The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 27

Part 2, Episode 28.

Apis Forest.

Due to its structure, requiring passage through the Elf Village, this forest is inaccessible to non-Elf races without Elven permission.

Even the Apostles who have begun interacting with them are not allowed to enter.

However, there’s one exception: once a week.

[You have been identified as a participant in the All-Under-Heaven Apostle Tournament.]

[You have entered the Apis Forest.]

[Your currently assigned area is Zone A.]

[Your time limit is 3 hours.]

[Accumulate as many Purification Points as possible.]

[Methods to acquire Purification Points include…]

……

When the All-Under-Heaven Apostle Tournament, a weekly event, is held, Apostles are uniquely permitted to enter.

“So, this is the Apis Forest.”

-Wow! It feels amazing, Master!

-Liza! Liza Liza!

-Hmm…!

Seeing Jihad and Eliza so excited upon arriving in Zone A, Do-hyun chuckled.

Charlie, with his arms crossed, was trying hard to maintain a solemn demeanor, but he was also curiously looking around.

Normally, he would have scolded them for making such a fuss, but he decided to let it slide this time.

‘It is quite fascinating.’

Do-hyun felt similarly.

The forest, untouched by human hands and growing wildly, was truly a scene straight out of a fantasy movie.

Overall, it was a vast and ancient forest, with hardly any paths and rugged terrain.

One had to navigate through the thickets to find a way.

Yet, it didn’t feel eerie because the nature was vibrant and full of life, without any signs of withering.

‘They said not all of Apis Forest is like this.’

Only Zone A and Zone B, which are rarely touched, are like this.

From Zone C onwards, it is well-maintained and generally feels more flat than steep, or so they say.

‘Because there are many dangerous monsters.’

It’s also the farthest from the village, and since there’s no need to take risks, they don’t bother with it.

‘Unlike what I heard, there’s nothing here yet.’

Having entered, contrary to what he had been told, he felt it was more peaceful than expected.

Well, the main objective is to accumulate Purification Points within 3 hours, so it would be strange if there were many places to purify from the start.

If he goes deeper, he might find something.

‘More importantly…’

Do-hyun’s gaze lowered as he looked around.

It was because of the quest window floating in front of him.

[The Missing Girl]

-Rank: Sudden Quest

-Description: The mystical spirit Rupallo highly values your potential for destroying a fragment of its horn.

Rupallo believes that if you possess Ellaine’s necklace, you might be able to find the girl.

Acquire clues about the whereabouts of the missing girl.

-Clues to the Missing Girl (0 / 1)

-Quest Success: Linked Quest will be generated

-Quest Failure: Linked Quest will be deleted

The strange scene and quest that appeared after breaking the horn.

‘I never expected to get a linked quest like this.’

He never imagined he would acquire a linked quest here about the girl who disappeared, leaving only a necklace behind after being rescued.

Moreover, he had no idea that the girl would be associated with Rupallo or the World Tree.

Since this information is not officially revealed, it was highly likely that Do-hyun was the first to obtain this quest.

‘The fact that Rupallo, a spirit, is actively looking for her means there’s definitely something.’

What exactly is the girl’s identity?

What was that scene that Rupallo’s will showed?

Everything was full of questions, but the anticipation was just as great as the curiosity.

‘There might be a clue here.’

The timing of obtaining the linked quest while participating in the tournament is perfect.

Above all, Do-hyun has the Eye of Truth.

Since this is a place he can’t enter unless the tournament is held, he intends to search thoroughly.

Of course, he’s not just thinking about finding clues.

‘I have to win too.’

To catch both rabbits [achieve two goals at once], he needs to do his best and use his time efficiently.

Having made his decision, Do-hyun shouted.

“Let’s go, guys.”

-Yes, Master.

-What are you going to do first?

-Liza!

Seeing the guys who stopped fooling around and came running, Do-hyun grinned.

“We need to accumulate Purification Points.”

First, secure a stable score.

The clue can be found in the process, or later.

-Aha. So, we’re catching monsters, Master?

-Liza Liza?

“No.”

Do-hyun shook his head.

Monsters?

He will catch them.

But the number of monsters is limited, and the Purification Points that can be obtained are also the lowest.

Rather…

‘Spirits.’

Receiving a quest from the spirit that appears after accumulating a certain number of Purification Points.

That’s the best way to get a high score and the usual route, but there was another route here.

‘Surprising the spirits.’

Whether it’s overwhelming hunting skills or quickly fulfilling a request.

For whatever reason, surprising a spirit grants a huge bonus.

However, Do-hyun had no intention of using such a cumbersome route.

‘Whatever it is, as long as I surprise them, right?’

Pure spirits are like children.

And if you suddenly appear and shout ‘Boo!’ to children, nine out of ten will be surprised.

Unless you’re an Elf or Fairy with high affinity for nature, it’s nearly impossible to find a spirit that’s deliberately hiding…

[The Eye of Truth is activated.]

‘One on the tree trunk at 12 o’clock, two in the bushes at 9 o’clock. Four on the tree at 4 o’clock…’

Do-hyun had the Eye of God, an unprecedentedly overpowered trait.

Seeing the small red silhouettes shining brightly everywhere, Do-hyun raised the corners of his lips.

-Uh oh? That sly expression. It’s the expression he makes before getting something for free?

-Liza Liza?

-Hmm! It seems Master has come up with a groundbreaking method.

-No way. That’s definitely a cheating expression.

Ignoring Jihad, who was pointing and chattering with quick perception, Do-hyun looked at the tree at 4 o’clock and muttered quietly,

[Using Backstab.]

[Moving behind the Lesser Spirit ‘Lepham’ of the Hundred-Year Tree.]

[A mark is created.]

“Boo!”

-Giggle, gigg… Heeik!?

-Oh my!!

The little spirits, who were happily enjoying themselves, screamed in horror at Do-hyun’s masked face that suddenly appeared behind them.

The spirits, clutching their chests with stunned faces as if their hearts were pounding, were the spitting image of children, but Do-hyun had no time to pay attention to them.

[You have surprised a Lesser Spirit to the point of terrifying them.]

[A large bonus is awarded.]

[40 points have been added.]

‘Oh? It gives more than I thought?’

The points earned from catching one monster in Zone A are approximately 8-12 points.

He earned the points equivalent to catching 4-5 monsters at once.

With an even more sly expression, Do-hyun raised the corners of his lips,

“Boo!”

-Kyaaak!

-Kyaaraaak!

Starting with that, a short shout from a man and the horrified screams of spirits echoed throughout the forest.

It was the moment he opened a haunted house free experience for the spirits.

* * *

How long had he been possessed by the haunted house part-timer, surprising the spirits?

He thought he had shouted Boo! at least 100 times.

The spirits’ reactions were much different than before.

-Giggle!

-Giggle! Good! Fun!

-Hehehe. You’re the first human to play with us.

-Do it more! More!

Unlike the beginning, when they were terrified and trembling, they had now reached the point of enjoying the thrilling sensation of their hearts pounding.

-……Is that right? They’re loving it?

-I know, right. It seems they’re not surprised anymore.

It’s the same principle as amusement park rides, where the first time is scary, but it becomes fun after riding it a few times.

They had now recognized it as a game, and the spirits, who were experiencing human pranks for the first time, were very excited.

What’s even funnier is…

-Liza Liza! Liza!

-Giggle! Furry! Feels good!

-Furry, how old are you?

-Liza? Liza Liza!

-You don’t know your age? It’s okay! We don’t know our ages either!

Perhaps curious about the spirits who were having fun.

Eliza, who had been cautiously observing, subtly started to join in, and eventually became best friends with the spirits.

-……Why is she doing that over there? She was like that even when she was an Elf.

-Isn’t it nice to see? It seems Eliza has made more friends since coming here.

Eliza, who is second to none when it comes to purity, and the lesser spirits of nature, who are called the epitome of purity.

It was inevitable that their chemistry would be good.

Perhaps he was envious of that.

Jihad had also subtly approached the spirits, but every time he did, the spirits would scream and run away…

-Why don’t they accept me?

-You’re… well. It’s because you’re a great lord. Young spirits might be afraid of lords.

-……Ahem! If that’s the case, then this great lord with a big heart should understand. Ahem!

Charlie was very reliable in taking care of Jihad, who was always sulking.

Anyway, after Do-hyun, who had spent a satisfying time with everyone, came down from the last lesser spirit on the tree and checked the message window.

[The Lesser Spirits are enjoying themselves.]

[Bonus points are limited due to repeated score acquisition.]

[The Lesser Spirits recognize it as a game and are no longer surprised. No additional bonus points are awarded.]

‘Tch. Is this the limit?’

At some point, the points that were given 40 points each started to decrease to 30 points, 20 points, 10 points, and now no bonus points are awarded at all.

It seems that extreme loopholes are somewhat blocked.

[Current Purification Points Acquired: 4,500 points]

‘Still, this is not bad.’

In fact, it wasn’t just not bad, it was at a level of getting it for free.

There would have never been a user in history who acquired 4,500 points in less than 30 minutes.

Considering that the winner of the last tournament had 6,420 points, he was more than a stable, overwhelming candidate for victory, but it was still too early to rest assured.

‘They say a lot of famous people participated in this tournament. It would be safe to secure up to 8,000 points.’

He could secure enough by beating up monsters and fulfilling the spirits’ requests a few times during the remaining time.

The only regret was that even if he talked to the spirits, they would only ask him to play more.

‘Is the condition met by showing the spirits that I’m catching a lot of monsters and making them want to ask for something?’

If that’s the case, it wouldn’t be difficult because it was Do-hyun’s specialty.

While he was making his own judgment.

-Liza!

“Eliza. Did you have fun?”

When he asked, stroking Eliza, who landed on his shoulder, she rubbed her cheek against his finger, indicating affirmation.

Do-hyun chuckled at that.

‘The kids living here are all friendly to Eliza.’

Is it related to Eliza’s race?

Seeing that Elves, spirits, and gentle animals all welcome Eliza, there must be something.

On the other hand, Jihad extremely avoids her…

‘I don’t know if it’s because of his appearance or if it’s related to his race.’

His job is a Necromancer, and his face is the epitome of villainy, so it’s hard to judge.

It was then.

-It was fun. Human!

-Play with us again next time!

-Giggle. Let’s play again, Furry!

-Liza!

The spirits said goodbye with satisfied faces and left.

And Jihad, who had been watching the scene from afar with envious eyes, approached, pretending to be nonchalant.

-……What are you going to do now, Master? Are you going to catch monsters?

Jihad, who is strangely quick-witted in these kinds of things, immediately guessed the next destination, but Do-hyun shook his head.

Originally, he was going to catch monsters, but…

“I think I should catch something else first.”

-What?

Instead of answering, Do-hyun, who quietly grabbed the Heavenly Change [his weapon], raised the corners of his lips slyly.

It was a strange thing.

“Why do these villains do the same things in every game?”

Do-hyun’s gaze lowered as he said that.

Do-hyun could see.

[The Eye of Truth is activated.]

The red silhouettes in the shape of people, which had been increasing one by one since the spirits left, suddenly surrounded the area.

Each of them, holding various weapons, was emitting a strong murderous aura.

‘Should I take care of those bastards first?’

The villain hunt was beginning.