Ranker's Return

Yeongchan smiled as he watched Jung Hanbaek climb onto the sparring field. He wanted to laugh loudly, but he had to endure it. It was so they could have fun after such a long while.

“Oh! Flying Superman is the challenger. You currently have two wins and two losses. You know that if you lose three, you will lose your masked fighter status and have to disclose your identity, right?”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

Hearing Jung Hanbaek’s reply, Yeongchan had a mischievous expression. He looked like a naughty boy.

‘Really? Then let’s make your dark history.’

Yeongchan asked Jung Hanbaek a question that might be unpleasant, “Yet you still came out. If so, you must definitely be confident that you can beat Romantic Assassin...?”

Unaware of Yeongchan’s intentions, Jung Hanbaek simply nodded. He thought it was just a broadcasting move.

‘Was it originally like this? Well, it is a broadcast. Controversies are needed.’

“That’s right.”

“Yes, I understand. Then by all means! I hope you win,” Yeongchan said. Then he turned to look at Hyeonu and asked, “Romantic Assassin, how do you feel now?”

“What should I feel?”

“Didn’t Flying Superman say he came up because he can beat you?”

“I guess so. I don’t care.”

‘This jerk...?’ Yeongchan gritted his teeth. Hyeonu wasn’t doing an interview but was chatting with him. It was also in the form of teasing him. Otherwise, this attitude didn’t make sense. ‘I’ll put up with it just once.’ 

“I see. I understand. Then I’ll start the match right away.” Yeongchan started the match before he exploded.

[Romantic Assassin VS Flying Superman]

Hyeonu realized that the cooldown of Giant’s Power had ended.

‘It has already been two hours.’

The timing was great. Things were going smoothly. This would make revenge easier than Hyeonu anticipated. No, revenge was originally easy. It was just that the intensity of the revenge would be higher than expected.

‘I’ll make a dark history that he will carry with him for all his life.’

At this moment, Tang-E’s hand moved.

[You have received Bear’s Momentum.]

[Physique has increased.]

[Strength has increased.]

[You have received the Forest’s Blessing.]

[Physique has increased.]

[Health will continue to recover.]

Hyeonu immediately used his giant skills when he saw the buffs.

[Giant’s Power has been used.]

[Your strength stat has increased.]

[Giant’s Nature has been used.]

[Your strength stat has increased.]

Hyeonu rushed toward Jung Hanbaek. At this moment, Hyeonu’s skills were activated.

[Master of Combat is activated.]

[Your stats have increased.]

[The stat ‘fighting energy’ has caused your stats to rise.]

[The other party is stronger than you.]

[Your stats have increased.]

[Mindset of a Murderer has activated.]

[All stats have increased by 15%.]

Hyeonu moved faster. It was like watching a car. The more he ran, the faster he accelerated. Hyeonu appeared in front of Jung Hanbaek and swung his broken single-edged sword. The moment the sword was swung, a bright burst of light emerged from the weapon.

Jung Hanbaek, who stopped Hyeonu’s strike, didn’t fly away but stepped back steadily. It was like someone seeing a ghost in a horror movie. Of course, it was very ridiculous.

‘Let’s play well today. Jung Hanbaek.’

Hyeonu smiled brightly as he watched Jung Hanbaek.

***

ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-I don’t know who it is, but he’s hilarious.

-Is he a gagman? 

-Being so ambitious in an interview?

‘Damn, he is stronger than before. What is that skill? What the hell?!’ Jung Hanbaek was panicking. This attack was stronger than ever. If Jung Hanbaek did something wrong, he would be defeated in vain. ‘Eh? Why is he stopping?’

Then something strange happened. Normally, Romantic Assassin should move toward Superman for a follow-up attack. Yet Romantic Assassin was simply standing in place. Then he raised his left hand. He moved his fingers in the most powerful provocation.

‘This son of a bitch!’

The viewers found it funny, but the involved party, Jung Hanbaek, was furious. He was a professional gamer as well as a player of JT Telecom who competed for South Korea. This taunt was unbearable. Jung Hanbaek thought that he should break Romantic Assassin.

However, this was just his idea. The more they collided, he realized his opponent’s specs were superior to his own. Jung Hanbaek was suppressed in terms of level and items. The only thing he was superior in was that he was a bit faster than Romantic Assassin. He was being really pushed in strength. It was safe to say that Jung Hanbaek was crushed. This was a complete defeat.

‘I might win if I use my hidden skill, but I was planning to save it for the team.’

Jung Hanbaek hesitated. He had a trump card. Every ranker had a special skill, especially if they were a professional gamer.

‘Shit, what is the point of leaving it for later? I have to defeat this bastard.’

Hyeonu’s continued provocation led to Jung Hanbaek using the skill. ‘Fairy’s Blessing.’ Fairy’s Blessing was a buff skill that increased his agility stat by 50% and increased movement speed by 20%. It wasn’t at a level that Hyeonu would call a trump card. 

‘From now on, it will be different.’

Jung Hanbaek rushed toward Hyeonu.

***

-Oh, is the concept flying? Isn’t he Superman?

-What is he doing so quickly? Moving faster? This is good.

The viewers were busy laughing at Jung Hanbaek. Then the viewers built up some expectations when Jung Hanbaek’s movements changed. Flying Superman was going to show something. They hoped he would fight back instead of being hit one-sidedly like he was now.

However, reality was different. Flying Superman was still at a disadvantage. He ran as fast as he could and was thrown back quickly.

‘Phew, he scared me.’ Hyeonu wasn’t relaxed, unlike what his external appearance suggested. This was because he was barely winning. It just looked like an overwhelming defeat from the position of the viewers and the one suffering, Jung Hanbaek. The duel was resulting in a disastrous defeat without a single move being made.

This was the reality.

‘He is a pro gamer for a reason.’

Jung Hanbaek’s skills were excellent. Hyeonu might’ve lost if he hadn’t pulled everything out.

‘Still, I will win. Jung Hanbaek.’

Hyeonu charged toward Jung Hanbaek.

‘You son of a bitch.’

***

‘Damn, what is this?!!!’

It didn’t make sense to Jung Hanbaek. Why was he losing? He would be convinced if he lost to Reina. She was clearly stronger than him. However, now that the buffs disappeared, Jung Hanbaek clearly realized it. Romantic Assassin didn’t have a higher level than Jung Hanbaek. Neither were his items better. Jung Hanbaek knew best that the other person’s stats were worse than his.

From a streamer to a professional gamer, he had hunted and participated in PvP countless times. He could sense it. This person was obviously strong at the beginning. Yet five minutes later...

After five minutes, he had weakened. Perhaps these five minutes were Romantic Assassin’s best. Jung Hanbaek believed it.

‘Then why?!!!’

Why couldn’t Jung Hanbaek win? Clearly, he had better stats yet he was helpless. It was hard to block Romantic Assassin’s sword which moved like a ghost. Jung Hanbaek fought back, but his attacks couldn’t continue. It was a typical scenario of defeat, and it was also very disastrous.

“Why? Why?!!” Jung Hanbaek yelled. In front of the stationary Jung Hanbaek, Hyeonu’s single-edged sword appeared.

‘I lost...’

The match ended. Moreover, there was a big wound on Jung Hanbaek’s pride.

[Romantic Assassin has won.]

***

“Flying Superman was defeated. Your record was two wins and three losses. You have now lost three times, so please reveal your identity.” Yeongchan suppressed his laughter as Jung Hanbaek took off his mask.

-Wow, it is Jung Hanbaek.

-A pro.

-Well, he won twice and lost three times...

-No, at least his identity wasn’t caught. Well done.

The audience’s responses were generally favorable. The first episode of Masked Fighting King had been a mess. Everyone had their identity discovered except for Daniel, who ran away after two matches. Jung Hanbaek deserved enough praise just for successfully hiding his identity.

“The identity of Flying Superman was a member of JT Telecom! Jung Hanbaek, please greet the audience.”

“Yes, hello. I’m Jung Hanbaek of JT Telecom.”

Yeongchan played a trick on Jung Hanbaek to the end. “Then as the first player to be eliminated, please tell me how you feel.”

“Yes, it’s a bit sad. I will work hard to prepare for the season and show you a better side in the league.”

Jung Hanbaek’s expression was slightly distorted by Yeongchan’s question, but he replied with a smile. However, many people had seen Jung Hanbaek’s expression.

***

Later, Hyeonu committed the atrocity of once again surrendering. The responsibility was on Yeongchan who had taken the role of Alley Leader.

‘Son of a bitch, I’ll kill him when we’re done.’ 

Yeongchan thought about how to kill Hyeonu. It was Countess’ Hostess (Reina) who was chosen to challenge the Masked Fighting King. She beat Mister Moai, who went up shortly after Hyeonu stepped down from the sparring field, before defeating Predator and Joker to gain five victories and the right to challenge the Masked Fighting King. In the final round of Masked Fighting King, she broke Two Fists Clenched Tightly after 20 minutes of fighting to become the 2nd Masked Fighting King.

“At this moment, the second Masked Fighting King has been born!!”

-Reina’s class has come out.

-She truly is 10th on the arena rankings.

-The top 10 are different.

-Those above 17th place easily exceed the winning class.

All that remained was to reveal the identity of the remaining masked fighters.

“Now, let’s reveal the identity of the masked fighters. I will start with the first Masked Fighting King.”

At Yeongchan’s words, Two Fists Clenched Tightly came forward. Then he took off his mask with no hesitation.

-Wow, it’s Jin Sijong.

-It truly is the 1st ranked Liru Monk. I am proud as a fighter.

-Well, it was obvious. Still, it feels different after confirming it.

“Hello. I am Jin Sijong, the guild leader of New World. It is nice to meet you.”

“Yes, Jin Sijong. You came down from your seat within a week. Do you have any regrets?”

Jin Sijong stared into Yeongchan’s eyes and slowly opened his mouth. “There was someone I really wanted to fight but couldn’t. Thus, I feel regretful. The next time he appears, I want to appear again.”

“I see. I don’t know who he is, but he is lucky. He didn’t need to compete with the Masked Fighting King. Haha,” Yeongchan laughed.

He didn’t know who Jin Sijong was talking about.

“Then we will reveal the next identity. Joker, please take off your mask.”

At Yeongchan’s words, Joker took off his mask. He had no victories and two defeats, so he was embarrassed. “Hello. I am Streamer Ichino.”

-Truly a ninja.

-Isn’t a ninja a type of event? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Appearance doesn’t matter. What’s important is the result.

-It is cool. Thanks for the hard work today.

The reaction of the viewers was more favorable than when Jung Hanbaek took off his mask. Nobody told Ichino that he was inferior. Ichino had a good ranking, and he also had an assassin class. It might be different in a raid or siege, but in 1:1 PvP, it wasn’t easy for an assassin to win against a warrior.

Then Andromeda Predator revealed his identity. He was a streamer of a similar level to Ichino, but interest toward him was quickly switched off. It was because Mister Moai revealed his identity.

-Wow, Moai...

-Moai is a real deal.

-Wow... Moai-chan.

-Lick lick, have me. Moai-chin.

Moai’s identity was a woman! She was also a beauty. Her changed body was the effect of an item. She wasn’t at Reina’s level but was more like Ichino. 

Then at this moment, Romantic Assassin revealed his identity.

-???

-What?

-He took off his mask, so why is there another mask?

-He isn’t a fool. Why use two?

The viewers initially glimpsed the silhouette and laughed. It was because Romantic Assassin was wearing another mask like a fool. However, that only lasted for a short while. Once Romantic Assassin looked up, everyone was speechless. “Hello, I am Alley Leader.”

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