Ranker's Return

‘How can I catch him?’

This was the only thing Alexander was troubled about. He was thinking about what type of prey could be used to lure the cunning swan.

‘He has many doubts and good senses. He is smart as well.’

That guy had two traits that he shouldn’t have at the same time—animal senses and cold reason.

‘A reward good enough to destroy both is already in place.’

There was one problem. Alexander had to make it possible for that guy to take that reward. The process should also be voluntary.

‘To make him move...’

The obstacles had to be removed to get that guy to move.

‘I am the problem.’

The main problem was Alexander himself. It was clear that guy would never move as long as Alexander was still alive and well. He wouldn’t move even if Lebron helped. That guy was that careful.

‘I have to fall down naturally...’

There was only one way left. Alexander had to become weak. No, to be exact, there had to be a rumor that he had weakened.

‘The excuse for me to lie down comfortably...’

There was one—the undead in the north. The guardians blocking the adventurers were sufficient.

‘Based on what I heard from Lebron... there are a total of five.’

The number of guardians was five. It was six when Edward was added. Alexander didn’t even think of the word defeat in dealing with them. He was confident about winning unconditionally.

‘I should think of it as a light stroll.’

It was right to think of it as a preliminary exploration rather than a walk. This was to enjoy his freedom first in a limited way.

‘Rumors will soon spread to the empire.’

“Emperor Alexander fell while fighting against the undead in the north.”

A deep laugh flowed from the emperor’s mouth and echoed in the great hall.

***

Before heading to Bung Bung Island, Hyeonu took out a small piece of fruit from his inventory. It was the Concentrated Pureness essence that he had received from Jeras.

‘This is mine, mine.’

In a way, this essence was the only reward for Hyeonu. The Guardian’s Spear turned into The Last Divine Artifact and revealed an overwhelming presence, but for the current Hyeonu, it was just a ring that increased his stats by a lot.

‘It is a profit even if I only gain half what Tang-E did.’

Taking Concentrated Pureness would increase his stats by up to 350. Hyeonu had eight different stats, so there was a possibility that his stats would increase by up to 2,800. Even half of that was a huge 1,400. It was the value of more than one unique rated item.

‘Let’s eat it right away.’

Dragging things out wouldn’t change anything, so it was better to consume it quickly and get moving. Hyeonu didn’t even care about the consumption restrictions. If Tang-E could consume it, so could Hyeonu.

‘Let’s go!!!’

Hyeonu opened his mouth and swallowed the fruit. The fruit melted in Hyeonu’s mouth, disappearing in an instant. Then a message window appeared.

[The player has consumed the Concentrated Pureness.]

[The strength stat has increased by 287 points.]

[The agility stat has increased by 333 points.]

[The physique stat has increased by 259 points.]

[The magic power stat has increased by 341 points.]

[The fighting energy stat has increased by 294 points.]

[The dignity stat has increased by 320 points.]

[The killing intent stat has increased by 350 points.]

[The wisdom stat has increased by 265 points.]

‘It went up so quickly.’

The stats were raised in a satisfactory manner. His physique stat had increased the least, but it still rose as much as 259. It couldn’t be compared to Tang-E, who had risen to the maximum for all stats, but this alone was ridiculous.

[A skill has been created.]

[Endless Growth]

[Magic power will increase without knowing the end.

Type: Continuous

Rating: Unique

Skill Proficiency: F

The amount of magic power is increased by 50%.]

A skill was also created. Moreover, it was a unique-rated continuous skill.

‘The amount of magic power has increased?’

Hyeonu smiled with satisfaction after checking the skill’s information. It was amazing. He got a unique-rated skill with one essence. He thought it would be a rare-rated skill at best. The unexpected income made him feel better.

‘Getting more magic power means an increase in attack power.’

It might seem like nothing to some, but for Hyeonu, the amount of magic power was an offensive power.

‘Is there anything else?’

Hyeonu aimed for another reward. He wanted something like a stat or title, not a skill.

‘There is no need for a class.’

A class wasn’t allowed. He was satisfied with his current class. However, nothing happened after that. No title, stat, or class was created.

‘Is it the end?’

“Really?”

The smile that appeared on Hyeonu’s face disappeared without a trace. If there were no expectations at all, there would be no sense of disappointment as long as there was a certain lower limit.

‘Yes... Let’s be satisfied up to here.’

Hyeonu shook his head with a stiff expression. It had already passed. Nothing would change by getting angry.

‘Status Window.’

[Status Window]

[Character Name: Gang Hyeonu

Level: 450

Class: Commander of the Knights of Keon (True)

Title: First Person to Kill a God and 46 others.

Stats: Strength: 2,257 (+11,150) Agility: 3,021 (+11,250) Physique: 1,900 (+11,300) Magic Power: 3,266 (+11,600) Fighting Energy: 2,621 (+11,150) Dignity: 2,109 (+11,150) Killing Intent: 2,174 (+11,1550) Wisdom (+11,150)

Remaining stat points: 0

Retained Attributes: Chaos]

“This is enough. I’m satisfied.”

His stats had gone up a lot, and he gained a unique-rated skill. It was a steep growth.

‘If I keep growing like this... the emperor’s position won’t be far away.’

***

It wasn’t noticeable when he was present, but there was a big vacancy when he left. Those who fought in the war against the god tribe noticed that Hyeonu was no longer on the battlefield. It was impossible not to notice.

All the existences that ruled one side of the battlefield had disappeared. Paradoxically, no one looked for the missing Hyeonu. There was no need to look for him as there were no problems even if Hyeonu was gone. No one in the god tribe was strong enough to be called a boss monster, so they were better off without Hyeonu. It was because other people could now kill as many monsters as Hyeonu would have killed alone.

The Hyeonu they were looking for was busy in reality, not Arena.

“Mister Gang, you’re here.” A man with a slightly haggard appearance, Kale, welcomed Hyeonu.

“What did you come out here for? I’ve been here more than once or twice. I am familiar with New York now,” Hyeonu said. Unlike his reproachful words, Hyeonu smiled and walked over to Kale.

“Does it make sense for no one to come out and welcome you when you visit New York, Mister Gang?” Kale also smiled.

Hyeonu’s visit was always good news for Kale. It was because he could use Hyeonu as an excuse to leave the company building during work hours.

“Are you still very busy these days?” Hyeonu asked this question because he was well aware of why Kale was smiling.

“No, but I think I will be busy in the future.” Kale smiled bitterly.

Jamie Moore had retired, and a new CEO called Mason filled the position. However, it was the same whether it was Mason or Jamie Moore. They were better at bringing in outside work instead of dealing with Nike Management. Naturally, all the work was done by Kale and other existing employees.

“Still, wouldn’t it help Kale in the end?” Hyeonu said as he slowly exited the airport.

“Who knows...? I don’t know if I can remain in Nike until then.” Kale shook his head.

‘I will fall down before that.’

He wondered if he could hold on. Little by little, he felt his health collapsing.

“Are you that busy?” Hyeonu frowned.

If Kale’s words were true, this was a big problem. What if a competent person like Kale left Nike Management?

‘It means that one of the reasons for Nike’s excellence will be lost.’

Competent management was a great help to the players and streamers who signed contracts. The beginning of competence started with competent staff. Kale was both a competent employee and a manager. It wasn’t for nothing that Jamie Moore kept him around.

“Let me speak to Mason. Without Kale, Nike will be terrible.”

Honestly, Hyeonu hadn’t intended to meet Mason on this visit to New York. Now that he had a reason to do so, he had to see Mason’s face at least once.

“Ah, right. Have you heard about an interesting rumor circulating around?” Kale carefully asked Hyeonu when they were in the car.

“An interesting rumor? Is there such a thing?” Hyeonu’s eyes shone. Hearing other people’s stories was always something worth looking forward to.

“There is talk that Mister Gang is rallying forces.”

Hyeonu’s expression suddenly hardened. Then he soon opened his mouth with a slight smile and asked, “Me? Who said that?”

He managed his expression, but he couldn’t prevent his voice from sinking down.

“I don’t know who it was specifically. There are just some rumors circulating a bit within Nike.”

It was quite a coincidence that Kale heard this rumor as it was a passing comment in a meeting with a pro gamer.

“Is it Mascherano?”

Hyeonu had a guess—Mascherano. Apart from him, there was no one else who would meet Kale and say something like this.

“How did you know?” Kale asked with a startled expression.

“Reina wouldn’t have said it, so it’s definitely Mascherano who brought it up.”

“This means... it’s true and not a rumor?” Kale asked again after hearing Hyeonu’s answer.

“Yes, I am gathering people.”

“Really? Mister Gang is gathering people?” Kale couldn’t erase his look of surprise. The Hyeonu he knew was commonly called ‘someone who walks alone’. He was in a guild, but he didn’t think of it as part of the force he possessed. Instead, he treated it as just a formality.

It wasn’t just Kale who thought Hyeonu was like this. Everyone else thought so too.

“Something happened that requires the help of others. That is why I am gathering people,” Hyeonu said. Kale shut his mouth and thought for a moment. So far, Hyeonu had sufficiently dominated the world of Arena alone. That Hyeonu was now seeking the help of others.

‘It isn’t a confrontation between players.’

The inside of Nike Management had concluded that players couldn’t win against Alley Leader even if hundreds or thousands of players rushed in. This was a conclusion they came to when comparing the specs that Hyeonu and the other players contracted with Nike had shared with them.

‘Then that means it is a confrontation with NPCs...’

NPCs didn’t necessarily mean just NPCs. Monsters were also included.

‘Did he gain access to another main scenario?’

Kale cleared up his thoughts and asked carefully, “Are you going to open up the main scenario again?”

Hyeonu shook his head. “No, it isn’t the main scenario. It is a personal quest.”

“Then why do you need the help of others?”

“I can’t aim for the emperor’s seat alone, can I? In order to deal with the emperor... I need a lot of help.”

Kale’s mouth dropped open, but he couldn’t say anything.