The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 287

287.

The one-digit rankers of Demonic Murim all had identities that symbolized them.

Kkukku’s physique, Sword Emperor’s swordsmanship, Bora Ajussi’s [Uncle Bora’s] one shot.

And the Lightning Emperor’s speed.

‘In my case… it was bad luck.’

Symbol of misfortune, troll generator, God-given talent, and so on.

I had many nicknames, but among the veterans, I was notorious for having terrible luck.

‘When I caught a raid boss and got a legendary item, it was a disaster.’

To the extent that even rankers I didn’t know would hear the news and lament,

‘Kaiser got a brick? I bet on a red brick!’

My colleagues would make a fuss, saying that this X-like *mang-game* [ruined game] was finally going to *manghal* [be ruined]…….

‘No, when I think about it, it’s unfair. I can get legendary items too. It wasn’t even a swordsman item.’

I was momentarily overwhelmed when I recalled it, but I understood.

I was hesitant whether it was a dream or reality even when I got it, so how would others feel?

But this is outside of combat.

If I had to pick an identity in combat that others didn’t have, it would be distance control and timing that others couldn’t see.

Based on that, I was the only one who could use parrying as my main skill.

‘No, that’s not the point.’

Anyway, everyone had their own identity, but Greatsword’s case was quite simple.

Greatsword.

And full plate mail.

The intense image of being armed with full body armor, holding a huge greatsword, and ruthlessly sweeping through the battlefield was enough to become an identity.

However, when you go outside of combat, there was one more thing…….

-Greatsword Warrior appeared!

-Damn it, run away!

-What, there was a wanted man here too.

-You fools. You’re playing with swords without thinking in a city with that monster?

That is to execute *ak-in* [evil-doers].

The criteria for distinction was simple.

‘Players with notorious reputations, or those who have reached a certain level of Karma.’

Having a high Karma score in Demonic Murim is synonymous with being a great player.

Against such people, Greatsword’s official execution rate was close to 90%.

This means that once designated as an execution target, they almost always succeeded in execution.

A warrior of iron who doesn’t show even a bit of skin slaughters *ak-in* [evil-doers] with a huge greatsword, and their skills are ridiculous?

Of course, they couldn’t help but become famous, and people used to call Greatsword this.

-The Punisher has appeared!

Punisher.

That’s why I was very wary when I first met Greatsword.

Such a famous person suddenly started following me, so I thought, ‘Am I being targeted for execution?’

‘It was when I was going crazy because of the guild guys and picking fights…….’

Even though my Karma score wasn’t high because of self-defense, I thought it was possible because I was notorious among the guilds.

-Ah, *seondoja* [pioneer/leader].

The Punisher’s first words were far from what I expected.

-I support the lonely and noble path you walk.

-Huh?

-……What is that bastard saying? Noble? Him?

-It could be a scammer. Should we kill him first and then think about it?

They suddenly knelt down on one knee and expressed reverence.

My colleagues were wary of the absurd behavior, but to put it simply, Greatsword was not a scammer.

-I saw you standing alone on the bloody battlefield.

-Bloody battlefield? What is that.

-I think he’s talking about when you crashed into the Odin Guild a few days ago?

Ignoring the murmurs.

Greatsword, who was shining his eyes beyond his helmet, made a voice as if he was ecstatic.

-The courage to jump in alone, no matter how powerful the *ak-in* [evil-doers] are, that thrilling battle…… even the sight of finally winning! At that moment, I realized.

-…….

-Ah! My ideal is there! There was a great *seondoja* [pioneer/leader] who was illuminating the path I was going to take!

-……I just destroyed it because I was pissed off.

-Ah, there is no need to be humble. I already know that everyone you have executed is *ak-in* [evil-doers].

-Well, usually *ak-in* [evil-doers] pick fights and try to assassinate me……?

It’s rare for a large guild in Demonic Murim not to commit evil deeds.

But it seemed like Greatsword didn’t hear those words.

-You are my light and *seondoja* [pioneer/leader]. Please allow me to follow in your footsteps.

He knelt down on one knee and expressed his respect as if telling me to shut up and receive respect.

And this was the beginning.

Starting that day, Greatsword stopped executing *ak-in* [evil-doers] and started following us around.

The funny thing is that the attitude of my colleagues, who were initially annoyed, gradually changed.

-I don’t like that bastard’s eyes?

-Here we go again.

-No, I really feel something is wrong. There’s something…….

-There’s blood on the scabbard. Judging by the fact that it’s not hardened, it seems to be from just now……. That scarf belongs to the user we encountered earlier. He is presumed to be a PK [Player Killer] offender. Please leave it to me.

-Huh?

Was it a sense from a long time of executing *ak-in* [evil-doers]?

Even with the Empress’s evidence-less radar, he confidently stepped forward and punished them.

-Greatsword? Why are you here?

-I thought you needed someone to buy time, so I came looking for you. Please leave it to me.

-Th, then should I leave it to you?

-It would be an honor if I could be of help to *seondoja* [pioneer/leader], so please don’t worry.

Whenever a difficult situation arose, Greatsword appeared like a ghost and played his part, so he became a useful existence beyond being annoying.

-If that’s the case, why don’t you just become a party member? I’ll give you a spot except for Ajussi [Uncle].

-What? Wh, what are you talking about, you bastard. I’m still ranked 5th, so aren’t you ignoring me too much?

-5th or 6th is the same…… and I think he’ll be more helpful?

There was even talk of kicking out Bora Ajussi [Uncle Bora] and adding him as a party member as a joke, but Greatsword was firm.

-I am only following the path that *seondoja* [pioneer/leader] walks. I cannot dare to stand shoulder to shoulder with you.

He was satisfied with just guarding the shadows and did not covet anything more.

Seeing Bora Ajussi [Uncle Bora] sighing in relief next to me made me want to recruit him even more, but I couldn’t force him since he was saying that, so I just let it go.

And like he said, Greatsword really didn’t go with us.

-The Hwarang Guild is destroyed due to internal strife……? What is this. Isn’t this the place where they fought with Kaiser?

-That’s right. It wouldn’t have happened like this overnight, so what’s going on?

-There was someone who colluded with external forces…… Master executed at the end of the internal strife? This method is familiar?

-Greatsword did Greatsword things.

-At this point, isn’t he Kaiser’s guardian angel?

He mostly moved separately and helped from behind, and only stepped in when direct help was needed.

However, such cases were rare, so most people didn’t know about the relationship between Greatsword and Kaiser’s party.

‘Has it been about a year? I was surprised when the news suddenly stopped.’

I felt strange because the guy who seemed like he would follow me forever suddenly disappeared…….

“Ah, you recognize me. I am deeply moved that you remember my *bujokhan* [insufficient] self. My God.”

“…….”

I never dreamed that I would meet him again like this in the next work.

Moreover, I didn’t even know that Greatsword was a woman.

Usually, the combination of full body armor and a heavy greatsword is like a man’s *roman keoma* [romantic customization], isn’t it?

Following Kkukku and Sword Emperor, even a fanatic is like this, so the shock was extraordinary.

“Puh.”

The sound of spitting came from the side.

Ast, who met my eyes, was holding his stomach and laughing. The Forgotten Tomb came to mind, and I frowned, but he showed no sign of stopping laughing.

“Keuk, keuk keuk…… Ah, I’m really going crazy. Look at that dumbfounded expression.”

“No, but wasn’t it obvious that she was a woman? If the voice is *byeonjo* [modulated] and the height is less than 170cm, it’s obvious. Honestly, it was obvious, but it’s even funnier that only he doesn’t know when even Ajussi [Uncle] knows.”

“I agree.”

“Well, it’s understandable that he’s surprised because a loyal guy has *byeonjil* [degenerated] and returned as a fanatic.”

Rather, Do-hyun had no choice but to shut his mouth in a situation where even the Empress and Sword Saint had joined forces.

I can think that the two of them had good eyes because they were in the same position of hiding their gender, but even Ajussi [Uncle] knew!

‘No, isn’t it natural to think he’s a man when his *mal-tu* [way of speaking] is like that?’

When I think about it, it seems that he was subtly feminine when he was embarrassed every time I praised him…….

It’s shocking in many ways, but apart from that, it was exactly the same feeling as Ajussi’s [Uncle’s] last words.

“……! To dare to make eye contact with God. I am not yet qualified for that. I will gouge out my irreverent eyes!”

“No, it’s not *seppuku* [ritual suicide], what the hell is this…… It’s okay, take your hands off your eyes. No, Greatsword, stop her.”

“Aren’t they very *hullyunghan* [훌륭한; admirable] believers? The *sin* [신; god] is so *gambok* [감복; touched] that they even show great generosity.”

“Carmen…….”

“This crazy…….”

Do-hyun couldn’t stand it anymore and spat out profanity at the believers who seemed to be going crazy.

He had symptoms before, but I could still pass it off as ‘He’s just too *chungseongsim* [충성심; loyal], but he’s a good kid.’

Now, I was very embarrassed to see him as the leader of a crazy cult.

‘What the hell happened to him in the meantime?’

As if she heard that, Greatsword…… No, the fanatic asked with shining eyes without even asking.

“I was always regretful that I could not *bopil* [보필; assist] due to personal circumstances. But *sin* [신; god] always shines as always.”

“…….”

“Decisively, on the day of ‘that incident’. I finally realized.”

She suddenly raised her voice, knelt down, spread her hands, and looked up at Do-hyun as if looking up at the sky.

“Ah! That person was not a *seondoja* [선도자; pioneer/leader]-like being. Not such an ordinary person, but *sin* [신; god] itself!”

“……Crazy.”

“Only *sin* [신; god] can punish *ak-in* [악인; evil-doers], and those who threaten *sin* [신; god] are *got idanja* [곧 이단자; immediately heretics]. Until *sin* [신; god] returns, I must punish the *bulgyeonghan* [불경한; impious] as a *sin* [신; god] believer!”

“How does that become that? It seems like the ‘*jeon*’ [전; the ‘turning point’ in a story] is missing from the *gi-seung-jeon-gyeol* [기승전결; the four-part structure of a story: introduction, development, twist, and conclusion]?”

“Ah…… It’s *kkaedareum* [깨달음; enlightenment]!”

I was beyond dumbfounded at the sight of her proudly appealing that she had fallen into the wrong path, but the fanatic was just shining her clear eyes.

Do-hyun put his forehead on his hand, seeing that she was even less communicative than before.

‘Why are there only *mi-chin-nyeon* [미친년; crazy women] around me?’

One is the crazy X in this area. The other is a *mi-chin-nyeon* [미친년; crazy woman] for swords.

And now, even a *nyeon* [년; woman] who has purely gone crazy.

There are not many women around me, but none of them are normal.

I even wondered if there was a reason why people say that men should be careful of women.

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

The sound of clapping with a beat coming from somewhere.

-That’s really *hullyunghada* [훌륭하다; admirable]!

“Ah, is it you this time.”

-Liza…….

Charlie, who couldn’t stand the fanatic’s speech, threw away his sword and clapped like a seal [enthusiastically].

His eyes, which were more serious than ever, were burning hot.

-Truly a *hullyunghan* [훌륭한; admirable] mindset! To think I would meet someone so *kkaeeo-itneun* [깨어있는; enlightened]. This Charlie will acknowledge you!

“Ah! You are *sin’s* [신’s; god’s] knight. I have heard of your *gyeong’s* [경’s; honorific title] reputation.”

-Do you know me?

“We are those who follow *sin’s* [신’s; god’s] light. How could we not know those who protect *sin’s* [신’s; god’s] side? Especially, I have been watching *gyeong* [경; honorific title] because your mindset of *bopil sin* [보필 신; assisting god] is very impressive.”

-Oh! This is the first time I’ve met such a *hullyunghan* [훌륭한; admirable] woman. I think I can communicate very well with you.”

Like psychopaths recognize each other.

The eyes of the two people who felt each other’s beliefs were filled with a sense of kinship.

Do-hyun quietly withdrew the words he had uttered, watching the eyes of the two people becoming similar as they continued their conversation.

‘……It’s not just women who are the problem.’

My surroundings were full of crazy people.