment Do Hyun questioned the incomprehensible statement.

The Sword Emperor, with a solemn face, spoke in a heavy voice as if declaring something.

“Apostle, who contributed the most to preventing a disaster that could have plagued the continent. I wish to meet you. We’ll talk about the details later.”

“…?”

“That is what His Majesty the Emperor has said.”

Do Hyun’s eyes widened as he belatedly understood.

The Sword Emperor, meeting his eyes as if asking if he understood correctly, added as if to confirm.

“His Majesty wants to see you.”

Ting-

At the same time, messages appeared.

[The Emperor of the Arnis Empire, ‘Bahalun de Arnis,’ invites you.]

[Sudden Quest, ‘The Emperor’s Invitation,’ has occurred.]

[The Emperor’s Invitation]

-Rank: Sudden Quest

-Description: The great Emperor of the Arnis Empire on the main continent, Bahalun de Arnis, wishes to meet you, the top contributor to the World Quest, and talk.

Follow the Sword Emperor and enter the Imperial Palace.

-Reward for Completion: 2,000 gold, a lot of experience, follow-up quest.

-Risk of Failure: The Emperor’s favor may decrease.

‘Top contributor… Is this a quest only given to the 1st place in the strategy rankings?’

It was a kind of event quest that could be called a hidden piece.

‘Come to think of it, I got that as a reward for clearing the World Quest.’

Do Hyun nodded, recalling the box in his inventory.

It was definitely a good reward, but he couldn’t help but think that it was the end, even though he was in 1st place. He didn’t know there was such a hidden event.

It was an unexpected situation, but Do Hyun had no reason to refuse.

From the beginning, he had risked his life to clear the Lion King’s Trial to gain the qualifications to enter the Imperial Palace.

[The Forgotten King’s Request]

-Rank: Sudden Quest

-Description: The king’s soul wants you to fulfill the task he couldn’t accomplish.

His wish is for the peace of the empire.

After sealing the great disaster, investigate whether there are those in the Imperial Palace who are in league with the Abyss or the Moon Order.

-You can clear the World Quest by sealing the disaster.

-Quest Success: Follow-up quest occurs, Main Quest clue acquired

-Quest Failure: Follow-up quest deleted, Main Quest clue deleted

[Fifth Piece of Fate (2)]

-Rank: Main Quest, Job Quest

-Description: You heard a clue about the fifth piece of fate from Gamillion Adran. It is presumed to be in the Imperial Palace, so enter the Imperial City and find the clue.

-Quest Success: Follow-up quest Fifth Piece of Fate (3) occurs.

-Quest Failure: Disappearance of the Fifth Piece of Fate (3) quest.

-Time Limit: None.

Do Hyun’s eyes gleamed as he looked at the two quests occupying the list.

Whether it was the Piece of Fate or the Moon Order.

‘I’ll find out everything when I go to the Imperial Palace.’

The time had come to obtain a clue about the Main Quest.

Ting-

[Your connection time has ended.]

[You will be forcibly terminated in 5 seconds.]

“…”

If it weren’t for the sudden message.

Do Hyun, who had been trying to create a serious atmosphere, had to ask with trembling pupils.

“…Will I be disqualified if I go tomorrow?”

Swallowing his tears.

* * *

The Arnis Empire, the Imperial Palace.

For users, the weight of that name was considerable.

A place that even the top 10 guilds were not easily allowed to enter.

A place where countless high-rankers desperately wanted to meet the Emperor even once but couldn’t.

A place that could disband a guild with a single imperial order.

A place teeming with countless monsters.

That was the position and value of the Imperial Palace.

So much so that there was even talk that a guild’s recognition differed depending on how many times they had set foot on Imperial Palace grounds.

God of the Century was still a game where the Emperor’s command was law.

‘It’s a bit of an exaggeration… But it’s natural that the closer you are to the Emperor, the greater your influence.’

Should he call it fortunate?

There were still only a handful of users who had entered the Imperial Palace.

The last user to enter was half a year ago, wasn’t it?

Even then, they had only entered once or twice by chance and had not established any proper relationships.

“…Huh? Isn’t that Kaiser?”

“The Sword Emperor is next to him?”

“What? Why is Kaiser with the Sword Emperor?”

“Wait a minute. They’re stopping in front of the Imperial City?”

“…No way?”

“Eh… It can’t be.”

That was the situation until now.

Until the Sword Emperor and Kaiser stood side by side in front of the towering gates of the Imperial City.

Ignoring the murmuring of the users at the conspicuous combination, the Sword Emperor opened his mouth first.

“This is the place. Bum… Um. What was your name again?”

“Kaiser.”

“Yes, Kaiser. To make His Majesty wait a whole day… If you weren’t the top contributor, His Majesty wouldn’t have shown such generosity. Consider it an honor.”

“…Yes. Thank you.”

“Tsk, you impudent fellow.”

A brief conversation ensued, and the Sword Emperor, clicking his tongue as if dissatisfied, opened the door.

The two entered the city.

“…?”

“Huh?”

“Did they just go in together?”

“…Huh?”

And after a few seconds of silence among the users who were staring blankly at the two, a cry of astonishment echoed like a roar, dominating the surroundings.

“This is crazy!?”

“K, Kaiser has entered the Imperial City!!”

“Following the 1st place in the World Quest, he’s even entering the Imperial Palace?”

“More than that, what’s his relationship with the Sword Emperor? Why are they going in together?”

“I don’t know. Something… Something is about to happen.”

“Kaiser! Kaiser! Kaiser! Kaiser! Kaiser!”

The record of half a year was broken.

Oh