The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 38

38.

[Silver Iron Shield]

[Grade: Rare]

[Description: A special shield made from silver iron, a rare ore.

Since ancient times, silver has been known as a noble and sacred ore, believed to hold divine power.]

[Level Restriction: 20]

[Equip Restriction: Shield Warrior Class]

[Defense: 100]

[Damage Reduction: 110~130]

[Durability: 100 / 100]

[Special Option: The more divine power it holds, the greater the damage reduction.

When the amplification reaches its maximum, all accumulated stacks can be consumed to restore health.]

‘Oh, rare.’

The options are amazing for a level 20 item.

There’s no better shield in this range for tanks who use divine power.

In fact, the Silver Iron Shield was known as the Paladin’s National Shield in this level range.

‘They must have spent some money.’

To become villains without fear, carrying equipment like this….

They probably didn’t think they would die. Thanks to them, Do-hyun got a good item, so it was all good.

Do-hyun checked the remaining two items as well.

[Bastard’s Training Sword]

[Grade: Rare+]

[Description: A steel sword used by the hero Bastard when training his quick sword techniques.

As a sword that has endured the training of a great hero, it is very strong and sharp.]

[Level Restriction: 20]

[Equip Restriction: Swordsman Class]

[Physical Attack Power: 104~128]

[Durability: 100 / 100]

[Special Option: There is a certain chance to trigger ‘Minor Haste’ upon attack. When Haste is activated, attack speed and movement speed increase by 3%.]

-Attack Speed + 1%

[Mana-Infused Necklace]

[Grade: Rare]

[Description: A mana-infused necklace crafted in the White Magic Tower.

The Mana-Infused Necklace is considered essential for magicians and is highly valued.]

[Level Restriction: 20]

[Equip Restriction: None]

[Physical Defense: 50]

[Magic Resistance: 68]

[Durability: 100 / 100]

-Magic Power + 3

-Mana Recovery + 5%

All high-priced items reaching the rare grade.

Perhaps because of the villain penalty, only good items dropped.

Among them, the sword stood out the most.

It was the only Rare+ grade item, but more than that, the name caught his eye.

‘……Bastard’s Training Sword? Was the Bastard Sword not just a name?’

It wasn’t just living up to its name; the weapon was really a Bastard Sword [a sword of indeterminate type or origin].

One might think he was an amazing concept enthusiast.

He couldn’t help but chuckle, imagining them smiling to themselves, thinking it was a rhyme when they got that sword.

‘Now you can’t live up to the name.’

Maybe they’ll get the sword again, but that was their problem.

Anyway, Do-hyun liked it.

The options were pretty good, and even though it was a quick sword, the damage wasn’t bad because it was level 20.

‘I should sell the necklace.’

Unfortunately, he only had one slot for necklaces, so he had to sell it.

The Necklace of the Blood Oath he received from Charlie was overwhelmingly better.

‘Come to think of it, how much have my stats increased?’

The Necklace of the Blood Oath is a growth-type item.

A type of item that was rare even in Dem Locke [likely a reference to the game world].

It was no wonder Do-hyun was so ecstatic when he first checked the options.

He had leveled up a lot since then, so wouldn’t the options have changed a bit?

[Necklace of the Blood Oath]

[Grade: Heroic]

[Description: A necklace of oath made with the blood of ‘Charlie,’ the Knight Commander of Arren Castle. Only his lord can possess the necklace.]

[Level Restriction: None]

[Equip Restriction: Charlie’s Lord]

[Physical Defense: 61+(40)]

[Magic Resistance: 53+(40)]

-Strength + 4

-Agility + 2

-Stamina + 1

-Attack Speed + 5%

-Movement Speed + 5%

[Special Option: Defense and magic resistance increase with each acquisition of a certain amount of experience.]

[Special Option: Unlocked upon reaching level 35.]

-Cannot be traded

‘40… does it increase by 2 per level?’

Do-hyun’s current level is 21.

It seemed right since he had leveled up exactly 20 levels.

At this point, the increase was appropriate, as it was comparable to a level 20 Heroic necklace.

‘I can use this for life, right?’

If it continues to grow like this, he could use it from level 1 to level 100.

‘If that second option is good, that is.’

Special options become more important as you go to higher levels.

Items with special options were several times more expensive than items with simply high base defense.

In that respect, the option to increase attack speed and movement speed was quite satisfactory, but there was no guarantee that the option unlocked at level 35 would be as good.

‘Well, the current options are good enough to use for a long time.’

So there was no need to worry too much.

He was so engrossed in the spoils when it happened.

[Eye of Truth is activated.]

“Huh?”

Suddenly, a cheerful notification popped up.

Instinctively, he raised his head and saw it.

“Red?”

A red dot emitting a distinct presence from a corner of the dungeon wall.

To be exact, it was in the corner where the walls connected, a slightly recessed area where red light was emanating.

Although small in size, the intensity of the light was noticeable even from a distance.

Step by step.

As if drawn by a will-o’-the-wisp [a ghostly light often seen by travelers at night], Do-hyun approached and swallowed hard.

Up close, the intensity of the light was no joke.

‘It can’t be… stealth.’

The previous assassin boy briefly came to mind, but he quickly shook his head.

From the start, it was a 4-person party that entered. He killed all three of them with his own hands, so there was no way someone could be hiding.

He had never heard of goblins that use stealth, let alone hidden monsters.

At that moment, something flashed through Do-hyun’s mind!

‘Could it be herbs?’

The Explorer class varied greatly in income depending on the person’s abilities, but it was one of the better-earning classes.

The Explorer class itself was uncommon, and skilled explorers were even rarer.

And the main source of income for explorers was searching.

‘Because they can collect all sorts of herbs, antiques, and relics.’

Armed with all sorts of search skills, they sold anything that made money, and the most important source of income among them was herbs.

Herbs used in expensive potions, alchemy, and magic enchantment materials were in high demand and expensive.

Depending on the type, they could range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of won [Korean currency].

‘That’s right, if I can find stealth, it doesn’t make sense that I can’t find herbs. Right.’

If this was true, Do-hyun had gained a tremendous source of income.

A stronger explorer than most combat classes was born!

Suppressing his drool, he reached out, and the cheerful notification he had been waiting for rang.

“Huh?”

And the moment he checked the message, Do-hyun tilted his head.

He couldn’t help it.

The content of the message that appeared before him was so different from what he had expected.

[You have discovered a hidden secret dungeon.]

[…Confirmation… Conditions have been met.]

[You can check the information of the secret dungeon.]

[You have discovered the secret dungeon ‘Hideout of the Black Goblin Shaman’.]

[You have discovered the secret dungeon for the first time.]

[Acquire the title ‘Competent Explorer’.]

[Competent Explorer]

-Grade: Rare

-Description: A title given to the first person to discover a dungeon. You are born with the qualities of a competent explorer!

-Effect: Search skill range + 10%, all stats + 2

‘……Secret dungeon?’

The identity of that red dot was not herbs, but a hidden secret dungeon.

It was the moment he accidentally discovered a secret dungeon.

* * *

There are many types of dungeons.

From party dungeons to single bosses, mazes, and special and event dungeons.

There were countless types of dungeons widely known to everyone, and users gave them favorable reviews because they each had different charms that users could enjoy in a variety of ways.

But among them, there was a dungeon that was not well known…….

‘Secret dungeon.’

That was the secret dungeon.

As the name suggests, it was a hidden dungeon, and users knew of its existence.

However, if you asked if they knew the location of the dungeon, most of them would have to shake their heads.

‘Even explorers have a hard time finding secret dungeons.’

If it were easy to find a dungeon with the name secret dungeon, it wouldn’t be a secret.

Usually, secret dungeons were hidden in ridiculous locations, and even if you found them, you had to meet the requirements to open them.

‘There was even a secret dungeon where you had to drop blood on a flower blooming on a cliff to meet the requirements…….’

Each one was terribly difficult to find, but the rewards for secret dungeons were certain.

That was why explorer users with high-grade skills and unique abilities were highly regarded.

It was almost impossible to find a secret dungeon unless you were an explorer.

The secret dungeon that Do-hyun discovered was the same.

[One survivor in the dungeon has been confirmed.]

[It has been confirmed that you are not in a party.]

[Conditions have been met.]

‘What kind of crazy conditions are these?’

You have to discover the dungeon alone without forming a party in a party-type dungeon?

It was simply an impossible condition.

From the start, you had to be in a 4-person party to enter this place, so the establishment conditions were impossible.

Unless the party members were trying to kill one person, and after a bloody fight, only one person survived and cleared the boss.

‘And you have to have a search skill to find the secret dungeon.’

What are the odds that the one survivor is an explorer?

I think it’s probably lower than winning the lottery.

There are disposable items with search options at higher levels, but there’s no way anyone in this range would have something like that.

The Eye of Truth, which has all sorts of abilities with just one trait and even finds dungeons, is ridiculous.

‘This is… I can only say it’s absurd.’

Should I call it a windfall…….

Do-hyun scratched his head, having unintentionally become the protagonist who achieved those heinous conditions.

It’s a bit of a shame that he didn’t find herbs, but it’s a different story if he found a secret dungeon instead.

No, this side is incomparably better.

[Hideout of the Black Goblin Shaman]

-Grade: Heroic

-Type: Secret Dungeon

-Characteristic: Single Boss

-Description: One day, rumors spread in Raven that a goblin with black skin was seen, and many superstitions spread.

But the goblin never showed up and was slowly forgotten by the people.

Perhaps there are traces of the goblin here.

[Entry Limit: 1 person]

[Entry Condition: First Discoverer]

[If the dungeon is successfully cleared, the dungeon will disappear, and if the dungeon fails to be cleared, you will no longer be able to enter the dungeon.]

Especially if it’s a high-grade secret dungeon like this.

‘Heroic grade…….’

Secret dungeons, regardless of grade, are difficult and the rewards are excellent.

Among them, not much was known about Heroic-grade secret dungeons.

If he sold the information about this dungeon, he could easily get hundreds… no, thousands.

If you’re a person in need of money, you’d feel like you’ve won the lottery.

‘I’m clearing it.’

Do-hyun’s will was firm.