The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 261

261.

* * *

Dohyun couldn’t believe the sight before him.

[The Proof of Steel is reacting violently.]

[The ‘Heaven-Defying Stone’ dormant within the Proof of Steel awakens.]

“A Heaven-Defying Stone… That’s impossible. What are you…?”

The Proof of Steel contains countless minerals.

Over ten thousand in number, with more than a hundred different types.

It was no exaggeration to say that it contained all the minerals in the world, but if one had to pick the rarest among them, it would undoubtedly be that ‘stone.’

‘…A stone that chooses its own master.’

That thing, undoubtedly a stone, was harder than any other mineral and possessed a fierce energy.

‘Until it chooses its master, it can never be melted or refined… Everyone challenged it and failed, treating it like a white elephant [a possession that is useless or troublesome, especially one that is expensive to maintain], and now it appears here!’

And among those who failed was the Sword Emperor.

This young man was challenging an achievement that even the Sword Emperor, known as the strongest swordsman, couldn’t accomplish.

Perhaps… just perhaps, the master of that finicky mineral might be born today.

It was only natural that Ison’s hands trembled at the sight of this great achievement before his eyes.

“……What is going on?”

A monotonous voice devoid of intonation was heard.

However, Ison could feel the subtle tremor within it.

It was a voice he had heard for a very long time.

“Artram-nim [term of respect]?”

A master craftsman of unparalleled skill, surpassing all rivals despite being over seventy years old.

A man bestowed with the title of Grand Artisan, surpassing even artisans.

Artram, the symbol of the Argetlam Workshop, was staring with a hardened face.

He had come upon hearing that someone who received the silver sword plaque had arrived after finishing his seclusion, but what was this commotion?

“I’m asking what is going on, Ison.”

“……I don’t know either.”

“You don’t know? To hear such words from your mouth?”

Even at the reaction as if it was unlike him, Ison simply wore an awkward expression and didn’t correct himself.

However, he only added one thing.

“Heaven-Defying Stone.”

“……What?”

That alone was enough explanation.

The moment he heard the name that shouldn’t have been uttered, he could immediately understand the situation.

However, he only understood it, but he didn’t accept it.

“……Isn’t that the Proof of Steel? So, the most suitable mineral for that young man is that stone?”

“I don’t know. It has only revealed itself and seems to be judging.”

“Huh… How long has it been since the Heaven-Defying Stone revealed itself to judge someone?”

“I believe it’s the first time since the Sword Emperor.”

“It must have been over 10 years.”

“No. It was a year ago. In fact, the Sword Emperor has been challenging it occasionally since then. He just failed every time.”

Artram stared at Ison.

It was a fact he hadn’t known. Turning his gaze back to Dohyun, he spoke in a serious voice.

“……So. What do you think will happen?”

“Logically, the same result as always should come out, but……”

Ison trailed off, recalling the light he had seen earlier.

The light that emitted a chaotic color like a universe, mixed with all sorts of colors.

It was a phenomenon he had never seen even from the Sword Emperor, who had challenged it countless times.

The Sword Emperor had only seen the stone appear with a heavy, wind-filled green light without such a process.

“But?”

“……I don’t know. I strangely have expectations for that young man.”

“Is that so……”

The conversation ended there.

The two of them closed their mouths as if they had made a promise and stared beyond the glass window.

Without even realizing that the heat in their eyes was gradually intensifying with excitement.

They were simply curious.

What form would the qualities and potential of Dohyun that the Heaven-Defying Stone was seeing take?

* * *

It was a stone.

A small, insignificant stone that rolled around everywhere and was kicked underfoot. An insignificant existence that wasn’t even a mineral.

But that was why it had lived for a long time without anyone’s attention.

100 years, 1,000 years, 10,000 years.

Numerous heroes were born and died, countries prospered and fell, repeating several times.

As countless years passed, so much so that it forgot how to count anymore.

—!

The mineral was no longer a mere pebble.

Having existed for a long time, it had gained ‘status’ and become a new mineral. A mineral that was the only one of its kind in the world. It was the birth of a brilliant mineral.

It was also then that it was first seen by human eyes.

Kwarareung-! Flash!

One lightning strike on a dark night full of dark clouds.

A bizarre phenomenon occurred the moment lightning struck it by bad luck.

—-!!

It was amazing to be struck by lightning once, but the lightning that struck in succession poured down with the momentum to destroy it.

However, even the lightning that flashed and illuminated the world could not even scratch it.

A man happened to see the sight.

-……It’s fine after being struck by lightning? Hooh, look at this? It doesn’t break no matter how much I strike it?-

The man, with only his legs visible, laughed heartily and picked it up.

From then on, it was with the man.

The life with the man was eventful.

It was a series of hardships, and numerous adversities blocked the way.

Thud, thud.

But they moved forward.

They overcame whatever blocked their path, and they never retreated, even if they hesitated. The ever-growing disaster was not a vessel that an ordinary human could handle.

But the man kept moving forward.

‘This is…….’

Dohyun swallowed as he watched the scenes quickly flashing by like a panorama.

‘The stone’s memories?’

Unbelievably, everything he was seeing now was the stone’s memories.

It was incomprehensible why he was suddenly holding the memories of a mineral when he was supposed to be seeing his qualities.

No, before that, does a stone even have memories?

Dding-

As he was stunned by the many questions and lost in thought, a cheerful notification rang.

Dohyun, who came to his senses at that, widened his eyes.

[The Reversal Stage (逆天期) reacts to the ‘Heaven-Defying Stone.’]

[The Heaven-Defying Stone feels a familiar energy from you.]

[Proficiency increases by witnessing the birth of the Reversal Stage (逆天期) and a part of the true Reversal Stage (逆天期).]

[The path to the next realm becomes clearer.]

‘……What?’

The Reversal Stage (逆天期) is reacting?

What does it mean to have witnessed the birth of the Reversal Stage (逆天期)?

[The Proof of Steel is trying to look deeper.]

[Blocked by the overwhelming path of fate the target walks.]

[Judgment is forcibly terminated.]

Before he could even think, his vision flashed.

When he opened his eyes, the light had disappeared, and he was back in the original, mundane interior.

Everything he had seen until just now had disappeared like a mirage.

It was so unreal that he even felt a sense of emptiness.

However, Dohyun’s eyes were shining sharply.

[Confirmation complete.]

[Based on the information, the mineral that will be the most suitable material for the target’s weapon is selected.]

[Stored minerals are confirmed.]

[The Proof of Steel spits out the ‘Heaven-Defying Stone.’]

The message in front of him was proving that what he had just seen was not an illusion.

Dohyun, who picked up the stone from the Proof of Steel, stared at it intently.

The blackened stone felt like it had gone through numerous adversities.

[You have become the first owner of the ‘Heaven-Defying Stone.’]

[Recorded in the Book of Adventures.]

[Acquired the title ‘First Mineral.’]

[First Mineral]

-Grade: Hero+

-Description: A title given to the great owner who acquired a mineral that no one else has obtained.

Avartartel admires you for being chosen by the forgotten mineral.

-Effect: With the title owner’s permission, the mineral’s restrictions can be temporarily lifted, and the mineral’s power can be better drawn out.

All stats +7

‘Heaven-Defying Stone…….’

Dohyun smiled as he checked the title.

‘Well, this seems to be related to the Reversal Stage from the name itself.’

This confirmed it.

This stone was related to the Reversal Stage (逆天期), and the Reversal Stage (逆天期) was not just a swordsmanship that only Dohyun used.

It had excellent performance compared to its grade, and the fact that it would become the original swordsmanship when completed, and there were many secrets in many ways…….

‘It seems to be a more extraordinary swordsmanship than I thought.’

Above all, the scenes he saw through the stone’s memories.

It was definitely the ancient scenery that was the stage for the main quest. What he had glimpsed through the many adversities was definitely the Abyss.

Dohyun turned off the message window as his head became complicated.

‘I’ll find out more when I reach maximum proficiency.’

He would be able to find out something if he completed the complete swordsmanship.

“I can’t believe it……!”

“You, the one in your hand… Could it be… Have you really been chosen by that stone?”

When he turned his head at the sound of inhaling, he saw the faces of the two people, stained with astonishment.

‘……Wait a minute, two people?’

Why two people?

Dohyun, who belatedly realized the strangeness, looked at the old man standing next to Ison.

A thick beard like Zhang Fei [famous general] of the Three Kingdoms [period in Chinese history]. A face full of wrinkles but with a sense of firmness. Thick hands that were full of calluses at a glance.

Lastly, even the bronze skin burned by fire.

It was an old man who seemed to have traces of a long hammer at first glance.

‘Why does he look like I’ve seen him somewhere? He’s familiar, but his face.’

Then, Artram, who suddenly approached, grabbed his hand.

Dohyun frowned at the rough skin that suddenly touched him, but Artram didn’t care.

“You, you…… that stone. Are you thinking of making armor with it?”

“……Yes?”

“Are you going to make armor with it!”

“I was thinking of doing that……”

To be exact, he was close to not having the time to do so.

His two eyes, where the astonished look had gone, were sparkling with deep excitement after quickly grasping the situation.

“If so, you! Wouldn’t you entrust the production to me? I promise to create a masterpiece that will be unparalleled in my lifetime.”

Was it an illusion that he could see sparks flying in his eyes?

His appearance, burning so much that it was more than just glowing, was too passionate to be an old man.

Dohyun turned his head without realizing it, and Ison, who met his eyes, gave him an awkward smile.

“Hehe…… I’m sorry. Artram-nim is not usually like that…… He has a side that shows an obsession with new minerals.”

“……I see.”

“And…… to be honest, even I am too greedy this time. If I could only handle that, I would have no regrets.”

However, even as he said that, Ison gave up neatly.

Of course, it was natural.

“But I have no choice but to yield because the other party is Artram-nim. He is a grand artisan among the few in the Empire, and I can dare to say that he is the best.”

“……Ah.”

Dohyun nodded as he finally realized Artram’s identity.

Artram’s reputation was beyond words.

Even the weapons that the grand artisan made roughly while picking his nose were so popular that people lined up to buy them.

Among the masterpieces he made was also the ‘Extreme (極) – Annihilation (斬滅) Blade,’ which has now been transferred to the Sword Saint.

‘It’s foolish to refuse when he’s stepping up like that in a situation where I’m short-handed even if I ask.’

Above all…….

[Proposal from Grand Artisan (名匠), Artram]

-Description: Grand Artisan (名匠), Artram feels a strong desire and desire that has not risen in recent years.

He earnestly hopes to take charge of the production of your armor. He can take on the production for free without receiving money.

-Grand Artisan (名匠), Artram is burning with desire.

-The possibility of a masterpiece increases.