Ranker's Return

Chapter 455

Translator: rainbowturtle

Editor: LD & Jyazen

[The seventh demon king, Rubolle, has been defeated.]

[Experience has been acquired.]

[You have leveled up.]

[All health and magic power have been restored.]

‘Indeed... The experience is a very small amount.’

A demon king was killed, but he only gained one level. Considering that his experience bar was already half-filled, this amount of experience wasn’t very good or worthy of the name of a demon king. Still, it was a lot considering he didn’t take part in the battle directly. Thus, he didn’t feel regretful.

‘Will an item or skill book be dropped?’

Obviously, the ring that symbolized the master of the city would be dropped. There was also gold, which came out unconditionally when monsters were killed. However, there was usually something else as well. Hyeonu wondered what it would be. It might be an epic-rated item or a skill book containing an epic skill. He didn’t know what would come out since the opponent was a demon king.

[The title ‘First Person to Kill a Demon King’ has been created.]

[First Person to Kill a Demon King]

[A title given to the first player to kill a demon king.

Effect: The strength of magic power is increased by 15%. Damage done to opponents with the dark attribute magic power is increased by 15%. Damage received from opponents with the dark attribute magic power is reduced by 25%.]

‘Item? Skill? I can take anything.’

Hyeonu showed a satisfied smile at the title that just emerged in front of him. He was very excited by the small compensation when he hadn’t done anything. Additionally, he really liked the effects attached to the title. It was because there were three effects. Two of them had conditions, but such a thing wasn’t a negative factor. He just liked the effectiveness.

“Duke, are you okay?” Hyeonu got rid of all the messages and went over to John Blake.

“I’m fine. It’s been a long time since I’ve fought like that. There was a lot more magic power in the magic power stone than I expected... I was able to get it done quickly with your help.” John Blake’s words were nothing but humble. In fact, it was excessive humility.

The battle had never flowed in Rubolle’s favor. It was true that the battle time was longer than expected, but it was because the power stored in the magic power stone was more than John Blake had anticipated. Still, it was clear he would’ve won without Tang-E’s buffs.

Hyeonu knew it well and shook his head while saying, “It was just a bit of help. In a battle that would’ve taken 10 minutes, I reduced the time to 9 minutes.”

“Take this.” John Blake flicked his finger. Something small spun quickly as it flew through the air. Hyeonu caught it with lightning speed.

‘A ring?’ It was a small black ring with flowing silver patterns.

“What is this...”

“That guy was wearing it. I would love to give you everything, but... please understand that it isn’t possible.”

“There is no need, Duke. This is enough for me.” Hyeonu bowed his head to express his thanks. He really hadn’t done much to help. It was hard to believe he was given this item anyway...

‘Still, I got it, so I will check it out.’

[Rainbow of Desires]

[The ring that gave Rubolle the modifier of ‘seven’. Every time a certain condition is fulfilled, the ring’s pattern will be colored with a fixed color. The moment the color has filled out the pattern, the effect of the ring will increase, and a power will be unlocked.

Rating: Epic

Restrictions: Possess the dark attribute, more than 3,500 magic power.

Effect: All stats + 100, ‘Rainbow of Desires’ can be used (Currently opened stage: Stage 1)

Rainbow of Desires: Contains the seven powers possessed by Rubolle.

Stage 1 Infinite Desire: Experience will rise 15% faster.

Stage 2 unlock condition: Lives killed 0/2,500]

Hyeonu checked the item information and quickly placed the ring on his finger. This ring was an epic item. Moreover, it was a growth type.

‘It can evolve six more times?’

Looking closely at the ring, there were seven diagonal lines. The first line was tinged with red. It meant that stage 1 was available.

‘The growth limit is awesome.’

This was a fairly good item that he could look forward to seeing the growth of in the future. At this moment, white words appeared in the sky.

[The seventh demon king Rubolle was defeated and killed by Duke John, a duke of the demon world.]

[The new demon king’s name is Sloth. The demon king of sloth, John, is born.]

John Blake frowned when he saw the writing in the air and turned his head toward Baler to ask, “Do you originally do things like this?”

Baler nodded and said, “It is an alarm to announce the birth of a new demon king.”

It had always been like this since the past. The same was true when Baler ascended to the position of demon king. Such writings appeared every time a new demon king was born.

“Then are you going to leave for the middle world right now?” Baler wondered.

“Of course. There are many people to meet...”

“How about going a few days later?”

At Baler’s sudden words, John Blake’s eyes narrowed. It was a look that asked for a detailed explanation.

“As we all know... Rubolle is the leader of the hardliners. I am neutral. If you turn to the moderates...”

Hearing this, John Blake interrupted Baler’s words, “There will be no invasion of the middle world.”

The demon world’s invasion of the middle world was a very important matter. It was more important than John Blake returning to the middle world right now.

“Is there a way to convene the demon kings?” John Blake’s voice was as calm as usual.

“Just wait here, and they will come. A new demon king is born. They won’t stay in their own city.”

By the time the demons became demon kings, they had learned not to swing their fists ignorantly. Armed force was a fundamental part of it, but a certain degree of political power was also necessary. Unlike the demon nobles who expressed their opinions by swinging a weapon, demon kings were frightening. The battle between John Blake and Rubolle had ended exceptionally quickly. If demon kings fought each other, it usually wouldn’t end even if they fought all day.

“I can express my opposition to the invasion of the middle world in front of those who gather.”

Baler agreed, “Yes, just do that. I honestly don’t want to go to the middle world either. Do you know why the Colosseum was established all over the demon world?”

He was also quite skeptical about the invasion of the middle world.

“What does the Colosseum have to do with the invasion of the middle world?” John Blake couldn’t understand Baler’s words. He didn’t think there was a connection between the Colosseum and the middle world invasion.

“The existence of the Colosseum is to reduce the number of demons and demonic creatures.” The answer came from Hyeonu, not Baler.

“Yes, that’s correct. This is the biggest reason for the hardliners’ claims. The power of the demon world has become too strong. They aren’t confident about facing them, so they chose the relatively easy middle world,” Baler explained.

The reason for the Colosseum was to reduce the number of demons and demonic creatures, but the number of Colosseums didn’t increase as expected. Although the Colosseum was popular, the owners of the cities didn’t want to try and operate it.

“There are only seven Colosseums. It isn’t sufficient to reduce the number of demons or demonic creatures,” John Blake said and frowned once again. In order to be a complete situation, the number of Colosseums had to increase significantly. Then he asked, “Even if there were to be no invasion of the middle world right away, isn’t it a problem that will break out one day?”

In short, Baler’s solution was just a temporary one. It would achieve some things, but it wouldn’t resolve the root cause.

“Just reduce the number of demons and demonic creatures... Then there will be no need for an invasion of the demon world,” Hyeonu said, once again intervening in the conversation between the two of them. His mind was working actively.

‘If it goes well, I can take care of a few things in one blow.’

A wonderful idea came to mind. It involved the demon world’s invasion of the middle world, Leon Meyer protecting the crack, protecting Etono from Damanos, and...

‘My 3.2 million gold.’

Hyeonu hadn’t forgotten about the expense of 3.2 million gold.

“Do you have a good idea?” John Blake turned to Hyeonu. He was looking forward to Hyeonu’s answer.

“You can use adventurers.”

“Adventurers?!” Baler and John Blake exclaimed at the same time. What did Hyeonu mean by adventurers? It was incomprehensible.

“Explain it in detail,” John Blake urged Hyeonu.

Hyeonu calmly explained his plan: “You can call the adventurers to hunt demons and demonic creatures. There is no need to give special compensation. It is enough just providing a place to fight.”

His words were simple. If they brought players into the world to hunt demons and demonic creatures, the number of demons and demonic creatures would naturally decrease quickly.

Baler asked, “How will they come to the demon world? If you come through a crack, you will appear somewhere randomly in the Demon World.”

Hyeonu had already thought of this and responded naturally, “I know a dragon. We can build a channel between the demon world and my city, Etono, with his help.”

“If we spread rumors that Etono has fallen into the hands of humans from the middle world... It will be enough.” Baler fully understood Hyeonu’s plan now.

There was just one problem.

“Are the adventurers strong enough to hunt demons? They can’t all be on the same level as you,” Baler said. Had the adventurers reached the level where they could hunt in the demon world? It was Baler’s first and last time seeing an adventurer like Hyeonu. Still, he guessed there weren’t many people like Hyeonu.

“It is possible. They have priests. It is enough if they are helped with divine power.”

After receiving Hyeonu’s positive answer, Baler entered into deep thought and murmured, “Yes... If it is like this...”

He seemed to be thinking about something.

‘If John hasn’t made up his mind... I can use this as an opportunity.’ Baler came up with a good idea. He added one more thing to Hyeonu’s plan. Hyeonu’s plan would create a golden opportunity to change the power structure of the demon world.

“John, if you promise me one thing, I will give this plan my full support.”

“What promise?” John Blake wondered upon hearing Baler’s sudden words.

“Promise you won’t give any help to the adventurers who come to the demon world.”

“Why would I help the adventurers? I’m not a person who helps others. Besides, they aren’t even people of the empire. There is no reason for me to help them.”

After confirming John Blake’s answer, Baler joined Hyeonu’s plan: “Good. I’ll help you open the passage. I think it will be enough if the lizard uses his power in the middle world while I use my power in the demon world.”

Hyeonu grinned at Baler’s words. ‘If I connect the passage between Etono and Phinis...’

“Thank you, Baler.” Hyeonu had a dream that was just for Hyeonu.

‘I will let the moderates know the truth while keeping it a secret from the hardliners to strike a new balance,’ Baler thought.

“It is my job to keep the balance. Why are you thanking me?” Baler also had a dream that was just for Baler.

The two people were in the same situation, but they had different dreams.