Chapter 152
Chapter 152
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 152
>Chapter Title: The Lord's Grand Debut
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Chapter 152
Dazed exclamations erupted from all directions at once.
It was a sight that was hard to come by.
Stunned faces turned to one another, whispering among themselves for a moment.
That was when the guards were tilting their heads, wondering what the heck was going on.
“N-No way!”
“What the hell did I just see?”
“Crazy……!”
Starting from somewhere, cries of astonishment rang out.
“6,014 points? 6,014 points??”
“Is this even a possible score? Am I seeing things? Hey, pinch me.”
“How do you even get a score like that? This can’t be real!?”
“Insane, totally insane. Wow! Wow!!!”
“Kaiser, is he really a god?”
“Kaiser Punch! Kaiser Punch! Kaiser Punch! Kaiser Punch! Kaiser Punch!”
The brief silence had been the eye of the storm.
Roars incomparable to before exploded from every side. And rightly so—that score was utterly unbelievable.
Taking first place? That had been expected.
He was the first to meet the lord and cleared the Lawless Challenge with flying colors.
“The problem now is hitting S-rank? How is the score in the 6,000s!?”
“The empress sparked a huge controversy for being the first to hit four digits, and this…… It’s so ridiculous I’m speechless.”
“What’s ridiculous? It’s just a god doing god things!”
“Where’s the Kashin Church site link?”
But still, wasn’t this score going too far!?
It was an overwhelming figure, six times that of the top rankers.
Even compared to the empress, known as the One-Woman Legion, the gap with others was even wider.
“Is this what you get for taking down the Lawless One?”
“Maybe meeting the lord? Nah, but doing those two things shouldn’t make this big a difference……?”
“Of course it does! They’re both firsts??”
Debate naturally erupted, and the players sprang into action.
“Spread the article fast! Hurry!!”
“What are you waiting for? Move! Doesn’t have to be exclusive—just upload it ASAP!”
“Look at the scouts and reporters going nuts. Heh.”
“It’s not just reporters now. Guilds are hearing the news, homepages are blowing up. Everything’s flipping out.”
“Damn…… I was jealous of the guys who saw Kaiser during the Brion raid, but getting this payback feels amazing. So glad I dropped out of Sargis.”
“No, seriously, when’s Kaiser coming out? I’m dying waiting!”
It was an unprecedented event that left reporters stunned, scouts in chaos, and every player shocked.
As expectations for Kaiser, the perpetrator of this monumental feat, swelled to bursting and players stared desperately at the castle,
“Hey? Look over there!”
“Someone’s coming out!”
“Kaiser? Is it Kaiser!?”
Someone appeared on the second-floor terrace.
Bathed in faint moonlight, only their silhouette was visible—it was hard to make out details, but it was clearly a man.
Yet the players knew it wasn’t Kaiser.
“Blond?”
“What? Not Kaiser? That’s not mithril armor.”
No one present was unaware of Kaiser’s defining traits, the hottest topic around.
Which made it all the more puzzling.
If not Kaiser, then who was stepping out of the castle?
Aside from Kaiser, only high-ranking NPCs or the lord himself would boldly show themselves from the second floor……
“Huh?”
“No way?”
As the players’ expressions grew strange,
“Greetings, everyone.”
The man on the second floor spoke.
Thanks to some item, his voice carried clearly despite not being loud.
Perhaps because everyone had the same inkling and fell silent, ears perked.
Looking down at them with satisfaction, the blond man continued.
“Apostles, citizens of the city, and even the knights and guards protecting its safety. It’s good to see all these faces.”
His eyes and voice were clear.
Yet they held a hint of longing and bitterness.
Finally, unable to contain their curiosity, one player shouted.
“W-Who are you!!”
Perhaps everyone shared the thought this time.
Players and NPCs alike looked up at the man without a word of complaint, waiting breathlessly for him to speak. A few seconds passed.
“Ah, I’ve been remiss with introductions.”
After what felt like an eternity, the blond man paused a beat.
Then he stepped forward a bit more, scanning the crowd carefully.
His frame was gaunt, almost skeletal, and his face youthful.
“Huh?”
“A boy……?”
Startled by the unexpectedly boyish appearance, they watched as the blond youth, Jay Ruddel, spoke.
“Allow me a proper introduction. I am Jay Ruddel, lord of this castle.”
“…….”
“…….”
One second. Then two.
Silence lingered, then thunderous cheers erupted.
“Waaaaaaaaah!!!”
“The lord has appeared!!”
“Turn on your recordings quick! Take pics at least, hurry!”
“T-That’s the lord……!”
“So he’s the son of Lord Zard Ruddel!”
The lord of Sargis, the impregnable fortress shrouded in mystery.
It was Jay Ruddel’s splendid debut.
* * *
Waaaaaaaaah--!!!!
Do-hyun smirked as he heard the cheers echoing from outside the castle.
“They’re doing great.”
“The kid’s growing up. Feels kinda emotional. Wish his brother could see this.”
Jin Ruddel scratched his head sheepishly, a smile playing on his lips.
Locking eyes, he continued softly.
“I was always worried. I wanted him to live freely, but fate wouldn’t allow it.”
“…….”
“So I thought, even if greedy old fogeys try to chain his freedom, I’d hold them back. At least as lord, he wouldn’t be a puppet. Well, I couldn’t even finish that before turning into a ghost.”
Jin Ruddel chuckled, but his eyes grew heavy.
Rarely serious as he gazed at Do-hyun, he bowed deeply.
“Thank you. Truly, from the bottom of my heart. You’ve done so much for us.”
“……No need.”
“No. Words of thanks fall endlessly short. If I weren’t a ghost, I’d do anything…… But if you ever need my help, I’ll be there. I swear on my name.”
Do-hyun doubted he’d ever need a ghost’s aid but nodded anyway.
The man’s trembling voice rang too sincere to ignore.
Feeling awkward in the heavy mood, Do-hyun changed the subject.
“Planning to stay by the lord’s side now?”
Jin Ruddel shook his head.
“That was a lie.”
“……Pardon?”
“I can’t ascend or stay in this world anymore. That strange energy’s gone.”
“Then…….”
“What can I do? Guess I’ll set up shop in the afterlife.”
“…….”
Jin Ruddel looked relieved as he said it.
“The kid’s healthy now, and I passed on all those corruption proofs I…… collected. He can clean out the rotten ones. Seeing that kid give such a cool speech? If that doesn’t let me move on, I’m just selfish.”
Jin Ruddel truly seemed free of regrets.
Grinning in utter satisfaction,
“Thank you again, hero.”
That was his final form.
[The yin energy lingering here vanishes.]
His allotted time had truly ended.
Charlie spoke, gazing at the empty spot.
“Unlike his exterior, he had a warm heart.”
“Sniff sniff…… Yeah…… Why’s it gotta be like this. I’m bawling my eyes out today, for real.”
“Liza…….”
That set off Jihad and Eliza dabbing at their tears.
A response befitting their sensitive souls.
Do-hyun chuckled at Eliza sobbing in Jihad’s arms as if she’d never sulked, then checked the remaining time.
[Remaining Time: 00:20:01]
‘20 minutes…… Tricky.’
Too bad to log out, too tight for much else.
Perfect for killing time.
And for this, there was only one choice.
‘Time to do some card scrapping.’
Time to use the Advanced Skill Draw Ticket from completing the quest.
One issue, though……
‘Not great to head out now.’
Jay Ruddel was still giving his speech, so hunting a prime spot was tricky.
He’d draw all aggro if he left now.
Couldn’t ruin the lord’s inaugural address.
But no worries!
‘Heh.’
No need to hunt for a spot.
There was a legend in the Gacha Gallery from way back.
-If prime spots are lands blessed with good energy! Then the truest prime spot must be a sacred place no one can touch!
It struck a chord with the scrapping tribe, earning universal agreement.
They began seeking out potential prime spots.
Sargis Castle was one of them.
-Scrappers, think about it.
-A place untouched for a year and a half. Imagine the thrill of the first scrap there.
-Maybe…… just maybe, a Legend grade……
Of course, utter nonsense.
Draws don’t care about location, and unproven spots wouldn’t boost odds.
Yet Gacha Gallery users awaited that moment.
For one reason.
‘Because it’s romantic.’
The ultimate dream for Gacha Gallery denizens!
And now, that glorious moment was Do-hyun’s.
‘I’ve waited for this.’
No mere scrub could fathom Do-hyun’s thrill upon getting the ticket.
Jihad, eyes half-rolled, asked in genuine shock.
“My god, there are others like Master…… Are all humans like this, Charlie?”
“Li……za…….”
“Ugh…… Um…….”
Charlie dodged, unable to defend or agree.
Ignoring Charlie’s plight in upholding human dignity, Do-hyun eagerly tore the ticket, heart swelling.
[Using Advanced Skill Draw Ticket.]
Flash—
Ten cards rose, gleaming brilliantly.
The ever-thrilling moment lit Do-hyun’s eyes, and another message appeared.
[Eye of Truth activates.]
Suddenly, an impossible color appeared.
Do-hyun’s eyes widened.
‘Three……!’
Three yellow cards.
Same as the Lair Temple with Dream of the Dragon!
Even better—six silvers, just one brown.
Insane odds!
‘Ahh…… I believe.’
The Gacha Gallery legend was real.
Extending his hand in rapture, Do-hyun paused.
‘……Not the middle one.’
Burned once before.
Wise from experience, he shifted to the right card.
It flipped, radiating yellow light.
[Acquired Hero Skill ‘Frost Qi Stream’.]
“Huh?”