The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 97

Part 431

Part 97.

‘To find that out, I need to get to the highest floor quickly.’

Dohyun, filled with renewed determination, once again swung Cheonbyeon [Heavenly Change Sword],

[Successfully cutting the traces, Sword Aura is strengthened.]

[The length of the Aura imbued in the sword increases, becoming more solid, and its cutting power and damage are amplified.]

[Traces of Aura are imprinted on random parts of the target.]

Swish-!

The Sword Aura, enlarged to its maximum size by ‘Condensation,’ cut through the soldiers in a straight line, slicing them in half.

‘The system will evaluate this too.’

Thinking that way made the battle process even more interesting.

Various thoughts arose with each swing of the sword and every movement, where before there had been none.

Swish- Thud-

Kuaaaack! Keueok!

And so, in the heart of the battlefield.

How long had he been cutting down soldiers, moving vertically and horizontally?

Step. Step.

The soldiers, who had been relentlessly attacking, stopped abruptly for the first time, suddenly clearing a path.

Beyond the path, parted like the Red Sea, stood a single knight.

A middle-aged man in luxurious armor gleaming with blue light, holding a long, red spear that looked extraordinary at a glance.

[General ‘Grandav’ of the 3rd Division appears.]

[Defeat the General to claim victory.]

[General Grandav is the last General of the 14th floor. Defeating General Grandav will clear the 14th floor.]

[Good luck.]

The last General, Grandav.

It was basic knowledge on the 14th floor that the 2nd Division was stronger than the 1st, and the 3rd Division was stronger than the 2nd.

Perhaps that’s why.

His appearance was different from the other two Generals from the start.

Swoosh.

Grandav, pointing his spear and looking at him haughtily.

It was as if he was saying…….

‘……Care to test your mettle?’

It was as if he was proposing a fair duel.

A sight of him trying to engage in battle alone, leaving behind his own soldiers numbering in the dozens, even hundreds.

-Hmm. A man who knows pride.

Tap, tap.

It was a desire to prevent further sacrifice of his subordinates, and the noble pride of a knight.

Charlie, who had been a Knight Commander, and Gotongi, who had been the king of a race, wore satisfied expressions, but not everyone was like that.

-What good is pride? All that matters is winning.

-……Liza?

-What, what about it? Why are you looking at me like that? Am I wrong?

-Lizariza…….

Our Jihad was, as expected, not disappointing expectations today, expressing his despicable mindset.

And there was one more person who, though slightly different from Jihad, found that pride strange.

“What is it? He didn’t seem like that when he met me. Was it because they attacked as a group back then?”

The Grandav that Ast experienced was busy slaughtering enemies with his soldiers at the forefront, without any pride or anything.

The sight of him wielding a huge glaive [a polearm weapon], as if he were the reincarnation of Guan Yu [a famous Chinese general known for his valor], was truly that of a valiant general.

Dohyun’s eyes flashed at Ast’s muttering.

‘He wasn’t originally like that?’

That means…….

[The last General, ‘Grandav,’ acknowledges you.]

[Hidden conditions have been met.]

[Entering the Hidden Page.]

[Grandav wants to use the ‘Duel’ trait. If accepted, a one-on-one fight will be held, allowing no interference from anyone.]

[However, Grandav, who has entered the duel, will unleash his true power.]

‘……As expected! It was a Hidden Page.’

Dohyun gripped Cheonbyeon tightly at the message that flashed in his mind as soon as it occurred to him.

It seemed that Dohyun’s unilateral rampage was related to the hidden conditions.

Perhaps it was related to contribution.

‘Originally, they were busy competing, so it wouldn’t have been easy to take exclusive credit.’

It was a situation where the difficulty had increased by accident, but there was no reason to refuse.

[You have received a duel request from Grandav for the first time.]

[Upon victory, you will acquire confirmed equipment related to ‘Grandav’ as a first-time benefit.]

‘Jackpot.’

The reward was confirmed equipment.

For Dohyun, who was notorious for his terrible luck, it was an opportunity he could never miss. Dohyun, half out of his mind with excitement, caressed Cheonbyeon.

There wasn’t even a hint of hesitation in Dohyun’s eyes.

He was just gleaming sharply like a hawk eyeing its prey.

[Duel accepted.]

[Hidden Phase begins.]

Perhaps it was because he sensed Dohyun’s competitive spirit.

Swoooo-

The aura of Grandav, who began to take a stance as soon as he accepted the duel, changed.

If the previous Generals were like machines that had lost their intelligence and were just moving as their bodies remembered, Grandav was more like…….

‘It feels like I’m facing a real person.’

A person who has reached a realm that only those who have experienced countless battles can reach.

At that, Dohyun also gripped Cheonbyeon again without hesitation.

‘It’s even better.’

With a guy like that, he would be able to test it for sure.

The power of the rewards he obtained after clearing the 10th floor, which he hadn’t been able to feel because he had been one-sidedly dominating.

[Would you like to use the 부여 [bestowal] ability Lightning Dragon (雷龍) [Thunder Dragon]?]

[Accessory set effect not activated.]

…….

‘Let’s see how it performs.’

Dohyun’s eyes gleamed like a hunter eyeing its prey.

* * *

Draw out the power of the Lightning Dragon (雷龍) [Thunder Dragon] even more.

When Dohyun saw this description, the first thing he guessed was the strengthening of the skill.

Originally, Lightning Dragon Descent itself was a skill that imbued the power of the Lightning Dragon to strengthen the body.

To draw out the power of the Lightning Dragon even more was the same as saying that Lightning Dragon Descent itself would be strengthened.

And that guess was half right.

—-!!

The difference was felt from the moment Lightning Dragon Descent was activated.

The size of the Lightning Dragon, which pierced the ceiling and plunged to the floor, was 1.5 times larger than before, and the magnetic field that had engulfed the area had also become more threatening.

[Additional 부여 [bestowal] ability ‘Lightning Dragon (雷龍) [Thunder Dragon]’ has been activated.]

[By drawing out the power of the Lightning Dragon even more, the body strengthening effect of ‘Lightning Dragon Descent (雷龍降臨) [Thunder Dragon Descent]’ is amplified.]

[The probability of electrocution upon attack increases.]

Taat! Crackle-!

Not only that.

The damage and speed also felt significantly amplified compared to before.

[‘Grandav,’ who has entered the duel, demonstrates the pride of a knight and breaks free from the ‘Electrocution’ status.]

But Grandav, as if he couldn’t be stopped with just this, instead broke through the magnetic field and attempted a frontal breakthrough.

Dohyun and Grandav, who leaped simultaneously as if they had made a promise, crossed swords,

Clang! Clang!

Each time, sparks flew and sharp shattering sounds echoed.

[Having entered the duel, Grandav is unleashing his true power.]

[All of Grandav’s physical stats have increased by 50%, and the power of his Sword Aura has also increased by 100%.]

‘It’s definitely…… strong.’

The sensation transmitted to the hand through the sword is quite heavy.

Compared to the previous Generals, it was overwhelmingly strong enough to make one wonder if they deserved the title of General.

It wasn’t just the power that was strong.

Whir-

As he stepped diagonally to take a reverse attack like flowing water while crossing swords with him, he also stepped in the opposite direction in the same way, matching the angle and defending.

Whoosh-

Grandav, not stopping there, but rather advancing forward and threatening him.

The unique swordsmanship that pressured him as if to swallow him like a wave certainly felt like the vibe of someone who had trained with the sword for a long time.

[Reversing Heaven Stage (逆天期) 1st Form, Beginning (始) is activated.]

[Successfully parrying, deflecting the attack.]

If it weren’t for the mountain-like energy of the Reversing Heaven Stage spreading through his body each time he stepped, his center of gravity might have been shaken.

At least, his skill in handling the sword was better than anyone he had met in the Tower.

It felt like the Sword Emperor would be quite interested if he met him.

But…….

‘Why does it feel so easy?’

That was all.

It was nothing compared to the 10th floor.

The extreme concentration that was exerted when breaking through the attack of the Grim Reaper wasn’t being exerted, and

Whir-

At first glance, it seemed that Dohyun was barely dodging Grandav’s sword, but the reality was that the sword path was so clear that he could dodge it that way.

Was it because the effect of Lightning Dragon Descent was amplified?

That wasn’t entirely absent, but it wasn’t just because of that.

Rather…….

‘Has my concentration increased?’

He could originally boast that he was good at reading the opponent’s movements, but it felt like he could see even better than usual.

Clearly, the opponent’s swordsmanship was at a level that couldn’t be compared to ordinary users, but it was actually easier to avoid.

‘……Have I grown?’

It had been a long time since he felt this way.

It had been so long that he couldn’t even remember when his own skills had improved, not just his game stats, to the point where he felt such a clear difference.

‘When I started to rise to the ranks of the top rankers in Demonic Land.’

Perhaps that was the last time.

Even after achieving 1st place in Demonic Land, even if his skills had improved, they had never improved enough to feel such a distinct difference.

Shuaaak-!

‘He’s aiming for the heart from the left and stabbing in an unconventional way.’

The moment he saw Grandav’s sword, he saw the sword path, and

Clang!

His body had already reacted and knocked away the sword.

The moment he knocked it away, he stopped the sword that was coiling like a snake by entering into his arms, grabbed his elbow, and bent it.

Grandav, somehow holding onto the sword he was about to drop from his hand, threw a left-handed punch.

Then Dohyun shifted his weight and pretended to step back, grabbing Grandav and scattering his center.

‘Interesting.’

Dohyun felt newness and joy in this series of processes.

It wasn’t just the enemy’s movements that were clearly visible.

Clang! Clang!

It felt like the things he had been doing instinctively were felt more clearly.

It felt like all his senses were activated in more detailed units.

The difference was also visible to his companions.

-……What is it? Does it feel like the master has gotten stronger, or is it just my imagination?

-No, even these lowly sword eyes can see it. Our lord has grown even further.

“That monster. What is he, a novel protagonist? He’s growing even more there. That’s why talented people are like this…….”

-Lizariza?

Ast, clicking his tongue as if he was dumbfounded, and Charlie, with a proud face as if he was proud.

They were just staring blankly.

Join in?

He’s doing everything on his own, so why would that be necessary?

-……!

And Grandav himself felt it more strongly than anyone else.

Perhaps he didn’t expect that even the unconventional sword path would be blocked, and his lifeless eyes were shaking violently.

No matter what he did, he couldn’t reach him. A feeling as if he was facing a huge wall.

It wouldn’t be this terrifying if it felt like he was hitting a solid iron fortress, but he felt a sense of helplessness as if he was floundering at the bottom of the sea.

[The last General, ‘Grandav,’ has 10% or less health remaining.]

Unlike himself, who was floundering pathetically, it felt like only that human was free in the sea.

It was instinct that made Grandav stop abruptly.

The moment he realized that his sword could not reach him no matter what he did, the noble pride of the knight lost its light.

“It’s already 10%.”

Dohyun, clicking his tongue at that, also stopped, breaking away from his immersion.

He wanted to feel himself growing more, but the gap was so large that he couldn’t even enjoy it properly.

[Conditions not met.]

[Accessory effect cannot be activated.]

‘I can’t use this either.’

He couldn’t test Avison’s accessory, which drew out more fundamental power with the reward he obtained from Demissus, either.

This could only be effective if he fought for a long time or was cornered.

It was a shame, but it didn’t matter.

It wasn’t like that was the only thing he had to test.

“Let’s finish this quickly.”

-…….

The moment Dohyun, who raised the corners of his lips with a smirk, lowered his stance.

Crackle-

The blue sparks that flowed through Dohyun’s head and body strongly struck the surrounding air.

[Concentrate the amplified energy 부여 [bestowal] by the Lightning Dragon in one place.]

[Since all amplified energy is consumed upon activation, the additionally 부여 [bestowal] amplification effect is removed.]

The reason why the guess that the Lightning Dragon amplified the effect of Lightning Dragon Descent was only half right.

The Lightning Dragon’s second effect, Concentration.

As the name suggests, it is the ability to concentrate the Lightning Dragon’s amplified energy in one place to create explosive power in an instant.

The abilities that were manifested differed slightly depending on where it was concentrated, so he wondered a lot about where to use it first…….

[The energy of the Lightning Dragon is concentrated on the sword.]

“As expected, the first step is the sword.”

The moment Dohyun, who smiled bitterly, kicked off the ground,

[Lightning Flash is used.]

Crackle-!

The pure white sword blade became a streak of lightning and cut through the air.