The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 36

370

Part 2, Episode 36.

Periel was bewildered.

More precisely, it felt unreal.

[…The root of the contamination?]

“Yes.”

As soon as he was offered the test, he dug into the ground and pulled out what he claimed was the root of the contamination?

It was beyond absurd; it was simply ridiculous.

It was as if he were toying with a spirit, an utterly insolent act.

[…If you are trying to mock me, human, I suggest you retract your words.]

“? It is the root, though.”

Even after her kind warning, the human did not retract his words.

Even though she was a gentle, high-ranking nature spirit, such disregard was unacceptable.

He deserved immediate punishment, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

‘That form… the energy I feel…’

Even that disgusting stench.

It was definitely the same as the root of contamination she knew.

Suppressing her rising anger at the mere possibility, her eyes widened as she accepted the seed-like object.

[This is…!]

It certainly had the energy of the root of contamination.

But strictly speaking, it wasn’t the root of contamination.

[…Not yet ignited. Between a seed and a root?]

A small seed, one might call it a seed of contamination, just preparing to take root.

A mere human had found something at least ten times more difficult to find than the root of contamination, which even the High Elves struggled with.

And in just three seconds.

‘…Is this even possible?’

Even the High Elf Elder, who had lived for 400 years, couldn’t do this.

‘…Is it a coincidence?’

…But the series of actions—digging up the ground and pulling out the root—was too seamless to be considered a coincidence.

More than anything, that confident face and tone.

He clearly knew that the root of contamination was here.

Periel decided to think differently.

‘I see. He knew from the beginning.’

The man in the black mask knew from the start that the root was here, which is why he acted with such certainty.

Thinking that way, everything made sense.

‘It’s ambiguous.’

If he found the root by any means, fair or foul, he would have proven his worth, but what if he had obtained the location from someone else?

It was necessary to confirm one more time.

Thinking this, Periel returned to her dignified and benevolent demeanor, as if she had never been stunned, and spoke.

…Or rather, she was about to speak.

[Ahem… human. I am truly sorry, but one more time…]

“Ah, there’s a root here too.”

[A root…]

“Oh, there’s one over there too.”

[…A root?]

“Huh? Here too? What’s with all the roots?”

[… ?]

Starting with Do-hyun bringing the second root, as if he had found water in the desert, he began collecting roots one after another.

Moreover, they weren’t just any roots of contamination.

Each one was in the early stages of germination, still within its seed, just like the first one he had found.

“Eliza, can you move these over there? I think I need to dig over there too.”

-Liza!

Thwack-

Do-hyun finds the root of contamination, and Eliza shoots a spider web to grab the root and send it to Periel.

The two continued to repeat the process, and,

‘…What is this? There were this many roots here?’

Three, four… the roots piled up in front of her were already over five.

The root of contamination was the source of evil that arose from ‘that day.’

If all those roots had bloomed?

This place, where the children lived, would have instantly turned into a haven for monsters.

Moreover, with this many roots, the entire place would have been filled with not just ordinary monsters, but named boss-level monsters.

‘…Good heavens.’

Thinking that, she swallowed hard.

No matter how easy named boss-level monsters were for her, they were not for the children.

Spirits had the weakness of not being able to exert much power in places where nature was contaminated.

If they were suddenly attacked by countless boss-level monsters in a contaminated forest, without any time to prepare?

‘…It’s horrifying just thinking about it.’

There were many intermediate spirits here as well.

In the end, the children would win, but the number of children sacrificed in the initial attack would not be small.

[…]

That man had saved them from that terrible threat.

Not a High Elf, but a mere human.

Before she knew it, Periel was simply staring at him with a blank face, forgetting all about her dignity.

The final blow came at that moment.

“…Hmm? This isn’t a root?”

While she was distracted by the steadily accumulating roots.

Do-hyun expressed his bewilderment after pulling out a root for the first time.

To be precise, it wasn’t a root.

It was a small, old key.

[…!]

And the moment she confirmed the key.

[Th, that is…!? Oh, good heavens!]

Periel could no longer even think about maintaining her composure, and she jumped up and revealed an excited expression.

She couldn’t help but do so.

[You have found the ‘Hidden Key’ that Periel has been desperately searching for.]

[It is recorded in the Book of Adventures.]

[The favorability of the high-ranking nature spirit ‘Periel’ greatly increases.]

Because it was the key that Periel had been so desperately searching for.

[…I think I can trust you.]

Her blank face was gone in an instant.

Clearing her throat, she continued in a voice that was somehow a beat faster.

[Human, you have proven your worth. Only you can fulfill our wishes. Can you please resolve my long-standing worries?]

With sparkling eyes and an excited voice, as if she had never doubted him.

There was no trace of the hesitant Periel who had been about to jump for joy… or rather, was actually jumping for joy.

Do-hyun, who had been quietly watching her incredible change of attitude, let out a dumbfounded chuckle.

In front of him, numerous messages were floating.

[You have acquired the quest item for the linked quest ‘Periel’s Wish.’]

[The linked quest ‘Periel’s Wish’ is forcibly skipped.]

[You have cleared the quest at an unprecedented speed, and the reward is enhanced.]

[Periel’s gift is enhanced.]

[A special linked quest, ‘Her Wish,’ is generated.]

….

He had just been happily digging up roots because there were so many, but he never expected this to happen.

‘Uh… jackpot?’

Do-hyun had ended up clearing two quests in one go.

* * *

[Periel gives you a reward worthy of your efforts.]

[You acquire an enhanced reward.]

[You have acquired Periel’s Gift – Gale, Periel’s Gift – Surge, and the title ‘One Recognized by Periel.’]

[You have acquired Periel’s Gift – Spirit Windstone.]

[Periel’s Gift – Gale]

-Grade: Legendary

-Description: Periel, a high-ranking nature spirit.

Her wind spirit magic, ‘Gale,’ is embedded within the crystal. Breaking the crystal will allow you to enchant your equipment with her spirit magic, ‘Gale.’

-Usable Count (0 / 1)

-Success Rate: 100%

[Periel’s Gift – Surge]

-Grade: Legendary

-Description: Periel, a high-ranking nature spirit.

Her wind spirit magic, ‘Surge,’ is embedded within the crystal. Breaking the crystal will allow you to enchant your equipment with her spirit magic, ‘Surge.’

-Usable Count (0 / 1)

-Success Rate: 100%

‘Crazy… legendary enchant?’

After her fuss ended, Do-hyun couldn’t help but be amazed by the rewards he received.

That’s because the rewards were enchant items.

‘Enchant items are worth whatever you ask for them.’

Moreover, there were very few useful enchant items among them, and even if there were, they only granted attribute bonuses or slight stat enhancements.

Enchant items that granted abilities close to skills in this way were almost non-existent.

Furthermore, the success rate was entirely based on luck.

‘This is pure luck that doesn’t require skill like enhancement, so there are no blacksmiths for it.’

In other words, the Eye of Truth wouldn’t work either.

Do-hyun, who hated relying on luck, hadn’t bothered with enchantments, but this was different.

‘Imbue a high-ranking spirit’s spirit magic with a 100 percent success rate?

There’s no need to hesitate.

Without hesitation, Do-hyun immediately broke the crystal on the spot, and

[Enchanting ‘Periel’s Gift – Gale’ on +15 Thousand Transformations (千變) [Cheonbyeon – Thousand Transformations].]

[The enchantment is successful, and the ‘Gale’ effect is granted.]

[Enchanting ‘Periel’s Gift – Surge’ on +12 Artram’s Masterpiece (力作) [Likjak – Masterpiece] – Heavenly Garment (逆天衣) [Yeokcheonui – Heavenly Garment].]

[The enchantment is successful, and the ‘Surge’ effect is granted.]

Along with the message that the enchantment was successful, a pleasant west wind swirled around Thousand Transformations and Heavenly Garment.

The effects of the changed items were as follows.

[+12 Artram’s Masterpiece (力作) [Likjak – Masterpiece] – Heavenly Garment (逆天衣) [Yeokcheonui – Heavenly Garment]]

[Grade: Legendary (Unique) (Growth)]

[Description: Artram, the master craftsman of the Argetlam Workshop.

A masterpiece created by him, who is admired by all artisans, using a special mineral that is one of a kind in the world.

Only those chosen by the mineral can wear it, and others can only refine it with the wearer’s permission.

It will defy the heavens and stand firm against any adversity.]

[Equip Restriction: One chosen by the Stone that Defies the Heavens]

[Physical Defense: 4,594 (+2,453)]

[Magic Resistance: 4,275 (+2,453)]

-Strength + 10 (+2)

-Agility + 10 (+2)

-Stamina + 10 (+2)

-HP + 1,000 (+1,200)

-MP + 1,000 (+1,200)

[Unbreakable Stone: Damage taken is reduced by 20%, and defense increases when taking consecutive damage. It will never be damaged without the wearer’s permission.]

[Defying the Heavens (逆天) [Yeokcheon]: All options are amplified when overcoming adversity. The greater the adversity, the greater the amplification, and hidden options can be used when reaching the limit.]

[Periel’s Gift – Gale: Wraps the aura of Gale around the desired area.

The more you move, the stronger the aura of Gale becomes, increasing movement speed, and when the aura of Gale reaches its limit, you can use ‘Surge.’]

[+15 Thousand Transformations (千變) [Cheonbyeon – Thousand Transformations] – (White Lion’s Snow Flower Sword)]

[Grade: Legendary (Unique)]

[Description: A sword that expresses a white lion and a single flower living in a snow-swept mountain.

It was once the symbolic sword of a great king, but now it is a forgotten relic. It contains a part of the forgotten king’s brilliant swordsmanship.]

[Level Restriction: 80 (100)]

[Equip Restriction: One who has received the Forgotten King’s Sword]

[Physical Attack Power: 2341 ~ 2407 + (2,365 ~ 2,583)]

[Durability: 100 / 100]

[White Lion’s Song: One of the Forgotten King’s swordsmanship techniques and the most powerful sword strike, White Lion’s Song can be used. (Cooldown: 10 minutes)]

[Master of Cold: Damage taken from cold attacks is reduced, and the effects of ice attribute-related options are amplified.]

[Periel’s Gift – Surge: Can be activated when the aura of Gale has reached its limit and delivers a blow with layers of condensed wind energy.

Can only be used when ‘Periel’s Gift – Gale’ is equipped.]

-Adjusted to match the grade of Thousand Transformations (千變) [Cheonbyeon – Thousand Transformations].

‘Yes, this is it.’

It’s already reassuring just by looking at the description.

The Gale and Surge options work as a set, and the exact performance can only be known by using them, but who is Periel?

She is the first high-ranking spirit to appear in front of users in God of Creation Online.

Since it was her spirit magic that was imbued, wouldn’t it naturally be good?

‘Even considering that the grade has increased because the success rate is 100%, it will be at least hero-grade performance.’

Unlike other equipment, the grade system for enchantment stones is a bit special.

The rarity and performance of the options also affect the grade, but unlike other equipment, the higher the success rate, the higher the grade, as there is a chance of failure.

Judging from the buff type, it doesn’t seem like she gave a particularly special spirit magic.

‘Still, she’s a high-ranking spirit, so it should be better than Haste at least.’

It’s not too late to check the details later.

Because a perfect place to check the performance has appeared.

[…This is the place, human.]

Periel, who had been walking through the forest with him, stopped at one place and spoke, and Do-hyun immediately took something out of his inventory.

[You have used the Hidden Key.]

[The hidden field ‘Contaminated Spirit Land’ is revealed.]

[This is a conditional clear hidden field.]

[If the conditions are met, the hidden field will close and rewards will be given based on the score.]

[Would you like to enter the Contaminated Spirit Land?]

Then, as he inserted the key into the empty air, a message appeared along with a barrier that became transparent, revealing a field that had not been visible until then.

At that, Do-hyun smirked.

‘To think something like this was hidden here.’

It was the second hidden field he had seen in God of Creation Online.