The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 35

Part 35.

For a while, Do-hyun read the message with a somewhat blank expression.

He couldn’t help it.

‘A high-grade spirit?’

He had never heard of a high-grade spirit appearing in the tournament.

The highest level of spirits appearing in the tournament was mid-grade, and even that was considered encountering a fairly high-level spirit.

Unlike their childlike innocent appearance, the power of mid-grade spirits was beyond that of most users.

‘I guess it makes sense.’

The ranks of spirits are divided into three stages: low, mid, and high.

Considering that spirits themselves are rare and powerful beings, mid-grade spirits couldn’t be weak.

Especially the spirits of Elaniss were of an even higher level.

Spirits are naturally stronger in areas with abundant nature.

For example, fire spirits exert maximum power in areas with intense fire, and earth spirits gain great power in lands full of life.

‘In that respect, there’s no place like Elaniss.’

Perhaps that’s why.

Users were always wondering.

Why are there no high-grade spirits in this forest, which is so rich in nature and full of spirits?

It was strange that they never encountered high-grade spirits.

There was even a thought that maybe high-grade spirits didn’t exist.

-No, high-grade spirits definitely inhabit Elaniss.

Someone who expressed such an opinion appeared, and it became a huge topic.

The identity of the person who said that was none other than the Adventure King, Barion.

Who is he?

A person who explores everything related to the adventure of God of Creation Online, so much so that he is called a weirdo.

-Recently, while searching for the Book of Adventures, I read a fable about high-grade spirits. They are supernatural beings who bring rain and blizzards. Out of curiosity, I investigated and found clear traces of them living here in Elaniss, which is rich in nature.

Then he added one thing.

-Although I haven’t found the true form of the high-grade spirits, they will surely appear someday.

Because he left those words, everyone was engrossed in finding high-grade spirits for a while.

It wasn’t just because of Barion’s remarks.

“High-grade spirits? Mysterious, that’s the most fitting word.”

“Hehe, if you meet a high-grade spirit in person, you will be captivated by its mystery.”

“High-grade spirits are like guardian deities who protect all the spirits in the area. In some ways, their essence is no different from divine creatures.”

“You must not displease them. An angry high-grade spirit is very violent!”

The interest in high-grade spirits that started with Barion evolved into deep curiosity due to the words of the Elf NPCs [Non-Player Characters].

It was enough of a motive for the top 10 guilds, as well as rankers known to everyone by name, and even ordinary users to start searching for high-grade spirits.

“No, how can they not appear even after searching for over a month?”

“Was Barion wrong? I can’t even see a glimpse of them.”

“Ugh, I just wasted my time. I’m giving up.”

“Maybe it’s content that will be unlocked later? Even mid-grade spirits are rare, but you can still see some of them.”

But in the end, they couldn’t find them.

“Huh? Have I seen a high-grade spirit recently? Well, I think it’s been about 30 years since I last saw one. Are they busy?”

“There have been times when they haven’t appeared for 50 years. 30 years is just everyday life.”

“I heard that they used to hang out with us elves often until about 100 years ago, but I’m only 70 years old, so I don’t know much. If you ask adults who have lived for over 200 years, they might know something?”

They were beings that appeared so infrequently that even the elves said this.

There was no way a user could meet such a high-grade spirit after trying for a few months.

Thus, naturally, high-grade spirits were gradually forgotten in the minds of users, with the conclusion that they would appear as some kind of content in the future.

[The high-grade spirit of nature, ‘Periel,’ is watching you.]

‘……Why is such a high-grade spirit appearing here?’

So it was natural for Do-hyun to be so shocked.

That the high-grade spirit, which all the top players couldn’t find no matter how hard they searched, would be in the weekly content, the Cheonhajaeil Apostle Tournament [loosely translated as “The World’s Greatest Apostle Tournament”].

[You have earned the favor of the spirits by fulfilling many of their requests.]

[You have achieved 10,000 points for the first time.]

[You have fulfilled a hidden condition.]

‘I didn’t know there was such a hidden piece.’

There may have been many who earned the favor of the spirits, but there was no one who achieved 10,000 points.

Thinking about it, the users’ predictions were correct.

Generally, the winner’s score in the tournament is usually around 6,000 points.

Considering that even Myeolsalma reached only 8,800 points, it was right that it was content that would appear later.

In other words, this meant it was a tremendous opportunity that only Do-hyun had obtained.

‘I almost messed up big time if I hadn’t raised it by 1 more point because it bothered me?’

He filled the score to 10,000 because 9,999 points were strangely bothering him, even though the score wouldn’t go up anymore.

If he had stopped thinking that 9,999 points would be enough for first place anyway, he would have missed a golden opportunity.

The moment Do-hyun, who was sweating, swallowed hard.

[The high-grade spirit of nature, ‘Periel,’ approaches you.]

As if a typhoon had struck, the bushes shook and a huge energy drew closer step by step.

[The high-grade spirit of nature, ‘Periel,’ reveals its appearance.]

[You have encountered the high-grade spirit of nature, ‘Periel.’]

[It is recorded in the Book of Adventures.]

[Warning! This is an opponent with powerful energy.]

Soon, Periel revealed its appearance.

-It’s Periel-nim!

-Periel-nim, it’s been a while!

-This human helped us. He’s an amazing human, he finds us so well, you know?

-Hehe.

Then, like children welcoming their caring mother, the mid-grade spirits were excited and welcoming.

Do-hyun also raised his head and looked up at Periel.

‘……It looks similar to Rupalo but different.’

Periel was a huge deer over 6 meters tall.

It was similar to Rupalo in that it was a deer that created a mysterious atmosphere, but…….

The various patterns engraved on its body emitted a subtle light, creating an even more mysterious atmosphere.

Unlike Rupalo, which had hard and huge horns, the big difference was that it had horns made of wind and water.

‘……Wow. It’s on a different level than the mid-grade spirits, Master. I can feel an incredibly pure and highly concentrated energy.’

‘Lizariza……!’

‘Indeed, this overwhelming presence and mystery. It’s practically a divine creature.’

The guardians who said that were only admiring and didn’t feel any fear at all.

Especially Eliza and Jihad, who are sensitive to mana, had an uncharacteristic reaction, because Periel was not showing any hostility.

Rather, they were feeling comfortable with the pure and clean energy that Periel possessed.

However,

‘Hmm…… but something feels strange.’

‘Liza.’

‘Right? Eliza. I’m not the only one who feels that way, am I?’

‘Lizariza.’

Jihad tilted his head as if something was wrong.

‘Why, what is it?’

‘Ah, how should I put it…… It’s definitely a clean and highly concentrated energy, but it feels strangely faint, Master. It feels like something is blocking the energy?’

‘Lizariza.’

‘……You can even feel that?’

Charlie shook his head with a dumbfounded expression at the more precise mana detection than he thought.

It seemed that only those two felt it.

‘I don’t usually feel it this much, but is it because the mana is so pure? I think I feel the foreignness even more, Master.’

‘Lizariza.’

‘Hmm…… is that so?’

The fact that the name of the sudden quest that could occur was ‘Periel’s Wish,’ and the testimonies of the two.

It seemed that there was something going on.

While he was thinking, Periel, who had finished greeting the spirits, finally turned its gaze to Do-hyun.

[I heard about your performance from the children. You made them happy. Thank you for making the children happy for me.]

A feeling of a benevolent woman’s voice echoing in his head.

It wasn’t just a feeling.

In fact, Periel was not opening its mouth.

It’s strange that the voice is felt by the body, not heard by the ears.

But what was even stranger was the statement that followed.

[I have been waiting all along. For the day when a race other than the elves would prove their worth. But I never thought it would be a human…….]

‘A race other than the elves?’

Excluding the elves in a forest managed by the elves?

There was definitely something going on.

Do-hyun’s eyes sparkled with curiosity for a moment, but unfortunately, he couldn’t satisfy his curiosity right away.

[Hmm…… I can’t show myself for long…….]

As if something was bothering it, Periel didn’t get straight to the point and hesitated.

He soon found out why.

[……To be honest. Human, we have been waiting for someone to fulfill our wish for a long time. The situation is that you, the right person, have finally appeared, but…….]

Periel, who sighed deeply, began to speak honestly.

[The fact that you are a human who has had no contact with us is a concern. Since it is a very important matter for us spirits, would it be okay to check for a moment whether you are the right person or not? Of course, your opinion is the most important thing. I have nothing to say even if you refuse.]

Ding-

The cheerful notification rang as if waiting for her to finish speaking.

[The high-grade spirit of nature, ‘Periel,’ doubts your qualifications.]

[She is skeptical whether you are the person who will fulfill her wish.]

[Alleviate her anxiety.]

‘So this is how it comes out?’

It was a pity, but it was the first high-grade spirit to appear in God of Creation Online.

In a way, it was natural to have this kind of test.

However, the difficulty of the test was a bit strange.

[It’s not difficult. If you are really the one who passed the standard, you must have purified many polluted places in the forest.]

“Yes.”

[To truly purify the forest, you must remove the root of the pollution that is the source. But the root is very small and faint, making it difficult even for the elves, the race closest to the forest, to find. Can you find and remove that root?]

Ding-

[Sudden Quest, ‘Proof of Qualification’ has occurred.]

[Proof of Qualification]

-Grade: Sudden Quest

-Description: Periel, the high-grade spirit of nature.

She had been looking for someone to fulfill her wish for a long time.

To fulfill the wish, the power of a different race other than elves and spirits is needed.

However, she had not thought of humans, who have low affinity with nature, so she is doubting whether it is okay to tell a human.

Prove your qualifications by finding the ‘Root of Pollution,’ which is difficult even for high elves to find, and alleviate her anxiety.

-Root of Pollution (0 / 1)

-Quest Success: Sudden Quest ‘Periel’s Wish’ occurs, Periel’s Gift acquired

-Quest Failure: Sudden Quest ‘Periel’s Wish’ deleted

Because of this, what even most high elves cannot easily find is the ‘Root of Pollution’.

Finding and removing even one of them was her test.

Considering that there is 1 hour left in the tournament, it was practically the same as telling them to give up on the idea of receiving the quest.

[Of course, it’s not an easy task. It’s something that even high elves with very high affinity with nature struggle with, so you only need to find it within three days. Instead, if you accept this offer, I will give you a reward worthy of it…….]

That’s right. It was a truly absurd difficulty.

So much so that even Periel’s pleasant beautiful voice could not be heard properly.

However, the meaning of that absurdity was a little different.

[The Eye of Truth is activated.]

‘……It’s too easy to see?’

The moment he received the quest, a small seed was revealing its presence deep beneath his feet.

[……I will. You will surely be satisfied too……? Human, what are you doing now?]

Periel was startled and her eyes widened as Do-hyun, who had unknowingly taken out Cheonbyeon, plunged it deeply into the ground to dig it up.

It was an expression that wondered what this sudden action was, but whether she did or not, Do-hyun was just silently digging the ground.

Swoosh-

When the ground was dug to some extent.

Do-hyun, who pulled out Cheonbyeon, put his hand in as it was.