The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 332

333.

About an hour after leaving the audience chamber, Doyun arrived at a hunting ground deep within the field, a smile on his face.

More radiant than ever before.

-Seriously, what did you get, Master? Look at those flaring nostrils.

-Lizariza.

-Hmm, it just looked like an ordinary pebble… but I suppose it must be something precious we don’t know about.

-Ugh, even asking just makes your nostrils flare more; it’s driving me crazy.

-Liza….

Jihad’s frustration only grew as Doyun refused to tell them for a whole hour, but Doyun didn’t explain in the end.

Seeing is believing.

He figured showing them directly would be the best way.

And now that opportunity had come.

‘This is insane, really.’

The imperial family’s treasure.

It was a small stone.

Looking exactly like the pebbles that commonly roll around on the ground.

The only difference was the faint patterns drawn like hairline cracks amidst the black-covered exterior.

Anyone who saw it would wonder how something like this could be the imperial family’s treasure, but Doyun could say for sure.

[Arnis Imperial Family Treasure – ???]

[Grade: Legendary (Relic)]

[Description: A precious treasure passed down through the Arnis imperial family for generations.

Over hundreds of years, the true nature of this stone, or its designated name, could not be discovered.

Only the imperial family’s prophecy that this stone possesses unique and mysterious abilities, and that the empire’s hero will become its owner, has been passed down.]

[Substitution: Can exert the same effect as the material the user desires.]

-However, it can only be substituted for materials and consumables.

-Also, materials that are superior in grade or have a large difference in mass cannot be substituted.

-The ‘Substitution’ option disappears after 3 uses. (0 / 3)

-A special event may occur when the true name is discovered.

‘To think such a cheat item existed.’

There probably aren’t many cheat items like this even if you searched through all of God’s Era [the game world].

That’s how absurd the effect is.

‘Limited to materials and consumables, it can be substituted for anything below legendary grade…….’

This is different from the Myriad Transformation.

Unlike the Myriad Transformation, which can only transform into what it has devoured, this substitutes for something else.

In other words, even if you don’t have the desired item in hand, you can still produce the effect of that item.

Like a joker card.

‘Legendary-grade material items are, in some ways, more valuable than equipment of the same grade.’

To be exact, they are considered rare.

They don’t have direct effects like equipment, but special materials needed for high enhancement or materials for some hidden quests often take months to acquire.

There were also plenty of quest material items that couldn’t be obtained with money.

Not only that.

‘In the case of such material items, they are mostly dropped only in designated areas.’

If you don’t meet the conditions to reach the location, you have to grit your teeth and break through the conditions first.

That’s why ‘materials’ in God’s Era are synonymous with grinding [repetitive tasks to gain items or experience].

It seemed the game company wanted that kind of operation from the start.

‘This is like buying time and effort.’

Considering that ordinary people hate investing that effort and time, so they spend real money, it was an amazing thing.

At least, he had never heard of such an item before.

Officially, only Doyun would get to enjoy it.

‘And a whopping three times at that.’

Doyun, who had no reason to hesitate, immediately started touching the equipment along with the Stone of Succession.

[You are using the Stone of Succession (Permanent).]

[It has been confirmed that both pieces of equipment are of the same Legendary (Unique) grade.]

[Normal succession is not possible due to the grade being too high.]

[The special material ‘Mandra’ is required for succession.]

[The effect of the ‘Substitution’ option substitutes ‘Arnis Imperial Family Treasure – ???’ for ‘Mandra’.]

[Legendary grade has been confirmed.]

[Conditions are met.]

‘Mandra might be obtainable later, even if not now…….’

To be able to do a task that can only be done much later right now, and to endure this?

Doyun wasn’t that patient of a man.

More than anything, time was gold for Doyun, who needed to grow quickly and proceed with the main quest.

It was definitely not because he coveted the Black Wings option too much.

But such romance… no, Doyun’s plan could not be achieved.

[Succession has been canceled.]

“……?”

The succession was canceled along with an unnecessarily cheerful notification.

‘What the…….’

He was momentarily stunned by the unexpected situation.

Soon, Doyun nodded as if he understood the message that appeared.

[The equipment you are trying to succeed, ‘Black Knight’s Dark Armor,’ is not performing to its full potential due to special restrictions.]

[Proceed with the succession after 解除 [jiěchú – remove/lift] the restrictions.]

‘Ah…….’

The phrase at the bottom of the Black Knight’s Dark Armor came to mind.

-The equipment must be worn for 24 hours to be recognized as its owner and exert its full performance.

Doyun scratched his head, recalling the condition.

‘I should have worn it in advance if I had known this would happen.’

Anyway, he didn’t need to be impatient since he had confirmed that succession was possible.

This was just a matter of time.

[Arnis Imperial Family Treasure – ??? (Mandra)]

Fortunately, seeing ‘Mandra’ written next to the Imperial Family Treasure, it seemed that the effect would definitely disappear after use.

Doyun, shaking off his disappointment, immediately changed his equipment.

[You equip the Black Knight’s Dark Armor.]

[The equipment is recognizing its owner.]

[Options cannot be used and can be used after 24 hours of wearing.]

-Ugh……. Something about this is too unpleasant, Master.

-Hmm.

-Li, Liza……. Lizariza.

Jihad soon frowned and stepped back slightly.

Charlie and Eliza also seemed to feel the same way, their reactions not very pleasant.

Doyun turned his gaze to the customization mirror.

“It’s cool, though?”

The darkness emanating from the imposing black armor was quite impressive.

It gave off the feeling of a final boss.

On a whim, he changed the helmet to a non-darkness form, and it was truly a black knight.

-Ugh. I feel a bit uneasy, Master. Look at that writhing darkness. You’re not going to summon a Demon Dragon, are you?

-It seems we should proceed with the succession quickly, Master.

-Liza!

Doyun chuckled at Charlie and Eliza, who were chiming in.

‘Well, it wouldn’t be a very good memory for those guys.’

Charlie at least managed to get his revenge by stabbing him at the end.

Jihad and Eliza only had memories of being hit in the back of the neck and passing out, so it would be even more so.

-Ah, that’s much better.

-Liza.

Since the armor couldn’t be helped, they felt much more comfortable when he conscientiously changed only the helmet back to its darkness form.

It was while they were chatting and exchanging such trivial stories.

[‘Ast’ is requesting to confirm your whisper.]

[You have unread messages.]

…….

[You have unread messages.]

‘Ah.’

Doyun frowned as if troubled, seeing the suddenly appearing message.

Come to think of it, he seemed to have received a lot of whispers, but he was busy and put off checking them until later, then forgot about it.

‘He’s probably complaining a lot again.’

He checked, imagining the old man about to die of frustration, asking if whispers were just for decoration.

As expected.

[Ast: Extinction-level city quest? Black Knight Garion? Demon Dragon? Woah, what’s all this? Is this by any chance related to you?]

[Ast: Why isn’t this bastard saying anything? Looking at the situation, it’s going to be ruined if you don’t come, where are you holed up doing what?]

[Ast: I’m screwed. I’m leaving first.]

[Ast: Wow, he didn’t say anything and took care of it himself. Gugu and Sword Saint were rushing over with me. Seriously, this guy never tells me anything. Well, it’s a relief though. Good job, you.]

…….

[Ast: Hey, can you check your whispers when they come? At least look at the messages. I don’t understand why you don’t look…….]

[Ast: Haa……. Sword Saint doesn’t listen because he’s meditating, and Gugu disappeared again and I had a hard time finding him, and he’s fighting. And you’re ignoring me like you’re telling me to screw off. Sigh, what’s my fate. Why are all the people around me so stubborn? Am I a babysitter or something……. (Omitted)]

There were tons of whispers piled up from yesterday.

Whispers that started with worry went through despair, relief, and anger, and finally reached a state of enlightenment.

It felt like he had indirectly experienced how diverse human emotional changes can be.

‘……Um. I should check right away next time.’

He didn’t know if he could keep it, but he decided to do so for now and sent a whisper, which Ast accepted immediately.

[……You reply really fast.]

“Sorry, I was busy.”

[Yeah…… I’m sure you were.]

“I’ll check next time. So, what’s up, old man?”

Doyun tactfully changed the subject to Ast’s reaction, who sighed as if the ground was sinking.

Fortunately, Ast readily agreed.

[I was in a hurry at first…… and I was going to ask you about this and that, but well, let’s talk about that later.]

Ast, who grumbled and moved on, paused for a moment as if organizing his words, then asked.

[This city quest. It’s related to you, right?]

“That’s right.”

[Immediate answer. Well, I thought so.]

“What. You’re not as surprised as I thought?”

[Accidents that hadn’t happened the whole time suddenly started happening almost every day after you came back, so who else would be the culprit besides you? That’s a talent too, you. Seriously, my heart hasn’t been right lately because of you.]

“…….”

He had no words to refute because it was true.

About half of the major incidents that had occurred during the two-year history of God’s Era had occurred in the four months after Doyun started.

‘……I really did cause a lot of trouble.’

At this point, he wondered if he was the problem, but Doyun also had something to say.

Doyun was only involuntarily caught up in it, not because he wanted to.

To add one thing, it was only now that the main quest had been discovered, so it was natural that many incidents would occur.

[……Let’s stop the small talk here.]

Ast’s atmosphere, who had been complaining, suddenly became serious.

The naturally lowered voice continued.

[Did you hear about the update?]

“Update? I didn’t hear about it, was there such news?”

[It was posted 2 hours ago. The scale of what you did this time is so big that it’s kind of buried……. It’s truly unprecedented.]

“That serious?”

Doyun’s eyes also became serious.

It wasn’t just because he was sympathizing with Ast’s atmosphere.

‘If the old man calls it unprecedented, it’s not ordinary.’

He had been with him for a long time, but he rarely used the expression unprecedented.

For such an old man to use the expression unprecedented, it must be a big deal that would change the direction or trajectory of the game.

That expectation was right on the mark.

[New Continent Massive Update.]

“New Continent? How long has it been since we tried to 攻略 [gōnglüè – strategize/guide] it?”

[It’s been quite a while. It’s been over half a year even if you count from when we started 攻略 [gōnglüè – strategize/guide] it in earnest.]

“Ah, that’s right.”

[Well, it’s understandable that you feel like it hasn’t been long. It’s closer to exploring because there hasn’t been any real income.]

That was also why Doyun was able to compete with the top 10 guilds.

In fact, except for Transcendence or materials and some equipment that could only be obtained in the New Continent, there wasn’t much difference between Doyun and them.

But from now on, it will be different.

[From now on, the 异种族 [yìzhǒngzú – different races/foreign tribes] will start to move. They’re giving quests, and new content related to labyrinth dungeons and 异种族 [yìzhǒngzú – different races/foreign tribes] is opening up.]