Ranker's Return

NEW NOVEL: First and foremost, I'm delighted to announce that our long-time veteran translator littleshanks has finally launched his new novel, Rise!  Rise is a novel about the esports scene in Shanghai, the competitive gaming capital of China. It follows the story of Lin Feng, a boy who has just moved to the city for his last year of high school. He's a passionate gamer and dreams of being the best professional League of Legends player in the world. The twist? He almost achieved his dream, but failed at the...

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“This shi...” Hyeonu barely resisted the urge to swear. The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became. For two days, he had done everything possible to get information. He had walked around every inn dozens of times and asked about the disappearance of the Mysterious Sky Demonic Senior.

However, his efforts had amounted to nothing at all. More than 100 years had passed since the Mysterious Sky Demonic Senior’s disappearance, and the innkeepers didn’t know about it. This was different from when he asked about the Mysterious Sky Sect. If the rumors about the Mysterious Sky Sect were just rumors, then the disappearance of the Mysterious Sky Demonic Senior was part of a secret history of Jianghu.

Hyeonu wouldn’t be able to grasp the information of that time unless he found the right source to ask.

“...Yes!” Hyeonu suddenly recalled the existence of Qing Feng, who had said for Hyeonu to go visit him if Hyeonu had anything to ask.

‘Everyone says that Shuiyang is under the control of the Chonghua Sect.’

The distance between Manhua Mountain and Shuiyang was quite short. It might be a long time ago, but the Chonghua Sect might know information about the Mysterious Sky Demonic Senior.

‘I should turn on the streaming mode first.’

Today was Thursday. It wasn’t a streaming day. However, Hyeonu had to be in the United States on Saturday morning, so he would do the stream one day in advance. Of course, he could take a break for the day. Someone might ask why he couldn’t rest for a day even though he had already succeeded.

‘That isn’t it.’

The party wasn’t as important as the stream. Rather, it was even more important to keep the streaming agreement with the viewers. He couldn’t get rid of it.

“In other words, a popular NPC will be born today.”

Qing Feng was the same as Kim Seokjung. It was obvious that the audience would happily welcome Qing Feng.

‘I just have to struggle today, then it will be the party next. I have to have strength.’

Currently, 90% of the power sustaining Hyeonu was sourced from thinking of the weekend party.

*** 

The moment Hyeonu turned on the streaming mode, a message window appeared to many viewers.

[Meet Alley Leader one day in advance.]

In A-World, if one subscribed to a streamer’s channel, they would receive notifications when the streamer started live streaming. That message was what appeared in front of the viewers. It appeared in all types of streams, and the viewers were talking about it.

-Huh? What is going on?

-Ohhh. Alley Leader has come to his senses. He is streaming three times a week.

-Are you still being deceived? He isn’t going to do it tomorrow.

-Viewers are being mocked in earnest.

From the viewers with the grand dream of Alley Leader streaming three times a week to those who recognized reality, all of them expressed their opinion. There were some fights, but, there were actions that were common amongst all of the viewers. They started to move to Alley Leader’s stream. It was like people taking an evacuation route. All those watching different streams left for Alley Leader’s stream.

The surprised ones were the streamers who were currently streaming. There was no reason for their surprise other than the fact that their audience had started to shrink. Nine Steel, whose popularity had plummeted after his terrible defeat to Hyeonu, was a prime example of that. “No. Brothers, what’s going on? Why is everyone suddenly...” 

The moment the viewers saw Alley Leader’s notification, they left like the low tide.

-Alley Leader has started streaming, one viewer stated while Nine Steel was stomping his feet with confusion.

“Brothers, isn’t today Thursday? How can Alley Leader be streaming? What is this...”

-I don’t know, but there was a notification. I got it as well. Work hard.

The viewers left Nine Steel’s stream behind.

‘Alley Leader, Alley Leader.’

“Alley Leader, this jerk!!” Nine Steel screamed as the number of his viewers became smaller.

*** 

Meanwhile, Hyeonu didn’t know about the screams of other streamers and greeted the audience.

“Thank you for coming to today’s stream even though I’m streaming on Thursday.”

-Do well if you know it. Don’t take a break from streaming tomorrow.

-Go in a good mood. Do it today and tomorrow.

-Maintain your spirit. Ohhh. You know how to do a surprise stream.

Viewers were somewhat aware that today was a replacement for tomorrow’s stream. It was why they mentioned and emphasized streaming tomorrow, directly or indirectly.

“I wish that were possible, but I’m going to America tomorrow. That’s why I’m doing it today. I would like to stream three times a week, but I can’t. I’m sorry,” Hyeonu explained and bowed.

Once Hyeonu came out and said it like that, the viewers couldn’t say anything in response. Hyeonu could’ve taken a day off instead of doing the stream one day in advance. So how could they blame a streamer like this?

-Ah... I have nothing to say.

-Yes. Then let’s enjoy today’s streaming.

Out of curiosity, one of the viewers asked why Hyeonu was visiting America. Usually, streamers didn’t go abroad. Their time was only spent on Arena and streaming.

-Then why are you going to the United States?

-Our Alley Leader, you’ve succeeded. You are going to the United States.

-Argon will sulk if you go alone. Argon will be streaming alone. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

‘Should I say it?’ Hyeonu wondered if he should mention Nike’s party, but his troubles were useless. Everyone who was anyone already knew. It was different from his previous bombshell words.

‘I’m also sorry for making so much trouble...’ He had this thought and eventually inclined toward talking.

“Well, it isn’t anything secret, so I’ll tell you. To be exact, I’m going to New York. Who do you think invited me?”

-Invited? What is happening in New York?

-Dwayne? Does Dwayne live in New York?

-You idiots. Nike Management is in New York.

-Ah, Nike!

With Hyeonu’s words, viewers started to figure out the puzzle. New York and Nike—the largest pieces were aligned.

-I’m searching right now. Saturday is the day of Nike’s party.

-Ah, that’s right. There is Nike’s party.

-If Alley Leader doesn’t go, then who would? He is this year’s best star.

The viewers guessed it precisely. Hyeonu opened his mouth and said, “Yes, that's right. I am going to a party hosted by Nike, okay? Are you jealous? Argon is going as well. Don’t you all know that Masked Fighting King is a Nike program? We are taking the same flight.”

-Shivers.

-I’m jealous. I want to go to New York too!

-I live in New York, but I can’t go to the party. 

‘The explanation is over, and the reaction is good too. I have to move on.’

Hyeonu felt the chat was gradually going off topic and quickly started the stream. It was a precise control of the flow.

“Now I will end the introduction and move on to the main subject. Today’s stream will be of me clearing the quest. I am going to Chonghua Sect, which is probably the equivalent of a local city lord in the West Continent. Around the level of a viscount or an earl?”

-Are you going to the Chonghua Sect to make trouble today?

-Alley Leader isn’t an idiot. Is he going to make trouble everywhere?

-No, the other guilds worked for three years, and they’re only getting to know earls now. Whereas he’s been here for three days.

Viewers marveled at Hyeonu’s explanation regarding what was coming up next. No, they were astonished.

-His real talent is truly good. He’s already made connections with the Chonghua Sect.

-This is enough to enter any guild as a miner. ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

In a short period of time, Alley Leader had already established connections with giant forces. This was ridiculous. Other large guilds spent a lot of time and money to get acquainted with high-ranking noble NPCs. However, Alley Leader didn’t seem to care about such things. He formed a relationship with a big power in just a few days.

-A real monster amongst monsters.

-A miner isn’t as good as this.

-He is also good at fighting. It is killing two birds with one stone!

-It somehow feels like his value and wealth have changed. ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

‘As expected, these people have excellent eyes.’

Hyeonu smiled as he watched the viewers praise him. “I will quickly proceed with the stream.”

*** 

Hyeonu had already arrived at Manhua Mountain before he started streaming. It was all for the viewers. His streaming frequency was very low as he felt it was a considerable waste of time streaming with useless moves. “Then I will go to the Chonghua Sect straight away.’

-Go go go go.

-Go, Alley Leader!

-Uh, he’s switched perspectives.

-I prefer this over third person. It feels like I’m the one playing the game.

The moment Hyeonu spoke, he had already changed the point of view of his stream to first person. Now viewers were seeing things from Hyeonu’s point of view. The reason for this was simple. Hyeonu had to take off his mask now.

‘I’m ready.’

He didn’t have the guts to wear Crasul’s Curse to the Chonghua Sect when it contained all the sinister emotions of the world.

“That... Daoist, can I ask you something?” Hyeonu called out.

The young Daoist guarding Chonghua Sect was surprised by Hyeonu’s sudden call. “Please speak.”

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋ He’s pretending he isn’t surprised.

-This is fun. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Why is our Alley Leader teasing the kid?

The viewers laughed at the Daoist’s behavior.

“I’m here to see a Daoist... He is called Qing Feng.”

“Qing Feng shishu [1]! Is it really him?”

This time, the young Daoist couldn’t hide his surprise.

This was the effect of the name ‘Qing Feng’. Qing Feng—he was a Daoist who was respected by the next generation of disciples and a swordsman who represented the Chonghua Sect externally. The young Daoist couldn’t help being surprised that someone came to find Qing Feng.

‘His level is beyond imagination.’

The force the young Daoist felt from Hyeonu was far superior to the force he, a disciple of the Chonghua Sect, possessed. The difference was so severe that the comparison was silly.

Hyeonu said, “If that Qing Feng has a strange beard and a pleasant disposition... then he is the one I’m looking for.”

In response to Hyeonu’s words, the Daoist made a request to Hyeonu. “Excuse me, can you wait a minute? I will bring Shishu over.”

The flustered Daoist turned around without listening to Hyeonu’s answer and started running toward the interior of the Chonghua Sect. “This Daoist is slightly strange? Why did he ask if he was going to do this? Don’t leave until you hear the answer...”

-I admit it. He just said what he wanted and then disappeared.

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋ So why did you show up first and embarrass the child?

“Is this my fault? In addition, it wasn’t sudden. I took a very slow and leisurely approach.”

Hyeonu made excuses that weren’t excuses. He had fallen into the audience’s trap and was bickering with them when the young Daoist came over with Qing Feng. Seeing the two men come over, Hyeonu stopped fighting with the audience. “I will put up with it this time. Sigh, I’m angry inside.”

He opened his mouth and grinned a few times. However, such practice was useless. Hyeonu couldn’t manage his expression from the moment Qing Feng opened his mouth. “Hey, why are you only visiting me now? You should’ve come a bit faster. I have been waiting for a long time. I thought you forgot me or that you would never come.”

---

[1] Shishu - martial uncle/teacher father’s elder brother or younger brother. Your master is your “father”. Expanding from there, your master’s master is your “grandfather”. Your peers in the sect are your “brothers” and “sisters”. Your master’s peers are his siblings, making them your “aunts” and “uncles”. And when your peers (brothers/sisters) one day take on apprentices of their own, those apprentices will be your “nieces” and “nephews”

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