《Ranker's Return》Chapter 39
Advertisement
After Lee Hoon disappeared, the viewers wondered about the brief conversation between Hyeonu and Lee Hoon.
-What did you talk about?
-Alley Leader, what did the two of you say?
-Share... No rumors.
“We didn’t talk about anything.”
-Wiretap in my Ear has gifted you 99 gold coins.
-Divide the Good Things has gifted you 99 gold coins.
“We really didn’t speak about anything. I have nothing to say, even if you give gold coins.”
Hyeonu acted with his whole body. The things he heard from Lee Hoon were extremely private and shouldn’t be spread. He didn’t find Clear scary, but there was a difference between knowing and not knowing. Fortunately, Hyeonu’s acting seemed to work on the viewers. He used a voice filled with unfairness that he had honed against Yeongchan.
-I guess there was really nothing. The unfairness can be felt from head to toe.
-That voice is really disgusting. ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-I’ve never heard that type of wronged voice in my life. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
“I don’t see a queue anymore. Has it been around five minutes now?”
Up until now, he had been immediately matched with an opponent in the ranking battles. Currently, Hyeonu had passed through the section that could be called ‘outside of rank.’ It was a zone that more than half of the hundreds of millions of players participating in the arena enjoyed.
Those with a bronze medal covered the ranks of 1,000,000 to 9,999,999. The bronze medal zone was where only the top 5% of arena players were in.
-It is time to slow down after getting a bronze medal.
-I’m a silver medal, and it takes at least 10 minutes to be matched to someone. 15 minutes if it is a long time.
-Are you going for a silver medal today?
“A silver medal? I’m checking the rankings now.”
[Gang Hyeonu’s current ranking is 4,875,662.]
“I think it will be tough today. I’m still below 5 million. I think I will reach silver in the next arena broadcast.”
While Hyeonu was communicating with viewers, his next ranking opponent finally appeared.
***
“By the way, is the person called Clear reliable?” Liu Shei was so curious that he couldn’t sit down till the end.
“He is one of the top five proxy knights. In fact, he is someone I know.” Tian Hu extended his right hand.
“A proxy knight... They are like that Mopi jerk? I would rather you ask me. Why use them?” Liu Shei had bad feelings toward Mopi, so his expression turned sour.
Tian Hu noticed it and patted Liu Shei on the shoulder. “I know that there is something bad about Mopi, but I can’t use a cow-killing knife to catch chickens. Ah! Is it a dragon, not a cow?”
“No, Brother.” Liu Shei smiled at Tian Hu’s praise. “Is that Clear guy good?"
“Naturally. How much money did I give him? He will probably work hard in order to collect the money.”
“Why don’t you see it for yourself?”
Advertisement
Tian Hu heard Liu Shei’s words and frowned. It was a sign of dislike. However, Liu Shei suggested one more time, “Wouldn’t it be better to go and see him in real-time?”
Tian Hu was persuaded by Liu Shei and nodded. “Yes, that would be good. How about seeing him right now?”
“Okay, Brother.”
They moved to another room. There were two A-cubes in the room.
“Alley Leader... I'll take a good look at you.”
Tian Hu and Liu Shei got in the cubes.
***
[The ranking battle has started.]
Hyeonu’s opponent was revealed. Hyeonu had been worried about a magician, but it looked like a warrior player. He was holding two swords. “Two swords?”
-A fellow who only cares about appearance has taken the mound.
-Dual wielding swordsmen should die. Don’t they just come to a party with good appearances?
-Locke uses two swords.
“Today it is someone who only cares about appearance. Everyone, take a good look at how weak dual wielding swordsmen are.”
Hyeonu was in a bad mood after he saw the chat window. He didn’t expect Jung Hanbaek’s ID to appear in his stream. The son of the man who ruined his family...
The one who dealt an indelible insult to him...
From the moment Hyeonu saw the name, he started to fill with ugly emotions. Hyeonu walked forward with his single-edged sword on his shoulder. It was a unique posture as always.
-I don’t know how that appearance-obsessed fellow is.
-It is a conflict between appearance and appearance.
-It seems to be a conflict between bluff and appearance. Drunkard and being drunk.
However, to the audience, it was like a pot calling the kettle black.
***
Hyeonu was responsible for the advance. The one to charge was clearly his opponent, but Hyeonu was the first to attack. Hyeonu’s single-edged sword struck down like lightning. The opposing warrior crossed his two swords to block Hyeonu. Then he used strength to bounce off Hyeonu’s single-edged sword.
‘You’re caught, bastard.’
At this moment, Hyeonu poured magic power into his sword. The opponent had taken Hyeonu’s bait. A smile flashed across Hyeonu’s face. People might’ve made fun of him if it wasn’t for the mask. Hyeonu was smiling that widely.
However, his smile didn’t last. Hyeonu was about to split apart his opponent. No, he thought he would at least cause some damage. Then the opponent did a roll like he knew Hyeonu’s intentions. The appearance was ugly, but the effect was excellent. He pulled himself out without taking any damage.
Clear, the warrior who rolled, felt like he was going crazy. This was a sniping job he usually wouldn’t have accepted if it wasn’t for the fact that he was asked to do it by Tian Hu, who often gave him jobs.
The risk was great.
Even so, Tian Hu was a longtime customer and a big person. Clear weighed the scale, considering between Alley Leader and Tian Hu. Eventually, Clear accepted the commission to snipe Hyeonu. The problem was from now on. Alley Leader was better than he had expected. Hyeonu’s character itself was powerful. It was at least twice as great as what was known.
Advertisement
The level of the account he was playing was 140, and the rare item set was quite good. Nevertheless, he was pushed back. Tian Hu said this person would be a maximum of level 80.
‘If this is level 80, then he is worth seeing after the second class change.’
Clear judged that he was pushed back in strength. He thought the key was to make it a melee battle, preventing the use of large skills or skills that required high concentration. In general, this was the right judgment... if the opponent wasn’t Alley Leader. If the opponent wasn’t Hyeonu, this judgment would naturally be the best.
The absence of information about Alley Leader—Hyeonu—led to Clear’s misjudgment. He would’ve never accepted the sniper role if he had known Hyeonu was meleegod. meleegod was like this. If there was something that pro-gamers were wary of saying, it was a comparison with meleegod.
Clear held the two swords and stayed attached to Hyeonu’s side. He swung quickly and indiscriminately. The viewers saw several swords swing at the same time. Hyeonu blocked them well with his single-edged sword. It looked like he had to get rid of the prejudice that he was vulnerable to melee because he was holding a long single-edged sword.
Hyeonu attempted a counterattack by stretching out his sword. This attack eerily passed directly in front of Clear. Hyeonu declared, “I let you off once.”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Clear spoke like it was obvious. Let him off...
It was obvious that he was evading Alley Leader’s attacks. Alley Leader didn’t let him off.
Clear was angry. This was showing disregard for himself. “I am Clear. There is no reason to say that, even if you are Alley Leader.”
“Clear?” Hyeonu recalled Lee Hoon’s explanation from a few minutes ago.
Lee Hoon added, “That person is unique because he uses two swords. Please be careful.”
‘That's right. Two swords!’
“So? What about them? After all, you are just a proxy knight. What is special about that?” Hyeonu shrugged. In fact, he actually had such thoughts. If this person was Clear, then so be it. Why did it matter? It was true that he let Clear off.
“Come at me one more time. This time, I won’t let you off.”
“Those words—you’ll never be able to speak them again.” Clear had a furious expression and was obviously full of anger. He thought that Alley Leader should pay the price for provoking him. Of course, the price was defeat. He would beat Alley Leader, receive the remaining money, and earn fame. That was what Clear planned to do...
At least, until he was beaten by Hyeonu.
***
“You only have this much ability as a proxy knight? Your standard is inferior to that of the other proxy knights I encountered. I’m sorry to those tied to the same group as you,” Hyeonu fired a poisonous arrow made of words at the fallen Clear.
The arrow was lodged in Clear’s heart. “Uwahh!”
Three minutes ago, it was Clear who had the momentum. Yet this disappeared the moment he rushed to Hyeonu with his two swords. Clear’s two swords moved in a fluid curve. The curves were like gorgeous roses. It was like the Plum Blossom Sword used by the seven dragons of the Kowloon Guild’s Nine Dragons. Then it fell, and the flowers were lost.
Hyeonu split apart the roses that Clear had created. Clear made more flowers, and Hyeonu cut the flowers again. A snake that took the spot of numerous flowers. Hyeonu’s single-edged sword had become like a snake, and it devoured everything made by Clear.
Clear’s ego was shattered. His self-esteem was broken. His honor was gone.
Clear collapsed.
***
“Do you know what I want to say?” Hyeonu crouched down in front of Clear, whose body was covered in scars. “This is something a boxer once said. I want to say it to you.”
Hyeonu whispered in Clear’s ear, “Everyone has a plausible plan... At least, until they are beaten.”
Then Hyeonu stepped back and stabbed his single-edged sword into Clear’s back.
“I don’t know how he became a proxy with that skill, but it will be hard for you to do so in the future.”
[Player ‘Gang Hyeonu’ has won.]
The ranking battle ended. Clear’s life as a proxy knight was also over because of Hyeonu.
***
Tian Hu couldn’t get himself together after seeing Clear collapse so terribly. His anger reached its peak. “Uwah!!! This son of a bitch! What are you doing? Weren’t you confident?”
Tian Hu couldn’t control his body. He threw everything he could get his hands on. A luxurious glass flew through the air, and the chair was broken.
“Brother! Please be patient!!! You will be hurt!!” Liu Shei ignored the glass shards and moved toward Tian Hu. He hugged Tian Hu tightly from behind.
Tian Hu couldn’t move. “Let go! You son of a bitch. I’ll kill all of you.”
Tian Hu struggled. However, he couldn’t bet Liu Shei, who was bigger than him.
“Brother, didn’t I say that a proxy knight wasn’t trustworthy?”
“I should’ve listened to you.” Tian Hu sat down in a chair in an exhausted manner. He looked devastated. Tian Hu was angry, but now he was also exhausted.
“Brother, don’t be too sad. I've learned something important. I know how to get revenge.”
“What are you talking about?” Tian Hu heard the word ‘revenge’ and suddenly came to life.
“Nike is secretly contacting rankers. Alley Leader is preparing content for streaming. Why don’t you come out there?”
“I should come out? What is the content?”
“It is called Masked Fighter King, where rankers fight in PvP. I will suggest that you will only appear on the condition that Alley Leader participates. Why don’t you handle it yourself?”
After listening to Liu Shei’s explanation, Tian Hu pulled something out. It was a phone.
“Uh, clean up the room here. Take care of the businesses. I won’t be able to look after them for a few weeks,” Tian Hu gave orders and then hung up.
He glanced at Liu Shei and continued, “Now, I will go all-in in Arena, Liu.”
Advertisement
- In Serial6 Chapters
Spirit Sagas
Flynn Undersyn One of the greatest assassins ever born. A king of kings. Bringer of both destruction and peace In the Haicho Region of the Southern Continent a young boy starts his journey. Although his original goal of living as he pleases and protecting those he cares for never changes, the scope of it changes from his region to the Continent to the entire Mortal World and beyond.
8 143 - In Serial16 Chapters
Martial King’s Lewd Dreams (Haitus)
There was once a man. He loved women as much as loved alcohol. His dream in the pugilistic world of the Murim? Of course... The man’s purpose was to get that booty. Whether it be by hook or by crook! The thing is that... He’s weak! His Martial Spirit couldn’t even break a rock, and he was too old to be accepted into any Sects (denying those over 13). It was a poor livelihood that made him want to cry... Beauties of Mount Hua, he was dashing indeed! Why don’t you measure his ‘third sword’ instead of his ‘first sword’? Alas... Life was truly cruel. He was known as your average scum until one fateful day. He’d never once thought he’d come across a situation where a woman was being bullied. Wasn’t that reserved for the Martial Heroes? Regardless, it was time for him to get into action and show his grit! Don’t underestimated a horny bastard! He’d slap you with his third sword and leave you guys to rot! He fought... but ended up losing his life. The woman he saved wanted to thank him, but the grim reaper was already asking for his credentials. That’s when his fate finally turned: “The damage to your heart is extensive. Will you accept me into your soul as a parasitic-“ “Are you a female?” “...Yes.” “Then please make yourself at home, Milady~” This is how he became a Martial King with lewd dreams.
8 184 - In Serial132 Chapters
The Legend of the North
Betrayed by his family, Ezer has no choice but to head to the cold Northlands where beasts rule. Pursued by men at his back and by beasts in front, he must use his instincts to survive by accepting unexpected help. Perhaps these lands hold the answer to his visions of a world known only to him.
8 123 - In Serial12 Chapters
Making of a Genius [A Progression LitRPG]
What does it take to climb to the top of the academic ladder? Lexus came face to face with his mediocrity the moment he arrived at Cambridge University to study computer science. There was a ceiling that he could not overcome, an intellectual world that was unreachable. But if you give a chicken an eagle's wings, it will fly higher than you could ever imagine. And that was exactly what happened to Lexus: with the help of a system, he could make it big. Schedule:1 chapter per week (every Friday evening at 5:30pm GMT). The weekly schedule is to allow time for research and factual accuracy where required. Author's Note: The story is about a computer science student at university, gradually improving and embarking on the path to become a world-renowned genius-level expert with the help of a system. There'll be a lot of studying and academics, but imagine being the best in your year. Easily. At that point, academics stops being stressful and starts being fun, doesn't it? The initial chapters are heavy on mathematical detail, but I don't expect anyone to actually read through them thoroughly. It's fine to skim them or even skip them, but I hope you try to get a sense of the progress being made, and feel happy for Lexus when something 'clicks' inside his brain :) As the story progresses, later chapters will go into less depth into individual questions, though I aim to remain consistent in terms of scientific accuracy/feasibility. Welcome, and I hope you enjoy the story!
8 99 - In Serial23 Chapters
Land of Athlora
This is the story about Wren, a young ogress born under unfortunate circumstances. Despite so, Zarris, her father raises Wren despite all obstacles. This is the first part of her journey surviving on her own in the wild as she grows stronger. With the ultimate goal to fulfill her father's dream and create a home for the Frost Clan and other ogres. For new readers, the prologue is exactly what it sounds like it explains the history of the World. The story actually starts on chapter 1. (If you want to support the author, (me), please buy the novel at https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B01JMYOA4G OR please donate to my paetron account! (Art for novel, not mine, belongs to original creator.)
8 127 - In Serial11 Chapters
Heroic World
""Why I am brought here?"A man decided to end the humanity of his world, then was brought back to life in another world with his memory intact.#NoteAuthor is lacking in grammar, english is not his first language.
8 147

