The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 48

The Great War (2)

Part 2, Episode 48.

* * *

In front of the platform in the center of the Elf Village.

Waaahhhhh-!!!

The area was filled with enthusiastic cheers.

The Heavenly Supreme Disciple Tournament, with its legendary lineup, had come to an end, and the results were publicly announced.

[Heavenly Supreme Disciple Tournament Rankings]

-1st Place: Kaiser (12,450)

-2nd Place: Mason (7,980)

-3rd Place: Kyleek (7,940)

…….

-7th Place: Raihas (7,720)

-8th Place: Warrin (7,700)

-9th Place: Aiden (7,440)

-10th Place: Lakelan (7,430)

The top 10, from 1st to 10th place, would receive special rewards directly from the Elf Elder.
The identities of those who had secured these positions were revealed for the first time.

“Wow, the scores in this tournament are insane. They’re like 500 points higher than usual.”

“Why is Raihas only in 7th place, though?”

“Why aren’t any of the guys from the lawless zone showing up? Did they all die somewhere?”

“Hey, haven’t you heard the rumors? Kaiser and Raihas joined forces and wiped them all out.”

“Crazy… Really?”

“Wow, I missed out on such an awesome spectacle. That’s too bad.”

Some of the names were expected, while others were completely unexpected.

With such a legendary lineup, the competition was fiercer than usual, leading to even more stories and buzz.

Among them, the biggest topic of conversation was none other than Kaiser.

“Wow, Kaiser really got 1st place?”

“What? 12,450 points? Is that a bug? How did he get over 10,000?”

“That’s insane. Isn’t that the highest score ever? I don’t think Myeolsal even hit 10,000.”

“Seriously, how is that not hacking?”

“Real. If it weren’t for God of Creation Online, I would have reported him immediately.”

“Hush, nothing is impossible for the omnipotent Kaisin [Kaiser + God].”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Stop with the nonsense. Is that even possible with skill alone?”

Normally, people would argue about whether it was skill or hacking, or whether Kaiser was a god, but this time, the tone was slightly different.

The criteria for increasing scores in the Heavenly Supreme Disciple Tournament was purifying the forest.

It wasn’t simply about catching a lot of monsters or beating up villains, so it was hard to understand.

“Wow, I’m dying to know how he did it.”

“Will he upload a video?”

“This video is guaranteed to be legendary. I hope he uploads it soon.”

“Standing there nonchalantly after getting such a score is so cool….”

“No wonder guys are so crazy about him.”

Everywhere you looked, it was all about Kaiser.

Thanks to that, Dohyun, who was waiting for the Elf Elder on the platform, had to listen to it all, whether he wanted to or not.

And the Guardians were the same.

-Why aren’t we getting any praise? We did so much!

-A vassal should live as a shadow for their lord. If only my lord is recognized, this humble sword is satisfied.

-…But you seemed to enjoy the attention every time you got it.

-Ahem. It’s just your imagination.

-Rizariza?

Perhaps it was because all the attention was focused on Dohyun.

Jihad seemed disappointed that they weren’t even mentioned. Charlie and Eliza were also trying to act dignified, but they seemed secretly disappointed.

‘How did even they become like that?’

Like friends, like master.

After hanging out with Jihad, the two of them seemed to have been influenced.

Dohyun shook his head at the unfortunate fact and then turned his gaze to the back of his hand.

On the back of his left hand, there was a small tattoo that hadn’t been there before… no, two overlapping tattoos.

A shape that looked like the silhouette of a mysterious deer’s face, and inside it, mysterious patterns that he had never seen before.

[Periel’s Blessing]

[Rank: Legendary]

[Description: A blessing bestowed by the high-ranking nature spirit ‘Periel.’

Those who receive the blessing gain a high affinity for nature, and those who do not have an affinity for nature will awaken to it.

The blessing of the wind will always remain with the user.

Additionally, new abilities may bloom in proportion to the blessed one’s affinity for nature.

-Nature Affinity +2,000

[Currently Awakened Abilities: 1]

-Blessing of the Wind: All wind-related abilities are increased by 20%.

[Blessing of the Spirits]

[Rank: Rare+]

[Description: A blessing bestowed with gratitude by numerous spirits.

It does not contain any special power, but it increases nature affinity and gives off a sweet scent that makes it easy for spirits to like you.

-Nature Affinity +500

The blessing obtained from Periel and the Blessing of the Spirits obtained from clearing the Hidden Field, the Land of Contaminated Spirits.
The two blessings combined and were engraved on the back of his hand.

‘Wind-related abilities increased by 20%, huh….’

The first things that came to mind were Gale and Surge.

Amplifying the already effective two abilities was a huge benefit, but it was true that it felt a bit lacking for a legendary-grade ability.

However, that was only when looking at that ability alone.

‘New abilities can bloom depending on nature affinity… it’s a completely growth-type blessing.’

Considering that several additional abilities might appear in the future if the conditions were met, it was a blessing worthy of the title of legendary.

Above all, the biggest advantage was that it didn’t take up an equipment slot.

‘This alone raised my nature affinity by 2,000.’

Perhaps thanks to that.

As Periel had proven, Dohyun’s affinity for nature was beyond the human realm.

‘She said it was about the level of a young elf.’

Considering that elves were an overwhelmingly dominant race in terms of nature affinity, it was an incredible thing.

Ordinary humans had almost no affinity for nature.

Compared to other humans, it was like the difference between drought-stricken land and a river.

Of course, it wasn’t just those two blessings that made it happen.

[One Who Purified the Land of Spirits]

-Rank: Hero

-Description: The Land of Spirits was contaminated, and the spirits lost their home.

To you, who purified the Land of Spirits and saved the spirits who had suffered for a long time, the spirits related to nature will always be grateful.

-Effect: Greatly increases the favorability of all spirits related to nature.

All stats +5

A title obtained by clearing the Hidden Field.

[The intimacy with the high-ranking nature spirit, ‘Periel,’ is very high.]

[Nature affinity increases as the intimacy with the high-ranking spirit exceeds the standard.]

And his high intimacy with her, a high-ranking spirit, also played a part.

-Kaiser, our friend. Thank you so much. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have been able to reclaim our home. We, the spirits of nature, promise to always be on your side.

-I would like to have more conversations with you… but it is a pity that the spirit stone is not completely purified, so I have to focus on purification. After the purification is complete, I will visit you in person.

Periel herself left as soon as she exchanged greetings….

But she promised to meet again, and it was as good as having a high-ranking spirit as a backer, so there was nothing to lose.

Besides, Dohyun had to leave the forest urgently after the tournament.

‘Anyway…….’

Dohyun smiled and shook off his thoughts, then clicked his tongue.

“He got over 10,000 points…….”

“I heard there was a problem with the horn when he broke it… did he really break it with his skill?”

“Didn’t he complete some hidden quest or something?”

“Raihas isn’t interested in winning, so that’s understandable…….”

“I can’t accept it…….”

It was because of the users in 2nd to 10th place standing on the platform with him.

The glares he felt from both sides were so fierce that they stung.

They were muttering about how he must have cleared a hidden quest, or that there was some error, or that they couldn’t accept it.

They were whispering, but they were close enough that he could hear everything.

It wasn’t hard to understand.

‘Well, it is an impossible score.’

Honestly, if he didn’t have the Eye of Truth, it would have been absolutely impossible to get that score at this point.

Saying that he cleared a hidden quest was also true.

‘But why isn’t Raihas here?’

Perhaps it was because they had fought back-to-back.

He was curious as to why he wasn’t showing up when even the spectators had gathered, but Dohyun decided to ignore it.

‘Isn’t he still looking for the villain he’s been chasing, Master?’

‘Hmm… since he wasn’t interested in the tournament itself, I think that’s possible.’

‘Riza!’

It didn’t seem like he was someone who would be easily defeated.

Like they said, he thought he might be doing something.

Even so, it was amazing that he achieved 7th place.

While he was having such miscellaneous thoughts.

“Everyone, quiet!!”

The Elf host, who had been watching the whole time, suddenly shouted loudly, regardless of the commotion.

It wasn’t her usual lighthearted tone, but a heavy voice.

As the users instinctively shut their mouths, a majestic sound of footsteps was heard from afar.

“That is…….”

“Wow, amazing.”

“I’m seeing it for the first time.”

The footsteps were not from one person.

The footsteps of a legion of elves walking in formation created a magnificent sound.

[You have encountered the Elantriel First Knights, the ‘Villand Knights.’]

It was the sound of the Villand Knights, the elite knights considered the best among the Elf Village’s knights, appearing.

And the appearance of the Villand Knights meant.

Thud.

It meant that he would soon appear.

“…Are you the ones who put in the most effort to purify the forest?”

It sounded like a beautiful voice at first, but it was a powerful voice that clearly resonated in his ears despite the distance.

A solid aura was felt from afar.

Although he had a small, lean physique, the aura he exuded was reminiscent of a giant tree.

Thud. Thud.

As he got closer, his dignified middle-aged appearance, which showed the passage of time, showed how long he had lived as an elf.

Swoosh.

The three tree branch patterns engraved on his neck proved that he was a high elf of high rank.

The moment he stood on the platform and stopped in front of Dohyun.

[You have encountered the Elder of the Elves, ‘Alterion Elantriel.’]

[He is about to bestow rewards upon those who have achieved a ranking in the Heavenly Supreme Disciple Tournament.]

‘…That’s the Elder.’

Dohyun nodded as he checked the message.

He certainly felt an overwhelming presence that was comparable to Astra.

It was a similar yet different feeling from when he first encountered the Sword Emperor.

He didn’t know about strength, but at least the dignity he felt when he faced him was superior.

‘If the Elf Elder is this strong, how strong is the Fairy King?’

What would it feel like to face the Fairy King, one of the owners of the five thrones [powerful rulers] ?

Just as he was briefly lost in thought at the sudden curiosity.

The users standing on both sides were also looking at the sky with slightly nervous faces.

They were probably all checking the messages, but Alterion, as if used to the reaction, continued speaking in a low voice.

“I commend you for your efforts in purifying the forest. I have prepared a small gift for those of you who have done so…….”

…Or rather, he was about to continue.

Alterion, who had been looking around the users with indifferent eyes, unlike his praising words, until he made eye contact with Dohyun.

“……!”

The moment he met Alterion’s deep eyes, which contained surprise for the first time.

Ting-

A message popped up as if it had been waiting.

Dohyun’s eyes widened as he saw it as well.

[The Eye of Truth is activated.]

[You have found half of the fifth fragment of fate’s key.]

[Elinel’s bracelet is reacting.]

[You have discovered a ‘Clue to the Missing Girl.’]

‘……What?’