The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 28

28.

[Steel Axe of the Honest Axe God]

[Grade: Rare]

[Description: A steel axe possessed by the Honest Axe God.

It is an ordinary axe, but it has acquired a ‘divine power,’ giving it a sturdy characteristic.]

[Level Restriction: 12]

[Equip Restriction: Axeman Class]

[Physical Attack Power: 95~110]

[Durability: 100 / 100]

[Exclusive Option: When wielded by axe-related professions, the weapon becomes sturdier, and the user’s defense increases.]

[Shoes Made of Livre Nuer Silk]

[Grade: Rare]

[Description: Shoes made of precious Livre Nuer silk.

They are favored by explorers for their barefoot-like comfort and strong silk.]

[Level Restriction: 12]

[Equip Restriction: None]

[Physical Defense: 40]

[Magic Resistance: 25]

-Agility + 2

-Sense + 1

“These guys have geared up a bit, huh?”

They seemed professional, and their equipment was quite decent.

All of it was rare grade.

Considering there are almost no Heroic items in this area, it was nearly end-game gear.

‘Honest Axe God? Seems like a class-specific weapon.’

A class-specific weapon.

It’s a divine artifact that forms the basis of one’s class, possessing a unique exclusive option.

A special item with effects that vary greatly depending on the god’s level.

‘Usually, you get these much later…….’

Occasionally, there are such gods.

Gods who have so much affection for their apostles that they bestow their artifacts as soon as they change jobs.

It seemed like that was one of those god’s works.

‘Usually, there are many such gods among the Uwha Gods [Gods known for generosity], right?’

Whether it’s a balance issue or the high-ranking gods are snobbish, Uwha Gods often give out items or are kind in this way.

The performance of Uwha God’s artifacts isn’t particularly outstanding, but since it’s still rare grade, there would be demand for it among axe warriors.

‘If I wanted, I could use it too.’

I don’t have axe warrior skills, but thanks to the synergy effect of Weapon Master and Adventurer, I can use basic skills.

I could use it in case of emergency and sell it later.

‘Keep it for now.’

Next, Doyun’s eyes were drawn to the shoes he got from Eunganmaja.

‘I should use this.’

Doyun wore them without hesitation.

There was no reason not to.

It was a rare-grade shoe with perfect options to increase agility and sense.

It was perfect for Doyun, who didn’t have shoes.

And lastly…….

[Assassin’s Dagger]

[Grade: Rare+]

[Description: A special dagger used by assassins from special organizations.

The blade does not melt even when it comes into contact with poison, and its sharpness gives it excellent cutting power.]

[Level Restriction: 20]

[Equip Restriction: Assassin Class]

[Physical Attack Power: 99~124]

[Durability: 100 / 100]

[Special Option: When attacking an opponent, there is a certain chance to inflict a ‘Bleeding’ effect. The higher the stat difference with the opponent, the higher the activation probability, and the lower the probability, the lower the probability.]

“This is unexpected.”

Assassin’s Dagger.

The dagger dropped by the assassin boy, who seemed to be the leader of the group, was a whopping Rare+ grade.

It was the same grade as his greatsword.

Perhaps because the level restriction was higher, the attack power was not much different even though it was a dagger.

In addition, it has a bleeding effect as a special option.

‘It’s pretty good?’

When he tried to ambush himself, there was green liquid on his dagger.

In addition to stealth and paralysis poison, he also had a Rare+ weapon?

‘He must have been full of confidence.’

With that spec and that combination, he probably took down dozens of people at the very least.

If he hadn’t run into Doyun, there would have been more victims.

In fact, Doyun didn’t know, but in the subsequent massacre of the assassin boy, they were easily defeated because they lost these items.

‘I can’t use it yet…….’

Not only is there a level restriction, but when hunting goblins, there’s nothing like the Warrior set.

If I take out the greatsword, the set bonus will be broken, so I had to put it on hold for now.

In the end, the only item that I could use properly right now was the shoes, but it was important that I had an alternative.

At that, Doyun smiled contentedly.

‘I could make a decent living just hunting down villains.’

Should I just go around looking for villains until graduation?

He even had such thoughts.

Of course, villains don’t appear easily, and it’s rare to find guys with items like them, so it was just a fleeting thought.

“By the way…… Backstab is exhilarating when you actually use it.”

I didn’t have a chance to use Backstab because all the goblins died in one hit, but thanks to that, it was a good test.

As a swordsman, Doyun couldn’t understand the tastes of assassins who played the game so dirty, but he felt like he knew a little why they only insisted on being assassins.

‘The feel in my hand is good.’

It was more fun than I thought to taunt with Backstab and strike a blow.

Doyun’s raw stats were so overwhelming, but the damage from the mark exploding was more than I imagined, so I was even more satisfied.

Emboldened, Doyun grabbed his greatsword.

-Red Goblin Leather (21 / 30)

-Blue Goblin Leather (23 / 30)

‘Let’s collect them quickly.’

Once I collect these, I’ll be graduating from Raven Meadow too.

* * *

After collecting the leather, Doyun went straight to the city to dispose of the junk items and then went to complete the quest.

“Oh, you have defeated the goblins. Thanks to you, I am less worried about being ambushed by goblins. I was so nervous every time I stood guard…….”

[You have cleared ‘Goblin Extermination.’]

[You have acquired 70 silver and a certain amount of experience as a reward.]

[The effect of the title ‘Maximum Favorability from the Start?’ is activated. Favorability increases even more.]

“Hmm! Excellent. The condition is very good. Do you have any thoughts of becoming a hunter? Haha, don’t take it too seriously. I just meant you’re that outstanding…… A wonderful hunter like you should have a necklace like this.”

[You have cleared ‘Hunter’s Request.’]

[You have acquired 80 silver, a certain amount of experience, and a necklace made of beast fangs as a reward.]

[The effect of the title ‘Maximum Favorability from the Start?’ is activated. Favorability increases even more.]

“Oh my, thank you. You collected all the leather! This is a small token of my appreciation, would you accept it?”

[You have cleared ‘Collect Goblin Leather.’]

[You have acquired 1 gold and a certain amount of experience as a reward.]

[Please choose between Red Goblin Leather Belt and Blue Goblin Leather Pants.]

[You have selected Blue Goblin Leather Pants.]

[The effect of the title ‘Maximum Favorability from the Start?’ is activated. Favorability increases even more.]

Then, everyone smiled noticeably, showing a level of friendliness that seemed excessive for just clearing one quest, perhaps thanks to the title.

Among them, the hunter was particularly excessive, but it wasn’t enough to cross the line, so it wasn’t something to worry about.

‘The title effect is really something.’

I didn’t feel it much in Arde, but I can definitely feel it here.

Right now, these are just NPCs that I’ll see once and never again, so this is the extent of the effect, but if I ever encounter an NPC that I need to woo [攻略 – gonglüe, to capture/attack, often used in gaming context to mean ‘攻略 NPC’ which means to win over an NPC to get quests or rewards] to get quests or rewards in the future, it will be a great help.

Anyway, that’s a story for the future…….

The equipment items obtained through these quests were two.

[Necklace Made of Beast Fangs]

[Grade: Normal]

[Description: A necklace made of the fangs of carnivorous beasts. Hunters love it.]

[Level Restriction: 15]

[Equip Restriction: None]

[Physical Defense: 50]

[Magic Resistance: 21]

-Sense + 1

[Blue Goblin Leather Pants]

[Grade: Normal+]

[Description: Pants made of Blue Goblin Leather by a skilled tailor. Many people look for it because of its tough yet well-ventilated characteristics.]

[Level Restriction: 15]

[Equip Restriction: None]

[Physical Defense: 59]

[Magic Resistance: 48]

-Stamina + 2

‘Throw away the necklace…….’

Among them, the necklace made of beast fangs was stashed in the inventory without a moment’s hesitation.

Doyun had the Necklace of the Blood Oath.

It was a complete item that couldn’t be compared in terms of appearance or performance.

It’s even a growth-type item, so I don’t think I’ll have to worry about necklaces for a while.

And the pants I received from Emily…….

[You have equipped Blue Goblin Leather Pants.]

‘Hmm…… the design is a bit weird.’

I just wore it because I didn’t have any pants, but I didn’t really like it.

The blue color was mixed into the overall red and black ferocious image, making it colorful and turning it into an outfit for hiking.

‘Fashion doesn’t feed you.’

If they were obsessed with character customization [커마충 – keo machung, slang for someone obsessed with character customization in games] who risked their lives on character customization [커마 – keo ma, short for character making], they would never allow it, but unfortunately, Doyun was focused on performance [performance충 – performancechung, slang for someone who prioritizes stats and performance over aesthetics in games].

Spend 1 million won on character customization? I’d rather use that money to enhance an item one more time!

That was Doyun’s belief.

-Enhancement? You always blow up everything when you enhance. Isn’t that just throwing money away?

-…….

I had no choice but to shut my mouth at what Gguggudak Gguggu, who was diligently decorating his character, blurted out, but anyway, that’s how Doyun was.

And the reward wasn’t just this.

[Your level has increased.]

[You have reached level 17 and can use the West Gate.]

‘Finally, the West Gate.’

I reached the West Gate entry conditions because my level increased with quest experience.

I said finally, but it was actually an absurd speed.

On average, it takes 5 hours to reach the West Gate after entering Raven.

On the other hand, Doyun reached level 17 in less than 3 hours.

It was possible because the goblins were all one-shot kills and there were PK offenders who gave generously.

[Remaining play time 06 : 36 : 21]

‘About 6 and a half hours…… plenty of time.’

After being turned off at the gacha [뽑기 – ppopgi, Korean word for gacha, a type of loot box mechanic] timing the day before, Doyun started checking his play time from time to time.

I couldn’t go through the same misfortune as yesterday again.

‘It’s a relief that it turned off after I did the gacha, but if it turned off as soon as I started the gacha…….’

Just imagining it gives me goosebumps.

Whether it’s a guaranteed gacha or something, anything would have been pulled [뽑기ed – ppopgied, past tense of 뽑기, meaning to pull from a gacha] randomly.

If that happened, Doyun would be so sick to his stomach that he wouldn’t live to his full potential.

[You’ve reached level 17? You have acquired the qualification to go to the Western Forest!]

[Perfect walkthrough [攻略 – gonglüe, same as above, but in this context it means a guide or walkthrough] for levels 17 to 24!]

[A collection of quests that are good to receive when exploring [攻略ing – gonglüeing, same as above, but in this context it means exploring] the Western Forest]

Before going to the Western Forest, Doyun looked at the walkthrough [攻略 – gonglüe] first.

It wasn’t for nothing that the God of the Century bulletin board was called the sea of information, as everything from Raven’s West Gate or Western Forest came up in a row just by searching.

‘It’s definitely convenient.’

I think I learned everything myself in Demlock…….

Is this the difference between a bad game [망겜 – manggem, slang for a failed or poorly made game] and a great game [갓겜 – gatgem, slang for a high-quality or well-made game] ?

Doyun picked a few appropriate quests and went to find the NPCs.

“You’re going to the Western Forest? The Western Forest is dangerous! Ah, but if it’s the Apostle, I think you’ll be able to get through it. But be careful! It’s full of vicious goblins and cursed insects!”

[You have accepted the quest ‘Western Forest Exploration.’]

-Grade: Normal

-Description: Linda, a woman from the potion shop, is always tossing and turning at night because she is worried about her lover, scout Zeke.

Explore the West Gate and tell her about the situation at the West Gate.

-Complete upon exploring a certain area (0 / 1)

-Reward upon clearing: 1 gold, a certain amount of experience, 10 low-grade HP potions, 10 low-grade MP potions

-Risk of failure: Linda’s favorability may decrease.

-Time limit: 24 hours

“The Western Forest…… Hmm, well, you’d be fine. Still, you’re making a dangerous choice. Raven residents don’t even approach it. Looking at your expression, it seems like you’re saying it’s too much of a fuss?”

“Not really…….”

“Everyone is keeping it quiet now, but what can I hide? I heard it when I was young, but there was a goblin sorcerer who learned black magic in the past. That vicious black magic! The story that the sorcerer cursed the insects and goblins to grow his power is something that Raven residents…….”

“Skip.”

“Huh? What is that?”

“……It’s nothing.”

[You have accepted the quest ‘Exterminate Giant Insects.’]

-Grade: Normal

-Description: Zrinna, an old woman who tells tarot cards, wants you to reduce the number of annoying giant insects. Exterminate the insects for the worried old woman.

-Giant Insects (0 / 20)

-Reward upon clearing: 1 gold, a certain amount of experience, ???

-Risk of failure: You may receive uncomfortable advice from Zrinna.

-Time limit: 24 hours

“Hwaaa, Mommy.”

“Why are you crying, little one?”

“Hic, hic. A cat stole my pendant and ran away to the West Gate. It’s a pendant that my mom bought me for my birthday…… Hwaaa.”

“I’ll find it for you.”

“Really? But the Western Forest is a dangerous place…… Mom told me never to go there…… Oppa [Korean term for older brother, used by younger girls to address older boys they are close to] looks strong. Are you really going to find my pendant?”

[You have accepted the quest ‘Lost Pendant.’]

-Grade: Normal+

-Description: A request from Camilla, a girl whose precious pendant was stolen by a cat. Find the pendant outside the West Gate for the girl.

-Lost Pendant (0 / 1)

-Reward upon clearing: 1 gold, a certain amount of experience, Camilla’s small gift

-Risk of failure: Emily’s favorability may decrease.

-Time limit: 28 hours

I received a total of 3 quests, and they all had one thing in common.

‘These quests are unusually talkative.’

That is, they all emphasize the danger of the Western Forest.

This was a phenomenon that hadn’t existed until now.

There was even an old man who told me a past story about the Western Forest that I wasn’t even curious about.