The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 52

Part 52.

After finishing the conversation with Altereon, Dohyun left the mansion and headed straight to Astra.

He felt it was right to inform Astra about the current situation—having to go to the Nymphs’ territory—since he had promised to speak with Altereon.

‘It’ll be a headache if I don’t say anything and get misunderstood.’

Dohyun knew Astra had great mental strength but not a very patient personality.

This was quite an important issue.

“God of War” wasn’t just running on a set system; the content of quests could change depending on the personalities of the NPCs [Non-Player Characters, computer-controlled characters in the game].

‘If I leave without saying anything, he might think I betrayed him and lead a legion of Dark Elves.’

Contrary to Dohyun’s perception, Astra was surprisingly calm.

– …I see. Altereon said that?

Upon hearing the Elves’ side, he didn’t get angry but calmly sank into thought.

– Certainly… I was half-crazy back then. If that’s why we were misunderstood… I’ll admit it. I’m truly ashamed of our race and to Ellinel.

Astra, blaming himself for not keeping his promise with Ellinel, looked very bitter and distressed.

Dohyun silently listened to him.

However, like the brilliant hero he was, he quickly regained his composure after a while, pondered deeply, and then opened his mouth.

– Yes, it could be a misunderstanding. Altereon might have his own reasons. But I still can’t trust that bastard’s words. The last face I saw of him… didn’t feel any emotion.

The Valkyries also fought with him that day and all died, so naturally, they wouldn’t be in the tomb.

He only harbored doubts.

In conclusion, he didn’t seem to be trying to deny it.

– But at first glance, his position is all valid. If what he said is true, then that face is understandable.

– Maybe… I think there might have been someone behind the scenes who orchestrated things to separate him and me.

Saying that, Astra added one more thing.

– Aridna, she would know the truth. It won’t be too late to judge after meeting her. I can only trust you, who wears her bracelet because I believe in her choice. So, may I ask you for a favor?

“Of course.”

Ding-

[Listen to the truth from ‘Aridna’ and deliver it to ‘Astra Lavencia’.]

[Upon completion of the delivery, you may receive a token of gratitude from Astra.]

‘Oh, jackpot.’

Sometimes this happens.

Even if the quest didn’t ask for it, you might get promised additional rewards when you talk to deeply involved NPCs like now.

Considering that it was a very rare occurrence that many people didn’t even know about, it was truly a jackpot.

‘Well, the additional rewards are never that big.’

There’s a reason why many people don’t know about it.

Additional rewards are just a bonus.

There’s hardly ever been a reward that makes your jaw drop, so it’s nice to receive it, but it’s okay not to know about it.

Anyway, that’s what happened until just now after finishing the conversation with Astra…

[Astra: Where are you? Is the quest over?]

[Astra: Wow, you’re not looking at your messages again. I give up, I give up. Why are these guys like this? They’re so good at multitasking during battles, but they can’t multitask with messengers…]

[Astra: Sigh, that’s my fate. I’ll wait in front of the central pub.]

‘He’s going to nag me again if I see him.’

Dohyun was returning to the Elf Village and going to meet Astra.

Dohyun scratched his head as he looked at the pile of unread whispers [private messages in the game].

‘Strangely, my eyes don’t go to messages.’

Especially when he’s focused on something else.

Thanks to that, the old man’s heart is always burning, but why does he feel sorry for the old man and also feel a bit mischievous?

He wondered if he should not reply one more time, but he decided to move quickly since it was a reunion after a long time.

‘But there’s more than one central pub, how am I supposed to know if he only sends that?’

Anyway, this old man is also 은근 허술하다 [eungeun heosulhada – a Korean expression meaning “surprisingly clumsy” or “unexpectedly careless”].

Dohyun, nearing the center of the village, chuckled as he was about to send a whisper.

Buzz buzz-

– Wow, what’s all that, master? Why are so many people gathered?

– 리자리자! [Lijarija – a sound effect or exclamation, possibly unique to the game or character]

– It’s a huge crowd.

Dohyun instinctively knew that there must be some kind of event in the center, as there were so many people gathered.

‘Ah, that’s where it is.’

That’s why the old man didn’t bother to specify which pub.

He would have known once he came to the center anyway.

“Wow, Astra is really there.”

“Daebak [Korean slang for “amazing” or “jackpot”]. What’s he doing here? Wasn’t he in Ellanis last time?”

“But he’s alone? Doesn’t look like he brought his guild? Is it personal business?”

“The owner of the armory seems to have bigger and bigger weapons. It’s like a telephone pole now.”

“The accessories and weapons are flashing purple. Full 강화 지리네 [ganghwa jirinne – Korean slang expressing awe at the fully enhanced gear].”

“A telephone pole-sized weapon is so eye-catching because it’s purple?”

‘Ah, right. That old man was a top 10 guild master.’

He was so used to it that he didn’t realize it for a moment.

The Purple Old Man was the master of Babylon, one of the top 10 guilds in “God of War.”

Even if you only look at his personal strength, he’s a considerable ranker [a high-ranking player].

He had already graduated and left, but he suddenly returned to Ellanis without any news, so attention was bound to be focused on him.

And that was partly thanks to the old man’s imposing appearance.

A muscular giant over 190cm tall carrying a purple 철퇴 [cheoltoe – Korean for “mace” or “club”] the size of a telephone pole couldn’t help but attract attention.

It wasn’t that Dohyun hadn’t seen him in a long time, but even he felt that he wasn’t used to the size.

‘That old man has become even more 괴랄해졌냐 [goeraelhaejyeotnya – Korean slang for “grotesque” or “weird,” implying he’s become even more exaggerated in appearance]. He seems bigger, is it just my imagination?’

He wouldn’t have been working out in the game.

Is it because of the re-registration of body information that happens once a year?

That means that that huge body is exactly as it is in reality… I really think he might be stronger in reality than in the game.

That’s when he was standing there 멀뚱히 [meoltteonghi – Korean for “blankly” or “aimlessly”] from afar.

“He’s already cleared the graduation quest, so what personal business could he have… Oh, wait a minute. Kaiser is here too. Could it be…?”

“Huh?”

“Hey, wait a minute. Behind, behind!”

“헐, 대박… 미쳤다 [Heol, daebak… michyeotda – Korean slang expressing shock and excitement, roughly translating to “Wow, amazing… crazy”].”

“Is it real? 와씨 [wassi – Korean slang exclamation, similar to “wow” or “damn”].”

The users who were buzzing suddenly found Dohyun standing behind them and started making a fuss.

No sooner had they thought that he might have come to meet Kaiser than Dohyun actually appeared, shocking them.

Was it thanks to the commotion?

Astra, who was sipping beer with a sulky face from the window seat of the pub, found Dohyun and waved his hand.

—-!

Dohyun couldn’t hear what he was mouthing, but as he got closer, Astra smiled at him.

“You’re here? I was about to leave if you were 5 minutes late, but you timed it perfectly. You’re so good at 밀당 [mildang – Korean slang for “push and pull,” referring to playing hard to get].”

“I have 패링 [paering – Konglish for “parrying,” a defensive move in games] experience. I’m good at timing.”

“Oh, your 개그 [gaegeu – Konglish for “gag,” referring to a joke or comedic bit] has improved a bit? My friends will like it.”

“That’s a bit… It’s been a while, why are you 욕을 하고 그래 [yogeul hago geurae – Korean for “swearing” or “using bad language”]?”

“What 인마 [inma – Korean slang, a slightly rude way to address someone, similar to “hey man” or “dude”]?”

The two people, who still 티격거리던 [tigyeokgeorideon – Korean for “bickering” or “squabbling”] even after a long time, smiled at the same time, as if their relationship hadn’t gone anywhere.

“A lot has changed in a few months? Have you been working out?”

“I’ve been training a bit too. I’ve also upgraded my equipment a bit. Haven’t you met them yet? They’ve changed a lot too.”

“호오 [hoo – Korean interjection expressing interest or surprise], really? What’s changed the most?”

“Their personalities.”

“음 [eum – Korean interjection expressing thought or agreement]? They’re not the type to change? Have they 철이라도 들었나 [cheorirado deureonna – Korean idiom meaning “have they finally grown up” or “become mature”]?”

“No, they’ve become even more 지랄맞아졌다고 [jirallmajajyeotdago – Korean slang for “crazy” or “annoying”]. I’m so 속이 타서 죽겄다 [sogi taseo jugeotda – Korean expression meaning “I’m so frustrated I could die”] because of them.”

“Ah.”

Dohyun nodded, thinking that’s how it would be, and Astra glanced at Dohyun up and down and spat out.

“You haven’t changed much? Charlie has changed more than you?”

– 음! [eum – Korean interjection expressing agreement or affirmation] I have been 과분하게도 [gwabunhagedo – Korean for “undeservedly” or “excessively”] blessed by my lord.

– Me too! I’ve changed too! Can’t you see this leaf? This is 어 [eo – Korean interjection used to fill pauses or emphasize a point]? Legendary grade. Not just any legend, but a 유물 [yumul – Korean for “relic” or “artifact”] legend!

– 리자리자! [Lijarija – a sound effect or exclamation, possibly unique to the game or character] 리자! [Lija – shortened version of Lijarija]

Charlie looked proud, and Jihad and Eliza also actively appealed that they had changed too.

Astra laughed at the sight.

“Those guys always have good tension. There’s never a dull day.”

– 리자리자! [Lijarija – a sound effect or exclamation, possibly unique to the game or character]

– 케헴 [kehem – Korean onomatopoeia for clearing one’s throat]! It’s all thanks to us.

Jihad and Eliza, thinking it was a compliment, had their shoulders raised.

Astra, stroking Eliza’s head with his little finger, suddenly asked Dohyun.

“Did you say you came yesterday?”

“Today.”

“? Then you caused that 난리 [nalli – Korean for “chaos” or “commotion”] in the lawless zone in one day? 허 [heo – Korean interjection expressing disbelief or surprise], you’re quite the crazy bastard.”

“I didn’t want to get involved. They started it first, and it turned out that way when I dealt with them.”

“I heard you and 라이하스 쓸었니 [raihaseu sseureonni – Korean for “swept” or “cleared” (the lawless zone) with Raihas]?”

“…Well, it just happened that way. He was also 갈더라고 [galdeorago – Korean for “grinding” or “honing” (his teeth) in anger] his teeth at the villains.”

“That’s true. When I first saw that guy, the first thing I thought of was you. 꾸꾸 [Kkukkku – a character’s name] doesn’t hate 라이하스 [Raihas] either.”

“? Is there anyone 꾸꾸 [Kkukkku] doesn’t hate?”

All Dohyun has seen of 꾸꾸 [Kkukkku] is frowning and growling at everyone except themselves?

This was a bit unexpected, but 아니나 다를까 [aninadeureulkka – Korean idiom meaning “as expected” or “sure enough”].

There was a reason.

“Sometimes when they meet, he says that he looks like a villain and beats him up without suspicion, so he likes him.”

“…That’s 참 꾸꾸답긴 하네 [cham kkukkudapgin hane – Korean for “that’s very Kkukkku-like” or “that’s just like Kkukkku”].”

“I don’t think 라이하스 [Raihas] is normal either.”

After exchanging a few 잡담 아닌 잡담 [japdam anin japdam – Korean for “small talk that isn’t really small talk”] like that.

Astra looked around and 돌연 [doryeon – Korean for “suddenly”] turned the topic with a serious face in a small voice.

“It’s not good to talk more here… How should we move? You said we have to go meet the nymphs. Let’s hear about that while we go.”

“Oh, are you going with me?”

“The reason you brought it up is obvious. The area nearby is a lawless zone, will you be able to find a party if you go alone?”

He hadn’t even asked him to go with him yet, but the old man knew right away.

Dohyun nodded immediately, as he was also 신경 쓰이는 [gyeong sseuineun – Korean for “bothered” or “concerned”] by the whispering users.

However…

“Then we’re going right away?”

“No, there’s one place to stop by before that.”

“? Didn’t we just stop by before?”

There was one place to stop by before that.

Now that they had to leave the Elf Village, it was time to do what he had been putting off.

“What are you doing?”

At Astra’s question, Dohyun glanced at something in his inventory and smiled.

[Random Skill Ticket]

“Card 까기 [kkagi – Korean slang for “opening” or “drawing” (a card or item in a game)].”

The 랜뽑권 [raenppopgwon – Konglish for “random 뽑기 [ppopgi – Korean for “gacha” or “random draw”] ticket”] he got when he reached level 100.

The time had come to use it.