Chapter 131: Chapter 131 - The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times

Chapter 131
>131.
>Sacred Spot.
>Every city usually had two or three hotspots.
>Even the beginner city of Arde had two such sacred spots, but Sargis was different.
>'In the end, you could say it has two...'
>It wasn't always two.
>Normally there was one, but on nights when the full moon rose, an ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠additional sacred spot appeared.
>That was right here, in front of the Shadow Lycanthrope's habitat.
>'Among sacred spots, the ultimate one is definitely the limited-time sacred spot.'
>Anything limited edition always carried extra value.
>That held true even in the world of pseudoscience.
>And borrowing the energy of that beautiful full moon on top of it? It was the icing on the cake!
>There was no holier site more perfect than this.
>Of course, Jihad thought differently.
>-You're insane...
>Seeing his master go cross-eyed every time he drew something, a sigh escaped him naturally.
>Wasn't Eliza covering her eyes with her slender arms as if she didn't want to see?
>-Hmm!
>But there was one who didn't falter at this astonishing sight.
>-The moment of ritual has arrived!
>As if he'd been waiting for this exact moment, Charlie stood guard with a solemn face, without a hint of hesitation.
>Do-hyun, who had finished praying and saw that more dignified expression than anyone's, gave a thumbs up.
>"Excellent posture."
>-I am humbled, my lord. This lowly sword shall ensure no one approaches!
>"Hmm! Very good."
>It was the posture of a true elite.
>Do-hyun's face lit up with satisfaction as he vigorously moved his fingers in the air.
>He had begun the card gacha.
>-...I'll give up trying to understand.
>-Liza Lizza...
>This time, Eliza nodded without denying it and tucked her head back into the pouch.
>Regardless, Do-hyun was focused on what was in front of him.
>And at this moment, Do-hyun was more serious than ever. He hadn't concentrated this hard even when facing legendary bosses.
>[Would you like to use the Random Skill Draw Ticket?]
>'Finally... it's here.'
>Not a low-grade, mid-grade, or high-grade skill draw ticket.
>A genuine Random Skill Draw Ticket!
>'The golden opportunity to draw a legendary skill...!'
>It was on another level from those high-grade tickets that only went up to hero-grade at best.
>Back in his Demlock days, he hated these random draw tickets the most, but now was different.
>The once-in-a-lifetime cheat trait he'd effortlessly obtained ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from a hidden quest!
>With the blessing of the Eye of Truth, aiming for legendary wasn't arrogance at all.
>-...You're making a fool of yourself, seriously.
>"You wouldn't understand, you ignorant fool who doesn't know the thrill of card gacha."
>-If this is ignorance, then maybe being ignorant isn't so bad, master.
>'Here we go!'
>Brushing off Jihad's jab, Do-hyun steadied his trembling heart and proceeded with the draw.
>Shhhrrrk-
>Ten cards floated into the air with that ever-pleasing sound effect.
>At the same time, a light invisible to others leaked out,
>[The Eye of Truth activates.]
>"...Tch."
>A deflated sigh escaped Do-hyun's lips as well.
>-Eliza, fall back. Sparks might fly.
>-Liza...
>-Every time he's like this, why come to a place like this?
>-Liza Lizza.
>The quick-witted Jihad pulled Eliza back with him.
>He grumbled something that grated on the ears, but this time, there was no choice but to admit it.
>'How can the odds be like this?'
>Eight browns, one silver, one yellow.
>It was such an absurd ratio that one might suspect rigging.
>No wonder he lived in Demlock grateful for even a rare...
>'How did Kkukku pull so many hero-grades? Does he live in a different world?'
>It was amazing that even with the Eye of Truth, this was happening.
>Well, this was the tragedy of gacha games.
>Still, comfort came from not having to endure the disaster of picking duds out of three like before.
>There was only one card to pick anyway.
>[You have selected the skill card.]
>So Do-hyun selected it without hesitation.
>His expression was somewhat sullen, but the moment he saw the drawn card, he could no longer maintain that face.
>[You have acquired the Hero Skill 'Sword Aura.']
>[Sword Aura]
>-Grade: Hero
>-Restriction: Swordsman class
>-Description: The qualification of a Sword Master, Sword Aura.
>It is said that wrapping mana around the sword in tangible form enhances swordsmanship power and allows slashing attacks that damage souls.
>-Effect: Wraps mana around the sword to increase the power and cutting force of sword-related attacks.
>Can counter fluid enemies immune to physical damage or magic, and on reuse, expends all Sword Aura to deliver a slash.
>Sword Aura deactivates upon using the slash.
>-Cooldown: 180 seconds after deactivation
>'Whoa?'
>He couldn't help it.
>Sword Aura.
>It was the skill Do-hyun had used most alongside parrying back in his Demlock days.
>'A must-have skill among swordsman skills.'
>Though Do-hyun was an all-master, his base was ultimately the sword.
>It was the weapon he handled best and was most familiar with.
>Just as backstabs and stealth were assassin cheats, Sword Aura was one of the signature and cheat skills for swordsmen.
>For Do-hyun, who lacked legendary skills, Sword Aura was the ultimate skill.
>'Keu... this changes everything.'
>The Do-hyun who had been complaining about the awful odds was gone.
>Only one yellow? No legendary?
>Who cares! That one was Sword Aura!
>Sure, no legendary was a shame, but how could he not be satisfied with his favorite skill?
>-What, looks like you got something good?
>-Hmm! Lucky.
>-Liza Lizza.
>The guardians muttered as they watched Do-hyun.
>His face, full of complaints just moments ago, was now grinning ear to ear—the change was astonishing.
>Swoosh.
>Do-hyun looked up at the sky while listening to their whispers.
>Then, gazing at the beautiful moon softly illuminating the night sky, he nodded.
>"Ahh. I believe..."
>As expected, sacred spots had their reasons.
>It was the moment when Do-hyun's shaken faith in hotspots was restored.
>* * *
>Clack-clack- Clack-clack-
>[...Find... it... Tear... that bastard... to shreds...]
>[Must... get it... back...]
>[Not... here...]
>-Ugh, these rotten roms. Even hiding is getting tough now.
>Jin Ruddel, hiding behind the bushes and confirming the outlaws had left, let out a sigh-laden grumble.
>Should he be glad his legless state made no footsteps?
>Thanks to years of bandit life and honed thievery escape skills, he was holding on; anyone else would've been caught and torn apart long ago.
>-With apostles getting shredded too, no way I last. Ugh, just imagining it gives me chills.
>He'd been on the run for years and seen plenty.
>Soldiers, knights.
>Even those so-called apostles of the gods, all mangled pathetically after foolishly messing with outlaws.
>-Dying and still suffering like this.
>Honestly, he'd thought of giving up many times, but his remaining conscience stung, preventing it.
>Handing 'this' over to them would turn the city into a wasteland.
>'And I have to deliver it to that guy... Yeah, I've endured this long; quitting now would be too unfair.'
>Clicking his tongue and plopping down, Jin Ruddel suddenly recalled the man he'd met earlier.
>'Is that guy doing okay?'
>Finding him aside, those ominous followers trailing behind...
>He was peculiar in many ways.
>Seizing the moment, he'd asked him to fetch the item, but worry lingered.
>'Full moon now, so those wolf pups will be super aggressive.'
>From his wandering soul observations, it was a monster even numerous apostles struggled with.
>They said even immortals avoided hunting on full moon nights...
>Even immortals—had he sent him to his death needlessly? It nagged.
>'Well, he stepped up because he's confident.'
>Shrugging it off, Jin Ruddel stood.
>Lingering too long might draw them back via traces.
>He planned to scatter false trails as always, confusing them and perhaps leading others.
>'Huh? Wait. Full moon right now.'
>Then it hit him.
>One piece of info made Jin Ruddel flinch.
>The Shadow Lycanthrope wasn't the issue now.
>'Full moon means that 'monster' should be dormant...?'
>The moment he met death in the cave on a full moon night, Jin Ruddel had glimpsed it faintly.
>Shhh-
>A chilling presence slumbering there.
>He barely sensed the mana flow, unsure what it was exactly, but just seeing it brought utter helplessness.
>Curiosity incarnate as he was, he'd returned later only to find nothing.
>It only appeared on full moons.
>'Pfft, now that I'm a soul, that's why I saw it—no way it'd involve me.'
>Trying to laugh it off, his face hardened again.
>He remembered the man who had found his soul self.
>'...Nah, no way?'
>Even if found, as long as untouched, ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it should be fine.
>That's how it was for him.
>No immortal was that recklessly crazy.
>That was what Jin Ruddel believed... or wanted to believe.
>* * *
>[You have entered the dungeon 'Shadow Lycanthrope's Habitat.']
>[Shadow Lycanthrope's Habitat]
>-Grade: Rare+
>-Type: Solo Dungeon
>-Feature: Single Boss
>-Description: The king of lycanthropes turned into a dark shadow.
>Those who even glimpse his shadow are said to be torn to shreds. This is the dwelling of such a Shadow Lycanthrope.
>[Entry Limit: 1 person]
>[Entry Level Limit: LV 49 or below]
>Do-hyun, in high spirits after drawing the skill, chuckled at the messages upon entering the dungeon.
>'Usually, people come after hitting the graduation level.'
>Sargis's graduation level was 49.
>And this dungeon's limit was 49 or below.
>Due to solo dungeon risks, the standard strategy was hitting graduation level first. ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠
>Grrrrr...
>Not just for safety, nor because of the boss greeting right at entry.
>[The Shadow Lycanthrope activates trait 'Contempt for the Weak.']
>[The Shadow Lycanthrope's physical abilities amplify proportional to how much lower the opponent's level is.]
>Contempt for the Weak.
>It was a petty trait that grew stronger against the weak, so max level was needed for fairness.
>But Do-hyun was only level 41.
>[The level difference is significant.]
>[The Shadow Lycanthrope's physical abilities greatly increase.]
>[Under the full moon's energy, the Shadow Lycanthrope's stats amplify.]
>Perfect conditions to fully exploit Contempt for the Weak buffs.
>And not stopping there, full moon stat inflation too. Sensing it, the beast grinned despite its massive bulk.
>Grrr... Gr.
>Towering over 3 meters, far larger than regular lycanthropes.
>It was utterly conscienceless.
>Facing the vile grin, Do-hyun slyly curled his lips.
>'Yeah, this is perfect.'
>The ideal situation to test Sword Aura's performance.

Chapter 131

Comments 000

Comments