Ranker's Return

Chapter 457

Translator: rainbowturtle

Editor: LD & Jyazen

‘It is still beautiful!’ Hyeonu exclaimed inwardly when he saw that Bung Bung Island had retained its unwavering beauty. Just looking at the clear water flowing in the stream seemed to purify his mind that was too filled with green due to the surrounding nature.

‘Maybe it is more intense because I’ve been in the dull demon world.’

He didn’t know if the contrast was greater because his previous location was the demon world. The demon world wasn’t a desolate wilderness or ruins, but the visible colors were generally dark. It was the opposite of the bright and beautiful Bung Bung Island.

“I wanted to call Tang-E and rest, but...’

In this case, it might take too much time. Tang-E would certainly pester him for a meal, and he would fall for the plea.

‘Still... he will be upset if I don’t call him, right?’

Hyeonu had no choice but to call Tang-E. It was because he still had the memory of recently forgetting Tang-E.

“Tang-E, what are you doing?” Hyeonu summoned Tang-E with a rhythm like he was singing.

“Huh? Master?!” Tang-E looked at Hyeonu with a surprised expression. The suddenly summoned Tang-E had something in his hand.

“Were you eating?”

It was a half-eaten pork skewer.

“T... That’s right. I was eating. By the way.. is there something happening here?” Tang-E wondered as he saw the familiar scenery of Bung Bung Island.

“I have business in the cave. Why?”

“That’s good, that’s good.” Tang-E approached Hyeonu and rubbed against him while eating the skewer.

“Why don’t you keep eating? There is no need for you to go with me...” Hyeonu stroked Tang-E’s head. He didn’t need Tang-E. Hyeonu was going to have a conversation, not fight someone.

“You came to Bung Bung Island. How can I go, Master dude? Don’t say that.” Tang-E placed the skewer into his subspace and jumped into Hyeonu’s arms.

“Yes, let’s go together.” Hyeonu hugged Tang-E and kicked off from the ground. The cave wasn’t far away now.

***

Deep inside the central cave of Bung Bung Island, the black-haired Leon Meyer stared at a puddle on one side of the cave. The pool was roughly over a meter in diameter and full of water.

‘The adventurers’ growth has risen to a certain extent,’ he thought. The water in the pool was showing a colorful picture. Inside it, many people were running toward a giant monster. Leon Meyer was observing players in a boss raid near the Balder Mountains.

‘There isn’t much time left until I’m free.’

Leon Meyer’s expectations increased as the players leveled up. It was because the growth of the adventurers was essential for him to step away from his role.

“Huh?” Just then, Leon Meyer felt something that bothered his nerves.

‘Someone broke into the cave.’

The person seemed familiar with the cave and moved without hesitation. He killed the lowest grade lomelon in the shortest time and sped through the cave to where Leon Meyer was.

‘That human...’

Leon Meyer noticed the identity of the man who was running—Gang Hyeonu, an adventurer who influenced the entire continent.

‘That monster’s disciple.’

It wasn’t known what method was used, but the stagnant energy similar to that of the monster in the imperial palace had become stronger. Leon Meyer was convinced that this had something to do with Hyeonu, or else the stagnant energy couldn’t have increased in an instant.

‘Thanks to him, my clan’s worries have increased...’

Leon Meyer felt like laughing when he thought about the elders’ worries. He couldn’t be happier after seeing the nobles run around in a hurry.

“Leon Meyer? Where are you?!” The adventurer’s voice came from afar just then.

Leon Meyer replied in his usual voice, “Come this way. I’m further inside.”

***

“It seems I’m seeing you again after just a few days, Leon Meyer,” Hyeonu greeted.

Leon Meyer smiled slightly at Hyeonu’s words.

“I guess so. You are visiting too many times. We aren’t lovers... It’s too excessive. Your visits need to be reduced.” Leon Meyer cracked a joke, but his expression was serious. It didn’t come out like a joke at all.

“You don’t have to feel too reluctant. This time, I really came with something that will help you, Leon Meyer.”

Nevertheless, Hyeonu didn’t care at all. He just continued on deftly.

“Me? Something that will help me?” Leon Meyer cocked his head at Hyeonu’s words. He stared at Hyeonu with wide eyes and urged Hyeonu with his expression.

“The demon world won’t invade the middle world as long as you listen to my request.”

“What does that mean?” Leon Meyer’s expression changed once more, and he now looked extremely serious.

“The possibility of an invasion has disappeared. Leon Meyer, what do you know about the power structure of the demon world?”

“I know there are seven demon kings, and there is a power battle over 72 cities.”

“Then it is convenient for me to talk about it. Until recently, the power structure of the demon world was very tense. There were three hardliner demon kings clamoring to invade the demon world and three demon kings who wanted to invade the divine world. Then there is one demon king who is neutral. There were serious conflicts between them.” Hyeonu started to explain the overall situation of the demon world.

It was a bait throw for the next request. Leon Meyer didn’t know this and listened to Hyeonu’s explanation silently.

Hyeonu continued, “Recently, this structure has collapsed. One of the hardliners lost his life to a noble under him. The new demon king doesn’t covet the invasion of the middle world.”

“So the demon world won’t invade the middle world? It can’t be that easy, right?”

“Of course not. Two demon kings are still crying out for the invasion of the middle world, and they have a justification for it. The fighting power of the demon world has grown too much. This needs to be addressed to maintain the balance of the demon world. They’re wielding this logic like a propaganda report.”

“That means the number of demons and demonic creatures in the demon world need to be reduced? And they’re choosing to invade the middle world to do so?” Leon Meyer said with disbelief.

He burst out laughing. ‘I can’t believe I’m stuck in a place like this for that reason...’

Leon Meyer didn’t care about their situation at all. It didn’t matter to him if the demon world was ruined.

‘It is best if they fail.’

“Then what is the request?” Leon Meyer was now very curious about Hyeonu’s request after hearing a rough summary of the situation.

“I would like you to install in my territorya magic circle to the demon world,” Hyeonu stated.

Leon Meyer was having really colorful expressions today. Dragons lived for a long time, so they were originally dull when it came to expressing emotions. However, that was meaningless when standing in front of Hyeonu. It was because Hyeonu’s words were too shocking.

“A magic circle? It isn’t possible. The elders in my clan will surely oppose it even if I want to do it.” Leon Meyer shook his head like Hyeonu spoke nonsense. This was a request that couldn’t be accepted.

“What is the reason?”

“The reason? You are really asking this? There is no justification and no benefit for it, so it is better not to do it.”

This was a natural answer from Leon Meyer who was in a position where he knew the risks. Hyeonu told him, “Don’t you need to listen to know if it is possible or not?”

“I’ll listen, but the magic circle isn’t possible.” Leon Meyer was adamant. Even so, Hyeonu was confident of persuading him.

‘It would be stupid to refuse when two demon kings are helping.’

Baler and John Blake had promised their active support, so there wouldn’t be any problems.

“Send adventurers through the magic circle you create. They will hunt down the lowest-grade demons and demonic creatures. Then the hardliners’ justification will disappear, and there will be no invasion of the middle world.”

“The best defense is offense. So, it’s that type of strategy...” Leon Meyer murmured. However, a very safe landing spot was needed for this plan to be executed successfully—an area where the demons and demonic creatures couldn’t invade.

“Two demon kings are helping me. They don’t want the invasion of the middle world. They are hoping that the power of the demon world will come down to a certain level.” It was only now that Hyeonu revealed the truth. When Leon Meyer heard it, his face filled with shock.

He couldn’t believe Hyeonu’s words at all and wondered inwardly, ‘Why would demon kings help humans?’

Hyeonu continued like he’d read Leon Meyer’s thoughts: “I’m not sure why one demon king is helping, but it is clear he is trustworthy. And... the other has a really close relationship with me.”

“Close relationship?”

“He is my master’s master.”

“John Blake...” Leon Meyer gritted his teeth. John Blake was a taboo, even if it was just a mention of his name.

“He is a demon king? Haha... A demon king... It really suits him. I wish he could sit in that position for the rest of his life, yes.” Leon Meyer’s expression soon brightened up. He accepted that John Blake’s position as a demon king was the same as having his movement restricted.

‘Did something happen between the two of them?’ Hyeonu cocked his head slightly when he saw how violently Leon Meyer reacted the moment he heard John Blake’s name. Nevertheless, Hyeonu shook his head and refocused. The behind-the-scenes story between them didn’t matter at this moment. All that mattered was whether Leon Meyer would set up a magic circle.

“I think this plan has a big chance of being successful. Leon Meyer, what do you think?” Hyeonu asked again in a quiet voice.

A different answer from before flowed out of Leon Meyer’s mouth: “If you have the help of demon kings, it definitely isn’t an absurd plan. Still, this doesn’t mean I can directly draw a magic circle to the demon world. Get the promise of the demon kings. Then I’ll take it and try to convince the elders of the clan.”

Leon Meyer handed a rolled white scroll to Hyeonu. Hyeonu accepted it, and a message window appeared in front of him.

[A quest has been created.]

[Demon Kings’ Promise]

[You need the help of a dragon to set up a magic circle that can travel to the demon world. In order to get help from the dragon, have the demon kings sign a promise not to invade the middle world.

Rating: SSS+

Conditions: Demon kings’ signature 0/2, pass the signatures to Leon Meyer 0/1

Rewards: Experience, install the demon world movement magic circle in any place you want.]

Hyeonu’s quest finally appeared.

“I understand. I will soon come back with the signatures.” There was a brilliant smile on Hyeonu’s face.