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...

Read More...

‘It’s a bit better than usual. Is it because I think it’s the last time?’

After the stream, Hyeonu slowly walked to Yuri. The reaction was better than he thought, so he was more excited about the stream today.

“Yuri, you worked hard.”

“No, it wasn’t hard work. I had fun as well.”

“Really? Then I’m glad. Practice hard on what I told you, okay? I’m not talking as Yeongchan’s friend but as Streamer Alley Leader.” Hyeonu spoke to Yuri with a serious attitude.

Yuri responded with a serious expression, “I understand, Alley Leader!”

“I’m joking. Just this is enough. It isn’t that difficult. It will be ready soon.” As he spoke, Hyeonu pointed his right index finger at the sky. Black sword energy repeatedly filled Hyeonu’s finger and then disappeared.

“Wow…!!” An exclamation of admiration burst out from Yuri’s mouth.

She was so surprised because she tried it out herself.

‘Is it possible?’

She wasn’t confident that she could gather her divine power so quickly. On the other hand, a strange will to live up to Hyeonu’s expectations started to take hold within her.

“I understand. I’ll try to be more natural next time,” Yuri responded vigorously.

Hyeonu gave a warm smile at the sight. It would’ve been nice if he had a younger sister like this. Hyeonu didn’t understand why Yeongchan kept treating Yuri like that.

‘I’m also treated like his little sister...’

“Yes, work hard.”

*** 

-To Gang Junggu: Brother, what is the current situation?

Hyeonu separated from Yuri and ran straight to the Balder Mountains instead of ending the connection with Arena. He didn’t have time to sit back and rest. He needed visible results within a week. This would allow him to unveil the main scenario in the stream.

‘They must still be struggling...’

Level, items, and skills—there was nothing that could be raised easily. Still, the one that could have the most dramatic chance was a player’s items. Attack power was changed if just one unique-rated item was worn. 10 minutes after Hyeonu sent the whisper, a reply arrived from Gang Junggu.

-From Gang Junggu: I’m sorry. I was in combat and couldn’t answer. Right now, it is similar to before. Still, they’re getting used to it, and it is becoming better than before. We should be able to build a camp if more guild members gather.

‘The situation is better than I thought...’

Nevertheless, it was lacking. Hyeonu couldn’t conceal his feelings. Compared to his expectations of New World, the current situation wasn’t good enough.

-To Gang Junggu: What about the other side? Kowloon or...

Before Hyeonu had finished his whisper, Gang Junggu interrupted.

-From Gang Junggu: Kowloon? The eight people of Kowloon are gathered here, but their situation still isn’t similar to ours. These eight people aren’t the problem. It is that the other guild members can’t keep up with them.

-To Gang Junggu: What else? What about Reina and Mascherano?

-From Gang Junggu: It is a bit strange. I’m certain they’ve formed an alliance. Professional teams might have the quality, but they are lacking in numbers. So they often make this choice. 

This was the case.

‘After the fifth main scenario, they got on the same boat for the sixth main scenario.’

It was an understandable judgment. The two of them might have a close friendship, but it seemed that the club’s front desk had an influence. The situation was just right, so an alliance between the two clubs was a natural choice. In any case, there were two Arena Week tickets assigned to the North America League. It was impossible for Red Bull America and New York Warriors to gain an overwhelming lead in the main scenario.

So it was natural to choose to fight together instead of guarding against each other. Just then, an idea passed through Hyeonu’s mind. ‘Alliance... Yes!’

Hyeonu smiled and spoke to Gang Junggu.

-To Gang Junggu: Brother, I have one more thing to ask.

-From Gang Junggu: What is it? Tell me quickly. I’ll listen to you. Who should I bury?

Hyeonu was creeped out by Gang Junggu’s playful words and touched the back of his neck with his right hand.

-To Gang Junggu: It isn’t like that. Please gather the other three. The time... Two hours. Two hours later, gather at the entrance of the Balder Mountains.

-From Gang Junggu: I understand. Two hours later...

There was a bright smile on Hyeonu’s face, but his eyes were glowing like those of a hyena that had found its prey.

***

 

“Why did Alley Leader gather us together? Do you know the reason?” Liu Shei stared at Mascherano with a look of great annoyance.

It should’ve made him feel bad, but Mascherano replied with a smile on his face, “I don’t know either. Even so, it must be about the main scenario if he called us.”

Then Mascherano turned his head. His gaze was directed at Gang Junggu who was absorbed in whispering to someone. Mascherano opened his mouth and asked, “Shouldn’t you be smiling or, at the very least, be expressionless?” 

“What?”

“You’re here. You have to manage your facial expressions. Smile!” Mascherano gestured to Gang Junggu using his chin and then smiled exaggeratedly to Liu Shei.

“How do you see this Liu Shei...” 

Liu Shei was about to yell at Mascherano, but Gang Junggu finally appeared in front of them and glanced at Liu Shei.

“See this Liu Shei? What about it? What’s up? What's going on?” Gang Junggu’s expression was distorted in a very fierce manner.

Liu Shei bit on his lip and didn’t know what to say. “Nothing. What does Alley Leader want to talk to us about today? We were discussing this topic, Gang Junggu.” 

“Really? You will know soon. He will come in a little bit. He said he’s arriving.” Gang Junggu placed an arm around Liu Shei’s shoulder.

He didn’t see that Liu Shei’s face had stiffened.

“He’s here.” The silent Reina opened her mouth for the first time.

“I’m sorry for the delay!” Hyeonu appeared the moment his name was mentioned. It was just like the saying, ‘speak of the devil’.

“You’re not late. There are still five minutes left in the two hours we agreed upon.”

“That’s right. Rather, you came quickly. You must’ve come from a far distance.”

Gang Junggu and Mascherano welcomed Hyeonu. Liu Shei, however, still had a stiff expression. Meanwhile, Reina’s lips were tightly shut, and she didn’t say anything. She just gave a small nod as a greeting.

“I’m late because I gathered all the busy people and came last.” Hyeonu looked around at each of them.

The first one was Gang Junggu, and once he made eye contact with the last one, Reina, Hyeonu opened his mouth to speak. “I will get to the main point. I know you’re all busy trying to attack the Balder Mountains. I will make things bigger.”

“What do you mean? Do you mean passing on information to other guilds? Behemoth?” Mascherano questioned it because he didn’t understand Hyeonu’s words.

The other three people didn’t say anything, but they obviously felt the same judging from their nodding.

“Of course not. The way I will open it up is by using ‘multi-level’,” Hyeonu replied.

“Multi-level?” Reina asked.

Based on Reina’s knowledge, ‘multi-level’ was a sales method with a pyramid-like distribution structure.

‘What does that have to do with the current situation?’ She couldn’t connect the main scenario with the multi-level method no matter how she thought about it.

“It’s simple. The four people gathered here and Rain who didn’t come—the five of us are at the top of the pyramid. We will attract other guilds like an octopus, but we won’t provide accurate information. There is something somewhere in the Balder Mountains. Only these nuances will be spoken, but they will have to share their maps,” Hyeonu stated. 

Upon hearing Hyeonu’s words, everyone had a blank look like they had been hit by a hammer. They only thought about holding onto the information and hiding it. They had never thought of sprinkling it in pieces to gain benefits like this.

“This should be conveyed precisely to Rain. In any case, do you have any questions?” Hyeonu turned his head from left to right and then from right to left. “No one has any questions? Then we will go back to our spots. Shouldn’t we go ahead with the main scenario?”

Hyeonu was about to leave when Reina raised her hand. “Are there any restrictions on the guild recruitment?”

“It doesn’t matter as long as they have the ability. Just... Aren’t there many places that are like fat pigs raised on a lot of food? It is no use gathering from places that are about to die of starvation or places that haven’t ripened yet,” Hyeonu explained it to Reina in a gentle manner.

Those who weren’t capable were of no use in the Balder Mountains. There were other fields as well, but the Balder Mountains were particularly severe. It felt similar to the early days of Arena when players who only hit animals and beasts started hunting orcs and lizardmen in earnest.

There was a rapid rise in difficulty.

“This is just my prediction, but the Balder Mountains will be a turning point for the players who are real rankers and players who just follow the pattern. It will also be one for those who don’t have the skills but cover it up with money. Players have to pass a certain standard to survive here in the Balder Mountains.” Hyeonu paused for a moment before speaking again. “We are going to suck on the backs of those who survive. This is how to survive in Arena. Then I will end it here for today.”

Hyeonu disappeared from the Balder Mountains after completing his remarks.

*** 

Hyeonu entered deep into the Balder Mountains while those left behind logged out. They grabbed their smartphones, computers, or laptops. All four of them started getting in touch with others. Between those with whom they had a distant relationship or a good relationship, their main goal was naturally to invite those who were closer to them. This was the only way they could avoid suspicion. In short, they were going to call someone they could eat up.

‘I have to find my prey first,’ the intelligent-looking Mascherano thought before picking up his smartphone.

It rang for a brief moment before a male voice was heard.

“Hello?”

-Hello? Mascherano?

“It has been a while, Jinyong Kim.”  

Kim Jinyong, JT Telecom’s captain and oldest brother—this was the prey Mascherano decided on. JT Telecom—this team was both prey and a gift to Alley Leader.

“I’ve brought you a very good offer. Would you like to hear it?” Mascherano spoke in a very sweet voice. It was truly the devil’s temptation.

-A good offer is always welcome. What do you want to talk about? 

The prey asked for the bait.

Previous Chapter Next Chapter

(6/6) Weekly chapters. No set days. 

Official Artwork Page

If there are Korean honorifics you don't understand, please check out my Glossary of Common Korean Terms

Glossary of Common Korean Terms