Ranker's Return

Chapter 645

Translator: rainbowturtle

‘Was the real sword moving?’

Ray looked bewildered. He couldn’t understand it. Based on his common sense, it was impossible to move the greatsword like this. In particular, there was a chance that the Hyeonu in the video might have a special skill to create this phenomenon, but the Alley Leader in front of him couldn’t have such a skill.

‘It is ridiculous.’

This shouldn’t be possible. It was beyond being good at playing the game.

Hyeonu was expressionless when he saw Ray’s expression.

‘I was just scared.’

Hyeonu never dreamed that Ray would actually move. However, Ray moved and the flustered Hyeonu quickly changed the trajectory of the greatsword. The magic power that went into this one act was around 10% of Hyeonu’s magic power. It was a huge amount.

‘Originally, most of the time, they don’t move.’

The higher the level of the player, the greater their tendencies. They were fooled by this trick.

‘This wasn’t what I was trying to teach…’

What Hyeonu really wanted to teach Ray wasn’t the attack method in the video. It was just a better way to use the greatsword.

‘Of course, few people know how to use it well…’

“To be honest, this is a technique that is difficult to use at your current level, Ray. It is very tricky to learn.”

Hyeonu started giving him some medicine. However, Ray’s expression was unusual. It was perhaps because his concentration was very high.

“So I’m going to teach you other things. I’ll teach you how to use the greatsword a bit more freely,” Hyeonu continued to talk regardless of Ray’s expression.

“I will make up for the weaknesses of the greatsword from today.”

Hyeonu tapped the wooden greatsword on the ground.

“Now, I’ll ask you a question. Ray, what do you think are the weaknesses of the greatsword?” Hyeonu’s question was a concern that Ray always had.

“First of all, the weapon is too big. No matter how high my strength stat and agility stat, there is a big difference between swinging a longsword and swinging a greatsword,” Ray talked about the problems of the greatsword that he usually thought of.

The higher the stats were, the lower the burden of using the weapons were—these words were accurate. Once the strength stat reached 1,000, players didn’t feel the weight of the greatsword at all. There was just the sensation at their fingertips that they were holding something. However, he was unable to reduce the size or shape of the greatsword itself.

“This is the common weakness of a greatsword. That is why it is tricky to use in PvP. In order to solve this problem, we are going to use a greatsword like a longsword. Do you understand what I mean, Ray?”

Ray cocked his head at Hyeonu’s words. It wasn’t easy to understand this time.

“It isn’t a very difficult concept. It is literally using the greatsword as a longsword.”

Hyeonu summoned a wooden sword the size of a regular longsword and threw it at Ray.

“Take this and we will have a spar. Then you’ll understand what I am talking about. Ah, don’t worry. Our stats will be matched. Otherwise, it would be meaningless.”

Ray received the longsword thrown by Hyeonu and aimed it at Hyeonu. It was because he wanted to feel Hyeonu’s words as soon as possible. The secret to improving his PvP skills.

Ray’s sword attacked Hyeonu with a sharp momentum. Hyeonu lifted the greatsword and lightly blocked Ray’s attack. Ray stretched out his sword again without revealing any agitation about his attack being blocked.

‘If this continues… there is no way to fight back.’

Ray knew better than anyone the weaknesses of those who used a greatsword. Yet he was suffering so much.

‘What is this…? Shouldn’t it be possible to fight back? We obviously have similar stats…’

Ray couldn’t hide his confusion as the confrontation continued. In his experience, Hyeonu should be unable to hold on and should be rushing to defend. Yet Hyeonu attacked the moment he blocked. It was by force and with magic power. It wasn’t an overwhelming push. He naturally led the attack and defense.

“What is this?” Eventually, Ray gave up wielding the sword.

“Are you giving up here? I still have a lot to show you…”

“I don’t think it will change much if I continue.”

Hyeonu approached Ray while dragging the giant sword on the ground.

“How was my movement? Is it different from usual, Ray?”

"It seems so. It is a lot different from the battles I’ve fought in the arena.”

“Really? Then why is there a different result?”

“Alley Leader’s strength is outstanding…”

Ray’s answer made Hyeonu smile. Of course, it was true that Hyeonu’s strength was excellent. Yet before that, the problem was with Ray.

“Ray, I’ve found some videos of you. They were hunting videos… you are very strong. There is one thing I can see from there. Most of your skills require preparation time. This means there are no appropriate skills for the arena,” Hyeonu directly pointed out Ray’s weakness.

“That’s… right.”

Ray’s expression turned sullen like a child who was scolded. Hyeonu’s comment was one of the factors stopping Ray’s arena ranking at the 7,803rd place. The opponents used skills but he couldn’t use them. This difference was greater than expected. It was why he was pushed out of the arena even though he had gone through his fourth class advancement.

“To be honest, one can rise in the rankings even if they don’t have any skills. However, that isn’t the case with you right now, so it sounds like Ray’s abilities are just at that level… still, don’t be too disappointed. I’ll teach you well from now on.”

Hyeonu mixed up the whip and carrots well. He criticized Ray’s abilities while foreshadowing teaching. Ray was intimidated by Hyeonu’s criticism and felt expectations for what Hyeonu would teach.

“It is nothing other than using the greatsword as a longsword. It is to make better use of the greatsword itself. Just like me. Use your advantages and overcome your disadvantages. The strength stat is high. Keep in mind that the greatsword can be swung with one hand.”

Hyeonu started to dance with the sword. Hyeonu freely handled the greatsword. It was sometimes strong and sometimes fast. Sometimes, he raised one side of the sword and pretended to block the opponent’s attack. Most importantly, Hyeonu’s movements were unstoppable. He scratched the ground if he wanted and touched what he wanted.

After a while, Hyeonu’s movements stopped. The surroundings were a mess. The wooden greatsword swept through the arena and it had many furrows in the ground.

“I think I’ve shown everything there is to show. Did it help you?”

The things that Hyeonu showed weren't that difficult. However, there were a few techniques mixed in that were unthinkable with Ray’s common sense.

‘I can fight like this.’

Ray saw Hyeonu’s sword dance and felt many things. The biggest things he felt were admiration and surprise. Hyeonu’s swordsmanship was very creative. He even grabbed the greatsword with magic power surrounding his hand. He didn’t hesitate to do anything.

‘I can cope with any circumstances.’

Ray had a bit of an idea of what to do with PvP in the arena in the future.

‘It seems there are many things…’

Hyeonu nodded as he looked at Ray, who didn’t answer. He could understand. It was clear that Ray was reflecting on the movements Hyeonu had shown.

‘It is good to work hard.’

“Ray? Then I’m going first. It is time to prepare for the streaming. Please practice diligently until the time of our appointment.”

Hyeonu touched the shoulder of Ray who was staring blankly at the ground.

“Uh? Yes, I understand, Alley Leader. I’ll see you then.”

Ray looked slightly puzzled by Hyeonu’s words about leaving, but he soon grabbed the wooden greatsword that had fallen to the ground. Ray had no time to worry about Hyeonu. All his attention was focused on absorbing the series of movements Hyeonu showed him.

Hyeonu smiled as he watched Ray. Hard working people always made Hyeonu feel happy.

***

Hyeonu told Ray that he had to prepare for the streaming, but there was still quite a lot of time left.

‘I have to clear the quest.’

Hyeonu was thinking of using the rest of this time to clear the emperor’s quest.

‘Alfore is fourth…’

The quest progress was slower than expected. Wandering around the demon world consumed a huge amount of time.

‘Reina is with me, so it takes a bit longer…’

The difference was just a day or two. It wasn’t a huge difference.

‘It is just funny that the emperor is holding back at this time.’

It was ridiculous that the emperor would create such a quest and wait when it seemed like he would start the war right away. Meanwhile, all the demons and demonic creatures in front of Hyeonu disappeared. Only the guards protecting the entrance of the city remained.

“I am Earl Argon. Can I enter?”

Hyeonu’s eyes, which were visible through the mask, were colored purple.

“Yes… yes. You can go in, Earl Argon,” the demon guards bowed and answered. It felt like his head would be cut off if he blocked Hyeonu’s way and made him uncomfortable.

“Then work hard.”

Hyeonu passed through the gate in a very familiar manner. Several demons whispered and glanced at Hyeonu as he passed through the gate. They were those who saw and heard the disturbance at the gate. Then they all quickly went on their way like they were afraid of being caught and beaten by Hyeonu.

Hyeonu received their gaze and ignored it. He was focused on the message in front of him.

[Demon world city recorded 4/10.]

‘Now it is four.’

There were six cities remaining. The turning point was right in front of him.

‘Was the next city Ataki?’

Ataki was also a city within the sphere of influence of the dead Damanos. It was like Tendmul and Alfore.

‘First of all, I’ll spend the rest of the time before the streaming here.’

Hyeonu started to wander in search of a possible, unknown jackpot. It was okay to hunt alone, but he didn’t want to do that.

“Tang-E, what do you smell?” Hyeonu looked at Tang-E and asked.

“Smell? Hmm… It seems to be a delicious smell. The skewers being sold over there looked very tasty.”

Tang-E pointed to a skewers store in the distance. Hyeonu saw such a Tang-E and sighed.

‘Smell a jackpot, don’t smell meat.’

Even so, he didn’t show this. It was clear that Tang-E would be angry.

"Yes, let's eat the skewers.”

Hyeonu walked slowly to the store selling skewers with Tang-E in his arms. No one else could be seen around Hyeonu.